Telecom
NITDA DG Harps on the Key Role of Space Technology in Achieving Digital Transformation
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdulahhi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that to achieve Digital Transformation in Nigeria, there is need to efficiently use the vast opportunities embedded in the Space Technology ecosystem.
Abdullahi made this call today at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency when he met with delegates from the Nigerian Institute of Space Engineers (NISEng) led by its National Chairman, Engr Dr. Okpanachi George, who came to seek for possible collaboration with the agency.
The NITDA boss said that it is a good development for federal government agencies to partner with private organizations, adding that NITDA as the regulator of IT in the country, has put in place, policies and created an enabling environment for producers and professionals to come in and create innovations which will sustain a digital Nigeria.
He further stated that contrary to beliefs that satellites are obsolete, emerging technologies is now transforming the Space technology ecosystem which will evolve a new chapter and give rise to enormous transformation in the industry.
Abdullahi averred that the agency is excited to partner with the NISEng because he believes the collaboration will drive innovations, as the Space Technology Ecosystem is everywhere and encompasses different sectors like the Communications, Agriculture and Security.
He said that Artificial Intelligence and Robotics play a key role in the digital space and NITDA through its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) will collaborate with the NISEng in coming up with ideas which will transform the country through initiatives such as the Research and Development, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Innovations.
The DG added that capacity building is an important factor in research and development and the agency will give its support in capturing all demography especially the young start-ups in order to create a robust local content which will prepare and position the country for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He said the agency is really looking forward to the collaboration because he believes the two organizations will exploit all possible innovations, ideas and commercialize them which in turn will consequently transform NISEng into a competitive, globally standard institute and sustain a digital Nigeria as a whole.
Earlier in his remarks, Engr. Okpanachi thanked the NITDA DG and management staff for taking time out of their busy schedule to receive them.
He said he had been following NITDA’s activities for some time and is greatly marveled at the agency’s dynamism and passion in sustaining a digital Nigeria.
He particularly thanked the DG for sending a representative to the institute’s 10th National Conference and Annual General Meeting in the previous year and seeks a further and deeper collaboration with NITDA on programmes that are insightfully valuable for national and professional development.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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