Telecom
NCC Presents N54.7m Research Grant to 9 Universities

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC yesterday presented research grants worth N54,755,846 to the winners of the 2016 and 2017 Research Proposals from nine universities for development of the telecommunication industry.
The nine successful research awardees (universities) include: Covenant University, Ota which received N9.3million for development of low-cost GSM system for rural areas; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi received N5.9million for design and construction of customer identification system in telecom industry; Enugu State University of Science and Technology – N1.4million for development of a home-grown electrical power charger for cellphones from cooking heat; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife -N12,3million for Design, fabrication, experimental characterization of plastic optical fiber cable and the exploitation of its potentials in Nigeria telecom industry and University of Port Harcourt – N5.3million for design and construction of 1 to 10GHz Anechoic chamber for 3G, 4G and 5G Antenna measurement.
Others are: Nigeria Air Force Institute of Tech. Zariawhich got N5million for design and construction of a power line communication modern for domestic LAN; ELizade University, Ondo – N5million for GSM-Based Smart Energy Meter and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – N7million for Development of wearable e-band tracking system.
Presenting the awards, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta said the Commission instituted the Research and Proposals Grant project in recognition of the role of the academia in the development of the telecom sector.
The EVC explained that the scheme is focused on commercially viable prototypes of research and innovative use of telecoms to solve national problems. ‘‘The relevance of the academia in the growth, sustainability and continuity of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria cannot be emphasized. The academia provides the research results that govern growth, transformation and facilitate innovations in the industry.
‘‘The academia impacts knowledge to the growth, turning them into thinking and transformational citizens, with innovative ideas capable of revolutionalizing the industry and reshaping our world.
‘‘The presentation of this award is to underscore the critical role, expectations from, and the confidence we have in the academia, in working towards national reengineering and transformation.
We are aware that most of these projects are collaborative efforts with other academics in your universities.
‘‘NCC welcomes and demands collaboration in all you do. It is for this reason that we have insisted on the involvement of your graduate and undergraduate students in the research projects.’’
‘‘We have set out clear terms and conditions for the Grant.
We expect you to abide by all the terms of the award. You are not under any circumstance to showcase the work or the prototype to any bodies, organization at any exhibition until the Commission has received the final prototype and signed off on it.
‘‘We will always show concern for the quality, relevance and efficiency of the product we want to push into the industry On extension of the collaboration to the telecom operators,
Prof. Danbatta said: ‘‘we will advise the telecommunication companies to key into this important initiative of collaborating with the commission in the area of research and development.
We will leverage our influence asking them to equally put resources that will drive research and development in the telecommunications industry.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee of the NCC for the Research Proposals from the academia, Prof. Junaidu Muazu said one of the major focuses of the research proposals is to consider the relevance of those proposals to telecom industry and how they leverage on the existing infrastructure of the telecom industry.
‘‘This is important because it is trying to bridge the gap between the academia and the industry to provide solutions to the problems facing the industry.’’
Responding on behalf of other award recipients, Prof. Sulaiman Sani of Ahmadu Bello University said that would be bounded by patriotism for the nation to be role models in the area of telecom innovation.
He also charged the NCC to encourage telecom operators in the country to join hands in collaborating with the academia to proffer more problem solutions for the telecom sector.
‘‘I want to suggest that the initiative be extended to the telecom companies in the country, saying that it would be worthy to see them collaborate with the academia in developing the sector through research and development.
‘‘It will not be out of place if telecom companies invest in research and development in relation to telecom industry,’’ he added.
Of the 9 award recipients, 3 were selected from 56 proposals received from the academia in 2016 and 6 from 96 proposals received in 2017 after stringent evaluations by the Inter-Agency committee set up by the NCC.
Under the project, tertiary institutions submit detailed and well thought out research proposals to the Commission on innovative use of telecoms to solve national problems.
Telecom
Glo to Improve Customers’ Digital Lifestyle with “More Data, More Value” Package

Telecommunications and digital solutions provider, Globacom, has introduced a new promotional data package known as “More Data More Value only on Glo”, aimed at enhancing the digital lifestyle of its customers across the country.

In line with the growing demand for internet connectivity in Nigeria’s increasingly data-driven economy, Globacom said the new offer reinforces its position as a customer-focused network by providing subscribers with over 10 percent additional data value on selected bundles.
According to a statement issued by the company in Lagos, the initiative was introduced to ensure that Nigerians derive maximum benefit from every Naira spent on data services, while continuing the company’s tradition of delivering affordable and value-packed telecommunications solutions.
The “More Data More Value” package features several weekly and monthly plans structured to support both daytime and nighttime browsing needs.Under the weekly category, the ₦1,000 plan offers subscribers a total of 3.7GB data, comprising 1.7GB regular data and an additional 2GB night browsing allocation.
Customers who opt for the ₦2,000 weekly package receive 9GB in total, broken into 6.5GB main data and 2.5GB for night usage.
For monthly subscribers, the ₦1,500 package provides a combined 5.2GB data volume, consisting of 2.2GB regular data and 3GB night allocation. The ₦2,000 monthly option comes with 6.25GB in total, including 3.25GB main data and 3GB night data.
Subscribers choosing the ₦5,000 monthly plan receive 16.5GB altogether, made up of 14.5GB main data and 2GB night browsing bonus. Higher-end packages are also available, including the ₦10,000 option which delivers 42GB total data volume — 38GB main data plus 4GB night data — while the ₦15,000 package provides 64GB in total, comprising 62GB regular data and 2GB night allocation.
Globacom noted that the enhanced data bundles are designed to support the increasing digital needs of students, entrepreneurs, remote workers, gamers, and social media enthusiasts who require uninterrupted connectivity for streaming, online meetings, content creation, gaming, and social interaction on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
The company added that the offer is equally beneficial to households and small businesses that depend heavily on mobile internet and hotspot connectivity for daily operations.
By increasing data value across its packages, Glo which aims to position itself as the preferred network for high-volume data users further disclosed that the offer aligns with its broader digital transformation strategy through the Glo Café app, which enables customers to subscribe to bundles conveniently and manage their bonus data seamlessly for a more rewarding user experience.
According to the company, the “More Data More Value” proposition reflects its commitment to delivering superior value and ensuring that Nigerians continue to enjoy reliable and affordable digital services without compromising their online lifestyle.
Telecom
Chinese Bank Supports Nigeria Towers Project

China Industrial Bank (CIB) has thrown its support behind the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project (NUCAP), a large-scale infrastructure plan designed to extend connectivity to more than 20 million Nigerians in underserved communities.

The announcement was made by the minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, following a meeting in Abuja with a CIB delegation led by Peng Shuang, general manager of the Strategic Emerging Industries Business Headquarters.
Under NUCAP, the Federal Government plans to deploy 3,700 telecommunications towers nationwide, targeting rural, riverine and hard-to-reach areas where access to reliable network coverage remains limited or non-existent.
The initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader digital inclusion strategy aimed at expanding access to communication infrastructure and unlocking economic opportunities.
Tijani disclosed that CIB has committed to supporting the delivery of at least 1,000 telecom tower sites before the end of the year, describing the partnership as a major milestone in accelerating nationwide connectivity.
According to him, the project represents a “green” telecommunications network designed to ensure sustainable expansion of digital infrastructure while bridging long-standing access gaps in remote communities.
He also noted that CIB’s involvement marks the bank’s first investment in Nigeria, reflecting growing international confidence in the country’s digital economy reform agenda.
NUCAP builds on earlier federal plans to construct up to 7,000 telecom towers across rural Nigeria, an initiative already approved by the Federal Executive Council as part of efforts to strengthen national connectivity infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said telecom operators have pledged to upgrade 12,000 network sites in 2026, including the migration of legacy 2G and 3G infrastructure to more advanced 4G and 5G systems.
Officials say the combined public and private sector investments are expected to significantly improve network quality, expand broadband access and support Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation goals.
Telecom
Moniepoint CEO Pushes New Credit Revolution for Millions of Nigerian Small Businesses

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officially rolled out its ambitious Nigeria Payments System Vision (PSV) 2028 framework in Abuja, industry leaders are shifting the conversation from how money moves to making a robust case for how those transactions can unlock economic survival for millions of underserved businesses.

Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc,
Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc, has said the next phase of growth in Nigeria’s payments ecosystem will come from building credit products directly on top of existing payment infrastructure, using transaction data to unlock financing for the millions of small businesses that have historically been shut out of formal credit markets.
Eniolorunda made the remarks during a panel session at the launch of the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV 2028), describing the event as a reminder of how far the country’s payments ecosystem has come and how much further it can go with deliberate building.
“I believe the next phase of growth will come from layering services like credit onto existing payment flows, using the visibility and trust already built through financial transactions,” Eniolorunda said.
The Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 is a CBN-led framework setting out the priorities and direction for the country’s payments infrastructure over the coming years, with financial inclusion, resilience, and innovation among its core pillars.
The panel, moderated by Chief Executive of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, also featured Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc, Mr. Premier Oiwoh; Managing Director/CEO of Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL), Mr. Deremi Atanda; and Managing Director/CEO of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) Limited, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, among others.
Speaking on the power of payment infrastructure as a foundation for broader financial services, Eniolorunda argued that the data generated by payment systems, when used responsibly, holds the key to making credit faster and more accessible for underserved businesses.
“One of the most powerful things about payment infrastructure is the data it creates. When used responsibly, it can help unlock quicker and more accessible credit for businesses that have historically been underserved. For many small businesses, access has always been the real barrier,” he said.
Eniolorunda also noted that Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso used the PSV 2028 launch to stress the importance of collaboration and innovation in building a payments ecosystem capable of supporting inclusion and economic growth.
“Achieving the ambitions of PSV 2028 will require regulators, banks, fintechs, and ecosystem players working together with a shared long-term vision,” Eniolorunda emphasized, echoing Governor Cardoso’s warning against the country’s historic “start-stop” policy cycles.
In his address at the launch, CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso noted that the new framework builds on Nigeria’s progress in digital payments and seeks to accelerate the country’s transition towards a more inclusive, technology-driven ecosystem as it continues to lead Africa’s digital payments ecosystem.
“Over the past two decades, Nigeria’s payments ecosystem has evolved into one of the most dynamic and innovative in the world. From instant payments and digital adoption to fintech-led innovation, our progress has often set the pace on the continent. While this progress has not always been fully reflected in global narratives, its impact on economic activities, financial inclusion, and system resilience is evident across our economy,” he said.
The CBN governor stressed that financial inclusion must remain central to the country’s economic future, noting that millions of Nigerians are still outside the formal banking system.
“Inclusion and not exclusion must define our future. In 2023, a very large number of Nigerian adults will have access to financial services. Under Vision 2028, I would like to see this reaching 95 per cent inclusion. That means 50 million more market women, farmers, and young people will have a bank account or wallet in their name, with their name and BVN protecting them,” Mr Cardoso said.
Nigeria has grown into one of the most active fintech markets globally over the past decade, driven by mobile money adoption, agent banking expansion, and a wave of venture-backed startups building across the financial services stack. The push to convert payment data into business capital aligns closely with the core pillars of the PSV 2028 roadmap, which emphasizes open banking, infrastructure resilience, and deep economic integration.
Moniepoint, which is Nigeria’s largest distributor of financial services has built its early dominance on payment infrastructure and agent banking for small businesses, and has since expanded into business banking and credit, with over 1 trillion naira disbursed in 2025 to Nigerian MSMEs.
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