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The future of Nigeria’s digital and scientific progress is being shaped by determined young women who are breaking stereotypes and proving that brilliance knows no gender. This vision came alive through the STEM Trailblazer Awards 2025, an initiative of the Rise Up and Sparkle Initiative (RUSI), which honored outstanding female graduates in ICT, STEM subjects, and overall academic achievement across Lagos, Ogun State, and Abuja.

This year, the awards focused on three key categories, ICT, STEM subjects, and overall academic excellence. By recognizing achievers in these fields, RUSI is not only rewarding excellence but also empowering future innovators who will contribute to Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Award presentations took place at Grace High School, Gbagada, Inspira College, Lagos, Sagab College, Lagos, Deeper Life High School, Abuja, and Nesgel Schools, Ogun State, among others. Winners received awards, cash prizes, and gifts, tangible tokens of recognition, but more importantly, symbols of belief in their potential.

One of the recipients shared: “Winning this award gave me confidence to dream bigger. It’s a reminder that girls can succeed in science and technology if given the right support.”

The awards reflect the vision of RUSI’s founder, Mrs. Funmilola Omojola, FNCS, FIIM, a distinguished ICT expert and fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society. She affirmed: “By investing in girls today, we are laying the foundation for innovators who will lead tomorrow’s Nigeria into a new era of digital excellence.”

More than just recognition, the STEM Trailblazer Awards are about breaking cultural stereotypes, inspiring ambition, and building a network of role models for the next generation of girls. With complementary programs in digital skills, innovation challenges, and entrepreneurship, RUSI is working to ensure that young women have the tools, training, and confidence to thrive in a technology-driven future.

The Rise Up and Sparkle Initiative extends sincere appreciation to the sponsors and partners whose support made the STEM Trailblazer Awards 2025 possible. Their contributions helped provide not just prizes but opportunities that inspire confidence and nurture leadership in the next generation of female innovators.

By celebrating these young trailblazers, RUSI is making a clear statement: Nigeria’s innovation future is female, inclusive, and unstoppable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rolled out stringent corporate governance rules that bar its top officials from joining telecom companies they once regulated for up to five years after leaving office.

The move, part of the 2025 Corporate Governance Framework, is designed to boost transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and strengthen ethical standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecommunications industry — now valued at over $75.6 billion.

The New Rules at a Glance

Under the updated framework:

• NCC Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners — whether executive or non-executive — are barred from working with licensed telecom companies for five years after their tenure.

• Departmental Directors face a three-year cooling-off period before joining any NCC-regulated licensee.

• Telecom operators’ board chairmen or vice-chairmen cannot also serve as CEO/MD of the same company.

• Former board chairmen and non-executive directors must wait five years before taking executive roles in the same company or its affiliates.

• No more than two family members can serve on a licensee’s board at the same time.

The NCC says these measures will curb undue influence, reduce nepotism, and align Nigeria’s telecom sector with international best practices already seen in finance and energy industries.

Why the NCC is Tightening Governance

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Dr Aminu Maida said corporate governance is “no longer a soft requirement — it is now a strategic imperative.”

“Our internal reviews show that companies with strong governance outperform peers in service delivery, financial stability, and compliance,” Maida noted.

With over 222 million active mobile subscriptions as of Q1 2025, Nigeria’s telecom industry underpins critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and education. But rising consumer demands, cybersecurity threats, and operational pressures have exposed governance gaps the NCC now aims to close.

Impact on the Telecom Industry

The rules apply to all licensed telecom operators paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022. The NCC plans phased compliance and says the reforms were shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement.

Legal expert Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, drafter of Nigeria’s first telecom governance code in 2014, praised the update for addressing modern challenges such as AI adoption, cybersecurity, and ESG compliance.

Titus Osavwe, Coordinating Director at the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), called the framework “a key step in boosting investor confidence and accountability.”

Part of a Wider Reform Strategy

The governance overhaul follows other major NCC initiatives in 2025, including:

• 50% tariff adjustments to help operators manage rising costs.

• A directive requiring operators to announce major network outages and compensate subscribers.

• The release of Nigeria’s first Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), which showed levy collections up by 22.9% after rule changes, despite a slight dip in compliance.

The NCC has warned that non-compliance with the new governance code will attract sanctions after a remediation period.

What It Means for Consumers

For the average subscriber, the NCC says the reforms should lead to better service quality, greater transparency, and a healthier, more competitive telecom market.

Whether the five-year ban and stricter board rules deliver these results will depend on consistent enforcement — but for now, the NCC’s push for smarter, ethics-driven regulation signals a stronger foundation for Nigeria’s digital future.

Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a landmark infrastructure sharing agreement aimed at accelerating high-speed internet rollout across Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The deal — still subject to regulatory approval — will see the two telecom giants share fibre networks and tower infrastructure, targeting underserved and rural areas where connectivity remains limited.

By pooling network assets, Airtel and Vodacom aim to cut operational costs, speed up service deployment, and deliver faster, more reliable internet to millions, helping to close Africa’s persistent digital divide.

Expanding Digital and Financial Access

Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub described the agreement as a “proactive step toward a sustainable and inclusive digital future for Africa.”

“As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant,” Joosub said.

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said the collaboration aligns with Airtel’s mission to extend network reach “even in the remotest locations.”

“Partnering with Vodacom will enhance access to digital and financial opportunities for our customers, while meeting all regulatory requirements,” Taldar noted.

He added that even as competitors, African telecom operators are recognising the business necessity of collaboration to enable emerging digital technologies and meet the surging demand for data-driven services.

Enabling 4G, 5G and Future Technologies

According to Taldar, accelerating fibre deployment is critical for enabling 4G and 5G technologies across the continent. The partnership is expected to:

• Improve network performance and coverage

• Support mobile, fixed-line, and financial services

• Reduce duplication of infrastructure investments

• Speed up time-to-market for new digital solutions

Both companies see the deal as a catalyst for long-term digital transformation, helping to reach millions more Africans with affordable, high-speed connectivity.

Part of a Growing Telecom Collaboration Trend

This development mirrors a similar Airtel Africa–MTN Group agreement earlier this year, which also focused on infrastructure sharing in Nigeria and Uganda.

In Nigeria, 9mobile also recently signed an infrastructure partnership with MTN to leverage existing network assets and reduce capital expenditure.

Industry analysts say the trend signals a strategic shift among African telecom operators toward collaboration over competition in building critical infrastructure — lowering costs, speeding rollout, and meeting the surging demand for data services.

In the 1990’s, a bold new player entered Nigeria’s emerging telecommunications market. The sector was still in its early days — calls were expensive, connections were unreliable, and “value-added services” were hardly part of the conversation.

That player was Alpha Technologies Ltd.

From day one, Alpha was driven by a powerful vision: to make business communication smarter, faster, and more impactful. That vision has shaped how brands in Nigeria connect with their audiences for over three decades.

Pioneering the Future of Communication in Nigeria

In 2003, Alpha Technologies took a strategic leap — repositioning itself to pioneer enhanced value-added services, especially in the emerging field of special numbering solutions.

By 2005, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted Alpha a license to deliver these services nationwide, making it Nigeria’s first cross-telecommunications network service provider.

The impact for businesses was game-changing:

• No more being tied to a single network

• Seamless reach across all customer bases

• Smarter, cost-efficient communication strategies

Leadership That Inspires Innovation

At the helm of Alpha Technologies is Margie Peters, Managing Director and strategic visionary. Her leadership has transformed Alpha into not just a telecom service provider but a strategic growth partner for Nigerian businesses.

Peters believes that technology is only as powerful as the value it delivers to the customer — a philosophy that underpins every solution Alpha creates. Her focus is on client-aligned innovation, ensuring that every tool and service directly supports a brand’s business objectives.

Helping Brands Communicate Smarter

Alpha Technologies empowers businesses to:

• Communicate smarter – Every call, message, and interaction is optimised for impact.

• Boost visibility – Making brands more memorable and accessible.

• Drive sales growth – Turning conversations into revenue opportunities.

• Cut costs – Eliminating inefficiencies in communications.

For Alpha, it’s never just about the technology — it’s about telling a brand’s story effectively, across every channel and to every audience.

The Alpha Advantage in Action

Whether it’s:

• A retail chain launching a nationwide promotion

• A bank connecting with millions of customers across multiple networks

• A start-up scaling without massive infrastructure costs

Alpha delivers the infrastructure and expertise to make it happen — anywhere, anytime, on any network.

From Calls to Connections, and Connections to Growth

Thirty-plus years on, Alpha Technologies has proven that telecom innovation is about more than speed or clarity — it’s about creating connections that grow businesses.

As Nigeria’s telecommunications sector continues to evolve, Alpha remains ready for the next era, ensuring every brand can:

• Communicate better

• Grow faster

• Compete stronger

Because in today’s marketplace, the brands that win are the ones that connect — and Alpha Technologies ensures they connect smarter.