Telecom
N1Bn Debt: FG Gives 3 Months Ultimatum to Radio Frequency Users
Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has given non-commercial users of Nigeria’s radio frequency spectrum three months to regularise their usage of the radio frequency.
The ministry said that some N1 billion debt is owed by the users who have refused to renew their operational licence in the last 10 years.
The ministry disclosed this in Lagos recently, during a stakeholders’ forum on sensitisation on sustainable frequency spectrum management development for non-commercial radio frequency users.
Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, who addressed the media at the forum, said organisatiins and institutions, including bandits and terrorist groups that are using the radio frequency spectrum illegally, are creating national security threats, apart from frequency interference.
“W are aware that some organisations and institutions who are non-commercial users, are making use of the radio frequency illegally, but what baffles government the most is that terrorist groups also use the radio frequency spectrum illegally and they obtain it from online stores.
“Although the ministry has monitoring equipment to monitor those using the radio frequency spectrum illegally, but the range of coverage is limited and cannot reach inside the forest and deep territorial waters. However, our monitoring equipment can detect those using the radio frequency illegally within the cities,”Nabasu said.
He therefore called on all non-commercial spectrum users, especially those using the radio frequency without government approval, to regularise such usage with the ministry, within the next three months, without further delay.
Radio frequency spectrum is a specific range of frequencies of electromagnetic energy that is utilised to communicate information. Its applications are important for society such as radio and television broadcasting, civil aviation, satellite, defense and emergency services depending on specific allocation of radio frequency. The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in line with its mandate, is saddled with the responsibility of managing Radio Frequency Spectrum for non-commercial users.
Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, in his opening speech, said: “The radio frequency spectrum is a national scarce resource, and in view of its importance, there is the need to regulate and manage its usage in order to minimise interference and ensure that radio spectrum is used to its most efficient manner for the public.
This is in compliance with the International Telecommunication Union and World Radio communication Conferences resolutions.”
Pantami highlighted some of the challenges in managing the radio frequency spectrum for non-commercial users, to include: National security threat, Frequency interference and Unauthorised usage of radio frequency spectrum by non-commercial operators.
According to Pantami, out of 300 frequencies that were monitored recently by the ministry, 106 of them were found not licensed, therefore defrauding government of huge sums of money. He said most of the users of the unlicensed radio frequencies that were identified in 2019 and requested to regularise their operations were yet to do so, two years after, and that the ministry received several complains of interference from different organizations within the last five years.
“Within the period 2020 up till date, a total of 242 organisations have failed to renew their licences, and over N1billion of accumulated revenue fees owed the ministry by various organisaations within the last 10 years could not be recovered. Pantami added that within the last five years, a total number of 32 organisations nave failed to pay for their frequency assignment fees, adding that there are several cases of under declaration of number of radio stations and that the organisations whose waivers were withdrawn and were asked to regularise their operations, are yet to comply with the directive, two years after.
Speaking about the implication of all the challenges, Pantami said the action could lead to harmful interference to the authorised users, threat to national security and severe revenue loss to the government.
“These implications are impacting negatively on spectrum management for non-commercial users. Thus, becoming a herculean task that government alone cannot tackle. Consequently, it has become imperative to engage the general public and the stakeholders to brainstorm on the way forward, ”Pantami said.
Pantami therefore called on all defaulters to regularise their operations, renew their licences and pay arrears of their outstanding renewal bills.
“All non-commercial radio frequency spectrum users that have defaulted and are in breach of the regulations are therefore given three months grace to regularise their operations and process their Radio Communication Licences. Thereafter, the Ministry will be constrained to employ legal means to address these issues,” Pantami said.
Starbase Technologies has launched Yolly, a new social entertainment platform designed to reward users for watching, streaming and creating content while promoting wholesome digital engagement.
Starbase Technologies
The company said the platform was developed to redefine participation in the digital economy by enabling viewers, creators and brands to earn value from meaningful online interactions.
According to Starbase Technologies, Yolly introduces a reward system powered by Stars, its native digital rewards currency, which users accumulate through activities such as watching videos, live streaming and creating content.
The company said the initiative was built on the belief that everyone contributing to the digital ecosystem should have the opportunity to benefit from the value they help generate.
Unlike conventional social media platforms where monetisation is often restricted to creators with large followings, Yolly allows creators to begin earning from their first stream without meeting follower thresholds.
The platform also provides emerging creators with features including gifting, Boosts and a Founder Creator badge to help them grow their communities from the outset.
Viewers are also eligible to earn Stars through the platform’s Watch+ feature, which rewards users for watching content from their first session.
For brands, the company said Yolly offers an alternative to traditional impression-based advertising by providing verified engagement metrics, real-time performance dashboards and brand safety controls to improve campaign measurement and audience interaction.
Speaking on the launch, the Head of Business at Yolly, Emeka Okenwa, said the platform was designed to create a more inclusive and rewarding creator economy.
He said the rewards ecosystem prioritises wholesome content and genuine community engagement rather than content driven solely by algorithms or viral trends.
“The platform has been developed on the premise that the future of the creator economy should be more inclusive, more rewarding and built around genuine communities rather than algorithms alone,” Okenwa said.
He added that Yolly was created to encourage family-friendly content while providing viewers, creators and brands with a trusted environment to connect, create and grow.
According to the company, the platform features content across entertainment, sports, lifestyle, education, technology and live events.
Starbase Technologies said the launch forms part of its broader vision of connecting creators and innovators through technology solutions that expand opportunities within the global digital economy.
Mcebisi Jonas, Chairman of MTN Group, has called on African leaders and businesses to deepen regional cooperation, warning that no country on the continent can achieve lasting prosperity in isolation.
Mcebisi Jonas, Chairman of MTN Group
Jonas made the call during the MTN Y’ello Chair event held on Aug. 2, where he urged Africa’s largest economies to work together to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
He said the fortunes of businesses operating across Africa were closely linked to the continent’s overall economic performance.
“Our fortunes as MTN are intertwined with the fortunes of the continent. If the continent goes down, we go down. If the continent is lifted up, we also are lifted up,” he said.
According to him, corporate success cannot be sustained where regional economies remain weak or fragmented.
Jonas cautioned major African economies, particularly Nigeria and South Africa, against adopting inward-looking economic policies, stressing that their long-term prosperity depends on stronger collaboration with neighbouring countries.
“If the continent is to be propelled beyond where it is, trade between South Africa and Nigeria must improve.
“If the big economies of the continent are not working together, are not aligned in terms of agenda and are not trading with each other, then you have a problem,” he said.
He advocated the creation of a pragmatic coalition of Africa’s leading economies, comparable to the Group of Seven (G7), to coordinate economic priorities, strengthen regional integration and accelerate development across the continent.
Jonas also called for increased investment in cross-border infrastructure, including energy, transport, logistics and financial systems, to facilitate trade and improve economic resilience.
According to him, Africa’s long-term growth will depend on its ability to function as a cohesive and interconnected economic bloc.
Recent trade figures indicate growing commercial activity within the continent.
According to the African Trade Report 2025 published by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), intra-African trade increased by 12.4 per cent to 220.3 billion dollars in 2024.
The report showed that South Africa remained the continent’s largest intra-African trading nation with 42.14 billion dollars in trade, while Nigeria’s intra-African trade rose significantly to 18.43 billion dollars, from 8.1 billion dollars recorded in the previous year.
Despite the progress, Jonas noted that regulatory bottlenecks, infrastructure deficits and other cross-border barriers continued to limit the full potential of trade among African countries.
He urged governments to pursue policies that encourage greater regional integration, describing continental cooperation as essential for sustainable economic development.
Court filings in multiple legal disputes arising from the 2023 acquisition of Pan African Towers have raised questions about corporate governance, board oversight and executive independence, with the company’s Board Chairman, Adefolarin Ogunsanya, featuring prominently in the proceedings.
The disputes, currently before Nigerian courts, stem from the acquisition of Pan African Towers by Development Partners International (DPI), Verod Capital Growth Fund III LP and African Development Partners International LLP.
According to documents filed before the Federal High Court, former Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Towers, Azeez Amida, played a central role in identifying and engaging prospective investors after the company’s shareholders decided to sell the business.
The filings stated that negotiations led by Amida culminated in the acquisition, which was later recognised as the African Deal of the Year.
However, less than three years after the transaction, the acquisition has become the subject of three separate court cases challenging aspects of its governance and implementation.
According to the court filings, a proposed Management Incentive Plan (MIP) formed part of the negotiations leading to the acquisition.
Amida alleged that he informed prospective investors that management would retain a minimum five per cent equity stake following the acquisition, an arrangement he said distinguished the successful consortium from competing bidders.
The pleadings further alleged that the consortium accepted the proposal through the MIP and related term sheets.
Among the exhibits before the court is an email attributed to Ogunsanya forwarding a document titled “PAT – MIP analysis.xlsx,” described as an analysis of the proposed incentive scheme.
According to the claimant, the proposed equity participation could have generated returns exceeding 30 million U.S. dollars, but the arrangement was allegedly not implemented after the acquisition.
He is consequently seeking damages exceeding 30 million dollars in a separate action before the Federal High Court.
The filings further alleged that governance dynamics changed significantly after the acquisition, with shareholder representatives and board members becoming increasingly involved in operational matters ordinarily handled by executive management.
The defence claimed that disagreements arose over procurement processes and commercial negotiations, including sourcing decisions involving companies in which some directors allegedly had interests.
The filings identify Ogunsanya as one of the directors involved in those discussions.
The allegations remain disputed and are yet to be determined by the court.
Another issue raised in the defence concerns the company’s financial approval procedures.
According to the filings, following the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Amida deliberately withdrew from final expenditure approvals because of governance concerns.
The defence maintained that expenditures subsequently challenged in the litigation were processed through the company’s established approval procedures, involving reviews by relevant departments and final authorisation by the CFO.
It also argued that the CFO responsible for the approvals remains employed by the company and has since been promoted.
The defence further contended that the disputed hospitality, investor engagement and related business expenses passed through internal approval processes and were reflected in the company’s audited financial statements before becoming the subject of litigation.
Internal emails, approval workflows, WhatsApp communications and financial records have been listed among the evidence expected to be presented during the trial.
The court filings also noted that Ogunsanya participated in negotiations surrounding the Management Incentive Plan, signed an October 2024 query issued to Amida before a Mutual Separation Agreement and later declined a request for an amicable settlement in a separate matter before the National Industrial Court.
Amida further alleged that a subsequent Federal High Court action instituted by Pan African Towers was retaliatory and intended to exert pressure in connection with his earlier legal action against DPI, Verod and other parties involved in the acquisition.
The allegations remain contested, and the parties are expected to present their respective cases before the courts.
As of the time covered by the filings, the defendants had not filed substantive defences to some of the claims referenced by the claimant.
The matters remain pending before the courts, and no judicial determination has yet been made on the merits of the allegations.
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