General News
Subscribers Privacy and Unsolicited SMS
Some weeks back Mr. Peter Igho, Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) asked telecommunications operators to stop sending unsolicited text messages on their lottery promotions to subscribers. Though operators to large extent are heeding to this directive on promos but are consistently sending short message service (SMS) on other sundry issues such as urging subscribers to subscriber to one short code for daily motivational words as well as advertising products. Mobile phone spam is a form of spamming directed at the text messaging service of a mobile phone. It is described as mobile spamming, SMS spam, text spam or m-spam. As the popularity of mobile phones surged in the early 2000s, frequent users of text messaging began to see an increase in the number of unsolicited (and generally unwanted) commercial advertisements being sent to their telephones through text messaging. This can be particularly annoying for the recipient because, unlike in email, some recipients may be charged a fee for every message received, including spam. Mobile phone users often times queries how the organization or individual that generated such message got their mobile phone number, some often times accused their network operators of compromising on their privacy. However, network operators have argued that there are different ways through which such people gain access to such data as people fill forms for different purposes. But, as true this argument may be network operators’ staff could not be exonerated from conniving with those who generate these unsolicited mails to divulge data of subscribers. This writer sometime in December last year received an SMS from customer call centre of another network urging him to subscriber to its post paid package. The question that arises is how did the people that generated that message known that he is a post paid subscriber? Nigeria CommunicationsWeek had reported how some politicians were besieging SIM card registration centres in a bid to collate mobile phone numbers of subscribers in Lagos for campaign before last year elections. It is against this backdrop that the GSMA announced the publication of its Mobile Privacy Principles. The principles describe the way in which mobile consumers’ privacy should be respected and protected when consumers use mobile applications and services that access, use or collect their personal information. The principles are the result of close collaboration by leading mobile operators and input from other players in the wider mobile eco-system. The Mobile Privacy Principles will be used to develop more detailed guidelines and codes of conduct to address specific consumer concerns such as the use of private data or location details by applications. They pave the way for the development of clear and simple ways for customers to manage their information and their privacy on mobile phones. The key challenge is to find new mobile-friendly methods to help consumers make informed decisions about their privacy. One key principle relates to ‘transparency and notice’, which is about being open and honest with customers about what personal information is being collected and why. The principles also cover issues such as the need to provide consumers with control over how their personal information is used and by whom, and ensuring only a minimum amount of data for a given service is collected and that it is retained no longer than necessary. The GSMA is examining these issues in depth and reaching out to broader industry stakeholders to establish a broad consensus on how to ensure consumers’ privacy is treated more consistently across mobile applications and across platforms and services whilst continuing to support innovation. According to Tom Phillips, chief regulatory officer, GSMA, “The Mobile Privacy Principles are a significant first step but addressing mobile privacy is an ongoing challenge that requires the support and collaboration of the wider internet industry, civil society and regulators, working together, if we are to deliver real protection for consumers. This is a call to action to the broader industry.” Mobile phone spam is generally less pervasive than email spam, where in 2010 around 90% of email is spam. The amount of mobile spam varies widely from region to region. In North America, much less than 1% of SMS messages were spam in 2010, while in parts of Asia up to 30% of messages were spam. The lesser and geographically uneven prevalence of mobile phone spam is attributable to the higher cost (to spammers) of and technological barriers to sending mobile messages in some areas, and to law enforcement in others. Today, particularly in North America, most mobile phone spam is sent from mobile devices that have prepaid unlimited messaging rate plans. While the rate plans allow for unlimited messaging, in reality the relatively slow sending rate (on the order of magnitude of 1/s) limits the number of messages that may be sent before an abusing mobile is shut down. SMS spam is illegal under common law in most jurisdictions as trespass to chattels. Jurisdictions with specific SMS spam regulation and fines include Australia, the EU and others; in the US, violators face substantial costs; in a 2008 settlement, the violator agreed to pay $150 to each spam recipient. In a 2010 class action settlement of Satterfield v Simon & Schuster, a case that reached the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, plaintiffs agreed to pay $175 to each spam recipient. In response to Satterfield, entities who make money sending mobile phone spam formed the Mobile Advocacy Coalition (MAC) to lobby the government to legalize that activity. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expanded Phone Spam regulations to cover also Voice Spam—mostly in form of prerecorded telemarketing calls—commonly known as robocalls; victims can file a complaint with the FCC. However, in view of the policy of Sim card registration of subscribers, there should be legislation to protect such information from being compromised by operators or their agents.
Federal government , through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has issued a circular reaffirming its commitment to leveraging the substantial investment in the National Information Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB), for the benefit of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Chidi Okpala, spokesperson for Galaxy Backbone Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The directive, issued in line with the Nigeria First Policy, endorsed Galaxy Backbone Limited, as the designated provider of ICT infrastructure for federal government institutions.
Commenting, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, managing director, Galaxy Backbone Ltd, reiterated that the agency is well positioned to actualise the Nigeria First Policy in the country’s ICT sector.
“We have repositioned our organisation in such a way that the MDAs experience the quality, reliability, and innovation of our services, and they can see us as a partner in their digital transformation journey.
“Our pledge is to listen, collaborate, and provide tailored digital infrastructure solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency, while ensuring Nigeria’s data remains safe within our borders,” he said.
According to him, federal government MDAs are expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and contribute directly to national economic growth through the implementation of the Nigeria First Policy.
Galaxy Backbone Ltd was established by the Federal Government with the core mandate of ensuring data sovereignty through a centralised e-government platform that offers secure connectivity and related ICT services.
General News
FG Reaffirms Galaxy Backbone as Its ICT Infrastructure Provider Under Nigeria First Policy
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), has issued a circular reinforcing its commitment to leveraging the substantial investment in the National Information Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) for the benefit of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
This directive, in line with the Nigeria First Policy, endorses the use of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) as the designated provider of ICT infrastructure for Federal Government Institutions, covering IP-network services, data centre hosting, and related infrastructure solutions.
GBB was established by the Federal Government with the core responsibility of ensuring data sovereignty through a centralized e-government platform that offers secure connectivity and related ICT services. Over the years, the organization has consistently invested in upgrading its capacity, achieving multiple international certifications and recertifications that position it as a provider of world-class, secure, and reliable technology services.
With this renewed endorsement, GBB is also officially positioned as the Government Data Exchange Platform and the interoperability layer for the nation’s Digital Public Infrastructure implementation, reinforcing its role as the body that coordinates, manages, and integrates all federal digital infrastructure and services, ensuring they comply with Nigeria’s data sovereignty goals and work harmoniously as part of the nation’s digital public Infrastructure.
While this directive ensures compliance with the Nigeria First Policy, GBB emphasizes that its mission is to deliver excellence through building trust and collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA). Federal Government Institutions currently hosting data abroad are encouraged to migrate to GBB’s secure platforms, confident in the assurance of improved service delivery, enhanced security, and alignment with global best practices.
“We have repositioned our organisation in such a way that the MDAs experience the quality, reliability, and innovation of our services and they can see in us as a partner in their digital transformation journey,” said Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO, GBB.
He further reiterated; “Our pledge is to listen, collaborate, and provide tailored digital infrastructure solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency, while ensuring Nigeria’s data remains safe within our borders.”
GBB’s commitment is rooted in service excellence, security, and innovation; principles backed by its ISO certifications and global standard operating frameworks. This renewed collaboration between GBB and MDAs is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and contribute directly to national economic growth.
General News
Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Nigeria’s Untapped Opportunity for Training, Patient Care, and Medical Innovation
Across the world, Virtual Reality (VR) is proving to be far more than a gaming technology. In healthcare, it is emerging as a practical solution to train professionals, improve patient care, and speed up medical innovation. For Nigeria — where health facilities face workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and tight budgets — VR offers a unique chance to leapfrog into modern practices without the prohibitive cost of traditional methods.
Training Without Risk, Learning Without Limits
One of the biggest hurdles in healthcare is preparing professionals for real-life emergencies. Nursing students can read about procedures in textbooks, but they need hands-on experience to master them. VR bridges this gap by simulating real hospital scenarios: inserting an IV line, performing CPR, or managing a trauma patient — all in a safe, repeatable virtual environment.
Emergency response teams can also rehearse disaster situations, from mass-casualty events to fire outbreaks, without risking lives or resources. Instead of waiting for rare live drills, responders can practice repeatedly in lifelike VR settings until every step becomes second nature.
Across Nigeria, a new wave of innovators, like Insightful3d Studio, is developing these immersive training programs locally. By building high-quality VR modules tailored for Nigerian hospitals, universities, and teaching centers, they reduce dependence on expensive foreign programs and make advanced training more affordable.
Improving Patient Understanding and Confidence
VR isn’t just for training staff. Patients can also benefit. For example, a woman preparing for childbirth can take a guided virtual tour of a delivery room to reduce anxiety. A family deciding on surgery can visualize what the procedure involves and better understand the risks and benefits. When people clearly see what to expect, trust in medical care increases — and so do positive outcomes.
A Platform for Local Innovation
VR also allows medical teams in Lagos or Abuja to collaborate seamlessly with specialists abroad. They can jointly review virtual models of medical cases, discuss treatment options, and learn new techniques in real time. For research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, VR provides an interactive environment to test ideas faster and with fewer physical resources.
Nigeria’s Window of Opportunity
Globally, VR in healthcare is growing rapidly — projected to become a multi-billion-dollar industry this decade. Nigeria does not need to be a latecomer. With forward-thinking hospitals, training schools, and government support, the country can develop home-grown solutions instead of importing them at high cost.
Companies like Insightful3d Studio are proving that this is not futuristic wishful thinking — it is already happening. The real question is not whether VR belongs in Nigerian healthcare, but how quickly hospitals, regulators, and investors will adopt it. Early movers will improve patient outcomes, cut training costs, and set a new standard for African healthcare.
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