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Local Operators Need Protection-Banjo

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Engr. Bayo Banjo, managing director and chief executive officer of Disc Communications Limited is one of Nigeria’s pioneer cable and satellite television stations in Nigeria.

He is passionate about the communications industry which also helped nurture from the cradle. Banjo spoke to hilary okeke on a wide range of issues.

 

Regulatory Environment, QoS and Competition

We cannot deny that the quality of service in the country is very low. If what we are experiencing in Lagos is considered bad, I can assure you that what is experienced outside Lagos is worse. I do not think the NCC understands their role as regards corrections and Quality of Service. If the regulator imposes adequate sanctions on service providers, you will see; Quality of Service will improve. Which is the way out? I think number portability is it. The kind of penalties attached to ensure that this is enforced must be draconian. The idea of number portability implies that one can move from one network to another with the same phone number. Most people do not like to change their phone numbers; they like people to know them with a particular number. Now, not only will that make the GSM companies gear up, it will also open the door for what we call localized GSM companies. For instance, if I felt Sokoto state was not covered properly, I can apply for license to do GSM operations there alone and provide excellent service to such a degree that people coming into the state can switch over to my network without changing their numbers. That is real competition. It means people can concentrate on a particular area and focus their efforts there. Why would it not work? It is because the big networks will sabotage other smaller ones. Quality of Service is bad, we all know that. I mean, we even have cases where operators tell you that they cannot give you details of your calls because you are a prepaid subscriber. Can you imagine that? Look at how criminal it is. You are taking my money and you cannot tell me how I spent it because I paid in advance? The person paying in advance should be the most valued customer because you are getting his money in advance. All these atrocities are going on and the regulators seem not to be doing anything. There are certain things you see wrong that should be addressed without anybody complaining. The profits that some of these cellular companies declare are so large that they can remedy all these issues. The only issues that are at par with quality of Service issue are probably sabotage and theft and those are reaching epidemic proportions. A lot of wire companies are closing down because of this menace; they cannot stem the tides of cable vandalism. And most of the time, this crime is perpetrated by this poor people who steal this copper cables and sell as scrap. The cities have better security records than the rural areas and to get better security, one needs to install his equipment within someone else’s premises.

Dominance of Satellite TV

It is not healthy in the sense that with such an organization that is actually controlled by another country and of course, they have the support that the local companies here do not have because in that country, the government recognizes the importance of the media; they recognize that the media can be used to topple government, control the views and feelings of the public. The local operators need more protection. The NBC has tried in this regards, I think they also need help at the legislative level. Let us look at the supposedly freest country in the world in terms of business, which is America. You cannot be in broadcasting business if you are not an American citizen. During the indigenization exercise way back in the 70s, people would establish a company in their houseboy’s name without his knowledge and still run the company as it is. If a foreigner wants to cause damage, he can do that and go back to his own country but if a Nigerian causes damage, he stays here, his family is here. Even the land that claims it is the land of the free has limits to that freedom. On the other hand, Multichoice has shown professionalism; you can see how they operate and many have even tried to copy their model, some with great success. The only thing I have an issue with, luckily Multichoice is trying to correct that, is the focus on foreign materials. As we can see, that company has made great strides to enhance its local content. From what I understand, even though they are our competitor, they are now engaging in covering our local league. I think they were airing the Glo league and they have brought equipment to cover more leagues. To me, it is a very good development.

Merger of NCC and NBC

I am confused at the concept of that merger, particularly in an African country where control of the media and broadcast is more important; it is second only to defense. The most important thing in most countries is defense; I mean, if you do not have defense, your country is nowhere. The next weapon in any country is the media, broadcast, I have always argued. The Soviet Union was toppled using the media propaganda. It was toppled without firing a shot. Now here, you want them to merge based on the fact that both platforms would be able to carry telecommunications and broadcasting? I think you must separate the people who monitor content because the focus of the NCC is on the money that they make; the 2.5% charges, etc. But in broadcasting, you have to focus on the content of programmes, how does it influence our youth. When you look at the council that set up the concept of the merger, I think the NBC had only one or two representatives. We got those priorities wrong. It is like somebody telling you that how you bring up a child is not important and you are busy chasing money up and down. So, that is one thing I do expect from Government, to realize that the NBC is in fact, a very important organization; far more important than the NCC in function and duty – you cannot even compare their functions; they do not even come close. The one is dealing with our sociology, our livelihood our culture and the other is just dealing with collecting money. I am confused with the merger – are we trying to copy some other countries? The only countries that merge the two are cultureless countries. Countries that are growing in leaps and bounds, such as China and the U.A.E are very careful about what they introduce into their societies. Even the average U.S citizen – is he aware of what is going on? Luckily, we Nigerians are used to looking at things our own way and it is difficult to fool us. Broadcasting is all about propaganda, it affects the mind, the way you think, your attitude; it should not be taken lightly. The most powerful Union in the world was toppled using the media. Communication does not come anywhere near broadcasting. I hope there will be a good response to the merger. If it is about the issue of frequency, we have a frequency management board, which is independent of both bodies. Why do you need to merge them? I would have thought that in a third world country, you should be able to monitor your broadcast with better sense of purpose. That should be the focus. But in a merger, people will move to where there is money, the telecoms.

Fringe Players in the Converging Arena

In broadcasting, yes they stand a chance. You see, the NBC as it is presently constituted, has always encouraged small operators. Two groups can merge, if the composition at the top and the ideology given to them is right, then you would have a good organization. Wherever you find government bodies, they are usually separated so that they can pressurize and focus on what they are set up to do. The tendency that the merged bodies would be able monitor and give the relevance and importance that is deserving of broadcasting is very low. That is the way I look at it because it is natural to focus on the one that brings in more money. Secondly, in broadcasting, there is the responsibility to do screening; you are applying philosophy, sociology and whatever to what is there; in communications, you just have your rules and regulations; you just follow them strictly, as much as you can. For example, you may have a 24-hour Christian programme broadcast in Imo state. There might be no objection, but that same programme broadcasting in Zamfara state would be seen as an attempt to undermine the people there. However, the telecoms are above board, it does not involve these feelings; it has to do with a specific service. It has nothing to do with the sentiments and beliefs of the people. In the South, you can make jokes but in the North, it may not be possible. So, what kinds of people make these judgments? It is really professionals who have been in that field, properly trained broadcast professionals. In telecoms, any good engineer who has managerial skills can take over the reins. But in broadcasting, you need to have flair or feel for it.

Local Content, Educative and Entertaining

Well as for entertaining, that has to do with your revenue. You have to do a programme that is entertaining or else nobody will buy your product. In the case of local content, the government has done very well. In the past 50 years, the NBC has increased its local content requirements and you can see the results immediately. In the telecoms, the Nitel monopoly was broken. In the past, we use to have about 400, 000 lines in the whole country but today, it is well over 30 million. In broadcasting, everybody was doing foreign programmes and they insisted on local content, look at what is happening with our Nollywood – there is an explosion now, broadcasters are now bringing out Nollywood channels. Government is meant to act like a father and not leave people to their own devices; they should realize what they are there to do and enhance it.


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Appeal Court Nullifies Registration of ‘KPMG Professional Services’

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The court of appeal in Lagos has asked the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to revoke the certificate of registration of “KPMG Professional Services”.

Appeal Court Nullifies Registration of ‘KPMG Professional Services'

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the appellant court granted the reliefs sought by KPMG Nigeria against CAC and KPMG Professional Services.

The judgment was read by Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero, the judge.

The two other judges are Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and A.M. Talba.

In 2002, KPMG Professional Services was registered as a company with CAC despite the existence of KPMG Nigeria, comprising its audit, tax, and consulting arms.

The KPMG Nigeria has long been registered in Nigeria before 2002.

KPMG Audit was registered in 1969, KPMG Tax Consultants in 1990, and KPMG Consulting in 1969.

Displeased with the registration of KPMG Professional Services, KPMG Nigeria approached the federal high court.

The consulting firm had argued that the name “KPMG Professional Services” was deceptively similar to its long-established identity.

In 2005, the lower court dismissed KPMG Nigeria’s case, citing an alleged merger between KPMG Nigeria and Akintola Williams Deloitte as reason the company could no longer assert rights to the name.

The lower upheld the second respondent’s (KPMG Professional Services) counterclaim and ordered that KPMG Nigeria’s name be struck off the CAC register.

The lower court had premised its decision on newspaper articles stating that KPMG Nigeria reportedly merged with Akintola Williams Deloitte.

Delivering the judgment, Bayero ruled that the lower court erred by relying on newspaper articles to ascertain that KPMG Nigeria allegedly merged with another company.

The judge said the documents showing the alleged merger were not presented before the lower court, and the form of the alleged merger could not have been known.

“In any event, the only branch of KPMG, if any, that entered into a merger with Akintola Williams as stated in the newspaper articles 18, is KPMG Audit,” the judge ruled.

“The other spheres were totally unaffected. It would therefore be wrong to state that the merger (which has not been shown to this Court) of KPMG Audit with Akintola Williams means all the other areas of business, including KPMG Consulting and KPMG Tax Consultants, also ceased to exist.

“Even if the Appellants (KPMG Nigeria) had ceased to do business as the Court seemed to have held, the 2nd Respondents (KPMG Professional Services) should not have been carrying on business until the Appellant’s certificate of registration is withdrawn or set aside.

“They cannot use the name until the Appellant’s certification of registration is withdrawn or set aside. They cannot use the name until the name is removed from the 1st Respondent’s (CAC) Register of Names.

“The 1st Respondents can only assign the name to the 2nd Respondents after first taking it away from the Appellants.”

The court ruled that CAC erred by registering KPMG Professional Services despite the existence of a business name, which is already registered.

The judge reversed the earlier ruling of the lower court and reaffirmed the primacy of statutory protection for existing business names under Nigerian corporate law.

 

 

 


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Air Peace Launches Abuja–London Heathrow, Gatwick flights October 26

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Air Peace has announced the launch of direct flights from Abuja to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with operations scheduled to begin on October 26, 2025.

The airline said in a statement on Sunday that round-trip fares for the Abuja–London service will start from N1m, making it the first Nigerian carrier to offer direct connections from the capital to both of London’s major international airports. This was contained in a press release issued on Sunday by the airline’s spokesperson, Efe Osifo-Whiskey.

“Direct international flight services from Abuja to both London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports, effective October 26, 2025.

“Air Peace becomes the first Nigerian carrier to offer direct services from Abuja to both of London’s major international airports, further solidifying its role as a leader in regional and intercontinental aviation.

“Travellers originating from any of Air Peace’s domestic destinations across Nigeria can now book through fares via Abuja to either Heathrow or Gatwick using a single ticket, eliminating the need for multiple bookings or baggage re-checks,” the statement read.

Similarly, the new route opens convenient access for inbound passengers from the UK to cities across Nigeria.

“Travellers from London can access multiple destinations across Nigeria using a single Air Peace ticket through Abuja every morning. These destinations are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin, Warri, Owerri, Kano, Yola, Gombe and Asaba, for now. Other destinations will be added later,” Osifo-Whiskey stated.

Air Peace is also offering what it describes as unprecedented value in pricing and service.

Osifo-Whiskey said, “It provides a distinct competitive advantage, enabling passengers to travel between Nigeria and the United Kingdom with greater ease, efficiency, and value, due to the possibility of choosing multiple cities entry and exit points.

“Has the cheapest fares ever, starting from only 1 Million Naira round trip. Huge baggage allowance.”

The Abuja–London launch comes months after the airline began Lagos–London Heathrow flights, which started earlier in 2024.


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Prateek Suri CEO Maser Meets Zambia’s Education Minister to Propel Student Housing and Education Projects

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Prateek Suri, CEO of MASER and recognized as the richest Indian entrepreneur in Africa, was welcomed this week by Zambia’s Education Minister, Hon. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, for a high-level meeting in Lusaka that focused on student housing and broader education infrastructure initiatives.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education’s offices, opened with warm greetings and a presentation by Mr Suri detailing Maser’s plans to support Zambia’s rapidly scaling education sector. Suri, who led Maser to become Africa’s seventh unicorn, emphasized the company’s commitment to infrastructure that benefits students, educators, and communities across the continent.

Minister Syakalima underscored the urgency of addressing Zambia’s student accommodation gap, citing the country’s expanding net enrollment and the need for safe, affordable housing for tertiary students. Under his leadership, the Government has embarked on a bold infrastructure agenda: over 82 secondary schools already completed, 46 set to be finished in 2025, and 120 new institutions under construction, alongside 169 ECE hubs and 145 satellite centers to reach underserved areas.

During the meeting, Suri shared Maser’s vision for modern student housing built through public–private partnership models. He outlined a multi‑phase plan utilizing sustainable building design, digital infrastructure, and vocational training facilities integrated into these campuses. “Zambia’s youth deserve world-class learning environments,” Suri remarked. “Maser is prepared to leverage its experience to co-create impactful educational infrastructure.”

Minister Syakalima responded positively, stating, “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Maser. The CEO’s entrepreneurial success and the company’s commitment to Africa’s education development are exactly the kind of partnership we need to scale our infrastructure goals.”

Beyond housing, the dialogue extended to opportunities in blended learning, vocational skills, rural outreach, and digital inclusion. With Zambia implementing its forward‑looking 2023 Education Curriculum this year—including early childhood, primary, and Form 1 levels—the minister highlighted the need for supporting infrastructure at all levels to enable effective rollout.

Under Minister Syakalima’s tenure, the education sector has seen notable progress: 4,200 new teachers hired recently, bringing the total teacher workforce to over 40,000 in three years; strengthened focus on foundational learning via teacher training programmes like the “Catch Up Programme”; and ambitious expansion of school infrastructure across Zambia’s provinces.

Maser, co‑founded by Prateek Suri, transformed from an African startup in consumer electeonics and large infrastructure projects into a multi‑sector unicorn operating in real estate, renewable energy, mining and education technology. Its rapid rise and African focus have made Suri a leading figure in bolstering India–Africa economic relations.

As the richest Indian in Africa, Prateek Suri’s influence spans beyond business success—it represents growing bilateral investment aimed at credible, sustainable societal impact. His partnership with Zambia’s Ministry of Education signals a new era of cross-border collaboration in education infrastructure.

With both parties committing to inclusive planning and scalable implementation, the Maser‑Zambia dialogue could mark the beginning of transformative initiatives: from affordable student housing to cutting‑edge learning facilities, vocational training hubs, and digital classrooms.

In closing remarks on the significance of this dialogue, Suri stated, “Education infrastructure is the foundation for future growth. Our partnership with Minister Syakalima and the Government of Zambia is a testament to collective investment in youth, equity, and sustainable development.” Minister Syakalima echoed this optimism, saying that with strategic public–private investment, Zambia’s education sector is poised for a significant elevation.

This meeting lays the groundwork for collaboration that bridges government strategy and corporate innovation—ultimately aiming to empower Zambia’s students and accelerate national development.


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