Telecom
Pantami Commends President Buhari on Making Nigeria Digital Economy Giant
Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his stewardship in ensuring that Nigeria is abreast with the global innovation trend, particularly in regard to COVID-19 outbreak.
Pantami stated this on Tuesday at the Nigeria Innovation Summit 2020 organised by Innovation Hub Africa, with the theme: “Innovating in Critical Times”.
The minister who was represented by Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, said the theme of this year’s summit “Innovation In Critical Times” is exciting because never before has innovation been more critical as it is now, especially now that COVID-19 pandemic has forced everyone to embrace new practices such as social distancing and remote everything, adding that the new practices, or new norm as it is being called, is making innovation to have a profound influence on exit strategy from the pandemic.
The Minister commended President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment in making Nigeria a Digital Economy giant, not only in Africa, but the world at large.
Dr Pantami said that, “In Nigeria, we are lucky to have the right leadership at this time. The government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has set the foundation to innovate even before COVID-19.
“On 23rd October 2019, the President renamed and expanded our Ministry’s mandate to cover the digital economy.
“And on 28th November 2019, the president launched the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for Digital Nigeria, and he us to start implementation immediately.
“On 19th March 2020, just before the lockdown, the president launched Broadband Plan and unveiled Digital Nigeria initiatives, and flagged off digital skills and literacy trainings.
Reacting on COVID-19 Pandemic, the Minister said, “Today, it is obvious we are in a critical time. We are confronted with a crisis like no other, a triple crisis that you and I have not seen in living memory. It is the worst health and economic situation of our generation.
“World Bank predicted that COVID-19 would plunge the global economy into the worst recession since World War II. It is also a learning crisis because of two reasons.
“Firstly, at the end of March this year, over 180 countries closed schools, forcing over 1.5 billion students to stay home. Secondly, we are forced to unlearn and relearn how we live and work to navigate our way out of the pandemic,” he said.
He added that, “At the ministry, we blazed the trail in remote working and set the pace for innovation in this country during the pandemic.
“We conceptualised and implemented groundbreaking initiatives under the lockdown. Here we are today as a ministry coming through the pandemic in a fine style.
“These initiatives set the foundation that helped us as a country to innovate and navigate our ways from the crisis mode to the recovery stage.
“At the Ministry and agencies it supervises, we started groundbreaking initiatives that will be game-changer in the innovation ecosystem.
“We have achieved almost all the objectives. We collaborated with the ecosystem to host the COVID-19 innovation challenge, where innovators were invited to showcase their ideas to manage the pandemic.
“The winners got prizes and fundings that helped them turned their ideas into impact. We handheld them developed working products and services,” he added.
Some exciting inventions from the competition are an indigenous ventilator currently being tested on animal, a smart decontamination chamber, which is an intelligent tunnel that can be used to disinfect a person entering a location, and MyClinic (An online platform that enables users to hold video consultations with qualified medical doctors from anywhere and at any time either using its mobile app or via a toll-free line.)
Meta has announced its intention to appeal the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT), which upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its data practices.
The penalty follows a 38-month investigation conducted by the FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which ran from 2021 to December 2023.
The investigation found evidence of unauthorised data sharing, insufficient user consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices that treated Nigerian consumers differently from those in other regions.
In July 2024, the FCCPC imposed the $220 million fine on Meta and WhatsApp, citing violations of Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. Additionally, the ruling mandated corrective actions to ensure that Meta’s business practices comply with Nigerian regulations.
In a decision delivered on Friday, April 25, the tribunal upheld the fine, reaffirming the FCCPC’s authority and investigative processes. The tribunal also ordered Meta to pay an additional $35,000 to cover the costs incurred during the investigation.
However, Meta expressed disagreement with the tribunal’s ruling, stating in a statement on Saturday, April 26, that it would urgently seek to appeal the decision and apply for a stay of execution.
“We are urgently applying to stay the order and appeal today’s decision to avoid any impact to users,” WhatsApp said.
The company also contested the tribunal’s findings, claiming that the ruling misrepresented how WhatsApp operates and contained inaccuracies regarding its data practices.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC for data privacy violations in Nigeria.
The Tribunal also awarded $35,000 in investigative costs to the country’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .
In a statement issued by the FCCPC, the Tribunal delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and ruling in favour of its actions on nearly all contested issues.
According to the statement by the FCCPC, “The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission adhered to prevailing laws, fulfilled its mandate, and exercised its powers by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.”
The statement revealed that WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), while the FCCPC was represented by Babatunde Irukera.
It added that both legal teams presented their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.
“The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers, the investigation started in 2020.
“The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.
“Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission,” FCCPC said.
The Tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority and investigative procedures in Meta and WhatsApp’s appeal, resolving most of the contested issues in the Commission’s favour.
It confirmed that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory mandate, particularly regarding fair hearing, data protection, and consumer rights.
While it dismissed the majority of the appellants’ objections, it set aside one specific order (Order 7) for lacking sufficient legal basis.
While expressing satisfaction with the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman/CEO, commended the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic expertise in assembling evidence and presenting their case.
He reaffirmed the FCCPC’s unwavering commitment not only to protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers but also to promoting fair business practices in line with the FCCPA (2018) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Nigerian government.
Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), has made history with the listing of Legend Internet Service Plc as the first company in its Telecoms sector and the first company to be listed this year.
Legend’s N2 billion ordinary shares, with a par value of 50 kobo each, were listed at N5.64 per share.
Dr Umaru Kwairanga, chairman of NGX Group, who welcomed Legend’s board and management, commended the company for its successful listing on the Exchange
He highlighted that listing signifies an elevated commitment to corporate governance and provides opportunities to leverage the Exchange’s diverse asset classes for capital raising.
He stated, “As we celebrate this listing, with many more in the pipeline, I commend the management of Legend Internet Plc for this remarkable milestone.
“This bold step demonstrates confidence in your business model and growth vision.
It also marks the formal emergence of a broadband service as a distinct sub-sector on our Exchange.
Legend has evolved from a focused digital network provider to a diversified technology player, achieving significant advancements in broadband infrastructure development and data services.
We anticipate continued growth in the future.
“We are still bringing many companies on board the NGX, including Dangote, NNPC and others.
“As Africa’s leading exchange, NGX has consistently championed innovation, transparency and sustainable value creation through our investment in cutting-edge infrastructure and a comprehensive range of product offerings, spanning equities, bonds, ETFs and derivatives
Speaking at the Facts Behind the Listing Ceremony, Dr Ladi Bada, chairman, Legend emphasised that the company, as the first indigenous telecommunications company on NGX, has substantial value to offer the market.
Bada encouraged Nigerians to embrace the broadband industry, recognizing it as the fastest-growing sector globally.
He noted that the company had been instrumental in laying fiber optic cables connecting 250 homes in the Suleja and Abuja environs.
He expressed optimism that the Exchange would serve as a catalyst to replicate such commendable projects across other regions of Nigeria.
“We are here to create an enabling digital infrastructure to achieve the projected one-trillion dollar economy.
“On this special day, Legend Internet takes a bold step forward, not just for itself, but for the broader ecosystem of technology, infrastructure, and enterprise in Nigeria.
“As we begin this exciting new chapter as a publicly listed company, we do so with humility and boldness.
We remain committed to continuous innovation, expanding our reach, and delivering value to shareholders and society
“A listing on the Nigerian Exchange is more than a financial event. It is a signal and a declaration that a business is ready to be held to the highest standards of governance, performance, and public trust,” he said
Providing insights into the company’s development, Ms Aisha Abdulaziz, chief executive officer of Legend Internet Plc, stated that the company had evolved from an internet service provider to a comprehensive digital service provider.
Abdulaziz noted that with broadband penetration in Nigeria being less than one per cent, Legend Internet was strategically positioned to deepen access
She affirmed the company’s commitment to taking Nigeria’s digital economy to the next level
“When we started Legend, we weren’t just building an internet company; we were building a movement
A movement fueled by the belief that every Nigerian deserves access to premium, reliable, and high-speed internet, regardless of their location or occupation
“From late nights in our first office to laying fiber across Abuja, to launching products that made people’s lives easier and faster, our journey has always been about connections
“Connecting people to opportunities, connecting homes to entertainment, connecting Nigeria to the digital future it deserves. Our journey has always been about a better way to live.
“This listing is a symbol of our commitment to transparency, sustainable growth, and the kind of excellence that outlives hype.
“Legend’s primary focus now is on unlocking digital value at the household level,” she said.
Mr Jude Chiemeka, chief executive officer of NGX, congratulated the company for making the strategic decision to list.
Mr Chiemeka noted that Legend’s listing on NGX now brings the total number of listed securities to 322
Also, Mr Temi Popoola, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, encouraged the investing public to support the newly listed company.
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