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General News

When Two Elephants Fight over Telecom Regulation

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Omobola Johnson, minister of Communications Technology
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The environment for compliance in Nigeria’s ICT industry can best be described as a tempest—a stormy outpouring of legislation and regulations requiring that companies protect infrastructure, manage risk, improve controls, guard against threats, and safeguard information.

 

 

The coherence of all of these measures is questionable.

 

 

Many people are aware of the crisis between the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) over the issue of who ought to police and regulate erection of telecommunications masts in the telecommunications sector.

 

 

The precursor of the conflict was the decommissioning by NESREA of a telecommunications mast belonging to Globacom for allegedly violating the country‘s environmental regulations.

 

 

Since then, the two government agencies have been arguing over the rights to police and regulate erection of telecommunications masts.

 

 

But it seems the laws of the land inadvertently created loopholes and ambiguity in the powers to the two federal government agencies to regulate the same environment but from a different pedestal.

 

 

For instance, the powers of the Nigerian Communications Commissions is derived from Section 3 of the Nigerian Communications Acts (NCA) of 2003 which makes it independent national regulatory authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria with responsibility for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.

 

 

Elsewhere, the NESREA Act of 2007 charged the agency with the responsibility of enforcing all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations in Nigeria.

 

 

 It also has the responsibility to enforce compliance with provisions of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties on the environment.

 

 

Because the picture and scope of their regulatory powers are clouded indistinctness, there are frequent clashes.

 

 

The latest is over sitting of telecoms masts within residential areas in Abuja.

 

 

NCC in attempt to exercise its powers unsealed a base station belonging to MTN Nigeria earlier shut by NESREA.

 

 

But later in the day, NESREA went back to the site and resealed the base station.

 

 

NESREA said the MTN base station fall short of its 10 meter-away -from -residential building standard. The base station in question is said to be 5.6 meters away from the closest building in the area.

 

 

NCC said NESREA is overstepping its bounds by sealing base stations which conform to the 5 metre-away from residential building standard it has set for the industry.

 

 

Now if the argument is on standard, are there standards? Which agency is better placed to determine standards in the telecom industry?

 

We believe is NCC is in a better place determine the standard in telecom. NESREA should focus on environmental laws, guidelines and policies.

 

 

Either ways, the discord is unhealthy for the only thriving sector of Nigeria’s economy hobbled by years of mismanagement and neglect.

 

 

Lawyers and indeed the federal government must step up and draw clear boundaries between the two agencies.

 

 

It is also high time the federal government shut down some of its duplicating agencies that are busy doing nothing.

 

 

Telecom investments, quality of service and indeed Nigerians are suffering as the agencies bicker.

 

 

This renders true, the old saying, that when two elephants fight it is the grass which suffers.

 

 

 It refers to the distress experienced by a feeble or helpless industry when two mighty government agencies engage in warfare.

 

 

 The two elephants herein are the government and the government and the feeble being the citizens.

 

 

 

 

 


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General News

Nigerian Tech Prodigy sets World Record with Smallest GPS Tracker

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Young Nigerian tech genius, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has developed the world’s smallest GPS tracking device, a prototype measuring just 22.93 x 11.92 mm.

Recognised by the Guinness World Records, the device was created at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, on April 27, where he is employed as a researcher.

It has been hailed for its potential across industries, from logistics and personal safety to medical devices and wildlife monitoring.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the feat in a post on X, praising Oyinlola for showcasing the ingenuity of the West African country’s youth. “You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he wrote.

Adding to the accolades, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauded the innovation as a symbol of national pride and technological potential.

He commended Oyinlola’s journey, noting his early support for the young inventor’s IoT startup. “Long before this global recognition, I had the privilege of backing Oluwatobi. His journey, now continuing at MIT, is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary potential of our people,” Tijani said.

The prototype not only marks a leap in miniaturised technology but also highlights Nigeria’s growing footprint in global innovation. Bosun added that as Nigeria intensifies efforts to nurture homegrown tech talent, Oyinlola’s success is a beacon for the next generation of innovators.

“The world is only beginning to see what you’re capable of,” said the Minister.

 

 


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General News

Africa Looks to Solar Amid Electricity Challenges

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Africa is becoming a global hub for solar energy development. The commercial and industrial sectors are driving this trend, with photovoltaic systems being installed on-site at businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities to meet energy demands.

This is according to CBi-electric: low voltage, which manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment.

2.5 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of solar capacity was built across Africa in 2024, with 194.34 GWp expected in 2025, according to the company.

Dr. Andrew Dickson, engineering executive of CBi-electric: low voltage, outlines how several reasons are hastening the continent’s transition to solar. “Energy poverty remains a major issue across Africa, with reliable grid electricity reaching only 14% of Zimbabweans, for example.”

He goes on to say that inconsistent power supply is another significant contributor, stating that “Persistent nationwide blackouts are affecting countries like Botswana, disrupting day-to-day operations. And in hydro-electric dependent countries such as Zambia, climate change is reducing water levels, leading to lower electricity generation and higher prices.”

Dickson believes that strategic system design and management are critical to realising the full potential of solar energy on the continent.

He said: “As Africa’s solar energy market continues to expand in 2025, organisations have an opportunity to capitalise on its long-term benefits. With the right technologies and safeguards in place, solar is not only a clean energy solution it’s a strategic asset that pays off.

“By combining surge protection, DC breakers, and monitoring tools, businesses can reduce unexpected costs, minimise downtime, and extend the life of their investment.”


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General News

FCMB Group Posts ₦35bn Q1 Profit as Revenue Surpasses Forecast

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FCMB Group Plc reported a profit before tax of ₦35 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Gross revenue grew 41.1% year-on-year to ₦252.7 billion, surpassing its Q1 forecast of ₦226.9 billion, driven by a 58% increase in net interest income.

The Group recorded a 5% growth in total assets from ₦7.05 trillion in December 2024 to ₦7.40 trillion as at March 2025. Loans and advances also grew by 3.4% over the same period to ₦2.44 trillion, supporting business and economic activity.

The Banking Group accounted for 81.4% of profits, followed by Consumer Finance, 11.7%, Investment Management, 5.0%, and Investment Banking, 0.7%.

Net interest margins grew to 8.3% from 5.4% in Q4 2024, driven by a 200 basis points drop in the cost of funds and a higher yield on earning assets of 20.2%.

The Group linked the improvement to early benefits of the capital raised in 2024 and an improvement in the low-cost deposit liabilities.

Group Chief Executive Ladi Balogun said that the diversified financial services group will continue to leverage its group structure to drive an ecosystem that will foster inclusive and sustainable growth.

Analysts say FCMB Group’s diversified revenue structure and strengthened capital position provide a positive outlook for the rest of the financial year.

FCMB Group Plc is a financial services holding company listed on the Nigerian Exchange and headquartered in Lagos.

The Group has strategic interests in businesses serving over 14 million customers across five platforms – banking, consumer finance, investment management, investment banking, and financial technology.

Together, these businesses are building an integrated ecosystem that supports inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa, its diaspora, and the United Kingdom.


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