News
GSM Holders, Globacom Barred from Bidding for Mtel, Sat-3

Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has disqualified GSM license holders (MTN, Etisalat, Zain and Glo) from buying Mtel, the mobile arm of Nitel, Nigeria’s beleaguered national carrier, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
BPE charged with the overall responsibility of implementing the Nigerian policy on privatization and commercialization has also said that Globacom, the second national carrier is ineligible to purchase a bundled Nitel as it would leave Globacom with two SNO licenses and would hence, be anti-competition.
Christopher Anyanwu, director general of BPE said the decisions were reached following the advice/input of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the on-going privatisation of Nitel.
The full text of remarks by Anyanwu on the advice by the NCC on the privatisation of Nitel at a special press briefing in Abuja yesterday (Thursday, October 15, 2009) read:
• Recall that the advertisement for expressions of interest from prospective investors for the acquisition of at least 75 % equity in Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL.) was published locally and internationally in July 2009 and the deadline for interested bidders to express interest will close on Monday, October 26, 2009.
• The companies that have submitted their applications are Etisalat Nigeria (EMTS); Omen International Limited (BVI); Summit Group; MTI Consortium; Finetek Consortium; MTNL Limited, India; and Globalcom Ltd. Others are MTN Nigeria Communications Limited; Anas Network Services Limited; Telefonica Consortium; Metro PCS Communications Inc; Brymedia (W.A) Limited; Galaxy Backbone Plc; and Conau Limited;
• Following our letter to NCC seeking advice/input on the on-going privatisation of NITEL, the telecommunications regulator has obliged the BPE with its opinion;
• NCC agrees that NITEL should be unbundled into units and each sold separately with all bidders free to buy any combination of units subject to the following regulatory restrictions;
• That the present GSM license holders (that is, MTN, Etisalat, Zain and Glo) are disqualified from buying the mobile arm of NITEL (that is, M-TEL) if NITEL is sold as a single unbundled unit given that they are presently holders of GSM licences;
• To NCC, the purchase of M-TEL by any of the present GSM holders would present competition challenges and will conflict with the regulator’s guidelines and licensing conditions;
• Given that Glo and NITEL hold Second National Operators (SNO) licences, NCC ruled that Glo is disqualified from purchasing a bundled NITEL as it would leave Glo with two SNO licenses and would hence, be anti-competition;
• Nonetheless, NCC pointed out that any of the local operating firms can purchase NITEL alone without M-TEL and SAT3;
• The regulator stated that a reserved price tag should be placed on each unbundled unit of NITEL in proportion of its potential market value and asset base.
• NCC subsequently noted the additional advantages of the unbundling strategy and on NITEL’s licence assets;
(A) OPERATING LICENSE
IT said the SNO license consists of the following individual licenses:
(a) Digital mobile license;
(b) PNL (fixed wireless land line);
(c) Long distance operators’ license;
(d) (i)International gateway license
(ii) International cable landing right license
(e) Value-added licenses (ISP and Pre-paid card, e.t.c)
(B) SPECTRUM LICENSES
(a) 1900 MHz band—CDMA fixed wireless spectrum
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(b) GSM Spectrum (part of DML licenses) (900 MHz & 1800 MHz bands)
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(c) Various microwave frequencies shared with other operators
(d) NCC however noted that the Microwave frequencies in the 4 GHz band and below have been re-farmed and assigned to other services.
SUGGESTION ON UNBUNDLING
The regulatory agency went ahead to suggest that NITEL be unbundled into the following components:
• DML Licence and Infrastructure (M-TEL)
• Long Distance License and Infrastructure (fibre + microwave)
• International Licenses – 3No International Gateway and SAT-3 Submarine Cable Access
• Fixed Network – CDMA fixed wireless, digital switches, external line plants cable network, metropolitan fibre cable networks. It noted that the CDMA fixed wireless network could be upgraded to a CDMA mobile network if the purchaser obtains a universal access service license; and
• Value Added Services Licenses; i.e. Internet service provider, prepaid card, coin box, internet exchange point, etc
ADVANTAGES OF UNBUNDLING
(i) NCC said the suggested unbundling line will help BPE overcome some of the regulatory barriers;
(ii) Adding that each buyer will likely pay a higher price for the component it values most important for its strategic plan. It will thereby enable government to make more money from the entire privatisation process;
(iii) Small and medium-size operators can participate in the process, thereby increasing the number of players and increasing the probability of getting a buyer for each component part. The more the number of participants, the more the competition for the purchase of the items.
090 ANALOGUE EQUIPMENT
On the 090 Analogue equipment, the NCC delivered the following verdict: “Telecommunications is a fast-changing industry, hence equipment and systems have tendency to become obsolete very quickly. 090 analogue mobile equipment belongs to the first generation mobile technology (1G) making use of TDM switches and analogue air-interface. Modern networks are already being upgraded to internet protocol (IP) Soft Switches and 3G air-interface equipment, while trials are already being conducted on Fourth Generation (4G) technologies. 090 equipment has no chance of competing with modern equipment in terms of service provisioning and hence has virtually no market value.”
Dr. Christopher Anyanwu
October 15, 2009
News
Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.
The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.
Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.
According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.
Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.
“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.
She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.
“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.
Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.
The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.
News
IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.
Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.
She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.
According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.
The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.
Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.
News
CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.
The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”
The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.
Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.
He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.
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