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FG Orders Telcos to Slash Data Prices, Says Tariff too High

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Dr Isa Pantami, minister of Communications, has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to compel telecommunications service providers to reduce the prices of data being offered subscribers.

 

He also ordered the commission to put a stop to ‘illegal’ deduction of subscribers’ data by the telcos.

 

Yusuf Abubakar, personal assistant to the minister on New Media, who disclosed the development on Sunday, said Pantami gave the directives after he received a progress report on the implementation of Short-Term Performance Targets set for the NCC.

 

The minister was said to be worried that Nigerians were paying so much for data without enjoying value for money spent.

 

“According to the report from a UK-based price comparison website – Cable, Nigeria is not among the top 10 African countries with low average price of data, a position the Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, finds worrisome considering the fact that the country has over 174 million internet users made public by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

 

“The minister also finds it unacceptable that with the prevailing high cost of data in Nigeria, the citizens still do not enjoy value for money as subscribers battle daily with illegal deduction of data, poor quality of service, among others.

 

“It is against this backdrop that the minister directed the NCC, the telecom regulators, to immediately work hand in hand with the telecom operators and ensure a downward review of the price of data in Nigeria, improved quality of service provided and check the illegal deduction of subscribers’ data,” parts of a statement signed by Abubakar read.

 

It will be recalled that the NCC had urged the minister to help address some challenges faced by operators in the telecommunications industry.

 

The challenges, according to the NCC, are vandalism of infrastructure, inadequate power supply, disputes over right of way and multiple taxes.

 

In a related development, the minister has directed the management of Galaxy Backbone Plc, a government-owned information technology service provider, to improve the performance of the firm.

 

Pantami, according to Abubakar, directed Galaxy Backbone to leverage the advantage it had as a government-funded entity to deliver effective and efficient services in order to attract more revenue for the government.

 

“The minister reminded the management of Galaxy Backbone Plc that the Nigerian government invested in the enterprise to reap the dividend of its investment.”

 

He challenged Galaxy Backbone Plc to ensure that more ministries, department and agencies patronised its services.


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Glo Unveils “Play Up” Lottery for Nigerians to Win Millions in Prizes

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Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.

Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.

To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.

“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”

Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.

With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.

For more information, visit  https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery

 


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Galaxy Backbone Hosts NBMA DG for Strategic Collaboration Visit

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Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, managing director/chief executive officer, Galaxy Backbone (GBB) on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, received Dr. Bello Bawa Bwari, director-general,  National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA),  and his team on a courtesy visit to the company’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both organizations to explore areas of collaboration that align with their shared vision of leveraging technology to enhance governance, operational efficiency, and national development.

In his welcome remarks, Professor Adeyanju introduced Galaxy Backbone’s mandate and achievements in expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and deepening connectivity across government institutions.

The NBMA Director-General, Dr. Bwari, commended GBB for its role in driving the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and shared insights into the agency’s work in ensuring biosafety, biosecurity, and the safe application of biotechnology in Nigeria.

The visit featured a presentation on GBB’s Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS) — a key initiative of Professor Adeyanju’s leadership focused on expanding digital infrastructure, enabling data-driven governance, and fostering inter-agency collaboration.

The session concluded with a tour of GBB’s Security Operations Centre (SOC), Network Operations Centre (NOC), and Tier III Data Centre, showcasing the company’s capacity to provide secure and reliable ICT services that power government and enterprise digital operations across the country.


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MTN Nigeria Celebrates Esther Akinnukawe’s CIPM Fellowship and Inclusive Leadership

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L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
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In an era where organisations are redefining leadership and equity, MTN Nigeria continues to set the pace with its growing cadre of women in senior leadership positions. The company’s consistent recognition of female excellence, both within and beyond its walls, reflects a deep, deliberate culture of inclusion and empowerment.

L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Most recently, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MTN Nigeria, was conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the CIPM Gala Night and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.“This recognition is truly fulfilling, it represents the culmination of years of passion and perseverance. To be honoured by the leading institute for HR professionals in Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. I look forward to applying my experience and insight to continue strengthening MTN’s people strategy and driving excellence in human resource management,” Akinnukawe said following the honour.

Her recognition adds to a growing list of milestones achieved by MTN Nigeria’s female leaders in recent years. In July 2025, Uto Ukpanah, the company’s Company Secretary, made history as the 30th President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), becoming only the second woman to hold the role in nearly six decades. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, women now represent 41.4% of the total workforce, 34.7% of management, and 21.4% of the board. These figures reflect a steady rise in gender representation across all levels, supported by a range of internal programmes focused on inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development.

In the first half of 2025, MTN Nigeria’s strong financial and operational performance further reinforced the strength of its diverse leadership. The company recorded a 54.6% increase in service revenue to ₦2.4 trillion and an impressive EBITDA growth of 119.5%, reflecting its resilience, innovation, and effective people strategy.

This performance culture, anchored on inclusion and excellence, is reflected across the company’s leadership team. Beyond Ukpanah and Akinnukawe, several women occupy influential positions shaping the company’s vision and social impact. They include Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation and recipient of the 2024 CSI Personality of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards; A’isha Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer; Oby Ugboma, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer; and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer.

Her journey, from teaching and consulting to leading human capital strategy for Africa’s leading TechCo brand, exemplifies MTN’s belief that empowered women empower organisations.

MTN’s ongoing success story, both in its financial results and in people development, demonstrates that diversity is not just a metric, it’s a growth strategy. As the company continues to invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and social impact programmes, its commitment to elevating women into positions of influence remains resolute.


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