The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has collaborated with the Association for Progressive Communications and other institutional stakeholders towards addressing challenges confronting rural network connectivity in Nigeria.

The collaboration resulted in a two-day workshop hosted in Abuja from June 3-4, 2025, to explore policy framework for enabling community networks towards bridging the digital divide and accelerating socio-economic development in Nigeria’s underserved and unserved communities.

The forum brought together regulators, community leaders, technical experts and potential foreign investors, among others, to examine policy and regulatory barriers, explore innovative funding mechanisms, ensure sustainable renewable solutions and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders.

Addressing participants at the workshop, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the workshop is important to bridging the digital divide in Nigeria and foster inclusive social economic development.

“This workshop is an opportunity for all of us to harness the expertise, insights, and experiences of diverse stakeholders present here which includes the regulators, community leaders, technical experts and potential foreign providers to address the critical challenges such as affordable devices, access, licensing, spectrum allocation, infrastructure development, sustainability and institutional monitoring,” said Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC at the event, Abraham Oshadami.

Maida said the workshop demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and unserved areas. “At NCC, we recognise the transformative potential of community center networks in achieving this important goal,” he said.

The EVC said NCC was committed to “this journey and views this workshop as a catalyst for meaningful change,” stating that the expertise, perspectives and commitments will shape the future where every Nigerian, regardless of his or her status, will have meaningful access to opportunities from digital connectivity.

Advertisement

In her remarks, Co-manager of the Association for Progressive Communications’ Local Network (LocNet) initiative, Kathleen Diga, noted that the collaboration was to tackle identified hindrances to digital inclusion. “This is a space where we can be open and exchange ideas of possibilities, opportunities that will remain in realising values of a diversified ecosystem.”

Diga said, “I believe this workshop presents a moment in time that we can explore the bottom-up approach in local communities, small social enterprises, corporative among others, which have the ability to fill some of the digital gaps that remain unfilled,” she said, adding emphasising the need to recognise that community centre connectivity exists and they are grow throughout the global south, which, she said, are a “strategic response to digital exclusion.”

The workshop featured presentations from the NCC, the Association for Progressive Communications and other institutional stakeholders such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) all geared towards exploring a joint policy framework to address rural digital divide.

The Association for Progressive Communications is a 35-year-old international network member-based organisation encouraging digital inclusion in the unserved communities, particularly with communities in the global south and the workshop, through its LocNet initiative aimed at crafting an enabling inclusive regulatory framework for community networks in Nigeria.

WhatsApp has ceased to function on several smartphones with older or outdated operating systems (OS) from June 1, 2025.

The messaging app has raised its minimum system requirements to improve security and performance, rendering it incompatible with certain phone models.

According to the update, iPhones must now run iOS 15.1 or later, while Android devices need at least Android 5.1. This means that support for models like the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Sony Xperia Z1, and others has been lost.

The update aims to enhance security and performance, as outdated devices can no longer support modern app features.

Users on older hardware have been strongly advised to back up chat histories and migrate to newer devices before June 1 to avoid service interruptions.

However, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE will remain functional only if updated to iOS 15.8.4. Owners of these models are advised to install the latest iOS iteration to maintain access to WhatsApp.

Meta’s decision to phase out support for legacy operating systems is a proactive measure to ensure the app’s security and introduce enhancements, ultimately maintaining the app’s reliability and user experience.

Advertisement

Meta-owned instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) app WhatsApp has launched new, exciting features that promise to invigorate the users.

Apart from the new features, Meta has made improvements in the design with an aim to make chats more appealing and inventive for users.

These new features include various tools created to improve the visual appeal of messages, provide more personalised options, and streamline user interactions.

New Features Are

Camera effects: Meta has introduced camera effects with the help of which WhatsApp users can now choose from a range of 30 backgrounds, filters, and effects when taking and sharing photos or videos over their chats.

Selfie stickers: WhatsApp has added this new feature for users who love to create custom stickers and can now turn selfies into stickers easily. However, this feature is available only on Android devices. The iOS version will follow soon.

Share sticker packs: Users can now easily share sticker packs with other users. If a user spots a sticker pack that they think the other user will like, they can share it directly within their chats.

Advertisement

Quicker reactions: WhatsApp has also introduced quicker reactions with which users can now double-tap a message to quickly react, with the app displaying a list of their most-used reactions for fast access.

Earlier, in October 2024, WhatsApp expanded the chat filter feature, adding the ability for users to create custom lists that contain specific chats of their choice while in November, the ability to transcribe voice messages was added, allowing users to read out what was said in a voice message, rather than listening to the audio.

In December 2024, WhatsApp introduced several new video calling features, including the ability to select specific participants from a group to make a call, rather than calling all group members. Visual effects also became available, adding visual filters to a user’s video feed.

In December 2024, WhatsApp introduced a reverse image search feature, allowing users to verify image authenticity directly within the app using Google Search.

India.com

In a fresh wave of challenges for iPhone users, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a significant ultimatum regarding Apple Inc.

According to Trump, the tech giant would be subjected to a hefty tariff of 25 percent on all iPhones manufactured overseas and imported into the United States. This move is part of a broader strategy aimed at reshaping trade relations and encouraging domestic production.

The implications of such a tariff could have far-reaching effects on both Apple and its loyal customer base, raising concerns about affordability and accessibility of iPhones in the US market.

He later added that Samsung and other phone makers would face a similar tariff, “otherwise it wouldn’t be fair”. The tariffs would likely take effect at the end of June, he said.

Trump posted the comments on Apple on his social network Truth Social. “I have long ago informed [CEO] Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” he said. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.,” the president wrote.

His comments on Samsung “and anybody that makes that product” were added later in response to questions at the White House, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Apple investment in US
Cook met with Trump at the White House this week, according to a White House official. Apple has previously pledged to spend USD 500 billion on its operations in the US. However, this is largely with or by suppliers, and Apple continues to manufacture iPhones in Asia.

Advertisement

The US government previously exempted smartphones from most of its tariffs on China. In response to the threat of a China-US trade war, Apple started early this year shifting more production to India and Vietnam with its partner Foxconn in order to avoid any impact.

The US is Apple’s biggest market for iPhones, and the company accounts for over half of the smartphone market there.

According to figures from Counterpoint Research, Apple had a 57 percent share of the US market in Q1 2025, followed by Samsung with 25 percent and Lenovo (Motorola) with 11 percent.

Shipments of iPhones and other smartphones made in China to the US fell to their lowest level since 2011 in April, according to Chinese customs data reported separately by Bloomberg.

Smartphone exports were down 72 percent to less than USD 700 million during the month, compared to a 21 percent fall in overall Chinese exports to the US. Smartphones were the number one export from China to the US in the year 2024.

Advertisement

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have agreed to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda while complying with local regulatory and statutory requirements, as reported by Telecompaper.

They aim to improve network cost efficiencies, expand coverage and enhance mobile services for millions of customers, particularly those in remote and rural areas.

They are exploring opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda and Zambia, and considering agreements for areas such as RAN sharing, fibre infrastructure sharing and, if necessary, the construction of fibre networks.

The two companies said they are committed to working with other mobile operators in the countries where they have a presence, to achieve the advantages of network sharing.

The parties will continue to function as independent market entities and will compete freely in shared markets. This engagement does not preclude the parties from collaborating with other operators in any respective market, they added.

The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), for their collaboration with Nigerian government to deepen rural connectivity for socio-economic development of the country.

Arowosafe gave the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session which was organised in Lagos over the weekend by the USPF in in collaboration with the UK FCDO and the ITU. The session built on USPF’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the achievement of wide network connectivity coverage in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.

The event was attended by the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Faruk Yabo; the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida; Chief Executives of telecommunications companies, State ICT commissioners, notable industry players, trade associations, development partners, key speakers, distinguished guests and staff of both NCC and the USPF.

The Minister spoke on the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to provide enabling policy directions and initiatives towards ensuring greater connectivity in Nigeria to transform the socio-economic development of Nigeria while the NCC boss, Maida emphasized the Commission’s resolve to continue to back all USPF projects through effective regulatory measures that help in accelerating deployment of necessary digital infrastructure that support the achievement of the Federal Governments’ priority areas and ministerial blueprint.

Speaking at the event, Arowosafe said the engagement reflected the USPF’s shared vision and commitment to expanding inclusive connectivity and that the presence of all other stakeholders at the event underscored the vital role of collaboration in achieving the goal.

He said the theme of this workshop, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth”, highlighted  government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide, in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, and Presidential Priority Areas.

“Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners, and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he said.

Advertisement

The USPF Secretary stated that ahead of the session, the USPF gathered input from stakeholders through questionnaires. He said the responses obtained shaped the panel discussions, focused on key strategies to foster connectivity through collaboration and partnerships, strengthen capacity building and security, and explore innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable connectivity.

He said the engagement, thus, offered a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions that address our unique challenges and help improve telecommunications access in underserved regions, while encouraging participants to actively participate, share their expertise, and contribute to shaping outcomes that will strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem and improve the lives of all Nigerians.

“This event marks the beginning of a collective journey toward a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria. USPF is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together,” he said.