Telecom
FG Plans 7,000 New Communication Towers in Rural Areas
The Federal Government yesterday disclosed plans to build 7,000 new communication towers in rural areas to expand access to telecommunications services and improve digital connectivity across the country.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, disclosed this after leading Airtel executives on a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Dr. Tijani, the government is committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, especially those in underserved areas, have meaningful access to quality telecommunication services.
The Minister noted that the decision to invest in rural infrastructure aligns with the administration’s broader goal of improving digital inclusion and economic opportunities for all citizens.
Tijani said: “The priority for this government is meaningful access. We don’t want our people to just have access to telecommunication services; we want it to be of high quality. That is why the NCC has been working thoroughly to ensure that we shift the focus not just to quality of service, but to quality of experience.”
The minister explained that the approval for the construction of 7,000 new towers was granted by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as part of a broader strategy to bridge the digital divide.
He said the investment will complement the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables across the country.
Dr. Tijani also addressed the recent approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs, clarifying that the decision was necessary to sustain businesses in the sector and prevent job losses.
He revealed that the government conducted a study led by KPMG to determine the optimal tariff adjustment while balancing affordability for consumers and sustainability for telecom operators.
“Some of these decisions are difficult, but it is our responsibility to look out for our citizens, including individuals and corporate entities. If we chose not to allow any tariff increase, we risked losing jobs and seeing companies shut down, which is not the best outcome for the economy,” he explained.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector investment in digital infrastructure while ensuring that public investments support nationwide connectivity.
The construction of the new towers is aimed at significantly enhancing network coverage in remote areas, allowing millions of Nigerians to benefit from improved mobile and internet services.
Also speaking, Chairman of Airtel Africa, Sunil Bharti Mittal, said Airtel Nigeria is the soul of its operations in Africa, with the potential to match India’s advancements in digital innovation, connectivity, and financial inclusion.
Emphasising that Airtel’s success in Nigeria is crucial to its overall success in Africa, Mittal stressed that Nigeria’s strategic importance underscores Airtel’s objective,which is to drive growth and transformation across the African continent.
He said: “Nigeria is the most important part of our Africa strategy. In fact, the entire Africa rests on the back of Nigeria for Airtel.
“And Nigeria is important to us, personally important to me. I watch over one country other than India, personally myself. That is Nigeria. I come back here from time to time, and it’s in our intention to make Nigeria at par with what we are seeing in India in terms of digital innovation, digital connectivity and financial inclusion.
“I can assure all of you here today that we come here with force for good for this country, and you will continue to see us being a very, very responsible corporate citizen contributing to the well being of this country.”
He highlighted the company’s significant investments in Nigeria and its plans for further expansion, including the rollout of 5G services and additional investments of $700 million over the next two years.
Mittal lauded President Tinubu-led government on recent economic reforms, which he said will attract more foreign investment and improve business conditions in Nigeria.
Mittal also spoke on Airtel Africa’s award of scholarship to 10 Nigerian students for full Engineering degrees both at the undergraduate and post graduate levels in top engineering institutions.
He noted that the company expects the Nigerian government to take charge of selecting the 10 students who will be sent to India as part of the fellowship program.
According to Bharti, the Airtel Africa scholarship programme, which is under Satya Bharti School Programme began 15 years ago, has created a large ecosystem of 100,000 school children across various communities in India.
“So, we started 15 years back with the primary school program in India, where the focus was girl child, free education, midday meal, computer in the school uniforms, and we created nearly a large ecosystem of over 100,000 school children going into various villages in India. And that program still continues. We have then stepped it up with scholarships in the universities.
“That programme of Satya bharthi scholar has also started in a big way. And today I can share with you I was very pleased to hand over my letter inviting 10 Nigerian students for a full degree, both undergrad and post grad degrees in engineering in top institutions in India every year.
“And we would expect the Nigerian government to be choosing and selecting those 10 students who sent to India.”
On Airtel’s commitment to the 3 Million Technical Talent programme of the present administration, Mittal said that Airtel aims to support Nigeria in diverting some attention to areas such as Skills and education, while also contributing to the society in a very meaningful way.
“That’s a commitment to be a part of that. And we believe that just like India and many other countries, including in Africa, if we can divert some attention into the area of Skilling and education, I think we’ll contribute To the society in a very meaningful way.”
Meta has announced its intention to appeal the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its data practices.
The penalty follows a 38-month investigation conducted by the FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which ran from 2021 to December 2023.
The investigation found evidence of unauthorised data sharing, insufficient user consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices that treated Nigerian consumers differently from those in other regions.
In July 2024, the FCCPC imposed the $220 million fine on Meta and WhatsApp, citing violations of Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. Additionally, the ruling mandated corrective actions to ensure that Meta’s business practices comply with Nigerian regulations.
In a decision delivered on Friday, April 25, the tribunal upheld the fine, reaffirming the FCCPC’s authority and investigative processes. The tribunal also ordered Meta to pay an additional $35,000 to cover the costs incurred during the investigation.
However, Meta expressed disagreement with the tribunal’s ruling, stating in a statement on Saturday, April 26, that it would urgently seek to appeal the decision and apply for a stay of execution.
“We are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users,” WhatsApp said.
The company also contested the tribunal’s findings, claiming that the ruling misrepresented how WhatsApp operates and contained inaccuracies regarding its data practices.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for data privacy violations in Nigeria.
The Tribunal also awarded $35,000 in investigative costs to the country’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .
In a statement issued by the FCCPC, the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and ruling in favour of its actions on nearly all contested issues.
According to the statement by the FCCPC, “The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission adhered to prevailing laws, fulfilled its mandate, and exercised its powers by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.”
The statement revealed that WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC was represented by Babatunde Irukera.
It added that both legal teams presented their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.
“The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, the investigation started in 2020.
“The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.
“Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission,” FCCPC said.
The Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority and investigative procedures in Meta and WhatsApp’s appeal, resolving most of the contested issues in the Commission’s favour.
It confirmed that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate, particularly regarding fair hearing, data protection, and consumer rights.
While it dismissed the majority of the appellants’ objections, it set aside one specific order (Order 7) for lacking sufficient legal basis.
While expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman/CEO, commended the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic expertise in assembling evidence and presenting their case.
He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s unwavering commitment not only to protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers but also to promoting fair business practices in line with the FCCPA (2018) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government.
Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), has made history with the listing of Legend Internet Service Plc as the first company in its Telecoms sector and the first company to be listed this year.
Legend’s N2 billion ordinary shares, with a par value of 50 kobo each, were listed at N5.64 per share.
Dr Umaru Kwairanga, chairman of NGX Group, who welcomed Legend’s board and management, commended the company for its successful listing on the Exchange
He highlighted that listing signifies an elevated commitment to corporate governance and provides opportunities to leverage the Exchange’s diverse asset classes for capital raising.
He stated, “As we celebrate this listing, with many more in the pipeline, I commend the management of Legend Internet Plc for this remarkable milestone.
“This bold step demonstrates confidence in your business model and growth vision.
It also marks the formal emergence of a broadband service as a distinct sub-sector on our Exchange.
Legend has evolved from a focused digital network provider to a diversified technology player, achieving significant advancements in broadband infrastructure development and data services.
We anticipate continued growth in the future.
“We are still bringing many companies on board the NGX, including Dangote, NNPC and others.
“As Africa’s leading exchange, NGX has consistently championed innovation, transparency and sustainable value creation through our investment in cutting-edge infrastructure and a comprehensive range of product offerings, spanning equities, bonds, ETFs and derivatives
Speaking at the Facts Behind the Listing Ceremony, Dr Ladi Bada, chairman, Legend emphasised that the company, as the first indigenous telecommunications company on NGX, has substantial value to offer the market.
Bada encouraged Nigerians to embrace the broadband industry, recognizing it as the fastest-growing sector globally.
He noted that the company had been instrumental in laying fiber optic cables connecting 250 homes in the Suleja and Abuja environs.
He expressed optimism that the Exchange would serve as a catalyst to replicate such commendable projects across other regions of Nigeria.
“We are here to create an enabling digital infrastructure to achieve the projected one-trillion dollar economy.
“On this special day, Legend Internet takes a bold step forward, not just for itself, but for the broader ecosystem of technology, infrastructure, and enterprise in Nigeria.
“As we begin this exciting new chapter as a publicly listed company, we do so with humility and boldness.
We remain committed to continuous innovation, expanding our reach, and delivering value to shareholders and society
“A listing on the Nigerian Exchange is more than a financial event. It is a signal and a declaration that a business is ready to be held to the highest standards of governance, performance, and public trust,” he said
Providing insights into the company’s development, Ms Aisha Abdulaziz, chief executive officer of Legend Internet Plc, stated that the company had evolved from an internet service provider to a comprehensive digital service provider.
Abdulaziz noted that with broadband penetration in Nigeria being less than one per cent, Legend Internet was strategically positioned to deepen access
She affirmed the company’s commitment to taking Nigeria’s digital economy to the next level
“When we started Legend, we weren’t just building an internet company; we were building a movement
A movement fueled by the belief that every Nigerian deserves access to premium, reliable, and high-speed internet, regardless of their location or occupation
“From late nights in our first office to laying fiber across Abuja, to launching products that made people’s lives easier and faster, our journey has always been about connections
“Connecting people to opportunities, connecting homes to entertainment, connecting Nigeria to the digital future it deserves. Our journey has always been about a better way to live.
“This listing is a symbol of our commitment to transparency, sustainable growth, and the kind of excellence that outlives hype.
“Legend’s primary focus now is on unlocking digital value at the household level,” she said.
Mr Jude Chiemeka, chief executive officer of NGX, congratulated the company for making the strategic decision to list.
Mr Chiemeka noted that Legend’s listing on NGX now brings the total number of listed securities to 322
Also, Mr Temi Popoola, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, encouraged the investing public to support the newly listed company.
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