Telecom
NATCOMS Asks NCC to Stop MTN from Acquiring 9Mobile

National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to stop MTN from acquiring Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service Limited (9Mobile).
This is coming after reports that MTN Nigeria was in talks with 9Mobile for a spectrum acquisition, which could lead to MTN taking over 9Mobile.
Deolu Ogunbanjo, president, NATCOMS, however, stated that since MTN already controls nearly 50 per cent of Nigeria’s telecom market, there is no reason to support the telco’s proposed acquisition of 9mobile.
Interestingly, reports indicate MTN Nigeria’s strategic acquisition of 9Mobile is at an advanced stage.
But why would 9Mobile offer to sell its spectrum? In 2017, following the departure of its primary technical partner and investors, Mubadala of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 9mobile faced financial difficulties, deciding to sell its spectrum.
For context, 9Mobile reportedly defaulted on a loan repayment scheme of $1.2 billion. It cited an economic downturn and a drop in naira valuation as the reasons for its inability to pay back.
Well, this isn’t the first time MTN attempted to acquire 9Mobile. In 2017, MTN tried doing so.
Telecom
Fines: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria

Meta may shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in protest against the substantial fines imposed by multiple government agencies.
The tech giant has been ordered to pay nearly $300 million in fines in Africa’s most populous nation, following regulatory demands which Meta described as “unrealistic.”
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The commission stated that Meta had failed to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and had not submitted a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Similarly, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), demanded $37.5 million over unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), announced a $32.8 million fine for an alleged data privacy breach.
Meta challenged the decisions at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful, as the court upheld the fines in a ruling delivered last week.
The court directed the company to comply with payment by the end of June, but Meta has indicated it may not do so, according to the BBC.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company stated in court documents.
Responding to the NDPC’s assertion that Meta’s data processing could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks, the company said the agency had failed to “properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
Telecom
Premier League Fever Builds as MTN Nigeria Stages Dual-City Watch Parties This Weekend

As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, MTN Nigeria is set to stage simultaneous watch parties in Abuja and Uyo on Sunday, May 4, giving football fans a shared space to experience the highs and lows of matchday.
The events, scheduled for Farm City in Wuse and Pyramid Lounge & Grill in Uyo, are expected to attract large turnouts as MTN continues to deepen its connection with football audiences nationwide.
The line-up for the day includes four Premier League fixtures, culminating in a marquee showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Earlier games such as Brentford vs Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle, and West Ham vs Tottenham will round out a packed viewing schedule. With top four ambitions, title races, and European dreams on the line, the fixtures promise high-stakes drama and entertainment.
MTN’s EPL watch parties have grown into a recurring highlight for fans who want more than just a screen, they want atmosphere. This weekend’s events will feature expansive screen setups, branded fan zones, and side attractions including live trivia and merchandise giveaways.
For MTN, the activations represent an opportunity to tap into the communal spirit of football, a sport that unites Nigerians across regions and loyalties. The brand’s involvement in football has steadily evolved from sponsorship to full-scale experiences, allowing it to build affinity with youth audiences and sports lovers alike.
In recent years, MTN has emerged as a key driver of fan engagement through its partnership with SuperSport and broader investment in Nigeria’s football ecosystem. These dual-city events reflect that strategy in motion, bringing the Premier League closer to the streets and ensuring fans are not just spectators, but participants in the global game.
With anticipation running high and bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s watch parties are shaping up to be a celebration of sport, identity, and the power of community on and off the pitch.
Telecom
Telecoms Services Resume in Kogi State as Telcos, Govt Resolve Dispute

Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State have resumed following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, told TVC News that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
TVC News earlier reported that businessmen and women were counting their losses as they suffered the impact of a shut down of telecommunication service in Kogi State
Over the past two weeks, telecoms connectivity had been erratic, with competing brands experiencing glitches, particularly in the Lokoja metropolis.
The State government suspended the operations of some telecom services citing unpaid taxes and fibre-related dues.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
- Telecom1 day ago
Fines: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria
- Telecom2 days ago
Sterling Bank Introduces AlwaysOn, Offering Nigerians Up to ₦1 Million Monthly
- Telecom1 day ago
Premier League Fever Builds as MTN Nigeria Stages Dual-City Watch Parties This Weekend
- General News1 day ago
How Investments in Reskilling and Trust Help Businesses Succeed in the Agentic AI Era
- Telecom2 days ago
Banks Settle ₦160Bn USSD Debt to Telcos, Ending Five-Year Dispute
- E-Financial1 day ago
FMITI, NGX Group Partner to Achieve $6Bn Investment Target
- News2 days ago
Presidents Mahama, Tinubu Honor Dr. Mike Adenuga on 72nd Birthday
- E-Business1 day ago
Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees