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Cloud Computing: Important in Fostering Digital Economy Growth – DG NITDA

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Cloud Computing has been referred as the essential way of delivering services especially in database, networking, artificial intelligence and analytics over the internet, to offer faster innovations, flexible resources, reduced IT costs and better security.

Mallam Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),

This was according to the statement by the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), while making his keynote address at a Webinar organised by Galaxy Backbone, in collaboration with Zadara, a cloud computing company base in California, United States of America.
Mallam Abdullahi expressed his excitement at the theme of the event; ‘Cloud Services and the Journey Towards a Digital Economy’.
He averred that the COVID-19 pandemic has globally accelerated digital transformation.
He said, “According to McKinsey’s survey, the pandemic has accelerated the digitization of customer interactions by several years, with a global adoption acceleration of three years.”
Abdullahi stated that in March 2020, the virus took the world off the streets and forced everyone to make use of their phones and other devices for work, education, entertainment and socialization.
The NITDA boss added that demand for online services during this period skyrocketed and cloud computing played a crucial role in migrating processes online quickly, easily, efficiently and conveniently.
He opined that it was at this point that working remotely, adopting technological innovation ecosystem strategies to contain the virus, protect jobs and observing virtual engagements in government circles has become the new normal.
He further explained that, according to data from Gartner, in 2020, the combined end-user spending on cloud services was about $270 billion and is expected to increase by 23.1 percent this year to reach $332.3 billion and $397.5 billion by next year, 2022.
“With respect to this, it is therefore necessary for the adoption and implementation of cloud computing in enhancing existing business models and deploying new innovative procedures”, he added.
The Director General further expressed his pleasure at the efforts of Galaxy Backbone in providing reliable, efficient, and robust cloud services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the private sector in Nigeria. This effort, he said, will accelerate the Nation’s journey to the digital economy and create opportunities for growth in the digital economy.
He asserted that, in Nigeria, private and public sectors have made tremendous progress in cloud computing adoption.
He also expressed his delight at the partnership between Galaxy Backbone and Zadara which was borne out of the implementation of the National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy by NITDA under the exemplary stewardship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
“At the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), we will align the implementation of the Nigeria Cloud Computing Policy (NCCP) and the Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT to support this partnership”, the DG disclosed.
The Policy will encourage a cloud-first strategy in government with goals which are set to ensure a significant increase in the adoption of Cloud Computing among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by 2024, Kashifu asserted.
He also urged both Galaxy Backbone and Zadara to explore more opportunities while laying emphasis that many promising trends to watch this year include hybrid cloud, distributed cloud, serverless computing, cloud-based disaster recovery, platform as a service, and edge computing.
“Also, don’t forget that the golden rule in business is customer-centricity; your service quality and customer loyalty are critical to your success. As a regulator, we must protect you and your customers.
“Therefore, I will advise you to constantly meet your Service Level Agreements (SLA) with your customers and by so doing, earn their loyalty”, the DG concluded.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Muhammad Bello Abubakar in his earlier remark stated that Galaxy Backbone over the years have invested a lot in building a digital technology service infrastructure adaptable to the changes around.
He said they have evolved and re-engineered their operation to deliver a more efficient service in terms of connecting all the 36 states of the country.
The MD stated that the partnership is mainly on cloud computing with infrastructure and storage as services which are leveraging on data domestication and sovereignty.
He gave assurance that through the partnership with Zadara, they will deliver on cloud service needs.

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Lebara Nigeria, MVNO Oils Machine for Q3 Launch with Personalized Number Reservations

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Lebara Nigeria is building excitement for its upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) launch, giving customers a chance to secure a personalized piece of their mobile identity.

Lebara Nigeria, MVNO Oils Machine for Q3 Launch with Personalized Number Reservations

The company has opened a Number Reservation Portal, allowing users to reserve their preferred mobile numbers before the official service goes live in the third quarter of 2025.

This strategic move is all about giving customers a sense of ownership from day one. Using the carrier’s 0724 prefix, users can choose a number that’s meaningful to them, whether it’s a birthday, a lucky number, or an easy-to-remember pattern.

The reservation process is straightforward. Users must be at least 13 years old and provide a few basic details to get a one-time password via email.

Once verified, they’ll need to enter their National Identification Number (NIN), which the system uses to confirm personal information.

After this, a list of available numbers appears, and a final confirmation email completes the reservation.

Lebara, a London-based global MVNO, according to yozzo.com,  is no stranger to the telecom world, with a strong presence as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) across Europe and other regions.

Its entry into Nigeria is a calculated move to carve out a space in the highly competitive market.

By allowing customers to pick their numbers early, Lebara hopes to build loyalty and highlight its customer-first philosophy.

The company plans to operate a lean, technology-driven model by leveraging existing network infrastructure, which will help keep costs low and make its pricing competitive.

At launch, Lebara will offer nationwide coverage, a dedicated 0724 number series, and both SIM and eSIM options.

Beyond traditional connectivity, Lebara is also partnering with local government and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to launch public Wi-Fi hubs and promote digital inclusion for creators and underserved communities.

The core of its proposition is affordability, transparent billing, and a strong customer service model designed to challenge established players.

Lebara’s entry won’t be without its challenges.

It will face off against many other competitors in Nigeria’s emerging MVNO space.

This wave of new entrants comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued 46 MVNO licenses, with many of the licensees expected to have already launched.

Despite this, the local media’s focus has largely been on only a couple of them, Vitel and now Lebara.


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Why Half of MVNOs in Nigeria May Collapse- Experts

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Telecoms stakeholders have cautioned that many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria could struggle to survive unless they address infrastructure gaps, target niche markets, and adapt to local realities.

Why Half of MVNOs in Nigeria May Collapse- Experts

The warning came during the sixth edition of the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum, organised by Business Remarks in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the stakeholders, securing a license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is not enough to ensure survival in a market dominated by major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, and Glo.

Chidi Ajuzie, director of USK Mobile, highlighted the stark reality facing MVNOs, noting that none of the over 40 licensed operators have fully launched services.

“Licenses are not cash cows. Too many people think that once you get a license, the money will start rolling in. The truth is, you must build infrastructure, study the market, and create services that meet consumer needs. Without that, many MVNOs will die out quickly,” Ajuzie said.

Ajuzie pointed out that smaller operators, particularly those in Tier 4 and Tier 5 categories, face significant financial hurdles in building their own infrastructure to support capacity.

However, he sees this as an opportunity for innovation, urging MVNOs to target niche markets such as youth, migrant workers, or fintech services, as seen in successful models in South Africa and India.

“Half of us may launch, but only those with clear strategies will survive,” he warned, predicting mergers and consolidations in the coming years.

Tony Emoekpere, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), echoed Ajuzie’s concerns, stressing that market differentiation is critical for MVNO survival.

“The MNOs already provide enterprise services, internet, and fintech. MVNOs must find gaps and focus on those,” Emoekpere said.

He cited Kenya’s M-Pesa, which revolutionized payments by targeting rural and low-income users, as a model for local innovation.

Emoekpere suggested that MVNOs could capitalize on Nigeria’s underserved rural areas, where millions lack access to reliable telecom and financial services. “Something as simple as a low-data package for POS machines in rural areas could be a game-changer,” he added.

Olusola Teniola, director, IPNX, cautioned against adopting foreign business models without considering Nigeria’s unique environment. “In some villages, people still travel by canoe or horse for hours to access basic services. If your business model doesn’t account for that, it will fail,” Teniola said.

He urged MVNOs to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, where millions lack basic connectivity, rather than competing for urban smartphone users.

Teniola also warned that failure to strengthen indigenous companies could lead to more profits leaving Nigeria through foreign-owned operators, emphasizing the need for policies to protect data sovereignty and foster local innovation.

The stakeholders said while MVNOs have the potential to expand Nigeria’s telecom sector and increase consumer choice, their survival hinges on strategic planning, niche targeting, and a focus on rural connectivity.

Without urgent action to address infrastructure challenges and adapt to local needs, many MVNOs risk disappearing before they can establish a foothold in Nigeria’s competitive telecom landscape.

 

 

 

 


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NCC Claims Nigeria’s Telecom Tariffs among Cheapest despite 50 Percent Hike

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended the recent upward review of telecom tariffs, insisting that Nigeria’s rates remain among the cheapest in the world due to strong industry competition.

NCC Claims Nigeria’s Telecom Tariffs among Cheapest despite 50 Percent Hike

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja recently, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that despite a 50% hike in tariffs, call rates have only moved from ₦15 per minute in the early 2000s to about ₦18–₦19 per minute today.

“Even with the increase, not all operators adjusted their tariffs. Some are still undercutting others. That is competition at work,” Maida explained.

He assured that the commission will continue to strengthen regulations to encourage competitiveness and transparency.

According to him, NCC is adopting an information disclosure strategy to enable consumers to make informed choices.

Maida also cautioned Nigerians against relying on Truecaller for identity verification, stressing that it is not linked to Nigeria’s SIM registration database and often provides misleading results.

He noted that while all SIMs in use are registered, some individuals deliberately use proxies, including domestic staff, to register SIMs an act he described as a crime.

The NCC boss disclosed that in September, the commission will launch a coverage and tariff map to help subscribers compare network quality and pricing across operators.

He further revealed plans for spectrum trades and leases to optimise usage and improve service delivery, adding that most Nigerian phones already support 4G, which remains the “sweet spot” for mobile broadband.

Maida emphasised the need for fresh capital and stronger corporate governance within the sector to sustain growth, enhance service quality, and strengthen national security.


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