TheNewsGuru

Tag: Bosun Tijani

  • 3MTT: FG strikes N1 billion deal with IHS

    3MTT: FG strikes N1 billion deal with IHS

    The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has announced a N1billion, three-year partnership with IHS Nigeria to establish the ‘3 Million Technical Talent programmes (3MTT) Learning Community in Nigeria’.

    The Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Ekaete Umo, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    According to Umo, the key objective of this partnership is a nationwide learning initiative that is aimed at empowering Nigerians with critical digital skills which is the fulcrum of the 3MTT.”

    She said the partnership would facilitate the setting up of learning communities in the federation for the purpose of providing opportunities for the 3MTT participants to gather weekly, learn, collaborate and build projects amongst other things.

    “The establishment of these learning communities will also help to facilitate the strengthening of the local innovation ecosystem across the country.

    “Under this partnership, IHS Nigeria will provide financial support and industry expertise for this initiative, and is also committed to paying the salaries of the 37 dedicated training community managers.

    “It will also provide access to a learning platform that will support the 3MTT talent development efforts in the designated locations,” she said.

    Speaking on the importance of the partnership that would fast track this developmental initiative, the Minister of Communications, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the funds provided by IHS Nigeria were a significant commitment.

    Tijani said that it would further support the ministry’s efforts to generate a pipeline of technical talent to contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda objectives.

    “I am excited to welcome IHS Nigeria as a partner on this initiative. Our journey towards a national digital transformation requires significant collaboration between the public and private sectors.

    This is the first in a number of partnerships that we intend to secure and achieve our goals as outlined in our Strategic Blueprint.

    “Also worthy of mention, the 3MTT Learning Community which will utilize dedicated training space in each state, is aimed at supporting the development of comprehensive digital skills.

    “It will prepare participants for the current and future needs of a digital workforce.

    “In addition, these communities will provide a dynamic ecosystem that allows participants and community managers to actively engage in knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation,” he said.

    In his remarks, the IHS Nigeria Chief Executive-Officer, Mohammed Darwish, said that the organisation took pride in giving back to the people and communities.

    He said that IHS shared in the Federal Government’s commitment to the economic empowerment and growth of Nigerians, adding, ”this initiative will feed into this administration’ agenda on job creation while enhancing empowerment and growth.

    Darwish said, “At IHS Nigeria, we take pride in giving back to the people and communities where we operate.

    We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Communications on the 3MTT initiative.

    “IHS Nigeria Towers is one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world.

    “The company has nearly 40,000 towers across its 11 markets in some countries of the world.”

  • For the Communications Minister, a document long overdue – By Okoh Aihe

    For the Communications Minister, a document long overdue – By Okoh Aihe

    The year 2001 is generally regarded as the tipping point of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. That was the year the industry was democratised for ordinary folks to have access to telephony. It has been over two decades of celebrating achievements in the sector and this has literally blinded us against blights and failures in the industry.

    However, the 31-page document released by Dr Dosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, acknowledges such legacy growth and developments in the industry but says that time has come to reload and head to the future with new hopes and aspirations in order to take the industry and the general economy to a new level of growth that is more inclusive.

    The document is very aspirational and articulate. Titled, Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency (A Strategic Plan for the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy), the document is a ‘’strategic blueprint” which “articulates a vision for Nigeria that builds on the transformative power of digital technology and innovation to diversify and deepen our economy.”

    In order to properly mobilise his workforce and align them with his new vision, the minister contextualises the mandate of the ministry, which is to “accelerate the diversification of the Nigerian economy by enhancing productivity in critical sectors through technological innovation.”

    The workforce are domiciled in the ministry and its various agencies, namely: Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), Nigeria Data Protection commission (NDPC), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National information Technology development Agency (NITDA), and Universal Service Provision (USPF).

    It will be remiss not to quickly point out to the minister that USPF is not an agency but a department or unit of the NCC which is empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to have its own board because of its peculiar nature of being a fund that has to be properly managed in handling intervention projects.

    The former minister, Dr Isa Pantami, tried to elevate USPF to the level of  an agency for very selfish and less altruistic reasons. Tijani should look at Part IV of the 2003 Act, titled: Universal Service Provision Fund, and not dive in the mire!

    The minister’s Strategic Blueprint rests on five key pillars which include: Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital (IEC) and Trade.

    “Knowledge is the cornerstone upon which innovation thrives, and is built upon the bedrock of sound policies. Infrastructure provides the essential backbone for a thriving digital economy, while innovation and entrepreneurship drive economic diversification. Trade, the fifth pillar, represents our commitment to global collaboration and partnerships, recognising that innovation knows no borders,” Tijani states explicitly.

    Before 2027, the minister plans to work with other stakeholders to train 3 million technical talents and prioritise their placements within the local and international economy. This is the beauty of the document which has created pillars, set out actions and measurable targets that can be achieved within defined periods of time. He has placed a thumb on building technical skills in Nigerian youths in order to accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and net exporter of talent.

    Most auspiciously the minister recognises the place of Policy in his bold plan to reimagine and transform the Communications Ministry and the relevant industries. This is very much in line with the position of the Act in Section 23, which empowers the minister to give the general policy direction for the communications sector.

    The document states that “effective policy provides regulatory clarity and necessary incentives for an environment where businesses and innovators are empowered to grow. Over the next four years, our policies will focus on encouraging investment, research and development and the protection of intellectual property.”

    Such policies will cover the Nigerian National Broadband Plan, National policies on Digital Public infrastructure, National Policy on Telecommunications, National Blockchain Policy, National Data Strategy, National Artificial Intelligence Bill, National Digital Economy Bill, Nigeria Startup Act and National Digital Literacy Framework.

    The minister is in good company when he says, “As telecommunications continue to evolve in line with new technology and associated opportunities, it is critical to revamp our national approach to account for changing imperatives and to situate broadband development at the core of our national policy for the next 20 years. Core issues such as spectrum management, convergence, universal access, broadband penetration, net neutrality and Quality of service (QoS) have morphed significantly from when the last policy was issued.”

    The current policy was revised in the year 2000. Situating the ever mutating telecoms sector under an inclusive umbrella that will create a home for the restless productive lot, seemed to have been overlooked by the previous administration that was more interested in appropriating regulation than providing a shelter for growth. It will be a welcome development for the minister to produce policies that can ignite growth in the industry.

    The minister wants to “connect communities and businesses by implementing our broadband strategy to ensure that everyone is carried along. Managing our spectrum efficiently will create pathways for the growth of new technologies and improve access to government services,” he said. The minister is very much on point.

    Quite a few things need to be looked at here and I think the minister may have been supplied some wrong data in some instances which formed the basis of underlying optimism and assumption in some of the measurable outcomes. The nation suffers infrastructure deficit in every respect, whether in power generation and distribution, water supply, road infrastructure or service roll out in telecommunications, the nation is in shouting deficit. There is really no reason to paper them over in order to build hope that will evaporate in smoke.

    For instance, I am persuaded not to believe that the nation has a broadband coverage of 50 per cent which the minister wants to boost to 70 percent by 2025. My simple explanation is that fibre roll out in the country has been slow and also suffered greatly from policy inconsistency between states and the federal government. This results in high charges for right of way (RoW). Furthermore, a majority of the base stations for mobile operations in the country are mostly 2G and 3G and that really hasn’t done so much for broadband nor will it be able to achieve expected results by subscribers.

    Instead of a hyped sense of achievements by some agencies under his ministry, the minister should be encouraged to study the challenges confronting operators in the telecommunications industry and try to find lasting solutions to them with his policy thrust.

    Being a young man himself, I can see that the minister harbours no thoughts that Nigerian youths are lazy. Instead he wants to affect their lives through technology training and adoption. However, there are low hanging fruits. I will suggest that the minister take an inventory of the digital installations by the NCC, NITDA and USPF, and reactivate and upgrade the centres for effective use by the various communities and institutions.

    With the various buildout and energies properly appropriated, I believe it is possible for the minister to meet the various targets he has set from himself, including top 50 global ranking (currently 96) in AI readiness and adoption across metrics (Computing power, Skills, Data Availability, Ethics and Governance) by 2030.

    The minister also needs to embrace some reality. There is nothing happening at NigComSat at the moment, not to talk of achieving targets that will not be feasible. NigComSat needs complete overhaul, industry redemption and rehabilitation.

    Although this has already been said, it needs restating. The minister needs to understand the status of USPF and be ready to put it to proper use, instead of making it a sinkhole as we saw under the previous administration. Besides, I see a few faces around him who had a hand in the failure of his predecessors.

    Above all, I like a guy who leads from the front and mobilises the rest of us to follow his example. He has not claimed to know it all. Instead he has put out a ministry’s document he calls a roadmap and has invited generous input from other stakeholders. Perhaps, this should be the minimum demand from ministers, to release documents that will demonstrate an understanding of the ministries they head, and how their activities affect the various industries inclusively.

    Bosun Tijani has floated a standard with his document. My little appeal is for others to see the good in what he has done and do the same.

  • Anxiety as telecoms operators propose tariff hike for voice, data services

    Anxiety as telecoms operators propose tariff hike for voice, data services

    Telecom operators in the country, under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have presented demands for the upward review of the mobile termination rate for voice services and the institution of an interim adjustment of the telecom industry’s floor price for voice and data services.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the telecom operators cited increasing cost of business operations and the harsh economic realities for the demands, coming ahead of the conclusion of a cost study by stakeholders in the industry.

    ALTON asked the new Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to issue policy guidance to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to commence implementation of targeted interventions starting with an upward review of voice call rates, among others.

    They also urged the new Minister to address teething investment-impacting causal factors, to help deepen investment with the overall objective of driving increased CAPEX deployment for improved Quality of Service (QoS), in line with the targets of the Strategic Plan to achieve 50 per cent improvement in QoS by the end of 2024.

    The telecoms operators averred that the cost of doing business in the country had risen sharply in the preceding months due to a myriad of factors generally impacting businesses, including macroeconomic headwinds such as inflation, currency devaluation, sustained difficulty in accessing forex at an affordable rate, rising energy costs, rising cost of securing telecommunications facilities and field personnel in the face of worsening insecurity, among others.

    ALTON chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, decried the strong macroeconomic headwinds which have occasioned tough operating conditions, leading to a decline in CAPEX (Domestic) and Foreign Direct (Capital Inflow) investments into the industry by 30.37 per cent and 46.9 per cent respectively between 2021 and 2022.

    Despite these challenges, Adebayo disclosed that the pricing regulatory framework had not been reviewed to account for changes in macroeconomic conditions and reflect current cost profile of operators, as such, ALTON’s members are unable to price services at a sustainable rate.

    “Consumer prices in other sectors have seen a steep rise over the last six years as they adjust to reflect macroeconomic realities. However, telco prices have remained flat and even declined. Contrary to the price trends in other sectors, telcos have had to adjust for the macroeconomic headwinds caused by an increasing erosion of margins.

    “Other highly regulated sectors such as power and insurance have implemented price increases over the last year. Insurance prices have risen 200 per cent with power raising prices by over 40 per cent.” Adebayo said.

    He noted that telecommunications was the only sector that had not experienced any price review notwithstanding local and global macroeconomic realities, adding that not only has this impaired investor confidence and depleted available investible funds necessary to optimise infrastructure for improved service delivery, but also threatened the very sustainability of telecoms operations.

    On multiple taxation, ALTON chairman appealed to the minister to collaborate with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to address the perennial incidence of multiple taxation in the Nigerian telecommunications sector, including the elimination of the currently suspended excise duty on telecommunications services.

    On infrastructure bill, Adebayo averred that operators have recorded several cases of vandalism of their equipment and shut down of their infrastructure by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government and communities, as a means of compelling them to comply with their demands for spurious taxes or levies.

    This is even as he tasked the House Committee to sponsor/coordinate a Critical National Infrastructure bill that will accord telecommunications infrastructure the same level of protection as other critical national assets and will provide a legal framework to guide law enforcement agencies accordingly.

    In his response, the communication minister said he would look into all that had been tabled by ALTON and said the challenges were not insurmountable.

    He informed the team of operators that the sector was not innovative enough in the attempt to reach the unreached people in the rural areas and unlock the services for a lot of people through technology, just as he urged operators to carry out more research and development to boost the sector.

  • Minister Bosun Tijani unveils ambitious plan to drive innovation, digital growth

    Minister Bosun Tijani unveils ambitious plan to drive innovation, digital growth

    In order to propel Nigeria towards a sustainable digital future, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has unveiled its comprehensive five-year strategic plan.

    The plan which is anchored on five fundamental pillars, sets ambitious goals, aiming to transform Nigeria into a technology-driven economy.

    Tijani, emphasised the ministry’s dedication to openness and co-creation, highlighting the collaborative effort that went into crafting the blueprint.

    “This blueprint has been carefully crafted based on extensive engagement with stakeholders from our ministry, ecosystem stakeholders, and my immediate team.

    “It is designed as a living document outlining our high-level focus areas as we firm up plans to operationalise the goals shared in the document,” stated Minister Tijani.

    The blueprint identifies five core pillars that will steer the transformative journey – Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital and Trade.

    Minister Tijani noted the importance of data in the digital world, stressing its critical role in economic transformation and value creation.

    He outlined plans to drive the review and implementation of the Nigeria Open Data Policy, ensuring free public access to non-sensitive public-sector data to foster innovation, improve citizen engagement, and unlock economic value.

    Part of the key objectives of the Ministry is to elevate digital literacy rate among youths and adults to at least 70 per cent and the increase capital raised by Nigerian tech startups from approximately $1 billion in 2022 to $5 billion per year by 2027.

    An increased digital literacy rate will empower individuals to participate more effectively in the digital economy, create employment, bridge the digital divide and foster a tech-savvy populace.

    The plan also strives for a 90 per cent increase in broadband penetration and aims to achieve 75 per cent of the fiber optic cable target set by the National Broadband Plan.

    Additionally, the goal of achieving a 50 per cent utilization rate of innovation spaces across the country will encourage innovation hubs, foster a collaborative ecosystem and stimulate creativity and technological advancements.

    The Ministry also aims to modernize 50 per cent of NIPOST locations to improve and grow e-commerce and logistics sectors.

    The Minister expressed confidence in the journey ahead, stating, “I am confident about our next steps as we activate this blueprint and deliver on our plans in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, for the good of all.”

     

     

  • KayiApp launches to open doors of global financial markets

    KayiApp launches to open doors of global financial markets

    A revolutionary digital banking app known as KayiApp launched in the heart of the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja on Thursday to open doors to global financial markets and seamless cross-border payments.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the revolutionary KayiApp, promoted by Alhaji Saadna Dantata, is said to pioneer blockchain technology adoption in the African microfinance sector.

    The KayiApp was launched by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, alongside the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa.

    KayiApp, a digital bank at the forefront of finance in the era of Internet 2.5-based banking, aims to deliver cutting-edge financial solutions, and empower individuals and businesses.

    “We are excited to introduce our innovative fintech product, Kayi App, to the  Nigerian market.

    “With our dedicated and young team of innovative and creative Nigerians drawn from across the world, we have worked tirelessly to develop a suite of fintech solutions that will make financial transactions simpler, faster, secure and more convenient for everyone,” Dantata said during the launch.

    Speaking further, Dantata said “The Kayi App aims to empower Africans with the tools and  knowledge to take control of their financial future. I envision a continent where every individual and business can thrive financially, regardless of their location or income level”.

    He expressed gratitude to Dr Tijani and the Director General of the NITDA, who were present at the Kayi App launch.

    Speaking on the market opportunity that informed Kayi App introduction, its Product lead, Abdulganiyu Rufa’i said the African fintech market is brimming with opportunities and that Kayi App is poised to make a significant impact.

    “With the vast majority of Africans unbanked and underbanked, we are confident in our ability to meet the growing demand for digital financial services across Africa.

    “Having recognised unmet needs in the country’s  payment digital industry, therefore, Kayi App is poised to showcase strength in delivering core services and solutions such as instant digital payments for individuals and businesses; financial inclusion and social banking for people in rural and semi-urban areas; blockchain-backed cross border trade for exporters and importers across Africa; and remittances and  investments for Nigerians and Africans in Diaspora,” Rufa’i said.

    Meanwhile, speaking on the key factors that stand the Kayi App out in the mobile payments sector, the technology team of the Kayi App headed by Chukwunonimem Ike, said:

    “What truly distinguishes the Kayi App is our unwavering commitment to relentless innovation and a customer-centric approach that places YOU at the forefront. We recognize the distinctive challenges faced by individuals across Africa, and it’s precisely these challenges that have inspired us to craft solutions that confront them head on.

    “Our user-friendly super app, cutting-edge security features, field support staff in every ward in Nigeria and 24/7 customer support are just a few examples of how we’re putting our customers first.

    “Even when there is need for customers to communicate with the Kayi team, all you need is dial our toll-free number 0800-000-KAYI, which is 0800-000-5294, and our customer satisfaction team will answer instantly, in your preferred language”.

    Financial inclusion will eradicate poverty, bolster growth in Nigeria

    In his remarks during the launch of the Kayi App, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said financial inclusion would eradicate poverty and improve access to financial growth of the country.

    Tijani stressed that financial inclusion contributes significantly to economic growth by increasing the number of individuals and  businesses that can participate in the formal economy.

    “As we all know, Nigerians are extremely entrepreneurial and while they are entrepreneurial, there is also a significant amount of entrepreneurs that are not included in the formal economy.

    “If these entrepreneurs are not included in the formal economy, we will struggle to actually be able to drive strong and inclusive economic growth to true financial inclusion.

    ”We can bring more people into the economy. And by bringing more people into our economy, we stand the chance to reduce poverty,” he said.

    The minister said that entrepreneurship can be fostered by having a strong financial inclusion in the society.

    He added: “When we have a strong financial inclusion in society, you can also foster intrapreneurship and there is no other way we can grow without entrepreneurship.”

    Tijani said that the agric sector contributes significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that good financial inclusion will ensure farmers have access to resources they need as inputs.

    The minister said: “They can manage income better, they can manage their sales better, but they also can access credits that can help them to do what they need to do.”

    He urged investors to invest more as there was a lot of money to make from the bottom of the pyramid.

  • Nigeria calls for open, secure Internet

    Nigeria calls for open, secure Internet

    The Nigerian government has subscribed to a free and secure Internet for Africa, which is capable of bridging the digital divide and creating innovative opportunities within the continent.

    Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who canvassed this position at the just-concluded Africa Internet Governance Forum at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to engendering necessary collaborations and international dialogues to achieve these objectives.

    The Minister, who addressed the forum virtually, said Nigeria, as the largest telecommunications market in Africa, is conscious of all the dynamics of emerging technologies around Internet usage and would continue to work with countries in Africa on different fronts to ensure that the Internet is effectively governed so its innumerable resources can be leveraged for citizens and nation’s growth.

    “The need for our consistent collaboration to develop our economy collectively is preeminent in the agenda of the current administration in Nigeria. It is through this kind of forum that we can bridge the digital divides, enhance cybersecurity, ensure digital rights and foster innovation. It is, therefore, our collective duty to ensure that the Internet remains open, safe and beneficial for all,” Tijani told parliamentarians and other participants from Africa who attended the forum in Abuja.

    The Minister encouraged all the stakeholders to prioritise a collaborative approach to creating policies and strategies that will shape the future of the Internet in Africa, the future that will reflect Africa’s shared values, aspirations and diversity.

    Tijani specially commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other agencies that constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOG), on behalf of the Nigerian government as well as all sponsors, for a successful 2023 AfIGF. The Minister was delighted that their effective planning and dedication to driving change in Africa’s digital future is commendable.

    Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who, at the opening and closing ceremony of the event as well as in panel discussions, provided insights on NCC’s commitment to driving a secure Internet ecosystem in Nigeria through various regulatory initiatives. Danbatta stated that Nigeria has attained tremendous growth in broadband penetration, basic Internet usage, and voice subscriptions and recorded impressive contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    The NCC CEO said that, as Nigeria hosted this year’s edition of the AfIGF, the country was focused on sharing experiences with other sister nations in Africa as well as learning from the AfIGF parliamentarians from Africa who gathered at the forum to collectively drive the frontiers of the ideals of proper utilization of Internet resources to promote socio-economic development on the African continent.

    Chief of the Section on Innovation and Technology at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Dr Mactar Seck, thanked the NCC and all entities of government that provided support and played a great role in ensuring the success of the event, said with a forum such as the AfIGF, African nations can continue to aggregate views that allow them to speak with one voice to get greater benefits for African economic development.

    “I sincerely thank the EVC of the NCC, Prof. Danbatta, who is playing a great role in the development of digital technology in Nigeria. I also appreciate the AfIGF Secretary General, other sister agencies, and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that made the event successful,” he said.

    Also speaking at the weeklong event, the Secretary of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance, Honourable Samuel George of Ghana, called for free Internet “that is inclusive, safe and secured for all citizens of Africa.” He said this can only be achieved through collaborative effort by coming together to build an inclusive Africa.

    “For Africa to be self-sufficient, it must create an enabling environment and laws and provide digital infrastructures for young innovators to strive. This will, in turn, promote indigenous and local content development in technological development,” George said.

    This year’s edition of the AfIGF with the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation”, which took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, provided yet another veritable platform for African countries to discuss germane issues that will pave the way for the development of a more robust digital economy in the continent.

    Meanwhile, after the event, a communique was issued detailing resolutions made at the event and concrete recommendations, based on which Danbatta urged the participants to ensure effective implementations when they return to their respective countries ahead of next year’s forum.

    Before the AfIGF, which started from September 19-23, 2023, the 11th Africa School of Internet Governance (AfriSIG), took place from September 13-18, 2023 and was facilitated by the Association for Progressive Communications, the Africa Union, Research ICT Africa, the Africa Parliamentary Track and the United Nations-IGF Secretariat and the Africa Youth IGF.

  • Does the Communications Minister know? – By Okoh Aihe

    Does the Communications Minister know? – By Okoh Aihe

    Early October, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, will be releasing a roadmap for his ministry apropos the communications industry. Obviously, this will be eagerly awaited as too much staleness and odium had dogged that industry which in recent past fell victim to personal idiosyncrasies and kindergarten hubris.

    A much refreshing breather will be awaited not only because the Minister is a young man with proven personal achievements and notable international connections, but more because he is coming into the ministry with a pure, unencumbered mind and such an enthusiasm capable of rallying a failing sector into action, once more. But, in here, is the danger, embedded in a most surreal way.

    My little role here is to point out to the Minister that all that glitter is not gold. In that cliché is a truism that is as ageless as time and history. It is even more referential in the telecommunications industry where figures, statistics and claims enjoy more hyperbole than precision.

    This writer is aware that, as tradition demands, the minister has been receiving briefings from the parastatals under him to apprise him with details of developments in the organizations and in the various sectors they superintend. There will be a little coating of the truth and some more application of a measure of salt here and there to sweeten a tale that may not be too salutary. I expect the minister to handle that well by seeing through razz matazz, sweet talk and pure smokescreen.

    One of the biggest achievements of the previous administration is the introduction of Fifth Generation Technology (5G) which was expected to come with a bang but ended in a whimper as it has not delivered any of the expected miracles. We did not expect a miracle and have expressed our opinion on this page.

    November 2, 2023, we wrote: ‘’Nigeria is in dire straits. She needs money for daily runs and is bungling on the edge of extreme desperation. Desperation can lead to selling of metal scraps for survival or even selling off national assets, as proposed in the 2023 Budget, what in the case of an individual, is pawning, selling off personal assets to meet exigent needs. It is not an enviable status to endure.

    ‘’Under this condition, there is a desperation to scratch for everything, including low hanging fruits, which always present an attractive offer. Frequency or Spectrum for telecommunications services occupy prime place in this consideration, It is therefore no surprise that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecommunications regulator, announced last week, that it was putting out for sale in December 2022, some frequencies for 5G services.’’

    Nigeria went for the money and within two years raked in over $800m although that is a far cry from the $19bn which India raked in from creative auction of 5G frequency sale at about the same time. MTN, MAFAB Communications and Airtel are the beneficiaries. Both MTN and Airtel have launched services which is more in name than reality.

    Nigeria took an interesting route of managing cost of roll out by encouraging operators to cohabit 5G installations with 4G and end up with speed below 5G projections. An industry source told this writer, ‘’the route we took is non stand alone, working on 5G signaling. If we were to go on a full blown 5G – the millimeter wave, which is the higher frequency, from 37GHz upward, the rollout will be too expensive, and it will be difficult for operators to recoup their investment. Expansion will be slow, uptake slow and return on investment very low.’’

    It may also be relevant to point out that the paucity in roll out has pushed the cost of devices beyond individuals and, unfortunately, there are not too many companies buoyant enough to have a good go at the few devices in the market. So, the 5G sector has really not worked as expected. It will be a primary responsibility of the minister to introduce policies that will make the industry work.

    The other day the minister was with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Indian and at the moment, he is also with him at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York. Concerning his activities in New York, the minister in a statement, titled: Driving Nigeria’s Economic Growth through Global Partnerships in Innovation and Technology, disclosed that he would be seeking partnerships for the country’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), AI Training and Economic Diversification through Technology.

    Well said and very refreshing that he has not gone to look at the beauty of New York, where the people hardly sleep, like many others, or to see what is happening at Ground Zero. But I would like to inform the minister that he has a counterpart war chest at home in the form of our variant of the USPF which is funded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and domiciled at the NCC.

    Like most of the agencies and parastatals under his ministry which were recreated in the image and likeness of a former minister, it is advised that the minister should clean up the entire process and reconfigure it for performance. USPF is designed to provide services for mostly the underserved and unreached areas of the country but one cannot vouch that has happened recently, no matter the beautiful figures and claims of achievements. There should be a pool of fund there to put on the table to draw the attention of international partners instead of waving a begging bowl.

    One other matter which I think is inter-ministerial is an appeal for the minister to assist his counterpart at the Information Ministry to execute the Digital Switchover (DSO) process. The reason being that the minister heads the National Frequency Managhement Council (NFM)) which allocates to the ministries frequencies for use by the various operators. One of the attractions of the DSO sanctioned by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), is for broadcasters to relinquish spectra that will have to be sold at a higher cost for telecoms operations while the broadcasters would go into digital broadcasting. It was initially suggested that the National Broadcasting Commission should get some benefits from the sale of frequencies so relinquished by broadcasters, to fund the DSO process.

    The foregoing has not happened. Frequencies are being sold and the NBC is left in the lurch. There is no budget for DSO and Nigeria is falling far behind the international community. The nation has become a laughingstock and needs help desperately. The minister can extend a well-informed and benevolent hand to his colleague.

    This writer is aware that no matter the presentation made to the minister, he has one refrain as response, which is to create jobs for the youths. And that is the embedded danger which I harped on at the beginning of this article. The minister is within his good thinking but my humble suggestion is for the minister to clean up the entire Communications Ministry and its parastatals in order to attract further interests, investments in, and expansion of the industry. The advantageous fallout will be availability of jobs similitude to what happened in the industry at the tipping point in early 2000, and low cost rollout of hubs and innovation centres that can challenge and accommodate the enterprising spirit of our youth.

    My final appeal is for the minister to give life back to the ministry and its parastatals and agencies. Does the minister know that under the previous administration, the minister turned otherwise very brilliant Chief Executives and Director Generals into mannequins that could hardly reason on their own and, in the process virtually ruined a very robust industry? The minister should introduce a redemption song that can liberate the entire sector and thus be able to accommodate and rehabilitate the frothing creative enterprise of our young minds.

  • Time to rebuild the Communications Ministry – By Okoh Aihe

    Time to rebuild the Communications Ministry – By Okoh Aihe

    I do not know Bosun Tijani, the new Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who, along with his colleagues, was sworn in on Monday. But I can see the picture of a young man standing before some dodos and dinosaurs in the National Assembly, who dredged up his past to invalidate his opportunity of being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

    They were never moved by the credentials of this young fellow standing before them. Instead they nurse latent outrage that he would aspire to be a Minister under a party and in a nation he had impugned with some kind of misguided social media rant. How dare you!

    Yes. Quite a number of people in that hall had a past to hide. Some had lived dubious existence. Some had the misbegotten opportunity to rule their respective states and ended up as final undertakers of those states as they plunged their people into depths of poverty. They loathe criticism with a passion. 

    It is such an unfortunate twist of irony that the Nigerian state has a way of rewarding the crafty and the scoundrels that have brought her to this bedraggled, ignominious impasse; and quite a number of the guys who were frothing in their mouths, bellowing out questions to the nominee, are beneficiaries of a system that reserves the honoured sanctum of the National Assembly for some people with questionable past and claims to inexplicable wealth. For them wealth conquers all; but not the memories of a people sentenced to periods of sustained pain and lack. 

    There are two victories here. One for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who picked Tijani because of his knowledge and achievements over a past that the elders of the party would not like, and the other for Tijani himself who apologized, perhaps realizing that not doing so may deny him the opportunity to contribute to the reconstruction of this nation that is in desperate  need  help. 

    Those in the age of Tijani have reasons to be angry at this nation and the elders who have failed in positions of leadership should be humble enough to admit their roles in the fate that has befallen the nation. 

    I am not making a case for Tijani but I am happy that his case has been sorted and that he has become a Minister of an important ministry that equally needs help at this time. Although, really, the entire nation needs help. Only the people ensconced in the comfort and security of the National Assembly do not know the challenging times facing the country as they joke with grave matters of letting the poor breathe!

    Some people are celebrating Tijani whose flash of genius and creativity at Co-Creation Hub (Cc-Hub), brought global attention to Yaba in Lagos State as a Tech development epicentre which has equally attracted tech personalities like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, among others. He is doing so much for the youths and with the youths. That may have led to the frustrations expressed by Tijani who had daily contact with young people at the Hub and could share in their bouts of frustrations traceable to elders who refused to affect their world positively. They have lived their own life and are eating up, ignominiously, the portions of their children.

    Some say he is globally connected and that the nation needs people like him now. There is no doubt about that except that it will be good to point out that transiting from business to holding a political office won’t provide the attraction of a Yoghurt drink, sweetened or unsweetened. 

    No, this can never be Yoghurt although a Yoghurt drink is very nourishing. The meeting with the Senators may only be a precursor to the condition and reception awaiting him in a ministry that is fractured through the middle, actions that will be veiled in niceties and pretenses. The system is used to welcoming top government functionaries, no matter their stance and knowledge, with orchestrated respect and then swallowing them up tantalizingly for total ruination. 

    But while I will want to sound a note of caution to Tijani, unsolicited, to be very conscious of smiling faces that never tell the truth, apologies to the music group, The Undisputed Truth, there will be the urgent need for him to reunite the ministry where the parastatals were working against each other because of the acrimonious personality of the former minister. 

    There are six agencies in the ministry which include: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), but  for very personal reasons perhaps, former Minister, Dr Isa Pantami, deracinated a unit of the NCC, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF – see Sections 112 and 114 of The Nigerian Communications Act) from the Commission and made it a parastatal of its own although it still depends on funds from the NCC. 

    Everything about the former minister was about conquest, about power, about hubris, about self-aggrandizement and a narcissism without limit. The minister was the colossus bestriding the entire ministry with every parastatal and even their chief executives and directors, squirming under him. He had his unholy supporters who edged him on.

    The Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 is one of the best laws in the country but the former minister stood on the law and on everybody that was supposed to implement the law. The law restricts the minister and his ministry to policy decisions and representation of the nation at international fora (see Section 23, 24, 25 of the Act). Not Pantami. He left his office at the ministry which has been a pantheon of his predecessors and got embedded in the NCC property at Mbora, a district of Abuja. Tijani should reverse this decision.

    Such action is something the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Mobile World Congress, the collective of mobile service providers across the world, frown against. He got too close to the regulator and expectedly seized its regulatory functions. He went on employment binge, without even the benefit of job interviews and, within four years, doubled the nominal role of the Commission. He got involved in internal matters of the regulator, including travels, promotions and staff transfers. 

    The regulator was captured nearly irretrievably and the industry suffered in fear. One day I made a call to one of the operators about the decision the minister just took. I could feel the man trembling on the phone swearing that I should take it that this conversation never held. Things were going awry in the industry and the operators, investing billions of Naira, were too afraid to attempt a remonstration because they knew the kind of government Buhari operated for eight years could take any decision without thinking of the consequences on business. 

    Funds earmarked for some special projects were diverted to other concerns without reasonable results to show for them. The regulator had been boxed into silence and helplessness. It was a classic case of regulatory capture. 

    In the final days of the Buhari administration, the minister created a wrench between the NCC and NITDA as a new bill sponsored by the latter at the National Assembly was designed to swallow up the telecoms regulator with most of its function appropriated. The bill got frustrated but not laid to rest yet. 

    Being a tech aficionado himself, Tijani will already have the story of the industry beyond my rehash. I will want to suggest that his coming can initiate a fresh start by rebuilding confidence and trust within the ministry and its parastatals. The minster can also call a stakeholders meeting of the industry to reassure them of the safety of their investment through the promotion of a good business environment. The minister will need to put his house in order, I mean the operating environment in order, before inviting his international connections to play a part in the rebuilding and development process. Our prayers are for him to do well.

  • Nigeria’ll compete with other countries digitally – Bosun Tijani

    Nigeria’ll compete with other countries digitally – Bosun Tijani

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has said that Nigeria had the opportunity to compete with other countries digitally not just other sectors.

    Tijanni, speaking with the Heads of Agencies and other stakeholders under the Ministry on Monday in Abuja, urged them to kick the ground running.

    The minister assumed duty hours after his inauguration by President Bola Tinubu.

    The minister, who took over from Prof. Isa Pantami, was among the 45 ministers sworn in by Tinubu.

    He pledged to come up with policies and regulations that can protect Nigerians from devices that contradict some emerging technologies and transform the industry.

    Tijanni said: “This is at the same time that the policy opens up opportunity for more people to actually build us into prosperity.”

    According to him, he would build on the gains recorded so far in the ministry through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry.

    The minister addd: “I think it is always good to also take stock as well. You cannot improve what you do not know.

    “It is impossible for us to move forward. If you do not assess what we have accomplished.

    “The best way to make it effective is to use technology that connect our citizens to the services they want to use in a dignified way.

    “Our goal is not to come up with policies from the public sector, whether it is from this ministry or not, that will put people in pain before they can access government services.”

    Tijanni also said that the ministry was opened to collaboration with other countries, adding that there is no country that can become strong technically in isolation.

    He said: “The minister can formulate policies and regulations but if we are not working closely with industry, the things we want to see will never be built to the point where prosperity can come to our nation.

    “If we do not collaborate with countries all over the world, we are going to be limited by what is available at the minute in terms of knowledge.

    “We are going to be partnering with the best organisations and institutions in the world.”

    According to Tijanni, part of the challenge is how to connect people to opportunities so that they can progress.

    “This ministry is critical to unlocking opportunities for our people regardless of where they are.

    “We are the face of the ministry which means, we have to update and upgrade our skills.

    “This is to ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,” he said.

    Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) are among the agencies under the Ministry.

  • Bosun Tijani’s appointment excites young innovators

    Bosun Tijani’s appointment excites young innovators

    Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) on Thursday commended the appointment of Mr Bosun Tijani as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, saying it resonated as a positive transformation poised to reshape Nigeria’s technological landscape.

    The founder of YIN, Mr Andrew Abu, in a statement he issued in Abuja, said upon his nomination,there was excitement already amongst talented young Nigerians in the ecosystem.

    Tijani is a Nigerian-British entrepreneur and co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB),  the leading Pan-African innovation and technology centre.

    “Amidst an already burgeoning phase of growth and development in Nigeria’s technology landscape, the advent of Mr Bosun Tijani to power, brings the promise of heightened advancements, meticulously nurtured through the collective collaboration of all stakeholders.

    “Drawing from his extensive background and accomplishments, Tijani’s stewardship is poised to propel the nation’s technological trajectory into uncharted territories.

    “His leadership will cultivate start-ups ecosystem growth, because, through his instrumental contributions at Cc-Hub, Tijani has emerged as a pivotal figure in the incubation and mentoring of indigenous start-ups across diverse sectors.

    “Armed with this wealth of experience, his transition to governmental leadership augments the potential for even greater innovation and investment,” he said.

    According to Abu, this trajectory is poised to foster the emergence of globally competitive companies, buoyed by Tijani’s expertise in venture capital and global linkages.

    He also said that the growth would translate to the proliferation of digital jobs which would boost economic expansion.

    Other expected developments through Tijani, he said, would be fostering increased investment.

    “With his presence, international affiliations and track record, the prospect of attracting a surge of angel investors in the Nigerian Start-Up ecosystem becomes more plausible.

    “With his leadership, he will harmonise government support to the sector, bring the industry and government together, ensure propitious policies, incentives and funding initiatives.

    “We hope to see architectural Infrastructures development, talent development, global partnerships, enhanced Research and Development, as well as encouraging entrepreneurial culture,” Abu said.

    He further said that he was an individual that could ensure the clarity of regulatory frameworks and address local technological challenges.

    According to Abu, these achievements, hinge upon a symphony of these elements harmonising a synchronised sustained manner.

    He commended President Bola Tinubu for the appointment, adding, “he is the right man for the job.”