Telecom
COVID-19 Accelerates Digital Technology Adaptation – NITDA

The outbreak of COVID 19 has been described as one pandemic that has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in all sphere of life. Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency, has said.
The DG who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, acting director, Digital Economy Department, made this remarks in a lecture titled; “Implementing The National Digital Policy Economy for Digital Nigeria: Issues and Prospects”, for participants of Senior Executive Course 43 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategies, Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.
Abdullahi noted that; “the disruption to our daily lives, orchestrated by the pandemic, is repositioning the digital economy and giving it an edge over traditional economies.
Adding that despite the economic downturn, occasioned by the pandemic, most countries with viable digital economies witnessed growth.
He maintained that, for Nigeria to accelerate growth and modernize the economy there is a need to develop a strategy for digitally inclined growth for the nation’s economy.
He observed that digital technology based companies, such as; Google, Amazon, Zoom and others, recorded growth during the lockdown. “In Nigeria too, digital technology companies like; Flutterwave, Jumia, Buypower, etc., are all attestation to the potential growth of digital economy.
The DG, while describing digital economy as an engine for growth, said Nigeria can harness it as a driver for growth and innovation.
According to Mallam Abdullahi, African Union has launched Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) initiative which aimed at accelerating the economic growth of the continent.
He said, “The DE4A initiative recognizes that the digital economy can help to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Bank Group’s twin goals (Group, 2021).
“For Nigeria, a country in dire need to diversify its economy, digital economy activities are key for diversification because they transcend all aspect of human endeavour.” While citing an example, the DG noted that designing indigenous software to solve local economic problems with local content will expand knowledge and education, create jobs in the process, and deepen integration with the global economy,” he added.
According to him, many scholars have tried to come up with some guiding definitions on digital technology, and by extension digital economy, saying in this regards, that digital technologies are changing the world at a faster pace than previously experienced. Waves of technological innovation are re-shaping the world and introducing new business models to all sectors, among which is a rapid transformation that leads to the emergence of the digital economy.
He said, “Though there is no specific definition of Digital Economy, but the term was first coined in 1995 by Tapscott, saying digital economy is a kind of economy that focuses on digital technologies.
“It essentially covers all business, economic, socio-cultural activities that are supported by the web and other digital communication technologies. Digital economy is also referred to as Internet Economy, Web or New Economy.”
He further stated that digital economy is the economic activity that results from billions of everyday online connections among people, businesses, devices, data, and processes.
Adding that, the backbone of the digital economy is hyper-connectivity, which means the growing interconnectedness of people, organizations, and machines which is promoted by internet mobile technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Telecom
Lebara Nigeria, MVNO Oils Machine for Q3 Launch with Personalized Number Reservations

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.
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.
Telecom
Why Half of MVNOs in Nigeria May Collapse- Experts

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

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.
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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