Telecom
Data Centre Operators Canvass for More Players in Industry
Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), on Friday in Lagos, gathered Chief Executive Officers of leading Data Centre Service providers to a breakfast meeting, tagged: ‘Breakfast Meeting with The CEO,’ to discuss Data Centre Operation In Nigeria: Impacts, Benefits And Challenges In a Knowledge Economy.
The Data centre operators said that Nigeria need a minimum of 72 centres to boost connectivity and quality of service, according to them, the country’s data landscape needs more players for growth.
Gbenga Adegbiji, General Manager, MDXi Data Centre, Speaking at the event said that, a data economy would require adequate infrastructure.
He stated that, the country was low in the technology readiness infrastructure because it was not utilising technology well.
Adegbiji urged journalists to create more awareness on the importance of data domiciliation in the country, according to him, hosting of data outside exposes the country to risks.
He listed the advantages of data hosting in the country to include security, job creation and local content development.
Ezekiel Egboye, Director of Operations Rack Centre, while making his remarks, decried Nigeria’s inadequate technology infrastructure.
He stated that, the country would have to invest more in technology infrastructure for the centres to be among global players
Mr. Egboye, said, people processes and control are majorly the challenges on the data landscape in the country.
He noted that power is one of the areas they are working assiduously to mitigate completely; adding that by 2019 they will achieve Tier IV certified Data Centre in West Africa
Ike Nnamani, CEO Medallion Limited, Speaking at the event said that, Medallion is the product of structured collaboration between technocrats with versatile exposures and competences in the telecommunication industry.
He noted that, localization of content is better for end user experience and a big business for stakeholders and the country in general.
He decried that a country like Nigeria, there is no internet connectivity between Lagos and Kano, noting that data centres in Lagos are not enough to cover its data needs, he cited an example of Toronto, a city half the size of Lagos state but with over 50 Data Centre Operators.
Mr. Nnamani, added that more infrastructure is needed outside of Lagos also, adding that Nigeria needs a minimum of 72 data centres in order to boost connectivity and quality of service.
He stated that their goal for 2018 is to promote local content, broadband penetration, hosting and domiciliation of content; he believes that this will drive development of infrastructure in the country.
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
Toll Collection on Lagos-Calabar Highway Begins December
NGX Clears Fidelity Bank MD of Insider Trading Allegations
CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
Luft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline
Telecom2 days agoCelebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
E-Financial2 days agoPeter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank
E-Business2 days agoINEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System
Broadcasting2 days agoLuft Pay TV Launches in Lagos, Promises to Revolutionize Entertainment
E-Financial2 days agoFidelity Bank’s N10.5tr assets base reinforces stakeholders’ confidence -Insiders bid for more equity stakes
General News2 days agoOver 250,000 Cyberattacks Disguised as Anime – Report
E-Financial2 days agoPremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil