Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, has described the withdrawal of services by local government workers in Council areas in the state, as pathetic and unfortunate.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said the action of the workers had plunged the local government areas in the state into administrative paralysis, inflicting untold pain on the people at the grassroots

The APC chieftain while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, appealed to workers to immediately return to work and save the council areas from total collapse.

Oyintiloye, said that provision of certain essential services in the last one month at the local government across the state had been crippled due to the withdrawal of services by the workers.

He also said that clinics, primary health care centres, marriage registries, and administrative offices at the local government had been shut, subjecting pregnant women, students, and potential couples, among others, to untold hardship.

Oyintiloye said many pregnant women at the grassroots could not access their routine immunisation, while many applicants who needed documentation necessary to apply for federal jobs could not also access the secretariats.

He said since there were elected council chairmen in the council areas, there was no point for the local government workers to abscond from work.

Oyintiloye called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NUGLE, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state not to allowed themselves to be used to frustrate local government administration in the state.

According to him, “since both unions are supposed to be apolitical, they should uphold the tenets of their creation and which is to serve all government in power.”

To protect lives and properties, Oyintiloye said that the council chairmen would liaise with security agencies and ensure that workers were adequately protected upon resumption.

The APC chieftain said that “the perceived crisis in council areas had been put under control by the security agencies,” adding “that there is a peaceful atmosphere for workers to resume back to their duty posts.”

He, however, commended members of a faction of NULGE under the aegis of the Association of Concerned local government staff for their willingness to resume work on Monday.

He also warned the state government to desist from using divide and rule tactics to destroy the local government administration in the state.

Kaduna State Community and Social Development Agency (KADCSDA) has disclosed that it will target at least 100 vulnerable communities for basic services in 2025, with between two and three projects per community.
This followed the successful completion of 192 micro projects in 192 communities across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas in 2024, delivering on promises.

The general manager (GM) of KADCSDA, Dr Muhammed Mu’azu Mukaddas, disclosed this during a community engagement with stakeholders from nine LGAs: Zaria, Giwa, Igabi, Lere, Kagarko, Sanga, Kachia Kajuru, and Makarfi.

According to the GM, “KADCSDA is targeting 100 Community Development Plans (CDPs), which has at least three projects per community, doing 300 projects in the 100 communities, and Group Development Plans (GrDPs) in 100 vulnerable communities and groups for Basic Services.

“10,000 potential beneficiaries have been mined from SOCU for engagement in the Labour-Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) project.”

Highlighting the agency’s 2024 key achievements, Mukaddas said, “KADCSDA implements the Kaduna State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (KADCARES) programmes, also known as the Uba Sani CARES. Uba Sani CARES aims to expand access to livelihood support and provide grants to poor and vulnerable communities in the state.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to achieve outstanding results in the areas of Education, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Labor Intensive Public Workfare and Livelihood support, exceeding expectations.”

He explained that “KADCSDA implemented 177 micro-projects between April and August 2024 across 177 communities of the 23 LGAs. By November 2024, we scaled implementation by 15 micro-projects in 15 communities.

Dr Mukaddas highlighted the milestones recorded across sectors in 2024, adding that the initiative has positively impacted 207,801 individuals through various interventions.

“In the education sector, 77 blocks of classrooms were renovated, benefitting 90,823 students and improving enrollment rates. Similarly, 13 healthcare centres were renovated and equipped, providing better services to 12,498 residents.

“The agency also constructed 81 motorised boreholes in 81 communities, delivering potable water to 92,804 people and reducing waterborne diseases. Furthermore, 5,112 individuals were engaged in the Labour-Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) programme, while 1,335 youth and women received livelihood support through soft skills training and financial assistance.”

Dr Mukaddas noted that 1,363 Community Project Management Committee members were trained in project management and bookkeeping to enhance micro-project sustainability.

“These achievements demonstrate KADCSDA’s dedication to excellence. We’re grateful to His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State, Sen. Uba Sani, for his unflinching support to the Agency,” he stated.

In her goodwill message, commissioner of human services and social development Hajiya Salisu Rabi, represented by Binta Aminu, director of social services, expressed confidence about the prospects of collaborative community development in the state.

“This meeting marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating successful, sustainable communities.

“Through this engagement, we aim to foster collaboration, mutual respect, and trust. We will work together to identify priorities, leverage resources, and harness our collective strengths to drive meaningful impact.

“My sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your tireless efforts in driving community development Initiatives. Your dedication, expertise, and passion are invaluable assets to our shared quest for a better future,” she said.

She expressed confidence that the discussions will yield fruitful outcomes, inform strategies, and inspire innovative solutions.

For his part, the vice chairman of Kachia LGA, Comrade Hussain Abdullahi, who represented the chairman, noted that if the government can focus on the agency’s activities alone, all desired developments in the state will be achieved.

He expressed optimism that, with the current GM’s expertise and commitment to work, Kaduna will experience core community development.

Hussain assured that Kachia LGA would replicate what the agency was doing to foster development at the grassroots level.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, called on President Bola Tinubu to warn the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, against unleashing mayhem in the state, starting from today (Monday).

But in a swift response, Oyetola, in a press statement on Sunday, refuted Adeleke’s claim that he was plotting to destabilise Osun State, saying his antecedents, pedigree and track records of public service in the last 15 years do not support Adeleke’s claim.

“For the four years he governed Osun, he gave a good account of himself as a man of peace, a respecter of the rule of law and one not given to violence. If he is given to violence, he would certainly have fought back violently in 2022 when was brazenly rigged out,” a statement by Oyetola’s media team said.

The statement said anyone accusing Oyetola of violence “needs to have his/her head properly examined.”

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke accused Oyetola of orchestrating a plan to enforce the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division of February 10, which allowed the appeal filed by the local government chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the October 15, 2022 election.

The elected LG officials were sacked by a decision of Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of an Osogbo Federal High Court on November 25, 2022.

But following the Court of Appeal’s decision, they have been angling to return, a situation that did not sit well with the Adeleke-led administration, which has fixed February 22 to conduct a fresh LG poll.

At the weekend, Oyetola, who is the immediate past governor of Osun, held a meeting with APC stakeholders in Osogbo and called on the security agencies to facilitate the return of the sacked APC LG chairmen back to office.

In response to Oyetola’s call, Adeleke, on Sunday, held a press conference, where he declared Oyetola’s call as an invitation to anarchy or violence in the state.

Adeleke, who was flanked by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, and the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, insisted that the Court of Appeal judgment, which the APC LG chairmen were bandying, did not make an express order returning them to office.

He alleged that Oyetola had met with and given instructions to security chiefs in the state, including the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abbar, the Director of the Department of State Services and the Commandant of the Civil Defense Corps, Mr. Igbalawole Sotiyo, to help the sacked LG chairmen back to office.

“Before I continue this address, let me affirm that I know Mr. President to be a true democrat, a lover of the rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process. I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr. President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr. President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed.

“I, however, regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has concluded an arrangement to cause mayhem in Osun State, starting from Monday. He is issuing illegal directives to security operatives to enforce illegality simply because he is the nephew of Mr. President.

“I chose to alert the nation before my people are killed or maimed by a minister dropping the name of Mr. President in connivance with the Osun state security operatives obeying unlawful orders,” Adeleke said.

He described Oyetola’s push to return the sacked LG chairmen to office as “brazen effrontery”.

Adeleke said, “Let me make it clear that the said council chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor of Osun State, contrary to the lies being peddled, that the chairmen and councilors were sacked by my Executive Order.

“For emphasis, l want to state that I had nothing to do with the sacking of the chairmen and councilors produced by the Osun 2022 local government polls. The chairmen and councilors were sacked by two different judgments of the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

“The script Mr Oyetola is playing is about the most reprehensible abuse of power in this Fourth Republic, capable of untold and unforeseen consequences on the polity.

“The general public is aware that there were two different Federal High Court judgments on the local government election of 2022. The first judgment was on the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, which sacked the product of the 2022 polls. The second judgment was on the suit filed by the Action People Party, which also sacked the chairmen and councillors produced by the said 2022 Osun local government polls.

“The APC appealed against the judgment obtained by the PDP was partially successful, and the said judgment was struck out based on the timing of filing, having been filed before the notice of election was published.”

Adeleke insisted that no consequential orders were given by the Court of Appeal to return the sacked APC LG chairmen to office.

 “It needs to be emphasised that the judgment contains no consequential orders. The APC, in its amended Notice of Appeal, asked the Court of Appeal to reinstate the sacked chairmen and councillors, but the Court of Appeal, in its wisdom, said it had become an academic exercise. The request for the reinstatement of the chairmen and councillors was not granted.

“However, the appeal by the APC against the APP judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal, which makes the judgment still subsisting and alive.

“The Court of Appeal dismissed the APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the APP. The only legal recourse open to the APC is to appeal the APP judgment and the subsequent rulings of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

“The Certified True Copies of both judgments had earlier been forwarded to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the state Director of the DSS and the state Commandant of Civil Defence by the Osun State Attorney General, for their information and records.

“The Certified True Copies of both judgments are in the public domain. The judgment of the Court of Appeal on the PDP case was not ambiguous whatsoever. It simply struck out the PDP suit and did not in any of its paragraphs order the reinstatement of the sacked council chairmen and councilors.”

Adeleke called on legal experts and the Nigerian Bar Association to fact-check by reading and interpreting the judgments on Osun’s last local government elections, noting that it remained  “illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-democratic to take the law into your own hands.”

“For a serving minister, the person of Mr Gboyega Oyetola to lead the charge to violate the Constitution and foment violence over a judicial process is not only shameful but is sadism and treason taken too far.

“We have it on good authority that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has instructed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the state Director of the DSS and the state Commandant of civil defence corps to mobilise security operatives from within Osun to effect the non-existent judgment by forcefully taking over the local governments on Monday.

“Mr Oyetola and the police boss have been holding a series of meetings on how to effect the illegal operations. We affirm that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has no constitutional authority to issue directives to the security agencies.

“The fact that Mr Oyetola is nephew of Mr. President does not confer any such authority on him. We see this as a gross betrayal of trust reposed in the Osun State security officers by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I want to state that the current nefarious activities of Mr Oyetola and the bosses of Osun security agencies constitute grave incitement. These need to stop because we are neither interested in resorting to self-help nor in support of violence to resolve political matters. As much as we are law-abiding people, we are fierce protectors of our rights, at night and by the day.

“I want to place on notice the Nigerian public, and our friends in the diplomatic community and the lovers of democracy and rule of law that our people will not accept any attempt to impose illegality and anarchy on us.”

Adeleke, therefore, appealed “to Mr President, who is a renowned democrat, to insist on the rule of law by instructing the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS, the Commandant General of the Civil Defence Corps not to obey an illegal order from his nephew, Mr Gboyega Oyetola.”

“I call on Mr President, to instruct the National Security Adviser, and the Attorney General of the Federation, to personally verify the fact that the Court of Appeal judgment did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen and councillors and the fact that there is a subsisting judgment of the court that sacked the chairmen and councillors produced by the 2022 local government polls.

“The Nigerian public should hold Mr Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun State security chiefs responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state tomorrow, Monday, and beyond.

“It is unfortunate that the Osun state security chiefs are taking instructions from Mr Gboyega Oyetola just because he is the nephew of Mr. President. As much as we will do our best to maintain peace, we call on men and women of goodwill to intervene before it is too late,” Adeleke stated.

But while reacting, Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, dismissed the allegations and urged Adeleke to comply with the court order and give protection to the reinstated council chairmen and councillors.

Lawal, at a press conference held at Tinubu/Shettima House in Osogbo on Sunday, accused Adeleke of whipping up sentiments to seek undue public sympathy.

“As a responsible party, we have been civil and law-abiding; that is why we have been seeking every legal means to ensure that the law takes its due course,” Lawal said.

He described Adeleke’s press conference as “yet another media tactic to mislead members of the public in the state and beyond over his government’s continued disobedience to a valid appeal court judgment delivered on 10th February 2025 that reinstated the lawfully elected local government officers.”

Commenting in a similar vein, ex-governor Oyetola, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, debunked the allegation that he was plotting to destabilise Osun State, saying his antecedents, pedigree and track records of public service in the last 15 years does not support Adeleke’s claim.

The former governor has appealed to his successor to respect the Appeal Court judgment, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in the law.

“For the four years he governed Osun, he gave a good account of himself as a man of peace, a respecter of the rule of law and one not given to violence. If he is given to violence, he would certainly have fought back violently in 2022 when was brazenly rigged out.

“Again, in 2022, when Governor Ademola Adeleke employed extra-judicial means to sack democratically elected council officials, Oyetola as the leader of the party, never preached violence. Instead, he led the party members to court.

“Thankfully, his party won at the appeal last week. And as a peace-loving leader, he appealed to security agencies to enforce the judgment of the court. How can such a man be accused of a destabilisation plot? I think anyone accusing Oyetola of violence needs to have his/her head properly examined.

“The minister is further seizing this opportunity to appeal to his successor to respect the appeal court judgment, rather than resort to cheap blackmail, which has no place in law,” the statement reads in parts.

Providing insight into the judgment of the Court of Appeal and it implications, Osun APC Legal Adviser, Mr. Adegoke Ogunsola, said Adeleke misled the public with his claims, urging security agencies not to allow the situation to degenerate into crisis.

Insisting that the appellate court did not only find the APC appeal meritorious but also allowed the appeal in a unanimous decision, which has sought, among others,  reinstatement of the elected officers, Ogunsola also said that, “Neither the state government nor the Peoples Democratic Party finds any errors in the judgment in respect of which no any appeal was filed.”

“It is surprising, however, that the state government has begun to deploy so many tactics to avoid enforcement of the judgment which ought to be automatic. Governor Ademola Adeleke and his men had at the initial stage alleged that the judgment did not reinstate the sacked officers but after the colossal failure of this, they rushed to one other lower court judgment of the APP.

“The most disturbing aspect of it occurred when the whole governor of a state descended so low and falsely levelled unfounded allegations against the persons of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The governor unsuccessfully attempted to twist the express language of the judgment when he erroneously assumed the duty of the judiciary of interpretation of law. It is very much unfortunate when the governor further in a figment of imagination asserted that the minister was leveraging on a contrived relationship with the President to direct the law enforcement agents to act.

“Finally, the Inspector General of Police and all other security apparatus  are called to ensure that the misleading information as released by the government is not allowed to degenerate into crisis as same are capable of inciting crises.”

NLC, NULGE withdraw members

Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has directed its members working in local government areas in the state to withdraw their services effective from Monday.

The NLC, in a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Christopher Arapasopo, dated Sunday, February 16, said it noticed the political uproar bringing agitations and fear among our members working within the local government areas across the state.

Arapasopo expressed concerns over the safety of his members in LGAs following the face-off between the government and the main opposition party in the state.

He said, “The NLC is apolitical, but we won’t allow our members to work in an atmosphere of insecurity. The Nigeria Labour Congress has noticed the political uproar bringing agitations and fear among our members working within the local government areas across the state.

“We urge all the political parties and their members to abide by the rule of law. We insist on the rule of law to avoid a descent into anarchy. In furtherance to this, we hereby direct all our members working in all the LGAs in Osun State to withdraw their services effective Monday, 17th February 2025 by 12 am (midnight).

“We won’t allow our members to return until their safety at work can be assured and guaranteed, which is their constitutional right. We hereby call on all security agencies to ensure the safety of all lives and properties within Osun State local governments and the public in general.”

Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Osun State Chapter, in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, said it noticed political uproar bringing agitations and fear among its members working within the local government areas across the state.

Ogungbangbe subsequently urged political parties and their members to abide by the rule of law, saying local government secretariats should not be turned into battlegrounds thereby putting the lives of his members in danger.

“In furtherance to this and as a follow-up from the directives from Nigeria Labour Congress, as an affiliate of NLC, I hereby direct our members working in all the local government areas in Osun State to withdraw their services effective Monday, 17th February 2025 at 12:00 am. (midnight).

“All gates of local government secretariat must remain closed until further directives. We will not allow our members to return until their safety at work can be secured and guaranteed, which is their constitutional right.

“We hereby call on all security agencies to ensure the safety of all lives and properties within Osun State Local Governments and the public in general.”

Osun security chiefs mum

Meanwhile, two out of the three heads of security agencies alleged by Adeleke of receiving orders from his predecessor failed to pick up calls or respond to text messages sent to them on the matter.

Osun State Commissioner of Police, Abba, did not pick up calls when our correspondent called him and he has not responded to text messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

Also, calls to Osun NSCDC Commandant, Sotiyo’s mobile lines did not go through and he has not responded to text messages sent to him as of 8 pm Sunday when this report was filed.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria’s leading telecommunication services provider MTN, and advanced weather intelligence company, Tomorrow.io, to develop a Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System aimed at delivering location-specific, actionable weather advisories to Nigerian farmers via mobile SMS.

The partnership signed on Friday, which is in line with the United Nations (UN) goal of ensuring early warning systems for all would serve the need of strengthening climate resilience in Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural sector.

 

Speaking at the MoU signing at NiMet headquarters in Abuja, the director general and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike said that the overall aim of the partnership is to improve agricultural productivity and resilience by providing localized, timely weather advisories.

 

He said, “This aligns with the food security agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government”.

 

Anosike further said that the choice of MTN and Tomorrow.io is strategic as they are leaders in their respective sectors.

 

“I am excited welcoming the MTN CEO, Karl Toriola, the officials Shoyinka Shodunke (chief information officer), Tobechukwu Okigbo (chief corporate services and sustainability officer), and the Tomorrow.io team to NiMet for this groundbreaking MoU signing that will impact not only the agricultural sector but the entire Nigerian economy. My primary objective has been to open up the space of the business of climate science to the private sector so that they will begin to understand the incredible impact of climate science”, he concluded.

 

Responding, Toriola said that MTN is always looking for ways to support government agencies and the Nigerian public in general.

 

Under the terms of the MoU, the parties shall collaborate in the development, deployment, and testing of the DCAS platform, which will provide weather-based advisories to farmers through SMS notifications.

 

 

Ayeni Jemima is the visionary behind Gems Gourmet Delight, a brand that epitomises the fusion of catering services with event planning, consultancy, and bespoke gift curation, guaranteeing each client an unparallelled and memorable experience.

Jemima explained that, her success is not solely due to efforts; it has been significantly bolstered by reliance on divine guidance and support. “The strength and wisdom we draw from our faith have enabled us to break new ground, consistently innovate, and deliver exceptional culinary delights to our customers. Through every setback and triumph, we’ve witnessed how perseverance, combined with a higher power’s guidance, can lead to outstanding achievements in our venture,” she said.

 

Lucrativity

The catering business, along with event planning, consultancy, and gift curation, is a sector that attracts a significant number of individuals. It’s an industry where your earnings directly correlate with the quality of your services. Jemima states, “For us, delving into this field has proven to be incredibly rewarding.

Our dedication to excellence has allowed us to stand out in this competitive market and achieve lucrative results. Our journey in catering and related services has been marked by meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every event we manage, every consultation we provide, and every personalised gift we curate exceeds client expectations. This commitment to delivering outstanding service has been the cornerstone of our success and profitability in this thriving industry.”

 

Challenges

Jemima acknowledged that, engaging in the baking and cooking business have been a challenging yet rewarding journey. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but with unwavering dedication and hard work, we’ve managed to overcome numerous obstacles, she noted. One major hurdle, she listed, was dealing with inconsistent power supply, which is critical for preserving perishable ingredients and maintaining optimal kitchen operations. This often necessitates the additional expense of purchasing and maintaining backup generators.

Another significant challenge is navigating the fluctuating costs of raw materials due to inflation and market instability. This requires strategic planning and efficient resource management to maintain profitability. Additionally, the competitive nature of the industry demands constant innovation and high-quality service to stand out and attract loyal customers.

Lastly, accessing financing and investment opportunities is a common struggle, as many entrepreneurs lack the collateral or credit history needed to secure loans.

 

Advice

For young entrepreneurs venturing into the world of business with aspirations of success, Jemima advised that, it is essential to make a firm decision to be diligent and strive to excel in your chosen field. Your journey will require a commitment to continuous learning, which involves, not only acquiring new knowledge but also being willing to unlearn outdated concepts and relearn more effective strategies.

To her, “Surround yourself with individuals who share your niche and have achieved greater heights in the industry; their insights and experiences can be invaluable. It is also important to depend on God as the source of wisdom and guidance. By placing your trust in divine support, you can navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with confidence and resilience. After putting all these concepts into practice, watch how faith, combined with hard work and strategic associations, can lead you to remarkable accomplishments.”

 

Biography

Ayeni Jemima is a versatile entrepreneur, wearing multiple hats as a caterer, event planner, event consultant, and gift curator. With a deep passion for baking and cooking, she founded Gems Gourmet Delight five years ago, a brand that ensures every customer experiences unforgettable satisfaction. Through dedication and excellence, Jemima has built Gems Gourmet Delight into a trusted name in the industry, consistently delivering top-notch services that leave lasting impressions.

Jemima is also a child advocate, demonstrating her commitment to the well-being and development of children alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits.

 

As Nigeria continues its journey towards becoming a digitally driven economy, reliable telecommunications services remain the backbone of our collective progress. At Airtel Nigeria, we are committed to delivering world-class connectivity to millions of Nigerians, enabling economic growth, empowering businesses, and enhancing lives. We understand that the future technology needs of the country, as ushered in by the highspeed 5G era of AI, Cloud computing, Data science applications, and Blockchain, should be directing significant investments towards building a resilient network. However, the industry faces significant challenges that require a closer look as we strive to maintain the high standards that our customers deserve.

Increased Intensity of Investments: The increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, media, banking, transportation, and manufacturing has come with an increased demand on telecom capacity.

Upgrading networks to deliver more data capacity is key to a sustainable future. To help ensure that the Nigerian economy keeps pace with the global improvements in technology and communications while supporting the aspirations of consumers, we also take on the responsibility of executing new technology and system upgrades as well as improved security. Data security is now more than ever a priority as more and more people upload personal information online.

All of these require significant investments which are sourced from the international markets at costs denominated in US Dollars. In the past three to four years, for instance, the dollar has gone from exchanging for about N500 to over N1,600. This more than three-fold increase in foreign exchange conversion exponentially increases the cost of investments required to run a good quality network.

In addition to this unprecedented hike in capital expenditure, the operating costs have surged dramatically, with operating expenses rising by over 300% in the last 18 to 24 months alone.

While several critical areas of the business are impacted, I would, for expediency, focus on three of those areas: Rising Energy Cost, Infrastructure Challenges, and a Commitment to Quality Service.

Rising Energy Costs: Powering telecommunication infrastructure requires significant energy resources. Energy is the single largest operating cost for running a network. With increasing global energy prices and while efforts are ongoing to fully stabilize power supply in Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and other operators in the sector are incurring soaring costs to keep networks running seamlessly.

Infrastructure Challenges: The industry continues to grapple with rampant fiber cuts and vandalization of critical infrastructure. These incidents not only disrupt services but also demand substantial investments to repair and maintain facilities.

Commitment to Quality Service: Despite these challenges, Airtel Nigeria has remained steadfast in ensuring quality of service. From expanding 4G and 5G networks to meeting growing demand in urban and rural areas, we have painstakingly absorbed the rising costs of these obligations to avoid compromising the customer experience and ensuring Nigerians, regardless of their location, have access to mobile communication and remain connected to the digital economy.

Telecommunications operators have worked tirelessly to sustain services despite keeping tariffs unchanged for the last 10 years. While tariffs have remained static for over a decade, the economic realities necessitate a review to ensure the sustainability of services hence our recent application to the government for tariff adjustment which if approved will be a step towards addressing this imbalance. It is not a decision taken lightly but one borne out of the need to guarantee continued investment in network expansion, technology upgrades, and improved service delivery.

The telecommunications sector is pivotal to Nigeria’s ambition to become a digital economy leader in Africa. Meeting this aspiration requires operators to make substantial investments in network infrastructure, spectrum acquisition, and innovative solutions. These investments come at a cost, one that must be shared proportionally to ensure long-term viability.

 

At Airtel Nigeria, we remain resolute in our commitment to:

Delivering Quality Services: As the government continues to monitor operators’ compliance with service quality standards. Airtel is dedicated to surpassing these benchmarks, ensuring customers experience uninterrupted and superior connectivity.

Driving Economic Growth: By expanding our network and enhancing digital inclusivity, we are enabling the government’s economy turnaround agenda and fostering opportunities for all Nigerians.

Being a Reliable Partner: Despite industry challenges, we are steadfast in our role as a trusted partner in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

While significant tariff adjustments have become warranted for the sustainability of the industry, Airtel has always been sensitive to affordability and understand that the price adjustments must be done gradually to support our customers’ financial positions. We believe that an approval of revised tariffs will empower operators to invest in capacity, expand coverage to underserved areas, aim for advanced security on the networks, and improve service quality and network availability while ensuring that Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital landscape.

As we navigate the present imperatives together, we urge all stakeholders, including customers, regulators, and partners to recognize the importance of building a resilient telecommunications ecosystem. Airtel Nigeria remains committed to delivering unmatched value while supporting the nation’s economic development.

 

Dinesh Balsingh is the Managing Director/CEO of Airtel Nigeria.