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NITDA Saves N22.45Bn Through IT  Projects’ Clearance of MDAs

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National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that it has so far saved the sum of N22.45 billion for the Federal Government through the clearance of Information Technology projects of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

NITDA Saves N22.45Bn Through IT  Projects’ Clearance of MDAs

Kashifu Abdullahi, director general of NITDA revealed this in Abuja at a media briefing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Agency.

It would be recalled that NITDA, as the clearing House of IT Projects in Nigeria, has been mandated to clear all IT Projects in line with the policy objectives of the Federal Government to maximise transparency and accountability in carrying out IT Projects by Public Institutions.

Consequently, the Federal Government issued a Circular No SGF/6/S.19/T/65 of 18th April, 2006, directing all public institutions planning to embark on any IT project to obtain clearance from NITDA.

Against the backdrop of the enforcement of the policy which started in December 2016, Abdullahi said the IT Clearance has saved over 22.45 billion Naira for the Federal Government.

He further noted that with the release of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), NITDA has created a new industry, stimulated new business models, and empowered thousands of Nigerians through capacity building and skills development.

“We licensed 72 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs), created over 2,686 new jobs roles in the industry, developed a new data protection sector valued at around N2.2 billion.

“The Agency has also successfully investigated and issued data breach fines to many organisations, including public institutions.

“More importantly, other countries are looking up to the Agency for guidance on Data Protection Regulation,” he explained.

Also speaking, Dr. Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said the IT Project Clearance of the present administration was designed to fight corruption.

His words: “This is one of the strategic areas where corruption has been fought in the public institutions.

“We have a situation where an IT project will be brought to NITDA and the Agency will bring down the cost by 30 per cent.

“I know of a single IT project that was brought to NITDA and it saved over N2billion for the Federal Government.”

Pantami pointed out that earlier before 2016, the mandate of IT clearance of MDAs was non-functional.

He commended the transparency and integrity exhibited by NITDA in the course of clearing IT projects for MDAs.

Commenting further on the milestones recorded by NITDA over the last 20 years, Abdullahi said the Agency has “played critical roles in national development by providing the legal framework for information technology development, pioneering IT developmental projects, facilitating access to information technology goods and services, catalysing job creation and ensuring national security.”

NITDA was established in April 18th, 2001, following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Information Technology Policy in March, 2001.

The National Assembly passed into law the NITDA Act, 2007, which mandates the Agency to regulate, develop, and advise on Information Technology practices in Nigeria.


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MTN Group Service Revenue Hurt by Nigerian Regulatory Issues

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MTN Group has reported a lower service revenue for the nine months ended September 30 as regulatory registrations in Nigeria hurt subscriber numbers in the region.

MTN Group Service Revenue Hurt by Nigerian Regulatory Issues

MTN, with 288 million subscribers in 17 markets across Africa, said its group service revenue fell to $6.99 billion from $8.55 billion in the same quarter last year.

The group reported a 48.7% plunge in revenue from MTN Nigeria due to the devaluation of the currency, but noted that “the naira was less volatile on a sequential basis in Q3 than in preceding quarters”.

Its biggest contributor, MTN South Africa (MTN SA) grew marginally by 3.3% and Uganda followed suit with 5% growth helped by a firmer Ugandan shilling compared to last year.

The company said its subscriber base grew by 1.6% to 288 million, affected by “subscriber registration regulations in Nigeria and a decline in users in Sudan, where millions of people have been displaced by the conflict.”

 

 

 

 


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5G Users Ready to Pay More for Premium Connectivity Services – Report

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A new report from global technology leader Ericsson highlighted that 35 percent of 5G users are willing to pay for premium services that exceed standard 5G offerings, driven largely by the demand for seamless performance in high-traffic areas and GenAI applications.

5G Users Ready to Pay More for Premium Connectivity Services - Report

Ericsson’s findings revealed that consumer expectations are shifting; 5G users are not only seeking improved network quality but are also prepared to pay up to 35 per cent more for “differentiated connectivity” that assures consistent, high-speed performance.

Performance-sensitive activities like video calling, streaming, and generative AI are particularly driving this trend, opening new revenue opportunities for telecom operators.

The report indicated that by investing in premium connectivity options, telecom companies could see revenue increases of 5-12 per cent.

Ericsson suggested these operators could capitalise on this demand by introducing quality-on-demand APIs for application service providers, a strategy that could unlock innovative monetisation paths.

“Today, 5G users are looking for performance assurance on core services like video calls and streaming, while GenAI users are even more eager to pay a premium that is 35 percent higher than these core services,” Ericsson reported, underscoring the expanding role of high-performance connectivity in everyday digital experiences.

Ericsson also found that network quality is essential in consumers’ daily routines, with expectations for uninterrupted, high-speed access—especially in crowded environments like stadiums, transport hubs, and malls.

Forty two per cent of 5G users expressed a desire for improved connectivity in these high-traffic locations.

Additionally, user satisfaction has notably increased with 5G, with 38 per cent of 5G customers reporting high satisfaction levels—a 10-point improvement over 4G users.


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Airtel Nigeria Reinforces Commitment to Youth Empowerment Hosts UNICEF GenU 9JA Steering Committee Meeting

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Airtel Nigeria hosted the 2024 UNICEF Generation Unlimited (GenU) Steering Committee meeting at the Airtel Nigeria headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos, yesterday.

The breakfast meeting served as a collaborative forum, bringing together stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society to review GenU 9JA’s progress in providing Nigerian youth with digital learning, upskilling, and pathways to meaningful employment.

In his opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer at Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz expressed Airtel’s dedication to supporting the youth. “It is a privilege for Airtel to host this significant meeting and reaffirm our commitment to an initiative that holds the power to transform the lives of millions of young Nigerians.

“By equipping our youth with essential skills and resources, we not only support their individual success but also contribute to Nigeria’s social and economic growth,” he said.

Mr. Cruz further highlighted Airtel’s leadership in providing connectivity for digital learning, noting, “With the support of our UNICEF partners, we have connected 1,260 schools across Nigeria to digital learning, enabling 600 children to access educational platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport and Yoma Africa.

“This connectivity is not just about internet access; it is about creating an equal playing field for young people, giving them access to quality education and skills essential for their future.”

The event saw participation from a host of other GenU 9JA partners, including IHS Towers, ATC, Unilever, Jobberman, Microsoft, Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, GIZ, World Bank, ILO, UNDP, UNFPA, the EU Delegation, and the Government of the Netherlands.

While delivering a report on GenU 9JA digital learning, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran, reiterated Airtel’s dedication to driving digital inclusion and youth empowerment in support of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

“For us at Airtel, we are actively involved in connecting schools and advancing digital learning for young Nigerians. Looking back at the debut of our partnership with UNICEF in 2023, we have exceeded our initial expectations in school connectivity, which highlighted the significant gaps in Nigeria’s educational system.

This year, we have made even greater strides and our involvement in initiatives like the Nigeria Learning Passport reflects our commitment to bridging this gap by expanding digital access, fostering learning, and building essential skills nationwide to support young Nigerians,” he said.

“Also, it would interest everyone to know that Airtel Nigeria’s new Home Broadband thematic campaign, ‘Live Limitless’, resonates strongly with the GenU 9JA ‘We No Get Limit’ motto, which underscores our dedication to empowering young Nigerians to unlock their full potential without barriers.

This commitment drives us to continue creating and promoting opportunities that equip the youth for a brighter future” he added. The GenU Steering Committee meeting served as a valuable platform for Airtel and other partners to deepen their commitment to the GenU 9JA mission.

By fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives, Airtel demonstrates its corporate social responsibility by actively contributing to programs that uplift Nigerian youth and promote sustainable development across the nation.

 


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