Telecom
NCS Makes Case for Digital Inclusion, Announces Date for National Conference
Professor Adesola Aderounmu, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has underscored the need for Digital Inclusion in Nigeria.
Aderounmu, expressed this at a press conference to announce its 27th National Conference scheduled to hold at International Conference Centre University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th July, 2018, with the theme “Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies”.
Aderounmu stated, “In line with our emphasis on innovation we will be adopting various approaches through this most unique gathering of IT academia, industry and thought leaders to address challenges and highlight opportunities related to building a digital, prosperous and INCLUSIVE Nigeria that leverages on information technology to achieve Sustainable Development”.
According to him, “NCS is preparing for the best ever conference and has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub themes.
“Their experiences and expert opinions will be of immense benefit to attendees.”
He noted that, the conference will focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as: Poverty Eradication and Job Creation in the rural Economy. Internet and Broadband for All, e-agriculture, e-health, e-education for inclusion: Software and Local Content.
Other sub-themes include, Digital Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Tech Startup, SME and Youth Enterpreneurship. E-Voting and Election Management. New Technologies for Economic Growth and Diversification. Digital Literacy, Knowledge Culture and Human Capital Development. Policy and Regulatory Framework. E-government, Citizen Engagement and Open Government. Fintech, e-Commerce and Financial Inclusion. Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Innovative Collaboration and partnership. Cyber security: Awareness, Threat, Protection and Digital Rights. Innovation for the Elderly, Internally Displaced Persons and the Vulnerable.
Aderounmu said “the strategic and transformatory role of IT in the economy and society is well recognized.
“In the fast paced digital era, there is a need for strategic actions and innovative practices to ensure the nation is competitive, engaged and prosperous.
“The opportunities tech creates for employment generation, efficient and accountable governance, wealth creation and social development cannot be underestimated.
“NCS cautions that as we invest in technology, we must not widen existing divides in society.
“The sustainability of our efforts requires inclusion.
“The excluded, the vulnerable, the rural populace all need to be part of the digital revolution for Nigeria to fulfill its immense potential.
“For example, can we really have e-government if the majority of citizens lack access to digital infrastructure and fall short in terms of required digital skills?
“Through this conference, NCS and its members will again seize the initiative and play a major role setting the National Digital Inclusion Agenda.
“The multi-stakeholder forum will highlight challenges, opportunities and strategies.
“Networking avenues will be provided to share innovative ideas and research possibilities, examine existing interventions and create new initiatives and practical projects.”
According to Aderounmu, the conference comprises plenary, parallel and technical sessions, networking meetings, panel discussions and special focus forums.
He stated that highlights include: Plenary and Parallel Sessions, Technical Sessions, Seminars, Research Consortium, Induction of New Members, Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Platform, Exhibition and Products Launch, Social Media Masterclass, Mentor-Mentee forum, NITDA session, National IT Competitions, Fellows’ Forum and Annual General Meeting.
High profile dignitaries are expected to grace the event from government, private and educational sectors, as well as from the international and global IT environment, and they include President Mohammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria as the Guest of Honour, while Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and Director General of NITDA will be in attendance.
Aderounmu, expressed that the highlight of this year’s conference is the NCS President Award for Distinguished personalities in IT industry with outstanding Contribution to the growth of IT in Nigeria.
Notable dignitaries to be honoured and recognized are: Governor of Oyo State – Senator Abiola Ajimobi and His wife Mrs Florence Ajimobi; and Governor of Gombe State , Alh (Dr.) Ibrahim Hasan Dankwambo.
Confirmed Guest Speakers include Ms Funke Opeke, Founder and CEO of MainOne; Mr. Oluwafunminiyi Ajao, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on ICT, among others.
Specifically, topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Fintech, Financial Inclusion, eGovernment, Broadband, Disruptive Technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution and e-Voting will be covered as they relate to the conference theme.
“In line with the conference theme, NCS calls for practical action in all facets of the economy and society.
“We have always been committed to advance the interests of its esteemed members, the IT Industry and Profession and the Nation as a whole.
“#DigitalInclusion2018 offers amazing possibilities and opportunities.
“NCS is committed to Digital Inclusion and is certain that the outcomes will boost National Digital inclusion in all ramifications.
“It will provide the best and most appropriate answers to Nigeria’s IT Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies,” Aderounmu added.
NCS is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with more than 20,000 members and major interest groups (ISPON, ITAN, ISPAN, NiWIIT, ITSSP, AITP, NITPCS). Also inclusive of one hundred thousand Student body (NACOSS).
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has joined other professionals across media, technology, and business gathered in Lagos for the Swish Fusion Tech and Media Summit.
Themed ‘Africa: Big Wins & New Breaks’, the summit drew thousands of attendees and featured more than 40 speakers exploring the intersection of innovation, regulation, and economic growth across the continent.
Among the sessions, MTN Nigeria presented a detailed look at the company’s ongoing 5G deployment efforts and its role in shaping enterprise infrastructure.
Njideka Jack, senior manager for Partnerships in MTN’s Enterprise Business Division, shared details of the investments, reiterating the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality 5G-powered services.
The company’s 5G rollout timeline began in 2022 with license acquisition from the Nigerian Communications Commission. In 2023, MTN moved into pilot testing and infrastructure investment.
By 2024, coverage had expanded to key cities and business hubs.
The company now plans to extend access to more underserved areas throughout 2025 while deepening collaboration with OEMs and regulators.
Beyond the rollout itself, Jack also spoke on the potential of private 5G networks for Nigerian enterprises.
With the ability to offer secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity, these networks are increasingly being adopted in manufacturing, healthcare, education, and logistics sectors.
The summit’s broader agenda reflected a similar sense of urgency around Africa’s digital future.
Panels and breakout sessions tackled topics ranging from mobile-first product design and regulatory frameworks to the rise of AI in content creation and the realities of funding early-stage tech ventures on the continent.
Speakers from companies like Jumia, Stears and local startups provided perspectives on both the barriers and breakthroughs in building scalable African solutions.
The sessions also sparked conversations about how African businesses are adapting to consumer behaviour shifts and infrastructure limitations.
Pan African Towers (PAT), a Nigerian infrastructure provider serving 9mobile and Spectranet, has appointed Echezona Osi as chief executive officer.
Echezona Osi
Adefolarin Ogunsanya, company’s, board chairman, explained in a statement that Osi would succeed Oladipo Badru, whose tenure lasted nine months in acting CEO position. Osi has more than 28 years of experience in the telecommunications sector across various regions of Africa.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, he had served as the head of network deployment at Airtel Nigeria, operations director and chief technical information officer at MIC Tanzania, chief technology officer roles at IPT PowerTech Nigeria, Rhino Niger Networks and Biswal Nigeria.
He obtained a degree in electrical/ electronic engineering from the University of Benin and a postgraduate diploma in data science and business analytics from the University of Texas.
Companies sending bulk international text messages, also known as Application-to-Person (A2P) messages, will now have apply for a licence that costs N10 million.
This is part of new rules introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) aimed at cleaning up the system, fighting fraud, blocking spam messages and stopping money from leaving the country unchecked.
These A2P messages are the kind customers get from banks, online stores, hospitals and political campaigns, automated texts sent from apps to their phones.
According to the commission, the bulk international text message system has been poorly regulated, allowing misuse and invasion of privacy.
“The International SMS Service Ecosystem in Nigeria has not been fully brought under regulatory control. It has been observed that the excessive use of the Short Message Service has led to fraud, spam and illegal activities,” the NCC said.
The regulator warned that without action, the problem would worsen as more people use mobile phones and digital services.
To solve this, the NCC is creating a central platform, or gateway, through which all international bulk text messages must pass through.
The agency said this would help to monitor messages in real time, ensure proper fees are paid, and make sure the money stays in Nigeria where it can contribute to the economy.
As part of the incoming change, service providers must follow strict rules, including strong data protection, spam filters, and message encryption.
Also, they must also work with local mobile networks and make sure all messages come from a verified sender
The NCC warned that any message without a proper sender ID will be blocked and not delivered to users.
To protect users from unwanted texts, the new rules say companies must get clear permission before sending any promotional content.
The rule also says people must also be able to choose whether they want to receive such messages or not.
Companies are now required to keep records of all messages for at least six months and must clearly state all charges involved.
The NCC said fees for help requests, cancellations, or service info must be transparent and not include hidden charges.
The commission will issue licences to several providers to encourage healthy competition but may limit new licences if needed.
Only companies that show they can stop fraud and safely deliver messages will be allowed to operate. They must also regularly report their message traffic and finances to the NCC.
It warned that any company that breaks the rules risks getting fined, suspended, or having its licence revoked.
Offences like charging illegal tariffs, ignoring security rules, or avoiding taxes will be punished, the NCC said.
The commission added that the new rules follow the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and support the federal government’s goal of strengthening cybersecurity and controlling Nigeria’s digital space.
The framework will also be reviewed from time to time to keep up with new technology and market trends.
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