Connect with us

Telecom

Pantami Inaugurates Nigeria Startup Act Implementation Committee

Published

on

PANTAMI
Kindly share this post

In fostering the growth of the digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country and consolidating the achievements made by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 27 member committee to implement the Nigeria Startup Act 2023 (NSA)

PANTAMI

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, inaugurated the committee on behalf of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari in a hybrid event at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja.

Giving a historical overview of the journey so far from the conceptualisation of the bill to its enactment into law by the President on 19th October 2022, the Honourable Minister stated that the Nigeria Startup Bill was first drafted and formulated in 2021 with inputs from relevant and critical stakeholders.

He stated that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, private sectors, industry players, young innovators and stakeholders from the academia were engaged in town hall meetings organised in the six geopolitical zones of the country with the purpose of collecting their inputs, constructive criticisms and recommendations to create a robust and credible document.

Describing the inauguration of the NSA implementation committee as a milestone achievement towards the attainment of a digital Nigeria, Pantami urged the committee members to coordinate operational plans and establish the baseline for the ecosystem in terms of digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

“In this implementation committee, we have brought together relevant stakeholders, some from government, some from the private sector, some from the ecosystem, some from the academia, some from legal institutions and many more to come together and provide the leadership that is required for the technical implementation of this very important law”, he stated.

While noting that economies globally are driven by technology, knowledge, digital innovation and entrepreneurship, Pantami stated that priority and preference should be given to a knowledge-based economy rather than a resource-based economy in the country.

He further stated that countries like the United States of America, China, Japan, Germany, India and the United Kingdom which are the major contributors to the global Gross Domestic Product of 101.6 trillion US dollars are leading economically because they give preference to a knowledge-based economy.

“According to statistics as of December 2022, digital enterprises are directly and indirectly contributing a minimum of 53 trillion US dollars to the global GDP. By implication, you can safely say that more than half of the global GDP depends on technology, digital innovation and digital entrepreneurship”, he said.

“Today, digital entrepreneurship, digital innovation and knowledge-based activities are building the global economy and we need to invest in our youths that have innovative ideas”, he added.

He further stated that Nigeria is blessed with so many talents and innovators, and that young Nigerians have been making the country proud by winning prizes at global ICT events in UAE, Barcelona, USA and Saudi Arabia.

While emphatically stating that the NSA would consolidate the achievements of startups in the country by providing legal frameworks as well as technical and financial backing to further encourage them, the Minister said that “Today in the Act, there is a provision of supporting them financially. The government will set aside a minimum of 10 billion naira annually in addition to other sources of funding that have been captured in the law”.

Prof. Pantami also noted without a doubt that it will consolidate the achievements made thus far by the Ministry in terms of broadband penetration, 4G penetration, development of policies for digitalization, digital ID in Nigeria, government revenue generation amongst others.

Announcing the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa as the secretary of the committee, the Minister urged all the members to expend their time, energy, knowledge and experience to support the ecosystem so as to reduce importation in the country and prioritise production.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Kashifu Inuwa appreciated all members of the committee for agreeing to contribute their expertise to the national assignment of implementing the NSA.

He stated that the committee is responsible for creating an enabling and sustainable environment for young and talented people to develop more profitable and innovative-driven enterprises for national development.

While noting that startups are critical drivers for economic growth, Inuwa asserted that implementing the NSA will be a game changer that will help create a legal and institutional framework to develop the Nigerian startup ecosystem.

“I wish to sincerely appreciate your acceptance to serve on this committee and I have no doubt that our collective expertise and experience will help us implement the NSA successfully”, he concluded.


Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Telecom

MTN Nigeria to Lease Spectrum from T2 Mobile, Ends Agreement with Ntel

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has secured regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lease frequency spectrum from T2 Mobile Limited (formerly 9Mobile), marking a strategic shift in its network expansion plans.

Effective October 1, 2025, MTN will lease 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 15MHz in the 1800MHz band from T2 Mobile for a period of three years.

This move supports MTN’s national roaming agreement with T2, enabling shared infrastructure to manage growing network traffic and improve service delivery

According to MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, the agreement aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which emphasizes cost-effective, sustainable growth, industry collaboration, and digital inclusion.

In a related development, MTN Nigeria has announced it will not renew its current spectrum lease with Natcom Development and Investment Ltd (Ntel). That lease—covering 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 10MHz in the 1800MHz band across 17 states—is set to expire on November 29, 2025.

MTN reaffirmed its commitment to investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to deliver high-quality, innovative telecom services across Nigeria.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

MTN Foundation Opens Applications for Phase 2 of SAIL Teachers’ Fellowship to Train 5,000 Nigerian Educators in Digital Skills

Published

on

Kindly share this post

MTN Foundation, in partnership with SAIL Innovation Lab and Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), has announced the commencement of the second phase of the MTN SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme with a call for applications.

The initiative aims to equip 5,000 public school teachers across Nigeria with cutting-edge digital skills, innovative teaching methods, and leadership capacity to transform the learning experience in public schools.

The call for applications, open until 19th October 2025 is part of the MTN Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector and empowering educators with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

In addition, participants will gain access to the MTN Skills Academy, an online learning platform offering free, self-paced courses on coding, data analytics, digital marketing and other in-demand skills.

This ensures teachers can continue their professional development long after the training period, equipping them with the tools to prepare students for the opportunities of the digital economy.

Speaking on the launch of Phase 2, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, said: “Teachers are the backbone of our education system. By empowering them with digital competencies and innovative teaching methods, we are directly investing in the future of our youths.

This Fellowship Programme is designed to ensure that our educators are not just keeping pace with global best practices but are actively shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

Participants in the programme will undergo intensive training on topics such as technology integration in the classroom, modern pedagogical techniques, digital tools, and personal leadership.

The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators and education experts to ensure a blend of practical knowledge and peer-driven learning.

The MTN SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme, initiated in 2024, is a part of the Foundation’s broader mission to catalyse sustainable development initiatives that make measurable impact in the areas of education, health, and economic empowerment.

Since its inception, MTN Foundation has reached millions of Nigerians through various programmes, reaffirming its role as a catalyst for positive change.

Interested teachers can learn more and apply via https://bit.ly/STFP2025 as applications are expected to close on October 19, 2025.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Konga’s Category Month Campaign Drives Sales and Social Impact in Nigeria

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce group, has continued to record remarkable feedback from shoppers as its ongoing Category Month Campaign builds momentum. Since its kick-off in early September, the initiative has spotlighted key product categories each week, delivering unbeatable deals and heightened excitement across Nigeria’s digital retail space.

The campaign debuted with Home and Kitchen products in the first week of launch, offering households the chance to upgrade essentials at discounted prices.

This was followed by Electronics Week, which drew an overwhelming response from tech-savvy shoppers eager to secure top-quality gadgets at market-leading prices.

This week, attention has shifted to Beauty, Health and Personal Care, as well as Fashion, promising even more compelling offers for style enthusiasts and wellness-focused consumers.

According to industry observers, shoppers have embraced the campaign for clear reasons: convenience, affordability, and trust. By focusing on one category per week, Konga ensures a curated shopping experience where customers enjoy depth, variety, and verified quality across product lines. Strategic partnerships with global brands further guarantee authenticity, while Konga’s reliable logistics network continues to deliver purchases swiftly and securely.

In addition, Konga’s Category Month is strategically driving value for both buyers and sellers. For shoppers, it translates into savings and access to exclusive bundles. For merchants, it unlocks visibility to wider audiences and boosts sales volumes in a competitive marketplace.

Beyond the campaign, Konga has also reinforced its reputation as a socially responsible brand through the Computerise Nigeria Initiative, launched recently in partnership with Zinox and KongaCares.

The initiative aims to put one million laptops into the hands of young Nigerian students, bridging the digital divide and equipping the next generation for a knowledge-driven economy.

Konga is calling on well-meaning Nigerians, NGOs, religious institutions, and corporate bodies to support this noble effort, which has the potential to transform education and empower millions of youths across the country.

With Category Month and social impact initiatives like Computerise Nigeria, Konga is not only redefining retail in Nigeria but also cementing its role as a catalyst for digital inclusion and economic growth.

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending