The Nation Newspaper

Tag: connectivity

  • EU to support Nigeria with digital infrastructure model to boost data exchange, connectivity

    EU to support Nigeria with digital infrastructure model to boost data exchange, connectivity

    …backs initiative with £8 million grant

    The European Union (EU) has announced plans to support Nigeria in deploying the X-Road model of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the same framework successfully implemented in Finland and Estonia.

    EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja during the Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).

    The conference, themed “Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,” focused on leveraging digital innovations to improve governance and service delivery.

    The X-Road is an open-source software framework that enables secure, real-time data exchange across different government information systems, serving as a backbone for transparent and efficient digital governance.

    Mignot disclosed that the EU’s support would include the deployment of 90,000 additional kilometres of fibre optic cables, investments in digital literacy and skills development, and the establishment of digital transformation centres. These efforts will complement the EU’s existing £8 million grants and loans under the Nigeria Digital Economy Initiative.

    He explained that the X-Road model would help integrate public sector systems securely, enhance data protection, and stimulate economic and social activities across Nigeria.

    READ ALSO; Prof. Amupitan: 10 quick facts about new INEC chairman

    According to Mignot, the initiative underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, fostering innovation, and accelerating the nation’s transition toward a more inclusive and efficient digital economy.

    He said, “The model is done in a way that protects your data, in the sense that you are not really exposed to knowledge of your data beyond what is strictly authorised by the user.

    “The system prompts you, whether it’s about a school registration or your insurance, or whatever, the system will help you follow up on whatever you need to do with the public authorities.

    “We are looking at it as it is applied in Estonia and Finland, and other European countries.”

    Dr Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of BPSR, said they had infused different initiatives to enhance digitalisation in government to improve efficiency.

    “Going further, we must now begin developing emerging technologies from artificial intelligence, machine learning to robotics, process automation, and blockchain.

    “In partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission, BPSR commenced this process about three years ago, and we are glad these things are now becoming part of the policies of the federal government of Nigeria.

    “We are also actively working to integrate distributed ledger technologies into the operations of BPRS to simplify routine tasks, secure sensitive letters, optimise resource allocation for more effective service delivery,” Arabi said.

    According to him, we must invest in people, the true enablers of innovation, and that is why we are committed to training over 500,000 public servants on digital literacy and emerging technologies, equipping them to manage and sustain these technologies for long-term impact.

    Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume, said major reforms were underway to strengthen interoperability of government platforms and enhance digital identity.

    Represented by Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Akume said digital governance required an enabling environment to thrive and deliver target goals.

    “This is why the government continues to prioritise policy and legal framework that foster aggregation, ensure data protection, and encourage private sector participation, capacity building to equip public servants with digital skills for effective performance.

    “By digitising government services, we reduce the cost of living, ease of business, eliminate bottlenecks and create a transparent environment that attracts investment, create job opportunities and unlock the innovation potential of the ecosystem,” Akume said.

  • Vodacom, Intelsat to expand internet connectivity

    Vodacom Business Nigeria and Intelsat have announced an agreement to expand its enterprise broadband connectivity in Nigeria. This is to further provide improved satellite services to its local enterprise customers.

    The strategic agreement was signed at the Satellite 2018, which took place in Washington D.C, United States (U.S). This agreement  makes Vodacom Business Nigeria the first telecommunications provider in Nigeria to lease capacity on the Intelsat 35e Satellite.

    As satellite coverage increases globally, enterprises businesses are no longer limited to operating from just one location because of the high speed broadband requirements for their business operation. Through this agreement with Intelsat S.A, which is the operator of the world’s first globalised network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, Vodacom Business Nigeria will deploy the Intelsat EPICNG satellite services, which is a next generation of satellite technology; to its enterprise customers to enable them to operate from anywhere they want throughout Nigeria.

    Intelsat’s Regional Vice President, Africa Sales, Brian Jakins, said: “Intelsat EpicNG enables higher data rate applications and smaller terminals that give enterprises the avenue to expand into new regions and take advantage of business opportunities regardless of where they occur.

    He further noted that with the improved performance delivered by Intelsat EpicNG, Vodacom Business Nigeria’s customers will use the satellite services on Intelsat 35e to deliver fast, high quality and resilient broadband connectivity to the banking, oil and gas, and enterprise sectors across West Africa for an improved quality of service.

    On the agreement, Vodacom Business Nigeria Managing Director, Lanre Kolade, said: “With plans in top gear to deploy the Intelsat EPICNG satellite services, this will enable Vodacom Business Nigeria to deliver an efficient, quick, reliable, secure broadband solution with a low monthly recurring cost within the shortest time to our Enterprise customers.”

    Kolade said the deal would further allow Vodacom to connect businesses located where there is no access to terrestrial and mobile networks, therefore bringing them closer to their employees, customers as well as other businesses, to help empower them to remain operational and profitable.

    He said: “As a leading provider of corporate connectivity and telecommunications solutions, Vodacom always strives to stay up-to-date with the technological needs and requirements of the changing environment hence the reason for this agreement.”

  • NCC, Edo partner on connectivity

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Edo State government have reaffirmed commitment to work together to improve access to telecoms infrastructure and provide citizens of the state with  telecoms and information communications technology (ICT) facilities.

    This commitment was made during a meeting between the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the NCC, led by its Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare at NCC headquarters, Abuja.

    Mr. Dare commended the forward-looking policies of the governor and assured him of NCC’s readiness to support the achievement of the ICT aspirations of the state through the deployment of fiber infrastructure under the Commission’s InfraCo project and interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

    He noted that the NCC is aggressively driving accessibility to telecoms networks at all nooks and crannies of the country. He however regretted that situation with multiple taxation and regulation in some states  is counter-productive for the states – this is because they end up losing substantial revenues and developmental opportunities which could have been stimulated with the presence of telecoms infrastructure.

    He assured the governor that NCC is keen to partner the state to achieve win-win solutions in the overall interests of the good people of Edo.

    In his remarks, Obaseki said the state government is focused on exploring non-oil resources and has therefore articulated developmental priorities. This focuses on creating a sense of order, security, safety and stability necessary to attract investments to develop the state.

    Since its developmental goals relies on the seamless availability of telecoms/ICT infrastructure, Edo State is passionate about the need to attract robust telecoms infrastructure to drive manufacturing, education and other socio-economic activities. As an example of the State’s forward-looking approach, the Governor noted that Edo State has always made provision for shared fiber ducts in its road projects and looks forward to engaging with NCC and operators to agree on fiber deployment projects and routes as necessary.

    During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the USPF, Mr Ayuba Shuaibu confirmed that the USPF has evaluated and agreed to support the College of Education in Benin City and the Institute of Continuing Education in Abudu, Edo State with a grant to establish a computer laboratory and provide Optic Fiber Connectivity to the institutions.

     

     

     

  • Connectivity threatens logistics sector’s IoT ambitions

    Unreliable communication networks may render logistics businesses unable to reap full value from the new era of Internet of Things (IoT). This is according to the 100 global transport and logistics companies interviewed by Inmarsat the global mobile satellite company.

    The research, The Future of IoT in Enterprise – 2017,  suggests that while 96 per cent of transportation and logistics organisations believe that the success of their IoT deployments is based on reliable ubiquitous connectivity, many businesses are still struggling to access the connectivity they need. forty per cent identified connectivity issues as one of the biggest challenges facing their IoT deployments, with only IoT skills (54 per cent) and the integration of IoT technology (43 per cent) seen as more problematic. Worryingly, 28 per cent stated that connectivity issues threatened to derail their IoT deployments before they had even begun.

    Effective multi-modal, global logistics is reliant on the vast amounts of data gathered through IoT sensor technology, in order to analyse the behaviours of freight vehicles and cargo. However, without ubiquitous global connectivity these sensors are not always able to function, blunting the ability of businesses to efficiently orchestrate their supply chains.

    Director of Transport at Inmarsat Enterprise, Mike Holdsworth, said: “In an increasingly inter-connected world, more cargo is moving through more geographies and more modes of transport to reach its destinations. This increasing complexity brings with it new risks and uncertainties, and creates a pressing need for logistics businesses to increase their visibility over the supply chain and make efficiencies, which is where IoT can help. If you can monitor cargo from its point of production to its point of delivery, you can cut down on wastage, understand and adapt levels of supply and ensure security. With a combination of IoT sensor technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification tags, Bluetooth Low Energy and Low Power Wide Area Networks the movement of goods and things can become more efficient.

    “However, the remote location of transport networks and routes clearly poses a challenge for logistics businesses. We can see from our research that gaps in connectivity are proving problematic to successful IoT deployment. Terrestrial communication networks may only provide sufficiently reliable connectivity solutions for IoT to function in parts of any given route, meaning vital assets such as trucks, trains, and ships, may enter communications blackspots when they are at most risk, in remote and potentially hazardous environments. For logistics businesses to access the full value of IoT, they must have reliable, continuous connectivity that enables them to constantly track their assets on a global scale.

    “Working with our partners, Inmarsat L-band services provide global satellite connectivity with up to 99.9 per cent uptime for efficient, global solutions for fleet and cargo management across road, rail and sea. We combine our expertise in critical communications with cellular and terrestrial connectivity, LoRaWAN technology and data analytics platforms to enable the connected world. With our global connectivity solutions, we are enabling IoT projects to thrive, even in the most remote and hostile environments, providing transportation companies with the reliable end-to-end connectivity they require to move into the fourth industrial revolution.”

     

  • Airtel’s Unlimited Data plans to empower consumers, boost internet connectivity

    Airtel’s Unlimited Data plans to empower consumers, boost internet connectivity

    Airtel Nigeria has said that its newly introduced Unlimited Data plans will empower and create more prosperity opportunities for telecoms consumers as well as boost mobile broadband connectivity. Airtel recently rolled out the Home Broadband Service, which allows customers to share data with colleagues, friends and family members with a promise that the new package will empower telecoms consumers to have access to unlimited internet service at reasonable cost.

    The new Airtel Home Broadband delivers superfast broadband service via data terminals such as dongle, MiFi and routers as it comes in various packages and affordable price range to suit the lifestyles of different customer segments. Customers can get unlimited data on packages such as Unlimited 10, Unlimited 15 and Unlimited 20, which are offered at N10,000, N15,000 and N20,000 respectively and valid for 30 days.

    According to the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mohkles, the telco is changing the paradigm, breaking new frontiers and inspiring new behaviour in relation to data sharing and delivering seamless data to improve customer lifestyle and enable them take charge. “Airtel is committed to pioneering innovation, superior data experience and affordability. Our new Unlimited is truly unlimited as we have stretched the threshold to deliver up to 100GB to telecoms consumers so that they can empower more people within their circle of influence,” he said.

    Airtel brand ambassador, Gabriel Afolayan, who played the role of Bayo in the Unlimited Home Broadband TVC, while speaking at the launch, commended Airtel Nigeria for bring affordable data to customers. In his words: “Data is life. And Airtel has just made life better for all customers through Home Broadband. It is a breath of fresh air and I must thank Airtel for making data more affordable and accessible to us all. Now, no more fear of sharing data with family and friends.”

    Upon activating any of the unlimited plans, customers enjoy superfast data experience until a threshold is reached. After this, the data speed is throttled to a lower speed in line with the Fair Usage policy. According to this policy, the threshold for Unlimited 10 is 40GB; unlimited 15 come with 65GB while unlimited 20 is 100GB, after which the speed comes to 256kpbs. However, customers can continue to enjoy unlimited browsing until plan expires.

  • Intra – African connectivity: Fly Mid Africa launches new flights

    The Gambia’s new national carrier, Fly Mid Africa, will commence flight services from Banjul, the Gambian capital with onward connections to Dakar in Senegal, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Accra in Ghana and of course Lagos, Nigeria.

    This is sequel to the appointment of Nigeria’s fastest growing aviation and travels conglomerate, Peacock Aviation Services, as its General Sales Agent in Nigeria.

    Consequently, Peacock has commenced ticket sales in its international head office in Ikeja, Lagos and across all its offices in Nigeria, namely, Marina, in Lagos,  Abuja, Ibadan, Aba, Port Harcourt, Benin  and Kano.

    Flight services to and from Lagos will be hold  four times  weekly.

    According to a joint statement by Fly Mid Africa and Peacock Aviation, Fly Mid Africa is focused on alleviating the challenges business and leisure travelers from Nigeria and other nationals face in finding flight connections across key cities in Africa especially West and Central Africa.

    Having concluded all operational and commercial arrangements for flight operations, Fly Mid Africa said the flight services to and from  Lagos and onward connections will be operated with two Boeing 737-Classic aircraft; B737-300  with eight  Business Class and 124 Economy Class seats  and B737-400 , with 16 Business Class and 116 Economy Class seats.

    The airline said the time has come for business and leisure travelers across Africa to enjoy state-of-the-art and top-notch exclusive flight services in the continent.

    Remarking on the new flight offering, the Managing Director, Fly Mid Africa, Mr. Bakary Nyassi, said in addition to operating air services in the target routes, Fly Mid Africa is committed to providing safe, reliable and efficient air transport services to spur economic development and foster regional integration through the promotion of trade and regional tourism.

    He said, “Fly Mid Africa is “The airline of West Africa”. We are proud of the diversity of our workforce, coming from eight African countries; The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan. And this is why we are Fly Mid Africa – Leading the African Dream.”

    “Flight connections within Africa should not be a nightmare. Business and leisure passengers should fly within the continent in style,” he noted.

    Observing further on the choice of Peacock Aviation as the GSA, the Managing Director  said “It had had been a tightly contested bid to represent Fly Mid Africa in Nigeria. The truth is, the response from Nigerian agencies to our invitation to tender as GSA for Fly Mid Africa was overwhelming.

     

  • Jumia, MTN to activate connectivity in three states

    Jumia, MTN to activate connectivity in three states

    Jumia Nigeria and MTN offer another innovation to connect customers with technology in the Jumia and MTN connectivity week initiative.

    “The connectivity week will bridge the gap between customers offline and the products available on Jumia with uninterrupted gadgets and Internet from MTN in three states beginning from today till Friday,” the Co-CEO, Jumia Nigeria, Nicolas Martin, has said.

    He said customers could look forward to spotting the Jumia and MTN Truck during the connectivity week in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.

  • Airtel, Thuraya partner on mobile satellite connectivity

    Airtel, Thuraya partner on mobile satellite connectivity

    Leading mobile satellite services (MSS) operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company, and Bharti Airtel International, have signed an agreement to provide the telco’s customers mobile satellite products and services in Nigeria and 16 other African countries.

    According to a statement, the partnership will provide the telco’s customers voice and broadband connectivity through Thuraya’s satellite network across the continent’s most remote areas, adding that with effect from next month, Airtel will sell Thuraya’s products and airtime packages at their retail outlets and through their enterprise account team.

    Extending mobile networks into remote or rural areas presents both geographical obstacles and business challenges for connecting people in Africa. Thuraya’s satellite network helps bridge the digital divide by providing an immediate and cost-effective way for Airtel Africa to extend its coverage, while generating new revenue streams and providing vital connectivity. Thuraya’s mobile satellite service can address the diverse voice and data communication needs of Airtel Africa enterprise users across the mining, energy, media, government and humanitarian NGO sectors.

    Chief Executive Officer, Thuraya, Samer Halawi, said: “Thuraya’s partnership with Airtel Africa is a very positive development in bridging the digital divide in Africa. We recognise the massive impact that access to reliable communications can have on the lives of ordinary people. Thuraya’s robust satellite network will enable Airtel Africa to provide its consumer and enterprise users with reliable, high quality voice and broadband services. Thuraya is well-positioned to support customer-centric mobile operators like Airtel Africa that are looking to extend their network and services with satellite-based solutions.”

    Commenting on the deal, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Christian de Faria, said: “Providing reliable connectivity in many remote parts of Africa can be challenging. This partnership enables us to further extend our coverage and services for businesses and general consumers who live or work in very remote areas. Thuraya’s satellite services will be combined with the reliable, high-quality voice calls and broadband access that our customers are accustomed to experiencing in our urban centers.”