Telecom
FG Launches Campaign against Illegal Use of Non-commercial Radio Spectrum
Federal government has begun campaign to address illegal use of non-commercial radio frequency spectrum across the country.
This is coming as the government decried the huge revenue loss from non-commercial radio spectrum revealing that the loss is as a result of non-renewal of spectrum licence fees by the authorised users.
Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy led by Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, disclosed this during a two-day public awareness programme on effective approaches to radio spectrum monitoring in Lagos.
Pantami, reiterated the federal government’s commitment in ensuring adequate and legal use of radio spectrum in the country.
Represented by Prof. Sahalu Junaidu, his chief research Adviser, he advised members of the public, especially vendors and service providers of non-commercial radio spectrum, to comply with the regulations of applying and obtaining valid licence to operate the spectrum.
“The federal government currently has five active spectrum monitoring centres in Notth-east, North-west, North-central, South-west and South-south, and has approved additional Monitoring centre in South-east, to be located in Awka, Anambra State,” Pantami said.
Also speaking at the event, Kityobas Binga, director, Radio Monitoring and Survey at the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, said that “The federal government is losing several millions of naira to illegal use of non-commercial radio spectrum and to non-renewal of spectrum licence fees by the authorised users.”
He said the campaign in Lagos became necessary, in order to educate users and vendors of non-commercial radio spectrum, on the effective use of the spectrum, and to ensure proper monitoring of harmful interference of radio frequencies. He said the essence of the campaign was also to ensure that adequate level of radiation from approved spectrum equipment is maintained, coupled with the need to stop illegal use of the spectrum that is causing huge revenue loss to the federal government.
Shola Taylor, chief executive officer of Tetconsult, UK and Nigeria, and the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), who presented a paper on ‘Effective Approaches to Radio Frequency Spectrum Monitoring: Opportunities for Stakeholders’, stressed the need for spectrum monitoring, because it is a scarce resource.
According to him, “If spectrum is not monitored and controlled, it can cause harmful interference to other users and it can also lead to abuse by those licensed to provide the service. Monitoring of spectrum has to do with physical visit to spectrum sites by the regulator, and the use of spectrum analyzer to ensure that the spectrum emits the required level of signals approved for that purpose. Monitoring will also help to avoid harmful interference on other users.” He explained that spectrum could be used with long wave or short wave transmitters, provided the guidelines for use of spectrum were diligently followed. He advised spectrum vendors to sell the type-approved spectrum equipment, to avoid harmful frequency interference.
Speaking about the opportunities of spectrum monitoring, Taylor said it could help monitor signals in order to track criminality and illegal use of spectrum.
Taylor listed users of non-commercial radio spectrum to include security services providers like Army, Police, Navy, Airforce, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as emergency services and maritime service providers.
“These particular radio frequency spectrum users fall within the scope of non-commercial radio spectrum that is being regulated by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, while the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), regulates the commercial radio frequency spectrum that are used for purely commercial purpose and for money generation,” Taylor said.
He therefore advised users of the non-commercial radio frequency spectrum to obtain the necessary licence that would enable them operate transparently.
Stephen Bello, senior consultant at Tetconsult, UK and Nigeria, who delivered a paper on ‘Nigeria Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy and Subsisting Guidelines’, called on spectrum users to always follow the guidelines in purchasing spectrum equipment from licensed equipment vendors. disclosed this during a two-day public awareness programme on effective approaches to radio spectrum monitoring in Lagos
The federal government took the awareness campaign to spectrum vendors in Alaba International Market and its environs in Lagos on the first day of the campaign and had stakeholders’ forum at the Digital Bridge Institute in Oshodi, Lagos, on the second day of the campaign, where it recounted the huge loss of revenue recorded by government, to non-commercial spectrum, which runs into several millions of naira annually.
Airtel Africa reported a profit after tax of $376 million for the half year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to $79 million in the corresponding period last fiscal, benefitting from a $90 million gain largely arising from Nigerian naira appreciation during the current quarter (Q2’26) and the Central African franc (CFA) appreciation during the previous quarter (Q1’26).
Revenues at $2,982 million for the reported period saw strong growth as compared to $2,370 million in the six months of the last fiscal, rising 24.5% in constant currency and 25.8% in reported currency.
The company said constant currency revenue growth reflects the consistent execution of its strategy, supported by tariff adjustments in Nigeria and continued strong growth momentum in Francophone Africa.
“Our strategy has been focussed on providing a superior customer experience and the strength of these results is testament to the initiatives that we have been implementing across the business,” Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer of the company said in a statement.
He said the company has been scaling the network to build additional capacity to facilitate the rise in both digital and financial inclusion.
“The increase in smartphone penetration to 46.8% reflects the substantial demand for data services across our markets but also highlights the scale of the opportunity to further develop the digital economy,” Taldar said.
Capex for the period stood at $318 million. “We have increased our capex guidance for FY’26 to between $875m and $900m – from ‘between $725 million and $750 million’.
This reflects our decision to accelerate our ability to capitalise on the significant growth opportunity that is available across the region, as is reflected by these strong H1’26 results,” the company said.
During the period, the company continued investments in network with the rollout of over 2,350 new sites to over 38,300 sites and an expansion of its fibre network by approx. 4,000 kms to over 81,000 kms.
Vitel Wireless Limited, a GSM second level operator, licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to begin nationwide operations on October 30.
Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Themed “Blue is Here,” the launch event will unveil E-SIMs, physical SIMs, and smart connectivity solutions for individuals and businesses
With the tagline “Everything Connected,” Vitel aims to redefine communication in Nigeria through innovation, speed, and trust.
In a statement earlier, Vitel Wireless, said it combines reliability with innovation, leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver seamless connectivity and intelligent solutions across the country.
“The company’s services go beyond communication — they integrate safety, mobility, and smart systems to enhance how individuals, businesses, and communities connect,” the statement reads.
According to Engr Kenneth Nwabueze, executive chairman, Vitel Wireless, at the heart of the telco’s mission is a bold vision to redefine mobile communication through technology that not only connects people but also protects them.
He highlighted the features saying the device is embedded with IoT-driven devices, smart logistics solutions and AI-powered safety analytics.
“Vitel Wireless is more than a telecom brand — it’s a movement toward a smarter, safer, and more connected Nigeria. Our goal is to bridge technology and humanity, using mobile innovation to improve lives, empower businesses, and strengthen national security,” Engr. Nwabueze said.
He stated that the Vitel Wireless team has interconnected with all major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, and has a roaming agreement with MTN for nationwide rollout, extending Vitel Wireless coverage as one of the largest networks in Nigeria.
“Vitel Wireless has partnered with NCC and various law enforcement agencies to define and support key regulatory frameworks that now govern the nation’s telecom space in personal and public safety,” he said.
He added that the value added service includes Xphone -free phone calls and low international calling rates, SecureMe -location awareness solution for personal safety, Oga-App -employment enhancement and performance tool, ISEEYOU -AI-based CCTV with real-time alerts, AssetNow -LBS/GPS-based asset tracker, and many more.
“Vitel Wireless’s nationwide rollout signals a new era for the telecom industry — one where connectivity meets intelligence, and technology serves both purpose and people,” Nwabueze added.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in collaboration with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has announced the shortlist of 100 young Nigerian innovators for the second phase of the 2025 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge.
The initiative, launched in 2024, is aimed at fostering home-grown solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, community conservation, and sustainability.
According to a joint statement by the organisers, the top 100 were selected from a pool of 2,169 applications received nationwide. The selection process involved a rigorous multi-stage evaluation conducted by 20 expert assessors, guided by a robust framework to ensure fairness and consistency.
“The shortlisted innovators represent the brightest minds committed to environmental resilience,” the statement read. “Their solutions span high-impact sectors and are designed to address both national and continental environmental issues.”
The PachiPanda programme offers participants access to mentorship, technical workshops, seed funding, and a network of industry experts. The next phase will see a further evaluation to determine the Top 10 finalists, who will be unveiled ahead of a three-day sprint pitch and masterclass event scheduled for November 2025 in Lagos.
During the event, finalists will undergo intensive training to refine their business strategies and enhance their solutions for broader impact. Winners of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge will advance to the continental Africa PachiPanda Contest, where they will compete with other national champions.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the programme underscores MTN Nigeria’s commitment to eco-entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, empowering youth-led enterprises to drive green innovation across Africa.
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