General News
The Threat of Multiple Regulations in Telecom
Operators in the telecommunications space of the country’s economy have not had peace of mind in the last six years in the process of service delivery as they are confronted with several challenges.
Unfortunately, most of the challenges have little or no relationship with the process of service delivery.
Operators are faced with security issues at base stations, unfriendly host communities, vandalization among others.
In view of all these that operators took measures to address some of the issues which are distracting them from their main business of service delivery.
Among some of the initiatives are adoption of collocation, and outsourcing of base stations to infrastructure providers.
As these initiatives were gradually addressing the known problem that other challenges began raising their head, and they are multiple regulation and taxation.
In a federal system there are issues reserved for either federal or state to legislate on and the ones both have powers to regulate.
In the case of telecommunications, it is the federal that has exclusive right to regulate the industry which led it into establishing a Commission in the name of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) backed with an act to effectively perform that function.
However, events in the recent past suggest that other federal government agencies as well as states are now making effort to usurp NCC’s function in the telecommunications industry which is unknown to the country’s law.
It has become a common practice for any government agency be it federal or state to solicits for one levy or the other from operators while some seek that operators secure one approval or the other from them which comes with a fee before they can build infrastructure.
It is not telecommunications operators that are lamenting over multiple taxation, operators in the manufacturing sector have continued to call for a lasting solution to the problem of multiple taxation in the country.
According to them, if the problem is not addressed, business will continue to suffer.
With the challenges of poor infrastructure which is killing business in one hand and the headache of multiple taxation have been identified as another major threat to manufacturers and investors.
Speaking on the implication of multiple taxation, Otunba Femi Deru, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that as Constitution empowered Local Governments to enact law that will create a situation were they will generate revenue, such as vehicle license, radio, television, business premises levy among others. He added that these taxes are becoming rampant and hindrance to business development in the country.
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuem, former president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) called on the government to address the issue of multiple taxation which is currently a threat to development of telecommunications in the country.
He said a situation in which operators in the telecoms industry were seen as cash cows should be a thing of the past.
He reasoned that government in the land should note that telecoms business attracts operational cost and that when the number of taxes paid by the operators increase just because all tiers of government want their various shares of the “cake,” it engenders less profits for the operators and compromise quality of service.
Mr. Ayodele Adigun, President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, said that multiple taxation in Nigeria militate against standard taxation practice, which is unhealthy for economic development.
He blamed the activities of quacks in the system for this situation and also described the practice as an evil one, noting that the institute was all out to combat this trend.
According to him, CITN was championing professional taxation practice in the country and also organising an awareness campaign to sensitize the public on the need to voluntary pay approved taxes.
He added that multiple tax and poor infrastructure had also made the environment extremely inclement and uncompetitive for locally made goods against those from other nations.
It is unfortunate that officials from government quarters seem not to understand the issue of multiple taxes but are looking at it as tax evasion.
The issue is clear and does not need interpretation.
Operators are not saying that they won’t pay tax to government and its relevant authorities but duplication of the same tax which they have already paid to government at the federal or state levels is inimical and put pressure on them.
The question is, how can one reconcile a situation where a telecom operator whose services are controlled by federal government pays relevant taxes or levies to federal and state governments, and are also forced to pay similar taxes not approval levy by local governments.
As operators are seeking ways to address the issue of multiple taxation that another government agency, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nesrea) came out with Environmental Impact Assessment for base stations of telecom operators.
NCC has a department that enforces standard in the manner operators build their infrastructure, instead of Nesrea liaising with that department of NCC to ensure that those issues it said are raised by the public, it is now enforcing its order on companies that are not under its regulatory jurisdiction.
In a similar vein, the newly established agency Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit under the Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development has been in loggerhead with telecom operators over the former threat and demolition of base transceiver station on the basis that owners of such BTS did not get approval from it when the operator has gotten the necessary approval from NCC and other federal agency required by law.
In view of all these that stakeholders who spoke to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek are calling for streamlining of regulations in the telecommunications industry as well harmonization of relevant levies in order not to destroy and discourage investment in the sector which is expected to boom with the envisage abundance of bandwidth occasioned by the landing of undersea cables in the country.
IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has partnered with the Ilorin Innovation Hub to host the maiden edition of its Demo Day at the state-of-the-art facility in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The event, themed “The Convergence,” is designed to spotlight 19 emerging startups that have participated in the Hub’s accelerator and incubation programs, and invite them to pitch their solutions to investors, venture capital funds, corporate partners, and the media.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub, a partnership between the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria, began operations in February 2025 with programs managed by Co-creation Hub and Future Africa.
The Demo Day presents an opportunity to take stock and assess how the Ilorin Innovation Hub is helping to nurture and bring to life groundbreaking ideas and solutions supporting economic resilience and addressing real-world societal challenges. The event is expected to help unlock funding opportunities, foster strategic collaborations, and amplify visibility for these startups that are developing solutions across critical sectors including agriculture, health-tech, green energy, lifestyle, and digital services.
Beyond the startup showcase, the Demo Day highlights Kwara State’s continued commitment to driving digital innovation and entrepreneurship, and IHS Nigeria’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and deepening the digital economy in Nigeria.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “We believe innovation and digital technology are powerful drivers of economic growth and sustainable development. This is why we partnered with the Kwara State Government on the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is impressive and very fulfilling to see the diverse portfolio of ideas and solutions showcased today from the hub within a year of the commencement of operations.
This speaks to the depth of creativity among Nigerians and what is possible when they are equipped and supported. Today’s event makes me proud of our investment in the space and underscores IHS Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting technology, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation in Nigeria.”
Temi Kolawole, Managing Director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, commented, “Today, we showcase 19 startups that have shown that when you combine talent with the right support, the results speak for themselves. The Ilorin Innovation Hub exists to ensure that geography is never a barrier to building something extraordinary, and this Demo Day is proof that we are on the right track.”
AfriStakes has launched a new capital platform in Nigeria aimed at linking African small- and medium-scale enterprises with a broad range of investors in a move to address persistent funding gaps across the continent.
In a statement, the firm said the platform would improve capital allocation by bridging the disconnect between available funds, investment-ready businesses, and viable opportunities.
The launch comes as many African businesses continue to face funding constraints despite the availability of capital within the financial system.
AfriStakes said structural barriers have limited access to funding, even as capital remains concentrated in traditional instruments such as fixed deposits, equities, and managed funds.
The platform enables businesses and investors to connect directly by creating profiles, listing funding needs, and identifying suitable investment partners.
According to the company, businesses can upload key documents and showcase their funding requirements, while investors can outline their interests and financial capacity.
Founder of AfriStakes, Henry Adebisi, said the initiative was designed to tackle inefficiencies on both sides of the investment market.
“In Africa, businesses suffer from low access to capital while investors suffer from low access to investable opportunities. With AfriStakes, we ensure businesses are properly prepared and positioned for investment, while investors gain the clarity and confidence needed to deploy capital effectively,” Adebisi said.
The company noted that a major challenge for many SMEs is not a lack of value but poor investment readiness, which affects their ability to attract funding.
AfriStakes said it addresses this gap by providing a structured framework that helps businesses present financial information, develop investment narratives, and prepare realistic projections.
The platform also offers support services such as due diligence, deal structuring, and preparation of investor-facing materials.
It added that the platform would facilitate capital inflow from local and international investors, including individuals, angel investors, diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and institutional players.
Adebisi said the platform would promote efficient capital flow into businesses driving economic growth across Africa.
“Our vision is to build a system where capital flows more efficiently into real businesses that drive economic change. By positioning both businesses and investors for success, we enable stronger investment decisions and more impactful economic outcomes,” he said.
AfriStakes said it supports multiple funding pathways, including debt financing, equity investment, partnerships, and acquisitions.
The company added that the platform would promote transparency, inclusivity, and structured investment processes across the African business landscape, adding that the initiative positions AfriStakes as a key player in addressing the continent’s financing challenges by creating a bridge between capital and opportunity.
The modern kitchen is no longer just a place to cook, rather where families gather, conversations happen, and lifestyles are expressed. Today’s homeowners want appliances that don’t just work efficiently but also reflect their personality and enhance their living experience.
This is exactly where the LG MoodUP™ Refrigerator stands out. Designed to combine innovative technology, customizable design, and smart entertainment, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator transforms the kitchen into a vibrant, expressive, and connected space.
A Refrigerator That Matches Your Mood and Lifestyle
Traditional refrigerators focus solely on storage and cooling. The LG MoodUP Refrigerator takes a bold step further by redefining what a kitchen appliance can be.
At the heart of this innovation are colour‑changing LED door panels that allow users to personalise their refrigerator’s appearance. With just a few taps via a smartphone app, you can effortlessly change the colors of the refrigerator doors to match your mood, décor, or occasion.
Whether you prefer calm neutral tones, vibrant colours for entertaining guests, or subtle lighting for a relaxed evening at home, the LG MoodUP adapts seamlessly.
Customizable LED Panels: Design Meets Technology
One of the most striking features of the LG MoodUP Refrigerator is its customizable LED door panels. These panels offer multiple colour options and lighting combinations, helping you create a kitchen that truly reflects your personality.
Why This Matters for Modern Homes
- Enhance kitchen aesthetics without renovations
- Allows you to refresh your space instantly
- Creates a dynamic, stylish focal point in the kitchen
- Ideal for design‑conscious homeowners and young professionals
In Nigerian homes where kitchens are increasingly becoming open, social spaces, this feature adds a unique blend of style and innovation.
Built-In Bluetooth Speaker: Entertainment at the Heart of Your Home
The LG MoodUP Refrigerator goes beyond design by introducing entertainment into the kitchen. With a built‑in Bluetooth speaker, users can connect their smartphones directly to the refrigerator.
This allows you to:
- Play music while cooking
- Listen to podcasts or radio shows
- Enjoy audio while hosting family or friends
- Make daily kitchen routines more enjoyable
From meal prep to weekend gatherings, the kitchen becomes a more social and engaging environment.
Smart Technology for Smarter Living
LG is known globally for pioneering smart home solutions, and the MoodUP Refrigerator reflects this commitment. Using LG’s intuitive app interface – LG ThinQ, users can control lighting, sounds, and certain settings directly from their smartphones.
This smart connectivity ensures:
- Easy customization
- Seamless user control
- A modern, connected kitchen experience
For tech‑savvy Nigerian consumers looking to integrate smart appliances into their homes, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator fits perfectly into today’s digital lifestyle.
Designed for Style, Comfort and Everyday Use
Beyond its innovative features, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator remains a high‑performance refrigerator built for daily use. It delivers reliable cooling performance, efficient food preservation, and durable construction expected from LG appliances.
Key lifestyle benefits include:
- Elegant, premium design
- Reliable cooling efficiency
- Smart functionality without complexity
- A blend of practicality and visual appeal
This makes it ideal for homes that value both performance and style.
Why LG Continues to Lead in Home Innovation
LG’s approach to product development focuses on understanding how people live today and how technology can improve everyday moments. The MoodUP Refrigerator is a strong example of this philosophy, demonstrating that appliances can be both functional and expressive.
Rather than blending into the background, the LG MoodUP stands out as a lifestyle statement; one that reflects individuality, creativity, and modern living.
For anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen experience and embrace the future of smart living, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator delivers a bold and refreshing approach where your kitchen truly matches your mood.
For more information, kindly visit https://www.lg.com/africa/refrigerators/lg-gr-a24fdmmb
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