Telecom
FG Commends Zinox Commitment to Local Content Adoption
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Director General of the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has hailed Zinox as an indigenous technology giant with the human capital potential and technological prowess to grow the adoption of local content in Nigeria.
Dr. Pantami, who paid a working visit to the headquarters of the company in Gbagada, Lagos on Friday November 16th 2018, expressed his delight with the massive infrastructure and technological facilities on display, noting that Zinox has the capacity to rival other global tech giants and extend its products and solutions beyond Nigeria to other markets.
Accompanying the DG was a technical entourage including Director e-Government Development and Regulatory, Dr. Vincent Olatunji; Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Usman GamboAbdulahi and National Coordinator – ONC, Barr. KasimShodangi.
Other members of the entourage include Mrs Chioma Oke-Agugo, Mr. Yusuf Yisa-Doko and two members of the media team.
Dr. Pantami said, “I am impressed with the huge capabilities, human and material resources and technological innovation available here in Zinox, which has remained an unassuming indigenous company that has recorded so many landmark strides in the Information and Communications Technology sector.”
“In addition to the excellent work done with INEC in improving the electoral process in Nigeria, we are also aware of the acceptance of Zinox products in other countries which they have been exported to and in major multinationals operating here such as Shell, Total, Chevron, among others.
“The Federal Government is eager to correct the imbalance in the consumption of local content by encouraging and supporting indigenous capacities in the IT sector.
“We are focused not only on increasing local content adoption but also ensuring that a major percentage of our indigenous technology software and products are exported to other African countries.
“Zinox possesses the resources, products, human capital and sheer equipment capacity to take the lead in this area.”
The NITDA DG who was led on a guided tour of the company by the Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group, witnessed first-hand the various infrastructure and facilities within the premises including the digital computer hardware manufacturing and assembly plant, telecoms e-Hub unit, Data Centre, bandwidth aggregation and digital security infrastructures, warehousing facilities as well as after-sales service and support centre, among others.
“From what I have seen today, I am confident that, given the right support from the government, Zinox can play a significant role in putting Nigeria on the global technology map.
“You can count on my support and that of the entire agency in this regard,” he enthused.
Also speaking, Ekeh who expressed appreciation to the NITDA helmsman for accommodating the visit within his busy schedule, disclosed that the Zinox Group remains the single largest 360 degrees ICT conglomerate in the sub-region with advanced competencies in the entire spectrum of the sector, ranging from hardware manufacturing, distribution, integrated ICT solutions, Telecoms, retail, world class support and much more with offices in many other countries and hubs in four continents.
He also reiterated the Group’s commitment to advancing local content adoption within Nigeria and beyond through the creative design and manufacture of digital products which anticipate the yearning and taste of the future consumer.
“We are an indigenous technology group that is absolutely committed to local content development and adoption.
“This has for several years informed our business practices as well as the design and manufacture of our products and solutions.
“While Zinox Technologies Ltd. as a company clocked 17 in October, the Group itself has been in the business of technology for over 32 years and not once have we embarked on retrenchments, even in the face of some of the difficult and challenging business cycles.
“Instead, we have taken the pains and even recently, increased staff salaries across board,” he disclosed.
The serial digital entrepreneur also seized the opportunity to plead for more institutional support and level playing ground for Nigerian tech companies.
“Government needs to come to the aid of tech companies in the country by giving them the wings to fly and achieve more through tax breaks or holidays and other incentives.
“The technology sector is one of the biggest employers of labour as entry requirements are not as stringent, when compared to other sectors.
“Presently, we face huge challenges in clearing our shipments and other technological components due to the heavy congestion at the ports.
“This has resulted in crippling demurrages and a tripling of transportation costs from the ports to our production plants and offices over the past few months, making it harder to compete and survive.
“The Government needs to find a solution to these issues.”
While presenting the Zinox Core i7 and GTX Legacy – two products from the Zinox Future Visions stable– to the DG, Ekeh restated his commitment and support for the government’s drive to create more employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians, while urging the media to partner with the agency in transforming the country’s communications narrative for the benefit of all.
With close to two decades of pioneering efforts and excellent service delivery, Zinox enjoys widespread acclaim as Nigeria’s foremost ICT Company.
In addition to its enviable status as pioneer manufacturers of Nigeria’s first internationally certified branded computers and mobile devices, the company has deployed some of the biggest projects in the continent, while institutionalizing high-end ICT solutions which have contributed in moving the sector and the Nigerian economy to the next level.
IXPN, Nigeria’s leading Internet Exchange Point, is proud to announce a landmark achievement: crossing 1 Terabit per second (1Tbps) in aggregate peak domestic internet traffic for the first time.
This milestone signifies a major leap forward in developing Nigeria’s internet infrastructure and underscores the critical role of local internet infrastructure in driving economic growth, innovation, and connectivity for millions of Nigerians.
“This milestone is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of Nigeria’s digital maturity and our united strides towards becoming a tech-driven nation. By keeping local internet traffic within Nigeria, we reduce costs, improve speeds, and ensure our digital economy thrives with homegrown infrastructure.” said Muhammed Rudman the CEO of IXPN.
“Achieving 1 Tbps is a significant victory for Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem, a breakthrough for domestic internet traffic. It serves as a catalyst, enabling millions of Nigerians to enjoy faster, more affordable, and resilient internet connectivity.”
1 Terabit per second is a game-changer for Africa’s most populous country. To put it in perspective:
- Mega Video Calls: A speed of 1 Tbps can support over 1 million concurrent Zoom calls, allowing students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect and drive Nigeria’s digital revolution.
- Streaming Frenzy: With 1 Tbps, more than 200,000 people can stream HD Nollywood films or movies on Netflix simultaneously without any buffering or interruptions.
- Data Superpower: This speed enables the transfer of the entire contents of 50,000 smartphones—including photos, apps, and videos—in just one second.
For Nigeria, hitting this milestone means reducing reliance on international bandwidth, decreasing latency for local services, and strengthening our position as Africa’s digital heartbeat. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a faster, more connected Nigeria.
This accomplishment goes beyond technical advancements; it has significant economic implications. By encouraging local traffic exchange, IXPN reduces dependency on international bandwidth, leading to:
- Significant Cost Savings: By utilizing local data exchange, Nigerian businesses can save millions of dollars annually on international bandwidth fees.
- Enhanced Speed and Connectivity: With reduced latency, users experience smoother streaming, gaming, and real-time services, enhancing their overall online experience.
- Increased Resilience: Strengthening Nigeria’s internet infrastructure protects against global disruptions, ensuring consistent access to vital services such as healthcare and education.
- Improved Efficiency: Optimizes digital services like fintech, edtech, e-commerce, and e-health, propelling innovation and growth in these sectors.
Surveys conducted among IXPN members over the years have shown a growing percentage of local internet traffic in Nigeria. A recent report indicates that some connected members can localize or domesticate up to 70% of their internet traffic through IXPN.
“As more content providers, ISPs, banks, and public institutions localize their traffic through the IXP, end users benefit directly,” added Raphael Iloka (Marketing Manager). “We’re not just routing data — we’re building the foundation for Nigeria’s digital economy.”
The 1 Tbps peak highlights the remarkable impact of collaboration among all stakeholders. This milestone is a significant achievement not only for IXPN, but for the entire ICT ecosystem. IXPN deeply appreciates the vital contributions of all stakeholders involved.
To our Members and Partners: Your trust and participation have been essential to our growth. Together, we have established a hub where networks can interconnect, innovate, and thrive.
To the Government and Regulators: We express our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for all its support over the years and its vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria.
To our Team: We extend our gratitude to our engineers, network administrators, and all other staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to push boundaries.
To the Global Community: We are grateful to partner organizations like the Internet Society (ISOC). Your support and advocacy in domestic peering empower us all.
Reaching 1 Tbps is just the beginning. As data demands skyrocket with AI, IoT, 5G, and immersive technologies, IXPN is committed to staying ahead of the curve. Here’s how:
- Scaling Infrastructure: We are investing in advanced hardware and software to support multi-terabit capacities.
- Enhancing Resilience: We are strengthening our network to ensure uptime, security, and adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape.
- Empowering Underserved Communities: We aim to expand our reach to rural areas, bridging the digital divide, and supporting agritech, edtech, and telehealth.
- Strengthening Africa’s Digital Sovereignty: Partnering with regional IXPs to keep Africa’s data on the continent.
On April 17, 2025, the atmosphere at Yudala Heights was electric with pride, hope, and inspiration as TD Africa, the leading tech distribution company in Sub-Saharan Africa, celebrated the graduation of 400 young Nigerian women from its flagship TecHERdemy program.
Over the past six months, these incredible women immersed themselves in rigorous, hands-on training in Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Software Development. They are now confidently stepping into the tech world, ready to make their mark.
The event brought together top voices in the industry, including Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of the Zinox Group, who commended the graduates for their resilience and brilliance. In his keynote speech, he shared a hopeful vision for Africa’s future, calling these young women “the pioneers of a new, inclusive era of tech leadership on the continent.”
Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, also delivered a heartfelt message, urging the graduates to let their values guide them as they navigate their careers.
“Hold tightly to your values. Let integrity guide your work, let innovation fuel your dreams, and let your impact speak louder than your résumé,” she encouraged.
The ceremony was filled with emotion as graduates shared their personal stories of transformation. One of them, Yetunde Kayode, now a certified data scientist, summed it up beautifully: “This program changed my life. I’m walking away empowered, skilled, and deeply grateful to Mrs. Ekeh and the TecHERdemy team for believing in us.”
Fifteen exceptional participants were also honoured for their outstanding performance and leadership during the program, reminding everyone that excellence comes in many forms.
TecHERdemy, which launched in November 2024, was built with a simple but powerful mission: to equip young Nigerian women with globally relevant digital skills and open doors to a tech career. But what happened over those six months went beyond just skills; it sparked a movement.
This graduation wasn’t just the end of a program. It was the beginning of a brighter, more inclusive future for tech in Africa.
Nigerians have launched a class action lawsuit against MTN Nigeria, accusing the telecom giant of unexplained data usage and rapid depletion.
The controversy erupted after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) showcased an individual’s interest in taking legal action, along with evidence of unusual data activity.
This post rallied many others to join the cause, sharing their own grievances and pledging support.
A Google Form was circulated to collect names of affected users, highlighting issues such as false data top-ups and excessive costs without value.
Comparisons to data usage and pricing in other countries only fueled the frustration, and numerous Nigerians expressed their determination to pursue justice.
Social media buzz amplified the issue, with mixed reactions ranging from encouragement to skepticism about the lawsuit’s potential impact.
Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria has not yet released an official response to these allegations.
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