Telecom
Anambra, Lagos Forge Partnership for Advancement in Information Technology
As part of efforts towards advancing Information and Technology (IT) development in Nigeria, Anambra and Lagos States have agreed to a collaborative partnership that will see to the strengthening of their respective IT ecosystems.
This collaborative effort which stemmed from bilateral meetings with the IT Ecosystem members during the Reverse Trade Mission in the United States of America, is geared towards addressing emerging challenges, fostering innovation, and enhancing the overall cybersecurity infrastructure.
This no doubt resonates with the Federal Government’s call, through the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at the recently concluded meeting of the Nigeria National Council of ICT Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for the digitalization of MDAs operations.
According to the Minister, there was a need for immediate provision of ICT Infrastructure that would aid data sharing among government agencies, which in turn, would not only aid proactiveness in the business of governance but would also block fraudulent activities, help improve Nigeria’s economy, and set government priorities right at all times.
The objectives and key highlights of the Anambra/Lagos partnership include Cybersecurity Collaboration, Protection of IT Assets, Cyber protection measures, and expansion of IT service platforms.
Both parties will implement new methods of cybersecurity to fortify IT infrastructure as well as Formulate strategies to comprehend and counter the evolving threat landscape in cyberspace.
Both states will also explore the Introduction of advanced cyber protection measures for safeguarding critical IT assets, familiarization with cutting-edge tools to mitigate and reduce cybercrime risks, and understanding new tools to enrich IT service platforms, including cloud solutions like AWS.
There is also the issue of aligning with digitization and customer service agenda, to enhance service delivery and developing initiatives for rapid onboarding of new skills in the IT sector as well as Upscaling the skill system to meet the evolving demands of the IT landscape. Both parties will equally seek joint efforts to bolster the pool of skilled professionals in the Information Technology sector.
Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership signifies a crucial step in fortifying our technological capabilities. By combining forces with Anambra State, we aim to create a resilient IT infrastructure that not only addresses current challenges but also anticipates and adapts to future advancements.”
MD/CEO of Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, believes, “Collaborating with Lagos State is an opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths and elevate our IT services market. Together, we can achieve technological excellence and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s digital transformation.”
This imminent partnership between Anambra and Lagos states is poised to make tangible strides in the Information Technology sector, setting a precedent for collaborative efforts in advancing the nation’s technological landscape.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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