The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says its decision to return to market-driven pricing in the telecoms sector has spurred over one billion dollars in infrastructure investment in 2025.

Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, said this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Friday.

He explained that the policy shift, introduced in January and February 2025, allowed mobile network operators to adjust tariffs by up to 50 per cent after nearly a decade of stagnant pricing.

“This act alone, has allowed investments to flow in. We will be revealing more specific figures in the coming weeks after verification, but we are talking about over a billion dollars worth of investment in 2025 alone,” he said.

Maida said that the move restored investor confidence in the sector and reversed a trend of under investment that had slowed network growth and service quality improvements.

According to him, the imbalance in the value chain, where tower companies can adjust prices annually for inflation and exchange rates but mobile network operators cannot had discouraged new investment.

“This is an industry that requires continuous investment. The world is moving ahead, and if we do not create the right conditions, we will be left behind,” he said.

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The NCC boss said the commission decided to return to the guiding principles of the 2000 Telecom Policy and the 2003 Communications Act, which allowed market forces to determine fair prices while maintaining healthy competition to protect consumers.

He disclosed that some of the new equipment ordered by operators had started arriving in the country since June, with network expansion and upgrade works already underway.

“We are closely tracking the rollout. We hold weekly calls with operators to monitor how many sites are being built, upgrades done and we step in when they encounter challenges with authorities,” Maida said.

He added that the investments would help address capacity challenges, improve service quality, and ensure Nigeria remained competitive in the global telecom landscape.

The NCC boss also highlighted operational cost pressures facing the industry, noting that operators consumed over 40 million litres of diesel monthly to power their base stations, with most of the product imported.

He said the industry’s dependence on foreign exchange (FX) for importing all network hardware and software added to the challenge, as no major telecom equipment was manufactured locally.

“There is nothing you need to build or upgrade a network today in Nigeria that you can buy locally. Everything from the hardware to the software has to be imported and that requires FX,” Maida said.

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On protecting telecoms infrastructure, he said the commission was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop a framework for rapid response forces tailored to the unique challenges in each region.

He noted that threats vary by location, with some coastal areas requiring community-based engagement, while high-insecurity zones may need stronger civil defence presence.

According to him, the protection strategy goes beyond force and focuses on addressing structural issues that make telecom sites vulnerable, such as poor security measures, generator theft and community disputes.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to the full operationalisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), which designates telecommunications facilities as critical national assets deserving optimal protection.

This comes on the heels of a successful mediation led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in collaboration with the Commission, which resulted in the suspension of a planned strike by the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).

The strike, if carried out, would have disrupted the supply of diesel to telecommunications sites nationwide, severely affecting network operators’ ability to power their diesel-driven generators and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.

In the days leading up to the resolution, the ONSA, under the leadership of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic engagements with NOGASA’s leadership, with the Commission providing technical and regulatory guidance to highlight the potential implications of service disruptions on national security, the economy, and everyday life.

The discussions culminated in an agreement to call off the industrial action, averting what could have been a nationwide disruption of telecom services.

“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of our connectivity and digital economy. Any disruption, whether through vandalism, accidental damage during construction work, theft of equipment, denial of access to maintenance teams, or interruptions in the supply of essential operational materials, has far-reaching implications for service delivery, economic stability, and national security,” the NSA said.

The Commission expressed appreciation to the ONSA for its leadership and dedication to protecting national assets and commended the maturity and understanding demonstrated by relevant stakeholders in recognising the national importance of telecommunications services.

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Commenting on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated: “We will continue to enforce strict compliance by our licensees with technical standards for the deployment and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, while working closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen awareness and cooperation on their protection.

“We also recognise mediation as an effective tool for building consensus among stakeholders. This resolution underscores the importance of dialogue in preventing avoidable service disruptions. Ultimately, we call on all Nigerians to regard telecom infrastructure as a shared national asset, one that underpins our ability to connect with loved ones, transact businesses, access healthcare, pursue education, and participate in the global digital economy.”

The Commission reaffirmed that it would continue to coordinate with security agencies, industry stakeholders, and the public to ensure that Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure remains protected, resilient, and reliable for all.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Idris Olorunnimbe as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory body overseeing telecommunications in Nigeria.

This announcement coincided with the establishment of the boards for both the NCC and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), organizations that operate under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

Olorunnimbe is a well-known figure in public service and entrepreneurship development. He previously served on the board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where he held the position of Chair of the Stakeholder and Governance Committee.

Throughout his tenure, he actively promoted youth employment initiatives and entrepreneurship programs that positively affected thousands of small businesses throughout Lagos.

In his capacity as the new Chairman of the NCC, Olorunnimbe will oversee policy formulation for an industry that contributes more than 13% to Nigeria’s GDP and plays a vital role in the nation’s digital transformation efforts.

He will collaborate closely with Dr. Aminu Maida, who serves as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. Dr. Maida was appointed by the President in October 2023 and subsequently confirmed by the Senate in November 2023.

NCC Board composition
Other members of the newly constituted NCC board include Abraham Oshidami as Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi, former Director of Human Capital & Administration; Col. Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; Princess Oforitsenere Emiko; and the board secretary.

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Interestingly, Olorunnimbe will also serve as Vice Chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Board, with Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, as Chairman.

The USPF was created to promote universal access to ICT services in rural, unserved, and underserved areas across Nigeria.

The new board appointments come at a time when the NCC is expected to deepen broadband penetration, strengthen telecoms infrastructure, and address quality of service issues amid Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.

What you should know
The USPF was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and universal service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, un-served and under-served areas in Nigeria.

The Fund is being managed to facilitate the widest possible access to affordable telecommunications services for greater social equity and inclusion for the people of Nigeria.

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Nigeria has taken the lead in a bold continental leap toward digital inclusion, becoming the first African country to launch the Africa-BB-Maps initiative—an ambitious broadband infrastructure mapping project led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The milestone event, spearheaded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), took place on Monday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, marking the official kick-off of Nigeria’s participation in the 11-nation programme.

Designed to map and improve broadband infrastructure across Africa, the Africa-BB-Maps initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling smarter data-driven planning, targeted investments, and harmonised regulations across borders.

Day 1 of the national launch drew a cross-section of key stakeholders—government agencies, telecom operators, technology innovators, and international development partners. Discussions centred on building a unified framework for broadband data collection, infrastructure mapping, and collaborative policy formulation.

By stepping forward as the first mover, Nigeria is not just setting the pace for other African nations—it is positioning itself as a digital infrastructure leader on the continent.

On the basis of this however, at the national flag-off in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, hailed the initiative as a vital catalyst for meeting the country’s National Broadband Plan targets.

“We are honoured to lead this initiative in Africa,” Dr. Maida declared. “Accurate and coordinated broadband mapping is essential to delivering digital services to every Nigerian, regardless of location.”

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The Africa-BB-Maps project aims to identify unserved and underserved communities, enable smarter infrastructure investments, and empower policy makers with data-driven insights. By focusing on these gaps, the initiative will pave the way for a more inclusive and connected Nigeria.

The ITU applauded Nigeria’s pioneering efforts, calling its commitment a beacon for other African nations striving for digital inclusion. The ultimate goal: to foster evidence-based broadband planning, attract investment, and drive connectivity—especially to remote and rural areas long left behind.

As workshops roll out during the week, stakeholders will collaborate to develop a national roadmap for broadband deployment, anchored on global best practices and local realities.

With this move, Nigeria reaffirms its leadership in Africa’s digital future—boldly aligning with the global push to make universal broadband access a reality.

Businesshilights

Apple is gearing up to unveil its next generation of smartphones, the iPhone 17 series, in September 2025.

While the official launch date remains unconfirmed, industry insiders and reports suggest a couple of possible dates for the highly anticipated event.

In a recent post for CNET, tech writer Tiffany Connors explored potential dates for Apple’s annual keynote, traditionally held in early September. “Historically, Apple has made the announcement on the first Tuesday of September after Labor Day,” noted CNET Senior Editor Patrick Holland, who has reviewed mobile phones for over a decade.

However, in 2025, the first Tuesday falls on September 2, just one day after the Labor Day holiday in the United States. This has led to speculation that Apple may adjust its schedule slightly.

“Apple could push the dates for its iPhone event to Wednesday, Sept. 3, or Tuesday, Sept. 9. That would mean a release date of Sept. 12 or 19,” Holland told CNET.

Meanwhile, this is significant as it’s among the first reports to suggest September 3 as a possible keynote date. Still, some analysts remain skeptical about an early-week event. Apple is known for avoiding scheduling conflicts with other major tech gatherings, and IFA, a massive consumer electronics trade show, is set to take place in Berlin during the first week of September, according to Forbes.

“Apple will not want to shout above the noise of so much happening in the same week,” one analyst observed, suggesting the company may stick with September 9 for the iPhone 17 reveal.

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Beyond the date, anticipation is building around the iPhone 17 lineup, especially with rumors of significant design changes. Notably, at least three of the four models are expected to feature completely new designs, according to leaks. One of them, the iPhone 17 Air, is believed to be a brand-new model in the lineup, raising questions about whether its release might be staggered.

Historically, Apple has sometimes delayed the availability of certain models after the initial launch. For instance, the iPhone XR arrived weeks after the iPhone XS and XS Max in 2018, and the iPhone 12 mini followed the iPhone 12 by almost a month in 2020.

Although there are no confirmed reports of staggered releases this year, analysts say it can’t be ruled out, especially given the scale of expected design changes.

As the countdown to September begins, all eyes are on Apple for confirmation, not just of when the iPhone 17 will debut, but what innovations it will bring.

Egyptian authorities have arrested at least eight TikTok content creators in less than a week on vague charges including “indecency”, in what rights defenders warn is a sweeping crackdown mainly targeting women online.

According to the interior ministry, the creators’ videos contain “obscene language”, “violate public morals” and constitute “a misuse of social media”.

But prominent advocacy group the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) has accused authorities of seeking to control public discourse, urging them to “stop prosecuting online content creators on vague, ethics- and class-based charges such as ‘violating Egyptian family values’”.

The wave of arrests followed an online smear campaign and a complaint filed by 32 lawyers that alleged the videos “posed a danger to young people”, without explaining how.

The ensuing crackdown “is the largest since 2020”, said Lobna Darwish, EIPR’s gender and human rights officer.

In 2020, Egyptian security forces launched a similar crackdown mainly against young women dancing and lip-syncing on TikTok, deeming the content overly suggestive.

According to Darwish, the “blatant class bias” at play this time was even clearer than before, with authorities going after women from lower-middle-class backgrounds who gained visibility and wealth through social media.

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In a statement, police said two content creators had “confessed to publishing videos to increase views and generate financial profits”, adding there was “suspicion as to the source of their wealth”.

Among those arrested, mostly at their homes, were women TikTokers known online as Suzy al-Urduniya, Alia Qamaron, Um Mekka, Um Sajda and Qamr al-Wekala.

Three male creators known as Modahm, Shaker and Mohamed Abdel Aaty were also arrested.

Their accounts, most of which are still online, feature a broad range of content including comedy sketches, lip-syncing videos, ads for low-cost beauty products and snippets of daily life in working-class neighbourhoods.

Pro-government pundit Ahmed Moussa said Sunday that the influencers’ short-form video content was “destroying society’s values” — which Egyptian authorities have for decades professed to safeguard.

According to Ahmed Badawy, head of parliament’s telecommunications committee, TikTok’s regional management has been given three months to “improve its content in Egypt” before the government takes measures to block it.

TikTok did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on Badawy’s ultimatum.

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In an interview with state-linked TV ExtraNews, Badawy hailed the recent arrests as an effective “deterrent” against users streaming “bad content”.

But according to EIPR, the Egyptian state has taken to “disciplining” citizens, even in their private lives, “as part of a larger project to control the entire public sphere”.

Egypt’s legal code gives authorities broad discretion to prosecute morality-related offences, including “inciting debauchery”, “violating public decency” and “misusing social media” — charges that critics say are vague and therefore easy for courts to prosecute.

EIPR says it has documented at least 151 individuals charged with “violating family values” since 2020.

In one recent, particularly high-profile case, Egyptian-Italian belly dancer Linda Martino — who has more than two million followers on Instagram — was arrested in June on social media debauchery charges.

Women, who are more vulnerable to scrutiny in patriarchal societies, “were the easier target to start with, until social control became the norm and now targets male creators as well”, EIPR’s Darwish told AFP.

Punch

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