Telecom
ntel Names Akinlola as New CEO

The Board of ntel, Nigeria’s first 4G/LTE-advanced network, has announced the appointment of Mr. Ernest Akinlola as the substantive managing director/chief executive officer of the company.
The Board said that Akinlola, a senior executive with over 20 years’ experience in telecoms media and technology, joined One 2 One telecoms operator in the United Kingdom and was instrumental in establishing its internal audit and compliance department.
A statement by ntel read in part, “As head of department, he led the assessment and subsequent launch of Virgin Mobile UK on the One 2 One network, which proved to be the pioneering MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) at the time.
“Following One 2 One’s acquisition by T-Mobile, Akinlola was a key member on the integration team, leading on commercial strategy and growing the wholesale side of the business to launch several MVNOs focused on specific customer segments.
“He was an integral member of the team charged with executing Virgin Mobile’s $1.5bn IPO. Many senior roles followed, including leading the transformational rollout of T-Mobile’s store retail programme.”
It added, “Having led teams in marketing, sales, finance, strategic planning, business development and operations in blue chip telecoms companies, he was headhunted as chief operating officer by Lycamobile (the world’s largest international MVNO) to lead its European strategy, successfully expanding into 10 countries within two years.
“Following this notable success in Europe, Ernest focused on Nigeria’s telecoms sector and was approached to lead a major marketing drive for Etisalat, the fourth entrant in a highly competitive telecoms market.
“As marketing director, he spearheaded a range of initiatives that took Etisalat from the fourth ranked operator to the second, in terms of Average Revenue per User and active customer base.
“Immediately prior to joining ntel, Akinlola was a strategic consultant to several blue chip organisations, including BlackBerry Nigeria, the World Bank, and most recently, provided strategic oversight to Swazi Mobile in formulating a commercial strategic plan for the successful application of a 4G VoLTE, 3G, 2G licence in Swaziland, South Africa. This has underpinned the impressive growth of Swazi Mobile in less than three months of operations.”
Akinlola is a Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants, and holds a MBA from the Manchester Business School with a first degree in Economics from the UEL.
Commenting on his new appointment, Akinlola said, “I am excited to be appointed MD/CEO of ntel, Nigeria’s pre-eminent 4G/LTE network. ntel has tremendous untapped capabilities, which can provide a step change in customer experience for large enterprise, Small and Medium Enterprises and consumers.
“I look forward to leading the team in driving innovation and delighting our current and future customers.”
ntel had previously assured its stakeholders that the transition from the previous leadership would be smooth and orderly in accordance with global best practices.
“We are pleased to report that there has been no adverse impact on the business operations and the company will like to thank the Chief Financial Officer, Abhulime Ehiagwina, for holding the fort during the transition period,” the firm said in a statement.
Telecom
Court Affirms FCCPC’s Authority in Regulating Telecoms Sector

Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has secured a landmark legal victory after the Federal High Court in Lagos reaffirmed its authority to regulate competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications.
This was disclosed in a press release by Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC’s director of Corporate Affairs on Sunday.
Ijagwu, said Justice F.N. Ogazi gave the verdict in a case that was filed by Emeka Nnubia, a shareholder of MTN Nigeria and a legal practitioner.
In the suit, Nnubia wanted the court to stop the FCCPC from investigating MTN Nigeria on the ground that Nigerian Communications Commission was the sole regulator of the telecom sector.
But the judge maintained that the law gives the FCCPC the power to regulate on competition and consumer protection across all sectors, including telecommunications.
The court said that the NCC does not have exclusive control over competition regulation in telecoms. H said both the FCCPC and the NCC are both regulators.
The court said, “FCCPC acted within its statutory powers in issuing a Summons to MTN Nigeria as part of its ongoing inquiry,” emphasising that the commission’s “Summons and Request to Produce was found to be lawful and within the scope of FCCPC’s investigative powers.”
The court also held, “FCCPC’s request for information from MTN did not violate any data protection laws, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the NCA 2003.”
It said, “No personal data was requested, and MTN’s obligation to disclose information in the public interest is a legitimate basis for compliance with FCCPC’s inquiry.”
Telecom
DBI, US-Based Partner SBTS to Create 50,000 Jobs

Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has partnered with US-based SBTS Group to create 50,000 immediate job opportunities and upskill over five million Nigerian youths by 2030.

Mr. Daser David, president and CEO of DBI
A statement by Mr. Akin Ogunlade, head of Public Affairs at DBI, confirmed that both organisations will officially launch the strategic partnership in Abuja this February.
The initiative is designed to equip Nigerian youths with essential digital skills, enabling them to compete in the global job market.
Mr. Daser David, president and CEO of DBI, described the collaboration as a direct effort to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.
“As Nigeria’s digital economy rapidly expands, industries such as financial services, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and ICT are witnessing unprecedented job creation
“However, a significant skills gap remains, with millions of digital and ICT-related jobs going unfilled due to a shortage of qualified professionals.
“This collaboration is, therefore, a direct effort to bridge this gap by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.
“The effort aligns with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under Minister Dr Bosun Tijani,” Mr David said.
Emphasising the transformative impact of the initiative, Mr. David highlighted that Nigerian youths are the catalyst for transforming the nation’s economic future.
“To pivot from an agriculture-dependent economy to a thriving digital landscape, they require targeted IT upskilling.
“This initiative bridges opportunity gaps by providing after-school programmes in digital literacy and vocational training for underserved youths, empowering them to compete in a tech-driven job market and fuelling inclusive economic growth.”
He added that the collaboration would contribute to the government’s broader mission of fostering decent, productive, and freely chosen employment opportunities for young people while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development agenda.
“The partnership between DBI and SBTS is a direct response to Nigeria’s digital skills deficit, focusing on job creation and economic empowerment.
“Each DBI campus will host a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre, designed to create thousands of job opportunities for young Nigerians, enabling them to secure both local and remote employment in the global digital economy,” he said.
He further noted that the training would integrate digital skills into vocational education, establish comprehensive on-the-job training systems, and engage public and private sector employers in digital job creation.
The president added that the initiative has already commenced with facility upgrades and training programmes at DBI’s campuses in Enugu (South-East) and Kano (North-West), with other locations scheduled for subsequent rollouts.
Similarly, Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths.
“Despite the negativity and sense of hopelessness often portrayed, there are abundant opportunities for youths in Nigeria.
“We are excited to collaborate with DBI in advancing the Federal Government’s agenda to train and equip unemployed youths with digital skills and comprehensive ICT knowledge, empowering them for a brighter future.”
Under the agreement, the SBTS Group will provide technical and financial support to ensure that young Nigerians receive industry-relevant training that meets global standards.
The initiative also emphasises youth-led digital entrepreneurship, equipping participants with the tools to launch and scale their businesses in the digital space.
By integrating over 400 new digital courses into the training curricula and promoting hands-on learning, the DBI-SBTS partnership is set to drive Nigeria’s economic diversification through ICT. The initiative’s strong focus on digital entrepreneurship will further accelerate Nigeria’s transition into a tech-driven economy, ensuring sustainable job creation and long-term growth.
With facility upgrades, BPO centre rollouts, and nationwide training programmes underway, this collaboration represents a landmark effort in positioning Nigeria’s youths for success in the global digital economy.
DBI is a training institute under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), established by the Federal Government in 2004 for ICT and digital training.
Telecom
ATICEN Commends NLC for Suspending Strike over Telecoms Tariff Hike

Comrade Adede John Williams, president of the Association of Telecommunications, Information Technology, Cable Satellite Network Operators and Allied Services Employers’of Nigeria (ATICEN), has commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending the planned strike over tariff hike by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the Nigeria telecommunications operators.

Joe Ajaero, president, NLC,
He called on members and the general assembly of the Nigeria Labour Congress, telecoms subscribers, stakeholders, and all interested parties to see the need to accept the reality of things as they unfold.
He emphasised that rising inflation, energy costs, operational costs, and currency devaluation challenges faced in the country were the key reasons for the recent tariff hike, adding that the costs of importing telecommunications equipment, the maintenance support system, and unreliable electricity supply had affected the profits supposedly accrued to telecoms operators.
He, therefore, urged the telecommunications subscribers and Nigerians to always have the interests of the services of telecommunications operators at heart for the industry’s sustainability, as the industry regulator is always championing the consumer’s protection rights.
“So, it is important to know that the recent increase in telecoms tariff was approved according to its regulatory power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges for telecommunications operators operating in Nigeria,” he said.
Williams equally acknowledged Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Dr. Aminu Maina, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for taking a proactive step in managing the NLC’s planned strike.
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