Telecom
Airtel Directors Win Honours @ CIO Awards
Airtel Nigeria’s leadership team has demonstrated outstanding excellence in innovation and technology as two of its directors were honoured with three prestigious awards at the 5th edition of the CIO & C-Suite Awards, held on Saturday, 30th November 2024, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual awards, organized by CIO Club Africa, celebrates outstanding achievements in technology and innovation leadership across 11 African nations, recognizing individuals and organizations shaping the future of the tech industry.
During the event, Harmanpreet Dhillon, Chief Technology Officer, Airtel Nigeria was recognised as Overall Tech Champion of the Year and also received the Gold Award as an Innovative Leader in the Telecommunications Sector. Also, the Director of Information and Technology, Airtel Nigeria, Kemi Ariyo, was recognized with the Silver Award as an Innovative Leader in the same category, highlighting her significant contributions to the sector.
While expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Mr. Harmanpreet Dhillon dedicating the awards to the efforts of the Airtel team.
“At Airtel, we are fully committed to continuous innovation and excellence and I must say this is a reflection of the relentless efforts and dedication of the entire Airtel Nigeria team. These awards inspire us to continue breaking barriers and achieving excellence through innovative technology,” he said.
The event brought together technology leaders, including Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), tech visionaries, security experts, and innovation pioneers who share a united goal of shaping the future of technology and driving transformative progress across industries.
In her remarks at the event, Kemi Ariyo also emphasised the importance of professional honours in encouraging innovation across the industry, stating, “Awards like these are a motivation to keep contributing meaningfully to the industry and to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and telecommunications.”
These achievements reflect the brand’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and setting new benchmarks in the telecommunications industry.
Telecom
TD Africa and Huawei Join Forces to Empower KOMU Students with ICT Skills
In a significant stride towards empowering students with the requisite skills to thrive in the global technological landscape, TD Africa has formed an alliance with global ICT leader, Huawei, to establish an Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) hub at Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Owerri.
During the official launch of the ICT Academy held in Owerri, the Vice Chancellor of KOMU, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, expressed optimism about the transformative impact the ICT hub would have on the university. He stated that the academy would promote tech excellence and foster self-reliance among students.
Representing the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Governance, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering digital literacy.
He noted that the ICT Academy aligns perfectly with the vision of building a digital city in the state, equipping students with essential skills for the global tech workforce.
Chioma Chimere, the Coordinating Managing Director of TD Africa, underscored the growing importance of digital literacy. She encouraged the students to take advantage of the ICT Academy, which opens a new avenue of knowledge that will distinguish them in the digital space.
Huawei’s representative, Gari Li, urged the students to seize the opportunity provided by TD Africa and Huawei to develop their digital skills.
He emphasized the role of ICT in shaping the 21st century, stating that the ICT Academy offers hands-on experience and knowledge essential for thriving in the modern technological era.
As technology continues to drive progress in the 21st century, TD Africa reaffirms its commitment to empowering youth continent-wide, fostering self-reliance, and preparing them for success in the digital economy.
Telecom
NITDA Urges NYSC Members to Champion Digital Literacy for Nigeria’s Future
In a decisive move toward bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and fostering an inclusive digital economy, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who are serving as Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Initiative champions to double their efforts in training and sensitising Nigerians on the transformative potential of digital literacy in shaping Nigeria’s future.
The gathering, which is one of the flagship programmes under NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), focusing on grassroots engagement, and seeks to provide underserved communities with essential digital knowledge, empowering individuals to access opportunities in an increasingly digitally-driven world.
In his keynote address, Inuwa said, “you are the ambassadors of our shared vision to empower every Nigerian with the knowledge needed to navigate and excel in the digital economy. Your dedication and resilience will ensure that no Nigerian is left behind as we build a technologically driven, globally competitive economy.”
While reminding the champions of their critical role in actualising NITDA’s ambition to achieve short-term target of 70% digital literacy by 2027, and 95% by 2030, Inuwa emphasised that the goal inspire confidence, build capacity, and pave the way for a digitally inclusive society.
He added that the DL4ALL initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises innovation-driven economic growth, youth empowerment, and national prosperity.
Inuwa emphasised the far-reaching impact of the initiative, noting “this programme is not just an investment in individuals; it is an investment in our collective future.
“A digitally skilled workforce will not only transform our economy but also position Nigeria as a leader in the global knowledge economy.”
“Through your efforts, we will empower millions of Nigerians to unlock their potential, embrace innovation, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“This is our collective responsibility. The digital future we envision for Nigeria begins with the work you will do in your communities. Let us commit ourselves to this cause, knowing that the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest of opportunities for generations to come,” he added.
He affirmed NITDA’s commitment to leading Nigeria’s digital transformation and fostering a future where no citizen is left behind.
The Director General’s remarks were met with enthusiasm by the champions, who expressed their readiness to serve as change agents in their assigned communities. For many, the initiative represents an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives while gaining experience in leadership and community engagement.
As the champions prepare for deployment to various communities across Nigeria, their responsibilities are to impart knowledge, sensitise communities about the benefits of digital skills in everyday life, including financial inclusion through digital banking, leveraging e-commerce platforms for small businesses, and understanding cybersecurity essentials to navigate the digital space safely.
The Digital Literacy for All initiative is a movement that embodies the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility. It brings together key stakeholders, including NITDA, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the NYSC, and other strategic partners, all working towards the shared goal of fostering digital inclusion.
As part of the initiative, champions received intensive training to prepare them for the field. This training includes hands-on workshops on digital tools, effective communication strategies for engaging diverse audiences, and techniques for tailoring content to meet the specific needs of different communities.
As these champions embark on their journey, their efforts are expected to create a ripple effect that will transform lives and communities across Nigeria.
Telecom
Multiple Taxes, RoW Challenges Hurting Telecom Sector – ATCON
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised alarm over persistent challenges threatening the telecom industry’s growth and sustainability.
The association highlighted multiple taxation, Right of Way (RoW) bottlenecks, and infrastructure vandalism as major impediments to the sector’s progress.
Mr. Tony Emoekpere, president of the association, speaking during ATCON’s 31st-anniversary celebration in Lagos at the weekend, called for urgent action to address these issues, emphasizing their critical impact on Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.
Mr. Emoekpere outlined the following obstacles: The telecom sector is burdened with excessive and overlapping taxes levied by federal, state, and local governments, creating a hostile business environment that discourages investment and innovation.
Lengthy and costly processes for obtaining RoW permissions delay infrastructure expansion, hindering broadband rollout and network upgrades.
Frequent attacks on critical assets like fiber cables and base stations cause financial losses, disrupt services, and negatively impact both operators and consumers.
To overcome these challenges, Emoekpere advocated for collaborative efforts between government agencies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. He proposed:
Harmonized Taxation Policies: To reduce redundancies and attract more investments.
Streamlined Right-of-Way Approvals: To accelerate the deployment of infrastructure.
Enhanced Security Measures: To safeguard telecom infrastructure from vandalism.
“These challenges require immediate attention and collective action. Only through unified efforts can we create an enabling environment for telecommunications to thrive and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy,” Emoekpere stated.
He also emphasized the immense potential of emerging technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), which present unprecedented opportunities for the sector. However, he warned that foundational issues must be resolved to fully harness their benefits.
“The Nigerian telecom industry is at a critical crossroads. We must address these systemic challenges to unlock the full potential of telecommunications and transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy in Africa,” Emoekpere concluded.
The continued development of the telecom sector, he added, is vital not only to the industry but also to the broader goal of positioning Nigeria as a digital leader on the continent.
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