Telecom
NCC Accuses APC of Breaching Rules on Fund Raising Platform
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that he ban on using telecommunications service providers’ networks to raise money for the campaign of Maj. Gen. Muhammed Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, came as a result of the APC breaching the commission’s laid down rules and regulations.
This is contrary to reports that the commission deliberately banned the All Progressives Congress from using service providers’ networks to raise money for its campaign.
Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs, in a press briefing clarified that there are stipulated rules and regulations for allocating short codes to valued added service, VAS providers, which such provider must use solely for the purpose intended as contained in its guidelines.
This according to NCC was totally ignored by the APC Fund raising platform initiators.
Ojobo said section 3 of the commission’s guideline provides that “ the commission shall receive written notification from the licensees for all advertisements for goods and services within the a minimum of seven days of the proposed or planned publication of an advertisement, in order to ensure such advertisements meet the following minimum standards and requirements.”
The commission however said it has no problems with any political platform using the short code services for whatever purpose, but its challenge is with the telecommunication networks that flaunted it regulations which states that:
“Network operators and content aggregators will be primarily responsible for the contravention of any of the provision of these Guidelines and will face appropriate sanctions where applicable.
“Network operators and content aggregators must ensure that service providers give the highest level of service to the consumer and those consumers:
“A. Have sufficient information to enable them make informed decisions about using Short Codes.” To this, the NCC said it will deal appropriately with defaulting networks. Ojobo did not fail to mention that the mobile Fund raising platforms are not new especially to the APC and PDP alike, since the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, who is the APC campaign funds director, is familiar with the process of acquiring short codes.
“You are allowed to raise money, but you must conform to the rules of NCC. We didn’t make these rules looking at elections. We made these rules for the interest of development of telecommunications in Nigeria and we would keep those rules whether there are elections or not.” Ojobo reiterated.
In a letter dated Thursday, February 17, 2011, with the title “SHORT CODE ALLOCATION (35815)” the commission approved the same code despite the fact that there were no concrete existing regulations to back it.
“the commission is currently in the process of developing regulatory guidelines for the operations and administration of short code in Nigeria, however, in the commissions spirit of supporting innovations and development in the telecommunications industry, we wish to inform you that you may temporarily use the short code 35815 for a maximum period of 90 days with effect from the date on this letter. Please note that this code must be used solely for the purpose of creating awareness and support for governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state campaign platform for April 2011 campaign as stated in your request.
“Please note that the commission reserves the right to withdraw this resource when necessary,” the letter read.
The commission said the ban was not instigated by the government as it is been reported, but that it has continued to maintain a responsible independent regulatory agency and its independence has never been in doubt and that it remains non partisan to any political party.
Ojobo said the NCC is ready to lift the ban as long as the due process is followed strictly.
Meta, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator Program to foster AI-driven solutions across critical sectors in Nigeria.
The eight-month program will support early-stage startups developing AI innovations using Meta’s open-source Llama models. Target sectors include Agriculture, Security & Safety, Healthcare, and a wildcard category for other high-impact applications.
Speaking at the launch, Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, emphasized the initiative’s role in advancing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. “We are thrilled to partner with FMCIDE in supporting local AI talent. Open-source AI should be accessible and relevant to national challenges,” she said.
The program will begin with a six-week incubation period, offering technical training and mentorship from industry experts, followed by six months of extended support, including access to technical resources.
Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, hailed the initiative as a “major step forward” in Nigeria’s AI development strategy. “AI will be a key driver of national growth, and this program equips innovators with the tools to tackle pressing issues,” Tijani stated.
The Llama Impact Accelerator aligns with Meta’s broader mission to democratize responsible AI access while fostering innovation in emerging markets.
In collaboration with academic and government stakeholders, the initiative is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s AI industry and drive impactful change.
Applications for the program remain open until June 27, 2025. More details can be found at llamaimpactssa.splashthat.com.
In an era where climate change, youth unemployment, and food insecurity loom large over the continent, a powerful new force is rising — young African innovators building a green future from the ground up.
At the just-concluded Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2024, organised by MTN and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Nigerian entrepreneur, Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, emerged as one of the continent’s top eco-champions, spotlighting the potential of purpose-driven innovation to rewrite Nigeria’s climate and development story.
While Moses Afopezi of Cameroon took home the top prize with AgricFresh, a smart solution combating post-harvest loss, Olabisi’s reusable menstrual products solutions as a waste transformation model earned her national applause and a seat at Africa’s sustainability table, emerging as the second-place winner.
Speaking during the announcement, MTN’s leadership underscored that this challenge goes far beyond accolades. “Together, we have the power to shape a greener, more sustainable Africa — one bold idea at a time,” Nompilo Morafo, Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN, said.
The triumph comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the environmental menace of climate change in major urban hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, even as the Nigerian government is clamouring for smart innovations to address climate change issues such as climate funding, carbon trading and just energy transition.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently reiterated calls for tech-based waste management solutions – making Olabisi’s innovation timely and impactful.
MTN says this is just the beginning. With plans to expand the PachiPanda Challenge to more countries and deepen support for eco-entrepreneurs, the telecoms giant is reaffirming its commitment to socio-economic development through green innovation.
As Nigeria sets its sights on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the PachiPanda story is a timely reminder that the answers may lie not in government halls – but in the dreams and drive of Nigeria’s young changemakers.
MTN Nigeria has convened alumni of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) for an interactive training session on digital monetisation in Nigeria’s Value-Added Services (VAS) sector.
The hybrid event, themed “Understanding Digital Monetisation: Opportunities in the VAS Space in Nigeria,” was led by A’isha Umar Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria. Participants explored evolving digital revenue models, including mobile payments, subscription billing, and telco-backed content partnerships.
Mumuni emphasized the growing significance of digital innovation. “Innovation is the currency of the future,” she stated. She cited projections indicating Nigeria’s potential emergence as the world’s fifth-largest economy by 2075, with the digital economy at the forefront of this growth.
The session spotlighted MTN Nigeria’s role in enabling content creators through platforms such as Callertunes, MTN Play, and digital storefronts. Participants were grouped into breakout sessions where they pitched digital product ideas, fostering creativity and strategic thinking.
According to industry figures, Nigeria’s digital economy contributed 18.44 percent to GDP as of Q2 2022, with ICT revenue soaring from ₦51.3 billion to ₦594 billion over a decade. Global digital services revenue reached an estimated $2.58 trillion in 2024, driven by advertising, paid content, and internet access.
Now in its fourth year, MTN Nigeria’s MIP continues to equip media professionals with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a digital-first economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting its alumni through curated development sessions that empower media practitioners in Nigeria.
For further details on the MIP programme and upcoming alumni engagements, visit www.mtnmip.smc.edu.ng.
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