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Telecom Operators Threaten to Shut Down Networks in 7 States

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said it may be forced to shut down network services in seven states over closure of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) by the state governments.

ALTON accused Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Osun and Kaduna states of  treating telecoms industry as an extractive sector by imposing myriads of taxes on operators and closing down the BTS sites arbitrarily.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, also called for presidential declaration of telecommunication infrastructure as National Security and Economic Infrastructure as contained in the cybercrime law of 2015 as a way of guiding telecom infrastructure against vandalization as well as incessant government agency shutdown of cell sites.

Adebayo who stated this while addressing a press said that telecom industry supports many other economic sectors whose operations and trade depends on its services.

“We are also in the first layer, when it comes to critical technology service for enhanced safety and security. Unless we have first level of protection by Government, it will be difficult to continue to provide uninterrupted services with the type of venerability of our members and their infrastructure”.

He also expressed concern over the recurring cases of telecom sites closure by government agents.  

“We continue to record cases of arbitrary site closure in many states of the federation in an attempt to force service providers to pay local taxes and levies some of which are multiple in nature and most of which are only aimed toward telecom operators; What has telecom operations got to do with ‘Eco Tax for gaseous emission and gaseous emission” when we do not have moving machineries and production lines? What has telecom service got to do with Sewage, Sanitation and public convenience levy, when we are not hotel and bar operators?”

Adebayo also decried a situation in the country where states and local governments are emphasizing more on internally generated revenue against the benefits of telecom service urging them not to see telecom as extractive industry.

“We consider tax payment as a matter of patriotic duty being one of the elements of good corporate governance:  We appreciate the fiscal pressure on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the respective Federal, State & LGA, particularly, in the face of dwindling federal allocation. However, we believe that taxes and levies should be broad-based and fairly distributed across all sectors of the economy; there is therefore no justification for targetted and sometime very high taxes on telecom operations. We are calling for a cross-sector/multi-stakeholder approach to reduce growing burden of taxation on our industry,” he said.

He added that telecom being in the exclusive list of federal taxes, there is a need to streamline all such taxies and levies which should not be aimed mainly at telecoms infrastructure.

“We are considering very carefully the situation of site closure and harassment of our members in some of the following states and we may begin anytime soon to have them feel the impact of their actions on telecom operators if they do not desist from deliberate disruption of our operations, these are: Ogun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Osun and Kaduna States due to arbitrary closure of telecom sites and actions of government impacting on our operations. The States are treating our industry as an extractive industry and imposing myriads of taxes on our member and closing down the BTS Sites arbitrarily.”

According him, ‘quality of services across the various networks have continued to record significant improvement since 2015 as our members continue to invest in network elements to enhance good quality of services across the national network. ALTON has continued to advocate other factors affecting quality of services such as unlawful closure of BTS sites by State Agencies and issues of Multiple Taxation and Regulations’.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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VDT Communications Achieves Two Prestigious Certifications ISO /IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Reinforcing its Leadership in Broadband Service Provision

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L-r: Oluwaseyi Omoloja,Special Project Manager(SPM), Iriowen A. Osemwegie, Head, Audit &Control, Mrs. Bimbo Ikumariegbe, COO, Engr. Biodun Omoniyi,GMD, Engr. Yemi Oladele, CTO, Engr. Oluwasanmi Kehinde, Team Lead, Service Quality Improvement and Busuyi Ojarotade, Head Network Service - all of VDT Communications Limited displaying the latest certifications: ISO/IEC 27032 for Cybersecurity and ISO/IEC for Information Security recently awarded to the company.
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VDT Communications Limited, a provider of Enterprise communication solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System (ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Cybersecurity Management System certifications.

These prestigious certifications demonstrate VDT’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and cybersecurity, ensuring the protection of sensitive customer data and maintaining the trust of its clients.

These certifications are a testament to VDT’s dedication to implementing robust information security and cybersecurity measures, aligning with international best practices.

The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification recognizes VDT’s ability to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve its ISMS, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of customer information. The ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certification highlights its commitment to protecting its customers’ information assets and preventing Cyber threats.

VDT Communications Limited has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence, previously earning and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and ISO 20000-1:2018 IT Service Management certifications. These certifications have enabled the company to deliver high-quality services, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

“We are thrilled to receive these two prestigious certifications, which reinforce our commitment to information security and cybersecurity. These certifications demonstrate our dedication to implementing robust security measures that ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of customer data” said Engr. Abiodun Omoniyi, GMD of VDT Communications Limited.

The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certifications bring numerous benefits to VDT’s customers, including:

  • Enhanced information security and cybersecurity posture
  • Protection of sensitive customer data
  • Compliance with international standards and regulations
  • Improved risk management and incident response
  • Increased trust and confidence in VDT’s services

“We are proud to serve our customers with the highest level of security and quality,” Bimbo Ikumariegbe, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of VDT. “These certifications demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our dedication to delivering innovative communication solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers” – Olufemi Akinola, Head, Information Technology.


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NDPC Warns Content Creators Against Privacy Violations in Viral Videos

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a stern warning to content creators filming and sharing videos of unsuspecting citizens on social media, describing such practices as direct violations of citizens’ rights to informational self-determination.

NDPC Warns Content Creators Against Privacy Violations in Viral Videos

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The Commission drew attention to individuals capturing pictures and footage of the general public without consent, breaching Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).

NDPC specifically flagged a content creator in Lagos State who films unsuspecting passersby at roadsides for a “reality show”. The Commission stressed that processing personal images in this manner demands explicit consent or a justifiable lawful basis under the NDP Act.

Preliminary investigations revealed no public or legitimate interest served by this “wilful invasion of privacy”. Data subjects, the Commission noted, have no reasonable expectation that their images would be captured and broadcast globally by an unknown individual.

National Commissioner/CEO Dr Vincent Olatunji has instructed social media platform owners—including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta—to intensify enforcement of community guidelines to prevent harm from unlawful and unfair personal data processing.

Platforms failing to act promptly face sanctions under the NDP Act. Individual creators remain personally liable for violations, potentially facing criminal prosecution for infringing citizens’ and data subjects’ privacy rights.

The advisory was signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq. CDPRP, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations.

NDPC emphasised that abuse of rights under the guise of entertainment will not be tolerated, urging compliance to safeguard Nigerians’ data privacy in the digital age.


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Techeconomy Unveils IWD 2026 Power List Celebrating 100 Women Shaping the Future

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In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, Techeconomy, a leading business news platform in Nigeria, has unveiled its “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026,” recognizing exceptional women driving innovation, leadership, and impact across technology and the broader digital economy.

Techeconomy Unveils IWD 2026 Power List Celebrating 100 Women Shaping the Future

Techeconomy

The annual recognition spotlights women who are transforming industries through entrepreneurship, policy leadership, digital innovation, financial inclusion, media, education, and emerging technologies.

The initiative is part of Techeconomy’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion and highlighting female leadership shaping Africa’s technology ecosystem.

The Techeconomy IWD Power List features a diverse group of women, from corporate executives and startup founders to policymakers, ecosystem builders, and social innovators, whose work continues to influence the future of technology, business, and digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.

Speaking on the initiative, Joan Aimuengheuwa, the Managing Editor at Techeconomy, noted that the recognition goes beyond celebrating titles, focusing instead on impact, resilience, and the ability to shape the future through innovation and leadership.

According to her, “the women on the list represent different sectors including fintech, banking, healthcare, agriculture, education, communications, and the creative economy, demonstrating the growing role of women in advancing technology-driven development.

The unveiling aligns with the global celebration of International Women’s Day, which highlights the achievements of women and calls for accelerated progress toward gender equality. Across the world, the technology sector continues to push for greater female representation and leadership as part of efforts to build more inclusive digital economies.

Also speaking, Oluwatosin Aloba, the Brand Manager at Techeconomy, said: “Techeconomy IWD 2026 Power List is specially designed to inspire the next generation of female innovators and leaders by showcasing role models who are breaking barriers and redefining possibilities in the technology landscape.

“Techeconomy encouraged industry stakeholders, institutions, and the broader public to celebrate the achievements of these women while continuing to support policies, programs, and investments that expand opportunities for women in technology”, she added.

The full list of the “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026” is available on the Techeconomy website or visit: https://techeconomy.ng/techeconomy-iwd-2026-power-list-celebrates-100-women-shaping-the-future-of-tech/.


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