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Telecom

NCC is a Flagship Public Institution Impacting Lives Positively – Alake of Egbaland

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L - R Mr. Clem Omife, Deputy Director, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC ; Hajiya Mistura Aruna, Assistant Director, NCC; HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, the egba; Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management NCC; Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, Zonal Controller, Lagos During the Courtesy visit to the Palace and Village Square Dialogue recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, has applauded the regulatory strides of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in ensuring accelerated growth of telecommunications sector, thus making the sector a flagship enabler of Nigeria’s prosperity.

L – R Mr. Clem Omife, Deputy Director, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Mr. Efosa Idehen, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC ; Hajiya Mistura Aruna, Assistant Director, NCC; HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, the egba; Mr. Adeleke Adewolu, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management NCC; Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, Zonal Controller, Lagos During the Courtesy visit to the Palace and Village Square Dialogue recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Paramount Ruler gave the commendation when the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM) of NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, led a delegation of NCC staff to the state where the maiden edition of the Village Square Dialogue (VSD) was organised by NCC in Abeokuta.
The VSD, a version of the Telecom Consumer Conversation (a strategic, multistakeholder consumer outreach programme of NCC), took place at the 92-year-old Centenary Hall, adjacent the Alake’s Palace.
The VSD is specially conceived by the NCC to interact with telecom consumers at the grassroots for the purpose of sensitising telecom consumers through information sharing, education and advocacy on telecommunications-related issues. Importantly, the forum provides opportunity for telecom consumers in the rural areas to make contributions to the governance process of the telecom ecosystem, and to equally engage their service providers to resolve complaints.
Oba Gbadebo, who was the Royal Father of the Day at the event, and was represented by Oluwo of Ake, Egbaland, Chief Samuel Tanimowo, said “One of the public institutions, whose activities are felt by the generality of Nigerians in many positive ways is NCC and the leadership of the Commission must be commended for its doggedness in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the benefits of digital revolutions.”
The monarch, who was unequivocal in describing NCC as a flagship public institution positively impacting lives of all Nigerians, also particularly commended Adewolu, an indigene of the state, for his positive representation of the people of Owu Kingdom, Ogun State, where he hails from.
“We also thank you and your entire Board and Management for bringing the first edition of the Village Square Dialogue to us in Ogun State. This is a testament to how important you take our state, which has contributed tremendously to the socio-economic and political history of Nigeria,” the first-class monarch said.
The leading monarch’s assertion was underscored by the Iyaloja of Egbaland, Chief Oluwakemi Oloyede, who thanked the NCC for the sensitization programme, which she said, had benefited not only the market women and men who attended the event but also the entire telecom consumers present, who cut across social strata.
“We have listened to all you have told us as telecom consumers, we would always recall the information when you have left us and we would also ensure that we take all measures possible to join hands in protecting telecom facilities in our vicinities for improved quality of service delivery. From all indications, doing this is for our own benefits as consumers,” Iyaloja Oloyede stated with conviction of a good listener and leader.
Earlier in his welcome address, Adewolu, who once served as a Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs in the State, called on the community leaders and people of Ogun State to take ownership of telecommunications infrastructure in their localities and protect them from vandalism or theft.
The ECSM said Ogun State is central to telecoms growth in Nigeria in that it hosts one of the largest concentration of users of telecoms services in Nigeria, with an active subscriber base of over eight million users as at the Fourth Quarter of 2021, according to the data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“This huge subscriber base is supported by a dynamic ecosystem of service providers, dealers, marketers and innovators. We are, therefore, here to host the maiden edition of the NCC-instituted Village Square Dialogue and to salute the legendary entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Ogun State.
“On behalf of the Commission, I also thank you for the warm reception accorded us and the warmth traditionally accorded telecom service providers to bolster infrastructure development”, Adewolu said.
Addressing the audience further, Adewolu said telecoms services have long been recognised as the easiest and cheapest means of meeting critical socio-economic needs such as education, financial inclusion, economic empowerment and deepening social interactions.
Accordingly, Adewolu said the infrastructure through which these services are provided are called the “infrastructure of infrastructures” because they enable the digitization and seamless connectivity of all other socio-economic sectors.
“Without telecoms infrastructure, we cannot communicate with friends and family over long distances at the touch of a button, and we cannot conduct banking, insurance, governmental services, education, entertainment and many other activities with ease without telecommunications.
“This means that telecoms infrastructure are critical to modern existence, and we must all do what we can to ensure that we tackle anything that affects their seamless operation”, Adewolu emphasised.
“Issues like hostile communities, the theft of diesel, batteries and power-generating sets, digging up fiber lines, sealing/locking-up of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites and such other illegal activities must be tackled decisively by all of us. I therefore urge you all to please see telecoms infrastructure as your own, and to protect them as communal property.
“Anybody that tampers with telecoms infrastructure is tampering with your future and the future of your children – they should be resisted and reported,” the ECSM stated.
Also at the event, NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Efosa Idehen, made a presentation elucidating on how NCC protects the interests, rights and privileges of telecom consumers. The DCA emphasized consumer obligations, especially in the area of telecoms infrastructure protection in order to ensure improved quality of service (QoS) and better quality of experience (QoE).
Similarly, a Principal Manager in the Technical Standards and Network Integrity (TSNI) Department of NCC, Kunle Olorundare, spoke on contributions of telecoms to the economy, mobile network development, the benefits of telecoms, network outages and their causes, and he enjoined consumers to protect telecoms infrastructure.
“By protecting the infrastructure, you are protecting every service offered on the network. You are protecting your money (Mobile Banking), your Jobs (Recharge Card and Phone business), your children’s future (Learning on the internet) and even your community (Social communication),” Olorundare said to restate the centrality of telecommunications to individuals and businesses.
The event was oversubscribed as the venue was filled to the brim with traditional rulers and other community leaders, market women and men, other telecom consumers from all walks of life, and representatives of telecoms consumers and service providers.
Also, more than 90 per cent of the forum’s communication was conducted in Yoruba language which is spoken and understood by majority of the people in the environment, and also in Pidgin English. This choice of languages used at the forum enhanced comprehension and participation at event, and also bolstered the appreciation of the important role NCC plays in promoting the consolidation of the growth of the telecom industry.

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Tribunal Upholds FCCPC’s $220m Fine against Meta, WhatsApp

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Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for data privacy violations in Nigeria.

Tribunal Upholds FCCPC’s $220m Fine against Meta, WhatsApp

The Tribunal also awarded $35,000 in investigative costs to the country’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .

In a statement issued by the FCCPC, the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and ruling in favour of its actions on nearly all contested issues.

According to the statement by the FCCPC, “The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission adhered to prevailing laws, fulfilled its mandate, and exercised its powers by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.”

The statement revealed that WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC was represented by Babatunde Irukera.

It added that both legal teams presented their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

“The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, the investigation started in 2020.

“The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

“Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission,” FCCPC said.

The Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority and investigative procedures in Meta and WhatsApp’s appeal, resolving most of the contested issues in the Commission’s favour.

It confirmed that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate, particularly regarding fair hearing, data protection, and consumer rights.

While it dismissed the majority of the appellants’ objections, it set aside one specific order (Order 7) for lacking sufficient legal basis.

While expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman/CEO,  commended the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic expertise in assembling evidence and presenting their case.

He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s unwavering commitment not only to protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers but also to promoting fair business practices in line with the FCCPA (2018) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Legend Internet Plc Makes History as First Indigenous Telecom Firm on NGX

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Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), has made history with the listing of Legend Internet Service Plc  as the first company in its Telecoms sector and the first company to be listed this year.

Legend Internet Plc Makes History as First Indigenous Telecom Firm on NGX

Legend’s N2 billion ordinary shares, with a par value of 50 kobo each, were listed at N5.64 per share.

Dr Umaru Kwairanga, chairman of NGX Group,  who welcomed Legend’s board and management, commended the company for its successful listing on the Exchange

He highlighted that listing signifies an elevated commitment to corporate governance and provides opportunities to leverage the Exchange’s diverse asset classes for capital raising.

He stated, “As we celebrate this listing, with many more in the pipeline, I commend the management of Legend Internet Plc for this remarkable milestone.

“This bold step demonstrates confidence in your business model and growth vision.

It also marks the formal emergence of a broadband service as a distinct sub-sector on our Exchange.

Legend has evolved from a focused digital network provider to a diversified technology player, achieving significant advancements in broadband infrastructure development and data services.

We anticipate continued growth in the future.

“We are still bringing many companies on board the NGX, including Dangote, NNPC and others.

“As Africa’s leading exchange, NGX has consistently championed innovation, transparency and sustainable value creation through our investment in cutting-edge infrastructure and a comprehensive range of product offerings, spanning equities, bonds, ETFs and derivatives

Speaking at the Facts Behind the Listing Ceremony, Dr Ladi Bada, chairman,  Legend emphasised that the company, as the first indigenous telecommunications company on NGX, has substantial value to offer the market.

Bada encouraged Nigerians to embrace the broadband industry, recognizing it as the fastest-growing sector globally.

He noted that the company had been instrumental in laying fiber optic cables connecting 250 homes in the Suleja and Abuja environs.

He expressed optimism that the Exchange would serve as a catalyst to replicate such commendable projects across other regions of Nigeria.

“We are here to create an enabling digital infrastructure to achieve the projected one-trillion dollar economy.

“On this special day, Legend Internet takes a bold step forward, not just for itself, but for the broader ecosystem of technology, infrastructure, and enterprise in Nigeria.

“As we begin this exciting new chapter as a publicly listed company, we do so with humility and boldness.

We remain committed to continuous innovation, expanding our reach, and delivering value to shareholders and society

“A listing on the Nigerian Exchange is more than a financial event. It is a signal and a declaration that a business is ready to be held to the highest standards of governance, performance, and public trust,” he said

Providing insights into the company’s development, Ms Aisha Abdulaziz, chief executive officer of Legend Internet Plc, stated that the company had evolved from an internet service provider to a comprehensive digital service provider.

Abdulaziz noted that with broadband penetration in Nigeria being less than one per cent, Legend Internet was strategically positioned to deepen access

She affirmed the company’s commitment to taking Nigeria’s digital economy to the next level

“When we started Legend, we weren’t just building an internet company; we were building a movement

A movement fueled by the belief that every Nigerian deserves access to premium, reliable, and high-speed internet, regardless of their location or occupation

“From late nights in our first office to laying fiber across Abuja, to launching products that made people’s lives easier and faster, our journey has always been about connections

“Connecting people to opportunities, connecting homes to entertainment, connecting Nigeria to the digital future it deserves. Our journey has always been about a better way to live.

“This listing is a symbol of our commitment to transparency, sustainable growth, and the kind of excellence that outlives hype.

“Legend’s primary focus now is on unlocking digital value at the household level,” she said.

Mr Jude Chiemeka, chief executive officer of NGX, congratulated the company for making the strategic decision to list.

Mr Chiemeka noted that Legend’s listing on NGX now brings the total number of listed securities to 322

Also, Mr Temi Popoola, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, encouraged the investing public to support the newly listed company.

 


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Digital Realty Expands ServiceFabric to Nigeria, Enhancing Global Interconnectivity

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Digital Realty, the leading global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, announced today the expansion of its interconnection platform, ServiceFabric®, to Nigeria.

The platform will be natively deployed at Digital Realty’s LOS1 and LOS2 facilities in Lagos, ensuring low-latency, high-performance connectivity for enterprises in the region and beyond.

This strategic expansion reinforces Digital Realty’s commitment to enabling seamless global interconnectivity for businesses, providing enterprise customers in Nigeria with the ability to connect whenever, wherever, and to whoever they need to.

The presence of ServiceFabric® in Lagos will support the growing demand for hybrid IT and multi-cloud connectivity, empowering businesses with a secure, software-defined interconnection platform.

As part of Digital Realty’s broader vision to support digital transformation across Africa, this deployment is a significant step in an ongoing ServiceFabric® expansion across the continent. Future rollouts are planned to bring additional access points across Africa, enabling enterprises to interconnect with partners, clouds, and networks seamlessly.

The timing of this deployment aligns with a surge in digital activity across Africa. The continent’s digital transformation market is projected to grow from approximately USD 23 billion in 2024 to USD 46 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% , underscoring the accelerating demand for advanced connectivity solutions.

In Nigeria specifically, national initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program and the Broadband Alliance reflect strong government support for enhancing digital skills and infrastructure – further highlighting the country’s critical role in Africa’s digital future.

“The launch of ServiceFabric® in Nigeria marks a significant milestone in our mission to build a truly globally connected digital economy,” said Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Realty. “By deploying ServiceFabric® natively in our Lagos facilities, we are ensuring businesses in Nigeria have access to the same best-in-class interconnection capabilities as enterprises in major digital hubs around the world.”

Explaining further, Engineer Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria, stated the launch of ServiceFabric® in Nigeria is a direct response to the call by the Federal Government towards availability of global infrastructure in the country thereby enhancing localization of content and bringing global platforms into the Nigerian ICT ecosystem.

By a direct connectivity into the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the IXPN will be able to peer with other global exchanges thereby enhancing the quality of service delivery to Nigerian companies and service providers.

ServiceFabric® is already available natively in more than 160 Digital Realty facilities and over 500 third-party facilities through strategic partnerships, including with Megaport and the recent collaboration with Console Connect. These partnerships help extend the reach of the platform, providing enterprises with a truly global, interconnected ecosystem.

ServiceFabric® is a next-generation interconnection solution designed to simplify and streamline connectivity between enterprises, cloud providers, and network partners. With integration points to Digital Realty’s Private AI Exchange (AIPx), it also paves the way for secure and efficient AI workload connectivity, further future-proofing enterprise infrastructure.

Key benefits include:

  • Seamless multi-cloud connectivity – direct, secure access to major cloud providers with access to more than 280 cloud on-ramps globally, ensuring optimized performance and security.
  • Global reach, local performance – enterprises in Nigeria can connect with business partners and digital services across PlatformDIGITAL®, Digital Realty’s global data center platform consisting of 300+ facilities across 50+ cities in 25+ countries.
  • Scalability & flexibility – businesses can scale their interconnection needs on demand, adapting to changing IT and network requirements.
  • Enhanced security & reliability – a private, software-defined platform that reduces exposure to public internet risks and improves network resiliency.

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