Telecom
6 Ways Gemini Can Power Your Journey to Become Africa’s next Global Music Star

The pulse of African music resonates worldwide. Fueled by the success of top sensations like Burnaboy, Davido, Tyla and Wizkid, a new generation of creatives is bursting onto the scene.
But navigating the music industry’s complexities can feel daunting – especially without the right know-how and tools. That’s where Gemini, Google’s collaborative AI-powered tool, steps in as your ultimate guide.
Imagine having an always-available industry insider at your fingertips. Whether it’s demystifying music royalties, staying ahead of Afropop trends, or strategizing your next creative move, Gemini empowers you with the knowledge and insights you need to make your mark. Ready to unlock your global music potential?
Here are 6 ways Gemini can be an ally on your journey:
Building Your Tribe: In vibrant music communities like the ones in Lagos, Johannesburg and Nairobi, it’s not just about who you know, but how you connect. Gemini helps you go beyond networking basics. Instead of just attending events, let’s get strategic. Ask, “How do I initiate meaningful conversations with music producers online?” or “Help me write an application essay for an artist mentorship program.”
Igniting Your Creative Spark: Facing a creative block? Gemini can reignite your inspiration. “Suggest lyrical rhymes for a song with an empowering theme.” Need to broaden your sonic palette? “I’m feeling musically adventurous! Suggest some unusual traditional African instruments I could play around with” Gemini is your brainstorming partner, ready to push your artistic boundaries.
The Power of Your Story: Your brand is more than a logo. It’s how you connect with your audience. Gemini can help you find your voice: “Help me craft an artist bio that captures my passion for social change through music.” Need to up your social media game? “Show me how other African artists effectively use TikTok.”
Decoding the Music Business: The music industry can feel like a maze – contracts, copyright laws, and navigating key players often requires insider knowledge. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, ask Gemini to break it down. Ask straightforward questions like, “If a song plays in a movie. Does the singer get paid for that? Explain like I’m 5?” and let Gemini explain it in a way that you’ll understand. Use the Google “G” button to double check if you need extra help.
Owning Your Look: In the world of music, your style speaks volumes. Gemini helps you explore: “How can I blend traditional Nigerian textiles with contemporary fashion trends?” Need inspiration? “Burna boy and Sho Majodzi are famed for their unique fashion sense. Help me find a bold, colourful outfit inspired by their style. I am 6ft tall and love hats.” Let Gemini be your image consultant.
Beyond the Music Videos: In the digital age, visuals amplify your message. Gemini can spark your video concepts. “Brainstorm music video ideas that celebrate the everyday beauty of Lagos.” Need help with the nuts and bolts? “What are the basic elements of a music video treatment?”
The Journey is Yours, Gemini’s Got Your Back
Becoming a global music star demands talent, grit, and the willingness to learn along the way. Gemini can’t guarantee fame, but it can provide knowledge, fuel your creativity, and help you tap into the resources needed to propel your career forward. So the next time you’re researching artist contracts, building your fanbase, or brainstorming your next music video, open your browser and type gemini.google.com, and Gemini will be your guide and partner in this thrilling musical adventure.
Telecom
9mobile Nigeria Inks Agreement to Roam with MTN

9mobile, Nigerian operator, has reportedly gained approval for roaming on the MTN Nigeria network in a deal that some commentators suggest could improve its position in the market and, more specifically, tempt back lost subscribers.
After finally gaining regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), 9mobile plans to launch national roaming services on the MTN network from this month.
Under the agreement, 9mobile subscribers will gain access to MTN’s infrastructure for calls, texts and data in areas where 9mobile’s coverage is weak or unavailable.
For 9mobile, the deal offers a cost-effective way to expand coverage without the heavy investment required for nationwide infrastructure.
According to ITWeb Africa, the decision comes nearly five years after initial discussions – much longer than expected due, the Techloy news service said, to regulatory bottlenecks, shifting market conditions, and unclear execution timelines.
It may, however, prove pivotal for 9mobile, whose market share has dwindled to 1.72% in April 2025, down from 6.6% in 2020 when the proposal was first submitted. Indeed, in 2015 the company once known as Etisalat Nigeria had over 23 million subscribers and a 15.7% market share.
Of course, there’s also something in this for MTN. In exchange for network access, MTN gains utilisation rights to 9mobile’s underused spectrum in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz bands – key frequencies for expanding coverage and improving data capacity.
For MTN, which serves over 84 million subscribers, this additional spectrum could reduce congestion and improve service quality.
The company has also had financial difficulties in the Nigerian market due to the naira’s substantial depreciation; this deal could support better service provision at a reduced cost.
That said, MTN Nigeria’s results for the first quarter to March 31 2025 were apparently much improved, and the company recently announced a massive capital expenditure drive for 2025 of some NGN900 billion (US$568.5 million) as it seeks to significantly enhance network service quality in major cities like Lagos and Abuja and extend improvements to other areas.
Telecom
Banks, Telcos to Start Deducting USSD Charges from Airtime Today

Banks and telecom companies will begin deducting USSD banking charges directly from customers’ airtime instead of their bank accounts beginning from today, June 3.
USSD, otherwise Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is a communications protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to interact with a mobile network operator’s computers.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) announced this change in an e-mail message to customers, following a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Key details:
Each USSD session will cost ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, charged by your mobile network.
You will be asked to approve the charge before it’s deducted from your airtime.
If you prefer, you can use other banking channels like ATMs, mobile apps, or internet banking.
This change is part of a move to end the long-standing debt dispute between banks and telecoms over unpaid USSD fees.
As of late 2024, banks owed telecom companies ₦160 billion. For example, MTN was owed ₦42 billion by Nigerian banks.
By shifting USSD fees to customers’ airtime, the telcos aim to recover these debts and avoid future issues.
Telecom
IHS Nigeria Moves to Enhance G4S Secure Solutions Site Patrols and Increase Operational Efficiency with Patrol Vehicles

IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited and one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has formally commissioned 65 Response, Patrol, and Escort (RPE) vehicles to G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited, its long-standing security partner.
The commissioning ceremony which held in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, underscores IHS Nigeria’s commitment to operational excellence, safety, and strategic partnerships.
The fully equipped vehicles, customized with radio systems, public address systems, medical kits, ladders, and amber lights, are expected to significantly enhance G4S’s patrol capabilities and enable proactive risk mitigation across IHS Nigeria’s infrastructure footprint in the country.
Speaking at the event, Jubril Saba, Vice President, Operations at IHS Nigeria, remarked: “IHS Nigeria is delighted to formally hand over these Response, Patrol and Escort (RPE) vehicles to our valued security partner, G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited. As a company, we recognize that the success of our operations lies not only in our technology and infrastructure but also in the strength of the partnerships we build and sustain.
G4S has been an essential partner in protecting our sites, supporting our teams, and ensuring operational continuity across the country. This initiative is more than just a commissioning of vehicles; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the safety of our people and assets, our drive for operational excellence, and our belief in strong partnerships.
We understand that securing our infrastructure and communities is critical to sustaining high-quality services nationwide, and we are confident this fleet will enhance G4S’s capacity to support us.”
Also speaking at the event, Jonas Ahl, Managing Director of G4S Secure Solutions Nigeria Limited, expressed his appreciation for the partnership:
“We are proud to receive these 65 custom-built patrol vehicles from IHS Nigeria. Each unit is fully outfitted to meet the specific security needs of our operations, equipped with communication systems, emergency response tools, and visibility-enhancing features. These vehicles will not only improve our response times and field presence but also enable us to reduce risk and deter criminal activity more effectively.
I would like to thank the IHS team for their excellent collaboration throughout this project. We are proud to serve IHS and remain committed to protecting the assets that power connectivity across Nigeria.”
This strategic gesture reinforces IHS Nigeria’s position as a socially responsible and security-conscious industry leader, while highlighting the value of operational synergy with trusted partners like G4S.
The deployment of these vehicles marks another milestone in IHS’s mission to secure its infrastructure and deliver uninterrupted service to millions of users across the country.
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