Telecom
Unsolicited SMS: NCC Forum Calls for National ICT Framework for Policing
To protect telecommunications infrastructure and fight criminals using unregistered SIM cards to commit crime in the country, stakeholders at the just concluded sensitization workshop for law enforcement agencies on telecommunications issues organized by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) held recently in Lagos, rose up from the forum calling for improved national information communication technology framework for policing.
Speaking during the workshop, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman of NCC, told the gathering that telecoms infrastructure must be protected for effective service delivery, warning that it is criminal to use unregistered SIM card in the country.
He said that there was urgent need to design more effective strategies to beat every instance of violation of the laws, and also ensure that anyone who is arrested with unregistered SIM is prosecuted.
According the EVC who was represented by Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs of NCC, said that, “We already know we need to do this. But what needs to be done differently,
who needs to do it and how it should be done to achieve the most efficient results must be addressed.
The NCC EVC charged the gathering to generate ideas that would address the challenges and enhance a more robust climate for telecommunications regulation in Nigeria.
For Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, inspector general of Police, there was need for relevant security agencies to work together with NCC for effective use of ICT to fight criminals across the nation.
The recent move by the federal government to declare telecom infrastructure in the country as critical national and security assets, according to IGP who was represented by Fuluso Adebanjo, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, is a step in the right direction, adding that it should be accompanied with immediate actions.
He said that vandalism of telecoms equipment was hampering the provision of quality of services to the over 140 million subscribers in the country.
Such disruptions, according to him, not only disconnect subscribers, but also cause embarrassment to businesses and national security.
Noting that it has adverse effects on the economy, he said that there was need for national ICT framework policing.
Speaking on ICT as enabler for effective policing, the former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase told the gathering that there was need for the Police to collaborate with NCC for application of technical intelligence to combat crimes using ICT.
With effective application of ICT in policing, the former IGP believed that there will be detection, prevention of crime, apprehension of offenders, strong intelligence gathering ability, technical evidence in the aid of prosecution, restoration of citizen’s confidence and analogue policing to best international policing standards.
Dealing with crimes on Satellite based telephony systems, dealing with crimes on internet based video/ voice communication system, challenges with pre-registered SIM cards, legal/ethical issues, institutional capacity gap, budgetary limitations, absence of national police ICT policy, unsavoury inter-agency collaboration among strategic players in ICT, among others, according to him are some of the challenges.
As a way forward, he called for multi-layer collaboration between NCC, service providers, government and Policing agencies.
For Paul Usoro, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who spoke on telecommunications offences in Nigeria, challenges of diligent prosecution and the way forward, much may not be achieved on regulating telecommunications in Nigeria unless relevant agencies collaborate.
Noting that there should be knowledge sharing among relevant agencies, he said that monitoring, investigation and prosecution of criminals should be carefully followed.
Stating that there should be speedy disposal of cases generally despite challenge of getting the witnesses, he noted that Nigerian courts should be computerised. I do not know why we cannot get voice records in the court, he said.
The need for Nigeria to think outside the box in its need to drive towards global relevance with innovations and scientific developments will be on the front burner at the NITRA Innovative & Scientific Conference scheduled to hold on Thursday July 23, 2026 in Ikeja, Lagos.
NITRA
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will lead other delegates to discuss and take far-reaching decisions at the event, which has its theme as “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation”.
Other companies that have indicated interest in partnering with NITRA include mobile communications company, Tecno; Africa’s premier end-to-end AI solutions company, Hyperspace; and telecommunications data infrastructure company, Digital Realty.
Speaking on the proposed event, the Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the event will seek to create a platform for government and private organisations to deliberate on policies around scientific innovations in Nigeria, challenges, place of indigenous and foreign collaboration, roles of each stakeholder, and grassroots development in that regard, among others.
According to him: “The Federal government, with series of programmes and partnerships, has established the urgent need to create an ecosystem that thrives on scientific innovation, breeding institutions and individuals with a target of placing the country at the fore-front of Next-Gen development.
It is a known fact that digital and scientific innovations are crucial, not only to the survivability of a nation, but also to the sustainability of its growth and development, with significant effect on economic strength, global image, defense and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety, communication and digital footprint, among others.
The federal government is actively driving scientific innovation to foster economic diversification and build a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Efforts are heavily focused on commercializing research, establishing massive research funds, and funding strategic infrastructure, particularly in technology, biotechnology, and healthcare. Core government initiatives and policies include the newly instituted National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which aims to mobilize about $500 million annually to support research and the commercialization of scientific outputs; and the Nigeria Genomic City, a multi-ministerial initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a leading hub for genomics, precision medicine, and biotechnology. It is designed to protect indigenous data, stimulate artificial intelligence in health, and develop a highly skilled scientific workforce.
According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the forum will also be a vehicle to propagating the views of decision makers to the public, thereby furthering the cause of public awareness and information dissemination on the topic.
The focus, he said will be on how Nigeria can sustain digital innovative growth and scientific development in Nigeria
Concerns over network reliability and its impact on Nigeria’s growing creator economy took centre stage at MTN Nigeria’s Data on Trial event, where content creator and streamer, Jarvis, challenged telecommunications operators to improve connectivity for digital creators.
Speaking during the event, Jarvis asked whether there were locations in Nigeria where uninterrupted internet connectivity could support real-life (IRL) streaming without network disruptions.
“Are there places where there is no breakage when streaming IRL?” she asked.
Her question highlighted the challenges faced by content creators who depend on stable internet services for live streaming, content uploads and real-time engagement with audiences.
Responding, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Technical Officer, Mr Yahaya Ibrahim, said network performance depends on several factors, including location, network coverage, device capability and the number of users connected to a particular base station.
He noted that operators continue to invest in expanding network capacity to meet the growing demand for data services.
Earlier, MTN’s General Manager, Network Performance and Quality Assurance, Mr Michael Ndukwe, explained the evolution of mobile network technology in Nigeria, from first-generation (1G) services to the current fifth-generation (5G) technology.
According to him, each phase of technological advancement has significantly increased network capacity and enabled new digital services.
Ndukwe cited Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data showing that Nigerians consumed about 13.2 million terabytes of data in 2025.
He added that data usage reached approximately 4.06 million terabytes in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the country’s increasing reliance on digital platforms and online services.
According to him, the growth is being driven by wider adoption of 4G and 5G networks, increased smartphone penetration, the proliferation of smart devices and expanding use of social media platforms.
Participants at the event noted that as more Nigerians build businesses and careers around digital content, access to reliable and high-speed internet has become critical to sustaining the country’s digital economy and creator ecosystem.
In an era where customer complaints about data consumption often play out on social media, MTN Nigeria took an unusual step. Rather than issue another statement, the company opened its doors and invited critics, customers, influencers and journalists to interrogate its operations at the Data On Trial in Lagos.
Dr Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria
The session offered a rare glimpse into the realities behind Nigeria’s digital economy. MTN Nigeria CEO, Dr Karl Toriola, acknowledged public concerns and encouraged participants to ask difficult questions. “Give it to us as hard as you can. Ask us the most difficult questions, don’t hold back,” he said. The company used the platform to explain how factors such as automatic cloud backups, video streaming and app settings contribute significantly to data consumption, issues many users often overlook.
Beyond addressing consumer concerns, MTN shed light on the scale of investment required to keep Nigeria connected. Toriola disclosed that the company invested close to ₦1 trillion in network infrastructure last year and plans to exceed that figure this year. He explained that these investments support network expansion, improved capacity and service delivery for millions of Nigerians across the country.
The session also highlighted MTN’s commitment to accountability. Company executives explained that MTN’s billing systems are independently audited and reviewed by regulators to ensure accuracy and fairness. “What we are saying authoritatively is we will never deliberately shortchange you on the consumption of your data,” Toriola stated, reaffirming the company’s position on customer trust and transparency.
More than a defence of its network, Data On Trial reflected a company willing to engage openly with the people it serves. At a time when digital connectivity has become central to everyday life, MTN’s decision to answer tough questions in public signalled a broader commitment to transparency, customer education and continuous investment in Nigeria’s digital future.
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