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NANS Threatens Nationwide Protests over 50 Percent Telecom Tariff Hike

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National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recently approved 50 per cent increment in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy, describing it as not only abnormal but inconsiderate and unjustifiable.

NANS Threatens Nationwide Protests over 50 Percent Telecom Tariff Hike

NANS in a statement signed by Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, clerk of the Senate, National Headquarters, warned the NCC and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy to review the increment within 72 hours or risk a nationwide protest by over 40 million Nigerian students already going through untold hardships occasioned by rising inflation.

Comrade Uthman stated further, “This decision is not only abnormal but also highly inconsiderate and unjustifiable, especially in the current socio-economic climate that has placed an unbearable burden on Nigerian students and citizens.

“In an era where digital connectivity has become indispensable to education and daily life, such a steep increment will have far-reaching consequences for students. The proposed hike will escalate the cost of internet data and other telecommunication services, which are critical tools for learning, research, and academic activities.

“The harsh realities of Nigeria’s economic situation—marked by rising tuition fees, expensive transportation, increased accommodation costs, and general inflation—already weigh heavily on the shoulders of students and their families.”

NANS emphasised that adding a 50% tariff increment to these challenges amounts to an outright disregard for the welfare and progress of Nigerian students, saying that the association had over the year been at the forefront for affordable and inclusive access to digital infrastructure as a way to bridge the educational gap in Nigeria.

It stated that the NCC’s decision, if implemented, will further exacerbate the digital divide, excluding millions of students from accessing quality education and information as it raised concerns that the policy undermines the government’s commitment to youth development, innovation, and the digital economy agenda.

Considering the challenges faced by the telecommunications industry, including inflation and operational costs, NANS cautioned that the burden of these challenges should not be transferred to the masses, especially Nigerian students and urged the NCC and the Ministry of Digital Economy to explore alternative measures to address these issues without jeopardizing the affordability and accessibility of telecommunications services.

NANS explained further ,”As stakeholders in the future of this nation, we call for immediate dialogue with the NCC, the Ministry of Digital Economy, and relevant telecommunications stakeholders to discuss a fair and balanced approach that prioritizes the welfare of Nigerian students and citizens. We believe that together, we can find a sustainable solution that balances industry growth with public interest.

The statement added, “As the umbrella body of Nigerian students, NANS cannot sit idly by while policies detrimental to the collective interest of over 40 million Nigerian students are implemented without due consideration.

“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to the NCC to review this tariff increment and take decisive steps toward its reversal. Failure to heed this call will leave NANS with no other choice but to embark on a nationwide mass protest to demand justice and fairness for Nigerian students.

“We are prepared to mobilize all student leaders, unions, and organizations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to peacefully demonstrate against this decision.”

It warned that the planned protests will not only demand the reversal of the tariff increment but also advocate for broader consultations with stakeholders before any future policies affecting the public are implemented, saying it remained committed to peaceful advocacy and dialogue as a means of resolving issues but with limited patience.

The review, which comes amid rising inflation and economic pressures, has elicited mixed reactions. While consumers have expressed affordability concerns, industry players see it as a long-overdue adjustment to sustain operations and improve service delivery.


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Airtel, UNICEF Commend Lagos School on Impressive Use of Nigeria Learning Passport

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L-r: Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria; Celine Lafoucriere, Chief, Lagos Field Office, UNICEF; Sunil Taldar, Group Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa; Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education; and Rogany Ramiah, Chief Human Resources Officer, Airtel Africa; during a visit to St. Agnes Primary School Mende, Lagos to assess the progress of the Airtel/UNICEF Reimagine Education initiative on Tuesday.
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Sunil Taldar, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, has described as remarkable the progress recorded by St Agnes Primary School, Maryland Lagos with the use of the Nigeria Learning Passport as part of the Reimagine Education Programme introduced by Airtel and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 2022.

Mr Taldar made this declaration while on a joint visit with the leadership of UNICEF and Airtel Nigeria. The delegation, which included the Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh; UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere; and other senior executives from Airtel and UNICEF, engaged with school administrators, teachers, and pupils to assess the progress recorded under the Reimagine Education Programme.

This visit marks another significant step in Airtel’s long-standing collaboration with UNICEF to drive inclusive and technology-driven education, ensuring that more Nigerian children have access to quality learning resources.

Through the collaboration, Airtel has reported that over 1,200 schools have been equipped with tablets and data to connect teachers and learners to digital learning platforms.

Speaking with the media after a demonstration of NLP and digital learning devices, Mr Taldar said, “What I saw today at St Agnes Primary School was impressive and we are encouraged by the impact made for students and teachers through our partnership with UNICEF,” adding that “our partnership with UNICEF is one of the ways we are ensuring that more children in Nigeria and beyond have access to digital learning tools that will equip them for their future. This visit reaffirms our dedication to making education more inclusive, accessible, and impactful.”

Also commenting on the company`s commitment to digital education and bridging the digital divide for Nigerian children, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, highlighted the importance of technology-driven learning, the impact of Airtel’s partnership with UNICEF, and the role of the Nigeria Learning Passport in providing students and teachers with essential digital learning tools.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we are deeply committed to empowering young minds through technology-driven education. Our visit to St. Agnes Primary School underscores our dedication to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that more Nigerian children have access to quality learning resources.

Through our partnership with UNICEF, we continue to invest in initiatives like the Nigeria Learning Passport, which provides students and teachers with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world.”

On her part, UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to reimagine education.

“Education is a fundamental right, and digital learning has become a key enabler in bridging educational gaps. Our partnership with Airtel Africa and Airtel Nigeria continues to provide innovative learning solutions, ensuring that every child, regardless of location or socio-economic status, has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

We are excited about the ongoing implementation of the Nigeria Learning Passport and the transformation it brings to education in Nigeria,” she said.

Recall that in 2023, Airtel and UNICEF paid a similar visit to Oremeji Primary School Ajegunle Lagos, one of Airtel Nigeria’s seven adopted schools.

This visit to St. Agnes Primary School reflects a broader engagement with schools benefiting from the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) – a digital education platform developed by UNICEF in partnership with the Nigerian government and Microsoft.

The NLP is designed to provide accessible, high-quality educational content to students, teachers, and parents, supporting learning both in and outside the classroom.

Airtel’s collaboration with UNICEF aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda to support education, digital inclusion, and sustainable development.

The Nigeria Learning Passport continues to gain traction as a powerful tool in ensuring that children, including those in remote and underserved areas, have access to interactive, high-quality educational content.

At Airtel Africa, we believe that education is the cornerstone of progress, and we remain committed to leveraging technology to drive sustainable learning solutions across the continent.


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Google CEO Meets Tinubu, Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

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L-R: Director-General of National Information, Technology, Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Google Chief Executive, Sundar Pichai, President Bola Tinubu, James Manyika, Google Senior Vice President for Research, Technology and Society, James Manyika and Google Managing Director, Sub Saharan Africa, Alex Okosi during a meeting with President Tinubu in Paris on Wednesday
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai for the interest of the company in advancing Artificial Intelligence and digitap transformation in Nigeria.


L-R: Director-General of National Information, Technology, Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Google Chief Executive, Sundar Pichai, President Bola Tinubu, James Manyika, Google Senior Vice President for Research, Technology and Society, James Manyika and Google Managing Director, Sub Saharan Africa, Alex Okosi during a meeting with President Tinubu in Paris on Wednesday

President Tinubu met the Google team in Paris on Wednesday in company of Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani.

Google Team engaged in constructive discussions with President Tinubu aimed at forging a strategic partnership to enhance Nigeria’s journey towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.

The collaboration seeks to position Nigeria as a prominent technology and innovation hub, leveraging AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure to foster economic growth and enhance global competitiveness.

The ongoing conversations focus on key initiatives such as expanding digital infrastructure in Nigeria, equipping the workforce with essential digital skills for the future, promoting AI-driven research and innovation, encouraging greater cloud adoption across various industries, and establishing Nigeria as a key player in the global digital economy.

President Tinubu emphasised that this partnership aligns seamlessly with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, centred on economic diversification through industrialisation, technology, and innovation. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will provide strategic oversight, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will coordinate efforts alongside the private sector to ensure widespread and meaningful impact.

Speaking at the meeting, Google CEO Sundar Pichai reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, stating: “Nigeria has an incredible opportunity to lead in AI and digital innovation in Africa. Google is excited to continue working with the Nigerian government to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and economic growth.”

Speaking on the engagement with the President, Dr. Bosun Tijani said partnership between Nigeria and Google represents an important opportunity to accelerate Nigeria’s technological advancement and strengthen our digital economy. He further stated that Nigeria is committed to ensuring that AI and digital transformation create tangible benefits for businesses and citizens across the country.

President Tinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s potential as a burgeoning global technology destination and expressed his commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts strategic investments from leading tech companies. He appreciated Google’s ongoing involvement in Nigeria’s digital transformation and its contribution to opening new opportunities for businesses and young talents.

The discussions will continue as both parties look to deepen their collaboration and expedite Nigeria’s digital transformation, paving the way for sustainable economic growth.


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Visa and Pep Guardiola Announce Partnership to Enhance Fan Experiences

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Visa, a global leader in payments, has announced a new partnership with legendary football manager Pep Guardiola.

As part of the two-year collaboration, Visa cardholders and football fans in [market] will have the opportunity to benefit from exclusive experiences that will be offered through banking partners.

The widely celebrated coach, known for his leadership of prominent football clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, joins Visa on a mission to provide unparalleled experiences to fans in the region.

Visa cardholders will have access to meet-and-greet events, attend a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match alongside Guardiola, and win items personally signed by the history-making manager.

Pep Guardiola commented: “Today, I’m proud to join Visa on a mission to delight football fans. Visa and I share a common goal of crafting unforgettable experiences.

“In the world of sports, we are always striving to create memorable moments that can last a lifetime – and I look forward to doing just that through this partnership.”

Tarek Abdalla, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), stated: “We are delighted to join forces with Pep Guardiola, a giant of the game, who is admired around the world for redefining how football is played and building some of the most successful teams of the modern era.”

Abdalla continued: “Pep embodies the power of small steps, demonstrating that consistent, incremental progress can lead to monumental achievements.

“His philosophy aligns perfectly with Visa’s mission of helping individuals and businesses move one step closer to who they want to be”.

Guardiola, hailed as one of the greatest football managers of all time, has helped secure six Premier League titles at the helm of Manchester City.

He holds the record for the most consecutive league victories in La Liga, the Bundesliga, and the Premier League, and is the only manager in history to win the European treble twice in the men’s game.

As a leader in digital payments, Visa aims to empower individuals, merchants, and businesses to take a step closer to their own goals and ambitions, providing innovative solutions, impactful initiatives, and a comprehensive suite of products and services that enable global aspirations—one tap, swipe, or click at a time.

Just as Guardiola’s success is built on small, consistent steps, Visa believes that every small step can lead to significant achievements, helping individual and businesses reach their dreams and aspirations.


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