Telecom
ICT Experts Harp On The Critical State Of Infrastructure Needs In Nigeria
Panelists at the just concluded NITRA ICT Growth Conference 2.0, have emphasized the need for an urgent review of Nigeria’s state of infrastructure so as to position the country to massively reap the benefits of a digital economy as obtained in some developed nations of the world.
Themed ‘Creating a Digital Ecosystem in Nigeria: The Hurdles, The Gains,’ the panelists drawn from both the public and private sector establishments, were of the consensus that infrastructure provisioning remained Nigeria’s surest pathway to building a robust digital economy.
At a second panel session during proceedings at the NITRA flagship technology conference held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki Lagos, and moderated by Mr. Peter Oluka, Editor of TechEconomy.ng, the panelists agreed that efforts at building Nigeria’s digital economy cannot yield the much-desired fruit unless there is sustained commitment on the part of the government to prioritise the provision of infrastructure.
Seyi Olarenwaju, CFO of Medallion Data Centre said infrastructure is going to play a vital role in enhancing digital systems in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, noting that “if there is no infrastructure in place, there is nothing.”
He stated that since governance has now been replaced by electioneering campaigns in preparation for the 2023 general election, the incoming administration should be focused, identify a particular infrastructure, and fix it, and expressed the hope that if in this regard, power is given priority attention, a lot of things will follow suit.
Kelechukwu Nsofor of Rack Centre, a carrier-neutral Tier III data centre who spoke from a data centre provider’s perspective, said power is the key infrastructure that drives a data centre business, describing it as basically the livewire of any data centre.
According to Nsofor, “The key infrastructure that we rely on is power. Power is basically the livewire of any data centre. Unfortunately, if you go back to 1999 since we started the current democratic dispensation in the country, what has been the installed capacity in terms of power? 20 years down the line, where are we today in terms of power?
“At a point, we were generating 1600MW, today, it’s still hovering around 3000MW. Where does that leave us as an economy of over 200 million people? So, if you look at the population growth rate and try to compare it with what we are growing in terms of power, you see that there’s a total disconnect.”
He said that Nigeria is blessed with a rich reservoir of policies and knowledge expertise but expressed worries that this has not been translated to results in the country’s power industry.
“Now, tying that to Rack Centre and indeed the data centre space, we have been generating our own power in the last nine years that we have been operating. And we’ve been fully in control of generating that power now. As we look to expand, we are also looking at ways where we can continue to generate power or do it more cost-effectively.
“We would like a situation where the government will actually stop the lip service that goes into infrastructure like power and actually start showing serious commitment by playing a major role in the provisioning of power infrastructure,” he said.
Noting that the digital economy is all about using the internet basically to push economic activities, Nsofor stated that what is critical even with the efforts at bringing in foreign direct investment, all the marine cables sitting on the coast of Lagos, is how to work with the private sector and knowledge experts basically on how to get things like multiple taxations and right of way out of the road.
“Operators can now push that capacity where it is actually needed. This will help us increase internet penetration, increase the digital economy growth, and push the economy forward,” he concluded.
In his contribution to the discourse, Babalola Olalekan of Phase 3 Telecoms admitted that the government was doing enough to provide infrastructure but stated that there was a need for stronger synergy between the government and service providers.
“There was a document released last year called Strategic Roadmap/Action Plan: A four-year plan 2021-2024. The key performance indices released in that document classified infrastructure in such categories as soft, service and hardware.
“When you look at the hardware infrastructure, we talk about how far we’ve gone in hardware infrastructure deployments like fibre cables. We talk of active devices and so on and so forth. But there’s something the government has put in place especially at the federal level by cutting down right-of-way charges all over the federation.
“Another area we have taken advantage of is the concession plan we call public-private partnership (PPP), where I expect the operators and players to key into and take advantage of our existing infrastructure, and opportunities.
“Another thing I will encourage we should be doing is a collaboration among players. All of us can only fight about a particular position or location. We can join hands on how to collaborate, leverage each other, and supply as a single network.
“So, I think the government is doing enough with policies. The onus is on us to tap into it, put more pressure on the government and be more up and doing in our collaborative efforts and take advantage of what is available to us through the government,” Olalekan said.
He said that going into the 2023 election, the most important thing to be focused on is security, stating that operators have many works to do out there in the field yet, they find it difficult to restore the network in the shortest possible time. “So, whatever government can do to make sure that our roads, our villages, our towns are secured, we will surely have a good general election.”
Chidi Okpala of Galaxy Backbone, in his intervention, acknowledged the fact that government understands the importance of infrastructure in growing the country’s digital economy, noting that one of the things the current administration holds dear to its heart, is infrastructure.
“Have they done all the things expected of them as government? Maybe not. But have they made some efforts in bridging the infrastructure gap? The answer is yes. But there is a whole lot of learning, a whole lot of training in trying to create that awareness, into fully understanding how this impacts the day-to-day living of everyone.
“As an organisation, what we are trying to do is to bridge that gap of understanding especially, people in leadership level in government; to let them understand this is what this infrastructure stands for, this is what it is all about. It is not just for sending emails but how it affects your life, your family, and the work that you do.
“We have done quite a lot together with some of the other organisations within the information technology space in the public sector. We are still doing a lot to raise that awareness of what this infrastructure means so that people can understand more and collaborate more.
“Collaboration is the key, talking about the benefits and not dwelling more on talking about the problems because sometimes when we do that, we cloud ourselves of the opportunities around us,” he said.
Okpala expressed the need for policymakers to be much more intentional about what the country is doing, how it the affects everyone, and how the efforts at building the country’s digital economy can be sustained.
The session, which was anchored by the Editor of TechEconomy, Mr. Peter Oluka, was unanimous with its position that infrastructure is the bedrock of ICT development and global competitiveness in Nigeria.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), global professional services network, has reported that Nigerians lost about N12.5 billion from 2019 to 2023, through escalating digital fraud schemes.
AI-driven scams leverage artificial intelligence to create highly personalized and convincing fraudulent schemes, such as deepfake audio/video impersonations, automated phishing, and fake investment bots.
Globally, telecom fraud losses reached more than $38.95 billion during the same period, PwC said in its report titled “AI’s Dual Role in Telecom Fraud.”
The firm highlighted the dual nature of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the telecom sector, warning that the technology is changing how fraud operates.
“AI has tremendous potential to drive positive change across sectors, but it also enables fraudsters to create and disseminate scams quickly and at scale,” PwC said in the report.
The report shows that telecom operators are no longer just communication providers but also critical infrastructure supporting digital banking and payments.
This shift has increased exposure to fraud. PwC noted that in Nigeria, 59 percent of e-banking customers have experienced scams, suggesting that telecom networks, which support mobile banking alerts, authentication messages, and digital payment links, are becoming attractive targets for criminals.
As telecom networks connect more closely with banks and fintech companies, fraud incidents in one sector can quickly spread to another, leading to regulatory scrutiny and loss of customer trust.
This growing overlap is creating a new risk layer in Africa’s digital economy, where mobile devices are often the main gateway to financial services.
PwC identified several common telecom fraud methods affecting operators and users, including SIM box fraud, SMS phishing, SIM swap fraud, subscription fraud, scam calls, and international revenue share fraud.
The report noted that AI could make these attacks even more sophisticated.
Criminal groups can now use AI tools to automate scam campaigns, generate convincing messages, and even create deepfake voices or identity impersonations to trick victims.
The firm warned that these capabilities could allow fraud schemes to spread across networks quickly, increasing financial losses if telecom companies fail to strengthen defenses.
Globally, the telecom, media, and technology sector already experiences the highest level of fraud, according to PwC’s 2022 Global Crime Survey. N
early two-thirds of companies in the sector reported fraud incidents, with about half involving cybercrime.
Despite the risks, PwC said telecom operators have a strong advantage in combating fraud because of the large amount of network and customer data they control.
By using AI and machine learning tools, companies can analyse network behaviour in real time and detect suspicious patterns early.
AI systems, for example, can identify unusual call patterns, abnormal message traffic, or activities occurring at odd hours that may signal fraudulent activity.
Some telecom operators have already introduced AI-powered spam detection tools that analyse hundreds of behavioural indicators before determining whether a message or call is likely to be fraudulent. According to PwC, real-time analysis could allow telecom companies to block scams before they cause significant financial losses.
However, PwC stressed that technology alone is not enough to tackle the problem.
The firm called for stronger collaboration between telecom operators, banks, and regulators to address fraud risks across the digital ecosystem.
“AI has tremendous potential to drive positive change across sectors, but it also enables fraudsters to create and disseminate scams quickly and at scale,” the report reiterated.
With millions of Nigerians relying on mobile networks for banking, payments, and identity verification, telecom companies are becoming frontline defenders against digital fraud.
PwC said a deeper understanding of how technology is changing fraud risks will be crucial for telecom operators seeking to protect customers and maintain trust in the country’s digital infrastructure.
Airtel Africa and SpaceX have commenced the successful testing of data and messaging services with Starlink Mobile in Kenya, in a significant step towards bringing satellite-to-mobile connectivity to millions of people across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets.
The testing was done in “no connectivity” areas – locations where terrestrial mobile networks did not have a signal. In these areas, Starlink Mobile was seamlessly activated, allowing 4G compatible smartphones access to Starlink’s constellation of 650 launched satellites to keep them connected.
During this testing phase, the connectivity was able to support light-data applications such as WhatsApp calling and messaging, maps, Facebook Messenger, and successful financial transactions via the Airtel app. Users remained connected to these apps and had access to key services even in the most remote locations.
Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, commented: “We are thrilled to move from announcement to actionable steps with our partners at SpaceX. This testing phase in Kenya is a testament to our commitment to expanding global access. By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network.”
Following this testing in Kenya, Airtel Africa and Starlink Mobile plan to leverage the insights gained to expand the service across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets, in line with country-specific regulatory approvals. Additionally, the partners plan to launch voice calling and expanded data capabilities using Starlink Mobile V2 technology that will enable broadband directly to mobile phones.
Telecom
GATEWAY Programme Opens Doors for 340,000 Nigerian Youths to Tap into $1.85trn Global Gig Economy
GATEWAY Programme, a transformative five-year initiative spearheaded by Co-creation Hub Ltd (CcHUB) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has thrown open its registration portal to equip 340,000 young Nigerians with market-ready digital skills and direct pathways into sustainable global gig work opportunities.
Implemented across 10 strategic states – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Enugu – the programme targets Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population amid a global gig economy projected to reach $1.85 trillion by 2032.
It directly confronts the nation’s skills-to-employment mismatch by prioritising four high-demand creative digital disciplines: Digital Marketing, Video Production and Editing, Graphic Design, and UI/UX Design.
Managing Director of CcHUB, Mrs Ojoma Ochai, described the launch as a “life-changing intervention” in tackling youth unemployment and underemployment. “By connecting 340,000 vulnerable young people to high-demand creative digital skills and direct pathways into the global gig economy, we are enabling them to become immediate and sustainable income earners,” she stated. “Our commitment goes far beyond certification – we are focused on ensuring participants are successfully transitioned into dignified gig work.”
The programme’s inclusive design sets it apart, with deliberate quotas for women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and displaced youth to bridge gender imbalances and promote equitable access to the digital workforce.
Participants undergo an initial digital literacy and skills assessment, then channelled into one of two tailored tracks: the Growth Pathway for experienced talents seeking portfolio enhancement, gig platform navigation, proposal writing, and financial management training; or the Foundations Pathway for beginners building core competencies before advancing.
Industry experts hail GATEWAY as a timely response to Nigeria’s youth dividend, where over 70 per cent of the population is under 30, yet formal job creation lags. CcHUB’s Programme Lead, Mr Timothy Aluko, noted that the selected skills emerged from demand analysis across major gig platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, ensuring graduates compete effectively on the international stage.
Registration is now live on the official portal at gateway.cchub.africa, with physical access points, laptops, internet connectivity, and mentorship provided to maximise participation. Successful completers gain not just certifications but active matchmaking to verified employers, portfolio showcases, and ongoing support for sustained earnings.
This initiative builds on CcHUB’s legacy as Nigeria’s pioneering innovation centre, blending technology incubation with scalable social impact. As Nigeria races to harness its demographic advantage, GATEWAY positions the country as a formidable player in Africa’s digital renaissance, potentially generating thousands of remote jobs and forex earnings annually.
Stakeholders, including tech ecosystem leaders and youth advocacy groups, have applauded the programme’s scale and focus, urging swift uptake. With the portal now active, young Nigerians across the targeted states have a clear shot at economic independence through the flexible, lucrative world of global gig work.
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