Telecom
Tezza Academy Expands Industry Partnerships to Bridge IT Skill Gaps

Tezza Academy is taking strategic steps to broaden its industry partnerships and enhance its IT training model. The software training academy aims to foster collaborations with key economic players across various sectors such as oil and gas, IT and telecoms, banking and insurance, healthcare and education, manufacturing, and construction.
These partnerships are intended to facilitate discussions on incorporating trained IT skill sets and creating more opportunities for talented Nigerian youths with advanced IT skills.
Under the leadership of its founder, Roland Omoresemi, Tezza Academy commenced operations in November 2020, building upon the foundations of Tezza Boot Camp.
Initially admitting 20 young Nigerians, the academy provides a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses cutting-edge technologies, industry best practices, and soft skills training.
“Our agenda is to equip these young Nigerians with the necessary tools to excel in the global market and transform them into IT consultants while nurturing their roots in their homeland,” stated Omoresemi.
“It is important that we focus on building essential collaborations to attract and retain these highly skilled professionals, whether it is at Dangote Refinery, Zenith Bank, MTN or other prominent organizations within Nigeria and beyond,” emphasized Omoresemi.
He said the sustainability of Tezza Academy relies on the partnerships it forges, and the absorption of trained skill sets across sectors, both locally and globally.
As the academy prepares to welcome a new cohort of trainees, it aims to effectively address the challenges of unemployment and employability by placing graduates at client sites.
Originally established as Tezza Boot Camp in November 2020, Lagos based Tezza Academy has rapidly evolved into a premier institution for transforming young talents into highly skilled IT consultants. Based in Lagos, the academy offers a tuition-free residency training program that guarantees job placements upon the completion of an intensive three-month training course.
Tezza Academy’s focus on imparting IT skills aligns with its broader objective of strengthening Nigeria’s high-end Global Value Chains (GVCs) and positioning the country as a major exporter of human capital, potentially rivalling populous nations like China and India.
“Our immersive program structure enables our trainees to cross-develop and establish firm bonds and alliances to ensure our team of professionals always reflect the best versions of themselves,” said Tezza’s Managing Partner, Jide Modele.
Adding: As part of our core ethos, the principles governing the consulting practice as a trusted advisor are taught, learned, and owned by all our trainees.”
A PWC report titled “Nigerian Brain Exports: The Optimal Path to Growing the Nigerian Economy” emphasizes the importance of exporting brain capital and active participation in GVCs as the country’s pathway to development.
The report paints an encouraging scenario in which Nigeria captures 17% of global programming and software development jobs, generating an estimated $50 billion in earnings for Nigerians.
Tezza Academy’s training approach involves introducing trainees to software testing and subsequently placing them in a Mentoring Program, where they can shadow experts for a period of two to three months. Afterward, they can embark on their own careers as software testers.
“In addition to acquiring technical skills, the core objectives of our curriculum are to develop Thought Leaders and Subject Matter Experts in our areas of specialization for our clients globally,” stated Modele.
Modele proudly shares the success stories of the academy’s first cohort, stating, “Every single one who went through that first class has actually been placed at a client site.
“All of them have been fully engaged, and all of them were engaged even before they graduated from the academy.
“So, by way of success stories, all 20 participants of the first cohort were 100% placed at client sites, and their placements were secured even before they completed their training at the academy.”
Additionally, Modele highlighted the significant benefits of Tezza Academy, including the provision of accommodation and a conducive learning environment.
“One of the significant benefits and value propositions of the academy is to ensure that all trainees can live, breathe, eat, learn, and develop within the same facility under one roof,” he added.
Tezza Academy goes beyond merely addressing the skills gap; its vision encompasses connecting all stakeholders to strengthen the entire value chain of a robust digital economy.
This includes building the capacity of young people and preparing them for local and global opportunities, fostering industry collaborations, and expanding job placement opportunities across sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, fintech, telecommunications and more.
Telecom
NCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding telecommunications infrastructure across the country, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order, which criminalises the vandalism, theft or obstruction of critical national infrastructure.
The Commission noted that the enforcement drive is aimed at curbing the growing incidence of sabotage at telecom sites, which continues to degrade the quality of network services nationwide.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, head of Public Affairs at the NCC, reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to act.
She stated, “President Tinubu signed the Executive Order on 24th June 2024, declaring telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). The NCC is now mandated to implement this order fully, and anyone found tampering with these facilities will face the full weight of the law.”
Mrs Ukoha, who represented Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, added that the NCC has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to sensitise the public about the significance of protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecom, energy and transport facilities.
Expressing concern over rampant damage, she said, “The destruction of fibre cables, theft of generators and fuel, and removal of key components from telecom base stations have become all too common. These acts directly affect the quality of service that millions of Nigerians depend on.”
She identified three major challenges undermining telecom service delivery:
Vandalism and Theft: “We are witnessing frequent attacks on telecom sites. These lead to service outages and cost operators billions in repairs.”
Restricted Site Access: “Operators face obstruction from local communities, touts and even some government officials who demand levies, making it difficult to access sites for maintenance and refuelling.”
Road Construction Damage: “Ongoing road projects often result in accidental damage to underground fibre cables, further compounding the situation.”
Responding to public complaints about fast-depleting data, Mrs Ukoha clarified that “mobile network operators do not steal users’ data. What many people experience is due to automatic app updates, background processes, and hotspots being shared unknowingly.”
She advised users to be proactive: “We encourage consumers to review their phone settings, limit background data, turn off auto-play videos, and regularly change hotspot passwords.”
Commending the media, she added, “Journalists play a vital role in educating the public. We appreciate your efforts and urge continued partnership in disseminating accurate, impactful information.”
She also revealed the Commission’s drive to improve digital inclusion: “The NCC is committed to supporting underserved communities with affordable internet access and has commenced specialised training for journalists, particularly senior editors in Lagos and Abuja.”
Mrs Ukoha emphasised collaboration with government agencies to reduce infrastructure damage: “As construction projects expand nationwide, we must work together to prevent unnecessary damage to telecom assets.”
Also speaking, Mallam Yakubu Musa, head, Corporate Communications, NCC, reinforced the importance of the media in the telecom ecosystem.
He said, “Our partnership with the press is key to promoting transparency, building consumer trust, and supporting regulatory compliance.”
In her remarks, Comrade Grace Ike, chairman, NUJ FCT, commended the NCC’s regulatory efforts and expressed interest in deeper collaboration.
She stated, “We look forward to partnering with the NCC on media training, expanding internet access for journalists, and enhancing public awareness. We also seek your support for our forthcoming Press Week and capacity-building programmes.”
She continued, “The NUJ recognises the importance of digital tools in journalism. Equipping media professionals with access and knowledge will strengthen democratic engagement and promote good governance.”
The NUJ delegation, comprising key executives and media team members, reiterated its commitment to working closely with the NCC to promote national development.
This enforcement initiative—anchored on President Tinubu’s July 2024 Executive Order—provides a solid legal framework for protecting vital telecom infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted communication services.
Telecom
Africa’s Lawmakers Commit to Strengthening AI, Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing Frameworks

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the African Population Health Research Center (APHRC), in collaboration with the GSMA, have concluded the first Africa Digital Parliamentary Summit focused on building legislative capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data protection, digital health and smart manufacturing, in a bid to promote evidence-based policy-making for Africa’s digital future.
The three-day Summit, held from 9-11 July in Lusaka, convened over 20 Members of Parliament from the Pan-African Parliament Committees on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology, and Health, Labour and Social Affairs and was opened by the Zambian Minister of Technology and Science, Honourable Felix Mutati. Strategic partners in attendance included AUDA-NEPAD, Africa CDC, ECOSOCC, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).
This concluded with the publication of the Lusaka Declaration outlining shared priorities and next steps for ensuring Africa’s digital transformation is inclusive, responsible and grounded in evidence-based policy.
The Lusaka Declaration recognised the vital role of Members of Parliament in shaping laws and policies that drive the continent’s development. The Digital Parliamentary Summit offered a timely platform to enhance the knowledge and capacity of Parliamentarians on critical aspects of digital transformation.
A key highlight of the Summit was the consideration and discussion with Parliamentarians on the draft Africa Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing reports developed by APHRC and the GSMA.
Both reports will be submitted to the Plenary of the PAP when Parliamentarians of the 55 member states of the African Union meet in Midrand later this month on the occasion of the 5th Ordinary Session of the 6th Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament.
Honourable Behdja Mokrani, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology said “Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainties and the accelerating pace of technological disruption, this Summit has highlighted the critical need to equip African legislators with the foresight and capabilities required to navigate the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The capacity-building component of the Summit, along with the presentation of the Africa Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing Reports by APHRC and GSMA, reinforced the importance of African policymakers acquiring the relevant skills to address policy issues related to digital transformation – particularly in the areas of Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing – in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Anthony Mveyange, Director of Programs, Synergy, African Population Health Research Center adds “At APHRC, we firmly believe that digital health is a transformative force, holding immense potential for Africa to ‘leapfrog’ traditional development pathways.
This Summit powerfully demonstrates how, by leveraging AI alongside advancements in digital health and smart manufacturing, we can accelerate socio-economic progress and foster deeper continental integration, directly aligning with the ambitious goals of the African Union’s Agenda.”
Key themes explored during the Summit included:
- The potential of AI-driven digital health to accelerate universal health coverage through better data integration and cross-border information exchange
- The role of smart manufacturing in enhancing industrial resilience and job creation through automation and IoT
- The need for harmonised, Africa-led data governance frameworks to ensure responsible AI development and protect privacy and human rights
“AI, digital health, and smart manufacturing have the potential to transform Africa’s economies and improve lives – but unlocking that potential requires the right policy environment.
“This Summit is an important step in equipping lawmakers with the tools to shape secure, inclusive and future-ready digital economies” said Kenechi Okeleke, Senior Director, Regional, Social and Policy Research, GSMA.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing digital transformation through coordinated reforms, including:
- Strengthening STEM education and digital literacy among policymakers
- Embedding ICT training in public service development
- Establishing cross-sector collaboration between the health, trade and ICT sectors
- Creating enabling conditions for investment in advanced connectivity infrastructure
Draft findings presented during the Summit estimate that Africa’s digital health market could reach $6.5 billion by 2030 under an optimistic scenario, highlighting the urgent need for policy alignment to maximise impact and drive inclusive growth.
The Summit also set out a roadmap for ongoing engagement between the Pan-African Parliament, APHRC and the GSMA, including the establishment of ‘Evidence-to-Policy’ resource units, sustained capacity-building efforts, and regional forums to harmonise legislation on AI, digital health, and data governance across Africa.
Telecom
MTN Foundation Hosts Stakeholders to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse Among Youth

MTN Foundation hosted its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference on July 9, 2025, at the MTN Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector to address the growing challenge of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Prominent attendees included Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Dr. Tolu Ajomale of the Lagos Ministry of Health, among others. Also present were representatives of NDLEA, UNODC, academia, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to safeguarding its youth and fostering a future free from substance abuse. Dr. Olusoga emphasized that drug addiction extends beyond health, touching families, communities, and national well-being, calling for proactive, united action.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo, stressed the company’s long-standing dedication to youth development through initiatives like ASAP. NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended MTN Foundation as a vital ally in drug prevention efforts.
The conference featured personal stories of recovery in a session titled “Journeys Through the Fire,” followed by a panel discussion on multi-sectoral solutions to substance abuse. It concluded with a dramatic performance, “Just One Breath,” by LASU’s WADA Club, illustrating the personal and societal toll of drug use.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, closed the event with a powerful call to action, urging media, communities, and policymakers to drive sustained investment in youth empowerment and early intervention.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building resilience among young Nigerians and catalyzing cross-sector partnerships for a drug-free future.
- E-Financial2 days ago
GOEs’ Remit Over ₦2tn to FG in 2024
- News1 day ago
Check Point Report Finds Africa as Top Target for Cyber-attacks
- Telecom2 days ago
Save & Win: FCMB Promo Makes 12 Millionaires, Over 3,000 Winners
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN’s Karl Toriola and Business Leaders Champion Corporate Climate Reform
- General News2 days ago
Senate Orders Full Probe into N1.3 Trillion CBEX Ponzi Scandal
- E-Business2 days ago
NITDA Reaffirms Commitment to 95% Digital Literacy by 2030, as UBEC Pledges Collaboration
- General News2 days ago
UpSkill Universe Launches ‘Skills for Business’ to Empower 10,000 African SMEs, in Collaboration with HP and Google
- News1 day ago
JAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud