Business
Govt Must Do All to Prevent Monopoly in Telecom Sector, Allow Telcos Breathe With Lesser Taxes – Ogunbanjo
*Govt Must Do All to Prevent Monopoly in Telecom Sector, Allow Telcos Breathe With Lesser Taxes – Ogunbanjo*
Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, President, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) in this no holds barred interview with The Guardian x-rays the state of the economy and how the President Bola Tinubu-administration and its policies is affecting the telecom sector, among other developing events in the outgoing year.
*What is your assessment of the general state of the Nigerian economy?*
May 29, 2023 saw the emergence of subsidy removal, that’s fine. Sincerely few individuals, like powerful individuals, you know were conning the resources of the petroleum sector in the country and it needed to be stopped, which was done by President Bola Tinubu. However, the unification of the naira was the mistake the current President did. Those two things shouldn’t have come in the immediate succession.
Subsidy removal, yes, but the unification of the naira was the big blow that actually scattered Nigeria’s economy. Subsidy removal will have its effect, yes we do appreciate that, but to now unify the naira plus subsidy removal that i think in my mind was the mistake the President made.
That is now giving rise to a situation where you now have to drive taxes to make more money for the government. That will lead me to the excise duty of 5% on the telecom sector.
*What is your reaction to the 5% excise duty on the telecom sector?*
Yes, we are currently in court and we will still continue to pursue that, because, recently somebody hinted me that they (the government) may revisit the excise duty tax, which again will spell disaster for the citizenry. I must say that if you remove telecoms and ICT, a lot of people’s business will suffer – that is the only thing we are now leveraging on to showcase ourselves and businesses on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X which was formerly Twitter and WhatsApp that we are enjoying today.
However, on taxes, they (the federal government) should leave telecoms alone, because there are over 40 different types of taxes that are killing the industry. Unfortunately, the banks are not helping matters in the telecoms industry as they are still owing the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) over N200 billion as we speak.
A huge amount that the telcos would have spent on network expansion, quality of equipment to deploy their services and all that. Well unfortunately that’s the economy as I see it.
*Recently, the telecoms industry ecosystem was disrupted by media reports that MTN Group was in negotiations with Emerging Market *Telecommunications Services (EMTS) – owners of the nation’s fourth GSM operator- to acquire 9mobile’s spectrum. What’s your view about this deal?*
*
We’ve been back and forth on this and I have had the course to put my mouth on this issue, and again I will say that MTN is going through the backdoor to acquire that spectrum. I’m sorry, but that’s the sad truth and the regulator shouldn’t encourage that at all, they should keep it open.
However, coming to your question, unfortunately with just about 6% of the market share, they (9mobile) are not doing that well. For me, I really do not know why they could not recapitalize and why they want another network to acquire them and that another operator (MTN) will now become the dominant service provider. It’s not going to be tidy for the telecoms sector. And in my opinion it should be discouraged. However, even if the merger and acquisition should be done, the regulator should keep it open.
Again, you may want to ask, Why can’t, Glo and Airtel buy it (9mobile) at least they are about, I think one is 20 something per cent and the other about 30 something per cent market share and the regulator should encourage those ones to come to terms with building their network as well.
*Considering 9mobile’s debt history, do you think the other MNOs that you made mention of, have the liquidity to acquire 9mobile?
They will and they can. Don’t forget that there are some funds from multilateral finance organizations. If they apply, it will be granted, because it’s telecoms and we have the market, we’ve got the subscribers base, we’ve got everything. But for 9mobile, they should at least go to town and recapitalize and then come up again and increase their market shares rather than just having a single digit market share which is too low to play and dominate in the Nigerian Telecoms sector, and perhaps that might be the driving force for the board members to say, look we are still single digit market penetration, so why shouldn’t we just sell out.
But, in my honest opinion, I oppose selling out, they should rather recapitalize, they shouldn’t sell out. But if they are going to sell out, it should be thrown open back to the NCC and I expect the NCC to do the needful.
*Some stakeholders believe that, should MTN acquire 9mobile, it will make them more powerful. Do you share in the belief sir?
Very well, Yes. They will be too powerful. They will have bigger control of the market and dictate the direction of things in the sector. In their (MTN) early days they had a lot of funds to play with at a very low interest rate in the 2000-2001 days. They’ve been favored in a way, because the South African Government is ready to assist them as well, plus the fact that multilateral financial organizations are also ready to fund them because of their success stories. But nonetheless, others should not die or go out of extinction because of one particular network operator. They should be encouraged to compete and thrive.
The moment MTN acquire that (9mobile) with their 43 or 44 per cent market share, that means they will have a minimum of about 50 something per cent, and that is half of the Nigerian telecoms market. They’ll have so much power and control over the sector and that means they will be dictating the pace. While I agree it’s a free market, nonetheless we can’t afford to have one dominant force in this space.
Our President is marketing the country’s economic potential to attract more foreign direct investments, so it will be wise not to kill the ones available here. We should encourage others to be major players in the sector. Airtel is there also, they have about 20 whatever per cent, the other one (Glo) is also about 20 something percent. Encourage these ones as well to be major players in the sector, they shouldn’t allow only one player to overtake the entire industry, which is going to be a disadvantage to the benefits of the other players.
Aside from that, if you look at Multichoice, I’m sorry, I don’t know if I can talk about that, they have dominated the pay TV sector in the country, and they have made three increases this year alone to their subscription rate. We don’t want to see that happen in the telecoms sector. No! we don’t. They will be dictating the pace because they have the volume and they control more than 50 per cent market share. And that won’t be tidy for the Nigerian telecoms industry.
*So, what is your advice to the NCC, in terms of strengthening the operations of the Nigerian Telecoms Industry?
As a regulator that they are, they should regulate and ensure that every Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) competes pretty well within the space and also ensures that the competition is healthy. They should regulate the entire telecoms sector without giving any form of preferential treatment to another at the detriment to the growth and development of others.
Let NCC keep its operations open and be fair to all parties concerned by ensuring that they are transparent in whatsoever spectrum that they want to sell or return or give back to the NCC, so that other MNOs can take advantage of the potential in the market and if possible acquire this spectrum.
For instance, I know that some of them have now started deploying the 5G, though China is already looking at the 6th Generation already, but let’s get ours right first. So, it’s good, let them keep exploring other things, but to acquire another MNOs spectrum is unacceptable. But, if the likes of Airtel and Glo say, look we don’t have the money oo, then it is good and fine for a takeover. But, it has to be through the right channel and not the backdoor.
Now, ALTON, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria is now saying if the government decides to introduce any other taxes, we are going to pass it on. Well on the part of the consumers we will stop the government from going ahead to introduce any taxes, because already the sector is faced with multiple taxes.
Anambra is a fantastic state, they have made a law that makes it free with no tax on laying the Right of Way (RoW) cables. All states should be like Anambra. Governor Charles Soludo, wonderful governor, with what he has done, he is encouraging telecom sector to come to the state and invest by giving them economic friendly terms. And I want other governors to emulate that too.
*Finally, what is your call to action for the Federal Government, NCC and other stakeholders in resolving this spectrum trade off issue?*
Thank you very much for that question. First, let them stop harnessing too much taxes in the telecoms Industry. Let the government now expand their tax net, not just by increasing tax policies, but by getting more people into paying tax. For instance, if we have about 20 per cent of people paying tax now, they should extend it to about 40, 50, or even 60 percent of people to pay tax and they can get more money from there.
The telecoms industry is really suffering, so to help them gain a good balance, let them declare telecoms infrastructure as a critical national asset. Maybe it is because NEPA mast is dangerous to their health, that’s why they are critical national assets, so why shouldn’t all telecom base stations be included as critical national assets. They should do that to avoid poor services and loss to the operators.
Each time, we (NATCOMS) make noise about poor services, ALTON, will say they have burgled our base stations, they have removed this generator, they have killed this and they have killed that. We hear that story all the time, so, the moment they become key critical assets, then it will be protected and service quality of the network operators will be improved upon and will now be enjoyed by the subscribers.
NNPCL and Corruption’s Final Throes
By Pius Olasanmi
In the twilight of the Obasanjo administration, when Nigerians were still capable of being outraged, when Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries was a buzzword that still held some mysticism to bamboozle citizens, during a conversation, a certain man said something profound. The man said, “As a businessman, if I were the owner of these refineries, knowing that they are three decades old, I would take the last money I have, hire bulldozers, raze them to the ground, and obtain loans to build new ones.”
When we pressed him further on why he would engage in such waste, he explained that repairing the refineries is the real waste. He explained that even if the TAM were honestly carried out, a thirty-year-old refinery would never compete favourably with a new one that would integrate contemporary technology. Operating at its best, such a refinery would never be comparatively more efficient. It is therefore pointless to have spent another one naira on the refineries at that point.
A few months later, I had a conversation with a then-lawmaker on an entirely different matter. I mentioned that the National Assembly has failed by not crafting legislation that would criminalise and punish public office holders who foist wrong decisions on the country. The logic: a public office holder need not steal to be punished, wrong decisions should attract penalties for an office holder who opts for the worst of all options when there are less injurious ones.
These established premises speak to the ongoing nauseating efforts at revisionism by those who wrecked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its previous iteration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Notably, this campaign to rewrite history is traceable to Engineer Mele Kolo Kyari, the disgraced immediate past Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and his hirelings. They have suffocated the news and the public opinion space with even more lies than they spun while in office.
The Saint Kyari campaign is anchored on convincing Nigerians that the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries were fully functional when he was booted out of office. So brazen is the campaign that one of its talking heads challenged the group chief executive officer (GCEO), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to “inform Nigerians categorically what happened to the functioning refineries he inherited from his predecessor, Engr. Mele Kyari.” The effrontery.
We have not forgotten so soon the charade that followed the baffling claim that Nigeria has spent $2.8 billion on the repair of the refineries, while they are not churning out even a single litre of refined product among them. Saint Kyari and his goons played all manner of tricks, all of which embarrassed President Bola Tinubu, who had counted on ticking off the return to productivity of the refineries as part of his achievements, only to realise that he was deceived into celebrating phantoms. Tragic.
Lest we forget, 200 trucks were arranged as props in a well-directed video clip to celebrate the re-streaming of the Port Harcourt Refinery. The disappointment. Nigerians were to learn from several reports that the Port Harcourt refinery was not producing and was instead using old, stored petroleum products to load trucks. Worse still, the Kyari crew was passing off sanction-tainted Russian-sourced crude oil refined in Malta as locally refined products. More insult was piled on the assault on our collective sensibility with the lies that the Port Harcourt Refinery exported semi-finished products. Brazen.
Meanwhile, Kyari and his hirelings called those who pointed out or protested these glaring scams all manner of names. They hid behind industry technicalities and jargon to create the impression that those of us who knew Nigerians were being robbed did not understand what we were saying. The point remains that a $2.8 billion investment can potentially build a refinery with a capacity of around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd). Of course, the actual capacity of such a refinery will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the refinery, the technology used, and the location. That is the amount that Kyari’s regime at the NNPCL took and did not give Nigerians refined products.
Fast forward to Kyari’s sack and the appointment of Engineer Bayo Ojulari, who has demonstrated that things can indeed be done differently. Kyari’s exit was expectedly followed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) going after him and his associates. The extent of the theft is better understood against the backdrop of N80 billion being found in the bank account of one of his associates. They went on the run.
Perhaps because the EFCC was biding its time on securing international warrants for the arrests of these characters on the lam, they have become emboldened. They have decided to fight back and rewrite the story of their participation in the greatest fraud against Nigerians. Engineer Ojulari’s renewed mindset, which is entrenching a semblance of the transparency Nigerians demand, became their natural target. The demons that once roamed around the corporation came out with malevolence. They started spinning stories of corruption to tarnish the incumbent who refused to hide their crimes. The objective: bring Ojulari down. But alas, he is winning the war as it stands.
His innocence is proven, and it is glaring that those who want him out are mere charlatans who can no longer ply their corrupt wares because of the impact of the new reforms. Corruption in the NNPCL is in its final throes. The fake news being unleashed against the incumbent leadership is akin to corruption’s last kicks as reforms in the sector strangulate it and its practitioners. The reforms must take place in the NNPCL, whether the industry demons like it or not.
As a parting shot, Kyari and his associates would do well to prepare their defence. In addition to accounting for the $2.8 billion they laundered in the name of repairing the moribund refineries, they must also answer for the poor decision to fix that which is irretrievably broken. Awarding contracts for Turn Around Maintenance of 59-year-old refineries that a right-thinking person had suggested should be demolished almost twenty years ago, when they were only 30 years old, is criminal. Trying to deceive Nigerians that the fake repairs worked is treason.
Olasanmi is a public affairs analyst writing from Lagos.
GRANDIS 5STAR LUXURY APARTMENT & SUITES SET TO REDEFINE LIVING IN VICTORIA ISLAND
Set to Rise elegantly against the Lagos skyline, is the Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites. According to Adejuwon Ademola, The General Manager of the Development company, it is more than just a residential building
“it’s a lifestyle statement. Standing 17 floors high in the heart of Victoria Island, this revolutionary masterpiece of modern architecture will offer a panoramic 360° view of Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi, transforming every apartment into an exclusive penthouse experience for the world’s most discerning elite.”
Developed by Dumarco Construction Limited, a globally acclaimed company with decades of delivering complex, high-value projects in the highly regulated petroleum, oil, and gas industries, Grandis 5Star brings unmatched international safety standards, uncompromising quality, and timeless elegance into Nigeria’s luxury property market.
> “When you live in Grandis, you’re not just buying a home—you’re investing in peace of mind, world-class safety, and an effortless luxury experience that will remain pristine for decades,” says Adejuwon A. Ademola, General Manager of Dumarco Construction Limited.
The Gold Standard in Safety and Quality
Dumarco’s roots in the oil and gas sector mean the company operates to some of the strictest safety protocols in the world. Every stage—from conceptualization, design, construction, to long-term maintenance—follows internationally accepted procedures and quality assurance measures. Cutting corners is simply not in Dumarco’s vocabulary.
> “In the oil and gas industry, there’s no room for compromise. We’ve brought that same discipline and zero-tolerance for mediocrity into property development,” says Ademola. “That’s why Grandis will be one of the safest and most enduring residential developments in Nigeria.”
To ensure transparency and prevent (project complacency), Dumarco deliberately separates the developer, contractor, and consultant roles, engaging only the most competent professionals in each respective field. Dumarco’s project team includes globally recognized contractors such as Julius Berger, Cappa & D’Alberto, and Elalan, Migliore Construczione & Tecniche (MC&T) and their partners VENCO IMTIAZ CONTRACTING COMPANY (VICC) based in Dubai, UAE, Business Contracting Limited, alongside leading consultants like Morgan Omanitan & Abe, LAMBERT, and James Cubitt.
Grandis – Investments, appreciation, returns and profitability
Our selection process for the location of the project alone was pains-taking and completely thorough scientific process. Top professional companies were employed to conduct a scientific data acquisition and analytical survey of the entire Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Eko Atlantic before a project site is selected. Analyzing and acquiring areas developmental charts and trends, studying and gathering historical and present sale prices, rental charge and occupancy rates over a 50 year period from every individual street before the selection of the location of any of our developments especially true for the Grandis Project
He adds,
“Our clients and residents can be rest assured that the location of Grandis has been scientifically proven through all existing data to provide our clients with a 100% occupancy rate, highest developmental location, highest rental income and investment returns. ”
The Grandis Experience
Located minutes away from international corporate headquarters, embassies, and landmarks such as Eko Hotel, Radisson Blu, and the Radisson Red, Grandis offers unmatched convenience for professionals, diplomats, and high-net-worth individuals. Every residence is designed for both indulgence and efficiency, with high-grade finishes, smart-home systems, and private amenities that ensure seamless living.
From sunrise over the Atlantic to the glittering Lagos night skyline, residents will enjoy uninterrupted luxury, supported by discreet and highly trained staff, advanced security systems, and a design that prioritizes comfort and privacy.
> “We designed Grandis for people who want everything—security, elegance, convenience, and the assurance that their home will look as spectacular in 20 years as it does on day one,” Ademola notes.
A Legacy That Lasts
With its combination of visionary architecture, peerless safety, and meticulous maintenance planning, Grandis is built to remain iconic for generations. Thanks to Dumarco’s meticulous approach, the building’s service charges are expected to remain low while its value and appeal continue to appreciate over time.
In a market often marred by shortcuts and substandard practices, Mr Ademola says
Grandis stands as a beacon of what luxury living should be—safe, spectacular, and built to last.
“Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites — Where safety meets sophistication, and every detail is designed for a life well-lived.”
He added
Website -www.dumarcoltd.com
Project website – www.26idowutaylor.com
Email [email protected]
Tel / WhatsApp +234 9077777883
GM – Adejuwon A. Ademola
celebrity radar - gossips
Nationwide Talent, One Broadcaster: Tinubu Picks Pedro, Bello, Din, Mohammed to Lead NTA
Tinubu Overhauls NTA Leadership: Media Powerhouse Rotimi Pedro Takes Helm as DG
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), appointing renowned media executive Rotimi Richard Pedro as the new Director-General in a move widely seen as a bold step toward modernising the state broadcaster.
Pedro, a Lagos native, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in broadcasting, sports rights, and marketing communications across Africa, the UK, and the Middle East. A trained entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, he also holds an MSc in Investment Management and Finance from City University Business School, London.
In 1995, Pedro founded Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), which rose to become one of Africa’s leading sports content providers—distributing premium events such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and CAF competitions to audiences in over 40 countries.
His career highlights include top roles at Bloomberg Television Africa and Rapid Blue Format, as well as advisory work for FIFA, UEFA, Fremantle Media, and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB). At the AUB, he was instrumental in securing exclusive pan-African free-to-air media rights for all CAF competitions.
Alongside Pedro’s appointment, Tinubu named Karimah Bello from Katsina State as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau State as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa State as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.
Industry insiders credit Pedro with building commercially viable broadcast platforms, driving sponsorship growth, and delivering world-class content to African audiences. His appointment marks one of the most significant leadership changes at NTA in years—signalling the government’s intent to strengthen the broadcaster’s competitiveness in a fast-evolving media landscape.
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