Telecom
FG Presses Forward with Controversial Wire-Tap Programme
The federal government is going ahead with her controversial programme that will require telecommunications service providers in the country to turn over cell phone records of their customers to security agencies, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.
The programme that will allow security agencies monitor and track conversations on telephone and the internet, passed the second reading at the House of Representatives yesterday.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that the bill for the programme had also passed the second reading at the Senate last month.
In simple terms, phone and internet communications made by Nigerians daily will be open to government monitoring and when necessary, interception.
If passed into law, it will allow government law enforcement agents filter and tap into communications and will also outlaw unauthorised interception of internet and phone communications.
The proposal is titled ‘A Bill for An Act to Provide for the Interception, Development And Protection of Communications Networks and Facilities For Public Interest And Other Related Matters, 2013”
The House of Representatives yesterday, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), said the bill would regulate text messages , and e-mail messages being monitored by people as well provide security for individuals.
The lawmaker expressed concern that people were sometimes subjected to blackmail and kidnapping through the tapping of telephone lines.
He decried the invasion of people’s privacy saying that it “should not be allowed in a democratic setting like Nigeria”.
“I don’t want anyone listening to my conversation”.
Speaking in support of the bill, Rep.Uzoma Abonta (PDP- Abia), said that the importance of security could not be overemphasised.
He urged the House to pass the bill into second reading for the benefit of Nigerians.
Contributing to the debate, Reps Bitrus Kaze(PDP-Plateau) , Nnenna Ukeje (PDP-Abia), Leo Ogor(PDP-Delta), in their separate input, called for the curtailing of tapping conversations describing it as “an ugly trend.”
The lawmakers argued that the bill was about the well being of Nigerians and corporate existence of the country.
Reps Ken Chikere (PDP-Rivers), Benjamin Aboho (ACP-Benue) also spoke, extensively, in support of the proposed legislation.
The bill was, however, opposed by Rep. Ossai Ossai (PDP-Delta), who argued that the proposed legislation was “contaminated” and should be thrown out.
The opposition notwithstanding, the bill passed second reading and the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal referred it to the Committees on Communications, ICT and Justice for more inputs.
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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