Telecom
Reps Ask NCC to Extend Deadline on Blocking SIM Cards without NIN
House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to extend the deadline for the provision of the National Identification Number (NIN) by telecommunication service subscribers to 10 weeks.
The House, at the plenary on Wednesday, described the two weeks given to SIM card users by the NCC to provide their NIN to service providers as grossly inadequate.
Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader, had moved a motion of urgent public importance to demand more time, since the two weeks given by the NCC, falls within the festive period and was also too small for Nigeria to comply with the directives.
He said if the NCC is allowed to carry out this directive at this time of the year and within.
Adopting the motion, the House resolved that the exercise should end on January 28, 2021, as against December 30, 2020.
Elumelu said even though the exercise is laudable, the timing is very wrong because “Nigerians have not been properly sensitized, as only a few educated persons who bother to read the dailies might have heard about this instructions” adding that “trying to enforce this policy in a period where most Nigerians are gearing up for Christmas festivities may lead to stampede in the process of rushing to get registered which could lead to unnecessary death and injuries.”
He expressed worries that “if the NCC is not urgently called to halt their plans there may be unnecessary panic in the country which may lead to exploitation of vulnerable Nigerian thereby causing more pains in an already pathetic situation hence the need to urgently Wade into this impending crisis.”
He informed the House that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy had in January 2020 directed telecom subscribers to get their National Identity Numbers (NIN) and submit them to the network operators, with the aim of ascertaining the true identities of all subscribers and thereby blocking loopholes currently being exploited by unscrupulous individuals.
He said the NCC instructions were filed out based on what is happening in the country, especially considering how hoodlums used the sim cards to harass and intimidate Nigerians during the #EndSARS protests.
He said the House had summoned the NCC to find out why the SIM card registration was not concluded, directing that all sim cards should be registered, adding that the house did not envisage the time limit as recently given by the NCC.
He said that the time limit will almost be impossible to meet the deadline, adding that the motion is not condemning the action, but asking for more time for Nigerians since they will have to register with the national identity card first before approaching their service providers.
He asked the House to support the extension of time for the actualisation of the NCC directive so that those using their sim cards to carry out criminal activities can be tracked.
Akeem Adeyemi chairman of the House Committee on Communication, said the extension of time will afford the commission the opportunity to educate Nigerians on the reasons for the exercise as all mobile numbers will not be linked to the NIN of Nigerians, making it easy to track those involved in criminal activities using their phone numbers.
Telecom
First Set of Winners Emerge in Glo Festival of Joy Promo in Warri
Digital solutions company, Globacom, on Thursday, in Warri, Delta State, held the first draw of its ongoing consumer promo, Festival of Joy. The draw was conducted at Gloworld, Delta Mall, and was attended by Glo subscribers, the media and representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Anwyuli Efejukwu.
Globacom said the lucky winners including, “the winner of a brand new Toyota Prado and winners of tricycles, sewing machines, generators and grinding machines will receive their prizes on November 21, 2024 at the same Gloworld”.
To participate in the promo, Glo advised new and existing subscribers to dial *611# and recharge (voice and data) during the promo period. It added that new subscribers can join by purchasing a new SIM, registering it, and dialing *611#.
“New and existing customers are required to recharge up to N100,000 cumulatively during the promo period to qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, N50, 000 cumulative recharge for Kia Picanto, N10, 000 in a month for tricycle and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator.
For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for the grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will be eligible for the draw”. The company said.
Telecom
MTN Foundation Enhances Education with Renovation of 29 Laboratories in Nigeria
MTN Foundation recently unveiled 29 fully renovated science and ICT laboratories in public secondary schools located in the Northeast and Southeast areas of Nigeria, including Kano, Gombe, Enugu, and Anambra.
This is part of MTNF’s Science and Technology Laboratory Project (STLP). The nationwide initiative has enhanced science education by equipping public school laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities and vital resources.
The STLP initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment and educational advancement in Nigeria, providing students with practical learning experiences in core science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Agriculture.
The third phase of this project alone has seen the complete transformation of laboratories in six schools, with structural renovations, alternative power installations, digital learning tools, and specialised training for teachers and lab attendants.
The Foundation’s investment in education has paved the way for transformative programs like the MTN Scholarship Scheme, which supports Nigerian students in their academic pursuits, and digital skills training programs aimed at fostering technological competence and readiness.
Now, with its Science and Technology Laboratory Project, MTNF is extending these commitments to the very heart of the Nigerian classroom, transforming learning environments into spaces where students can explore, innovate, and excel.
MTNF Executive Director, Odunayo Sanya expressed the Foundation’s resolve, stating, “We are proud to support young Nigerians with the resources and environments they need to excel in science and technology.
“Our commitment is rooted in ensuring access to quality education for every Nigerian student.”
This dedication has fuelled MTNF’s efforts to establish impactful projects nationwide, positioning the Foundation as a pivotal player in advancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development and shaping a brighter future for its youth.
As the Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary, its impact extends beyond laboratory renovations. Over the past two decades, the Foundation has invested N29.4 billion in diverse programs that improve the lives of millions across Nigeria, with a focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare, and community development.
Guided by its new theme “Inspiring Impact Where it Matters,” the Foundation is committed to addressing critical national priorities, ensuring that underserved communities will continue to benefit from its initiatives.
Telecom
MTN Group Service Revenue Hurt by Nigerian Regulatory Issues
MTN Group has reported a lower service revenue for the nine months ended September 30 as regulatory registrations in Nigeria hurt subscriber numbers in the region.
MTN, with 288 million subscribers in 17 markets across Africa, said its group service revenue fell to $6.99 billion from $8.55 billion in the same quarter last year.
The group reported a 48.7% plunge in revenue from MTN Nigeria due to the devaluation of the currency, but noted that “the naira was less volatile on a sequential basis in Q3 than in preceding quarters”.
Its biggest contributor, MTN South Africa (MTN SA) grew marginally by 3.3% and Uganda followed suit with 5% growth helped by a firmer Ugandan shilling compared to last year.
The company said its subscriber base grew by 1.6% to 288 million, affected by “subscriber registration regulations in Nigeria and a decline in users in Sudan, where millions of people have been displaced by the conflict.”
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