The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Estate surveyors and anti-corruption fight

    Estate surveyors and anti-corruption fight

    Sir: Corruption is a persistent problem and a phenomenon that affects all countries, every sector of the economy and everyone in the society. No nation, state or society is immune to corruption. Corruption distorts policy decisions, weakens economic growth, deters investment, undermines human development, derails a country’s progress, runs counter to the basic interests and needs of the society and poses a frightening threat to economic development and social stability.

    One could understand from this standpoint why intolerance of corruption is strong and growing around the world, which has made it a topic of unabated debate at the national and international levels, a fight at the United Nations and its member states.

    Though a global malaise, the depth and extent of its reach across the public and private sectors, and all levels of government in Nigeria is tragically stupendous and frightening. That makes it difficult for government alone to succeed in preventing, not to talk of fighting it   without cooperation and collaborative efforts of the private sector, state agencies and critical stakeholders including the professional organizations, particularly the estate surveying and valuation profession whose roles and services are germane and key to economic development.

    Read Also: Anti-corruption fight: CSOs pass vote of confidence on Bawa

    Professional estate surveyors and valuers are critical to reducing corruption. This is because professional ethics, education, and oversight which are at the core of the global estate surveying and valuation profession are key to tackling corruption. The profession has made it known in several fora that it is established on the moral values of honesty and devotion, and operates on a code of professional ethics and practice, for which reason it is wholeheartedly committed to the anti-corruption drive of the government and would assist in every way possible to achieve the lofty objective. The commitment of the profession to good governance, and governance architectures which confronts corruption and corrupt practices in the country is in the interest of the public. 

    Like the saying goes, ‘Charity begins at home’. The profession keeps tab on members’ adherence to the guiding principles in its Code of Professional Ethics and Practice, frowns at professional misconduct and corrupt practices by its members, while applying the stick to erring members without fear or favour. This is the standard upon which the practice of Estate Surveying and Valuation is anchored. This is because the services we offer are vital to the economic development of the nation and well-being of the society. Therefore, the profession would not compromise on the virtues of honesty and trust, which are highly required of us in the discharge of our responsibilities. 

    Most of the members of the profession have registered with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and have been forwarding necessary reports to the unit, all to ensure that our profession do not provide ‘’safe haven’’ for money launderers.

    In our resolve to strengthen and sustain the fight against corruption, the profession also engage, collaborate and partner other anti-graft agencies- Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). We have also re-emphasized our support to one of the cardinal programmes of the present administration, which is the fight against corruption. 

    The theme of our 2023 national annual conference, ’Asset Valuation as a Global Anti-Corruption Tool-The Nigeria Experience’ captured our stance on corruption. At the end of the conference, we availed the government and policy makers our resolutions in a Communiqué to enable them come up with policy thrusts that would checkmate corruption and enhance national development. The document was also made available to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of using the conclusions for re-appraisal and aligning of real estate practices, strategies and operations with the best global practices.

    Corruption inhibits economic growth and affects business operations, investments and employment, to mention a few. It is in the interest of every Nigerian for corruption to be killed or effectively tackled. Therefore, well-meaning Nigerians must be more resolute in confronting the evil of corruption, if the nation must progress and make meaningful economic development.

    Estate Surveying and Valuation profession would keep supporting anti-corruption efforts. It would keep advocating for good government, because where governance is strong, the role played by professional Estate Surveyors and Valuers in tackling corruption would be amplified.

    •Ayo Adekunle,Lagos.

  • Remembering Saba Folayan

    Remembering Saba Folayan

    Sir: Like the flash of lightening, 50 years have passed since the demise of the merchant, aristocrat and community leader, Chief Isaac Ajayi Folayan, Saba of Obalu, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State.

    The ancient town was united in sorrow when it was announced that he had passed on in an auto crash. That was on May 18, 1974. He left a legacy of hard-work, honesty and integrity.

    Folayan was born in 1889 into the illustrious family of Chief Inajoju, first Saba of Obalu. His grandfather, the late Chief Obaloko, was the third Saba of Obalu, and his father, the late Chief Adelusola, was the Oisadefi of Obalu. His mother, the late Chief Bolaku, was the Eye Logudu of Obalu.

    At an early age, Folayan trained as a professional tailor under his uncle, the late Pa Gbadamosi Dada. He learned how to read and write as an apprentice, and with that minimal informal education, he recorded and documented events.

    Despite his lack of formal education and paucity of funds, Folayan was undeterred. Realizing that he was disadvantaged financially as a result of poor returns from tailoring, he promptly opted for trading and merchandising. The little informal education he had paid off as he became his own clerk, recording his trading activities, up to the minutest detail.

    Read Also: Pa Saba Folayan: 50 years after by Sunday Olagunju

    Being a shrewd businessman, and a financially scrupulous person, he soon attracted the attention of the eagle-eyed roving multinational agencies like John Holt, GBO, UTC, and UAC, and became their approved agent throughout the then Ekiti Division of Ondo Province. His trading activities took him to places like Lagos, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ilesha, Ipole Iloro, Ikogosi, Aramoko, Okemesi Ekiti, Ila Orangun, Esa – Oke, Ido Ile, and Ogotun.

     Folayan also dabbled into big time farming to complement his trading activities. He specialized in the cultivation of cocoa, oil palm, kola nut and plantations. By the time of his death in 1974, he was among the foremost prominent cocoa farmers in Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti State.

    He became the Saba of Obalu in 1947 till he died in 1974, a period of 27 years. He was succeeded as Saba by the late Chief Oderinde, who was also succeeded by the late Chief Egbekunle. Later, Folayan’s son, Chief Tope Folayan, became the Saba and occupied the position till he died on December 1, 2021.

    Pa Folayan was a handsome man. He was a polygamist to the core. He was survived by seven wives, many children, grand-children and great grand-children.

    A devout Christian and a staunch member of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon Alaaye, the anniversary of his death and those of his wives will be celebrated on Sunday, May 19, at the church.

    •Sunday Olagunju,Ibadan

  • Obasanjo’s Afro-democracy potion

    Obasanjo’s Afro-democracy potion

    Sir: On Thuesday, Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader in the Lower Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly and his colleagues, took their advocacy for return to parliamentary system of government, a system that was practiced in Nigeria’s first republic, characterized by violence, and which later culminated in coup d’états and civil war, to the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo .

    They are convinced that the way out of the political doldrums is for Nigeria to return to the parliamentary system of government.

     But Obasanjo disagreed with them. Instead, he advocated to them what he called “Afro-democracy.

     In his monograph titled: The Lust for Power and its Tragic Implication for Nigeria, Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, exposed Obasanjo as a leader with long nurtured ambition to entrench a sit-tight leadership in Africa. According to him, Obasanjo had even authored a book in which he advocated for one-party state.

    Read Also:Nigeria complex but not difficult to rule, says Obasanjo

    Siddique’s book was published in 2006 when Obasanjo was trying to elongate his tenure.

     Therefore, I am not surprised by Obasanjo’s “Afro-democracy”. What Obasanjo is advocating is either a monarchy or any authoritarian system.

    This Obasanjo, who is now condemning Western liberal democracy, became a president under the same system. He didn’t use his time as president to change the system to “Afro-democracy”. It is now he realizes that the Western liberal democracy does not suit African countries.

     Obasanjo knows that what he is advocating is not only unsuitable, outdated, tyrannical but also dangerous.

    These advocates must know that do not have the power to take us back to the dark days of parliamentary system, much less of changing the whole system in favour of Obasanjo’s Afro-democracy. So much for Obasanjo’s contraption called “Afro-democracy”.

    •Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,Unguwa Katsina

  • Still on illegal mining activities on OAU campus

    Still on illegal mining activities on OAU campus

    By Kazeem Olalekan Israel

    Sir: I commend the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake for suspending all sorts of mining anywhere near Obafemi Awolowo University. However, beyond suspension, I call on the federal government to stop, not suspend, every form of unregulated mining not just in OAU but Ife and Osun State as a whole. Also, the mining sites must be taken over by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals while the university dam and adjoining water bodies be analysed to know the level of pollution and other impact of the activities of these reckless miners. Also, there must be a plan to carry out immediate and thorough remedial actions to restore the quality of land and water bodies impacted by the illegal mining as well as adequate compensation to individuals and communities whose livelihood and health may have been adversely impacted.

    The clampdown should have extended to other places like Ilesha and some other parts of Ile-Ife where such activities are recklessly going on. It is an open secret that Chinese nationals are hugely invested in illegal mining in and around Osun State and that they enjoy support and connivance by unscrupulous traditional rulers, politicians and security personnel. The consequences of suspending illegal mining in OAU and leaving those at Ilesha and other parts of Ile-Ife is tantamount to stopping a criminal in a town while abandoning the neighbouring ones where more devastating activities take place.

    Read Also: Nigeria gains additional maritime territory

    The identities of those behind the unregulated mining must not be hidden and no one involved should be shielded. From Ibese to Ogbese to Niger-Delta, Zamfara, Borno and others; private unregulated mining of state resources are not only devastating to the society economically and developmentally, they pose grave threats to societal existence.

    Moreover, the illegal mining in Ile-Ife is what has emboldened land-grabbers in the area. Currently, a fence is being erected on the university land by those unscrupulous elements. Things have reached a point for the Minister of Education to step in by enforcing sanity at OAU. He must not only warn land-grabbers against their encroachment activities on OAU land but also visit sanctions on those involved. A visiting panel needs to be set up to look into the level of the encroachment and more specifically, the matter of three-block students hostel which has not been put to use since 2018 as a consequence of threat of fire and brimstone by some unscrupulous elements in the Ife community. It is time to put the building to immediate use to address the dire accommodation problem bedevilling the university.

    • Kazeem Olalekan Israel, OAU, Ile-Ife.

  • A deadly subterfuge

    A deadly subterfuge

    • By Ike Willie-Nwobu

    Sir: As a country, Nigeria has grappled with many solutions to terrorism since 2009 when Boko Haram’s campaign became bolder and bloodier. One of the solutions was to rehabilitate and reintegrate into the society terrorists willing to ‘repent’ and lay down their arms. This proved immediately divisive. On one side were the communities reduced to rubble who felt that reintegrating their attackers will be salt to their wounds. On the other side were those who argued that this solution experimented in other terror-marred places had yielded undeniable fruits. There was also a case to be made closer home: the amnesty granted the Niger Delta militants, which largely quelled the restiveness in the area when oil pipelines and expatriate workers became bargaining chips in socio-political war.

    Despite protestations, the Nigerian Army went along with its De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Re-integration plans.

    For those who believe that the repentance of the terrorists was a ruse all along despite its minimal gains, painful vindication came by fire on  May 1 when ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members burnt down checkpoints belonging to the Nigeria Customs Service and National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kasuwan Fara, Borno State.

    Can pathological killers suddenly become pacifists? Even the Divine would struggle to fashion peace into those whose inherent nature is violence.

    The smoke billowing from the burnt checkpoints is a sign of a scuttled strategy a stranded by state-suffused confusion. The problem with Nigeria is that there is no justice. At every occasion, the country shows itself incapable of doing justice. As well as the macabre corruption endemic to the judiciary, there are many who are complicit in shielding criminals from justice.

    Building a country where dignity endures demands that a human face is worn even while treating the worst offenders. But just as true is the fact that destruction is perhaps the most delicate task in creation. Presently, Nigeria is showing little promise in navigating this nuance. While it commits billions to fighting terrorism, terrorists, wearing fake masks of remorse, slip behinds its guard to unrepentantly incinerate the pyres of a broken country.

    Read Also: Electricity tariff: Don’t derail plans in power sector, FG begs Labour

    Trauma often assumes a life of its own and outlives generations. Many things never recover from being broken, no matter how much effort is fed into finding repair or forcing reparation. To assume to rehabilitate terrorists when commensurate efforts have not been made to help broken communities pick up the pieces of their broken lives presents the narrative as needled with pathetic flaws. Those behind it are either insensitive at best or just desperately callous.

    To catch killers, Nigeria must return to the trail of the past to discover the path to the future. It must read the past and the present and attempt to decipher the invisible to  discover and destroy the seedbed of weeds threatening to suffocate the country.

    Those who have called themselves to be confessors to terrorists must remember that cold-blooded killers don’t change, that the past here pulses with blood, and that victims of terrorism deserve dignity which can only come from justice visited on their attackers.

    The Nigerian Army is not in a position to preach a gospel of forgiveness to Nigerians. The undoubted victims of the egregious atrocity that terrorism is will decide if and when to forgive the terrorists. They have not decided. Until they do, terrorists deserve only the dock and the noose. To coddle them with taxes or comfort them with the promises of a new life in communities they ripped apart without mercy is an unspeakable betrayal.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    Ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • Between Pantami and his critics

    Between Pantami and his critics

    • By Abdulazeez Alhassan

    Sir: Quora defines an academic as “a person who is engaged in higher education and research. Academics are usually employed by universities or academic institutions and are involved in teaching, conducting research, publishing scholarly work, and contributing to the academic community through conferences, seminars, and other forms of academic discourse”.

    By contrast, writers outside of academia are people who write literature, articles, books, novels, short stories, etc. They are professionals and creatives, and their writing styles are often more versatile, adaptable, and engaging, targeting a broader audience than that of academic writing.

    The key features that define a person as an academic include, but are not limited to: teaching, research, peer review, and commitment to ethics. An academic must teach courses at the university level, share their expertise with students, and help train the next generation of scholars and professionals. On the other hand, most writers do not teach at the university level. Additionally, academics are expected to produce scholarly papers that contribute to the knowledge and understanding of their field, whereas writers only write. Academic work is also typically subject to peer review, where other experts in the field evaluate the quality and validity of the research before it is published.

    Read Also: Nigeria gains additional maritime territory

    Understanding the nuances that separate an academic from a writer will help us build a strong distinction between academic writing and other forms of writing. Academic writing is typically used in scholarly research, academic journals, and textbooks. The writing style in academic writing is formal, structured, objective, and organized. On the other hand, other forms of writing, such as creative writing, technical writing, and business writing, serve a broader purpose. The style, tone, and language are less formal and more relaxed. This writing is also more creative and intended to entertain, inform and persuade readers.

    In academia, the award of professorship and the measurement of a scholar is based on the quality of their research output, quantity of research output, citations, teaching and mentoring, service to the profession, and collaborative work. It is not measured by the number of books authored or popularity.

    Professors typically teach at universities, colleges, or other institutions of higher education. Therefore, professors and scholars have almost the same characteristics.

    Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami and his critics recently created a hullabaloo in the social media space, and I see no reason for that. Sheikh Pantami does not possess the above-mentioned qualities of a professor or a scholar. It is the reason he is being questioned by academics on his acceptance of the professorship title as indeed his claim to be a scholar.

    Nigerians might recall that Pantami accepted his professorship from the governing council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) on August 20, 2021 when he was not a teacher either by employment or by contract in the university. Pantami was also not employed by any university to teach, mentor, or carry out research within and outside Nigeria, nor did he publish scholarly articles in national and international journals, and none of his work was peer-reviewed, which would validate his professorship as it was then.

    These two critical issues led scholars and professors to reject his titles in their entirety.

    It is worthy of note that Pantami; based on his vast knowledge, expertise and experience may actually be far better than many professors. What critics are concerned with is the process of obtaining the titles. It should be understood that shortcuts are not accepted in the academic environment, regardless of the person’s status.

    The yardstick for becoming a professor is determined by teaching, research, published articles in national and international journals, etc. Pantami does not meet the criteria. While academics necessarily engage in academic writing as part of their work, Sheikh Pantami is more of an Islamic scholar, preacher, perhaps a genius, and a business writer.

    •Abdulazeez Alhassan,

    President, Universal Writers and Authors (UWA)

    axeexx67@gmail.com

  • ECOWAS of yesterday, today and tomorrow 

    ECOWAS of yesterday, today and tomorrow 

    Sir: Nigeria’s late Professor Adebayo Adedeji and Togo’s Edem (Kodjovi) Kodjo would likely be turning in their graves in disappointment if not utter shock at what has become of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which they laboured with others to establish in 1975.

    Adedeji, a brilliant, professor of Economics at age 36, as Nigeria’s Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Economic Development and National Reconstruction (1971-75), sold his boss, Gen. Yakubu Gowon the idea of a regional body with Nigeria as the hegemon.

    It is doubtful whether Adedeji, Kodjo and their contemporaries would be proud of the present leadership of the African Union and its eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs), including ECOWAS, which once received international acclaim for achievements, especially in conflict prevention, management, and resolution. 

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    The same ECOWAS that ended the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone and resolved conflicts in other member states now appears spineless and even unable to issue a statement or take any effective actions against member states that violate its protocols/instruments.

    Particularly worrisome is Nigeria’s palpable weakness and incapacity to play its role as a regional hegemon, despite its strategic position, quality of human capital and the size of its population, (more than 220 million out of Africa’s estimated 1.3 billion people are Nigerians).

    The AU and its RECs require visionary and dynamic leaders to put Africa in its rightful place among the regions of the world. Those in leadership positions in Africa must be reminded that it is not about themselves, but the future of a continent and its people, who “labour like elephants but eat like rats.” Thousands of African youths are dying on perilous journeys to escape from the continent, endowed with abundant natural resources.

    African rulers must change their ways; lead by example and educate themselves on the goals and objectives of pro-people Pan-Africanism. Africa is not poor, but badly managed/governed. Its present situation is unjustifiably unsatisfactory and must change for the better.

    The citizens themselves must elect servant leaders and demand accountability from them.

    In the same vein, given the hope pinned on Nigeria by Africans and Blacks worldwide, the country and its leadership must rise above internal crises or divisions to play its destined role as a regional hegemon, from ECOWAS to the continental level and beyond.

    • Paul Ejime,

    <paulejime@outlook.com>

  • Of randy lecturers and their students

    Of randy lecturers and their students

    Sir: Recent events unfolding in our tertiary institutions call for grave concern. Last month, a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was caught in the act of trying to sexually molest a female student at the university. The particular lecturer was said to be notorious for sleeping with his students to pass exams. Similarly, a lecturer at the Federal University, Lokoja, was also caught while trying to sleep with a female student. According to reports, the lecturer had been on his victim’s neck for sex, but the lady failed to yield. He failed her as a result. She reported the matter to her father, and she was told to play along. And that was how the cookie crumbled.

    There is a popular adage that if the hunter learns how to shoot without aiming first, the bird will also learn how to fly without perching. While it may seem that these predatory lecturers are beginning to get their comeuppance, it is quite unfortunate that we are still talking about sex for grades in our schools and that this is happening at a time when parents are encouraged to educate their girl-child to foster an environment of safety and respect. Our campuses are supposed to be a sanctuary for female students, not a jungle where predatory lecturers prey on their bodies.

    Read Also; Nigeria is a complex country, but not difficult to rule – Obasanjo

    Although there have been concerted efforts to tackle the menace of sex for grades by the government, at the wake of the BBC Eye undercover investigations into the activities of lecturers in both Nigerian and Ghanaian universities in 2020, the National Assembly passed a bill for the prohibition and punishment of sexual harassment by teachers/lecturers in tertiary institutions. Unfortunately, this law, like every other law criminalizing crimes in Nigeria, does not deter some lecturers from sexually harassing their students.

    According to a recent report conducted by Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) with support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, the rate of sexual harassment in our schools remains high, and it is not just a case of lecturers to students; it is even more prevalent among students, likewise non-academic staff.

    The report observed that, “There are different manifestations and prevalence of SGBV among different categories of people in the university community. All forms of SGBV are present on campus and with unacceptable frequency. The most prevalent forms are sexual harassment followed by rape. The main perpetrators of SGBV are predominantly students and academic staff, although it is also common for non-academic staff to sexually harass students during the admissions process and when securing accommodation. There is also grossly under-reported sex for promotion and other SGBV amongst staff.”

    What this suggests is that a lot needs to be done to stem the tide of all forms of sexual harassment in our schools. There should be an avenue for victims to report incidents of sexual harassment without the fear of victimization. Those caught in the act of sexual harassment should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. Only through punitive measures can we maintain the sanctity of our educational institutions. And these recent incidents should not serve as an avenue for people to surface and blame the scourge of sexual harassment in schools as consequences of indecent dressing. Even if female students were to be restricted to the hijab in terms of dressing on campuses, corrupt minds would still fantasize, lust and scheme to perpetrate dastardly acts.

    As much as students are expected to dress decently as a reflection of their duties within the school environment, staff should be held up to much higher standards of professionalism, morality and duty. If we must get things right and eliminate the malaise afflicting our learning spaces, everyone must be held to the highest standards and expectations. By doing this, excellence will thrive and mediocrity, along with inane depravity, will become a thing of the past in our educational institutions.

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,

     lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Between embracing past lessons and living in the present

    Between embracing past lessons and living in the present

    Sir: In the tapestry of our lives, the past weaves its threads with intricate complexity, shaping who we are today. Every experience, every triumph, every stumble and every heartache contributes to shape the lives of the individual. Yet, there’s a delicate balance between looking back to the past and carrying its weight as burdens into the present and the future.

    The past, with all its memories and trials, is not something to be discarded or forgotten. It’s a repository of invaluable lessons, a treasure trove of experiences that have sculpted our character and fuelled our growth. Each setback, each challenge, and each triumph has contributed to our resilience, our empathy, and our wisdom.

    Read Also: Eight highest-paying courses in Nigeria

    But there lies a danger in clinging too tightly to the past, allowing it to overshadow the present and dictate the future. The past, though filled with valuable lessons, can also become a heavy burden, weighing us down with regrets, resentments, and what-ifs. It’s crucial to acknowledge the past for what it is — an integral part of our journey — but not to let it define us or confine us.

    Indeed, there can be no present without the past, but that doesn’t mean we should be enslaved by it. Instead, we should strive to find a balance, to embrace the lessons learned without allowing ourselves to be shackled by the mistakes made. It’s about recognizing that while the past has shaped us, it doesn’t have to determine our destiny.

    Moreover, the past is not always a rosy picture; it’s often marked by moments of darkness, pain, and struggle. Yet, even in the midst of adversity, there are lessons to be gleaned, wisdom to be gained. The challenges we’ve faced have equipped us with strength, resilience, and empathy — qualities that enable us to navigate the present and build a better future.

    So, how do we honour the past without letting it weigh us down? It begins with acceptance — acceptance of our past, with all its imperfections and complexities. It means acknowledging the mistakes we’ve made, the pain we’ve endured, and the lessons we’ve learned. But it also means letting go of regrets and resentments, forgiving ourselves and others, and embracing the possibilities of the present moment.

    It also involves gratitude — gratitude for the lessons learned, the growth experienced, and the opportunities for renewal and transformation. It’s about shifting our perspective from one of regret and resentment to one of gratitude and appreciation for the journey that has brought us to where we are today.

    Ultimately, embracing the past is about reclaiming our power — the power to learn from our experiences, the power to grow and evolve, and the power to shape our own destiny. It’s about recognizing that while the past may have shaped us, it doesn’t have to define us. We are not prisoners of our past; we are architects of our future.

    As we journey through life, let us honour the past for the lessons it has taught us, but let us not be bound by it. Instead, let us embrace the present moment with gratitude and optimism, knowing that we have the power to create a future filled with possibility and promise.

    •John Amabolou Elekun,

    Iju-Ajuwon, Lagos

  • Telecoms: Balancing growth with affordability

    Telecoms: Balancing growth with affordability

    Sir: Nigeria’s telecommunication industry stands at a crossroads. It is facing pressure on a thousand different fronts. On the inside, it is battling with the challenges of sustainable operations and shareholders demands and on the outside, raising costs and regulatory constraints.

    The telecom industry has immense potential. The recently launched GSMA digital economy report made this point. It projects a rise of 15 million new internet users by 2028. It equally highlights the industry’s significant contribution to the nation’s GDP.

    Industry players, in the light of existing reality, have determined that a tariff increase will provide some succour and allow it to breathe. The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), an umbrella organisation for telecom and allied services providers, is at the forefront of the push for tariff increase.

    ALTON argues that current tariffs, unchanged for over a decade, are insufficient to maintain operations and may indeed hinder vital investments in network infrastructure and possibly impact service quality. This assertion gains traction against a backdrop of foreign exchange losses, declining profits, and the increasingly challenging economic environmentWithin the same decade, electricity tariff was raised, at least, three times; the price of fuel has gone up by over 300 per cent and inflation has effectively climbed to over 33 per cent. Yet, operators’ demand for telecom tariff increases has sparked a contentious debate among industry stakeholders. For many, the crux of the matter is that the economy is already hard, so telcos should not compound things by increasing tariffs at this time. Economists will take a dim view of this argument.

    Read Also: Telecoms sector records $1.57b FDIs in three years

    The telcos’ reason for pushing for tariff increases hinges on three main points. One, rising costs. Inflation, currency devaluation, increase in the pump price of fuel, electricity tariff increases and a general economic downturn have significantly increased operational expenses. The cost of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, alongside acquiring foreign equipment, has outpaced current price structures.

    The second is the investment challenges. Without a price adjustment reflecting economic realities, investors become hesitant. This stagnation in investment will limit the industry’s ability to expand networks, adopt new technologies like 5/6G and ultimately serve a growing population. The bulk of investment in the sector is dollar-denominated.

    Then thirdly, unsustainable business environment. The industry contends with a multitude of charges and levies (the perennial multiple taxation). ALTON reveals that there are over 45. This burden, coupled with a perceived lack of regulatory independence, creates an unfavourable business climate.

    The government, however, has firmly rejected the proposal for a tariff hike. The NCC has refused to approve it. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive solution. He argues that higher prices would disproportionately affect affordability and hinder inclusion, particularly for low-income Nigerians. This outcome will no doubt widen the digital disparity in the country.

    In my mind, to move forward, we must be able to strike a balance between the financial viability of telecom companies and ensuring service affordability for consumers. This path likely involves a multi-pronged approach.

    We can start by reviewing the levy landscape.  Reducing the number of charges levied on telecom operators could free up resources for investment. This can potentially create a more attractive business environment. Secondly, regulation must be streamlined in line with global best practices. Experts concede that enhancing regulatory clarity and promoting an environment that encourages responsible risk-taking by investors would be crucial.

    Moreover, operators have the option of exploring alternative revenue streams. This means that telecom companies can explore value-added services or targeted data packages to generate additional revenue without burdening core services.

    The government is not left out. It must consider incentives. The federal government should, as a matter of urgency, consider targeted incentives that encourage network expansion and technological advancements. This will encourage operators to seek growth without solely relying on price hikes. The NCC must step up to the plate here.

    To ensure that the telecom sector achieves its potential, we can’t play the ostrich anymore. Constructive dialogue and collaboration between government, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies are indispensable at this point. Adjustments must be made, if the sector is to maintain its contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, currently eight per cent, and thus continue to boost the broader ICT ecosystem growth.

    • Elvis Eromosele,elviseroms@gmail.com