Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has attributed rising mobile data consumption to increased use of smartphone applications, cloud services and emerging digital technologies.

Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON

Mr Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) conference in Lagos.

Adebayo said smartphones had transformed access to digital services, with many applications consuming data continuously, even when users were not actively browsing the internet.

He explained that automatic software updates, cloud backups, application synchronisation, video streaming, social media autoplay and location services significantly increased data consumption.

According to him, internet usage had changed considerably from a decade ago when consumers mainly relied on direct browsing with fewer digital applications running simultaneously.

He said growing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other emerging technologies would further increase demand for reliable connectivity and greater network capacity.

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“The evolution of smartphones has fundamentally changed how consumers access digital services, with many applications now consuming data continuously,” Adebayo said.

He stressed that digital literacy had become increasingly important because consumers needed to understand how their devices and applications consumed mobile data.

He advised subscribers to monitor application activity, adjust device settings and use built-in data management tools to better control their data consumption.

Adebayo said greater understanding of digital tools would help dispel misconceptions about data usage and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Responding to allegations that operators deliberately depleted customers’ data, Adebayo dismissed the claims, insisting telecommunications companies had no commercial incentive to engage in such practices.

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He said every megabyte consumed on telecom networks was recorded through internationally standardised billing systems supplied by recognised technology vendors and regulated by authorities.

“Such a practice would be unlawful, unethical, commercially self-defeating and subject to stringent regulatory oversight by the Nigerian Communications Commission,” he said.

Adebayo explained that operators’ billing systems were designed to guarantee accuracy, transparency and verification, while genuine consumer complaints were investigated through established protection channels.

He added that the Nigerian Communications Commission’s complaint resolution mechanisms and technical audits provided consumers with credible avenues for seeking redress over billing concerns.

According to him, trust remains essential to expanding Nigeria’s digital economy because telecommunications infrastructure supported banking, healthcare, education, commerce and government services.

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He said the telecommunications sector had evolved beyond basic communication services into a critical driver of productivity, investment, innovation and national economic growth.

Adebayo noted that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, smart manufacturing and digital agriculture, depended on resilient telecommunications infrastructure.

He said Nigeria could only maximise these opportunities through sustained collaboration among government, regulators, telecommunications operators and consumers.

Adebayo reaffirmed operators’ commitment to improving customer experience, strengthening network resilience and promoting transparency in telecommunications service delivery.

He urged stakeholders to encourage evidence-based discussions on digital services, stressing that public trust remained indispensable for the sustained growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

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(NAN)

Galaxy Backbone (GBB), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), officially conducted the soft launch of the Government Service Portal (GSP), a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform how citizens, businesses and government institutions interact.

The event, held at the Galaxy Backbone National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) Headquarters in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, development partners, technology stakeholders and members of the media to unveil services.gov.ng—Nigeria’s new one-stop digital gateway for accessing government services.

The Government Service Portal is designed to provide a single, trusted platform through which Nigerians can easily discover, access and interact with digital services offered by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). By consolidating government services into one unified portal, the initiative aims to improve accessibility, enhance service delivery and create a more seamless citizen experience.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone. Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, stated that the launch represents another significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a more connected, efficient, transparent and citizen-centred public service.

He emphasized that the Portal is more than a website; it is the foundation of a unified digital gateway that places the needs of citizens and businesses at the centre of government service delivery.

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He further noted that while the event marks the beginning of the Portal’s journey, the soft launch provides an opportunity to onboard pioneer MDAs, gather user feedback, strengthen system integrations and continuously improve the platform ahead of a wider national rollout.

Representing key stakeholder institutions at the launch were the Deputy Director of KOICA Nigeria, Mr. Ki Yun Baik; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, represented by Mr. Joseph Bareiye, Director of e-Government; the Permanent Secretary, State House, represented by Mr. Oguntuyi Olusegun, Head of ICT; and the Executive Director, Digital Exploration and Technical Services, Galaxy Backbone,  Olumbe Akinkugbe.

The Government Service Portal aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and supports Nigeria’s broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agenda by creating a citizen-facing gateway that complements existing investments in digital identity, secure infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity and digital government platforms. It can be accessed using the link: services.gov.ng .  The initiative is expected to strengthen public service delivery, increase transparency, improve operational efficiency and foster greater trust between government and citizens.

Galaxy Backbone reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all Ministries, Departments and Agencies in integrating their digital services into the Portal, noting that collaboration across government will be critical to building an inclusive, interoperable and efficient digital ecosystem that benefits every Nigerian.

The Government Service Portal is expected to evolve into Nigeria’s central digital gateway for public services, making government services simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens and businesses alike.

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Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has commenced the process of divesting its interest in NTEL/NATCOM, saying the telecommunications company has undergone a major transformation that positions it as one of its most promising asset recovery success stories.

NatCom Development and Investment Limited, trading as ntel, is a Nigerian telecommunications company that acquired the core legacy assets of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile arm (MTel) in 2015.

Mr. Gbenga Alade, managing director and chief executive officer, AMCON, disclosed this during an interactive session with senior media executives in Lagos at the weekend, where he also revealed that the Corporation recovered about N165 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 64 per cent increase over the N107 billion recovered during the corresponding period of 2025.

Alade said the planned sale of NTEL follows the successful divestment of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and forms part of AMCON’s strategy to unlock value from distressed assets while attracting credible investors into key sectors of the economy.

According to him, the divestment programme is being conducted through a transparent and structured process designed to attract strategic investors capable of repositioning the telecoms company for sustainable growth.

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He explained that NTEL, the successor to the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), has embarked on a comprehensive three-pronged transformation strategy aimed at restoring its competitiveness and enhancing its investment appeal.

“The repositioning effort is designed to maximise value, strengthen operational competitiveness and prepare the business for long-term sustainability under new investment,” Alade said.

He described the transformation of NTEL as a significant milestone in the revitalisation of Nigeria’s legacy telecommunications assets, noting that the company remains an important part of the country’s telecom infrastructure and history.

Alade expressed confidence in the Board and Management of NTEL/NATCOM, saying their leadership has laid a solid foundation for the company’s next phase of growth.

“The remarkable transformation of NTEL is poised to become one of AMCON’s most notable success stories in the telecommunications sector. We have full confidence in the Board and Management of NTEL/NATCOM as they continue to demonstrate experience, innovation, diligence and commitment towards positioning this Nigerian-owned company to compete favourably with its peers both locally and internationally,” he stated.

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He assured stakeholders that further updates on the divestment exercise would be communicated as major milestones are achieved, stressing AMCON’s commitment to transparency throughout the process.

Alade said the telecommunications divestment aligns with AMCON’s statutory mandate of maximising value from distressed assets, supporting economic growth and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Beyond the planned sale of NTEL, the AMCON boss highlighted the Corporation’s improved operational performance, revealing that recoveries rose sharply in the first six months of the year.

According to him, the Corporation recovered approximately N165 billion between January and June 2026, compared to N107 billion recorded in the same period last year, while maintaining a cost-to-recovery ratio of just 2.3 per cent, reflecting greater operational efficiency.

Alade also announced what he described as a landmark Supreme Court judgment that strengthens AMCON’s debt recovery powers and clarifies key provisions of its enabling law.

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He said the apex court affirmed that the AMCON Act constitutes a special legal regime that must be interpreted purposively because the Corporation was established to address the financial crisis triggered by the systemic banking challenges of 2008.

According to him, the Supreme Court further ruled that AMCON is exempt from paying stamp duties and confirmed that regardless of the size of an obligor’s indebtedness, the Corporation has the statutory authority to dispose of collateral assets in enforcing its rights and recovering outstanding debts.

“While we celebrate this landmark judgment and several other legal successes, we are not resting on our oars. We remain mindful of the various tactics employed by recalcitrant obligors to frustrate the Corporation’s operations,” Alade stated.

Responding to calls for the winding down of AMCON, the Managing Director alleged that many of those advocating the Corporation’s closure are debtors seeking to frustrate its recovery efforts.

He stressed that any decision on AMCON’s sunset remains the exclusive responsibility of its Board and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that the Corporation remains focused on recovering debts owed on behalf of the Nigerian people.

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Alade also said AMCON has intensified collaboration with debt recovery partners, solicitors and receiver managers to improve the effectiveness of its recovery strategies.

“We regularly engage and sensitise our debt recovery partners, solicitors and receiver managers on the unique provisions of the AMCON Act. This ensures that when they appear in court on matters concerning the Corporation, they are fully conversant with both the facts and the applicable legal framework.

“In recognition of their commitment, and in response to prevailing economic realities, the Corporation has reviewed the commission structure for debt recovery agents and partners across the board. Together, we remain confident that we will continue to achieve significant success in our recovery efforts,” he said.