News
NCC Commences New Licensing Round for 2.3Ghz Frequency
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun a new process for the sale of the 2.3GHz Frequency spectrum band following the cancellation of the earlier sale enmeshed in controversies, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
This will lay to rest the claims and counter charges that greeted the previous sale which saw the emergence of Mobitel, MultiLinks and Spectranet Ltd and the exclusion of Galaxy Wireless which claimed it met the requirements but was not named as one of the winners.
Piqued by growing outcry and deluge of petitions against the sale, Prof. Dora Akunyili, minister of Information and Communications cancelled the sale and stood by the cancellation of the initial sale insisting that the process lacked transparency and that due process was not followed.
The minister’s insistence is despite warnings of far reaching consequences of the cancellation by the NCC.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek however gathered that both the ministry and the NCC have now agreed to commence a new process following the official release of the 2.3GHz frequency spectrum to the NCC on Tuesday.
The spectrum was released to the NCC by the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) charged with carrying out bulk trans-sectoral allocation of spectrum to authorized statutory bodies at their 14th meeting which held in the Conference room of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Dr. Abubakar Mohammed, permanent Ssecretary to the ministry, in a statement Wednesday in Abuja said the new step is a way forward as earlier agreed between the minister and the NCC.
According to him “With this development the first step in the new sale process has begun”
While releasing the frequency band on Tuesday, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, minister of State, Information and Communications who chaired the meeting noted that the ratification and release of frequency(s) by NFMC must be received before further processes are commenced given that the NFMC had in an earlier meeting questioned the right of NCC to commence the sale of the 2.3GHz frequency without a formal official release by the Council.
Some of the petitions against the 2.3GHz licensing round, concluded on May 8 is that the NCC only effectively gave the companies that indicated interest in the licence just a week (or five working days) within which to raise N1.3 billion to pay for each licence.
One of the petitions alleged that in this period of economic meltdown, five working days were not enough to raise the amount required before the deadline.
The NCC adverts were published Thursday, April 30, while May 1 was a public holiday and 2-3 fell on a weekend, leaving the firms just five working days to raise the fees.
It was also alleged that the exercise lacked transparency as the NCC was accused of adopting first-hand information approach with some companies said to have been favoured over others because they had prior information even before the commission placed the adverts in the papers with a week’s deadline given for payment.
One of the petitions called for a thorough investigation and alleged that one of the companies that was said to have scaled through by paying the required N1.3 billion actually paid only 1 per cent of the stipulated funds into the designated account the NCC mandated the companies to pay into.
The deluge of petitions led to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) quizzing Ndukwe to answer allegations of flouting due process.
One of the allegations against the NCC was that Mobitel, one of the successful applicants, who was able to raise and pay the N1.3 billion in less than five days, was said to be indebted to the commission to the tune of N246 million in October last year, which it was unable to pay, leading the NCC to waive a total of N243 million for Mobitel, leaving a balance of N3 million for the firm to pay.
Mobitel has faced a lot of challenges that threatened its existence since its President and CEO, Alaba Joseph, died in his office in 2005 following a failed bid by the receiver appointed by a bank to take over the company following a court order.
Ndukwe was also accused of spending beyond the budget limit and misleading the Federal Government into the award of contracts for community information centres in some states in the country.
Top officials of the NCC have been questioned by the EFCC on the matter. The Head of Finance and the Executive Commissioner for Engineering and Technical Standards were also said to have been questioned.
News
Tinubu Congratulates Osakwe, Nigerian on Winning UK Top Cyber Security Award

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Fene Osakwe on winning the Cyber Personality of the Year award at the 2025 Cyber Security Awards in the UK.

Dr Fene Osakwe
According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President in a statement, Dr Osakwe is the chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the first African to win in the Cyber Security Awards category.
He was recognised for his exceptional leadership, advocacy, and expertise in cybersecurity and data privacy, clinching the prize ahead of other finalists from the United States, the UAE, Qatar, the Netherlands, and the UK.
President Tinubu celebrates Dr Osakwe’s achievements, underscoring his immense contributions to cybersecurity and his efforts to evolve new horizons in the field.
The President described the 2025 Cyber Personality of the Year as an exceptional Nigerian and a worthy representation of Nigeria’s talented, innovative, and pace-setting youth.
While extolling the youth as Nigeria’s greatest asset, President Tinubu stated that Dr Osakwe’s nomination and subsequent win foreground the global impact of young African professionals in cybersecurity.
The President wished Dr Osakwe more success in his endeavours.
News
Insight Publicis Announces Resignation from Airtel Nigeria Account

Insight Publicis, one of Nigeria’s leading integrated marketing communications agencies, has announced its decision to resign from the Airtel Nigeria account, effective immediately.
This decision follows an extensive evaluation of the engagement, during which both parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms that appropriately reflect the scope of work and the value Insight Publicis brings to the partnership.
While both organizations hold each other in high regard, the agency remains committed to engagements that align with its strategic priorities and industry benchmarks.
Speaking on this, Dolapo Ogunbambo, chief operating officer of Insight Publicis, said “Our commitment to excellence necessitates that we engage in partnerships where there is mutual alignment on value creation and strategic objectives.
“We have valued our association with Airtel Nigeria and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.”
Insight Publicis will ensure a seamless transition and remains focused on delivering exceptional marketing solutions to its diverse clientele across various industries. She said.
Founded in 1979, Insight Publicis is a pioneer in Nigeria’s marketing communications landscape, offering a full suite of services, including brand strategy, multimedia creative solutions, digital marketing, and consultancy. As part of the global Publicis Groupe, Insight Publicis combines deep local expertise with international insights to drive impactful brand storytelling and business growth.
News
Aero Contractors and NSIB Forge Partnership to Elevate Aviation Safety and Training in Nigeria

Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s foremost aviation company, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to strengthen aviation safety through data sharing, training, and collaboration on key safety initiatives.
This partnership highlights Aero Contractors’ commitment to operational excellence and adherence to global safety standards. Both organizations will work together to foster a proactive safety culture, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance aviation protocols and prevent incidents.
Speaking on the significance of the collaboration, Capt. Ado Sanusi, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, emphasized, “At Aero Contractors, safety is not just a regulatory requirement—it is a fundamental responsibility.
This partnership with NSIB reinforces our dedication to safety through knowledge-sharing, advanced training, and data-driven decision-making. By working together, we will mitigate risks and improve overall flight safety.”
Similarly, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB, described the partnership as a major step forward in strengthening transportation safety across Nigeria.
In his words he said, “This collaboration is a testament to the power of synergy, combining the regulatory and investigative expertise of the NSIB with the technical and operational insight of Aero Contractors.
Through this MOU, we are committed to enhancing safety standards by equipping our Transportation Safety Officers with practical, hands-on experience and technical knowledge.”
As part of the agreement, Aero Contractors will provide on-the-job training opportunities for NSIB personnel, focusing on incident prevention, emergency response, and safety management systems.
The NSIB will also support Aero Contractors’ technical personnel with training in accident investigation, ensuring a two-way exchange of expertise that enhances overall safety across the industry.
Capt. Alex Badeh Jr. further outlined the impact of the initiative. “This partnership will introduce customized training programs, drawing from Aero’s state-of-the-art facilities, simulators, and technical resources.
“Additionally, we will collaborate on industry conferences, seminars, and symposiums, where best practices will be shared, new training needs will be explored, and capacity-building efforts will be strengthened,” he noted.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in the Nigerian aviation sector, reinforcing a joint commitment to safety, knowledge-sharing, and professional development.
The collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s broader aviation safety objectives and underscores the importance of industry-wide cooperation in building a safer and more resilient air transport system.
Capt. Ado Sanusi of Aero Contractors reaffirmed the importance of the initiative, stating, “This partnership goes beyond training; it is about cultivating a safety-first culture where industry stakeholders collaborate to prevent accidents and enhance operational standards. Today, we embrace a shared vision—one that places safety at the heart of our industry.”
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