Telecom
MTN Nigeria Denies Sharing Identifiable User Data

MTN Nigeria has refuted claims it is sharing identifiable customer data with third parties as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, according to IT Web Africa.
Digital rights campaigners, including Paradigm Initiative, have expressed concern over consumer privacy.
On April 6, the GSMA released COVID-19 privacy guidelines, which includes to help counter misinformation and raise awareness of data sharing.
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) is understood to have collaborated with telcos regarding response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to a Paradigm Initiative report, MTN entered into a data-sharing partnership with the state governors to mine and provide its users’ data “to profile States vulnerability to the spread of the coronavirus.”
Paradigm Initiative Nigeria stated that regardless of the intention, the reported sharing or potential sharing of users’ personal data by MTN with the NGF will constitute a breach of users’ trust and a violation of their right to the privacy of their data – especially if the data being shared is personally identifiable
The online rights organisation insisted that MTN has no power to use, distribute or grant third-party access for the processing of users’ data as information such as travel history, current location, and others are private and not commodity.
Adeboro Odunlami, legal officer, Paradigm Initiative, said: “MTN and other network mobile operators must stay within bounds of industry ethics including the principles surrounding data sharing and data protection in conducting any CSR initiative (if this is the claim) in this austere time. We stated in the press release that the mobile network operator could share non-personally identifiable data; that is, data that cannot be used on its own to trace or identify a person/data subject. We are not certain that MTN is sharing personally identifiable data and we stated as much in the press release, but this also raises another duty of MTN to be transparent with its subscribers on its relationship with the NGF and the kinds of data being shared.”
Odunlami referred to the role of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and National Information Technology Development Agency regarding data privacy legislation.
He said: “While we yet advocate for a proper Data Protection Law and more expansive legislation around subjects like this, I believe the NDPR can provide a bit of guidance on this. To be honest, Nigeria needs to do better in protecting data subjects and providing laid down laws and regulations that define processes of such nature.”
Tobechukwu Okigbo, chief corporate services officer at MTN Nigeria, said the company’s contribution to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as to federal and state governments through the NGF has been “to ensure they can stay connected, have the data they need to target response including a bespoke vulnerability assessment for each state, and can continue to deliver governance remotely during this period.”
Okigbo insisted that this does not involve sharing of identifiable user data.
“In doing this, it is important to note that we are not breaching any privacy regulation, because we are not offering customer data to the NGF. The analysis will be done using completely anonymised data. The data will be external, aggregated, non-identifiable with no single subscriber information, which is fully in compliance with GSMA standards on COVID-19 use cases and the NDPR.”
Telecom
Glo Reduces International Call Rates

Technology Company, Globacom, has announced significant reductions in its International Direct Dialing (IDD) rates, making international calls more affordable for its existing and new customers across Nigeria.
Effective August 10, the new rates began applying to over 15 popular international destinations, including United States which will has moved to ₦30 per minute, down from ₦35, United Kingdom is now N350 from ₦400, while India also moved down to ₦40 from N45.
The rates for China, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon however recorded major reduction moving to N75, N300 and ₦700 respectively.
The reduction was also extended to African countries including Benin Republic which goes for ₦650 per minute, Niger Republic ₦750, Ghana ₦500, and Togo ₦650. United Arab Emirates also moved from ₦450 to ₦325, Germany to ₦550, Côte d’Ivoire ₦700, Libya ₦700, while calls to Malawi is now N1,100 from ₦1,200.
Glo aims to provide more value for its customers through these revised rates, encouraging them to make Glo their preferred network for international calls. New IDD bundles will also be introduced, offering frequent international callers even more attractive deals.
Globacom, which remained optimistic that frequent international callers will benefit immensely from the reductions in IDD bundles, enjoined customers to take advantage of the new rates to stay connected with friends and business associates across the globe.
Telecom
Tinubu Strengthens Telecom Governance with NCC, USPF Board Appointments

President Bola Tinubu has appointment members into the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Universal Service Provision Fund, both under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Idris Olorunnimbe was named Chairman of the NCC board, while Dr Aminu Wada will continue as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Onanuga said Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee.
Other NCC board members are Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Hajia Maryam Bayi, Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd.), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.
The President also approved the board of the USPF, chaired by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman.
Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representative of FMCIDE), Joseph B. Faluyi (representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance), Auwal Mohammed (representative of FMBNP), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF secretary.
See the statement below:
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS BOARD MEMBERS FOR NCC AND USPF
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), both agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Idris Olorunnimbe was appointed Chairman of NCC, while Dr Aminu Waida remains its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
President Tinubu appointed Wada to the position in October 2023, and the Senate confirmed the appointment in November 2023.
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Mr. Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and drove impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes.
Other members of the board are:
1. Abraham Oshidami – Executive Commissioner, Technical Services
2. Rimini Makama – Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management
3. Hajia Maryam Bayi- Former Director, Human Capital & Administration
4. Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd)
5. Senator Lekan Mustafa
6. Chris Okorie
7. Princess Oforitsenere Emiko
8. Secretary of the Board.
The President also approved the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as Chairman.
Other members are :
1. Idris Olorunimbe – Vice Chairman
2. Abraham Oshidami
3. Rimini Makama
4. Aliyu Edogi Aliyu – (Rep FMCIDE)
5. Joseph B Faluyi – (Rep. of Federal Ministry of Finance)
6. Auwal Mohammed – (Rep. of FMBNP)
7. Uzoma Dozie
8. Peter Bankole
9. Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon
10. Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri and the
11. USPF Secretary
The Federal Government established the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria.
Telecom
Anambra ICT Agency Champions Inclusive Tech-Driven Governance

Anambra State ICT Agency has restated its commitment to creating a digitally inclusive environment where Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can access and benefit from government services without barriers.
Speaking when the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ADRC), in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, paid an advocacy visit to his office, the Managing Director/CEO of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, underscored the Soludo administration’s determination to make governance work for all, including PWDs.
Mr. Agbata noted that intentional inclusion is a key part of the Governor’s technology-driven vision for the state which is why the commission recently received a wide range of digital tools to enhance their productivity.
“Technology is only truly impactful when it works for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
We are committed to removing digital barriers and making our platforms accessible to all residents of Anambra State,” he said.
CFA also disclosed that the Agency will take immediate steps to appoint a Disability Desk Officer, work with the commission to ensure that all government ICT platforms are designed to meet accessibility standards, and as well as incorporate PWD-friendly features into ongoing upgrades of the SolutionLens feedback platform.
The visit also featured presentations from ADRC’s Head of ICT, Mr. Bonaventure Umeokwonna, who outlined the Commission’s priorities, and RoLAC representatives, who pledged continued support for building capacity and strengthening the policy framework for inclusion.
Mr. Valentine Nwachukwu, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Commission, gave the vote of thanks, commending the ICT Agency’s openness to collaboration.
The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to work closely with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen digital transformation in the state, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
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