Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited,(NIGCOMSAT) and MOMAS Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited (EPAIL), has announced partnership on effective communication infrastructure in order to boost national security.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),at Mowe in Ogun State,the Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Nkechi Egerton-Idehen commended MOMAS-EPAIL’s remarkable investment in Nigeria towards developing local content in power, defense and other sectors.

Egerton-Idehen commended MOMAS-EPAIL for being at the forefront of innovation toward improving national security.
Urging other indigenous companies to partner with NIGCOMSAT to move the country forward through effective server communication network.

She said: “Today is very historic because, it’s the signing of a partnership between NIGCOMSAT and MOMAS-EPAIL which is strategic.

” Most people that do not know that MOMAS-EPAIL is involved in manufacturing of defense materials for security.And NIGCOMSAT is the premier satellite communication company for Nigeria.So, there is value in collaborating in helping our defense sector.”

Egerton-Idehen said that MOMAS-EPAIL had shown that partnering with local companies could be possible.

Speaking,Mr Kola Balogun,the Chairman, MOMAS-EPAIL said that the partnership with NIGCOMSAT would build effective database and improve on data collection for national security.

Balogun said that the firm had developed a very strong knowledge -based information that would protect the security network.

He said that the company had grown remarkably in providing Armoured vehicles and some classical operational materials.

Balogun said that building synergy with NIGCOMSAT would enhanced group communication infrastructure and also enhance front line operations.

Balogun said the MoU would serve as a tools of exchanging informations in security, intelligence and communication with lots of classified information.

“All the vital information has to be embedded in the agreement such that information that are important to the security of Nigeria can be saved and domesticated.This will further enhance our services and effectiveness towards service delivery to defense sector,” he said.

EPAIL is a member of the MOMAS group of companies which was established with the goal of advancing local technology research and development in order to provide effective security solutions for safeguarding lives and properties.

The company has obtained the first manufacturing facility in Nigeria dedicated to producing bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, and other defense-related equipment.

EPAIL’s collaboration with DICON further strengthens its commitment to fulfilling significant security requirements in the defense industry.

As an indigenous company, EPAIL hosts a dedicated research and development team focused on continuous innovation of security solutions.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) has disclosed that voice, data services affected by undersea cable cuts have been restored.

Mr.Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs in NCC,who conveyed this in a statement on Monday,said services have now been restored to approximately 90% of their peak utilisation capacities.

He said:”Following the disruption on March 14, 2024, which affected data and voice services due to cuts in undersea fibre optics along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, we are pleased to announce that services have now been restored to approximately 90% of their peak utilization capacities.

“All operators who were impacted by the cuts have taken recovery capacity from submarine cables which were not impacted by the cuts, and have thus recovered approximately 90% of their peak utilisation capacities.

“Mobile Network Operators have assured the Commission that data and voice services would operate optimally pending full repairs of the undersea cables as they have managed to activate alternative connectivities to bring back the situation to normalcy.

“We extend our appreciation to telecom consumers for their patience and understanding during the downtime caused by the undersea fibre cuts.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing processes related to the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage.

The agencies conveyed this in statement on Sunday jointly issued by Ayodele Babalola, Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The statement said in recent times, the NIN-SIM linkage exercise has become subject of national discourse, reflecting the critical importance of aligning SIM registrations with individuals’ unique national identification numbers.

The statement added that in view of the significance of this initiative in enhancing security and improving service delivery, both NIMC and NCC are committed to improving processes and enhancing efficiency.

It said:”Under this collaboration, NIMC and NCC will work closely to explore synergies and leverage each other’s expertise and resources in the following key areas:

“Streamlining the NIN-SIM Linkage Process: NIMC and NCC will collaborate to ensure a seamless experience for Nigerian telecommunication subscribers.

“This includes exploring innovative approaches to facilitate the swift verification and authentication of NINs during SIM registration and activation processes.

“Capacity Building and Public Awareness: Both agencies will collaborate on initiatives aimed at enhancing public awareness and understanding of the NIN-SIM linkage requirements.

“This includes educational campaigns, training sessions for stakeholders, and the dissemination of accurate information to the public to encourage compliance with the linkage directives.

“Data Verification and Validation: NIMC will continue to extend its support to NCC by providing assistance in verifying National Identification Numbers (NINs) associated with SIM registrations. Leveraging NIMC’s robust database and authentication infrastructure, telecommunication operators will validate submitted NINs while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of subscriber data.

“Policy Harmonisation and Regulatory Framework: NIMC and NCC will collaborate on aligning policies and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the seamless integration of NIN-SIM linkage processes within the telecommunications ecosystem.

“This includes harmonising data protection and privacy regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information.”

The statement assured that both NIMC and NCC are committed to fostering a collaborative and transparent partnership that prioritises the interests of Nigerian citizens and promotes national development, adding that “by pooling our resources and expertise, we aim to overcome the challenges associated with the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and ensure its continued successful implementation.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Globacom) has been amicably settled.

A statement on Thursday signed by Mr.Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs in NCC, explained that in accordance with this resolution, the disconnection approval granted to MTN for the disconnection of Globacom has now been withdrawn.

Muoka said: “Following its initial Public Notice, the Commission with the aim of mitigating any potential disruptions to subscribers undertook further regulatory intervention, by mediating between the parties and facilitating the reconciliation process.

“The Commission reiterates that strict adherence to the terms and conditions of licenses, particularly those delineated in interconnection agreements, is imperative for all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees within the telecommunications industry.

“In order to proactively address and prevent future instances of interconnect indebtedness within the industry, the Commission will be requesting relevant records and regular updates from MNOs, as well as adopting a transparent approach towards industry indebtedness.

“This statement serves as a reminder of the Commission’s commitment to fostering a stable and compliant telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC),has appealed to States and Local Government Areas in Nigeria to reduce taxes imposed on telecom companies to enhance their growth as well as attract foreign investors into the country.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),who stated this at a media parley in Abuja,disclosed that already between 50 to 55 per cent taxes are imposed on telecoms operators.

He maintained that it would be difficult to attract foreign investments into the sector in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the Commission.

He said: “We are going to be going on an advocacy campaign to see how we can convince the states to remove some of these obstacles like Right of Way and multiple taxations because I have seen some studies which indicate taxation is almost 50% getting to 55% in some areas in this country.

“And you would agree with me that if we are trying to bring in foreign investment that is not a good picture to paint.”

He appealed to states to re-consider the long-term benefits that would come to them, if they allowed massive investments in the sector as job opportunities would be created alongside other value chains in the sector

He assured that the Commission would collaborate with stakeholders to tackle these challenges for the overall development of the telecommunications sector.

Unveiling his new strategies to reposition the telecoms industry, the NCC boss said consumer satisfaction would be at the core of his strategy, as he would put smiles on the faces of consumers.

Maida, who listed the strategies he would deploy to address various issues affecting the telecoms sector, said “my vision is to put smiles on the faces of telecoms consumers in Nigeria by improving the quality of services being offered them by service providers as well as increase investments in the sector.

“Consumers pay for their services and they expect high quality of service from the providers.Everything for me starts with the Consumers. The expectation of the consumers is very simple, which is, high quality of service.

“By this quality of service, we are talking about whole quality of experience for consumers.One of the mandates given to us by the honorable Minister of Communication which he also derived from the President and Commander -in- Chief is that we need to attract more foreign investments into the sector but there is no way we can do that if we are not satisfying the consumers because the consumers are the ones who pay for the services.

“This means the licensees can make their returns and investments, so we are going to be introducing some measures to help in this regard simply to improve the Ease of Doing Business.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission has suspended its planned barring of Glo subscribers from calling MTN lines for 21 days.

A statement on Thursday signed by Mr.Reuben Mouka, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, said the Commission is pleased to announce that the parties have now reached agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them.

“For this reason, and in exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the Commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January, 2024.

“Whilst the Commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within the 21-day period, the Commission insists that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees.

“It is obligatory that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements.”

Recall that on January 8, 2024 the Nigerian Communications Commission published a Pre-Disconnection Notice informing subscribers of the approval granted to MTN Nigerian Communications Plc. (MTN) to commence the phased disconnection of Globacom Limited (Glo) with effect from January 18, 2024 due to long-standing interconnection debt dispute between the parties.

Mohammed Shosanya

Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC), has implored Nigerian youths to embrace digital technology to catch up with the rest of the world.

He spoke on Wednesday at the 7th Edition of the National Young Consumer Contest Awards 2023 organised by FCCPC in Abuja.

He added that digital technology defines their future and attainment in life.

He further tasked the youths to have good character, values, integrity, discipline and responsibility to succeed in life.

He said: “The future belongs to the young people. Africa is the fastest growing continent in the world from the population stand point.Digital markets are the future that will dominate Africa. Digital finance is important to the young people to direct their future.

“One of the most important things that will define your success in life is character.Inside character, you have integrity and values.

“When you put character, integrity and values apart, the next thing that will define your future and success is responsibility.

“The biggest responsibility that will define whether you have succeeded is fiscal responsibility.

“Learning restraint and discipline and respect to resources. Fiscal responsibility is a factor in controlling corruption.

“So if the future is digital, and fiscal responsibility is an important part of your success, making you to think digital markets is appropriate.”

He explained that Nigeria has become a hub for digital companies, adding that six technology companies with a market capitalisation of $1billion, have birthed in Nigeria in the last eight years.

He tasked Nigerian youths to be focused and intentional in embracing digital technology, adding that “the way to the future is digital technology.”

According to him, “Nigeria is a country of talents and a country that leads even in the digital space.

“In the space of 8 years, Nigeria has six unicorns or technology companies that have a market capitalisation of $1billion.It is much more here than anywhere in the continent. Nigeria is a respected as a country for technology start-ups in Africa

“We must be intentional and the young people must focus on this. We cannot catch up with the rest of the world by building new schools.The way to the future is digital technology.”

Mohammed Shosanya

An Internet Society report saysNigeria’s Internet penetration is lagging, with only 36% of its 213 million citizens using the Internet, ranking it 18th in Africa. To increase this percentage and reap the benefits of the Internet, including a highly connected economy,

Nigeria must address market-related challenges in order to increase this percentage and reap the benefits of the Internet, including a highly connected economy,the report said

According to the report,the number of companies that provide local access to the Internet, known as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and companies that connect an ISP to the global Internet, known as Internet transit providers, servicing Nigeria is well below average compared to global standards.

The Internet Society’s Distinguished Technologist, Michuki Mwangi,said the observation points to local barriers that make it difficult to provide resilient and affordable Internet connectivity.

He added:“Nigeria can improve the resilience and usage of its Internet by reviewing its telecommunications-related policies, regulations, and other factors that discourage service providers from investing in the Internet infrastructure that will facilitate better connectivity,”

“Our Pulse Internet Resilience Index highlights that more efforts are needed to improve the infrastructure, performance, security, and market readiness.Improving these areas can have flow-on effects such as decreasing interconnectivity costs, improving performance, and increasing affordability”

Mwangi also notes that the country needs to increase its use of IPv6 to accommodate the future growth of the Internet—something that many populous countries are doing as more of their population starts to use the Internet.

According to the Pulse Country Report, Nigeria’s 1% IPv6 adoption rate ranks 18th in Africa and is the lowest among the top 10 most populous countries worldwide.

IPv6 is the next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) standard intended to replace IPv4, the protocol many Internet services still use today. IPv6 is a well-established protocol that is seeing increased deployment and adoption, particularly in mobile phone markets, as it enables networks to connect more devices and expand their networks without relying on additional resources. Mobile devices generate more than 84% of Internet traffic in Nigeria.

The Internet Society Pulse Country Report highlights governments, technology stakeholders, and industry players need to work together to prioritize competition and open the market to increase Internet resilience.