The Chairman of the Kauru Local Government Area Community Development Associations, Abel Adamu, has disclosed that over 500 households have been displaced in different attacks by bandits.

The CDA chairman, who made this disclosure on Sunday at a press briefing in Kaduna, said the recent surge in violence and attacks in the area has resulted to the loss of many lives, displacement of people, and destruction of properties.

He also explained that the cases of abduction of innocent people in the area were alarming and thus called for concerted security efforts to nip the ugly situation in the bud.

Adamu recalled that just last Friday, a woman was killed by her abductors in the Kiffin Chawai after paying the ransom as demanded by the bandits.

He said the recent violent attacks resulted in the displacement of thousands of visitors and residents in Kumana and Kauru chiefdoms, even as several others in the Dokan Karji, Bandi, Rumaya, Kwassam, Kaibi, Kusheka, Geshere, and Binawa, axis, among others.

“This is uncalled for, and we plead for immediate action from the government to ensure the safety and security of our people,” Adamu stated.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the Kauru Local Government Area, known for its farming activities, has now become a hotspot for banditry, crippling the economic activities.

“The latest assault on residents underscored the deteriorating security situation in the region,” he insisted.

“As a community, we have tried to address these issues through our initiatives, such as neighbourhood watch programs and community policing.

“However, the situation has deteriorated to a point where we require immediate intervention from the relevant security agencies and the global community.

“To address this issue, we are calling on the government to establish two military bases, one each in Kauru and Kumana chiefdoms.

“These military bases will provide a permanent security presence in the area, helping to deter attacks and provide a sense of security for the local population, who are now sleeping with their two eyes opened in fear of the unknown.

“While thanking the government for the establishment of a military base in Chawai chiefdom, we also want to call for the provision of more security personnel to address the pockets of attacks being witnessed in some parts of the chiefdom,” Adamu appealed.

According to him, as law-abiding citizens, the communities are willing and ready to work closely and cooperate with the government in its quest towards restoring lasting peace in the local government area.

However, the CDAs Chairman commended the Kaduna State Governor for the ongoing construction of the Pambegua to Kauru Road project to a credible and competent contractor.

He noted that the Kauru Local Government area which is made up of Kauru, Kumana, and Chawai Chiefdoms had been without good and access roads for over three decades, such that people coming from the Chawai axis would have to travel hundreds of kilometers, through Saminaka in the Lere Local Government Area to Pambegua in Kubau Local Government Area due to lack of access roads.

He stressed further that this singular factor has also been a contributing factor to the delay in the swift response needed by the operatives of Operation Safe Haven, located in Kafanchan, as the team have to travel nine to ten hours before arriving the scene of any attack in the Local Government Area.

“It is in the light of this that we are advocating the extension of the construction of the Pambegua – Kauru Road to Kwassam, Geshere, and Mariri to link communities from the three chiefdoms and ease transportation problems faced by the people, especially during the rainy season.

“This will not only improve the economic prospects of the area but also enhance the security of the people by providing easier access to security personnel and emergency services,” Adamu clarified.

The CDA Chairman, while commendiñg the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for facilitating a military barrack in Southern Kaduna, saying that, upon completion of the project, “it would help in addressing the myriads of security challenges bedevilling the region.

Finally, “We want to use this opportunity to commend the relentless efforts of the chairman, Kauru Local Government Area, Alhaji Bashir Tanko Dawaki, our representatives at both the national and state assembly, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Hon. Mukhtar Zakari Chawai, and Hon. Barnabas Haruna Danmaigona, for working round the clock to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50 per cent increase in call tariffs on Monday, which may raise the average cost of calls to N16.5 per minute.

Based on the 2023 national telephone traffic data, this hike could generate over N6.74tn in revenue for telecom operators in 2025 if call volumes remain stable, hence Nigerians may pay this amount to the firms.

However, this projection excludes the impact of free and discounted call promotions, which may alter actual revenue figures.

An analysis of data from the latest 2023 Subscriber/Network Performance Report by the NCC showed that in 2023, total outgoing telephone traffic was 205.3 billion minutes, while incoming traffic stood at 203.2 billion minutes.

The report read, “As of December 2023 total outgoing Local and National Traffic was 205,298,114,995.11 minutes while Total incoming Local and National Traffic was 203,187,588,876.00 minutes. MTN had the highest total outgoing and incoming Traffic of 122,667,600,437.00 and 123,762,501,615.00 minutes respectively in 2023.”

This implies that Nigerians spent about 408.5 billion minutes making local calls in 2023.

Since there was no fresh data yet for 2024, our analysis was based on the available data for 2023, which might vary for 2025.

Our analysis also excluded international calls, although Nigerians spent 1.5 billion minutes on international calls in 2023, according to the NCC.

Further analysis showed that MTN led the market, recording 122.7 billion minutes of outgoing traffic and 123.8 billion minutes of incoming traffic.

At the new rate of N16.5 per minute, MTN’s combined revenue from outgoing and incoming calls is projected to exceed N4tn, making it the primary beneficiary of the tariff adjustment and accounting for over 60 per cent of the market’s total revenue.

Airtel is expected to follow with a projected revenue of approximately N1.78tn, reflecting its strong share of both outgoing and incoming traffic.

Glo, the third-largest operator, is estimated to generate N536.2bn.

Smaller players, including Smile and Ntel, are expected to earn N5.7bn and N13.1bn respectively, affirming their minimal market influence.

9mobile (EMTS) is likely to generate about N105.6bn from its traffic volumes.

The projected N6.74tn revenue highlights the significant impact of the tariff increase.

Outgoing calls alone are expected to bring in N3.28tn, while incoming calls will contribute an estimated N3.23tn.

Despite the growing popularity of data services and over-the-top messaging platforms, voice calls remain a significant revenue driver for telecom operators.

MTN’s dominance in outgoing and incoming traffic reinforces its leadership position, with Airtel and Glo following as major contributors.

In contrast, smaller operators continue to face challenges, with limited market penetration and a smaller customer base impacting their revenue potential.

The PUNCH further observed that the 50 per cent tariff hike approved by the NCC will likely raise the average cost of an SMS to N6, and significantly boost revenue for telecom operators in Nigeria.

Based on the 2023 SMS traffic data, the projected earnings for 2025 could surpass N137.84bn, assuming traffic remains unchanged.

According to the NCC’s 2023 annual report, a total of 22.97 billion SMS were sent and received during the year, representing an 11.38 per cent decline from the 25.92 billion recorded in 2022.

MTN accounted for the highest SMS traffic, with 8.21 billion sent messages and 8.57 billion received, bringing its total to 16.79 billion SMS.

With the revised tariff of N6 per SMS, MTN is expected to earn approximately N100.72bn, making it the likely largest beneficiary of the hike.

The telecom giant’s share of SMS traffic represents over 73 per cent of the total market, securing its position as the dominant player in the sector.

Airtel is projected to generate N26.26bn in revenue from its total SMS traffic of 4.38 billion, comprising 2.01 billion sent messages and 2.37 billion received.

This accounts for 19 per cent of the projected industry-wide earnings. Glo, with a total SMS count of 1.35 billion, is expected to earn N8.10bn, representing 5.88 per cent of the total revenue.

Meanwhile, smaller operators such as EMTS and Smile are likely to see modest revenues.

EMTS, with 458 million SMS, is projected to earn N2.75bn, while Smile, which recorded just 1.2 million SMS, is expected to generate N7.36m.

Combined, these smaller players contribute less than two per cent of the total projected revenue for 2025.

The telecom industry is projected to earn N137.84bn from SMS in 2025, driven by the tariff hike.

However, the new pricing may affect consumer behaviour, as more Nigerians may shift towards over-the-top messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, which offer cost-free alternatives.

The Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50 per cent tariff adjustment for telecommunications operators in response to increasing operational costs and prevailing market conditions.

According to a statement made on Monday by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the decision was made under the NCC’s regulatory powers as stipulated in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The approved adjustment falls significantly below the over 100 per cent increase initially requested by some network operators.

The NCC stated that the decision was carefully calibrated to balance the rising costs faced by operators with the need to protect consumers from excessive price hikes.

The adjustment will adhere strictly to the tariff bands outlined in the NCC’s 2013 Cost Study and the newly issued Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission, pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators, will be granting approval for tariff adjustment requests by Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”

According to the commission, tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite inflation and rising operational costs that have strained the telecommunications industry.

The adjustment is expected to address this gap, enabling operators to invest in infrastructure and innovation while maintaining the quality of services provided to consumers.

The NCC emphasised that the changes would bring improvements in network quality, customer service, and connectivity coverage.

According to the statement, extensive consultations with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors informed the decision.

The NCC assured that the adjustments would be implemented transparently, with operators mandated to educate consumers about the new rates and ensure measurable improvements in service delivery.

The statement concluded, “As a regulator, the NCC will continue to engage with stakeholders to create a telecommunications environment that works for everyone—one that protects consumers, supports operators, and sustains the ecosystem that drives connectivity across the nation.”

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, during a recent appearance on national TV, revealed that while telecom operators were pushing for a 100 per cent hike in tariffs, the government was only considering an increment of between 30 and 60 per cent.

“It should not be more than anywhere between 30 per cent to 60 per cent,” he said, noting that the proposed increase is less than what operators had requested.

However, with an approved 50 per cent increase, the average cost of phone calls will likely rise from N11 to N16.5 per minute, SMS charges will increase from N4 to N6, and the cost of 1GB of data will jump from N350 to N525.

Legal action

The President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, has rejected the imposition of a new duty on the telecom sector, warning that it would worsen the taxation burden and negatively impact Nigerians.

“There was no agreement reached at the meeting with stakeholders,” Ogunbanjo said. “We presented our case, but nothing concrete was resolved during the meeting with the NCC in Abuja.”

The association has vowed to take legal action if the proposed duty is implemented without addressing subscribers’ concerns.

Ogunbanjo noted that while the association might accept a tariff increase of 5 to 10 per cent, anything beyond that would be unacceptable.

“If this new duty is implemented, we will take the matter to court. This kind of policy cannot stand,” he declared.

He suggested alternative funding mechanisms for telecom operators, such as raising capital through Initial Public Offerings.

“Let Nigerians be part of the business by buying shares. MTN has already gone public, and others can follow. This way, operators can raise funds without overburdening subscribers,” he said.

Ogunbanjo also highlighted the critical role the telecom sector plays in Nigeria’s economy, noting its contribution to foreign direct investment and GDP growth.

“Apart from oil, telecommunications is the only sector attracting significant investment. We cannot allow policies that will collapse the industry,” he stated.

He appealed to the minister to reconsider policies that could further impoverish Nigerians, citing poor electricity and economic conditions as ongoing challenges.

“A 50 per cent increase will cripple Nigerians. We will not accept this. A moderate increase is enough, and operators should explore other ways to generate funds,” Ogunbanjo insisted.

The Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria stated that with such an increase in tariff, there is a need for significant improvements in service quality.

President of the consumer group, Sina Bilesanmi told The PUNCH that the regulators including the NCC, and the minister were part of a virtual meeting in the morning where the decision for tariff hike was made.

Bilesanmi stated that the new tariff is to be implemented in February and warned that service providers must enhance their infrastructure and service quality within two weeks of the rollout.

“If we don’t see tangible improvements, we will take legal action against the telcos, the NCC, and the Federal Government,” he said.

The association’s support for the adjustment was driven by several factors, including the need to prevent the telecom sector from collapsing and to foster economic growth.

However, Bilesanmi made it clear that their acceptance is contingent on improved service delivery. “We urge our members to accept the tariff adjustment, but only if it results in better service. Otherwise, we will hold the authorities accountable,” he added.

Acknowledging the pressure in making the decision, Bilesanmi noted that stakeholders argued that rejecting the hike could lead to a shutdown of services. “I don’t want to be seen as an enemy of the economy,” he stated.

As February approaches, the association said it will closely monitor developments and remains committed to protecting consumer interests through all available legal means if service quality falls short of expectations.

…as UNICAL VC names him Ambassador of school

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to initiatives that aim to strengthen Nigeria’s education sector.

Kalu wgo stated this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the University of Calabar (UNICAL), led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, and the Provost of the Postgraduate School, Professor Enyong Ubana, on Monday in Abuja, emphasised the transformative role of education in shaping the nation’s future.

The delegation visited the Deputy Speaker in Abuja to inform him about UNICAL’s upcoming 50th Anniversary and Convocation Lecture, while also announcing his selection as the guest lecturer for the milestone event.

Reflecting on his time as a student at UNICAL, Kalu credited the institution for instilling values of hard work, integrity, patriotism, and a commitment to nation-building.

“As Deputy Speaker, I understand the pivotal role education plays in shaping our country’s future. I am fully committed to supporting initiatives that promote access to quality education. UNICAL, as my alma mater, occupies a special place in my heart for the values it instilled in me,” Kalu said.

He commended the leadership of Professor Florence Obi, one of the few women occupying such a significant academic position, emphasizing his support for greater female representation in leadership.

The Deputy Speaker also highlighted his ongoing efforts to inspire academic excellence among UNICAL students through awards he sponsors for outstanding achievements in various legal disciplines, including Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, and Commercial Law.

Kalu, currently pursuing a doctorate in law at UNICAL, expressed gratitude for the honor of being named an ambassador of the university, vowing to uphold the institution’s legacy and its discipline-driven ethos.

“I’m proud of UNICAL’s transformative impact on my life. The values of hard work, patriotism, and zero tolerance for corruption that I imbibed there continue to guide my leadership today,” he stated.

The Deputy Speaker urged UNICAL to actively contribute to the ongoing constitutional review process by conducting quality research on critical issues like state policing. He also assured the university of his full support for the upcoming anniversary and convocation activities.

Speaking on behalf of the university, Professor Florence Obi described Kalu as a distinguished product of UNICAL, lauding his contributions to legislative development and his positive representation of the university.

“One of our greatest gifts to the nation is Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Today, we officially recognize him as one of our outstanding ambassadors,” Professor Obi remarked.

He therefore reiterated his dedication to collaborate with UNICAL to improve the educational landscape and support the next generation of leaders.