News
Nesrea Shutdown of BTS Affects Service Quality- Alton
Telecommunications operators under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (Alton) has said that it could no longer guarantee quality of service in some parts of Abuja, Kaduna, Ilorin Lagos and Owerri as a result of shutdown of its members’ Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in those areas by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nesra).
Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Alton, said that in addition to Nesrea’s action, several other State and Local Government Authorities and their agents have increasingly adopted extra-judicial and ominous tactics of invading and locking up facility sites on trivial grounds and without consideration for administrative due process of law nor the wider implications of their action on the nation.
“It is regrettable that BTS sites are incessantly sealed or locked up by Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) or their agents, typically employing Task Forces to forcefully extract illegal levies and other inappropriate commitments from operators. This is done without careful consideration of the harmful effects of such lockouts to the economy, foreign investment drive, safety and security as well as the wider implications on the generality of the Nigerian populace,” he said.
He added that the recent closures by Nesrea follow the alleged failure of telecommunication operators to submit Environmental Audit (EA) Reports (or EARs) for all BTS sites in the country by the 23rd of August, 2010 in response to Nesrea’s directives.
He noted that although the directive came during the year, after their members had already made their budgets for the year. Telecommunication operator’s he said, never-the-less commenced the exercise and succeeded to a large extent in submitting the EARs by the deadline of 23rd August, 2010. “This is notwithstanding the huge cost implication of the unbudgeted exercise, in an industry that is highly capital intensive, coupled with high operational costs and other challenges associated with the state of supporting infrastructure (such as power and transportation) and also the security situation in the country,” he explained.
He said: “Alton acknowledges and commends the decision of Nesrea to extend the deadline for submission of the EARs by one month, even as we note that the closure of the sites on the 23rd of August (ahead of the expiration of the initial deadline) runs contrary to the very directive of Nesrea. And it needs also to be pointed out that notwithstanding the extension given, it took NESREA officials several days before they unsealed the affected BTS sites”.
According to him, “the impact on quality of services are worsened by the fact that the telecoms infrastructure is a web of interconnected elements – failures on one service provider’s network will often compromise service quality and availability on other networks, negatively affecting users on the other networks. In that regard, Nigeria risks being ‘disconnected’ from the rest of the world as the infrastructure providing communications services are shut down”.
It is therefore in the national interest that telecoms networks be viewed and protected as essential national infrastructure whose seamless operation must not be interfered with without lawful justification and authorisation.
Alton he said however, noted that site closures are often carried out albeit without due consideration for the sensitivity of the telecommunications industry to the economy, given the nature of communications infrastructure. Further, site closures have been carried out in a manner that damages the infrastructure and compromises the health and safety of staff of the agencies concerned as well as occupiers of neighbouring premises. Restoration of the affected sites according to him is often at huge costs in time and financing, with immeasurable impact on the esteemed communication of subscribers. In Nesrea’s case sensitive equipment were crudely powered down, batteries were removed and taken away from generating sets, alloy locks were damaged, and staff of the operators were harassed and intimidated, using armed police officers.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has appointed Professor Adesola Aderounmu, renowned computer scientist and technology advocate, as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).
Professor Adesola Aderounmu
The decision, made by the university’s Senate, marks a strategic step towards aligning OAU’s academic vision with technological innovation and global best practices.
A distinguished scholar and leader in Computer Science and Engineering, Professor Aderounmu brings decades of experience to this pivotal role.
He has served as the Centre Lead for the African Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering and the Obafemi Awolowo University Knowledge Park (OAK-Park), where he has driven initiatives that advance technological innovation and academic excellence.
His leadership journey includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Head of the Department of Computer Science, as well as President of the Nigeria Computer Society from 2015 to 2019. Under his stewardship, the Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT (OAK-Park) was established and has flourished, positioning OAU as a hub for digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This is an opportunity to shape the future of education at OAU,” Professor Aderounmu stated. “I am committed to fostering an environment where ideas thrive.”
Professor Aderounmu’s appointment as DVC Academics carries significant implications for the information technology profession and industry in Nigeria and Africa.
His leadership is expected to further bridge the gap between academia and industry, aligning curriculum with emerging technological trends, and fostering research that directly addresses the needs of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
His commitment to developing high-level ICT talent will contribute to strengthening the nation’s capacity in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and digital entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria and Africa continue to embrace digital transformation, this appointment signals a continued push for collaboration between universities and the technology industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with globally relevant skills while advancing innovative research that supports the tech ecosystem.
This appointment recognises Professor Aderounmu’s unwavering commitment to research, excellence in education, and visionary leadership, and marks a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to deliver impactful education and innovation for national and continental development.
In a heartwarming demonstration of corporate social responsibility and community impact, IviTrybe Hearts, a key initiative driven by members of IviTrybe – a vibrant group of budding marketing communications specialists – visited the Little Saints Orphanage, Akowonjo branch.
The visit, part of IviTrybe’s ongoing commitment to societal betterment, was significantly supported by Pladis Foods Nigeria, which generously donated gift items and products.
IviTrybe is a social responsibility initiative of IVI PR, a dynamic public relations agency dedicated to not only elevating brands but also fostering positive societal impact. This initiative provides focused practical training covering brand strategy and public relations, directly addressing the critical issue of insufficiently skilled manpower within Nigeria’s Public Relations industry. Through the #IviTrybeHearts program, the group channels its growing expertise into meaningful community engagement.
During the visit, the IviTrybe Hearts team dedicated the day to creating a memorable and impactful experience for the children. Activities included extensive bonding and interaction sessions, where members engaged in games and companionship, fostering an atmosphere of joy and connection. Essential items were donated to support the orphanage’s daily needs, and motivational talks were delivered, inspiring the children with words of encouragement and hope for their futures.
Busari Toheeb Dolapo, IviTrybe Coordinator and spokesperson for the project, underscored the essence of the visit, stating, “For whom much is given, much is expected. We have been empowered through knowledge and mentorship at IVI PR, and it’s only right that we channel that privilege into making a difference. The smiles on the children’s faces today reminded us why giving back is non-negotiable.”
The management of Little Saints Orphanage expressed profound gratitude for the support and the tangible impact of the donations, emphasising how such gestures significantly improve the lives and spirits of the children under their care.
Through impactful initiatives like IviTrybe Hearts, IviTrybe continues to exemplify how youth-led action, empowered by practical training and a strong sense of responsibility, can effectively shape communities and enrich lives for the better.
Cybercrime has emerged as a dominant security concern across Africa, with more than 30 percent of all reported crimes in Western and Eastern regions linked to cyber activity, according to the newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report by INTERPOL.
The report, based on data from African member states and private sector partners, reveals that two-thirds of surveyed countries describe cybercrime as constituting a medium to high share of total criminal cases.
This highlights how cyber-enabled criminal activity is evolving rapidly across the continent. The report identified alarming spikes in scam attempts, with some countries witnessing a 3,000 percent increase in suspected scam notifications in the past year.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cyber Crime Director, warned that the threat landscape is evolving faster than enforcement responses.
“This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyber Threat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement, and strategic private-sector collaboration.
“It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone,” Jetton stated.
In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky, one of several private sector partners that work with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate
Online scams, particularly through phishing, are the most frequently reported cybercrimes across the continent. Ransomware attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) incidents are also increasing, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
“Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively, according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitised economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030),” it stated.
Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the report stated.
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