Telecom
Idea Dinner with Top CEOs: Stakeholders Urged to Form Ideas Around AI And Rural Telephony
Nigerians have been urged to form ideas around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and rural telephony as these two areas can turn around the fortune of Nigeria in terms of economy and employment, especially for the youths.
This is one of the several calls made at the ‘Idea Dinner with the Top CEOs’, which was organised by TechLife Media & Communications Limited for major stakeholders drawn from the Nigerian business community, especially those in the Information and Communications Technology industry.
Specifically, Mr. Yemi Oshodi, the Chief Executive Officer of iCSL and Coordinator of 2024 Best Ideas, said what rules the world today is an idea as every noticeable breakthrough in the world came as a result of an idea.
While urging Nigerians with great ideas to share them with government agencies like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yemi believes that Artificial Intelligence is a game changer that is going to do wonders in every sector with an emphasis on agriculture, security and financial services.
“My appeal to every Nigerian is to think and come up with ideas that can move the country. When you have an idea, do not hide it thinking someone may likely use it. The most important thing is it helps to move our country forward,” he said.
Also, in the area of rural telephony, Mr. Yemi believes that it is an untapped area that will massively aid the development of the digital economy that is being championed by the federal government.
According to him, even though the government has started working to get the whole country covered in terms of telephone services, many rural areas remained underserved and unserved. These areas without telephone service remained so after 23 years of liberalisation of mobile services as a result of the lack of ideas.
He argued that if Nigerians can explore the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) domiciled with the NCC by coming up with workable ideas, all 774 local government areas across the country will be covered by telephone services.
This will in turn create direct and indirect jobs, reduce rural-urban migration and ultimately, increase the industry’s gross domestic product (GDP) to the economy.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event supported by Information Connectivity Solutions Limited, Digital Realty, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, TeamNigeria for Change, Inlaks, Coscharis Technologies and a host of others seek ideas to manufacture most equipment needed for the industry to thrive locally.
They noted that such an idea will help solve the forex challenges that Nigeria is presently grappling with.
Meanwhile, in her welcome address, Ms. Ugochi Emmanuel, Convener of the ‘Idea Dinner with the Top CEOs’ said the Idea Dinner focusing on the theme “Critical Thinking to Building a Sustainable Digital Economy” is a call to awakening the minds of Nigerians.
“We are acutely aware of the transformative power of digital technologies and their profound impact on every aspect of our lives. However, with these opportunities also come significant challenges that demand our collective attention and strategic thinking. Thus, it is important to call the meeting involving both the public and private sector players,” she said.
She noted that innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things are reshaping business models, disrupting traditional industries, and creating new opportunities. Thus, staying abreast of these developments and harnessing their full potential requires not just technological prowess but also critical thinking and strategic foresight.
“Addressing the challenges of cybersecurity and data privacy demands not only robust technological solutions but also a deep understanding of risk management, ethical considerations and regulatory compliance. This is where we need ideas,” she added.
According to her, the quest for a sustainable digital economy necessitates a concerted effort to bridge the digital divide. Also, overcoming disparities in the industry requires innovative strategies, collaboration across sectors, and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution are shared equitably.
Nigeria’s telecom providers intend to establish the Telecom Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund to pay for equipment protection as the industry faces an alarming increase in infrastructure sabotage.
The sector attended a meeting co-hosted by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), where they discussed ways for safeguarding critical ICT assets in the country.
During the conference the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) warned that major mobile operators now suffer more than 1,100 fibre-optic cuts every week.
Speaking at the conference in Lagos, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, represented by Edoyemi Ogoh, director of technical standards and network integrity, said the damage is crippling service reliability and undermining national security.
To curb the damage, the NCC is enforcing stricter infrastructure standards for fibre deployment and tower construction, launching nationwide awareness campaigns, and working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to align with broader security frameworks.
“When vandalism occurs, it’s not just operators that lose, ordinary Nigerians feel the impact when banking, healthcare, and emergency systems fail,” Maida stressed.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, reiterated the worries, criticising operators for failing to implement basic security measures such as perimeter fencing or CCTV.
He denounced the booming black market for stolen telecom components, which is frequently supported by insider cooperation.
“We need tougher prosecutions so those caught face the full weight of the law,” he urged.
In the case of NITRA, Chike Onwuegbuchi, chairman, proposed establishing a Telecom Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund to pay for preventative measures.
He also stated that educating communities about the costs of vandalism is critical to maintaining connectivity and protecting critical services.
MTN Nigeria has announced the commencement of the seventh edition of its mPulse Spelling Bee, a national competition that has grown into one of the most impactful youth literacy initiatives in the country. With a new structure that emphasises nationwide inclusion and physical regional competitions, this year’s edition will engage thousands of students and amplify the brilliance of young Nigerians across all six geopolitical zones.
Kicking off with a practice stage on July 28, 2025, the competition is open to Nigerian students aged 9 to 15 in primary and secondary schools. For the first time, regional competitions will be held physically in three cities: Ibadan for participants in the South-West, Enugu for participants in the South-East and South-South, and Abuja for participants in the North-Central, North-East, and North-West. This new structure reflects MTN’s commitment to giving every child, regardless of region, the opportunity to learn, compete, and shine.
The Spelling Bee competition unfolds in five progressive stages: Practice Stage, Round1 (Entry Phase), Round 2 (Regional Qualification), Round 3 (Physical Regional Competitions), and the Grand Finale. From the first round, the top 3,000students (500 per zone) will qualify for regional rounds, and the best 20spellers from across Nigeria will proceed to the Grand Finale in Lagos. Seven top finalists, each from the regional competitions in Ibadan and Enugu, and six top finalists from the competition in Abuja, will make up the Top 20 finalists for the Grand Finale in Lagos.
The total prize pool for this year’s edition is over ₦40 million, with rewards spread across students, schools, and teachers. The overall winner will be crowned MTN CEO for a Day, receive a ₦5million educational grant, and be named mPulse Face of the Year. The winner will also receive a brand-new laptop and smartphone. Their teacher will receive₦500,000, while the winner’s school will be awarded 10 laptops, 10 MTN 5G routers, and a ₦10 million flagship project.
“The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee isn’t just a competition; it’s a platform for young Nigerians to access recognition, leadership opportunities, and academic support. We are proud to be empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders,” said Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria.
Last year’s winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu, described his journey to the top as one that required determination and sacrifice. “Preparing for the competition meant sleepless nights. There were so many words to learn, and while it’s impossible to know them all,I aimed to master at least 60 to 70%. This platform doesn’t just reward winners; it gives you the confidence to aim higher and believe in your abilities. A special thanks to MTN for this amazing initiative that helps students learn, play, and shine,” he shared.
Now in its seventh year, the mPulse Spelling Bee continues to serve as a bridge between education and opportunity, empowering young minds to grow beyond the classroom. With thousands of students set to participate, this edition hopes to spark conversations, spotlight regional talent, and showcase the power of words in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Hosted on the mPulse website (https://mpulse.mtn.ng), the mPulse Spelling Bee is designed to promote literacy, strengthen comprehension and build confidence through digital learning and healthy competition.
MTN Nigeria has announced the launch of the MTN Cloud Accelerator, a 12-week programme designed to propel African growth-stage startups into their next phase of expansion by providing access to funding, mentorship, and MTN’s robust cloud infrastructure.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria
Applications opened on July 7, 2025, and will close on August 15, 2025, with the first cohort of selected startups set to be announced on September 1, 2025. The programme will run from September 6 to December 6, 2025, offering founders a powerful platform to scale their businesses faster, smarter, and more sustainably.
“This initiative reflects MTN’s belief in Africa’s innovators and their ability to transform communities and economies,” said Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria. “Through the MTN Cloud Accelerator, we are giving founders the tools, networks and resources they need to compete not just locally but globally.”
Targeting startups with MVPs or live products, the MTN Cloud Accelerator is designed for innovators operating in high-impact sectors, including fintech, health tech, agritech, edtech, AI and data infrastructure, cybersecurity, and retail/e-commerce.
Participants will gain access to funding opportunities, mentorship from industry experts, API integrations into MTN’s ecosystem, and go-to-market and sales support to accelerate customer acquisition and scale faster.
The MTN Cloud Accelerator builds on MTN’s ongoing investment in Africa’s technology infrastructure. This forms part of MTN’s commitment to accelerating Africa’s digital economy and positioning the continent’s startups for global competitiveness.
Applications are now open, and startups meeting the criteria are encouraged to apply by visiting www.mtnaccelerate.com before the deadline on August 15, 2025.
Nigeria Mulls Trust Fund to Preserve Telecom Infrastructure
Nigerian Scientists Await Return of Egusi Seeds Sent to Space
Artificial Intelligence: The Indispensable Catalyst for Nigeria’s Agricultural Revolution
MTN’s mPulse Spelling Bee Returns with Regional Competitions and ₦40M in Prizes
MTN Nigeria Launches Cloud Accelerator to Power Africa’s Startup Future
E-Business3 days agoHow to Avoid NIN Portal Lockout under New Restrictions — NIMC
E-Financial3 days agoCBN to Prosecute FX Deal Violators after Audit
E-Financial3 days agoZenith Bank Slammed with ₦85m Fine for Freezing Account on Invalid Court Order
Telecom3 days agoTelcos Say Mobile, Internet Services in Nigeria may Collapse
General News3 days agoNITDA Deepens Digital Gender Inclusion with IgniteHer Bootcamp
Telecom3 days agoNCC Calls for Unified Action to Protect Nigeria’s Telecom Infrastructure at CNII Conference
Telecom2 days agoMTN’s mPulse Spelling Bee Returns with Regional Competitions and ₦40M in Prizes
E-Business3 days agoFG Unveils Visa Application Platform to Eliminate ID Fraud, Unauthorized Agents