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$1trn Economy: LCCI Advocates More Investments In Telecom Infrastructure
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) said, in a quest for a one trillion-dollar economy, the nation needs more investments in critical infrastructure to drive the much-needed digital revolution for growth and development.
Director-General of LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, who stated this in Lagos, while reacting to a hike in telecoms tariff, noted that, telecom services have become a critical part of our lifestyle and business.
“However, the telcos must remain competitive to deliver the best quality of services to businesses that can leverage technology to save some costs.
“In Nigeria, the current operating environment in the telecommunications sector has become too expensive for the telcos to operate profitably. Factors such as rising energy costs, the increasing price of network equipment, inflation, and currency depreciation have placed a heavy financial burden on the operators. Telecom providers have resorted to increasing tariffs to mitigate the rising cost”, she stressed.
Almona noted that, “the recent hike in telecom tariffs has attracted mixed reactions. While this hike may offer relief for the operators, it risks placing additional strain on consumers, particularly those in lower-income brackets.
“Another factor of consideration by most stakeholders is that Nigerian citizens and businesses deserve better services from the operators and more robust regulation from the government”.
She emphasised that, “in our quest for a one trillion-dollar economy, we need more investments in critical infrastructure to drive the much-needed digital revolution for growth and development.
“A robust digital infrastructure will support innovation across all sectors of the Nigerian economy”.
Looking beyond the hike, she added that, the operators and regulators need to settle down into delivering quality services to drive operational cost efficiency for businesses and support the automation of government services, saying, “we reiterate our call for reducing human interface in the conduct of regulatory services like licensing of products, obtaining necessary permits, issuance of certifications, and port operations.
“These activities can be automated for cost-effectiveness for businesses and better efficiency on the part of the government.
“The emerging innovative landscape in food production, surveillance technology for security, citizens’ social engagement, and the exploits of artificial intelligence will all depend on a robust digital ecosystem that is comparable with advanced economies”.
LCCI DG noted that “a significant item for inclusion in the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP is the activities in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. This sector recorded resilient growth during the COVID-19 pandemic and has also led other sectors in the post-pandemic recovery and stability.
“This reality should then attract more government attention and funding for the digital and creative industry. Businesses look to our digital infrastructure to support their operations and cost optimisation.
“To remain competitive and continue to provide quality service, telecom operators must overcome significant challenges. Nigeria’s digital economy must be empowered to catalyse economic growth and the driver of innovation and possibilities.
“We urge continuous engagement with critical stakeholders to create a win-win scenario”.
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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the clearing of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying, “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu