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NCC Reads Riot Act to MNOs over N30Bn Loss to Unsolicited SMS

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(L-r): Gbenga Adebayo, president (ALTON), Abdullahi Maikano, director, Consumer Affairs Bureau NCC, Joshua Yakubu, zonal co-ordinator Lagos, consumer protection council, during 4th quarter /open forum of industry Consumer Advisory Forum held in Lagos recently.
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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has charged the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to find a lasting solution to the menace of unsolicited Short Message Service (SMS) immediately.

This followed claims by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) that telephone users in the country lose about N30 billion to unsolicited SMS) monthly from the activities of Value Added Service Providers (VAS).

These were parts of the fallouts of the 4th quarter /Open Forum of Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) held in Lagos recently on the theme: “effective service delivery: issues and challenges”.

Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, director, Consumer Affairs Department, NCC, disclosed that the NCC will meet with the operators soon to identify what could be the challenges they are facing in checkmating the activities of VAS providers on their networks, stressing that this has become very important so that consumers will not continue to suffer from the menace.

But Deolu Ogunbanjo, NATCOMS president, said so many Nigerians are bleeding through this menace.

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Ogunbanjo, who said the time has come for better regulation of this aspect of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, based his analysis on the fact that on the average, telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria spent about N200, which the operators deduct from their accounts without permission.

The MNOs (MTN, Globacom; Airtel and Etisalat) on the other hand have claimed that most of the unsolicited text messages do not come directly from them but through the VAS providers.

At the end of the meeting, the NCC was urged to meet with the Network Operators/Service Providers and VAS licensees to urgently address the issues of unsolicited text messages and automatic data renewal.

Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) was established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) about Six (6) years ago as an independent body responsible for advising and making recommendations to NCC on issues and challenges affecting consumers of telecoms products and services in Nigeria.

The objective of ICAF is to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along in articulating a regulatory process that will promote and ensure consumer protection at all times.

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At the 4th quarter/open Forum issues on creating customer-centric culture; paradigm shift from customer satisfaction to customer experience led the discussion, even as participants looked at ”Issues and Challenges of Effective Service Delivery”

However, ICAF wants ‘Service Providers’ Compliance to addressed the furore on unsolicited SMS, automatic data plan renewal and credit depletion’

The forum further enjoined Service Providers to progress from customer satisfaction to positive customer experience for all their subscribers.

The forum notes with great concern the numerous complaints of unsolicited text messages in the telecom industry and the need for a comprehensive framework from the NCC to address this issue in order to ameliorate the nuisance this has become.

ICAF also urged NCC to put pressure on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Critical National Infrastructure Bill; while the Commission to address the challenge of Multiple Taxation in the sector and canvass the adoption of the Lagos State smart city model to the remaining states of the Federation.

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The Commission and the Service Providers were also encouraged to step up subscriber awareness campaign on industry issues and challenges.

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MENXTT TECH NG Offers Affordable Dell Laptops with Flexible Payment Plans

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MENXTT TECH NG, a Lagos-based technology company, has launched an initiative to make quality Dell laptops more affordable for Nigerians through flexible payment plans and extended warranty support.

MENXTT TECH NG Offers Affordable Dell Laptops with Flexible Payment Plans

The company said the initiative was aimed at helping students, entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses acquire reliable computing devices despite rising technology costs.

According to the company, customers can now purchase premium pre-owned Dell Latitude, Dell Precision and Dell Inspiron laptops at competitive prices, with selected models available under staggered payment arrangements.

The laptops, it said, are designed to meet the needs of users ranging from students and office workers to architects, engineers, software developers, graphic designers and video editors.

Speaking on the initiative, the Co-Founder of MENXTT TECH NG, Mr Anthony Emeka Nwosu, said access to quality technology should not be limited by financial constraints.

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“A laptop is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for education, business and career development.

“Unfortunately, many people are forced to settle for unreliable devices because of the high cost of new laptops.

“At MENXTT TECH NG, we want to bridge that gap by providing durable Dell business laptops at affordable prices, backed by a full one-year warranty and flexible payment plans.

“We want every student, entrepreneur, freelancer and business owner to have access to technology that helps them succeed,” he said.

Nwosu explained that every laptop undergoes comprehensive testing before delivery and comes with a one-year warranty, an original charger, a complimentary laptop bag, Windows 11 operating system and Microsoft Office Suite pre-installed.

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He added that the company, an authorised Bitdefender Antivirus reseller in Nigeria, also installs genuine Bitdefender security software on every system to protect customers against cyber threats.

According to him, customers requiring additional productivity tools can also have licensed Foxit PDF software installed on their devices.

Nwosu said the flexible payment option was introduced in response to prevailing economic realities, enabling customers to spread payments over an agreed period.

He noted that the arrangement would make it easier for students, startups and growing businesses to acquire quality computers without placing excessive pressure on their finances.

Beyond laptop sales, the company provides information technology consultancy, computer repairs, software licensing, cybersecurity solutions and digital transformation services to organisations across Nigeria.

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He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy by making dependable computing devices and enterprise technology solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.

According to him, the initiative reflects MENXTT TECH NG’s vision of combining affordability, quality products and professional after-sales support to help more Nigerians participate in the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. (NAN)

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NITDA Calls for Collaboration to Harness Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth

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National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and drive inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.

NITDA Calls for Collaboration to Harness Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth

Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, representing the Director General of NITDA, delivers a goodwill message at the 20th International Conference on Technology and Computing (RISE 2026) in Jos, reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to fostering digital innovation, strategic collaboration, and a technology-driven future for Nigeria.

The agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026, held in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders examined strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen national development.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital transformation would depend on sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, research and strategic partnerships.

According to him, collaboration across the public and private sectors is essential to translate emerging technologies into practical solutions capable of improving governance, creating jobs and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.

Onumo said NITDA remained committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan through initiatives that promote digital literacy, research and development, innovation ecosystems, cyber sovereignty and emerging technologies.

He added that the agency was expanding opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups through platforms designed to encourage collaboration, investment and technology-driven enterprise.

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“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.

He urged innovators, startup founders and technology professionals to participate actively in the forthcoming Builders Summit by showcasing indigenous solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.

Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, described digital technology as a critical driver of governance and economic development.

Mutfwang said his administration had adopted digital solutions to improve public service delivery, modernise government operations and enhance internally generated revenue.

He also identified technology as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, increased productivity and improved food security, urging participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference translate into practical outcomes for national development.

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Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the conference was organised to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, researchers, regulators, technology professionals and industry leaders.

Sirajo said the conference, with the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” focused on exploring how innovation could accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

He identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as among the technologies shaping the future of economies across the world.

According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a strong foundation for building a globally competitive economy through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, innovation and skills development.

The conference attracted government officials, regulators, academics, development partners, technology professionals and private-sector stakeholders to deliberate on policies and innovations aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive economic renaissance.

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Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa

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In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s technology retail sector, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh SAN, will on Monday, August 3rd, commission a landmark ASUS Flagship Store in partnership with Nigeria’s leading e-commerce group Konga. The state-of-the-art facility is widely regarded as the first initiative of its kind in West Africa.

Hon. Minister Dr. Kingsley T. Udeh and ASUS To Unveil First of a Kind Flagship Store in West Africa

The commissioning will witness the visit of senior executives from the world-renowned technology brand to Nigeria, including EMEA General Manager, Mr. Aaron Tsai, alongside other. One of the purposes of their visit is to reinforce the strategic partnership with Konga and solidify the collaboration between both organisations, further demonstrating ASUS’ commitment to the Nigerian market.

The event is expected to also bring together key stakeholders from government, the technology industry, business community, and the media for what promises to be a defining moment in the evolution of technology retail in the region.

The development comes as Konga continues to accelerate its strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology brands.

For years, Nigerian consumers have demanded more than just access to genuine technology products. They have increasingly sought immersive experiences, expert guidance, after-sales support, and greater confidence when making technology investments. The next chapter in this journey appears to address many of these expectations in a bold and innovative way.

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The forthcoming announcement is expected to bring together global innovation in a manner that reflects the changing realities of today’s technology consumer. It also reinforces the growing confidence that leading international technology companies continue to place in Nigeria as one of Africa’s most strategic digital markets.

Industry analysts note that partnerships of this nature are becoming increasingly important as consumers place greater emphasis on authenticity, hands-on product experiences, technical support, and trusted purchase channels. Beyond selling devices, the future of technology retail lies in building complete customer experiences.

As anticipation builds for Monday, one thing is certain: the ASUS-Konga partnership promises to set new standards for tech retail in West Africa, elevating customer experience and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital transformation narrative.

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