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Category: Tech

  • Level Up Your Play: Why This New Casino is Making Waves with Australian Players

    Level Up Your Play: Why This New Casino is Making Waves with Australian Players

    The Australian online casino scene is thriving, with new platforms launching regularly. For players, this means more choice, but it also makes finding a truly exceptional casino that caters to their specific needs more challenging. What defines the best new online casino Australia can access? Key factors include a vast game selection, generous bonuses in AUD, secure payment methods, and, most importantly, a trustworthy license.

    Enter Level Up Casino, a new contender that has entered the market with a clear focus on the player experience. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s gaining traction among Aussie players.

    A Game Library That Truly Excites

    At the heart of any great online casino is its game selection. Level Up Casino doesn’t disappoint, partnering with some of the industry’s most renowned software providers. Players can expect a massive array of:

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    This diversity ensures that whether you’re a casual spinner or a seasoned card shark, there’s something to keep you engaged for hours.

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    One of the biggest advantages of new online casinos is their competitive welcome offers. Level Up Casino welcomes new Australian players with a generous bonus package designed to boost your starting bankroll. What sets it apart is the transparency of its terms and conditions and the fact that all bonuses are credited in Australian dollars, eliminating any confusion around currency conversion.

    Beyond the welcome offer, the casino keeps the momentum going with regular promotions, free spins offers, and a potentially rewarding loyalty program, ensuring that existing players feel valued.

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    For any player, security is paramount. The best new online casino Australia players can choose must operate with a valid international gaming license, ensuring they adhere to strict regulations regarding fair play and player protection. Level Up Casino meets this criterion, employing state-of-the-art SSL encryption technology to safeguard all financial transactions and personal data.

    Furthermore, the games on offer use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), guaranteeing that every spin, deal, and roll is completely random and fair.

    Account security within online casino ecosystems depends on structured authentication, controlled session handling, and encrypted data exchange. Access models comparable to Ufabet entrance illustrate standardized entry systems designed to align identity verification with gameplay records and financial activity. Understanding such access frameworks supports informed evaluation of platform reliability, especially within regulated environments serving international player bases such as Australia.

    Banking Made Easy for Aussies

    A seamless banking experience is crucial. Level Up Casino supports a range of payment methods popular with Australian users, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and potentially even cryptocurrency options. Fast deposit times and streamlined withdrawal processes, with options to receive winnings in AUD, make managing your funds hassle-free.

    Final Verdict: Is Level Up Casino a Top Choice?

    Based on our review, Level Up Casino successfully checks all the boxes for what Australian players should look for:

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  • Erumusele named 268th Global Tech Hero

    Erumusele named 268th Global Tech Hero

    Erumusele Francis Onotole has been announced as the 268th Certified Global Tech Hero, a recognition that celebrates a career forged at the intersection of engineering, analytics, cybersecurity, and supply chain transformation.

    This induction honours more than two decades of sustained professional excellence, a trajectory that began in the technical trenches of industry and matured into leadership that blends rigorous technical competence with pragmatic, outcome-driven innovation.

    From his early roles in technical stores and inventory management to strategic responsibilities in import planning, logistics, and operations analysis, he has repeatedly turned complex operational challenges into measurable business advantages, improving supply continuity, reducing variability, and strengthening organizational resilience.

    Across a career that began with a highly competitive appointment at a leading manufacturing concern, his progression through roles of increasing responsibility demonstrates a sustained focus on outcomes. He has applied Lean Six Sigma principles and data-driven process improvement to tighten inventory control, optimize import planning, and enhance logistics planning, delivering improvements in service reliability and cost efficiency.

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    His work has emphasized predictive analytics and real-time operational visibility, approaches that have materially reduced risk exposure and lead-time uncertainty in environments where supply reliability is critical. Importantly, he has consistently woven cybersecurity and forensic technology considerations into operational design, recognizing that modern supply chains are cyber-physical systems requiring integrated defenses and forensic readiness.

    Beyond role-based impact, he has contributed to the body of professional knowledge through scholarly publications addressing supply chain innovation, artificial intelligence, blockchain, predictive analytics, and cybersecurity. These contributions signal a practitioner who does not merely apply existing techniques but helps refine and disseminate them, advancing practice across industry and academia.

    External recognition for his leadership and innovation, including honours from legislative and academic institutions, evidences a wider influence that extends beyond immediate organizational metrics into community and thought leadership.

    A defining element of his nomination for Global Tech Hero status is the creation of ChainNova™️, a next-generation decision-making model and AI-powered toolkit designed to build supply chain resilience in an age of systemic shocks. ChainNova™️ reframes resilience by integrating predictive scenario modeling, end-to-end visibility, sequential contingency playbooks, sustainability measurement, and human-centered coaching into a single, adoptable framework.

    By combining predictive resilience with transparent flow mapping, adaptive playbooks, sustainability tracking, and team alignment practices, the toolkit helps organizations anticipate disruption, maintain operational continuity, and balance resilience with competitive cost structures. The practical orientation of ChainNova™️, designed for ease of adoption and measurable outcomes, epitomizes the sort of applied innovation of solutions that are proven frameworks that can be operationalised across sectors.

    “Erumusele’s work is a reminder that effective technological leadership is never just about devices or code; it is about building systems that protect people, secure value, and ensure continuity under pressure. His ChainNova TM framework delivers a rare combination of analytical rigor and human-centred design, equipping organisations to anticipate disruption and act decisively. This kind of practical, scalable innovation is precisely what we celebrate,” said the founder of The Connected Awards, reflecting on the significance of this induction.

    This induction recognises an individual whose career exemplifies disciplined interdisciplinary thinking, measurable operational impact, and the ambition to translate insight into scalable practice. As the 268th Certified Global Tech Hero, Erumusele Francis Onotole joins a lineage of practitioners honoured not only for exceptional personal achievement but for demonstrable contributions to the resilience and advancement of the global technological ecosystem.

  • TheNetClan graduates women in CCNA, pushes for inclusion in tech

    TheNetClan graduates women in CCNA, pushes for inclusion in tech

    The NetClan Initiative has achieved another significant milestone in its quest to promote gender inclusion in technology with the graduation of its second cohort of the Ladies in Network Engineering (LINE) programme, where the majority of participants became Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA).

    Founded by Abigail Jeffiah and Theodore Chukwudi, the initiative aims to provide opportunities for aspiring network engineers, particularly women, to establish careers in a field often overshadowed by software development and cybersecurity.

    “There was no platform where network engineers could motivate each other to upskill,” Jeffiah explained.

    “We observed more individuals leaving network engineering for other fields, creating a gap, because at the end of the day, every organization requires a network engineer. That is why we started NetClan—to build that missing community.”

    According to Jeffiah, the initiative has steadily grown, with over 30 women sponsored for certification exams since its inception. In the recently concluded cohort, more than 20 participants received full sponsorship, while others were provided vouchers covering up to 50 percent of their exam fees.

    “Seeing another set of students graduate means a lot to me personally,” she said.

    “This initiative is dear to my heart because, as a female network engineer, I was often the only woman in technical workshops. Now, more women are embracing the field, and we are changing the narrative.”

    For Emmanuel Samuel, one of the instructors, the achievement of the cohort reflects the power of mentorship and inclusivity.

    “This milestone is highly significant because it signifies the growing inclusion of women in a field traditionally dominated by men,” he noted.

    “Seeing a majority of women succeed as CCNA holders demonstrates that, with the right support and opportunities, women can thrive in technology.”

    Graduates of the program also attested to its impact. Network Security Engineer Odoh Ifunanya JaneFrances described her experience as transformative.

    “I joined because I wanted to understand the underlying operations of networking, especially after failing a job interview,” she said.

    “Through this program, I gained more than I expected, and it played a key role in helping me land my first job. My advice to aspiring students is that joining NetClan might be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your career.”

    Other facilitators highlighted the distinct contributions of women in the cohort. Ketcha Karen, a network and network security engineer, praised the collaboration and openness that defined the class.

    “The women demonstrated remarkable teamwork, consistency, and confidence,” she observed.

    “When women publicly share their achievements, it inspires others to join and assures them they won’t be isolated. That sense of belonging can break barriers in tech.”

    Mayaki Ujeh Emmanuel, a network operations engineer, explained that his teaching approach for the second cohort went beyond theory, emphasizing real-world application. “Networking is more than configuration and labs. I pushed the ladies to also understand sales, which exposes beginners to different technologies,” he said.

    “We also gave group projects to build teamwork because, in reality, they will always have to work with others.”

    On the value of CCNA, he added: “Though it is entry-level, CCNA amplifies knowledge in networking and is highly recognized across the IT industry.”

    Mentorship was another key pillar of the program. Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi, one of the mentors, described it as a fulfilling experience.

    “Watching mentees grow from curiosity to earning certifications like the CCNA and building confidence in tech has been rewarding,” he said.

    “My advice to the next generation is to stay curious, keep learning, and focus on real-world problem-solving—that’s where the opportunities lie.”

    Looking ahead, NetClan plans to expand its offerings beyond the LINE program. Theodore Chukwudi revealed that Cohort 3 will maintain its intensive training format but the organization is also working toward establishing a NetClan Institute to provide more intensive training on cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and artificial intelligence.

    “We are also introducing the NetClan Community, where engineers can specialize in subfields like wireless networking, programmability, and DevOps,”  as shared by Theodore

    “Through partnerships with Cisco Networking Academy, we hope to run bootcamps, competitions, and workshops that showcase the importance of network engineering.”

    Despite the numerous challenges posed by limited resources, Chukwudi emphasized that the primary focus continues to be on making a significant impact rather than merely counting numbers.

    “We are not driven by social media posts but by actionable and measurable results,” He stressed.

  • Tomisin Kehinde: Redefining Civil Engineering through project management innovation

    Tomisin Kehinde: Redefining Civil Engineering through project management innovation

    Nigeria’s construction industry stands at a crossroads. For decades, projects have been plagued by building collapses, spiraling costs, corruption, and abandoned worksites. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild recorded over 135 building collapse incidents, alongside billions lost to delayed or abandoned projects.

    Against this backdrop, Nigerian civil engineer Tomisin Victor Kehinde has emerged as a voice for reform. His recent article, “A Review of the Impact of Project Management in Enhancing Civil Engineering Outcomes in Nigeria,” published in the Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering (MJCE), a Scopus-indexed, peer-reviewed international journal, is being recognized as a roadmap to safer, more sustainable construction.

    Kehinde, the article’s first and corresponding author, undertook a comprehensive review of 10 Nigerian case studies, ranging from the Abuja Light Rail and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway expansion to the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project, the Second Niger Bridge e.t.c. His research connects Nigeria’s failures like cost overruns, project abandonment, safety lapses to gaps in project management.

    “Civil engineering is not just about concrete and steel, It is about systems, accountability, and foresight. Without structured project management, even the best designs can end in tragedy.” Kehinde said.

    Published by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Press, the Malaysian Journal of Civil Engineering reaches audiences across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Kehinde’s study is accessible to a global audience of researchers and practitioners. With DOI indexing, international readership, and one of the few Nigerian-led contributions in this journal, the article marks his recognition as a scholar whose work extends far beyond Nigeria.” Blueprints for Change

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    Kehinde’s review identifies six pillars for reform:

    • Time and Cost Management — employing tools like Earned Value Management to prevent overruns.

    • Risk Management — proactive planning to avert collapses.

    • Quality and Safety Standards — strict compliance to reduce structural failures.

    • Stakeholder Engagement — inclusive decision-making to build accountability.

    • Sustainable Practices — integrating environmental safeguards for long-term resilience.

    • Digital Technologies — expanding the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and cloud platforms.

    The article draws global parallels, noting that in the United States, frameworks established by the Project Management Institute have institutionalized safety and accountability, a model Kehinde believes Nigeria must adapt.

    Scholars and practitioners alike are taking note. “Kehinde’s work is more than academic,” said an Independent expert in civil engineering . “It provides a roadmap that policymakers and contractors can act on immediately. His findings speak not only to Nigeria but to any nation where infrastructure failures threaten lives.”

    Kehinde stresses that the stakes are no longer academic. Each collapse represents lives lost and futures erased.

    “Every building collapse is preventable if responsibility is taken seriously,” he said. “Project management must be treated as integral to engineering itself. Anything less endangers lives. “Every failure we see today is preventable tomorrow,” he says. “The future of Nigerian engineering will depend on whether we make project management central to our culture of building.””

    As Nigeria battles its infrastructure crisis, Kehinde’s research published in an internationally recognized journal positions him not just as a scholar, but as a rising leader in the global movement for safer, more accountable civil engineering.

  • Expert urges AI integration in African governance systems

    Expert urges AI integration in African governance systems

    A Software Engineer and Artificial Intelligence Governance Advocate, Chidozie Managwu, has called on African and global policymakers to adopt practical frameworks that balance safety with innovation in the age of large language models and contemporary software development.

    In a statement, Managwu, who was recently recognised at PATEC’25 in Portsmouth, cautioned that both rigid regulation and laissez-faire approaches were bound to fail.

    He instead recommended layered, risk-proportionate governance that earns public trust whilst enabling builders to deliver.

    “The way forward is layered governance that builds trust and accelerates innovation,” the expert stated.

    Expounding further, Managwu explained: “High-stakes uses, such as immigration, finance and health, require strict testing, model documentation and post-deployment monitoring, whilst lower-risk tools may proceed under lighter oversight.

    “Controls must be matched to the potential for harm rather than to hype.”

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    Drawing on his years of bootstrap building with his platform TalentHacked, he stressed outcomes over prescriptive rules, and recommended transparency, auditability and continuous safety reporting across LLM-powered features.

    He added that markets alone could not provide the necessary safety infrastructure, and therefore urged public investment in model evaluation platforms, red-team testing suites and data provenance tools suited to both African contexts and global standards.

    Managwu advocated harmonised international baselines, paired with local adaptations.

    Linking governance to workforce development, he warned that policy without skilled builders would remain ineffective. 

    He therefore proposed apprenticeships, standards-aligned bootcamps and industry–community partnerships to expand the talent pipeline for LLMs and software engineering.

  • How to deepen broadband access, by Airtel Nigeria

    How to deepen broadband access, by Airtel Nigeria

    Airtel Nigeria has said the deployment of innovative solutions such as its SmartConnect 5G Outdoor Unit (ODU) Router, will deepen broadband penetration across the country.

    The telco said the new broadband solution is designed to deliver affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet access to households and businesses across the country.

    According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria’s broadband penetration currently stands at around 43 per cent with fixed-line access limited in many regions.

    Commenting on the new product, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the company is democratizing technology access.

    He said:  “Our mission has always been to democratise access to technology,” said “With SmartConnect, we are removing the barriers of cost and complexity. Every household and every small business deserves to be connected without compromise.”

    Marketing Director at Airtel Nigeria, Ismail Adeshina, said the router was designed the country’ reality in mind.

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    He said:  “SmartConnect was designed with the Nigerian reality in mind. Families, entrepreneurs, and students need reliability and confidence that their router will keep them online even in the face of power cuts or network fluctuations. This product delivers exactly that.”

    The SmartConnect router, offered at an entry cost of ₦50,000, comes with a SIM card, free installation, and a complimentary 30-day unlimited data bundle at speeds up to 50 Mbps. Customers can thereafter subscribe to flexible plans: ₦25,000 monthly for unlimited 50 Mbps or ₦45,000 monthly for unlimited 100 Mbps.

    With the ODU design, the router is mounted outdoors to capture stronger and more stable signals, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity even in dense urban and peri-urban areas. The device also includes features such as nationwide usability with access to Airtel’s 5G where available and seamless fallback to 4G LTE; multi-user capability, supporting up to 64 simultaneous device connections; built-in power backup lasting up to five to six hours during electricity outages; as well as parental and usage controls for managing browsing access.

    The SmartConnect router can be purchased at Airtel showrooms nationwide, through the company’s official e-shop via Home Broadband Sales Executives, or through Direct Sales Executives. Subscriptions and bundle renewals can be managed through the Airtel Africa App, the company’s broadband portal USSD, or QR code.

    Airtel’s SmartConnect 5G ODU router provides a scalable and affordable solution that addresses this gap, aligning with the government’s national broadband and digital economy goals.

  • Telecoms sector creates over 500,000 jobs, says NCC

    Telecoms sector creates over 500,000 jobs, says NCC

    Since liberalisation in 2001, Nigeria’s telecom industry has created more than 500,000 jobs, transformed connectivity, and enabled economic growth, the sector regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said yesterday.

    In spite of this success story, the sector is heavily plagued with the dearth of requisite skilled manpower that could reverse the gain, the regulator, warned.

    Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, in his keynote at Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Skill Gaps in the Telecom Value Chain

    Theme: Bridging Nigeria’s Telecom Skills Gap: Empowering Indigenous Talent for Industry Growth, organised by the NCC at Raddisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, said studies, including the 2024 International Telecom Union (ITU) assessment of Nigeria’s digital economy, highlight that while employers require about 30per cent of advanced digital skills, only 11per cent of currently employed workers possess such skills.

    Represented on the occasion by the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, the EVC said five critical roles – desktop/support technicians, data analysts, ICT engineers, software developers, and data scientists – make up 25per cent of jobs today, but lamented that 27per cent of these roles are already hard to fill, and 29 per cent more will be required in the next five years.

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    According to him, the skills required in the telecom value chain can be grouped into four categories which include Core Technical Skills – covering network engineering, 5G/6G deployment, fibre optics, spectrum management, and cybersecurity; Software and Data Competencies – including software engineering, AI, data science, cloud, IoT, blockchain, and analytics; Business and Strategic Skills – project management, regulatory compliance, policy, entrepreneurship, and digital business strategy; and Soft Skills – leadership, collaboration, communication, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving sector.

    Dr Maida said several issues fuel these skills gaps. They include capital flight due to reliance on expatriate skills; poor remuneration discouraging retention of local talent; limited education curricula aligned to industry needs; and high global demand luring skilled Nigerians abroad.

    He said the Federal Government has taken bold steps through the National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS 2020–2030) and the Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027), which target a 95per cent digital literacy rate by 2030. Beyond long-term strategies, several current initiatives are actively building Nigeria’s digital and telecoms workforce.

    “From the end of Federal Government and Agencies we see 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT): Training 3 million Nigerians by 2027 in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, software engineering, and more. Early phases saw 30,000 fellows trained across all 36 states and FCT, with over 1.8 million applications received;

    Digital States Programme: NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) is empowering 20,000 youths nationwide with digital literacy (content creation, marketing, productivity tools); the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) that highlights the need to ensure there is a pool of AI professionals working in Nigeria and promoting skills and knowledge transfer; the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) which proposes the adoption of digital literacy through six core competency domains, and three proficiency tiers (basic, intermediate, advanced) in the national curriculum for digital literacy.”

    Dr Maida said from the NCC side too are initiatives such as the Digital Learning Initiative (DLI) that targets public secondary school students and teachers and provides digital devices and customised curriculum onboarded onto the digital platforms; Campus Innovation Entrepreneurship Program (CIEP) provides undergraduates with capacity building, entrepreneurship and innovation training; Advanced Digital Empowerment Tertiary Program (ADEPTI) provides advanced digital skills for tertiary institutions; Advanced Digital Awareness Program (ADAPTI) aims to bridge the digital information gaps that exists in the academia and facilitate remote research and learning between lecturers and students by providing computers, other ICT equipment; and Digital Awareness Program (DAP), which raises awareness, usage and application by the provision of desktop computers, and required accessories with renewable Internet bandwidth subscription.

    He said: “One of the DAP projects, in GDSS Malabu , Fufore LGA Adamawa, won World Summit on Information Summit (WSIS) 2025 Award in the Access to Information and Knowledge category. The ongoing NCC-NOKIA 4G and 5G training program is aimed at developing the technical skills of young Nigerians on the latest 4G/5G and emerging technologies; the Nokia-OMNIA Entrepreneurship Learning Platform (ELP), a 3 months virtual learning programme is designed at developing entrepreneurial skills of young Nigerians across the six geo political zones; USPF’s Digital Knowledge Centers that fosters ICT skills and provides access to digital resources for students, youths, and communities.”

    He said the operators and private sector are also contributing in this skill develop, citing Airtel Africa’s 3MTT Contribution which is committed to training 25,000 youths and awarding international tech scholarships, while supporting UNICEF-led digital learning platforms across 1,260 schools.

    Another is MTN Foundation which implements the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives of MTN Nigeria, provideing scholarships  through its MTN Science &Technology Scholarship (STS) for eligible students to study STEM subjects in tertiary institutions, it also supports blind students who wish to study any discipline under the MTN scholarship for the Blind (SBS). MTN also provides support for the top 10 scoring UMTE students.

    Another is the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Academy which was launched May 2025 and focuses on addressing the Nigeria’s telecom sector talent shortage and reduce dependence on foreign expertise and finally, IHS Digital Hub, an incubation and acceleration program designed to build an ecosystem to help nurture creative talents, drive technological innovations and entrepreneurship.

    “This forum is not just about identifying gaps; it is about building a bridge. The bridge that will carry Nigeria’s telecoms sector into the future – powered by indigenous talent that creates, maintains, and expands the digital infrastructure driving our nation’s digital economy,” he said.

  • T2 mobile subscribers groan despite roam deal with MTN

    T2 mobile subscribers groan despite roam deal with MTN

    Two months after Nigeria’s largest mobile network operator (MNO), MTN Nigeria and T2 sealed a roaming deal that would allow the subscribers of the latter leverage the infrastructure of the former to offer services, many subscribers complained yesterday that they are still battling with getting T2 signal back on their devices.

    A subscriber who gave his name simply as Bunmi, said the deal is not working as he has not been able to use his T2 number.

    “When the announcement was made on July 3, 2025, I was elated because 9mobile (now T2) used to be my favourite number. I got the line during the launch of the 080naija campaign. I was enjoying the line until the company ran into a turbulent storm that affected its fortunes. Service quality nosed-dived but when new investors were announced to bring life into the telco, I was happy,” Bunmi said.

    Another female subscriber, Esther Gabriel, said she also got the line as an undergraduate in the University of Lagos. She said she was enjoying the services of the MNO until trouble started that affected its service quality and subsequently, its subscribers’ trust. “I refused to port my 9mobile line because I had this emotional attachment to the youth-centric operator. Then as an art student, I loved the operator’s support for the arts. When I heard about the deal with MTN, I was happy that I will start enjoying my darling line again. But over two months after the announcement, I am still unable to make use of my line,” Esther said.

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    But reacting to the development, a source close to the company explained that there are procedures to take to enjoy the service. He said the fact that one has T2 Subscriber Identity Module (SMI) inserted into a mobile device does not make the customer to enjoy the service.

    “The active infrastructure sharing (AIS) tips to follow include:  For Android users, go to settings, tap network and internet or connections; tap SIM cards or mobile networks; select network operators; turn off auto-select; wait for available networks; select MTN 4G/3G/2G or 62130; then restart the phone. After that, you are good to go,” he added.

    A consumer rights group, Association of Telephone, Cable Tv, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria), said some of its members have lodged complaints too about their inability to use their T2 line even after the deal with MTN Nigeria, the largest carrier in the country.

    ATCIS-Nigeria President, Hon Sina Bilesanmi, said T2 ought to have embarked on mass enlightenment of customers on what to do. According to him, T2 ought to have disseminated personalised information to all its customers on the network

    “Yes, we have received complaints too. From our findings, T2 didn’t do enough education to its customers. “It is their network, they should send text and audio messages in the three major languages spoken in the country (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) to their customers educating them on the steps to take to enjoy the roaming deal. The mobile space in the country is like a big elephant with enough meat for all. We want T2 to remain in the industry to deepen competition,” he said.

    He said if the customers are adequately informed, T2 will roar back to life because many customers have emotional attachment to the telco.

    A sector analyst agreed no less with Hon Bilesanmi. According to him, things are beginning to look good for the telco as the July data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has shown.

    T2 had posted its first gain of the year in July as it added 290,601 new subscribers in the month, spurred largely by the infrastructure sharing deal with MTN Nigeria.

    It was the first monthly subscriber gain in nearly a year for the carrier that had experienced steady decline in its customer base over the years due to obsolete network equipment that took toll on its service quality.

    For July, T2 also emerged as the only operator out of the four MNOs that gained subscribers in a month that saw MTN, Airtel, and Globacom shed weight.

    During the period under review, active mobile subscriptions dipped to 169.1 million from 171.5 million recorded in June this year.

    The decline was driven by the losses recorded by the three MNOs but most significantly by Airtel, which lost 2.4 million subscriptions in the month.

    The telco’s active subscriptions plunged to 56.5 million in July from 58.9 million it recorded in June.

    MTN also lost 106,345 subscribers in the month, which brought its database to 89.1 million in July, while Globacom’s subscriptions declined by 143,701 to 20.7 million.

    MTN remained the dominant player in the market with 52.70per cent of the market share, while maintained the second position with 33.42per cent share.

    Globacom’s market share stood at 12.26per cent, while 9mobile’s maintained its distant 4th position despite the gains recorded with 1.61per cent of the market share.

    With the decline in actively connected lines recorded by the operators, the country’s teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 inhabitants living within an area, also declined to 78.11per cent in July from 79.22per cent recorded in June.

    According to NCC, the teledensity is calculated based on a population estimate of 216 million.

    It would be recalled that on July 3rd, 9mobile (as it then was known) and MTN Nigeria officially announced a national roaming deal approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The deal allows customers of 9mobile will be able to access network service anywhere MTN’s network is available across the country.

  • ‘Lagos ready to drive regional digital transformation’

    ‘Lagos ready to drive regional digital transformation’

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated the state’s readiness to drive regional digital transformation and lead the continent in technological innovation.

    He spoke yesterday at the opening of GITEX Nigeria held yesterday in Lagos. The event was a follow up to the  Abuja programme,  where Government Leadership & AI Summit launched GITEX Nigeria on Monday.

    Sanwo-Olu also lauded the over $6 billion inflows in foreign tech investment to Lagos between 2019 and 2024, cementing the state’s position as the epicentre of Africa’s digital growth.

    He explained that the state today hosts hyperscale data centres and extensive fibre connectivity, accounting for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s total tech inflows. Already Nigeria’s undisputed innovation hub, Lagos is also home to 23 of the country’s 28 fastest-growing companies, according to the Financial Times report.

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    The programme has officially opened Nigeria’s to West Africa’s largest tech, AI, and startup show.  As local and international guests descended on the nation’s commercial and innovation capital for a potentially future-defining two days, anticipation was high for the conversations shaping Africa’s digital trajectory.

    According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos remains ‘a launchpad for Africa’s tomorrow’ – ready to propel Nigeria’s quest for a data-driven government and digitally empowered population.

    Held under the patronage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GITEX Nigeria takes place across Abuja and Lagos from 1-4 September.

    The programme is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the event is endorsed by Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International, global producer of GITEX events.

    Elaborating on Lagos’s digital economy leadership credentials and quest to harness technological capabilities for the betterment of regional society, Sanwo-Olu stated: “Lagos is not just a city for today – it is Africa’s innovation nerve centre and a launchpad for Africa’s tomorrow. At the heart of our efforts to unlock digital transformation possibilities is an unshakeable belief that governance in the 21st century must be digital, inclusive, and data-driven.

    As Peter Drucker once said, ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it’. Here in Lagos, we are creating that future, building a data-driven government where policy decisions respond to real-time insights and inclusive connectivity empowers every citizen in one of the world’s most vibrant tech ecosystems.”

    Addressing GITEX Nigeria attendees, Hon. Minister Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasised the essential nature of sustained digital economy development, insisting: “The digital economy is not just about mobile apps or platforms; it is about technical efficiency and delivering productivity gains that transform entire sectors.

    This is why President Bola Tinubu has placed the digital economy at the heart of the Renewed Hope agenda. His vision is very clear – that technology must not only grow GDP but also expand opportunities, reduce inequality, and create shared prosperity for all Nigerians. Under the President’s leadership, Nigeria has embraced the digital economy as a key driver of inclusive growth. We are not building just for elites; we are building for every Nigerian.”

    Reflecting on the significance of GITEX Nigeria making its way to Lagos, Director-General/CEO of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, said: “The energy is palpable, and the potential is boundless. Nigeria and Lagos in particular are a crucible of innovation, where raw talent meets the unshakeable will to succeed, a factory of unicorns.

    Lagos is the place where people use talent and come up with solutions without infrastructure. In other places, they use capital infrastructure to fuel innovation, while here, we use our resilience. Because we have no options, and we need to create the solutions. We are ready for it. As a nation, our vision is clear.”

    GITEX Nigeria is West Africa’s largest gathering of technology visionaries, industry leaders, and decision-makers overseeing digital transformation of non-tech sectors. The event also presents Nigeria’s largest and most globally diverse investor programme, facilitating concierge meetings between startups, investors, corporates, industry leaders, and prospective partners.

    Discussing the unique value proposition that Lagos presents businesses, Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International, organisers of GITEX Nigeria, said: “Lagos is a mega high-speed technology testbed that is dense, diverse, and demanding, where SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs succeed not by conventional rules but by distinctiveness and necessity-driven innovation. Rising above power outages, currency fluctuations, and maturing infrastructure, they scale faster and endure longer. Survive and thrive in Lagos, and your products and solutions can compete and flourish anywhere around the world.”

    The event runs with support from partners AWS, Cisco, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kaspersky, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and Space42.

  • T2, Huawei strike core network modernisation deal

    T2, Huawei strike core network modernisation deal

    Nigeria’s fourth mobile network operator (MNO), T2 has signed a strategic partnership with Huawei, a global leader in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), to modernize its core network infrastructure.

    This agreement is coming as T2 posted its first gain of the year in July adding 290,601 new subscribers in the month, spurred by its recent infrastructure sharing deal with the largest MNO in the country, MTN Nigeria.

    This came as the first monthly subscriber gain in nearly a year for the carrier that had experienced steady decline in its customer base over the years due to obsolete network equipment that took a toll on its service quality.

    For July, T2 also emerged as the only operator out of the four MNOs that gained subscribers in a month that saw MTN, Airtel, and Globacom shed weight.

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    The T2-Huawei infrastructure modernization deal signals the start of a sweeping transformation, one that underscores T2’s renewed ambition to reclaim its position as a leading, innovative force in the industry.

    It comes at a pivotal time, as the company transitions to a refreshed corporate and consumer identity, setting the stage for a new era of growth and competitiveness.

    The partnership will draw on Huawei’s world-renowned technological expertise to completely overhaul T2’s core infrastructure, enhancing its capacity, resilience, and security. But this initiative goes far beyond a technical upgrade, it is the cornerstone of a multi-phase, company-wide investment strategy aimed at building a future-ready network, designed to meet and exceed the evolving expectations of Nigerian consumers.

    During a high-level signing ceremony held in Lagos, senior execs from both companies gathered to mark the beginning of this transformational journey.

    Representing T2 were its Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe; Chief Operating Officer, John Vasikaran; Chief Technical & Information Officer, Ayodeji Adedeji; Vice President, Corporate Services, Ifeloju Alakija,; and Vice President, Brands and Communication, Seni Ogunkola.

    The global original equipment manufacturer, Huawei, was represented by the CEO, Huawei Nigeria Carrier Business, Jiang Junyong.

    “This agreement is more than a contract — it’s a catalyst. Huawei has been a trusted partner throughout our journey, and this next chapter reaffirms our shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence. With Huawei by our side, we’re not just upgrading our network, we’re future-proofing it,” Banigbe said.

    The core modernization project is part of T2’s four-phase strategic roadmap: Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth. This structured approach signals a deliberate and focused effort to restore the company’s competitive edge and build a more agile, customer-centric network.

    Echoing Banigbe’s vision, Junyong emphasized the strength of the alliance, saying Huawei is proud to support T2’s bold transformation journey.

    “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation and excellence. We’re bringing world-class solutions to help T2 build a resilient, high-performance core network that will support next-generation services and long-term growth,” Junyong said.

    With this collaboration, T2 is poised to significantly expand its network coverage, capacity, and resilience nationwide. More importantly, it marks the first of several bold initiatives aimed at restoring the company’s market leadership, revitalizing its service portfolio, and delivering a digital experience that truly resonates with modern Nigerian consumers.

    The core network modernization is expected to reach completion in the coming months, firmly anchoring T2’s resurgence in a fast-moving, tech-driven future.

    During the period under review, active mobile subscriptions dipped to 169.1 million from 171.5 million recorded in June this year.

    The decline was driven by the losses recorded by the three MNOs but most significantly by Airtel, which lost 2.4 million subscriptions in the month.

    The telco’s active subscriptions plunged to 56.5 million in July from 58.9 million it recorded in June.

    MTN also lost 106,345 subscribers in the month, which brought its database to 89.1 million in July, while Globacom’s subscriptions declined by 143,701 to 20.7 million.

    MTN remained the dominant player in the market with 52.70per cent of the market share, while maintained the second position with 33.42per cent share.

    Globacom’s market share stood at 12.26per cent, while 9mobile’s maintained its distant 4th position despite the gains recorded with 1.61per cent of the market share.

    With the decline in actively connected lines recorded by the operators, the country’s teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 inhabitants living within an area, also declined to 78.11per cent in July from 79.22per cent recorded in June.

    According to NCC, the teledensity is calculated based on a population estimate of 216 million.

    It would be recalled that on July 3rd, 9mobile (as it then was known) and MTN Nigeria officially announced a national roaming deal approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The deal allows customers of 9mobile will be able to access network service anywhere MTN’s network is available across the country.

    Prior to the deal, the operator had suffered huge subscriber loss as its network deteriorated due to lack of funds to build infrastructure.

    With the national roaming deal, 9mobile subscribers will now be able to make calls, send SMS, and access data through MTN Nigeria’s infrastructure in areas where 9mobile’s network doesn’t exist or is unreliable, enabling the telco’s sustainability.

    Instead of building out its own infrastructure, which is capital-intensive, 9mobile can now plug directly into MTN’s far-reaching network.

    The deal and that of Huawei will certainly mark a game-changer for T2 as they will allow the MNO to leap toward broader network coverage and digital inclusion across the country.