Telecom
NSE Endorses IEEE CTU-EMEA Summit, Prof. Yilwatda Named Keynote Speaker
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has pledged full support for the successful hosting of the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CTU-EMEA) Summit 2025, scheduled to take place from November 27 to 28 at Baze University, Abuja.
The Summit, a flagship initiative of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), will convene global technology leaders, researchers, engineers, and policymakers to explore innovative strategies for advancing digital inclusion across the EMEA region.
In a major announcement, the Summit’s organizing committee confirmed Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as the Keynote Speaker. Prof. Yilwatda, a distinguished electrical engineer and academic, will deliver a keynote address titled “Beyond Access: Technology as an Enabler of Humanitarian Impact and Inclusive Development.”
He is also slated to receive the IEEE Recognition Award during the event in honour of his contributions to technological advancement and inclusive development.
“The vision of the CTU-EMEA Summit aligns strongly with my lifelong commitment to leveraging technology for social transformation, inclusive growth, and human development,” Yilwatda said in a statement. “I look forward to contributing to this global dialogue on how digital innovation can advance connectivity and human dignity across Africa and beyond.”
In a formal communication to the Local Organizing Committee, NSE Executive Secretary, Engr. Abubakar Halilu Mu’azu, assured that the Secretariat would mobilize members nationwide to attend the Summit.
He emphasized that such global engagements “expand technical knowledge, foster innovation, and strengthen Nigeria’s global engineering reputation.”
The Summit comes at a pivotal moment for Africa’s digital economy, with over 2.9 billion people globally still offline — many of them in Africa. According to UNESCO, women in several African countries are 30–50% less likely than men to access the internet.
Studies also show that every 10% increase in internet penetration can boost per capita GDP growth by 1.2% in emerging markets, underscoring the economic imperative of universal connectivity.
The CTU-EMEA Summit will feature a comprehensive programme including:
- An opening ceremony with ministerial and industry leaders
- Eight technical tracks covering infrastructure, policy, rural connectivity, and digital transformation
- High-level panels with African and international experts
- Research paper presentations and innovation workshops
- A technology exhibition showcasing connectivity solutions
- Social and networking events, including a Welcome Cocktail on November 26 and a Gala Dinner on November 28
Speaking on behalf of the organizing team, Chukwuemeka Okafor, media interface for the Summit, said confirmed speakers include senior government officials, telecom CEOs, development partners, and leading academics.
“This is not just another conference — it’s a platform for shaping policies and forging partnerships that will define Africa’s digital future,” Okafor stated.
Founded in 1884, IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization, boasting over 423,000 members across more than 160 countries. The CTU programme is IEEE’s global initiative aimed at reducing the digital divide through innovation challenges, strategic partnerships, and international summits.
IEEE Regional Representative, Engr. Abdulateef Aliyu, described the Summit as “a testament to Nigeria’s capacity to host world-class technology forums” and an opportunity for global participants to learn from African innovations.
Prof. Ifeayinwa Achumba, Chair of the IEEE Nigeria Section, highlighted the national significance of the event, stating: “When global leaders converge in Abuja, they will see Nigeria’s readiness to lead Africa’s connectivity agenda. This Summit highlights that African-led solutions are not only viable but scalable across the continent.”
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the IEEE CTU-EMEA Summit 2025 is expected to catalyse new partnerships, policy frameworks, and technological innovations aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive development across Africa and beyond.
Nigeria has exactly 156,662 active fixed wired internet subscriptions as of mid-2026.
This is a tiny fraction compared to mobile GSM networks, which dominate the market with over 154 million subscribers.
The fixed wired market primarily consists of homes and offices using direct physical cables like fiber optics.
Fixed wired services use physical cables, like glass fiber or copper wire, to bring internet directly into a building.
It is like a dedicated, private water pipe for your home. It provides very fast speeds, unlimited data, and is reliable.
In contrast, mobile GSM uses radio waves transmitted from tall towers to phones, acting more like a sprinkler that sprays a signal across an entire neighborhood.
Because laying physical cables across cities is expensive and hard to do, these subscriptions are very rare.
However, the market has seen recent growth, driven largely by Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services.
The top players are: MTN FibreX with 110,564 subscribers, which is roughly 88.7 per cent of the entire market.
SWIFTNG accounts for about 13,945 connections.
The others are ipNX and 21st Century Technologies which make up the number.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it is intensifying efforts to implement Nigeria’s planned 112 national emergency number following its approval by the National Economic Council (NEC).
NCC
The commission disclosed this during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and an NCC delegation led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing the Vice President, Olorunnimbe said the NCC had already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country to support a unified national emergency response system.
He said the next phase of implementation would focus on closer collaboration with state governments and emergency response agencies to ensure the effective rollout of the initiative.
The development follows the recent approval by the NEC, chaired by the Vice President, for the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number across all tiers of government and emergency response agencies.
The council also approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee to be jointly coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and the NCC.
Olorunnimbe stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on the commitment of state governments to support and maintain emergency communications infrastructure, as well as the readiness of response agencies to promptly attend to distress calls.
“We need commitment at every level of all response agencies—from top to bottom—including the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services across the states and, at the national level, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” he said.
Responding, Shettima directed the NCC to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the nationwide implementation of the single emergency number in line with international best practices.
He also urged the commission to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), citing the agency’s experience in disaster management, relief and rehabilitation.
The Vice President assured the commission of the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining the initiative, saying funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council and partnerships with the private sector.
He also called for greater dedication from all emergency response agencies to ensure the success of the programme.
The adoption of 112 is expected to harmonise emergency communications across Nigeria by providing a single number through which citizens can quickly access police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services.
The initiative is also expected to replace multiple emergency contact numbers currently in use and improve coordination and response during emergencies.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that it was strengthening collaboration with state governments and industry players to develop a transparent, cost-based pricing framework for sharing telecom ducts as part of efforts to speed up broadband expansion across Nigeria.
Ayuba Shuaibu, director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, disclosed this at the Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja.
Shuaibu said the initiative was designed to build consensus among all parties.
“The primary purpose of this forum is to ensure seamless synergy between the Commission and all stakeholders,” he said.
The director said the consultation was prompted by longstanding complaints over permits, levies and other charges imposed by different levels of government.
He said bringing together state commissioners, telecom operators, tower companies and representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had helped improve understanding of the issues.
“This engagement is a work in progress. We expect more input from stakeholders before presenting the outcome to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum,” he added.
Dr Helen Adeneye, commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Kogi State. welcomed the consultation, saying Nigeria needs a harmonised policy that clearly defines the responsibilities of both the federal and state governments.
“We need a harmonised policy that allows states to collaborate better with telecom operators and creates a more business-friendly environment,” she said.
Dr Adeneye added that adopting the Dig-Once policy would establish a uniform pricing system and help resolve disputes over charges for telecom infrastructure deployment.
Chidi Ajuzie, chief executive officer, WTES Projects Limited, whose firm is conducting the consultancy study, said the proposed framework would introduce a common cost structure for duct sharing to support broadband investment and economic growth.
“The study is designed to create a uniform pricing model that will drive broadband growth, economic development and wider adoption across the country,” he said.
Ajuzie explained that the consultants had developed preliminary floor and ceiling prices to guide operators while allowing flexibility within the approved range.
He added that the recommendations remain open to industry input before the NCC finalises the framework.
The Dig-Once Policy is designed to reduce the cost and disruption of deploying broadband infrastructure by requiring fibre ducts to be installed whenever roads are constructed or rehabilitated.
The NCC is developing a cost-based pricing framework for sharing these ducts to promote fair pricing, reduce duplication of infrastructure and encourage investment.
The proposed model is expected to support the Federal Government’s broadband expansion targets while improving collaboration between telecom operators and state governments.
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