Telecom
NCC, Stakeholders Move to Utilise 70/80GHz Spectrum Band
Ubiquitous broadband availability and affordability have become panaceas in measuring countries’ readiness to play in 21st Century world; and its transformative power as an enabler for economic and social growth makes it an essential tool for empowering people, creating an environment that nurtures the technological and service innovation, and triggering positive change in business processes as well as in society as a whole.
In line with this, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday convoked a Stakeholder Consultative Forum in Lagos on plans and licensing of 70/80GHz Spectrum Band.
Nigeria, in the comity of telecommunications advancing nations, is noted for its sheer size and diversity with attached challenges, both for policy-makers and service providers.
The speed and scale of take-up for mobile phones, for instance, has been staggering but until recently this has not been matched by Internet take-up.
However, NCC believes that mobile broadband has accelerated the number of Internet users and looks set to increase overall levels of penetration in the future through the by exploring options for licensing users in the 70/80 gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum band.
The 71-76 and 81-86 GHz bands, widely known as “e-band”, are permitted worldwide for ultra high capacity point-to-point communications.
Meanwhile, e-band propagation characteristics are comparable to those at the widely used microwave bands, and with well characterized weather characteristics allowing rain fade to be understood, link distances of several miles can confidently be realized.
Industry stakeholders, service providers, investors, financiers, VAS providers, and experts joined NCC’s management to chart the way forward for the licensing of service providers in this band within the Nigerian telecom industry.
In an address to the stakeholders, Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of NCC, observed that the 70/80 gigahertz (GHz) Spectrum band is yet to be fully explored and exploited in Nigeria.
Juwah added that beyond the Spectrum band usage and application lie the critical part of how to share the resources for the common good of the investor community, the service provider community and the consumer community.
The EVC who was represented by Alhaji Mohammed Bintube, a member of NCC board, said, “The challenge is how to balance the interest of the stakeholders and yet deliver the values available or derivable from this scare resource”
“On our part, we are also looking at how to align these potentials with the existing services and how it will affect the future outlook of the industry. Our zeal to achieve ubiquitous broadband availability across our nation is not a hidden agenda. We believe that effective and efficient sharing or allocation of the radio spectrum in the 70/80 GHz Band, for commercial use will provide a fillip in that direction”.
The NCC Boss said they had looked at the spectrum and the several licensing models and pricing schemes, believing that inputs from the diverse segments of the industry would enrich the Commission’s decisions.
On his part, Austin Nwaulune, director, Spectrum Administration at NCC, reiterated the economic benefits of the Spectrum Band, adding that e-band wireless systems offer the most compelling alternative to buried fiber with the following advantages over competing high capacity wireless technologies.
Apart from the robust weather resilience, long distance transmissions, guaranteed interference protection, and low cost, rapid license availability, e-band Spectrum band also offers the highest data rates of any wireless technology, with systems available that offer 1 Gbps and above full-duplex throughput.
He said that with budget friendly pricing regime NCC will licence the Spectrum band, the apex regulator hopes to, “address the growing demands by operators for data centric, high speed and high capacity links for metropolitan environment, as it is replica of fibre in the air. It will further assist the Commission’s drive for national Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) initiative and reduce the pressure and management challenges experienced with the Traditional Microwave Frequency Bands”.
Nwaulune also said, the measure will ensure broadband services become more accessible and pervasive with quality that is desirable.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ken Spann, MD/CEO, WaveTek Nigeria limited, testified that during the test-run of the Spectrum Band processes on Apapa-Surulere axis in Lagos, they found the wireless systems offer the most compelling alternative to buried fiber with competing high capacity wireless technologies.
Engineer Lanre Ajayi, president, Association of Telecommunication Company of Nigeria (ATCON), also applauded NCC for the decision to engage industry stakeholders on the plan and licencing.
According to him, experiences in the past were not too palatable to the operators who were meant to adhere strictly to NCC regulations without options of adding inputs.
At same time, NCC said that operators are expected to be professionals in the management of the process and adhere strictly to technical issues that may arise.
The process, Nwaulune said, will be in form of ‘light licencing’, but not without some evaluations, essentially, to ensure the licensees are discouraged for keeping the licences becoming dormant.
MTN Foundation hosted its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference on July 9, 2025, at the MTN Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector to address the growing challenge of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Prominent attendees included Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Dr. Tolu Ajomale of the Lagos Ministry of Health, among others. Also present were representatives of NDLEA, UNODC, academia, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to safeguarding its youth and fostering a future free from substance abuse. Dr. Olusoga emphasized that drug addiction extends beyond health, touching families, communities, and national well-being, calling for proactive, united action.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo, stressed the company’s long-standing dedication to youth development through initiatives like ASAP. NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended MTN Foundation as a vital ally in drug prevention efforts.
The conference featured personal stories of recovery in a session titled “Journeys Through the Fire,” followed by a panel discussion on multi-sectoral solutions to substance abuse. It concluded with a dramatic performance, “Just One Breath,” by LASU’s WADA Club, illustrating the personal and societal toll of drug use.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, closed the event with a powerful call to action, urging media, communities, and policymakers to drive sustained investment in youth empowerment and early intervention.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building resilience among young Nigerians and catalyzing cross-sector partnerships for a drug-free future.
MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was filled with music, pride and emotion on Thursday, July 4, as the Class of 2025 of the MTN Foundation–MUSON Diploma in Music graduated in a ceremony that celebrated discipline, artistry and the power of partnership in nurturing young Nigerian talents.
The event marked the culmination of two years of intensive training for the graduating scholars, supported by the MTN Foundation–MUSON Scholarship Programme. This partnership has provided full scholarships to hundreds of talented Nigerians, giving them access to world-class music education and helping them hone their skills as professional musicians.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation, praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication. “Despite personal and financial obstacles, you showed up with determination, supported one another and embodied the values of excellence and empathy. You are stepping into the world as teachers, performers and cultural advocates. Nigeria and the world need your music now more than ever,” she said.
Chairman of MUSON’s Board of Trustees, Louis Mbanefo, SAN, reflected on the legacy of MUSON and the impact of its partnership with MTN. “Through the generosity of MTN and the dedication of our faculty, MUSON has produced more than 500 graduates who are making significant contributions to Nigeria’s cultural scene and beyond. As you join this vibrant alumni community, remember your responsibility to give back, uphold excellence and enrich the nation’s musical heritage,” he said.
Director of the MUSON School of Music, Princess Banke Ademola, described the graduates as ambassadors of discipline and artistry. “Today, we are not just sending graduates into the world; we are releasing ambassadors of discipline, creativity, and cultural excellence. Each of you has proven that with hard work and resilience, music can transcend challenges and inspire change. Go out there and let your music heal, connect, and transform lives.”
In her speech, Chief Mrs. Joke Chukwuma, Yeye Oba Iye of Ekiti Kingdom, encouraged them to use their music to inspire change and heal communities. “Music is the heartbeat of our culture, and today’s graduates are its future custodians. You are not just musicians; you are storytellers and architects of emotion. Carry your craft with pride and remember that your sound has the power to give voice to the voiceless and light to the world.”
As the graduates received their diplomas to loud applause, the event highlighted the impact of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s creative industries. The MTN Foundation–MUSON partnership continues to inspire hope for the future of music in Nigeria, turning dreams into reality and passion into excellence.
Nvidia has become the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market valuation, surpassing tech giants Apple and Microsoft. Shares rose 2.5% in early trading on Wednesday, July 9, lifting the chipmaker’s market cap past the historic milestone.
Nvidia’s rapid rise reflects its dominant role in powering the global artificial intelligence boom. The company’s chips run the data centers behind AI models and cloud services for Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and more. Global spending on AI infrastructure is expected to top $200 billion by 2028, driving further demand.
Nvidia’s revenue for the quarter ending in April soared 69% year-over-year to $44.1 billion. Its stock has climbed nearly 20% this year, despite facing export restrictions and fresh competition from China’s DeepSeek, which briefly rattled markets. Nvidia shares dropped as much as 37% from January to April, before roaring back to gain almost 74% since early April.
Analysts say Nvidia’s success cements it as the backbone of the AI revolution. “There is one company in the world that is the foundation for the AI revolution, and that is Nvidia,” wrote Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives. He predicts Microsoft, currently valued around $3.77 trillion, will also cross the $4 trillion threshold later this summer.
Nvidia rose to prominence through graphics cards loved by gamers, but now leads in AI hardware, from autonomous vehicles to next-gen chips like the Blackwell Ultra, which promises to support more advanced reasoning in AI models.
The company’s surge has also made CEO Jensen Huang one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth of roughly $140 billion. Huang has met with President Trump and joined other tech leaders on trips abroad, as Nvidia partners in major initiatives like Project Stargate, a $500 billion push to expand US AI infrastructure.
Despite challenges from new players and US-China trade tensions that cost it an estimated $2.5 billion last quarter, Nvidia’s outlook remains bright. On a May earnings call, Huang said AI would become essential for “every country” and “every industry,” from software and healthcare to manufacturing and transportation.
Some on Wall Street believe Nvidia’s rise is only beginning. Loop Capital analysts recently projected the company could reach a staggering $6 trillion valuation by 2028, calling it “essentially a monopoly for critical tech” in the AI space.
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