Telecom
NCC Takes Digital Learning to 10,000 School Girls in Agege
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commissioned more projects under its Digital Access Programme (DAP) aimed at impacting digital knowledge to over 10,000 school girls drawn from five schools in Agege, Lagos State.
The DAP facilities located at Girls Senior High School, Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, are part of the programmes which NCC introduced to bridge the digital divide existing in secondary schools in Nigeria.
The programme concept is a designation of a classroom fully equipped with computers and other ICT facilities including a generator and internet connection to enable the schools and its immediate environment to have access to the internet.
According to Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of NCC represented by Mr. Fidelis Onah, director, Human Capital and Infrastructure (Development) at the Commission, “Many of the secondary schools, including those in remote villages of this country have testified of how this programme have facilitated their online examination activities such as subscription to Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), among other examinations”.
“The idea,” he said, “is to ensure that students, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are ready adaptors of ICT, especially the internet which has limitless resources. It is also designed for the surrounding communities to have access to the internet, especially when the students are not available to ensure maximum use of the bandwidth subscription for the affected school. So far, more than 200 schools have benefited from DAP and we congratulate you for being one of the beneficiaries of this programme”.
“Let me mention that apart from DAP which is designed for secondary schools, we also have the digital access programme for tertiary institutions. In ADAPTI, we provide about 110 computers to the beneficiaries to equip the lecturers with new ICT skills and to impact same on their students. So far, more than 300 institutions of higher learning in Nigeria have benefitted from the programme since its introduction in 2008.
“This is in addition to the introduction of the Wireless Cloud, a complimentary package comprising of laptops with wireless internet facilities. Another 144 institutions, including some who already have ADAPTI, have benefitted from the Wireless Cloud”.
The key objectives of these programmes, Juwah added, are to prepare the nation for digital tomorrow and equip the youth with the necessary skills to tap into the potentials of the digital age.
In the case of DAP, it is aimed at building a foundation for our young generation and to also prepare a good background for the broadband revolution that is being currently pursued by the Commission.
“You will recall that the Commission is vigorously pursuing a programme to provide pervasive broadband availability and affordability across the country. We are hopeful that some of these programmes would create a fertile ground for usage and exploitation of broadband for the benefit of our economy.
“In all these programmes, we are hopeful about their sustainability. This will only be possible if the beneficiary institutions are mindful of the critical roles they are to play in preserving what have been given to them, and in outing it to optimal use to achieve the desired objectives”.
Gladdened by the feat, Dr. Babatunde Adejare former member representing Agege Federal Constituency at the 7th National Assembly, thanked the board and management of NCC’s magnanimity and choice of the area as location of the DAP facilities.
Adejare on behalf of the State Government pledged to work harmoniously with both the Local Government and the School Authority to make judicious use of the center.
According to him, NCC has shown commitment and as a forward-looking government that bridges digital divide among Nigerians
Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Mrs. Eunice Bosede Osadola, principal, Girls Senior High School, Agege, joined other management staff of the school in expressing gratitude to the Commission, adding that the girls will be lifted information literacy-wise.
According to her, those preparing for external examinations will find the facilities more enabling. “Yes, we are happy that NCC found the school worthy to benefit from the DAP. We are also grateful to all that worked with NCC to ensure the project see light of the day. On our part we will make sure they are put to the best use.
“Our students are already etching for the time they will be told to start learning. We have engaged competent and committed (computer appreciation) tutors who will guide them and ensure they do no start visiting immoral sites,” the principal, Girls Senior High School, Agege, said.
Airtel Nigeria has strengthened its nationwide retail and distribution network as part of its continued investment in enhancing service delivery and making telecommunications and digital services more accessible to millions of Nigerians.
The company’s retail ecosystem comprises more than 4,000 exclusive Airtel shops and over 200,000 retail touch-points nationwide, including partner stores, channel partners and neighborhood agents. This network ensures that subscribers can conveniently easily access SIM registration, device purchases, airtime and data recharge, customer support and other digital solutions.
Commenting on the company’s retail distribution strategy, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO, Airtel Nigeria, said,
“Telecommunications goes beyond the physical infrastructure, it is important that we are able to reach people where they live and work. That is why we continue to invest in a strong retail and distribution ecosystem that enables us to bring Airtel closer to our customers while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience wherever they are.”
According to Joypratip Sengupta, Director, Sales and Distribution, Airtel Nigeria, the company’s distribution network plays a vital role in ensuring seamless service delivery.
“Our retail network is designed to ensure that our services reach customers efficiently. It is a combination of efficient logistic systems, strong partnerships and local engagement that enables us to consistently meet the needs of our customers across the country,” he said.
The strengthened distribution strategy complements the company’s ongoing investments in network infrastructure and digital innovation, recognising that customer proximity remains a critical driver of service excellence and digital inclusion.
In addition to improving customer access, Airtel’s extensive retail ecosystem continues to create economic opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers and small business owners who form an integral part of the company’s value chain.
As demand for accessible, interconnected digital services continues to grow across Nigeria, Airtel remains committed to investing in improving its service delivery and ensuring that every subscriber enjoys quality service.
Kaspersky’s latest global survey shows a change in how people go online: 60% of survey participants from the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region now claim their smartphone is the main device they use to access the Internet, pushing the PC into a secondary role.
But as the amount and sensitivity of data stored on these phones keep growing, cybersecurity experts warn that users’ security habits aren’t keeping up.
According to the survey* 60% of respondents from the META region consider a smartphone their primary device for accessing the Internet. The most active smartphone users are representatives of Gen Z, with 67% of all global respondents aged 18-28 choosing a mobile phone as their main device.
With mobiles as the full-fledged rivals of computers in accessing the Internet, the amount of important data stored on them has also increased significantly. Personal photos and videos are leading the pack. 60% of users in the META region store visual memories on their devices. Close behind are contact details (51%), text messages and chats history (45%) and important personal documents such as IDs and passports (43%).
At the same time, a substantial portion of users in the META region keep work‑related data on their smartphones (37% emails, 22% calendars and 17% even store access to corporate systems), blurring the line between personal and professional realms.
Financial credentials and login details appear on 40% of devices, while emerging categories like AI chat histories (30%) and gaming accounts (26%) signal new types of personal data stored on personal devices.
“Now our smartphones serve as full‑featured assistants that touch every aspect of our lives. The data we entrust to them goes far beyond photos, phone numbers or text messages. Consequently, the main question is no longer “what we store,” but “how we protect it,” requiring security to become as integral to the device as the data it carries,” comments Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Three keys to mobile data security
To help users navigate this new digital reality safely, Kaspersky experts have issued a three-step security plan:
- No data should live on your phone only
A smartphone should never be the sole repository for any type of information. While having everything at your fingertips is convenient, accidental deletions, loss or hardware failure can make recovery impossible without reliable backups or cloud sync.
The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention and preferably be kept in a protected format. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager, which apart from securely keeping credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes. Thanks to the cross-device synchronisation it allows access to the data from any gadget.
- Create a guard against digital threats
In Q1 2026 only, more than 2.67 million attacks utilising malware, adware or unwanted mobile software were prevented and more than 306,000 malicious installation packages were discovered.
Mobile devices require the same cyber protection as PCs. Kaspersky experts recommend cybersecurity solutions such as Kaspersky Premium that provide comprehensive protection – starting with scanning apps for potential threats upon installation, and using AI‑driven features to block malicious and phishing links in real time and prevent data or money losses, among many other security layers.
- The “what if” scenario planning
Phone loss always occurs unexpectedly, but a few proactive steps can dramatically reduce its impact:
Turn on location services. Both Android and iOS include built-in tools that can locate a lost phone and, if needed, wipe its data remotely. Kaspersky for Android app activates this capability through the Where Is My Device feature.
- Enable automatic backups.Regular backups ensure that photos, videos, documents, contacts and other vital data can be restored even if the device is lost or stolen.
- Configure instant auto‑lock.Setting the phone to lock immediately after the screen turns off keeps it inaccessible to thieves or cyber‑criminals when you’re not using it.
- Keep the device physically safe.In public spaces, never leave your phone unattended or within easy reach, avoid placing it on tables, in back pockets or any other vulnerable spot.
“We often underestimate how much valuable information we keep on our mobile devices and how vulnerable that data truly is. Ask yourself: When was the last time I backed up my photos or notes? What’s my plan if my phone goes missing? Do I verify links before I click them? While most users automatically think of security software for their computers, phones lag behind. It’s time to give your everyday digital companion the same robust cyber‑protection it deserves,” adds Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Nigeria will host telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital economy ministers from across Africa for the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), scheduled for July 23 to July 24 in Abuja.
The conference, the highest decision-making body of the ATU, is expected to bring together ministers, regulators, industry leaders, development partners and other stakeholders from the Union’s 52 member states to deliberate on Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda for the next four years.
A statement by the organisers said delegates would adopt the Union’s strategic direction, approve its 2027–2031 budget and work programme, elect a new Secretary-General and determine the composition of the Administrative Council.
The conference will also harmonise Africa’s common positions ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to hold later this year in Doha, Qatar.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the conference as a significant milestone for Africa’s digital future.
“Nigeria is honoured to host the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries at a defining moment for Africa’s digital future.
“As countries across the continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important to strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment, build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity.
“Our role as host reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to building an innovation-driven economy while strengthening African cooperation on digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development and investment,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the conference will be a ministerial dialogue on “Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,” jointly organised by the ATU and the GSMA.
The dialogue will explore practical strategies for expanding affordable, reliable and quality connectivity across the continent, with emphasis on infrastructure investment, service quality, affordability and ensuring that digital access delivers tangible economic and social benefits.
Also speaking ahead of the conference, the Secretary-General of the ATU, Mr John Omo, said the meeting would provide member states with an opportunity to strengthen the Union’s capacity to drive Africa’s digital ambitions.
He said the decisions to be taken in Abuja would shape the ATU’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global telecommunications forums and respond effectively to emerging technological developments over the next four years.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, regulators, industry stakeholders and development partners with a common framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, hosting the conference underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration and reinforces the country’s growing leadership in digital policy, technology governance and investment promotion across Africa.
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