Telecom
FG, Bayelsa Sign MoU with on Smart State initiative

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Bayelsa state and the Ministry of Communication Technology making Bayelsa a Smart state, an initiative being promoted by the Ministry of Communication Technology and the Broadband Council geared at engaging governors and relevant authorities at the state and federal level to address the issue of multiple taxation impeding the acceleration of the roll out of critical infrastructure across Nigeria.
The main aim of the Smart States initiative is to ensure that effective measures are adopted to remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations across the nation.
Bayelsa is one of the Smart States selected by the Broadband Council to facilitate ICT infrastructure rollout critical for development.
Other Smart states selected by the Broadband Council include Anambra, Gombe, Katsina and Ondo. Lagos has already reduced ROW charges by 85%.
The MoU was signed during the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum held over the weekend in Bayelsa.
Dr Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology at the BSIEF 2014 Forum in Bayelsa made a Presentation on ‘Technology Infrastructure & eCommerce Growth’.
She highlighted the current scenario and future opportunities in the Nigerian ICT Industry, the growth prospects, primary drivers and factors influencing adoption of e-commerce in Nigeria and the Communication Technology Ministry’s role in facilitating ICT development and e-commerce growth in Nigeria.
Emphasising the role States play in ICT play in enabling speedy infrastructure deployment, Dr Johnson urged Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state to focus on ICT infrastructure development in the state by waiving Right of Way ROW for two years, making it easy for fibre to be built in Bayelsa by reducing multiple taxation, enabling new roads being built or rehabilitated in the state to have fibre duct infrastructure, assign a single agency to collect levies, taxes and fees on behalf of the state and protect ICT infrastructure in the state.
Governor Dickson at the event immediately pledged a 50% reduction in ROW charges and the setting up of a single agency to administer the collection of all taxes and levies in Bayelsa.
He promised that the state is proud to be selected as a Smart state and will put in place all the necessary measures needed to make Bayelsa a model ICT state in Nigeria.
Recall that the Ministry is working to ensure that the bottlenecks that mitigate service quality delivery are removed.
To tackle quality of service issues in the industry, the Ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Works developed new Right of Way RoW guidelines for Federal Government roads to enable operators have unencumbered means of laying fibre optics which is critical for infrastructure development and quality of service.
To remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations that impede telecoms development across the nation, the Ministry for the first time in the history of Nigeria’s telecoms revolution got state governors and relevant authorities at the state and federal level to address the issue of multiple taxation and adopt measures that will remove arbitrary charges and eradicate multiple taxations to enhance service delivery across the nation.
A landmark agreement with the Lagos state government facilitated by the Ministry was brokered to address issues of RoW, base station deployment etc. Cost of RoW was slashed from 3000 to 500- a reduction of 85%.
The Ministry is working replicate this in other states by convincing other state governors and relevant authorities at the state level to eliminate multiple taxation and adopt measures that will remove arbitrary charges and enhance telecoms service delivery.
An assessment of the deployment of ICT infrastructure revealed that almost 70 percent of deployment cost was spent on processing ROW; taxes and levies on infrastructure, which makes the landmark agreement with the Lagos State Government even more significant.
The ministry strongly believes that the elimination of multiple taxes will result in cost effective, accelerated and massive deployment of ICT infrastructure across the country, which will enhance quality delivery issues currently being experienced by telecoms subscribers.
The accelerated deployment of ICT infrastructure, cannot be done without due consideration for the environment. The industry has been plagued with inter-agency conflicts and unduly long approval processes in ensuring that laid down standards are adhered to.
The ministry further committed itself to maintaining environmental standards and fostering inter-agency cooperation when it reached an Agreement with the Ministry of Environment and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on the construction of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).
Telecom
How Recycled SIM Card Linked to N50m Kidnapping Nearly Landed me in Jail – Businesswoman

Titilayo Ibrahim, Nigerian businesswoman, has shared a harrowing experience of how she narrowly escaped imprisonment after a SIM card she purchased was linked to a N50 million kidnapping and murder case.

In an interview with BBC Yoruba shared on Facebook, Ibrahim narrated how a routine business transaction quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.
According to her, the nightmare began on October 16, 2025, when a purported customer contacted her business line to purchase nightwear.
The caller, a woman, claimed her own phone was faulty and that she was using her husband’s device.
After selecting two pieces, the woman asked for directions for pickup. Ibrahim shared the location of her estate junction, but upon arrival, she was met by two men who identified themselves as police officers and immediately arrested her.
The officers accused Ibrahim of being connected to a major kidnapping operation.
They alleged that the phone number she was using had been involved in a January 2024 incident where a N50 million ransom was collected before the victim was brutally murdered.
Ibrahim desperately tried to explain that the number was innocent, stating that she had only purchased the SIM card in April 2025—months after the crime took place—and used it strictly for her MiFi device.
The officers, reportedly led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, claimed that one of the phone numbers linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) was tied to the crime.
They took her to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, and she faced intense harassment and the threat of being detained in Akure and transferred to Abuja.
In a bid to clear her name, Ibrahim and the officers visited an Airtel office.
On October 17, 2025, the telecommunications company officially confirmed from their records that the disputed SIM was indeed purchased and activated in April 2025.
“Even after confirming it at the network office, they still didn’t believe me. They harassed me and almost sent me to prison for what I know nothing about,” Ibrahim recounted.
Despite the undeniable evidence from the network provider clearing her of any involvement, the police still confiscated her phones, took them to Abuja, and instructed her to report there.
Her revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern online.
Many Nigerians expressed shock at the incident, pointing out the growing dangers and security risks associated with telecommunication companies recycling inactive phone numbers or the hazards of inadvertently purchasing pre-registered SIM cards.
The incident highlights the terrifying reality of how easily innocent citizens can become entangled in complex criminal investigations.
Telecom
Ouranos Technologies Strengthens Board with Key Leadership Appointments

Ouranos Technologies Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 January 2026.

Ouranos Technologies is an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab in West Africa, specialising in IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation solutions for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.
Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Mfon Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, also confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode as Non-Executive Directors, further strengthening the Board’s strategic oversight as the company continues its regional expansion and technology leadership.
These appointments mark a significant milestone in the governance evolution of Ouranos Technologies, as it deepens its focus on enterprise technology delivery, cybersecurity innovation, and strategic partnerships across Africa.
Strengthening Governance for the Next Phase of Growth
Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning consulting, banking, manufacturing, capital markets, and large-scale corporate strategy execution.
He holds a BSc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated as Best Student in both the Department and Faculty, and an MBA, with Distinction, from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Mr. Ahmed has held senior leadership roles across several prominent institutions including Arthur Andersen / KPMG, Zenith Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Variant Advisory Limited, and BUA Group, where he served as General Manager / Group Head, Business Development. During his tenure at BUA Group, he played a key role in the listing of BUA Foods Plc on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and in securing regulatory approvals for the Bundu Free Trade Zone in Port Harcourt.
He holds Fellowships of other reputable institutions, including National Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP), and Nigerian Leadership Initiative (FNLI); as well as memberships of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (M.CIoD), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB and HCIB), and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ACIS). He currently serves on the Board of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).
Mr. Ahmed currently serves as Associate Director (Deal Origination) at Lead Capital Plc, where he continues to drive strategic business growth.
Experienced Leaders Join the Board
Joining the Board as Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti brings over 24 years of leadership experience in human capital strategy, governance, organisational transformation, and customer experience across Sub-Saharan Africa.
She currently serves as Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group, where she provides strategic oversight for human capital and customer experience across 11 business entities and over 4,000 employees (FTE & non-FTE) spanning insurance, pensions, health, hospitality, and asset management operations.
Mrs. Adeoti has led large-scale transformation initiatives including enterprise restructuring, HR digitisation, and group-wide customer experience optimisation, driving measurable improvements in organisational performance, employee productivity, and customer engagement.
She has also played a key role in mergers and integration programmes, as well as the deployment of enterprise HR systems, enabling operational efficiency and scalability across the Group.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (FCIPM), Mrs. Adeoti is a member of several global professional bodies, including the HR Forbes Council and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN). She has received multiple recognitions for her leadership impact, including Peak Performing Woman of the Year (2023 and 2024).
Also joining the Board is Mr. Olalekan Olabode, a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 18 years of multinational experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational oversight across complex, capital-intensive industries.
Mr. Olabode is a distinguished Finance Executive with over 21 years of leadership at the intersection of maritime logistics, global supply chain, and corporate finance. He has held senior executive roles at prominent logistics operators where he built a reputation for turning financial complexity into strategic advantage.
He has a proven history of making high-stakes treasury decisions under pressure navigating foreign exchange volatility, managing interest rate exposure, and manoeuvring one of the most challenging currency environments in Africa.
His governance frameworks are not simply compliance exercises; they are systems architected for resilience, built on rigorous internal controls that protect value and enable bold decision-making.
What distinguishes Olalekan is his rare ability to align financial performance with long-term strategic intent translating numbers into narratives that drive boardroom conviction and organizational momentum.
He builds teams that outlast his tenure, embedding structures, accountability, and a culture of excellence that compounds over time. His investment in mentorship has produced measurable leadership depth across every organization he has led.
A Fellow of the ACCA (UK), Certified Supply Chain Professional, and Executive MBA candidate at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Olalekan brings both the technical mastery and the executive presence to lead at the highest levels.
Corporate Governance and Legal Advisory
Supporting the Board’s governance structure is Ms. Margaret Akpoyoware (ACIS), who serves as Company Secretary.
A seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate advisory, commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance, she previously practised with Chief Rotimi Williams Chambers and Olajide Oyewole & Co. before founding Nero’s Practice, a multidisciplinary law firm providing legal advisory services to corporate and institutional clients.
Ouranos Technologies to Drive Africa’s Digital Transformation
“The appointment of Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed as Chairman, alongside the addition of accomplished professionals such as Mrs. Omokunbi Adeoti and Mr. Olalekan Olabode to our Board, represents an important step in strengthening the governance and strategic leadership of Ouranos Technologies,” Mr Okon, Managing Director of Ouranos Technologies Limited, added.
“As organisations across Africa accelerate their digital transformation journeys, strong governance, strategic insight, and operational discipline become even more critical.
“The depth of experience our new Board members bring will support Ouranos Technologies in delivering innovative, secure, and scalable technology solutions for our customers across the region,” Mr Okon said.
The strengthened Board reflects Ouranos Technologies’ commitment to strong corporate governance, innovation, and sustainable growth.
With operations spanning Nigeria and other West African markets, Ouranos Technologies operates as an enterprise technology solutions integrator, managed services provider, and innovation lab, delivering solutions across IT infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation for organisations across banking and financial services, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the public sector.
Telecom
Truecaller Hits 500m Users Milestone – Sets New Global Standard for Trusted Communication

Truecaller, the leading global platform for safe and trusted communication, today announced that it has surpassed 500 million users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to build trust in communication.

Truecaller
The platform continues to see significant user growth, adding over 50 million users in 2025, and has surpassed 150 million users outside of India as demand for protection against spam, scam and unwanted communication continues to grow globally.
Truecaller also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally earlier in the year, further strengthening one of its key revenue streams.
Crossing the 500 million mark underscores how trust has become one of the most essential layers in digital communication today.
“This is an important milestone for us, but it also says something bigger about the world we live in,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Truecaller.
“More and more people need help navigating spam, scams, and unwanted communication every day. Reaching 500 million users shows the scale of that need, and the trust people place in Truecaller to help make communication safer.
“Our commitment remains focused on continuously strengthening Truecaller with smarter technology and new capabilities that protect users before, during, and after every call or message.
“Ultimately, our aim is to build a safer, more trusted communication ecosystem for everyone. We now have our sights set on the next milestone: 1 Billion users.”
With half a billion people using the platform every month, Truecaller has evolved beyond just Caller ID. It has become an essential part of how communication works safely in the digital age; a daily-use trust layer that helps people verify identities, avoid fraud, and make informed decisions about who they interact with.
Today, Truecaller operates as a global digital utility platform, embedded into everyday communication habits for hundreds of millions of people. From identifying unknown callers to preventing fraud and enabling safer messaging, the platform has become a habitual, daily-use service that supports safer interactions across the phone ecosystem.
Despite serving more than half a billion users globally, the company remains relatively lean, with a team of approximately 470 employees building and operating the platform for users around the world.
The company will continue to report the average number of monthly and daily active users on a quarterly basis in connection with its interim financial reports
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