General News
Mobile Number Portability can Wait
Nigeria is moving closer to mobile number portability (MNP), a buzz word in the last couple of years but a few roadblocks seem to obstructing the crowning of the subscriber the king once again.
On the surface, MNP looks as simple as allowing subscribers to switch service provider while retaining their existing mobile number.
For the proponents of the initiative, it addresses most of the challenges faced by subscribers including poor quality of service.
For them, it helps competition, facilitates consumer choice and ultimately reduces switching costs.
Switching cost here does not refer to the amount paid to switch to another operator but a broader definition.
It includes the cost of changing numbers on business cards, notifying family members, repainting business vans because of changed numbers and so on.
In all respect, the mobile phone number is like a personal identity.
The growing trend of multiple mobile lines/numbers is driving Nigerians crazy.
It was on this basis that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulator is pursuing the implementation of MNP to afford Nigerians opportunity to migrate or port from one telecom operator to another without losing their mobile numbers.
The regulator has gone ahead to license a group of agents consisting of Interconnect /SaabGrintek/Telcordia for the exercise, to set up and implement number portability clearing house in Nigeria, and provide an MNP administration solution in the country.
NCC also has some protection shields for the subscribers in section 6 (3) of Nigeria mobile number portability , business rules & port order processes dated March 2012 which states that “neither recipient operators nor donor operators may make a charge to the customer for porting their number.”
Thinking ahead of subscribers who may opt to perpetrate fraud through number portability, the regulator, in Section 9 provided that: the mobile service providers have agreed to cooperate in good faith to prevent, wherever possible, instances of fraudulent or unauthorised activities
.
In that section also, the NCC provided that if instances of fraud are detected then the mobile service providers will endeavour to cooperate to identify and pursue action against the perpetrators of the fraud and that all cooperative activities will be conducted accepting the prevailing data protection and privacy laws applicable to the situation, and any other company or business laws which may be appropriate.
Envisaging dissatisfaction in one way or the other in the porting process, NCC stated as follows in Section 8: complaints specifically related to the porting process should be directed to, and be dealt with by the recipient operator who has submitted the porting transaction to the central order handling system, following their normal internal processes among others.
But there are some grey areas including timing for the implementation of MNP.
According to some critics the time was yet to mature because the networks are not robust enough to carry the capacity needed for number porting.
For instance, the recent fine imposed on four telecoms operators by the NCC for poor quality of service on their networks, as well as the reactions of affected telecoms operating companies is a pointer to the delicate nature of the networks.
In the time being, NCC should encourage networks to improve their quality of service provisioning.
It is also important to address the vexed issues of multiple taxes, vandalisation of telecommunications equipment as well as right of way.
NCC may also consider licensing at least two new mobile operators to engender healthy competition and give subscribers avalanche of choices.
Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, is set to officially launch its operations today Monday, July 7, 2025. The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries, according to a statement from the airline.
Dr Obi Ozor, Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, said Enugu Air is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transportation system, aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets, from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
The airline’s inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular operation connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ozor said, “With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally.”
The launch of Enugu Air is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria, providing more options for air travel and promoting economic development in the region.
With its modern fleet and strategic routes, Enugu Air is set to revolutionize air travel in Nigeria and establish Enugu as a major player in the country’s aviation sector.
In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
Moove, an African mobility fintech startup, is on a quest to secure a $1.2 billion debt financing round to support the rollout of a fleet of autonomous vehicles.
This is in partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
The startup has since attracted backing, including from Uber Technologies Inc., and entered a strategic partnership with Waymo in December 2024 to provide financing for self-driving cars.
Ladi Delano, co-founder of Moove, noted that the company has a solid financial track record.
“Moove has built strong relationships with some of the world’s leading lenders. We have also fully repaid our first-ever debt facilities, which signals our maturity and marks a key milestone that demonstrates the strength of our platform as we enter the next phase of global autonomous-vehicle infrastructure deployment,” he said.
The round is reportedly oversubscribed, with strong participation from private credit firms and banks.
Waymo has also not made any official statement regarding the funding round. While final details are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, the deal will mark a significant milestone for the firm as it ramps up its global ambitions.
Founded in 2020 by Nigerian entrepreneurs, Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove began by providing vehicle financing for ride-hailing drivers in Africa’s largest cities.
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