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How MTN Nigeria is Encouraging More Women Participation in Tech

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To commemorate the recently held International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2023, MTN Nigeria hosted a Twitter Space session to discuss the theme DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality. The session aimed to further bridge the gender gap and encourage women participation in tech.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says women make up 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year and about a fifth of the total number of people working in the ICT sector.

Among the panellists was the Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria, Aisha Mumuni who explained that, “to encourage more women participation in tech there is a need to begin to catch them young and introduce them to the basic aspects of tech before moving them through the educational system. This would involve a more direct approach.”

Guest speaker, Nnena Onyewuchi, Executive Director, Yellow Brick Road, said “part of encouraging more women participation is filling the pipeline earlier. In a lot of families in this part of the world, girls enter technology later than boys. While it seems like a protective measure, the girls end up less conversant, and less comfortable with the use of tech. For older women, there are many opportunities in technology outside engineering roles”.

Speaking on encouraging women’s participation in tech, Onyeche Tifase, Vice President Grid Consulting, Siemens Technology, highlighted three channels to effectively get this done – exposure, education and employment. “Women participation in tech is a joint effort from parents, institutions, employers, and other females coming together to pass down the belief that females can thrive in a tech environment” she added.

Women are active users of tech. In the kitchen, at work, and to get personal tasks done, tech is used. The right orientation on tech, emergence of skilled personnels for training, as well as the effective collaboration of women to mentor the younger generation would bridge the gap, and encourage more participation in this industry.

Also speaking on the conversation, Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, the Chief Executive Officer, Futuresoft, noted the need to build relationships with men in the room as a practical approach to dealing with gender bias in the workplace. “Being confident and understanding that when estimated, you win, will give you power.”

MTN is committed to bridging the digital divide in Nigeria and fostering technological inclusion in Africa.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Court Affirms FCCPC’s Authority in Regulating Telecoms Sector

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Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has secured a landmark legal victory after the Federal High Court in Lagos reaffirmed its authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications.

Court Affirms FCCPC’s Authority in Regulating Telecoms Sector

This was disclosed in a press release by Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s director of Corporate Affairs on Sunday.

Ijagwu, said  Justice F.N. Ogazi gave the verdict in a case that was filed by Emeka Nnubia, a shareholder of MTN Nigeria and a legal practitioner.

In the suit, Nnubia wanted the  court to stop the FCCPC from investigating MTN Nigeria on the ground that Nigerian Communications Commission was the sole regulator of the telecom sector.

But the judge maintained that the law gives the FCCPC the power to  regulate on competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications.

The court said that the NCC does not have exclusive control over competition regulation in telecoms. H said both the FCCPC and the NCC are both regulators.

The court said,  “FCCPC acted within its statutory powers in issuing a Summons to MTN Nigeria as part of its ongoing inquiry,” emphasising that the commission’s “Summons and Request to Produce was found to be lawful and within the scope of FCCPC’s investigative powers.”

The court also held,  “FCCPC’s request for information from MTN did not violate any data protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the NCA 2003.”

It  said, “No personal data was requested, and MTN’s obligation to disclose information in the public interest is a legitimate basis for compliance with FCCPC’s inquiry.”

 


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DBI, US-Based Partner SBTS to Create 50,000 Jobs

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Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has partnered with US-based SBTS Group to create 50,000 immediate job opportunities and upskill over five million Nigerian youths by 2030.

DBI, US-Based Partner SBTS to Create 50,000 Jobs

Mr. Daser David, president and CEO of DBI

A statement by Mr. Akin Ogunlade, head of Public Affairs at DBI, confirmed that both organisations will officially launch the strategic partnership in Abuja this February.

The initiative is designed to equip Nigerian youths with essential digital skills, enabling them to compete in the global job market.

Mr. Daser David, president and CEO of DBI, described the collaboration as a direct effort to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy rapidly expands, industries such as financial services, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and ICT are witnessing unprecedented job creation

“However, a significant skills gap remains, with millions of digital and ICT-related jobs going unfilled due to a shortage of qualified professionals.

“This collaboration is, therefore, a direct effort to bridge this gap by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.

“The effort aligns with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under Minister Dr Bosun Tijani,” Mr David said.

Emphasising the transformative impact of the initiative, Mr. David highlighted that Nigerian youths are the catalyst for transforming the nation’s economic future.

“To pivot from an agriculture-dependent economy to a thriving digital landscape, they require targeted IT upskilling.

“This initiative bridges opportunity gaps by providing after-school programmes in digital literacy and vocational training for underserved youths, empowering them to compete in a tech-driven job market and fuelling inclusive economic growth.”

He added that the collaboration would contribute to the government’s broader mission of fostering decent, productive, and freely chosen employment opportunities for young people while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development agenda.

“The partnership between DBI and SBTS is a direct response to Nigeria’s digital skills deficit, focusing on job creation and economic empowerment.

“Each DBI campus will host a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre, designed to create thousands of job opportunities for young Nigerians, enabling them to secure both local and remote employment in the global digital economy,” he said.

He further noted that the training would integrate digital skills into vocational education, establish comprehensive on-the-job training systems, and engage public and private sector employers in digital job creation.

The president added that the initiative has already commenced with facility upgrades and training programmes at DBI’s campuses in Enugu (South-East) and Kano (North-West), with other locations scheduled for subsequent rollouts.

Similarly, Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths.

“Despite the negativity and sense of hopelessness often portrayed, there are abundant opportunities for youths in Nigeria.

“We are excited to collaborate with DBI in advancing the Federal Government’s agenda to train and equip unemployed youths with digital skills and comprehensive ICT knowledge, empowering them for a brighter future.”

Under the agreement, the SBTS Group will provide technical and financial support to ensure that young Nigerians receive industry-relevant training that meets global standards.

The initiative also emphasises youth-led digital entrepreneurship, equipping participants with the tools to launch and scale their businesses in the digital space.

By integrating over 400 new digital courses into the training curricula and promoting hands-on learning, the DBI-SBTS partnership is set to drive Nigeria’s economic diversification through ICT. The initiative’s strong focus on digital entrepreneurship will further accelerate Nigeria’s transition into a tech-driven economy, ensuring sustainable job creation and long-term growth.

With facility upgrades, BPO centre rollouts, and nationwide training programmes underway, this collaboration represents a landmark effort in positioning Nigeria’s youths for success in the global digital economy.

DBI is a training institute under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), established by the Federal Government in 2004 for ICT and digital training.

 


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ATICEN Commends NLC for Suspending Strike over Telecoms Tariff Hike

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Joe Ajaero, president, NLC,
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Comrade Adede John Williams, president of the Association of Telecommunications, Information Technology, Cable Satellite Network Operators and Allied Services Employers’of Nigeria (ATICEN), has commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending the planned strike over tariff hike by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the Nigeria telecommunications operators.

ATICEN Commends NLC for Suspending Strike over Telecoms Tariff Hike

Joe Ajaero, president, NLC,

He called on members and the general assembly of the Nigeria Labour Congress, telecoms subscribers, stakeholders, and all interested parties to see the need to accept the reality of things as they unfold.

He emphasised that rising inflation, energy costs, operational costs, and currency devaluation challenges faced in the country were the key reasons for the recent tariff hike, adding that the costs of importing telecommunications equipment, the maintenance support system, and unreliable electricity supply had affected the profits supposedly accrued to telecoms operators.

He, therefore, urged the telecommunications subscribers and Nigerians to always have the interests of the services of telecommunications operators at heart for the industry’s sustainability, as the industry regulator is always championing the consumer’s protection rights.

“So, it is important to know that the recent increase in telecoms tariff was approved according to its regulatory power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges for telecommunications operators operating in Nigeria,” he said.

Williams equally acknowledged Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Dr. Aminu Maina, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for taking a proactive step in managing the NLC’s planned strike.

 


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