Telecom
Only Technology will Change the Nigeria Story – Ekeh, Zinox Boss
Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, has boldly declared that technology will disrupt several spheres of the Nigerian economy in the next 10 years, claiming that no one has the capacity to stop the coming wave of positive technological disruption.
Consequently, he has urged Nigerians and mostly the youths to take advantage of this positive digital disruption and add impetus to the brand Nigeria on the global map.
“It is now between our competence, our commitment and God to lead other nations of the world.
“This is a century of quality wealth driven with knowledge and conscience and powered by technology. We have no reason not to scale with over 200m ambitious people from birth,” he declared.
Ekeh gave this charge in a world-class tech speech delivered at the 2019 Annual Lecture Series of foremost advisory and corporate commercial entity, Alliance Law Firm.
The classy event with the theme – Leveraging Technology to develop and rebrand Nigeria – was held at the prestigious Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, November 26th 2019.
In attendance was Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe who chaired the occasion.
Also in attendance was foremost blogger and media entrepreneur, Linda Ikeji; MD/CEO, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwutan; former DG/CEO, NOTAP, Engr. Umar Bindir; GMD, Mojec International Holdings, Chantelle Abdul; Deputy CEO, Payment Tokens, Interswitch, Mike Ogbalu, and many CEOs and Senior Management executives from the financial, shipping, technology, legal, entertainment and educational sector, to mention a few.
Ekeh, arguably Africa’s most renowned technology guru, was the Lead Speaker. He described the event as one of the best ever organised in Nigeria in recent times because of the quality and content of the event.
Continuing Ekeh said,alreadyevery sector of our economy is experiencing the impact of technology, be it the electoral system, health care delivery, agriculture, banking, transport, education, hospitality,governance, entertainment, housing and including the way businesses are run in Nigeria.
“Today, Nigeria is moving closer to e-voting. Also, you will observe that post-election litigations have dropped considerably.
“In fact, we are down by about 41 per cent today. Once we migrate to e-voting fully, anyone who loses an election will have no need to go and contest it in court.
“This is the power of technology. Technology does not lie. This is why I chose to go into it as a profession, he disclosed.
The serial digital entrepreneur, who spoke extempore, drew extensively from his personal experiences in a speech which attracted a standing ovation.
He argued that rebranding Nigeria must begin with critical investments in the nation’s human capital.
Ekeh urged Nigeria to borrow a leaf from a country like India which presently accounts for some of the leading brains driving the world’s major tech conglomerates.
“When I studied for my first degree in India many years ago, I had written a paper titled – India: An economy waiting to happen.
“I have been proved right today. Although the country experienced serious economic hardship, it did not prevent them from investing in education.
“You will find that the average Indian holds a Ph.D. in about three different disciplines and maybe a Master’s degree in four disciplines.
“So, when you employ him, you are getting maybe a Medical Doctor who is sound in Engineering, Agric-Economics, Business Management and more.
“While they were incubating, they kept on upgrading their citizens knowledge base by reducing school fees affordable even to the poorest citizens, waiting for an opportunity.
“When the ICT opportunity emerged, they took it. If the Indian President recalls all Indian nationals today for a two-week break, the entire world will feel the pain. Indians are at the helms of affairs of the world’s most valuable companies including Microsoft, Google, Apple and many others today.”
Ekeh, himself a global advisor to Microsoft, went on to encourage the audience not to lose faith in Nigeria. He affirmed that things are changing for good.
‘Today, we have a Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy,’ he noted.
Further, he counselled the Federal and state governments to take that decision now to invest about $10bn to provide quality digital infrastructure in Nigerian schools at all levels and finance school fees for indigent students nationwide.
“When I encounter people who say things are worse today, I just laugh. You must remain positive.
“Entrepreneurs are known to be positive people. I am an example of the Nigerian miracle but I disciplined myself from day one as someone born in a trust economy.
“When I returned to this country over 30 years ago, I was worth less than $10,000.
“Within three months of returning to Nigeria, I was privileged to have met people like General Theophilus Danjuma, the Awolowo family and others who patronised me and in the first six months, I hit over $4.5m balance sheet size.
“I wouldn’t have achieved this if I had decided to remain in the UK, as I was being advised then by those who saw no future for Nigeria in technology.
“It is important to note that though my customers did not really understand what they were buying, I did not betray them. This century is a century of trust and those that cannot be trusted have no financial capacity to scale.
“Things are even better today. The current generation of kids are knowledge-driven and technology-powered. They will delete many of the so-called billionaires in Nigeria today within the next few years. That is the era we are currently in.
“A very good example of this is Konga which is run by my son and his colleagues. A few months after we acquired Konga, Naspers – the previous owners – which invested $32m in TenCent sold off two per cent of its stake for $9.8bn.
“Today, Naspers’ remaining 28 per cent stake in TenCent is worth $133bn. If the whizkids at Konga choose to put Konga up for sale today, we have an idea how much it will attract. Nigeria with our growing quality population is headed for greatness,’ he submitted.
Ekeh, who disclosed that Nigeria’s wealthy class must re-distribute their wealth or stand the risk of using it to destroy their children, also called for the empowerment of indigent children.
According to him, children of poor parents are imbued with a mindset of disruption and greater discipline and fear of God, even as he affirmed that these are the ones that will place Nigeria on the map of globally recognised nations in the very near future. We can not continue to manipulate them for too long,’ he concluded.
The event also witnessed the launch of the Doing Business in Nigeria manual.
Chief Host of the event and Managing Partner, Alliance Law Firm, Uche Val Obi (SAN) affirmed that the publication drew on the firm’s vast advisory experience and their status as notable contributors in the IMF/World Bank Doing Business publications.
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent increase in tariffs by telecommunications companies in Nigeria, threatening to embark on a nationwide protest to compel a reversal.
In a statement jointly signed on Thursday in Abuja by Comrade Anzaku Shedrack Ovye, national secretary-general, NANS and Comrade Samson Ajasa Adeyemi, the student body gave the Federal Government and telecommunications companies a 72-hour ultimatum to reverse the tariff increase.
The students warned that upon the expiration of the ultimatum, students across the country would be mobilized for a series of street protests nationwide to ensure a reversal.
They argued that the arbitrary action of telecommunications companies has further exacerbated the financial burden on millions of Nigerians, particularly students and youths, who are among the dominant end-users of their services.
The statement read in part:
“This decision, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of calls, data, and other communication services, is both unjustifiable and insensitive, given the prevailing economic challenges faced by the populace.
“NANS views this development as a blatant disregard for the welfare of Nigerian citizens and an affront to the principles of affordability and accessibility that should govern the telecommunications sector.
“This administration is committed to promoting the welfare of Nigerian students; hence, it will vehemently oppose any tendency that does not align with this vision.
“NANS is deeply concerned about the adverse impact this tariff hike will have on students, many of whom rely heavily on affordable telecommunications services for academic research, virtual learning, and staying connected with their families.
“Therefore, it is worrisome to comprehend the justifications for these increments, as NANS considers this action a direct threat to the security of Nigerian students and an attempt to further impede their ability to navigate their academic endeavors, maintain familial connections, and secure legitimate personal incomes, particularly for independent students responsible for their upkeep.
“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to telecommunications companies, the Honourable Minister for Innovation, Digital and Blue Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to reverse this tariff increase and provide a clear roadmap for ensuring affordable telecommunications services for all Nigerians.
“Failure to comply with this ultimatum will leave NANS with no choice but to mobilize students across the nation for a series of peaceful protests to demand justice, accountability, and a comprehensive audit of activities in the telecommunications sector,” NANS stated.
The leadership of NANS maintained that as student representatives, they would not stand idly by while the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, which they have vowed to protect, are trampled upon by greed, “corporate capitalism,” and regulatory complicity.
NANS also called on the Federal Government to intervene promptly and decisively to address this issue.
Additionally, they urged telecommunications companies to prioritize the interests of their customers over profit margins and to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions rather than inflict further hardship on Nigerians who are already struggling economically.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, NANS remains committed to advocating for policies and actions that promote equity, fairness, and the overall well-being of all Nigerians.
“We will continue to hold all parties and duty-bearers accountable to ensure that the rights of students and citizens are protected,” the statement added.
Federal Government has restated its dedication to closing Nigeria’s digital divide, with a focus on delivering connectivity to underserved and unserved communities.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement session held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Tijani noted that while significant progress has been made in expanding broadband penetration and strengthening digital infrastructure, millions of Nigerians remain without access to reliable digital opportunities.
He announced several flagship initiatives under the Federal Government’s efforts to bridge the divide. These include Project BRIDGE, a 90,000km fibre optic expansion; Project 774, aimed at connecting every local government secretariat with high-speed internet; and the Universal Access Project, targeted at connecting over 20 million unconnected Nigerians.
Other initiatives, such as the National Broadband Alliance of Nigeria (NBAN) and the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme, were also highlighted.
“The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) remains a critical tool in delivering this goal, as it supports infrastructure expansion and inclusive policies,” Tijani said.
He stressed the need for strong public-private partnerships and collaboration with development agencies and local communities to achieve sustainable progress.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized the importance of unified efforts to build resilient telecommunication infrastructure.
He revealed that projects funded by the USPF had played a significant role in connecting remote communities.
“We urge stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and explore innovative financing models that will ensure sustainable connectivity,” Maida said.
The engagement session also provided a platform for deliberations on practical strategies for addressing barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure and limited digital literacy, which hinder the achievement of universal connectivity in Nigeria.
The Federal Government reiterated its vision of achieving universal access to communications and digital literacy for all Nigerians by 2030.
MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, on Thursday launched ‘MyLagosApp,’ a digital platform designed to enhance urban living in Lagos.
L-R: Chief Digital Officer, MTN Nigeria, A’isha Mumuni; Legendary Nollywood Actress, Joke Silva; Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat and Chief Information Officer, MTN Nigeria, Shoyinka Shodunke at the launch of MyLagosApp, a one-stop digital hub designed to simplify urban living, held on Thursday, March 13 at MTN Rooftop Plaza, Falomo, Lagos.
The application, which serves as a one-stop hub for events, entertainment, transport services, hospitality, and government-related payments, aims to simplify access to essential services for residents and visitors.
At the launch event held in Lagos, the Executive Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, lauded the partnership as a milestone in leveraging technology to improve lives.
“This collaboration reflects our administration’s commitment to bridging the gap between public and private sectors, using innovation to provide practical solutions for the people,” Hamzat said.
He described the app as a vital tool for fostering transparency, accountability, and seamless access to public services, noting that it aligns with the state’s smart city initiatives.
MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Karl Toriola, expressed the company’s pride in partnering with the Lagos State Government to achieve this milestone.
“MyLagosApp is a major stride in digital transformation, marking a significant step in making Lagos a truly smart city. It simplifies connectivity, access to services, and promotes an efficient urban ecosystem,” Toriola said.
The app, developed by MTN’s Software Lab, adheres to global security standards and ISO 27001 certification, according to MTN’s Chief Information Officer, Shoyinka Shodunke.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized the role of the app in advancing mobility, supporting local businesses, and enhancing government-citizen interactions.
The application is now available for download on Android and iOS platforms.
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