Telecom
Smile Poised to Snatch 9Mobile from Teleology in New Twist
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has laid down rules of engagement that will ensure not only the transparent sale of 9Mobile but also the sustenance of its business post sale.
This is amidst the disclosure of untidy handling of the bid for 9mobile and determined to salvage the deteriorating situation, according to Sundiatapost, online newspaper.
The NCC rules of engagement are contained in a letter, by its Governing Board signed by the Chairman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The NCC letter is partly in recognition of the fact that 9Mobile is indebted to a consortium of banks that are regulated by the CBN.
Both NCC and CBN have been collaborating to ensure the successful sale of 9Mobile.
The letter espoused the three criteria that will guide the emergence of a preferred bidder for 9Mobile. The first is “that whichever company would qualify as successful bidder to take over 9Mobile has the technical competence apart from financial capability to turn round 9mobile and not further compound its problems”.
The second criterion is “that the successful bidder should come in with substantial funds (FOREX) to sustain the industry not just recycling funds facilities already within the economy”. While the third insists “that the company that will take over should have adequate technical infrastructure on ground”.
The last criterion stemmed from NCC’s disavowal of the likelihood of the CBN been swayed by the creditor banks that “only focuses essentially on repayment of outstanding loans”.
NCC’s concern for the sustenance of 9Mobile business post sale is hinged on the need for “the continuity of the company for the betterment of the telecom industry, subscribers, labour force and the interest of Nigeria as a whole”.
In advising CBN to take into consideration all the issued raised before recommending a preferred bidder to the Commission for the approval of a licence, NCC restated its earlier stand in the press release of February 22, 2018, that “the NCC Board will not allow what happened to Etisalat to repeat itself. Therefore, the Board will scrutinize the technical capability and pedigree of whatever company/companies are recommended as preferred bidders as regards their records in the immediate past 3 – 5 years before any of them is considered qualified to be issued a licence”. The Commission’s stance, the letter affirmed will safeguard 9Mobile from collapse and help it to raise enough funds to clear the debts inherited from Etisalat. Its stance it surmised “is in the overall best interest of the communication Industry, the shareholders, the subscribers, the labour force and the entire country”.
However, its insistence “that the company that will take over should have adequate technical infrastructure on ground” puts a question mark to the touted emergence of Teleology Holdings as the preferred bidder.
Teleology Holdings, as a special purpose vehicle for the acquisition of 9mobile, has no apparent infrastructure on ground.
Unlike its rival Smile Telecoms Holdings, which operates in key Nigerian cities and was announced as the reserved bidder, Teleology Holdings is neither operational nor has experience, as a company, in Nigeria.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
Toll Collection on Lagos-Calabar Highway Begins December
NGX Clears Fidelity Bank MD of Insider Trading Allegations
CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
Luft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
Broadcasting3 days agoLuft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
E-Financial3 days agoCBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Telecom3 days agoCelebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
General News3 days agoOver 250,000 Cyberattacks Disguised as Anime – Report
E-Financial3 days agoFidelity Bank’s N10.5tr assets base reinforces stakeholders’ confidence -Insiders bid for more equity stakes
E-Financial3 days agoPeter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
E-Financial3 days agoPremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil
E-Business3 days agoINEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System