The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has raised alarm over a potential shutdown of more than 16,000 telecom base stations. This follows roadblocks by members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) at diesel loading depots in Kaduna, Lagos, and Delta states. ALTON explained that the blockade has severely restricted diesel distribution, especially affecting infrastructure operated by IHS Towers, a major telecom infrastructure provider in Nigeria. Diesel is critical to powering telecom sites that keep mobile networks and internet services running across the country. Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON’s Chairman, emphasized that these sites are essential for millions of Nigerians. Beyond mobile and internet access, they support services like banking transactions, hospital and emergency communications, and national security operations. The disruption risks not only public convenience but also economic and safety concerns. The issue reportedly arose from diesel misappropriation allegations made by IHS against two NOGASA members, which is under official investigation. ALTON stressed it does not mediate such disputes but called on the groups involved to resolve the matter swiftly. They urged NUPENG and NOGASA leadership to allow unrestricted diesel supply access immediately. ALTON also called for urgent intervention from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and other stakeholders to prevent a nationwide communications blackout. The association reminded all parties that telecom infrastructure is legally designated as Critical National Information Infrastructure, meaning deliberate disruption could have legal consequences.
Overland Airways faces petition for alleged price exploitation on Lagos–Ilorin–Abuja route
Overland Airways is under scrutiny following a petition accusing it of charging higher fares for shorter flights between Lagos, Ilorin, and Abuja. A consumer rights group, represented by law firm A.U. Mustapha & Co., filed a complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on August 4, 2025. The petition claims that Overland Airways exploits its monopoly at Ilorin’s General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport by charging passengers travelling the shorter Lagos–Ilorin or Ilorin–Abuja legs more than those flying the entire Lagos–Abuja route. The petition, titled “Half the Distance! Double the Price! On the Same Flight!”, shows ticket examples where passengers paid over N260,000 for a Lagos to Ilorin ticket and N300,000 for Ilorin to Abuja, while the full Lagos to Abuja flight costs just N160,000. The law firm acting for The Third Estate and Like Minds Foundation argues that this pricing pattern violates Section 127 of the FCCPC Act, which protects consumers from unfair and exploitative pricing. They stress that the practice places an undue financial burden on Ilorin-bound travellers, likely due to Overland Airways’ exclusive operation in and out of Ilorin airport. A lawyer at A.U. Mustapha & Co.’s Lagos office confirmed the petition’s origin from their Abuja office but could not comment officially. Overland Airways has yet to respond publicly. The petitioners are calling on the FCCPC to investigate and sanction the airline if necessary to ensure fair pricing and consumer protection in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
NCC tightens corporate governance rules for Nigerian telecoms to boost transparency and service quality
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled tougher corporate governance guidelines for telecom operators across the country, aiming to enhance transparency, risk management, and long-term business sustainability. At the launch of the 2025 Corporate Governance Guidelines in Lagos, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida emphasized that these rules are critical for strengthening investor confidence and improving overall service quality in the telecom sector. He explained that good governance is no longer optional but a strategic necessity given Nigeria’s digital economy and rising cybersecurity risks. Key changes include the requirement for telecom boards to have a balanced mix of executive, non-executive, and independent directors with expertise in ICT and cybersecurity. The roles of Chairman and CEO must be separate to ensure clearer accountability. Moreover, telecom companies must bolster their internal audit functions and regularly submit compliance reports certified by their boards. Dr. Maida shared findings from an internal NCC review linking strong governance to better business performance in service delivery and financial management. While admitting some operators may face initial challenges adapting, he stressed the benefits far outweigh any short-term disruption. The NCC warned that enforcement of the new rules will be strict, with sanctions for non-compliance after remediation periods. Industry leaders like Senior Advocate Prof. Fabian Ajogwu and Titus Osavwe from the Financial Reporting Council praised the reforms as timely updates that address emerging issues such as AI, cybersecurity, and environmental governance. The NCC pledged ongoing stakeholder engagement and technical support as they roll out these governance reforms, marking a significant step toward a more transparent and reliable telecom sector in Nigeria.
Airtel Nigeria to speed up 5G rollout due to rising data demand
Airtel Nigeria is set to fast-track its 5G network roll-out to meet the soaring demand for data across the country. The company’s CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, shared this update during a media event in Lagos, revealing plans to boost investment in network infrastructure this year. Currently, 5G penetration in Nigeria is low, just over 3% as of June 2025, despite three operators holding 5G licenses. Airtel aims to change that by expanding coverage significantly in the coming months. According to Balsingh, data consumption in Nigerian cities, especially Lagos, is growing rapidly due to urbanisation, more businesses, and a mobile-first lifestyle. “At Airtel, we know data is the new oxygen. We’re building a smart, scalable 5G and fibre network to support education, healthcare, commerce, and more,” he explained. However, he noted that rolling out infrastructure is only part of the challenge. Customers need affordable 5G-enabled devices to fully use the service. Airtel is partnering with device makers to lower smartphone prices and make 5G access more affordable across Nigeria. The Nigerian Communications Commission reports that while 4G coverage is nearly nationwide, only about half of Nigerians use 4G due to the high cost of devices. Nearly 40% still rely on older 2G connections. With better device availability and growing network coverage, 5G adoption is expected to pick up more strongly this year and beyond. This expanded 5G access could unlock new opportunities for digital services, business growth, and social development nationwide.
Oracle’s AI push lifts Larry Ellison’s wealth to $301.7 billion
Larry Ellison, co-founder and chief technology officer of Oracle, saw his net worth jump by $12.4 billion on Tuesday. This rise is linked to the growing belief on Wall Street that AI infrastructure will transform the tech industry. Ellison, aged 80, now has an estimated net worth of $301.7 billion, making him the world’s second-richest person, according to Forbes’ real-time tracker. This increase happened as Oracle’s shares climbed 1.24% to $255.67, following Bank of America’s decision to raise its price target for the company from $220 to $295. The bank’s upgrade was based on strong capital spending forecasts by tech giants Microsoft and Meta. Microsoft expects to spend over $30 billion in the coming quarter on tech infrastructure, much higher than previous estimates. Meta also raised its spending forecast to $69 billion for the year. Oracle’s growth shows Ellison’s long-term strategy to shift the company beyond its traditional database business into cloud services and AI. In 2021, Oracle made a major acquisition by buying electronic health records company Cerner for $28.3 billion. Though Ellison stepped down as CEO in 2014, he remains deeply involved in Oracle as chairman and CTO, holding about 40% ownership in the firm. Outside Oracle, he is known for his unique lifestyle, including owning almost all of the Hawaiian island of Lanai and previously serving on Tesla’s board. Despite optimistic market views, Bank of America kept a “Neutral” rating on Oracle stock, citing uncertainty about how much the AI infrastructure boom will actually boost Oracle’s revenues.
Nigerian man extradited from France to U.S. over multi-million dollar cyber fraud
Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, a Nigerian, has been extradited from France to the United States to face charges of hacking, identity theft, and wire fraud that allegedly defrauded U.S. tax authorities and victims of millions of dollars. U.S. officials, including the Southern District of New York’s U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia, confirmed the extradition on Tuesday. Amachukwu, 39, who also uses other names like Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo and So Kwan Leung, appeared before a magistrate judge shortly after arriving in the U.S. His case will be handled by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. Court documents show that since 2019, Amachukwu and his partners, many believed to be in Nigeria, targeted U.S. tax preparation firms. They used spearphishing emails to break into electronic systems, stealing sensitive tax and personal data from thousands of people. This stolen information was then used to file fake tax returns to claim over $8.4 million in fraudulent refunds, successfully collecting at least $2.5 million. The group also abused COVID-19 relief programs by submitting false claims to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, obtaining around $819,000 in illegitimate funds. Additionally, Amachukwu reportedly scammed victims by promising high returns on nonexistent financial instruments called standby letters of credit, stealing millions in the process. His arrest was a result of a joint operation between the FBI, U.S. Marshals, the Justice Department’s international office, and French police. FBI official Christopher Raia emphasized that scammers hiding behind their keyboards won’t escape justice. Amachukwu faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, each carrying severe prison terms. While prosecutors treat these as allegations until proven in court, this case shows the U.S. government’s ongoing crackdown on international cybercrime and fraud schemes.