Connect with us

Telecom

NCC Gets N61Bn Budget, Accuses Operators of Sabotaging MNP

Published

on

Eugene Juwah, EVC, NCC
Kindly share this post

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has accused mobile telecoms services providers of deliberately sabotaging the mobile number portability (MNP) which enables a mobile phone user to keep his mobile phone number when changing from one mobile service provider to another.

This is coming as the House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja passed the 2013 budget of N61 billion for the Commission.

But at this year’s Telecoms Executives and Regulator’s Forum organized by Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman/chief executive officer, NCC, lamented that that operators have been frustrating subscribers willing to port out of their networks.

MNP was introduced about seven months ago to give subscribers more freedom to dump inefficient service providers.

Juwah  said this practice is particularly common among high value customers who for one reason or the other, express interest to port, warning that it will not hesitate to sanction erring operators.

According to the NCC boss,  MNP was NCC’s answer to subscribers prayers who c;lamoured for the introduction of the scheme in the country so that they could have ample opportunity to dump inefficient operators.

“We should not be in a hurry to conclude that MNP has not succeeded. When compared with other countries where it has been introduced, it is too early for us to say it will not succeed.

“We have been watching because some operators don’t want to play to the rules. We have evidence that high value customers are not allowed to go. People should play by the rules because if they do not, it will attract sanction,” Juwah warned.

Earlier Maria Svesson, drector, Customer Care at Globacom,  said since the scheme was introduced, less than 50000 subscribers have ported in and out of the networks.

She identified constraints such as the window required for customers to be on the network and the issue of post-paid customers who might want to port out of the network without paying the debt owed the donor network.

She said MNP has not succeeded as it should have because subscribers are already used to multi-SIMMing (use of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs).

Meanwhile, The House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja passed the 2013 budget of N61 billion for the Nigerian Communications Commission.

The breakdown of the budget revealed that N14 billion was approved for recurrent expenditure, while 19 billion was form capital and special projects.

The house approved the transfer of seven billion naira to the Federal Government, N10 billion was allocated for transfer to Universal Service Fund and five billion naira was expected to be transferred from reserves.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Telecom

Glo Boosts Network Capacity for Enhanced Customer Experience

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Globacom is rolling out extensive network improvements to deliver a significantly better experience for its customers. These proactive measures are designed to ensure subscribers continue to get excellent value, particularly following recent tariff adjustments.

The ongoing upgrade involves a widespread deployment of new base stations, expanding coverage to previously underserved areas, and strengthening existing coverage in growing population centres. This strategic densification will guarantee superior network quality for both voice and data services across the entire country.

In a significant investment, Globacom is also re-routing its fibre infrastructure in several locations where road construction has compromised the fibre, including vital routes like Auchi-Okene and Benin-Ekpoma, Lafia-Akwanga, Minna-Abuja, and Funtua-Gusau.

“We decided, at a huge cost, to relocate the fibres, many of which had been vandalized in several places by uncoordinated road construction activities, in order to bring best-in-class services to customers”, the company disclosed.

Customers can look forward to brighter days ahead as Glo completes the deployment of hundreds of new sites nationwide. This year alone, thousands of 4G LTE sites have been activated in key cities, with additional hundreds of new sites are currently being deployed to further boost connectivity. These efforts are supported by massive upgrades of backhaul capacity (microwave and fibre) and a seamless improvement in the core network.

Globacom assured its subscribers that these ongoing initiatives will translate to enhanced service delivery, expanded coverage, faster data speeds, and overall improved network performance. The company plans to add over a thousand new sites in the next year, prioritizing LTE expansion to deepen its reliable data reach and extending fibre to more hub sites for greater service robustness.

Furthermore, Glo is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint by expanding hybrid power solutions and relying more on battery power across its sites, representing another substantial investment.

Despite these positive developments, Globacom continues to highlight the challenge of deliberate sabotage of network equipment, even with its designation as critical national infrastructure, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

MTN’s Uto Ukpanah Becomes 30th ICSAN President, Reinforcing Female Leadership in Governance

Published

on

L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.
Kindly share this post

Nigeria’s corporate landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, with women increasingly occupying leadership positions and reshaping the narrative at the highest levels. A striking example of this shift unfolded recently as Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, was inaugurated as the 30th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.

Historically, ICSAN was led exclusively by men for nearly 57 years. However, the trend began to change in 2023 when Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo broke barriers as the Institute’s first female president. In 2025, her successor and former vice president, Mrs. Ukpanah, has now become only the second woman to assume the presidency, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s governance sector.

This development aligns with the broader momentum for women’s leadership across Nigeria’s business ecosystem. MTN Nigeria stands out as a champion of gender diversity. The company’s 2024 Annual Report reveals that women now constitute 41.4% of the workforce, a marked increase by 3% compared to 2023.

Among executive management, women hold 34.7% of positions, while female board representation stands at 21.4%. MTN’s deliberate drive, bolstered by initiatives such as the Women in Tech programme and the Y’ello Mums Internship, is fostering a pipeline of female talent across all tiers.

Female leaders at MTN are shaping strategy and impact on multiple fronts: Dr. Mosun Olusoga chairs the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya serves as the Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Dr. Omobola Johnson contributes as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors; and a host of others including Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Esther Akinnukawe, Ugonwa Nwoye, among others, lead critical business functions.

MTN’s policy of inclusion is reflected not just in numbers, but in recent recognitions. In 2024, Odunayo Sanya was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards, and Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria (subsidiary of MTN), received the Woman in Telecoms Award in London.

Mrs. Ukpanah herself was honoured as the first-ever African recipient of the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a testament to her pioneering leadership.

Ukpanah’s investiture as ICSAN President was held on July 23, 2025, in Lagos, attracting an array of dignitaries, government officials, and business leaders. Chaired by Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, with a keynote delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, the event saw the full support of MTN Nigeria’s top brass, including CEO Karl Toriola and Board Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. In his goodwill message, Dr. Ndukwe remarked:

“This honour is a fitting recognition for Uto’s distinguished career, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to the principles of good governance. Uto has consistently exemplified the values that I believe ICSAN upholds, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Institute’s aspirations towards promoting excellence in governance.

“At MTN Nigeria, we are proud of her achievements and reaffirm our full support as she embarks on this important assignment. We look forward to the positive impact her tenure will bring to ICSAN.”

Also, her husband, Aniekan Ukpanah, Senior Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, described her as “a passionate steward, rooted in family, bound by purpose, and committed to legacy.” Outgoing ICSAN President Mrs. Ekundayo added that Ukpanah is “astute, visionary, and principled.”

Mrs. Ukpanah’s ascendancy to ICSAN’s top office, and MTN’s visible support, do more than celebrate personal or organisational victories; they signal a new era, one in which women are not just present, but are key architects of governance and future prosperity for Nigeria.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

NIMC Warns Nigerians Against Selling NIN Data Amid Rising Identity Fraud

Published

on

Kindly share this post

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the illegal sale of personal data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), amid reports of a growing underground market targeting unsuspecting citizens.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Commission expressed deep concern following revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that young Nigerians are offering between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to individuals in exchange for their NIN and other sensitive details. These details are then allegedly resold to certain fintech platforms for as much as ₦5,000.

“This is not just a case of minor fraud, it’s a threat to national security and personal safety,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC. “When you hand over your data to unknown agents, you are essentially handing over control of your identity.”

The Commission reiterated that it will not be held liable for any misuse of personal data shared voluntarily by individuals or through third parties for financial gain or inducement.

NIMC further cautioned service providers to ensure that every NIN presented for services is properly verified using approved channels before access is granted.

To safeguard personal identity, Nigerians are encouraged to download the NINAuth App, available on Apple iOS and Google Play Store. The app enables users to manage, secure, and control access to their NIN data.

“The story of your identity should be written by you, not sold for a quick payout,” the Commission stated.

NAN reports that the NIMC’s advisory comes amid rising concerns over digital identity theft and the misuse of personal data in Nigeria’s expanding fintech ecosystem.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending