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Shittu at ICTEL, Says ‘Digital Single Market’ Initiative On Course

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(L-r): Sola Oyetayo, vice president and chairman, Trade Promotion Board (LCCI); Dr (Mrs) Nike Akande, president of LCCI and Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, during the opening of ICTEL 2017.
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Federal government through the Ministry of Communications is set to unveil Digital Single Market in Nigeria in collaboration with the European Union Commission.

Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, made this disclosure in Lagos on Tuesday at the 2017 Information Communication Technology & Telecommunication Expo (2017 ICTEL Expo) held at the Eko Hotel & Suites.

Speaking on the theme: The Digital Economy: Strategies For Growth in a Connected World, as the Special Guest of Honour, the minister said this collaboration is timely and coming at a time the ministry is making concerted efforts to implement its ICT Strategic Roadmap, e-Government and Mobile Broadband Plans.

According to him, the size of Nigeria makes it the most lucrative investment destination in sub-Sahara Africa with a high return on investments and an emerging market that made it one of the new frontiers for investments and Digital Market consideration.

Towards achieving this, the minister stated that he had instructed that a committee is raised comprising the Ministry’s agencies and the Nigerian Computer Society on the new Digital Single Market paradigm ahead of the EU/Africa Summit holding November 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Shittu who spoke extensively on efforts of the Ministry of Communications to implement Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda by leveraging on ICT said this administration has hinged the Economic Recovery plans on ICTs as well as with fiscal and strategies policies.

These efforts, he said, are codified in a document known as the ICT Roadmap which components include; the hosting of the Smart Cities Summit, precisely on the 8thand 9th of August, 2017; establishment of an ICT University; establishment of a National ICT Park and Exhibition Centre at the Abuja Technology Village; establishment of a secretariat for implementation of the eGovernment master plan, and establishment of an Electronic Document management system, among others.

The minister noted that the ICT Sector has in the past year, recorded landmark activities and significant achievements.

“The environment for greater achievements has thus been created. Now, there is greater access to ICT and Nigerians are today better able to use ICT, thus integrating them into the global digital economy and its benefits. Although challenges still abound, implementation of already mapped out initiatives and programmes will ensure the optimal transformation of Nigeria to a true SMART State”, he said.

He said government is determined to leverage ICT and break its monopoly and open up the economy to foreign investors just as it did in the telecom sector.

“Despite coming up with the economic growth and recovery plan, we are determined to actualize the contents of our very comprehensive ICT Roadmap.  This, to my mind, is imperative for the country’s highly import-dependent and consumption-driven economy.

“Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, we are in a technology-driven World. The success of any venture without technology is doubtful. The Information & Communications Technology has become a catalyst for success in virtually all sectors of our economy and even in our socio-political landscape.

“This Government is working hard to ensure that all needed infrastructure is in place for the desired growth in the sector, thus helping our national development agenda.”

Shittu urged the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry to mobilise the Private Sector for the needed collaboration with the Government so that adequate local and foreign investments can be sourced for the sector.

He also enjoined the Chamber to key into Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, to revive the economy as well as exploring the enormous potentials of the sector to advance the economy.

Commending the importance of event, the minister said, “I can tell you categorically that the ICTEL Expo is worthwhile and has contributed immensely to the development of the sector”, while urging the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organizers of ICTEL Expo to sustain the event for the benefit of Nigeria.

Earlier, Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said there was no best time to harness the benefits of ICT than now when the Nigerian economy is in dire need of diversification.

She reaffirmed that ICT was strategic in driving productivity and efficiency in all sectors of the economy. “Today, virtually all sectors leverage ICT for optimal performance. This is evident in the financial services sector, where electronic banking is now the vogue; the agricultural sector, where government allocates farm inputs through mobile phones to farmers; the consumer goods sector where online stores and e-commerce has brought an incredible transformation to retail business; the medical sciences where ICT applications are now being widely used for efficiency and many more. The fact is that ICT has become the backbone of businesses.

She said, although, Nigeria has witnessed a phenomenal growth in its ICT sector over the past two decades. “But there are still enormous potentials yet untapped. This Expo is one of the major platforms that offer opportunities to unlock these potentials,” she said.

The LCCI President added that, as the foremost private sector body in Nigeria, the Lagos Chamber is providing, through the Expo, a credible platform to advance the opportunities and linkages in the world of ICT.


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T2 Commits to Innovation, Resilience as Customer-centric Ethos Form New Focus

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L-r: Michael Ikpoki, Ibrahim Puri, both Members of the T2 Board (formerly 9mobile); Thomas Etuh, Chairman of T2; Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Gloria Danjuma, Member of the T2 Board; Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of T2; Femi Edun and Emmanuel Etuh, also Members of the T2 Board, at the official unveiling of T2 at Eko Convention Centre Victoria Island, Lagos over the weekend.
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The rebranding of 9mobile to T2 is a key milestone within the company’s comprehensive four-phase recovery roadmap—Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth—launched following the landmark 2023 acquisition of 9mobile by Lighthouse Telecoms, led by business leader and investor, Mr. Thomas Etuh.

Since the takeover, the company has made sweeping changes, including the constitution of a revitalized board, appointment of new executive leadership, and execution of a strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN Nigeria. This agreement, the first of its kind at scale in the country, has already led to the company significantly expanding its network coverage, capacity, and resilience nationwide.

Now entering the “Transformation” phase, the brand is embracing a new name, T2, and a new ambition: to lead in innovation, customer experience, and digital lifestyle enablement. The T2 identity reflects a forward-thinking, technology-driven, and customer-centric ethos designed to resonate with Nigeria’s increasingly digital and mobile-first population.

“This is not just a logo change, it’s a total evolution of who we are, why we exist, and how we deliver value,” said Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile. “T2 represents our next chapter. It is a symbol of our renewed commitment to innovation, resilience, and a deepened focus on customer experience. We are building a brand that is ready to thrive in the digital economy.”

Thomas Etuh, Chairman, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd, echoed similar sentiments, describing the occasion as one that is significant in many respects for the 9mobile brand, as it represents the start of a new phase of life, a fresh start, rebirth, change or transformation, growth, reawakening, and a new order.

“Today marks a new beginning for the 9mobile business. The march has been tedious. The journey has been exhausting. It was faith and love for country that prompted my foray into the acquisition of the 9mobile business. I knew it was a tough call,” Etuh said, and thanked stakeholders like the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and 9mobile customers for standing by the brand through all its trials and challenges, including multiple litigations.

“To our amazing customers, please accept my profound gratitude for believing in us. I know our challenges have impacted you in one way or the other. But there is a resilient spirit we share with you. We are rising together again. Together, with you, we are reclaiming all lost grounds,” Etuh said.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, commended T2 for its bold move and vision to invest in the Nigerian economy and counselled that the rebranding should go beyond a change of name.

“My message to T2 (formerly 9mobile) is simple – let this rebrand be more than a change of colours or new logo, but let it be a renewed commitment to innovation, to service excellence and to the millions of Nigerians whose lives and businesses depend on your network every single day. Our government will continue to work with ecosystem players like T2 who are bold enough to invest, agile enough to adapt and visionary enough to see that the future belongs to those who embrace change before it’s forced upon them,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed the alignment between T2’s mission and the state’s digital goals.

“T2 has come at the right time. Its focus on digital innovation aligns seamlessly with the Lagos State Government’s vision for a robust digital economy that empowers citizens, businesses, and communities. We welcome partners like T2 who are committed to driving inclusive and transformative growth in our state,” she said.

The transition will be rolled out in deliberate phases, ensuring continuity and seamless service for existing customers while gradually introducing the market to the T2 narrative. At its core, T2 will focus on four key pillars: Speed, Smart Living, Digital Lifestyle, and Trust.

With customer expectations evolving rapidly and technology redefining the rules of engagement, the T2 brand aims to serve as a bridge between connectivity and culture, telecommunications and lifestyle, infrastructure and impact.

As the Nigerian telecoms sector moves into a new decade of transformation, T2 is poised to not just participate, but to lead.


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I see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others – Primate Ayodele

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Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has released fresh prophecies regarding Nigeria’s telecommunication companies, including MTN, Airtel, and the newly reformed T2, formerly known as 9mobile.

I see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others - Primate Ayodele

Primate Elijah Ayodele

In a statement signed by Osho Oluwatosin, media aide to Primate Ayodele made it known that MTN will have challenges and run into a shortage.

He stated that he sees resignations from top officials in the company while warning of a potential network crisis that will affect the company negatively.

“MTN: They will have challenges that will disorganize them and make them run into a shortage. They will want to carry out expansion, but some of their major cables will be damaged, and I see some of their officials resigning due to unexpected things that will be happening. MTN needs to be careful not to see situations of customers leaving the company. They will have serious network issues in September that people will be complaining about bitterly.”

For Airtel, Primate Ayodele warned the company to be careful of the board crisis, while revealing that they will face marketing issues at the grassroots level.

“Airtel: they must be careful so there won’t be any board crisis. They will want to step up in many ways, but there will be problems in the grassroots. The company’s marketing will have lots of issues in communicating to people at the grassroots level. Airtel will also have terrible network problems in November.”

For T2, Primate Ayodele stated that the company will start on a good ground, but they will not be able to achieve what was set out to be achieved.

He urged the company to look into some issues spiritually as he foresees a struggle to meet up with other telecommunication companies.

“T2: The company will start on a good footing, but there will be a lot of things they will want to do but will face problems. The crisis of the company isn’t yet over, it will be up and down, and the organization will struggle to surpass other telecommunication company. The new devices the company will introduce will still have problems, it’s an issue to be looked to spiritually. The company is ready to improve, but attaining improvement will create problems.”

Furthermore, the cleric stated that there will be more telecommunication companies in the country, stating that there will be a form of recapitalization and a new procedure that will disqualify some of the telcos.

“Generally, there will be more telecommunication companies that will come to challenge the existing ones. I am seeing the government introducing new codes and a form of recapitalization that will disqualify some companies. I am seeing a telecommunication procedure that will also disqualify some telcom companies.”


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MTN Nigeria’s Mega Billion Promo Turns Airtime into Fortune for Thousands Amid Economic Strain

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MTN Nigeria is offering a refreshing dose of optimism through its Mega Billion Promo—a nationwide campaign designed to reward customer loyalty with real cash prizes.

Launched on June 23, the 90-day promo aims to create 195 millionaires and distribute over ₦1 billion in cash via MTN’s MoMo Payment Service Bank.

So far, more than 1,500 subscribers have won a combined ₦290 million, including three jackpot winners and 20 recipients of ₦5 million each.

“In the last couple of years, it’s been a very tough time for Nigerians,” said Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“This Mega Billion promo is one of the ways we’re showing appreciation and making life better for our customers.”

MTN subscribers aged 18 and above can participate by dialing *900#, using the MyMTN app, or texting ‘MEGA’ to 900.

Every ₦100 recharge earns one point toward daily and Saturday draws. Recharges can be made via bank apps, VTU, MoMo, or USSD channels.

Prizes range from ₦25,000 to ₦5 million on weekdays, with a ₦10 million top prize available during Saturday’s Mega Draw.

Customers can win multiple times, and all winnings are paid directly into the winner’s MoMo wallet, which can be activated by dialing *671#.

Independent partners manage the promo to ensure transparency and fairness. Daily draws are broadcast live on MTN’s Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube pages, and winners are contacted directly via the MTN Call Center on 300.

MTN describes the initiative as part of its ongoing effort to appreciate customers and strengthen relationships.


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