Telecom
FG Hands Over NITEL to NATCOM, Core Investor

Federal government yesterday finally handed over the beleaguered first national telecommunications company to new core investor, NATCOM Consortium.
At a ceremony attended by notable persons in the privatisation circle, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) handed over instruments of ownership and licences of operation to Mr. Tunde Ayeni, chairman of the NATCOM Consortium, who said over $1bn was required to revive the company.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the National Council on Privatisation said the formal handover was a clear indication that where there is focus and determination, there is a way.
Sambo who was represented by a member of Mr. Emmanuel Amadi, technical committee of NCP, listed the several failures in the past and added that the success at this time was a reflection of the determination of the NCP and the BPE to increase competition in the telecommunications industry.
He said, “It was the realisation that Nigeria will not attain the desired economic growth without adequate reforms and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector that informed commencement of the telecoms sector reforms in 2001.
“These led to the attempted privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through strategic/core investor sale to Investors International London Limited. Unfortunately, that flagship transaction failed as the preferred bidder could not meet the deadline for the payment of the purchase consideration.”
He continued, “Failure of first strategic investor sale led to the execution of a management contract with Pentascope in 2005. The management contract did not improve the operational and financial position of NITEL and M-Tel and was terminated.
“Orascom Telecoms emerged the highest bidder with $256m during the second privatisation attempt. Its bid was however rejected by the Federal Government as it was below the reserve price.”
NCP in 2006 adopted the ‘willing buyer-willing seller’ strategy. The strategy which threw up Transnational Corporation as the core investor was adopted to shorten the transaction period since the financial position of NITEL was deteriorating.
Following the inability of Transcorp to turn around the fortunes of NITEL, the NCP on June 1, 2009 revoked the sale of the telecommunications company and its mobile subsidiary.
In another strategic/core investor sale in 2011, both New Generation Communications Limited and Omen International Limited that emerged preferred and reserve bidders could not pay the purchase price and the transaction had to be cancelled again.
Consequently, NCP approved the privatisation of NITEL and M-Tel through guided liquidation. It also on November 11, 2013 approved the appointment of Chief Olutola Senbore as the liquidator of NITEL/M-Tel.
At the financial bid opening on December 3, 2014, NATCOM emerged the preferred bidder with an offer of $252.25m bid price.
NATTAG which had been prequalified by BPE to participate in the process was disqualified as a result of the failure of the company to include a $10m bid bond as had been prescribed in Request for Proposal document.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ayeni said immense gaps and opportunities still exist in the Nigerian telecommunications market despite the competition in the industry.
According to him, with a good team of investors and management, NATCOM was ready to make the difference required to succeed. He indicated that the company would roll out services soon after rebranding.
Telecom
Nigeria Hits 1 Terabit Internet Traffic Milestone

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.
Telecom
TD Africa’s TecHERdemy Empowers 400 Women to Lead in Tech

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.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria Faces Class Action Lawsuit over Alleged Data Mismanagement

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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