Telecom
Maida Underscores Benefits of using Robust ICT in the Fight Against Financial Crimes
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has highlighted the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in combatting financial crimes.
He noted that financial crimes, ranging from money laundering to cyber fraud, pose significant threats not only to economic stability but also to the security and trustworthiness of entities and individuals.
Dr. Maida noted this during his presentation at the 11th Anniversary Lecture Series of
hasized the profound impact of these crimes on both a national and global scale, necessitating innovative approaches for effective prevention and intervention.
Dr. Maida underscored the critical role of robust ICT systems in preventing, investigating, and mitigating the risks associated with financial crimes. With the rise of digital technologies, the scope of these crimes has broadened, requiring sophisticated solutions. “ICT facilitates real-time monitoring, tracing, and analysis of digital transactions, supported by advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Applications of ICT in Curbing Financial Crimes”.
His presentation highlighted specific ICT applications, including the use of blockchain, instant payments, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and automated procedures.
He said the significance of partnerships with financial institutions, utilizing advanced data analytics to identify suspicious patterns and proactively prevent criminal activities.
While acknowledging the transformative power of ICT, Dr. Maida also addressed potential concerns associated with its use in combating financial crimes. These concerns ranged from threats to cybersecurity and algorithmic biases to human capacity issues and regulatory compliance challenges. The importance of continuous adaptation, collaboration, and international cooperation to address these concerns was underscored.
He further discussed the imperative of addressing inclusion and the digital divide, ensuring equal access to ICT services.
He highlighted NCC’s commitment to closing the digital gap through projects aimed at providing affordable and accessible ICT services to underprivileged communities.
“Collaboration among regulatory authorities, continuous improvement and adaptation, and international cooperation are key strategies for effectively tackling financial crimes”, he said.
Dr. Aminu Maida emphasized that while ICT plays a crucial role in combating financial crimes, it is essential to strike a balance between crime prevention and data privacy.
Ongoing investment in ICT solutions, a multi-stakeholder approach involving technology specialists, legal professionals, and legislators, and public education on internet safety were highlighted as crucial components in the fight against emerging criminal methods.
He called for continued collaboration and international cooperation to effectively address the evolving landscape of financial crimes.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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