Telecom
NIN Registration will Help Nigeria Curb Crime, Achieve Digital Economy – Pantami
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has hinted that the ongoing registration of National Identity Number would help Nigeria to curb crime and criminalities as well as helping the country to achieve digital economy.
Pantami disclosed this on Thursday while presenting a keynote address at the Global Privacy Day Celebration, 2021.
He stated that the value of the registration exercise would become appreciated with the ease at which e-government services would be delivered, the reduction in crime, and general efficiency guaranteed by the database.
According to him, “Identifying every Nigeria is a soft infrastructure needed to achieve our digital economy objective.
“Indeed, the needed pieces for the digital economy are falling in place and we are committed to laying a solid and lasting foundation for a digital Nigeria.
“I am more delighted to see that NITDA, in collaboration with public and private stakeholders has infused a lot of innovation to the organization of this year’s Privacy Week despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“The Digital Economy is developing at a remarkable rate and it has been widely accepted as the single most important driver of Innovation, Competitiveness and Growth.
“The digital economy is fundamentally transforming the way societies, businesses including the business of governance operate and deliver services.”
The Minister also disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic has actually mainstreamed the digital economy as people can now hold events without gathering together physically.
He further extolled the benefits of digital economy, noting that nations of the world are embracing digital economy because of the multiplier effects it can have on other sectors of the economy.
“Most nations are prioritizing the need to develop their digital economies because they realize the multiplier effects that this can have on all other sectors of the economy.
“The currency of the digital economy is personal data. Digital platforms require information such as names, emails, phone numbers, geo-data among other personally identifiable information to be able to fulfill their service promise and to do effective marketing.
“Data must therefore be harnessed and properly regulated in order to achieve an orderly use of such valuable asset.
“When I signed the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation two years ago, I knew it was a fundamental instrument needed to digitally transform Nigeria. I am very proud of the Director General and the NITDA staff who have worked hard not only to implement the NDPR, but have done so seamlessly with local and international stakeholders. The array of partners of the Privacy Week shows that NITDA is representing government well, hence the show of support by the private sector.
“It is very gratifying that Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR approved the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and our recommendation to re-designate the Federal Ministry of Communications to become Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
“The 8 pillars of the NDEPS have been our core vision and implementation focus. These pillars are- Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Soft Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Digital Services Development and Promotion; Soft Infrastructure; Digital Society and Emerging Technologies; and Indigenous Content Promotion and Adoption.
“In order to strengthen the NDPR, I want to assure NITDA of the Ministry’s full support in the drive to achieve compliance.
“I therefore encourage the Agency to rev up the engine of enforcement. Public and private sector data controllers must now take note that non-compliance with the NDPR is a breach with administrative, civil and criminal liabilities”.
The Minister also noted that they are working with relevant organs of government to ensure Nigeria passes a well-thought, digital-economy propelling Data Protection Act.
He further assured stakeholders and the international community that they are putting in place requisite mechanisms for the institutional framework to ensure successful implementation of the Bill as soon as it is passed into law.
Pantami explained that the lessons from the NDPR would form the foundation for the Act and hopes that it continues playing a leading role in deepening data protection and digital economy in Africa.
He however called on African Union Commission and international partners to support Nigeria’s call for creating an African Single Digital Market (ASDM).
This he said would enable the continent gain the advantage of economies of 1.3 billion people, stressing also that the ASDM would help Africa have data sovereignty in such a way as to protect data while also protecting the multinational technology investors.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that compensation of subscribers for poor service quality, such as persistent network outages or failed calls is automatic.
This initiative aims to ensure fairness by mandating that operators provide automatic compensation, such as airtime credits, for failing to meet regulatory Quality of Service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
According to the NCC, operators are required and mandated to identify affected subscribers and provide compensation directly.
In a framework for compensation of consumers published on its website, NCC said that it has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to compensate subscribers affected by prolonged or repeated poor quality of service experience within specific Local Government Areas where operators fail to meet regulatory Quality of Service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The NCC also stated that the directive does not replace existing consumer protection mechanisms.
The NCC, said the directive adds a direct compensation mechanism for affected subscribers and aligns with measures set in existing legislations such as the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024 and the Quality of Service Regulations 2024.
This directive applies to only Mobile Network Operators licensed and operating in Nigeria that have failed to meet their Key Performance Indicators on Quality of Service. For Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in Nigeria, a compensation framework is already in place.
To be eligible to receive compensation
. You experienced poor network service in an affected Local Government Area; and
- You made at least one outgoing revenue generating event (billed call, SMS, or data session) during the relevant period.
The compensation covers service failures affecting voice, data, or SMS services.
Operators are required and mandated by existing regulations to monitor their network performance across locations and service disruptions against Quality of Service KPIs.
This enables them to identify affected subscribers without the need for individual complaints.
Only service failures that fall below the defined thresholds set by the Quality of Service Regulations issued by the NCC will qualify for compensation.
Short, isolated interruptions and immediately remedied interruptions may not qualify
Compensation will be provided in the form of airtime credits.
This airtime credit will not have utilisation restrictions, and subscribers will be able to use it for voice calls, USSD sessions, data subscriptions, etc on the operators’ network.
Federal Government has announced plans to deepen collaboration with private sector players and other stakeholders in a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity architecture and response systems.
NDPC
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in a recent press statement, noting that the government is considering the establishment of a Cybersecurity Coordination Council.
According to the minister, the proposed council is aimed at enhancing national cyber resilience and ensuring a more coordinated response to emerging cyber threats across public and private institutions.
Tijani emphasised that cybersecurity must be treated as a collective responsibility involving government, industry, and civil society.
“Cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. Protecting Nigeria’s digital economy requires strong partnerships, trusted collaboration, and collective vigilance across government, industry, and civil society,” he said.
He added that through sustained collaboration, Nigeria would strengthen its capacity to detect cyber threats early, respond effectively, and build a resilient and trusted digital ecosystem.
The minister also called for increased stakeholder participation in shaping a sustainable, partnership-driven cybersecurity framework capable of deterring cybercriminal activities and safeguarding citizens, businesses, and critical digital infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced an investigation into an alleged data breach involving Remita Payment Services Ltd., Sterling Bank, and other entities.
In a statement signed by its Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the commission said notices of investigation were issued to relevant parties on April 1, 2026.
The NDPC noted that affected organisations and individuals are currently providing information to aid its inquiry into the incident.
“The aim of the investigation is to ensure that data subjects are protected with appropriate technical and organisational measures,” the statement read.
It added that the probe would examine the types of personal data involved, the scope and nature of the alleged breach, potential risks to data subjects, and mitigation steps taken where breaches are confirmed.
The commission further disclosed that its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Olatunji, has directed a broader review of organisations operating digital payment systems.
According to the NDPC, entities found to be non-compliant with provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, particularly regarding technical and organisational safeguards, would be scrutinised as part of efforts to maintain the integrity of the nation’s data protection ecosystem.
Sunil Mittal led Bharti Airtel has crossed the 650-million customer mark globally, fortifying its position as the world’s second-largest telecom operator by mobile subscriber base, as per a regulatory filing by the telecom operator.
“According to GSMA Intelligence, Bharti Airtel is ranked second globally by mobile customer base, with operations spread across India and Africa,” the filing said.
Commenting on this milestone, Gopal Vittal, executive vice chairman, Bharti Airtel, said: “Achieving the milestone of 650 million customers to be the second largest operator globally is a great responsibility for us to serve our customers better every day,”
He added that the telco strives to raise the bar on innovation, reliability, and experience so that every customer interaction is an opportunity to earn trust and deliver value connection.
Currently, Airtel India serves around 368 million mobile customers, meanwhile over 179 million users have been plugged into its subsidiary Airtel Africa spread across 14 countries.
Its mobile money platform, Airtel Money reached more than 52 million customers.
Additionally, the telco serves around 13 million homes with high-speed internet services and over 15 million through its Digital TV offering.
With operations spanning 15 countries and network coverage reaching over two billion people, analysts say that the latest milestone is a testimony to the natural curve of evolving from a telecom operator into a broader digital services provider.
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