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Ndukwe Lists Factors for Sustaining Telecom Growth

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Ernest Ndukwe, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has listed the prerequisites for sustaining the successes recorded in the sector in the last ten years.
Engr. Ndukwe who spoke as guest speaker at the maiden edition of “Breakfast With ” , hosted by the alumni association of the School of Media and Communications at the Pan African University in Lagos, said such factors include a regulatory regime that is independent, transparent, and predictable; an updated national telecom policy and laws, a conducive operational environment; an efficient frequency spectrum management and allocation; improved power supply; expansion of the broadband infrastructure, capacity building of indigenous manpower, stable financial  stability, among others.
At the breakfast meeting which held at the Ahmed Onibudo campus of the university and chaired by Professor Juan Elegido, the Vice Chancellor, the NCC boss noted that the successes recorded by the Commission in the past ten years is attributed to the successful sector reform, made possible by conducive environment with respect to policies and the regulatory regime. 
“I think to sustain the growth, we must lay emphasis to a few things and I will start by advocating that we must maintain stability in the policy and regulatory environment”, he said. He said these two factors are critical for any investor to make an investment decision.
Engr. Ndukwe whose audience included Engr. Vincent Maduka, former director general of NTA, Professor Emevwo Biakolo, the dean of the School of Communications, Mr. Ben Egbuna, former director general of FRCN, Mr. Olukayode Olubunmi, president of SMCA, said the current telecom policy in Nigeria needs to be updated, while the forward-looking 2003 Act needs to be revisited to accommodate one or two emergent issues in the sector.
The NCC boss said with hindsight of experience, it is critical that the financial and operational independence of the regulator is maintained. “Why we moved as fast as we did over this period is as a result of fair amount of regulatory independence that the organization had”, he said. He said this independence is not just independence from the political hierarchy but also from the operating companies, which he said, makes financial independence very critical too.
He said it is not wrong for investors to make profit as it was government’s decision to invite the investors and without returns on such investments, perhaps, Nigeria’s paltry 400,000 lines in 2001 would not have grown to the more than 70 million active subscriber lines today. “Our focus should not only be that money is being made in the industry but that this decision of government has suddenly changed the landscape and provided phones in the hands of most
Nigerians, and provided telephone “access” because even if you do not own a phone, you will likely find a place to make calls near your location today”, he said.
Ndukwe said apart from efficient management of the frequency spectrum, the regulator must always ensure that frequencies are earmarked for new services are reserved in order to enable the country to be on same page with the rest of the world. He said this is the reason why Nigeria is quite active at the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, at the moment.
“I think also going forward, we must emphasize on growing broadband infrastructure, and not just growing it for the sake of it but catalyzing its adoption and usage, nationwide”, he said. He hoped that the ongoing optics fibre infrastructure deployment going on in the country will accelerate broadband Internet adoption and usage.
While relating this to his pet concept, Fibre Without Borders”, Engr. Ndukwe said “even within the African continent, we should encourage building of optic fibre that links the countries of Africa because that will help us do local peering of Internet, keep local networks linked to each other, reduce price of communicating within the countries in Africa and perhaps greatly increase broadband speed”.
He also noted that the much the nation is able to develop the manpower resources available for the industry will determine how the industry performs in the next ten years and beyond. He cited some countries like India that export such resources to other parts of the world. Ndukwe said the Digital Bridge Institute which was NCC’s contribution to this capacity budging requirement is currently waiting the approval of its application to the National University Commission, NUC, for approval as a university.
He said some areas that are external to the telecom industry but very critical for its success are the power sector and banking and finance sectors of the economy. He advocated for an idea regional management where each state of the federation will have the responsibility to generate and provide power to the state. He wondered why many countries that are less in geographical spread and population than any given state in Nigeria were able to enthrone uninterruptible power supply over the years.
Ndukwe who recalled his parts in the telecom industry as a private operator and President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria before he joined the NCC, said he has had an interesting and fulfilling time.
“It’s been a big part of my life and I consider myself really opportune to be in this place at this time especially in the past ten years in seeing the telecom industry transform to what it is today.
“And obviously, in thinking about sustaining the growth also means that it is still work in progress and there is still much to be done despite the achievements we have been made so far”, he said.
Professor Elegido praised Engr. Ndukwe for the transformational work he had bequeathed to the Nigeria’s telecom industry, and the Nigerian nation in finding its feet in the committee of nations.

 

 


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Lebara Nigeria, MVNO Oils Machine for Q3 Launch with Personalized Number Reservations

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Lebara Nigeria is building excitement for its upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) launch, giving customers a chance to secure a personalized piece of their mobile identity.

Lebara Nigeria, MVNO Oils Machine for Q3 Launch with Personalized Number Reservations

The company has opened a Number Reservation Portal, allowing users to reserve their preferred mobile numbers before the official service goes live in the third quarter of 2025.

This strategic move is all about giving customers a sense of ownership from day one. Using the carrier’s 0724 prefix, users can choose a number that’s meaningful to them, whether it’s a birthday, a lucky number, or an easy-to-remember pattern.

The reservation process is straightforward. Users must be at least 13 years old and provide a few basic details to get a one-time password via email.

Once verified, they’ll need to enter their National Identification Number (NIN), which the system uses to confirm personal information.

After this, a list of available numbers appears, and a final confirmation email completes the reservation.

Lebara, a London-based global MVNO, according to yozzo.com,  is no stranger to the telecom world, with a strong presence as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) across Europe and other regions.

Its entry into Nigeria is a calculated move to carve out a space in the highly competitive market.

By allowing customers to pick their numbers early, Lebara hopes to build loyalty and highlight its customer-first philosophy.

The company plans to operate a lean, technology-driven model by leveraging existing network infrastructure, which will help keep costs low and make its pricing competitive.

At launch, Lebara will offer nationwide coverage, a dedicated 0724 number series, and both SIM and eSIM options.

Beyond traditional connectivity, Lebara is also partnering with local government and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to launch public Wi-Fi hubs and promote digital inclusion for creators and underserved communities.

The core of its proposition is affordability, transparent billing, and a strong customer service model designed to challenge established players.

Lebara’s entry won’t be without its challenges.

It will face off against many other competitors in Nigeria’s emerging MVNO space.

This wave of new entrants comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued 46 MVNO licenses, with many of the licensees expected to have already launched.

Despite this, the local media’s focus has largely been on only a couple of them, Vitel and now Lebara.


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Why Half of MVNOs in Nigeria May Collapse- Experts

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Telecoms stakeholders have cautioned that many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria could struggle to survive unless they address infrastructure gaps, target niche markets, and adapt to local realities.

Why Half of MVNOs in Nigeria May Collapse- Experts

The warning came during the sixth edition of the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum, organised by Business Remarks in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the stakeholders, securing a license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is not enough to ensure survival in a market dominated by major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, and Glo.

Chidi Ajuzie, director of USK Mobile, highlighted the stark reality facing MVNOs, noting that none of the over 40 licensed operators have fully launched services.

“Licenses are not cash cows. Too many people think that once you get a license, the money will start rolling in. The truth is, you must build infrastructure, study the market, and create services that meet consumer needs. Without that, many MVNOs will die out quickly,” Ajuzie said.

Ajuzie pointed out that smaller operators, particularly those in Tier 4 and Tier 5 categories, face significant financial hurdles in building their own infrastructure to support capacity.

However, he sees this as an opportunity for innovation, urging MVNOs to target niche markets such as youth, migrant workers, or fintech services, as seen in successful models in South Africa and India.

“Half of us may launch, but only those with clear strategies will survive,” he warned, predicting mergers and consolidations in the coming years.

Tony Emoekpere, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), echoed Ajuzie’s concerns, stressing that market differentiation is critical for MVNO survival.

“The MNOs already provide enterprise services, internet, and fintech. MVNOs must find gaps and focus on those,” Emoekpere said.

He cited Kenya’s M-Pesa, which revolutionized payments by targeting rural and low-income users, as a model for local innovation.

Emoekpere suggested that MVNOs could capitalize on Nigeria’s underserved rural areas, where millions lack access to reliable telecom and financial services. “Something as simple as a low-data package for POS machines in rural areas could be a game-changer,” he added.

Olusola Teniola, director, IPNX, cautioned against adopting foreign business models without considering Nigeria’s unique environment. “In some villages, people still travel by canoe or horse for hours to access basic services. If your business model doesn’t account for that, it will fail,” Teniola said.

He urged MVNOs to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, where millions lack basic connectivity, rather than competing for urban smartphone users.

Teniola also warned that failure to strengthen indigenous companies could lead to more profits leaving Nigeria through foreign-owned operators, emphasizing the need for policies to protect data sovereignty and foster local innovation.

The stakeholders said while MVNOs have the potential to expand Nigeria’s telecom sector and increase consumer choice, their survival hinges on strategic planning, niche targeting, and a focus on rural connectivity.

Without urgent action to address infrastructure challenges and adapt to local needs, many MVNOs risk disappearing before they can establish a foothold in Nigeria’s competitive telecom landscape.

 

 

 

 


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NCC Claims Nigeria’s Telecom Tariffs among Cheapest despite 50 Percent Hike

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended the recent upward review of telecom tariffs, insisting that Nigeria’s rates remain among the cheapest in the world due to strong industry competition.

NCC Claims Nigeria’s Telecom Tariffs among Cheapest despite 50 Percent Hike

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja recently, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that despite a 50% hike in tariffs, call rates have only moved from ₦15 per minute in the early 2000s to about ₦18–₦19 per minute today.

“Even with the increase, not all operators adjusted their tariffs. Some are still undercutting others. That is competition at work,” Maida explained.

He assured that the commission will continue to strengthen regulations to encourage competitiveness and transparency.

According to him, NCC is adopting an information disclosure strategy to enable consumers to make informed choices.

Maida also cautioned Nigerians against relying on Truecaller for identity verification, stressing that it is not linked to Nigeria’s SIM registration database and often provides misleading results.

He noted that while all SIMs in use are registered, some individuals deliberately use proxies, including domestic staff, to register SIMs an act he described as a crime.

The NCC boss disclosed that in September, the commission will launch a coverage and tariff map to help subscribers compare network quality and pricing across operators.

He further revealed plans for spectrum trades and leases to optimise usage and improve service delivery, adding that most Nigerian phones already support 4G, which remains the “sweet spot” for mobile broadband.

Maida emphasised the need for fresh capital and stronger corporate governance within the sector to sustain growth, enhance service quality, and strengthen national security.


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