Telecom
Digital Inclusion: NITDA Begins ICT Training for PLWD in Enugu
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Tuesday said it is consolidating on digital inclusion and has commenced the ICT training for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in Enugu State.
The five-day programme which started on Monday, had its theme as “Training in IT and Entrepreneurship”, and is aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship skills,creating desired social and economic outcomes by facilitating innovative, technology-driven economic growth among PLWD.
Mr Kashifu Inuwa, director-general (D-G) of NITDA, represented by Dr Collins Agu, director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, said training PLWD in ICT skills is important so they could be at par with technology trends.
Inuwa said that the training, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) and implemented by NITDA, is to empower PLWD through investments in ICT infrastructure, policies and solutions with the aim of enabling them live productive lives as well as give them a sense of inclusion in the IT ecosystem.
“We are training people with disabilities to build their capacities, make them employable and self-reliant in order to have effective economic independence in pursing their livelihoods.
“The training will boost participants’ digital literacy and proficiency so as will efficiently participate in the fast-growing digital economy and entrepreneur ecosystem,” he said.
He further said that the programme is in line with the vision of the Federal government, which is to empower the entire citizenry with Information Technologies through the development of a critical mass of IT proficient and globally-competitive manpower.
He expressed delight at the theme of the programme, saying it signifies the need to leverage on entrepreneurial technologies and job creation, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
The D-G recalled that the FMCDE’s roadmap pledges to leave no one behind, adding that it is critical to ensure the full and equitable participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of the society, particularly in the ICT ecosystem.
He said the NITDA had, through the initiative, trained over 175 persons across the country, thereby creating over 1,000 jobs in a train-the-trainer approach.
Inuwa said that over time, PLWD experienced discrimination in the society which consequently had effects on their social and economic dispositions.
He, however, promised that the training programme will potentially make significant improvements in their lives.
“It will, no doubt, give them opportunities to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in the society while expanding the scope of opportunities available to them.”
He urged the participants to take their training seriously and make the best use of it to promote innovation, wealth for a sustainable national growth and development.
Earlier, the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, said the unemployment rate caused by post COVID-19 pandemic had prompted the state government to take proactive steps in ensuring that youths of the state leverage on the new entrepreneurial and economic opportunities associated with digital economy.
Represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Obi Kama, the governor said the state established the Enugu State Technology Hub and Youth Innovation Centre to improve digital skills.
“It is necessary to empower PLWD in the New Normal situation through capacity building programmes on ICT which will accelerate their opportunities in tapping into the endless possibilities unlocked by digitalisation.”
He said the state government will like to partner with the NITDA by making available an office space for the agency to set up its South-East zonal office for the integration of digital skills in the area.
(NAN)
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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