Business

FG To Energise Telecom Sector Through Legislations –Shittu

Published

9 years ago

August 26, 2016

The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to provide the needed enabling environment for ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through enactment of relevant legislations.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Mr Victor Oluwadamilare.

The statement quoted the minister as saying this at the Communication Services Tax Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Lagos.

The minister called on stakeholders in the communications sector to have holistic deliberations on the communication services tax as being proposed in the Communication Tax Bill pending before the National Assembly.

“This is necessary in order to weigh the effects of the proposed tax regime on the government, stakeholders as well as end users of communication services.”

He called for a juxtaposition of new tax regime with existing ones, saying that the introduction of new taxes without harmonising existing ones will put pressure on the Nigerian tax system, thereby making it unattractive to investors and consequently be counter-productive in the long run for the nation’s targets on broadband penetration.’’

The minister speaking extensively on controversies surrounding the proposed bill, said a section of the stakeholders had extrapolated that the Bill sought to impose additional nine per cent charges on users of electronic communication services “which is to be remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service on monthly basis, more so that the extra tax will be applied on voice calls, SMS, MMS, Data and Pay TV viewing, among other services.

“Others have posited that over 60 million Nigerians will be unable to afford basic broadband connection, a situation that is likely to threaten Nigeria’s ability to achieve its goal of 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018.

“And also undermine the socio-economic progress spurred by increased connectivity. This to a large extent will be a cog in the wheel of implementing the National Broadband plan,’’ he said.

Shittu said that many had also concluded that the proposed bill would also discourage further investment in the communication industry due to reduced returns on Investment, and ultimately drastically reduce the sector’s huge contributions to the national GDP.

According to him, some have concluded that the proposed CST Bill is an ill wind that will blow the country no good.

“My focus on any tax regime will be to align any process that will stimulate the economy and also ensure that the tax system is efficient by widening the tax net and creating an effective framework for tax compliance.

“To protect the poor and vulnerable in the society who nonetheless have to use telecom services for social inclusion and financial services among others.

“The ITU gave Nigerian the mandate to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018.

as I have been reliably informed that the projected earnings from this effort is over N20 billion every month.

“Which is an attraction to the government in funding our budget deficits? I must be quick to say that this government has got a human face twined around its decisions.”

The minister said that the goal of the ministry was to provide cost effective ubiquitous ICT access for overall national development.

Shittu added that the solutions were the passage of the critical National ICT Sector Infrastructure Bill.

“Hastening of the rollout of metro fibre networks, use of NIGCOMSAT Satellites to bridge the rural penetration gap and hosting of critical National Data within the country.’’

The minister said that the proposed National ICT Roadmap was poised to set out the intent and commitment of the government to continue the development of the ICT sector.

He said that the roadmap would also implement the sector policies and plans in an integrated, focused and innovative manner that aligned with the change mantra of the current administration.

He added that the roadmap focuses on five strategic pillars namely- governance, policy, legal and Regulatory framework, industry and infrastructure and capacity building.

Business

Two Federal Agencies Enter Pack On Expansion, Sustainable Electricity In Niger Delta

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, was targeted at strengthening institutional collaboration and accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, supporting job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

Aliyu said the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards, adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.

By: King Onunwor

Business

Why The AI Boom May Extend The Reign Of Natural Gas

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Artificial intelligence is often viewed as a catalyst for electrification and subsequently decarbonization. Yet one of its most immediate effects may be the opposite of what many assume. The rapid buildout of AI infrastructure is increasing demand for reliable power, and that reality could strengthen the role of natural gas and other dispatchable energy sources for many years.

Investors focused on semiconductors and software valuations may be overlooking a key constraint. AI runs on electricity, and those electricity systems operate within physical and economic limits.

The energy sector has spent much of the past decade grappling with slow load growth. That is now changing, in a way that is reminiscent of the sharp rise in oil demand—and subsequently price—in the early 2000s.

Training large language models and operating advanced AI systems requires enormous computing resources. Hyperscale data centers are expanding rapidly, with developers requesting gigawatt-scale interconnections from utilities. In several regions, electricity demand forecasts have been revised upward after years of flat expectations.

This shift is significant because AI workloads create continuous, high-density demand rather than intermittent usage. Data centers cannot simply power down when the electricity supply becomes constrained. Reliability becomes paramount.

Wind and solar capacity continues to expand, but intermittent generation alone cannot meet the firm capacity needs of AI infrastructure without significant storage or backup generation.

Battery storage is improving, yet long-duration storage remains costly at scale. Nuclear projects face long development timelines and complex permitting hurdles. Transmission expansion also lags demand growth in many regions.

These constraints make dispatchable power sources critical. Natural gas plants can ramp quickly, operate continuously, and be deployed faster than many alternatives. As a result, gas-fired generation is increasingly viewed as a practical solution for supporting AI-driven load growth.

This does not undermine the role of renewables. In many markets, new renewable capacity is paired with gas generation to maintain grid stability. The key point is that AI-driven electrification is likely to increase fossil fuel usage in the near term.

Construction timelines favor gas-fired generation when demand rises quickly. Existing pipeline infrastructure reduces barriers to expansion. And for operators of data centers, reliability often outweighs ideological preferences. Downtime is simply too expensive.

Utilities are also revisiting resource plans as load forecasts rise. That shift may drive increased investment in transmission, grid modernization, and flexible generation assets.

The Decarbonization Story Is Complex

A common narrative holds that AI accelerates the transition away from fossil fuels because it increases electrification. The reality is more nuanced.

If electricity demand outpaces the buildout of low-carbon capacity, fossil generation may still increase in absolute terms even as renewables gain market share. Total emissions could rise, but the carbon intensity of the energy system may trend lower as cleaner sources make up a larger share of supply.

Ultimately, energy systems evolve based on engineering and economics, not just policy goals or market narratives.

Rising power demand could benefit utilities investing in transmission and generation capacity. Natural gas producers and midstream companies may see structural demand support from increased power-sector consumption. Equipment suppliers tied to grid reliability and gas turbines could also gain from the shift.

Longer term, advances in nuclear, storage, or efficiency may change the trajectory. For now, the immediate response to surging electricity demand is likely to rely on technologies that can be deployed quickly and reliably.

Artificial intelligence may reshape the economy in profound ways. One of the least appreciated consequences is that it may extend the relevance of natural gas as the world builds the energy backbone required to power the next generation of computing.

By: Robert Rapier

Business

Ogun To Join Oil-Producing States ……..As NNPCL Kicks Off Commercial Oil Production At Eba

Published

4 days ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Ogun State is set to join the comity of oil producing states in the country following the discovery and subsequent approval of commercial oil exploration activities in the Eba oil well, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

A technical team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has visited the area as preparations are in advanced stage for commencement of commercial drilling operations in the state.

The inspection followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for commercial exploration, forming part of the federal government’s efforts to deploy the required technical capacity and infrastructure for production.

Officials of NNPCL carried out the exercise alongside representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and national security agencies to evaluate the site and confirm its readiness for drilling activities.

The delegation was led by Project Coordinator for Enserv, Hussein Aliyu, who headed the NNPCL Enserv technical team.

Other members included Wasiu Adeniyi, Onwugba Kelechi, Engr. Rabiu M. Audu, Ojonoka Braimah, Ahmad Usman, Akinbosola Oluwaseyi, Salisu Nuhu, James Amezhinim, Yusuf Abdul-Azeez, Amararu Isukul and Livinus J. Kigbu.

Speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, described the development as a landmark achievement for Ogun State, saying “the commencement of drilling at Eba would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and attract increased federal presence to the state’s coastal communities.

Abiodun also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support toward the development of frontier oil basins and the equitable spread of the nation’s energy resources.

Recall that geological reports had earlier confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons within the Ogun Waterside axis, leading to preliminary surveys and technical engagements by NNPCL.

The Ogun State Government also carried out an independent verification of the oil well’s coordinates, affirming the discovery is located within the state’s boundaries.

To secure the project, naval security personnel have been deployed to the site for over 18 months, with the support of the Ogun State Government, to protect the facility and its environs.

The Eba oil well is regarded as part of Nigeria’s strategic move to expand oil production beyond the Niger Delta region.