Telecom
NCC Plans CSIRT to Combat Cyber Crime
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that the Commission is working towards establishing a Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT) exclusively for the Telecommunications sector.
He stated that CSIRT will complement the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) by handling and coordinating cybercrime incidences in the sector.
The NCC Boss, disclosed this at the 2019 Telecom Executives and Regulator Forum, organized by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos yesterday.
It would be recalled that the Commission played a key role in developing the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy documents that led to the establishment of the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) Coordination Center, domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Danbatta who was represented by Mohammed Babajika, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC, revealed that CSIRT will facilitate intervention, swift identification of threats/vulnerabilities and the sharing of valuable information and resources to assist in fortifying Nigeria’s national security.
Speaking on the formulation of policy and regulation for OTTs: Challenges and Prospects, Danbatta urged service providers to innovate, noting that OTTs, have some prospects in the ICT ecosystem, which cannot be ignored.
He added that OTTs will increasingly support future service model that are rapidly expanding across multiple communications & digital service domains, which will spur the growth of Smartphones that are affordable, which pushes the demand for broadband and increase mobility that will bring convenience.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), organizers of 2019 Telecom Executives and Regulator Forum (TERF2019) said that the aim of the forum is to create a platform for the regulators to update the industry on the regulatory direction and plans for the industry in the coming years.
He noted that the outcome the forum will enable industry stakeholders to understand how best to cooperate with the regulatory agency in ensuring the effectiveness and success of policies and regulations in the industry.
According to him, “the forum is one of ATCON’s flagship initiatives for the telecom and ICT industry in Nigeria, Specifically designed for the purpose of creating a veritable opportunity for key industry players to interact with the industry regulators with the aim of building a continual good working relationship between industry players and the regulators.
“It is also aimed at creating a platform for the regulators to update the industry on the regulatory direction and plans for the industry in the coming years. This hopefully, would enable industry stakeholders to understand how best to cooperate with the regulatory agency in ensuring the effectiveness and success of policies and regulations in the industry.
“Furthermore, the forum is designed as an opportunity for the regulators to receive feedback from the industry with a view to understanding the challenges and prospects industry players have to grapple with and explore to ensure sustained growth of the industry.
“To a large extent, participants brainstorm on measures that would fast-track the rapid expansion of telecommunications services across the federation in the years ahead.
“The Association is of the opinion that today’s telecom and ICT sector in Nigeria is built on continuous strategic engagements amongst all players in the sector and the projected growth can only be attained if these engagements continue.
Mohammed Babajika, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC, making the presentation
“ATCON is providing this platform for the purpose of accelerating and harnessing the changes that are taking place in the industry in order to grow the industry for all its teeming members who have made huge investments in the Nigerian telecom and ICT sector.
“There is a popular saying that ‘change is inevitable’, the truth is that our industry is changing on daily basis or we can say that the industry is being disrupted by new technological innovations and for our members to stay afloat and remain players in the industry, new business models must be evolved by our members but regulation and policies also need to be reviewed, fine-tuned and strengthened so that all and sundry can remain in business. To this end, new capacities must be developed to match the new opportunities that the new ecosystem is presenting.
ATCON firmly believes that this very important platform would provide a great opportunity for all critical stakeholders in the industry to leverage on this rare opportunity to share their views, contribute their expertise and experiences in discussion about best practices in their jurisdictions with a focus to grow and sustain the industry.
“We strongly believe in knowledge sharing that will further stimulate the accelerated development of our industry. Finally, we need to succeed in further winning the confidence of the international community to see Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in Africa.
“This is why we consider it a worthwhile venture to continually engage ourselves in programmes that would enable us to advance the frontiers of telecommunications/ICT in Nigeria”.
Millions of citizens across Africa are being denied access to essential services due to the rapid imposition of biometric digital-ID systems, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network has revealed.
Biometric
The study, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), found that citizens are increasingly required to provide biometric and personal information as a condition for accessing fundamental rights and government services such as voting, education, healthcare, and social protection payments.
According to the report, marginalised groups including persons with disabilities, the illiterate, and those unable to afford mobile data or electricity for phone charging face significant barriers to registration, deepening existing inequalities.
It noted that many citizens also refuse to enrol due to fears of data breaches and mistrust of governments, with biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition raising privacy concerns.
Dr Tony Roberts, Research Fellow at IDS and co-editor of the report, said: “Worryingly, fundamental human rights, like education, healthcare and the right to vote are rapidly becoming conditional on enrolment in biometric digital-ID systems.”
He added that some visually impaired citizens are forced to pay others to help them use their digital-ID on mobile phones to access social protection payments.
‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative and co-editor of the report, said: “Many citizens do not want to enrol for a biometric digital-ID because they have good reason not to trust their governments with their biometrics and personal information.”
The report highlighted examples of massive data breaches and cases where personal data was used to surveil critics and opposition leaders.
It warned that most systems, estimated to cost at least US$1 billion across Africa, lack adequate legal frameworks, robust digital security, and accountability mechanisms for remedy when errors or breaches occur.
The authors concluded that governments must adopt strong legislation to protect citizens’ rights and privacy before rolling out biometric IDs, stressing that systems should be developed with citizen participation rather than imposed top-down.
The report, Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies, covers Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Senator Natasha Akpoti has emerged as the most searched personality in Nigeria, according to Google’s 2025 Year in Search report, which highlights the interests and concerns that shaped the nation’s online activity during the year.
The report showed that political conversations dominated searches, with Akpoti’s prominence underscoring the intensity of national discourse. Nigerians also followed global developments closely, including the Israel-Iran War and the United States elections.
The country mourned the passing of former whose deaths prompted widespread searches recalling their legacies and contributions to national life.
Entertainment trends reflected Nigeria’s cultural vibrancy, with gospel hit “Oluwatosin (Jesus Is Enough)” by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills topping charts, alongside Afrobeats collaborations such as Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You.” Director Kemi Adetiba and the local series “To Kill a Monkey” also drew significant attention.
Google noted that Nigerians displayed curiosity in language and lifestyle, decoding slang like “Labubu” and exploring recipes ranging from Pornstar Martini to traditional Chinchin.
Technology searches were led by interest in the iPhone 17 and Tecno Pop 10, reflecting the country’s embrace of new devices.
“This data offers a real-time window into the Nigerian psyche in 2025, showing a nation engaged, reflective, and creatively vibrant,” said Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications Manager for West Africa.
14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande has been crowned the winner of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025, following a thrilling grand finale that saw the top 20 contestants from schools across the country compete head-to-head.
MTN mPulse 2025 Spelling Bee
The grand finale of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025 competition was held on Saturday, November 29, at the MTN Plaza Rooftop. The event also had in attendance the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Opeyemi Eniola and mPulse Spelling Bee 2024 winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu.
As the 2025 MTN mPulse Champion, Oreoluwa was awarded an Educational Grant of N5 Million Naira, the opportunity to be the MTN CEO for a Day, a brand new laptop and smartphone, and the title of the face of mPulse for a year. Her victory also benefits her school, which will receive a N10 Million flagship gift, 10 laptops, and 10 MTN 5G routers, while her teacher receives a N500,000 cash prize.
Oreoluwa, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, expressed her gratitude. “I’d like to use this opportunity to thank MTN for providing a platform that empowers youths and increases the vocabulary of students,” she said. “I’d also like to thank my family, everyone who has supported me so far, and my school,” she said.
Speaking at the grand finale, Babatunde Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the parents and teachers. “Every year, we bring you all together to see who becomes the exceptional speller in Nigeria, and the participants always perform exceptionally,” Oyeleye stated. “I’d like to say a big thank you to the parents and the teachers. You dedicate your time to nurturing these children, and the feeling of pride is always evident on your faces. We are glad to be enablers of that smile and pride you feel,” Oyeleye said.
The second position, Samuel Babalola, was rewarded with a N2.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, with his teacher receiving an N300,000 cash prize. Levi Kelechi Ebisike, in third place, won a N1.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, along with an N200,000 cash prize for his teacher.
The grand finale was streamed live on the MTN Nigeria YouTube channel and on the Holiday Channel 198 on both DStv and GOtv, allowing Nigerians nationwide to watch the brilliant spellers.
The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee continues to be one of Nigeria’s most impactful development initiatives, reiterating MTN’s commitment to promoting literacy and digital inclusivity. The competition, a flagship initiative under the MTN mPulse umbrella, is designed to foster digital literacy, academic excellence, and healthy competition among Nigerian students.
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