Telecom
NIPR Fellowship to Muoka, Ibietan, Meritorious – Danbatta
Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has hailed the conferment of the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (fnipr) on two management staff of the Commission, as meritorious and a testimony to the Commission’s promotion of professionalism and excellence in its scheme of management.
The NCC EVC’s assertion followed the recent investiture and induction of Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs, and Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head, Media Relations in the Public Affairs Department of the Commission, as Fellows of the Chartered Institute during its AGM and Conference at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Danbatta, in congratulating the duo, said the Commission is proud to have produced these two individuals who have been considered worthy of elevation to the fellowship cadre of the prestigious institution like the NIPR, and that their emergence resonates with two of the Commission’s core values; Excellence and Professionalism; which the Commission coincidentally shares with the NIPR.
The NCC boss, a Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, with many Fellowships like: Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria, expressed delight at the level of performance of the Commission’s staff in their different areas of professional calling.
He commended the NIPR as a body for its commitment in the regulation of the practice of public relations in Nigeria for which it has found an ally in NCC. “This can only rekindle the healthy collaboration and partnership existing between the NCC and NIPR, especially in the area of capacity-building and commitment to appropriate national social orientation”, Danbatta stated.
Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs Department of the NCC, holds M.Sc. in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos with specialisation in Public Relations and Advertising, after a Postgraduate Diploma in the same field from the same University; and he had earlier obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from the University of Ilorin. Besides being a fellow of NIPR, he is also an associate of the Registered Practitioners of Advertising, (arpa).
He had worked for many years as Communications Editor in Vanguard Newspapers during which he also chaired the League of Communications Correspondents, one of the platforms that championed the deregulation of the telecom industry in Nigeria.
He also worked for MTS First Wireless, Nigeria’s first mobile network operator, where he rose to the position of Deputy General Manager.
In 1999, Muoka received a fellowship involving a Pan-African training and tour, leading to the award of a Diploma in Journalism, at the instance of the Egyptian Ministry of Information, and the African Journalists Union (AJU), in Cairo, Egypt.
Ibietan earned a PhD in Communication from North-West University in South Africa. He had earlier obtained MA in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan, a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo, and a Journalism Diploma from the Moscow-based International Institute of Journalism, Abuja Campus.
A noted advocate of freedom and democracy, he was Freedom House Nigeria Project’s Regional Media Researcher in the Niger Delta until his appointment in 2006 as Special Media Assistant to the Federal Minister of Information and Communication, during which he popularised the use of new media for public communication in Nigeria.
He is a member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) and the International Institute of Communications (IIC).
Ibietan joined the NCC in 2008 and was deployed to Legislative and Government Relations (LGR) Department where he was frontline liaison staff of the Commission with the National Assembly.
Much later after the merging of the LGR Department with the Public Affairs Department in 2010, he served as Manager Media and Public Relations under Muoka’s supervision and became Senior Manager Media Management until January 2017 when he was redeployed to PAD’s emergent Online Media and Special Publication Unit, and subsequently designated as the head of the Unit.
He also worked at the Consumer Information and Education Unit of the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) until his redeployment to PAD. He became an Assistant Director in January 2021 and was appointed Head Media Relations in July 2022.
9mobile, telecommunications operator, has described as untrue the rumors suggesting that it has shut down its operations.
according to the telcos, these claims are entirely baseless and aimed at causing unnecessary panic among our valued subscribers, the mobile operator said in a statement.
“We understand that some customers have recently faced challenges, particularly with Mobile Number Portability (MNP), a service that enables seamless network switching.
“We want to clarify that 9mobile has never restricted customers from porting to other networks. We remain fully compliant with industry regulations and committed to delivering fair, transparent, and customer-focused services.
“While there have been temporary technical challenges affecting MNP, these issues have now been largely resolved. Some minor delays may still occur due to ongoing system optimizations, but we are actively working to ensure a smoother experience for all users.
“As a proudly Nigerian brand, we embody the resilient spirit of our people and remain steadfast in our commitment to overcoming challenges. We acknowledge the temporary service disruptions some customers may have experienced in different locations.
“However, we assure you that these disruptions are part of a broader transformation effort aimed at modernizing our infrastructure and improving overall service quality.
“Our ongoing investments in network upgrades and service expansion will soon yield significant improvements, ensuring reliable connectivity for individuals, businesses, and communities.
“We sincerely appreciate the patience and loyalty of our subscribers during this transition. While challenges exist, we are making significant progress and are confident that brighter days are ahead. We remain dedicated to providing exceptional service and keeping you connected to limitless opportunities”.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has initiated an investigation into the data processing practices of Tiktok and Truecaller, following growing concerns about potential privacy violations.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, made the announcement today during a press conference in Abuja, where he also revealed the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act – General Application and implementation directive (NDPC Act – GAID), 2025.
Dr Olatunji stated that the commission’s primary concern is how these platforms manage Nigerian users’ personal data, including potential breaches of consent, data sharing with third parties, and overall compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023. He confirmed that the NDPC is actively investigating Tiktok and Truecaller’s data processing activities to ensure they comply with Nigeria’s data protection laws.
“The goal is to safeguard the privacy rights of Nigerians and hold organizations accountable for how they collect, store, and use personal data,” he added.
This investigation comes amid increasing scrutiny of global tech companies regarding data privacy, especially concerning how personal information is processed, stored, and transmitted beyond national borders.
The NDPC act – GAID, 2025, issued today, provides a detailed framework for implementing Nigeria’s data protection law, outlining compliance guidelines, enforcement mechanisms, and obligations for both public and private organizations.
Dr Olatunji emphasized that the directive aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by fostering trust in data governance while ensuring individuals’ rights to privacy are respected in accordance with international best practices.
He reiterated that companies operating in Nigeria must comply with the country’s data protection regulations or face regulatory actions, including fines and potential restrictions.
The NDPC has urged the public to report any data privacy violations and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and due process in its investigations.
The commission noted that reporting data breaches has become more accessible through dedicated channels on its official website.
In a resounding commitment to bridging gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), has taken a decisive step toward closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,” the high-level event reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to fostering equitable access to digital technology, online safety, and economic empowerment for women and children.
L-R: Esther Eghobamien-Mshelis – President of UN CEDAW, Iklima Musa – Special Assistant to the Director General of NITDA, Noimot Salako – Deputy Governor Ogun state, Maryam Ciroma – former minster of women affairs, Imaan Sulaiman- Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih – former Minister of women affairs and Dr Maryam Keshinro – Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Women Affairs at the United Nations 69th Session.
Speaking at the event, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to the Director General on Strategic Partnerships, presented the strategy, emphasizing NITDA’s role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in the digital economy.
The NGDIS, developed in alignment with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, seeks to remove barriers to digital inclusion by expanding access to digital skills training, infrastructure, and mentorship opportunities for women and girls.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA as represented by the SA, in his special remarks reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, highlighting NGDIS as a game-changer in achieving gender parity in the digital space.
He noted that the framework prioritizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, safety, and gender-responsive policies to accelerate women’s participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The NGDIS is built on five core pillars that will drive women’s access, participation, and leadership in the digital ecosystem. It seeks to expand digital literacy and skills by ensuring at least 40% female participation in all national training initiatives.
Recognizing the role of women in Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, the strategy emphasizes access to funding, mentorship, and technical assistance for female-led startups, leveraging the Nigeria Startup Act to increase financial and institutional support for women in the tech ecosystem. With 58% of young women globally experiencing online harassment, the NGDIS prioritizes online safety and cybersecurity awareness.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Women Affairs, Honourable Imaan Sulaiman, FSI, underscored the urgent need for action in tackling gender disparities in digital access.
She revealed alarming statistics that demonstrate the stark reality of the digital divide in Nigeria, highlighting that 68% of Nigerian women do not own smartphones, making it difficult for them to access online services and economic opportunities.
She stressed that this divide extends beyond access, as women and children face significant online risks, including cyber harassment, digital gender-based violence, and exclusion from the rapidly growing tech-driven economy.
She called for the swift implementation of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) 2024-2027, which seeks to remove the structural barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in the digital economy.
She emphasized the need for strong legal frameworks that would accelerate action in promoting digital literacy, providing safe online spaces, and empowering women to thrive in technology-driven industries.
She reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to creating an inclusive digital future where no woman or child is left behind.
She urged all stakeholders to work together to transform digital access and security for women and children, making technology a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
As the world embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, NITDA in collaboration with stakeholders is taking bold and strategic steps to ensure that women and girls are not only participants but also leaders in the digital transformation journey.
The National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy is a blueprint for action, providing a clear framework for accelerating digital inclusion, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening online safety for Nigerian women and children.
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