Telecom
FG Awards over N85Bn Census Contract to Zinox Technologies
Federal Government through the National Population Commission (NPC) has signed a landmark deal with Nigeria’s leading integrated technology brand, Zinox, for the supply of the tech components and other accessories for the 2023 national census project, further justifying President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment on local content promotion.
Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh (right) handing over a sample of the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device for the 2023 census to the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Nasir Kwarra during a briefing in Lagos at the weekend
The contract, worth over N85bn, was recently awarded to Zinox after ratification by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Zinox, which has already commenced supply of the first batch of about 100,000 units of the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) devices required for the nationwide enumeration, emerged the undisputed and preferred technical partners for the exercise after scaling a rigorous bid process involving other local and international competitors.
Feelers from senior sources at the Presidency and within the NPC indicate that Zinox stood out in the intense series of background checks conducted to affirm the capacity, experience, integrity and ethical standing of the bidders, with the technology giant also meeting the rating as an indigenous technology powerhouse with global connections which has consistently enjoyed the confidence of leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other tech heavyweights the world over.
This, it was learnt, earned it an overwhelming endorsement by the Federal Government for the project. Also, to its credit is the fact that it was Zinox that rescued the nation’s voter registration exercise in 2006 and 2010 when big foreign tech companies contracted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not deliver as scheduled.
Zinox used its Z-Pad smart device to lay the foundation for Nigeria’s digital democracy upon which INEC is building on today. The smooth execution of the over $200m INEC contract in 2010 added impetus to the profile of Zinox as a strong indigenous company with capacity and competence.
Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group, said that the company had built a system of integrity and a record of excellence, both in Nigeria and internationally. Further, Ekeh noted that until there was a credible data census figure, the country cannot plan well.
Also, Mrs. Kelechi Okonta, Managing Director, Zinox Technologies, said: “It is a privilege for the Federal Government to consider us among many other companies in the world. They know we have the capacity. We are deploying all our resources to make sure it is successful.”
The 2023 census, scheduled to hold between March and April, will be the fifth to be conducted by the Nigerian government since independence in 1960 and it is coming 17 years since the last edition which was held in 2006 under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
President Buhari, who has not hidden his desire to bequeath to the next administration a useful, reliable and credible databank which captures Nigeria’s salient socio-economic and demographic information to underpin proper national planning, has thrown his weight behind efforts by the NPC to ensure a successful exercise. To this end, Zinox on Friday, February 3, 2023 hosted a high-powered delegation of commissioners and management team of the NPC led by the Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, where the first 100,00 units of the digital devices were presented to the commission.
It could be recalled that Zinox introduced automation of Nigerian elections, first with the introduction of the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines which helped to clean up the nation’s voter register and later the card reader which enhanced credibility of elections in Nigeria in recent years.
Zinox had also executed major projects offshore in Guinea Bissau, The Gambia and the Arab nations through partnerships.
The handover ceremony which was held in one of Zinox’s massive warehousing facilities in Lagos, saw the cutting-edge features of the PDAs unveiled to a mixed audience, including representatives of the NPC and sections of the media. Encrypted with census questionnaire and maps to direct enumerators to assigned enumeration areas, the devices were hailed as key components in the conduct of an exercise that would not only meet global standards but equally ensure accuracy of data collected.
The NPC Chairman noted that the 2023 census would signal a new dawn in housing and human headcount in Nigeria as there would be no over-counting or under-counting, adding that the devices, when commissioned with the forms, maps and other digital enhancements, would ensure that enumerators are unable to go beyond the areas assigned to them. In addition, he commended Zinox for the dedication, commitment and huge capacity displayed in the way it has commenced execution of the contract.
He noted that the software (App) that would be deployed to enable and activate the PDAs was locally developed, thus fulfilling President Buhari’s Executive Order on local content, as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) regulation on Local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the procurement of the PDA devices.
The NPC Chairman said: “With all enhancement that the National Population Commission is provisioning the devices with, e.g, the Mobile Device Management, we can monitor the enumerators on the field and ensure that the data provided by Nigerians are secured and well managed for their privacy.
‘‘The geospatial resources that NPC has acquired will be deployed on the devices. This will ensure that all Nigerians are counted where they are and live. We will also be able to collect statistics on housing type and characteristics for better physical and social planning by government for the nation.
‘‘The homeless will be counted, tied to their usual place of abode, referenced with geo-coordinates; the Special Population: nomads, migrants, people in transit, etc, will be counted with geo-reference to where they are found at the time of the Census. Everyone will be counted because all Nigerians count,” he noted.
Keystone Bank has brought a motion seeking to be joined as a party to the suit over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service (EMTS), which is the holder and operator of 9Mobile Telecommunication licence.
The messy turnaround came as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja resumed hearing in the suit.
At the hearing, Keystone Bank, brought a motion seeking to be joined as a party to the suite, a proposed statement of defence and counter-claim which discloses triable issues and also demonstrates applicant’s interest in the subject of this suit.
The bank in its counter-claim is seeking among other reliefs that the resolution of the 5th defendant passed on December 7, 2023, increasing the share capital of the 6th defendant to counter-claim from N90, 000,000 to N2, 000,000,000 and reducing the 3rd defendant’s percentage stake/interest/shareholding in the 6th defendant to counter-claim to approximately 4.5 percent is null and void.
Abubakar Funtua, the plaintiff, had dragged General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and his company LH Telecommunication Limited, as well as the other defendants to court over the ownership and control of EMTS trading under the name of 9Mobile.
The other Defendants are Seltrix Limited (sued as the 1st defendant), the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Hayatu Hassan Hadeija, Teleology Nigerian Limited and one Mohammed Edewor, a Director in Teleology Nigeria Limited.
At the resumed hearing in the case, parties were confronted with a motion by Keystone Bank seeking to be joined as a party to the suit with a statement of defence, counter-claim and allegation of fraud against some parties in the suit No. /ABJ/CS/1971/2024.
The motion states among other things that: “The applicant, Keystone Bank, also intends to present a counter-claim and has prepared a proposed statement of defence and counter-claim which discloses triable and fecund issues and also demonstrates applicant’s interest in the subject of this suit.
“The case of the applicant, is that the resolution passed by the 3rd defendant on May 9, 2023, approving the change of control/ownership of the 5th defendant from the 3rd defendant to the 8th defendant, in violation of the facilities agreements (Deed of Share charge) between the applicant and 3rd defendant, and the orders of the court made on February 20, 2023, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/297/2023 is illegal, null and void.
“The case of the applicant, as set out in the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim, is that the resolution passed by the 3rd defendant on May 9, 2023, approving the change of control/ownership of the 5th defendant from the 3rd defendant to the 8th defendant, in violation of the facilities agreements (Deed of Share charge) between the applicant and 3rd defendant, and the orders of the court made on February 20, 2023, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/297/2023 is illegal, null and void.
“The applicant also asserts in the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim that the resolution of the 5th defendant passed on December 7, 2023, increasing the share capital of the 6th defendant to counterclaim from N90,000,000 to N2,000,000,000 and reducing the 3rd defendant’s percentage stake/interest/shareholding in the 6th defendant to counterclaim to approximately 4.5 perceent is null and void.
“The applicant intends to seek the following reliefs, endorsed on the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim, at the hearing of the case: “A declaration that the 1st defendant to counterclaim is not a shareholder, either directly or indirectly, of the 6th defendant to counterclaim.
MTN Nigeria’s Go Make A Difference (Go MAD) campaign brought its message of innovation and empowerment to Aba, the renowned hub of enterprise, on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
L-R: Joseph Ogbuka, Manager, Go-To-Market, MTN Nigeria; Micheal Chinedum Ogbonna, CEO, Mua Couture; Dr. Precious Uche, CEO, Tonatel Beauty & Spa and MacDaniels Enwemuche, Regional Manager, Sales & Trade Development, MTN Nigeria at the Go MAD regional activation at Sugarland, Luxury City Hotels, Aba on Sunday March 23, 2025.
The event, held at Sugarland, Luxury City Hotel, celebrated local creativity and resilience while encouraging Nigerians to take bold steps toward transforming their communities.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria had earlier the inspiration behind the Go M.A.D initiative. “The Go M.A.D. campaign is rooted in the belief that MTN data gives you the power to take on the world, to achieve the extraordinary, and to make a meaningful difference, in your community, your family, and your workplace.”
The campaign has already made stops in cities like Abuja, Enugu, Calabar, Ibadan, and Benin, showcasing changemakers who embody the spirit of progress. In his opening remarks, MacDaniels Enwemuche, Regional Manager, Sales & Trade Development at MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of resilience during challenging times. He stated: “MTN is here to remind us that every great achievement starts small. We’re providing a platform for Nigerians to showcase their skills and products, not just locally but globally, removing limitations and amplifying their impact.”
Describing Aba as Nigeria’s “Silicon Valley”, Enwemuche explained the need to activate this campaign in Aba, due to the city’s industrious spirit and alignment with the Go MAD philosophy: “Aba is already making a difference. Every person — doctor, teacher, shoemaker — has a role to play in our ecosystem. Do it well.”
The event featured inspiring stories from local changemakers. Like chessmaster Tunde Onakoya, the campaign’s ambassador, these stories reflected how small steps can lead to global impact. Onakoya rose from humble beginnings to become a Guinness World Record holder for the longest chess marathon. His journey exemplifies the transformative power of determination and digital connectivity.
Local talents also took centre stage in a vibrant showcase. A body painter, tailor, and mechanical engineer demonstrated their crafts live, while fashion designer Prinna Nnanna unveiled an athleisure line sewn overnight and modelled on-site.
The Icons of Impact session highlighted changemakers using MTN data to drive social change. Dr. Precious Uche, CEO of Tonatel Beauty and Spa, shared her mission to redefine beauty standards:
“My business fights bleaching and promotes ‘black is beautiful.’ MTN data has helped me spread this message across Owerri and Aba.”
Fashion entrepreneur Michael Chinedu Ogbonna, CEO of Mua Couture, discussed how digital tools have expanded his reach: “The internet has made the world a global village. I now create clothes for clients in Malaysia, the US, and Canada — all thanks to data.”
Through storytelling, cultural showcases, and real-life examples, the Go MAD Aba activation reminded attendees that even small acts of courage can spark significant change. The campaign continues to celebrate resilience and innovation across Nigeria while empowering communities with digital tools.
With upcoming activations planned for cities like Jos, Lagos, and Kano, MTN remains committed to inspiring Nigerians to make a difference, one bold step at a time.
Ayotunde Coker, chief executive officer of OpenAccess Data Centre has described Open Access fabric, the company’s Africa-led interconnection platform as key driver of a digital economy, offering a range of virtual connectivity services from Open Access Data Centres (OADC) facilities.
Empowered by West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), extensive digital backbone, OAfabric offers enterprises and service providers access to diverse digital ecosystems, supporting user-to-service, user-to-user and site-to-site connectivity.
Coker stated this during a tour of Open Access Data Centre facility in Lagos by some journalists recently.
According to him, “designed as a future-ready foundation, OAfabric unites cloud and local connectivity with OADC’s market-leading colocation solutions, establishing an innovative, scalable African infrastructure platform that addresses both local and global digital transformation demands.
“OA fabric offers a reliable, adaptable interconnection platform to support Africa’s growing digital needs and hybrid infrastructures for local and global providers
“Enabling secure, direct cloud connections, OA fabric supports data sovereignty and fosters local provider growth, OA fabric provides IX peering, virtual interconnection, and tailored IP services for Africa’s digital landscape.
“It’s not about a particular service provider, it’s about everybody. Once you have a network and you are able to route traffic, even if you are not live yet, and you are hoping to come in the future, we are waiting for you to come on board. So, that platform converges everybody.
“With Open Access fabric, everyone is expected to interconnect. You are collaborating with the government. You are collaborating with the banks. We are collaborating with all these guys to interconnect everyone, Microsoft, Google, all the cloud companies connect into it, because we already have the connectivity business”.
He noted that, “Through OA fabric, all the other connectivity providers have access to any content on OA fabric, so SMB, SMEs, MSMEs, who probably doesn’t have a registered business, but on social media, selling clothes and things like that, can have cost effective access to resources on the internet.
Speaking on Metro fiber project which OADC is partnering with WBT, Coker explained that they have covered over 5 million homes in Lagos. “The job of the Internet Service Provider or MNO in the project is to maintain relationship with the residents of that area, make sure that the infrastructure is secured”.
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