Telecom
Skool Media Reaffirms Commitment for Effective E-learning Services in Educational Sector
Skool Media an ICT solutions provider geared towards meeting the new demands of 21st Century education has reiterated its commitment to transform Nigeria’s educational sector using Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Charles Dungor, Partnership Implementation Manager, Skool Media, stated this recently in an exclusive chat with Nigeria CommunicationsWeek Media in Lagos.
Dungor said that Skool media is passionate about changing the landscape of educational space with the adoption of technology to improve and reposition average Nigerian child for competitiveness in the global space.
According to him, “At skool media we are basically passionate about changing the landscape of the educational space in the country.
“For reasons of doubt, Skool media is an ICT organization that’s focused around changing the narrative on how the educational system functions in Nigeria.
“With the adoption of technology and the focus on e-learning aimed to improve or position the average Nigerian child for competitiveness in the global space”.
He added that they are currently offering e-learning services in twenty-three unity schools across the six geo political zones in the country.
Dungor stated that over the next coming months they will be dispersing educational materials like projector screens,laptops and software across these schools.
He explained that in these schools, they have what is called tech experience centers that serves as an ICT center where students and teachers can engage in critical thinking in order to bridge the gap between then and also to give student the opportunities and privilege to expand on their knowledge base by assessing e-learning materials.
He added that they have what is called skool media tablets with educational materials embedded inside it which they disperse around these schools to students that want to do further studies and engage themselves in further learning.
He also revealed that they have developed a platform called Edufirst.ng which is a digital learning platform that would address their engagements with private institutions and private schools.
In his words, “The Edufirst platform is suppose to address the gap in the educational space, part of what we are doing on the Edufirst platform is to create like a school portal management system that allows you to have good interactions, student teachers interactions, parent teachers interactions, stakeholders interactions as well.
“The platform is also useful for parents to access performance of their children in school and then have conversations with teachers on how happy or displeased they are with their children performance.
“Under that platform we also have what we would be tagging Edufirst blog, it’s a component under the platform.
“The blog is suppose to have conversation or narratives of treads occurring in the educational system both indigenous Nigeria and globally as well.
“So the platform is quite big and its meant to be all encompassing to all key participant provided you are an individual that has passion for one level of education, you get access to the blog.
“If it’s based on you being a proprietress you will get access to signing up on the platform to engage with it.
“We’re also trying to develop on that platform what we call scholarship schemes.
“So the portal will also help students to be able to access on the spot scholarships with certain partnerships we’ve built.
“So the partnerships will be for institutions, universities at this point, both indigenous and international institutions trying to get scholarships.
“This is supposed to be like a support scheme Edufirst is offering to the general public,”
He added that Skool media is a member of Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and is in partnership with Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to see how best they can advocate for improved quality education that will cut across Nigeria to ensure that e-learning is being adopted into the curriculum of schools.
MTN Group announced plans to expand its footprint on the continent with a $10 billion investment by 2030.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which relayed the information, said the company will inject $2 billion annually as part of the initiative.
According to the ITU, MTN Group plans to use these funds to expand and enhance its voice and data networks, aiming to provide better coverage and connectivity for its customers.
The company sees these investments as key to driving digital inclusion and supporting economic growth in its key markets.
Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 13 of MTN’s target markets, had 527 million unique mobile subscribers in 2023, with a penetration rate of 44%, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA).
The region also had 320 million mobile internet subscribers, representing 27% of the population.
This digital divide presents opportunities for telecom operators.
The GSMA projects that the number of unique mobile subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa will reach 751 million by 2030, growing at an annual compound rate of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.
Mobile internet subscribers are expected to increase to 518 million, with the mobile internet penetration rate reaching 37%, up from 27%.
However, the GSMA estimates that telecom operators will need to invest $62 billion in their networks over the period.
By gaining new subscribers, MTN hopes to solidify its position as “Africa’s largest mobile network operator.”
The company currently has around 230 million subscribers, competing with Vodacom (205 million), Airtel Africa (163.1 million), and Orange (160 million).
Despite focusing on infrastructure, MTN must also address challenges hindering the adoption of mobile phone and internet services.
According to the GSMA, one key obstacle is the high cost of smartphones, which makes them difficult to access for many people.
The GSMA encourages telecom operators to implement initiatives such as device financing plans, installment payment options, and affordable smartphones through partnerships with manufacturers.
Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the Nigerian Government to address policy gaps in the telecom sector to achieve digital inclusion and transformation.
Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON, highlighted this during an interview on Tuesday with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
“The strategic plan for the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy outlines a clear roadmap for the sector, emphasising digital transformation, economic diversification, and broadband expansion.
“One of the flagship policies driving the industry is the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, which aims for 70 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2025.
“While progress has been made, the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) puts broadband penetration at 44.43 per cent as of December 2024.
“This is a reality check as we still have some distance to cover with less than a year to meet the target,” Emoekpere said
He commended the NCC for its transparency in publishing verifiable data, which he said is crucial for identifying and addressing gaps.
Emoekpere also praised reforms like Right of Way (RoW) policies and broadband infrastructure investment incentives, as well as the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) protections aimed at reducing fibre cuts and vandalism.
However, he stressed the need for full implementation of these measures.
The ATCON president identified multiple taxation, high infrastructure costs, and vandalism as major barriers to progress.
He also emphasised the importance of broadband penetration as the backbone of digital inclusion, noting that without widespread, affordable internet access, even the best digital skills programs would have limited impact.
Emoekpere lauded the government’s plan to train 3 million digital professionals by 2027, calling it a forward-thinking initiative to equip Nigerians for the digital economy.
“For meaningful progress, we need aggressive infrastructure rollout, harmonised taxation, and stronger protection for telecom assets,” he said.
Telecom
9mobile Reinforces Innovation Leadership with Echoes, Its Trailblazing AI Storytelling Platform
9mobile, telecommunications provider in Nigeria, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the introduction of Echoes, its AI-driven storytelling platform that seamlessly blends artificial intelligence with compelling narratives.
This groundbreaking initiative is designed to forge deeper connections with audiences, enhance brand affinity, boost engagement, and ignite conversations about Nigeria’s rich heritage and culture.
Echoes by 9mobile was born out of the brand’s commitment to celebrating Nigeria’s diverse history, myths, and true events. Through this initiative, the company seeks to educate, engage, and spark meaningful discussions, aligning perfectly with 9mobile’s youthful and dynamic identity.
Storytelling has long been a powerful medium of expression in Nigeria, and 9mobile leveraged this to resonate with its audience in an authentic and impactful way.
According to Director of Marketing at 9mobile Kenechukwu Okonkwo, “As a proudly Nigerian brand, we were deliberate about sharing rich Nigerian stories; capturing facts, myths, and true events that form the fabric of our identity.
“Many of these stories have been forgotten or lost as our cultures evolve. With Echoes, we step away from the Eurocentric narratives that dominate mainstream media and instead celebrate Nigerian stories, told by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
He further explained that 9mobile carefully curated stories that matter to its audience, stories of resilience, ambition, culture, and everyday life deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history. The initial edition featured iconic locations such as Kajuru Castle, Idanre Hills, and Ogbunike Cave, with later episodes covering historical figures and events like King Eyo Honesty II and Igbo Landing.
Each story underwent meticulous research, AI-assisted scripting, and precise editing to ensure both engagement and alignment with 9mobile’s core values. These stories were then distributed in various formats, including creative Shorts, Reels, TikTok clips, and social media posts across X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
While AI played a crucial role in bringing this project to life, 9mobile ensured its ethical and responsible use.
“We prioritized accuracy and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that each narrative remained a true representation of historical accounts. Additionally, there was no data gatekeeping; audiences could access these stories without restrictions,” Okonkwo emphasized.
The Echoes campaign quickly gained traction, sparking discussions, encouraging user engagement, and strengthening the emotional bond between 9mobile and Nigerian youth.
The initiative amassed over a million views across various channels, reached more than 6.3 million people, and recorded over 7.8 million impressions. As a testament to its innovation, 9mobile was honoured with the “Best Use of AI” award at the prestigious ADVAN Awards.
Commenting on this achievement, 9mobiles Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, stated: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which reaffirms our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Echoes is a game-changer in the telecom industry, and we take pride in leading AI-driven innovation in Nigeria.”
The launch of Echoes marks a significant milestone for 9mobile, reinforcing its leadership in leveraging technology to drive business growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
This initiative cements 9mobile’s position as a pioneer in AI adoption within the telecommunications sector, further strengthening its commitment to delivering world-class services.
9mobile’s legacy of AI-driven solutions extends beyond Echoes. In 2020, the company introduced Enin’, Nigeria’s first AI-enabled chatbot developed by a telecom provider. This intelligent virtual assistant revolutionized customer service, allowing users to purchase airtime, subscribe to data plans, access exclusive offers, receive notifications, manage subscriptions, and even connect with live agents seamlessly.
As 9mobile continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven innovation, its dedication to enhancing user experiences and redefining engagement remains stronger than ever.
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