Telecom
NCC Moves to Review International Termination Rate for Voice Services
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has embarked on a cost-based study to set the new pricing regime for mobile international termination rate (ITR) for inbound international voice calls in the country.
The ITR is the rate paid to local operators by international operators to terminate calls in Nigeria.
As part of the process for the rate determination, the Commission has organised a virtual stakeholder engagement forum with relevant industry stakeholders to intimate them with the ongoing cost-based study and the need to cooperate with Messrs Payday Advance and Support Services Limited, the consultants engaged to carry out the study
Addressing the stakeholders in Abuja recently, Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, said the study has become imperative following the various implementation constraints arising from contending industry and market dynamics that met previous efforts at finding an optimum price for the termination of international voice services in Nigeria.
Danbatta, who was represented at the forum by Adeleke Adewolu, executive commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, said through the new ITR pricing, the Commission will be able to balance the competing objectives of economic efficiency and allowing operators the latitude to generate reasonable revenue.
The EVC, however, explained that in 2013, the Commission issued a determination stating that mobile termination rate (MTR) rates were the same irrespective of where the call originated, a clause he said was largely misconstrued by operators at that time to mean that ITR should be the same rate as the MTR.
He said this led to operators ignoring the international cost portion, where ITRs were agreed at MTR level without a positive residual to cover the costs of the international leg for local operators.
“As a result of this, the ITRs continued to decline, in line with the MTR glide path and as the ITR was set in Naira, it suffered a further downward slide in dollar terms following the currency devaluation.
“Ironically, the Nigerian operators paid the international operators in dollars to deliver international calls which created an imbalance of payments as the ITR in Nigeria declined,” he said.
As a result, Danbatta said Nigerian operators’ profitability and commercial results were negatively affected putting Nigeria’s ITR below that of most countries with which it makes and receives the most calls, thereby making Nigerian operators perpetual net payers.
“This has, therefore, led to undue pressure on the nation’s foreign reserves, which continue to get depleted by associated net transfers to foreign operators on account of this lop-sidedness, hence the need for Nigeria, with volatile currencies, to regulate the ITR to prevent or mitigate the imbalance of payments with international operators,” the EVC said.
According to Danbatta, where ITR is not properly regulated, it tends to have a negative effect on a market like Nigeria with major supply-side challenges and associated socio-economic implications.
“So, setting a rate substantially above the MTR has resulted in a number of repercussions. One of such is the consumer shift to online channels as calls are increasingly made through Internet Protocol (IP)-based technologies such as Skype and WhatsApp because of high international call prices.
“To this end, an economically-efficient ITR that is cost-based will maximise economic benefits to all stakeholders,” Danbatta told the stakeholders.
Earlier in her remarks, Director, Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis, Yetunde Akinloye, said the forum is aimed at formally engaging with and sharing the perspectives and insights of industry stakeholders and ultimately enlisting their collective support in relation to the inputs and requirements towards the determination of a mutually- realistic ITR in Nigeria.
She noted that the project commenced on March 10, 2020 with a kick-off meeting but was stalled by the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating the need to explore emerging channels of engagement to move forward and ensure the completion of the project.
Akinloye reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continuously provide a conducive environment and level-playing field for the effective interplay of factors that would sustain market development and growth, while ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications regulatory services for the benefit of consumers and licensees.
The race is down to three as the Glo Innov8 National STEM Competition for Girls approaches its grand finale. The competition, organized by the Glo Foundation, Globacom’s corporate social responsibility arm, will take place at the Mike Adenuga Centre (Alliance Française), Ikoyi, Lagos.
From over 200 schools that entered nationwide, 20 were initially shortlisted, and 10 went on to compete for a place in the finals. The three schools that made it to the last stage are Ephraim High School, Isolo Campus, Lagos; Regina Pacis International School, Onitsha, Anambra State; and Peakfield Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
Hundreds of students across several states, including Plateau, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Oyo, Anambra, FCT, Delta, Kaduna, and Adamawa submitted entries after the Glo Foundation’s nationwide call for participation.
The initiative, designed as a STEM-driven challenge, was launched to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child — celebrating creativity, innovation, and inclusion among young women in science and technology.
According to the Glo Foundation, “The competition is aimed at inspiring young girls to Compete, Innovate, and Win — while strengthening their confidence and expanding their knowledge in STEM subjects.”
The winning school will take home ₦2,000,000 cash prize, with each of its two student representatives receiving a brand-new laptop and the Teacher/Mentor/STEM Coordinator earning ₦200,000. Runners-up will also receive valuable consolation prizes.
The three judges of the virtual stage expressed delight at the quality of presentations from the top 20 schools. Tosin Olabode praised the participants’ creativity, saying, “I was particularly impressed by the prototype presentations — some schools clearly did their homework.”
Another judge, Amina Gabriel, highlighted the diversity of ideas, noting, “The schools presented innovative solutions addressing issues in agriculture, security, waste management, and firefighting. The prototypes ranged from apps to robots, making the competition truly engaging. I’m grateful to Glo Foundation for giving me the chance to support young girls in STEM.”
On her part, Sharon Ibejih added that “this competition has showcased a highly competitive next generation of women leaders in STEM. It’s a brilliant platform to nurture problem-solving and innovative thinking among students.”
As the final stage approaches, anticipation is high for what promises to be a memorable showcase of brilliant young Nigerian girls and a testament to Globacom’s commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators.
Tecom Concept Limited, Nigeria’s trusted technology partner and official Huawei Enterprise Solutions distributor, is set to host a groundbreaking event titled “Empowering Smart Connectivity & Innovation” in Abuja.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the NAF Conference Centre, Plot 496, Ahmadu Bello Way, Gwarinpa Expressway, Kado, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m is an high-profile engagement which seeks to showcase how innovative digital infrastructure and intelligent connectivity can transform business operations and enhance productivity in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.
The event will bring together ICT professionals, enterprise leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss how smart, scalable, and sustainable technology can drive Nigeria’s digital growth agenda.
At the heart of this initiative is Tecom’s partnership with Huawei, one of the world’s leading providers of ICT solutions. Together, both companies aim to empower Nigerian organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to modernize their operations and compete more effectively in a connected world. Participants will experience firsthand how Huawei’s enterprise solutions—ranging from next-generation network infrastructure and storage systems to intelligent collaboration technologies—are redefining the future of business connectivity and innovation.
According to Happiness Obioha, Managing Director of Tecom Concept Limited, this collaboration demonstrates Tecom’s commitment to bridging the technology gap and helping organizations harness the power of digital transformation. “Our goal is to create a platform where businesses and IT professionals can explore innovative technologies that make communication smarter, operations more efficient, and growth more sustainable,” she stated.
The event will feature expert-led sessions, product showcases, and interactive discussions designed to provide practical insights into how Huawei’s solutions can transform business environments. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with Huawei specialists, gain valuable knowledge, and explore tailored solutions for their unique organizational needs.
Tecom encourages all technology professionals, business leaders, and public sector representatives to participate in this transformative event and be part of the conversation shaping the future of smart connectivity and digital innovation in Nigeria.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has announced a call for session proposals for the 2026 edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF26), scheduled to take place from April 14 to 16, 2026, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The forum, now in its 13th edition, offers a platform for stakeholders across the digital ecosystem—including policymakers, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector—to exchange ideas, showcase solutions, and drive progress in digital rights and inclusion.
The 2026 theme, “Building Inclusive and Resilient Digital Futures,” builds on the 2025 theme, “Promoting Digital Ubuntu in Approaches to Technology.”
DRIF26 will feature sub-themes such as digital security, trust and accountability, data protection, privacy and cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, digital inclusion for marginalised groups, human rights and freedoms, and digital and internet governance.
PIN, a leading pan-African non-profit organisation, said the forum continues to foster cross-sector collaboration and amplify voices working to shape inclusive digital policies.
In 2025, DRIF was held in Lusaka, Zambia, with 1,399 registered attendees and 623 in-person participants from 65 countries. Previous editions were hosted in Accra, Ghana (2024), and Nairobi, Kenya (2023), with growing participation each year.
Since its inception in 2013, DRIF has evolved into a premier platform for dialogue on digital policy, rights, and inclusion, accommodating diverse perspectives from civil society, technology companies, government, and academia.
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