Telecom
Ajayi Leads New ATCON Executives
Lanre Ajayi, chief executive officer of Pinet Informatics Limited has been re-elected as the national president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).
His re- election took place on May 13, 2014 at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.
He was declared duly elected by the Electoral Committee which had Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, chief executive officer at Teledom International Limited as chairperson and Olude Ajibola, executive secretary of ATCON.
Others also duly elected along with Ajayi to pilot the affairs of the Association from May 2014 to April 2016 include Mr. Teniola Olusola, chief executive officer, IS-Internet Solutions Limited as 1st Vice President; Engr.
Anthony Nwosu, MD/CEO of Global Access Technologies Limited as 2nd Vice President and Mr. David Roberts, MD/CEO of Cebit Park Limited as National Secretary.
Other members of the newly elected NEC are Mrs. Aderonke Adeyegbe, MD/CEO of Commercio Ltd as Treasurer; Mr. Adegboyega Ojuri MD/CEO of Junisat Ltd as Coordinator, Internet Service Providers.
The constitution of the Association empowers the President and other elected NEC members to fill vacant positions in the NEC.
In his acceptance speech, Lanre Ajayi said he was humbled by his re-election to pilot the affairs of the Association for another two year.
He pledged to double his efforts in ensuring that the right enabling environment is created for further growth of the telecom industry in Nigeria.
He promised to ensure that ATCON continues to be a relevant and recognizable voice in the Nigerian Telecommunications space.
Picture: A cross section of new ATCON executives
With progress made in accelerating financial inclusion to unbanked and underbanked communities in Nigeria, the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited (SANEF) has posited Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next step to advancement in financial services in the country.
Speaking at the just concluded Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 2.0), Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, md/ceo, SANEF Limited, noted that as technology evolves rapidly within the financial ecosystem, Financial Inclusion must continue to be at the center of the nation’s progress.
According to her, agent banking has been a game-changer in expanding financial inclusion across Nigeria. “By deploying agents in underserved areas, we have brought financial services and banking products such as account opening, cash in, cash out, bill payment, transfers and other services closer to the unbanked and underserved.”
With the Agent Banking model, SANEF has bridged critical gaps by reducing the need for long queues in physical bank branches, allowing individuals in the hinterland areas to access banking services without traveling long distances. Additionally, agents often communicate in local languages, making transactions easier for those with limited literacy, while reducing reliance on complex documentation. This has remained a critical and important elixir in Financial Inclusion.
She however noted that AI presents a huge opportunity to align with global trends in pushing financial inclusion further and faster.
“It is no gainsaying that, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is transforming the financial services industry at an unprecedented pace, reshaping how businesses interact with customers, manage risks, and expand financial inclusion. It has become the invisible engine driving the modernization of financial products and services. It is no longer a futuristic concept; it is at work right now all over the world, powering mobile banking apps, automating customer service, detecting fraud and enabling instant lending decisions.
In Nigeria, where millions remain unbanked and underbanked, Artificial Intelligence presents a game-changing opportunity to bridge financial gaps, enhance accessibility, and improve the overall efficiency of the financial ecosystem.”
She disclosed that the application of AI in the system will among other things, help to:
Ø Minimize KYC Roadblocks
Ø Detect Fraud and Flag Suspicious activities in real-time thus enhancing greater trust in digital payments and solutions
Ø Personalize and Tailor Financial products and services according to customers’ specific needs, amongst other key benefits and advantages.
While highlighting the benefits of AI in the ecosystem, Mrs. Uzoebo noted that stakeholders must work towards guaranteeing that our Artificial Intelligence systems respect individual privacy, maintain equitable standards for all, remain transparent in their operations, and elicit trust.
“The use of Artificial Intelligence in payment solutions and within the broader financial inclusion industry must comply with existing regulatory frameworks such as; Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Consumer Protection Framework; Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and National Information Technology Development Agency’s Data Protection Regulation (NDPR),” she cautioned.
SANEF, whose mission is to deepen financial inclusion through partnerships and collaborations, is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), supported by the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) and Licensed Super-Agents, and was incorporated in 2019.
SANEF serves as an enabler in the Financial Inclusion ecosystem in Nigeria, collaborating with various Stakeholders to expand the frontiers of Financial Inclusion which includes Agent Expansion, Financial Literacy, Public Enlightenment, Policy Advocacy and Technological Solutions for Products and Services to increase Agent Business viability and Agent Network sustainability.
MTN Nigeria has announced the rescheduling of the MTN Champs Grand Finale to honour the legacy of its founding Chairman, Mr. Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who passed away on April 8, 2025.
The Grand Finale, which was originally scheduled to hold from April 30 to May 3, will now take place from May 6 to 9, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Dozie was a visionary leader whose pioneering role laid the foundation for what MTN has become today. For 18 years, from 2001 to 2019, he served as Chairman, leading with strength and conviction.
As one of Nigeria’s most respected businessmen and a champion of private sector development, he played a vital role in securing the GSM licence that launched MTN’s operations in Nigeria. His legacy continues to shape the company’s values and commitment to nation-building.
In a statement released earlier by the company, MTN Nigeria expressed deep sadness over his passing and extended heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
“His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come,” said Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria.
The MTN Champs initiative, launched in 2023, with the aim of building future olympians for Nigeria. It is MTN Nigeria’s bold commitment to discovering and nurturing the next generation of track and field athletes across the country.
Following regional competitions in cities such as Benin and Lagos, the Grand Finale in Uyo will bring together the most promising young talents from across Nigeria.
The new date allows athletes, fans, and partners alike to honour the memory of Mr. Dozie while continuing the spirit of excellence and youth development that he championed.
As the country and the MTN brand continue to mourn the loss of a trailblazer, MTN Nigeria remains steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation, on and off the track.
European Commission has imposed landmark fines on tech giants Apple and Meta in the first enforcement actions under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new regulatory framework designed to enhance consumer choice and ensure fair competition in the digital economy.
Apple was fined €500 million (£428.3 million) for restricting app developers from guiding users to alternative purchasing options outside its App Store, a practice the commission said limited access to more affordable offers and stifled competition.
The commission has ordered Apple to amend its App Store policies by late June to comply with the DMA, warning that failure to do so could result in further daily penalties.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was fined €200 million (£171.3 million) over its ‘pay or consent’ model, which required European Union users to either pay for an ad-free experience or consent to personalised advertising.
The commission found that this model failed to offer users a genuine choice and violated rules governing data processing and user consent. Meta’s revisions to this model, made in November 2024, are currently under review by the EU.
Both companies have pushed back against the commission’s decisions. Apple announced plans to appeal, stating that the ruling was unjust and detrimental to user privacy and security. “Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free,” the company said.
Meta also criticised the EU’s approach, claiming that it imposes undue burdens on successful American companies while allowing competitors from China and Europe to operate under different standards. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, said, “This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service.”
The fines are part of a broader effort by the EU to clamp down on dominant digital platforms, known as ‘gatekeepers’, and ensure they do not abuse their market positions.
The commission has also concluded an investigation into Apple’s compliance with DMA rules on browsers and default apps, acknowledging changes that have opened up more space for competition.
However, Apple remains under scrutiny for its handling of alternative app marketplaces, which could attract additional penalties.
The enforcement measures may further strain transatlantic relations, with some in the United States, including former President Donald Trump’s administration, criticising the EU’s digital regulations as disproportionately targeting American firms.
Despite the pushback, the European Commission insists that the DMA is enforced impartially to safeguard consumer rights and foster a level playing field in the digital market.
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