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Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen scored a second-half hat-trick to ensure a comfortable 3-0 away win over hapless Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Two of the three goals came from the penalty spot as the Nigerian international took his competition total this season to six with the Turkish club moving up from 16th to ninth place in the standings with nine points from four games.

Ajax, who have been European champions four times, remain rooted at the bottom of the 36-team table without a point.

Osimhen stooped to head home Leroy Sane’s cross in the 59th minute to open the scoring and then tucked away a 66th- minute penalty after a clumsy handball by defender Youri Baas.

Ajax gave away a second spot kick when Gerald Alders, on his European debut, inadvertently handled the ball in the box while trying to block a shot, with Osimhen stroking home the resultant penalty in the 78th minute.

Ajax came closest to a goal after an error from Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir allowed Mika Godts a shot at an empty net but he missed out on the opportunity.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has hailed the leadership of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board(NABTEB) for its reform-driven approach to effectively promote technical and vocational education in Nigeria.

A statement by Comr. Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, NANS National Public Relations Officers noted the board’s inclusive policy that considers the employment and engagement of former student leaders, underscores belief in youth capacity development, empowerment, and participatory governance.

NANS commended the Registrar of NABTEB, Dr Mohammed Mohammed for his innovative policies and reform-driven approach which have not only improved the credibility of NABTEB examinations but have also revived public confidence in the board’s operations.

The student body thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing ‘a man of integrity, vision, and excellence’ adding that the Registrar’s stellar track record in public service continues to justify the President’s confidence in his leadership and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.

‘As an organisation that champions the welfare and development of Nigerian students, NANS pledges its continued support for reforms aimed at strengthening educational institutions and promoting skill-based learning as a cornerstone of national growth,’ NANS said.

Teach For Nigeria (TFN) has concluded the 2025 edition of its Incubation Hub Pitch Competition, an initiative designed to empower alumni of the TFN Fellowship Programme to transform their ‘Be The Change’ projects into scalable social enterprises.

The event, which was held in Lagos, brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and partners to witness 12 pioneering alumni showcase innovative solutions aimed at solving Nigeria’s most pressing education challenges.

Chief Executive Officer of TFN, Molade Adeniyi, highlighted the significance of the Incubation Hub as a driver of systemic change.

‘The Incubation Hub was launched as part of Teach For Nigeria’s commitment to empowering our alumni to lead change beyond the Fellowship. Its purpose is to support the growth and scale of early-stage social innovations that address systemic challenges in education. Earlier this year, we welcomed 30 outstanding early-stage social entrepreneurs, carefully selected from a competitive pool of 87 applicants. Over the last three months, participants have received enterprise development training, mentorship, and strategic support to refine their ideas into scalable and sustainable solutions,’ she said.

She emphasised the hub’s long-term impact, noting that since its launch in 2020, the programme has supported over 60 education-focused projects, disbursed more than N10 million in seed funding, and impacted over 2,500 educators and 15,000 children across Nigeria.

The 2025 cohort featured 12 initiatives across five focused areas – EdTech and Digital Learning, Gender Equality/Inclusive Education, Climate Change and Environment, Teacher and School Development, and Data-Driven Education and Policy.

The grand finale featured pitches from the 12 innovators to a distinguished panel of judges.

Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, was among dignitaries honoured at the 25th National Women’s Conference of Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With the theme: ’25 Years of Visionary Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation,’ this edition showed COWLSO’s dedication to empowerment of women, transformation of families, and strengthening of communities in Lagos State and beyond.

Other personalities include Senator Easily Sanni; Senator Ganiu Solomon; Baba Ajasco Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III; Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, Oniru of Iru, Abisogun II; Oba Sulaimon Raji, Oniba of Iba

They were recognized for their leadership, contributions, and commitment to service and societal advancement.

Dr. Olayinka lauded leadership of COWLSO and appreciated the wives, mothers, and sisters whose support and contributions continue to impact communities.

An ally of COWLSO, Olayinka is acknowledged as a consistent achiever and strategic goal-setter.

His dedication to public service and role in sustainable development of Works earned him this recognition

This accolade not only commemorates Dr. Olayinka’s professional accomplishments but also aligns with the broader vision of COWLSO to inspire, uplift, and transform society through collaborative leadership and enduring legacy.

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has broken his silence on his current goal drought and wavering form at Werder Bremen, stressing that critics fail to see the full extent of his impact on the pitch. The 24-year-old, currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has gone 13 games without a goal since joining Bremen, a stark contrast to the blistering form that made him one of the Bundesliga’s most talked-about forwards last season. His struggles have sparked frustration among fans, many of whom expected the same explosive presence that helped Leverkusen to their historic league triumph in 2023/24.

However, Boniface insists his performances cannot be judged by goals alone.

In an interview with Soccer Laduma as reported by Soccernet.ng , the forward defended his contribution to the team’s overall system.

‘If you watched the game against Union Berlin, which we won 1-0, I didn’t score or assist,’ Boniface explained. ‘But you would have seen what I bring to the team, my movement, hold-up play, and how I help us create space. That’s what people don’t see.’

Boniface’s rise in Germany was nothing short of remarkable. In his debut Bundesliga campaign, he netted 14 goals and 8 assists, playing a central role as Leverkusen clinched their first-ever Bundesliga title. Despite battling injuries the following season, he still managed 8 goals and 1 assist in just 19 appearances, finishing as the club’s second-highest scorer.

Yet, his transition to Bremen has been far from smooth. A lack of rhythm and confidence has seen him struggle in front of goal a recent outing against Mainz summed up his form: 64 minutes, no shot on target, and a 53% pass completion rate. Reports suggest that coach Horst Steffen was dissatisfied with his display, casting doubt over his starting role ahead of Friday’s clash against Wolfsburg.

But Boniface remains defiant in the face of mounting criticism.

‘When you don’t score, people talk. But they don’t really know me,’ he said. ‘I’ve been through things that made me strong. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t let these things affect me.’

The Nigerian forward added that he is focused on steady improvement rather than public perception.

‘I’m trying to get better every day. Maybe this is my toughest start in Germany because I’ve gone four or five games without scoring. But last season, even after missing 16 to 20 games, I still ended as Leverkusen’s second top scorer. So when people say it’s a bad season, I just laugh – what do they really mean?’

He also dismissed social media criticism as shallow and uninformed.

‘Most people don’t even watch the games,’ he remarked. ‘They just check LiveScore, see no goal beside my name, and rush online to insult me for engagement. But I’m not moved by that.’

Despite his current drought, Boniface’s record in Germany remains impressive. Across 49 Bundesliga appearances, he has registered 22 goals and 12 assists – ranking fourth among Nigeria’s all-time top scorers in the German top flight, behind Jonathan Akpoborie (60 goals), Victor Agali (32), and Anthony Ujah (30).

While his Bremen spell has yet to catch fire, Boniface’s resilience and determination suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he finds his rhythm again and silences the doubters once more.

The Lagos State University of Education(LASUED) yesterday trained lecturers and students on Artificial Intelligence(AI) in health education delivery, aimed at promoting safe health learning and work environment.

This is just as the institution is hosting the 37th Annual National Conference and Workshop of the School Health Educators and Professionals Association of Nigeria(SHEPAN) on its main campus in Oto-Ijanikin, Lagos.

It has the theme: ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in School, Community and Environmental Health Education: Transforming Teaching and Learning Practice in Nigeria.’

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye said the theme of the conference was both visionary and urgent, adding that the promise of AI innovation and health education was not abstract.

She said: It is concrete, practical, and within reach, if we collaborate across disciplines and deploy these tools ethically, inclusively, and responsibly.

‘Over the next four days, we will explore how Al can power innovations in health-education delivery and enrich teacher preparation and curriculum design.

‘Also to explore how it can strengthen health promotion and disease prevention in our schools and communities, support community-level monitoring and early warning systems.

‘In addition, we will also consider how AI can enhance physical and health education, inform change intervention, and promote safe, healthy learning and work environments,’she said.

She also added that the theme would also be aimed at reducing environmental health risks, and illuminate the future of school, community, and environmental health education in Nigeria.

Lagos State, through State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), has begun second round enumeration of property owners with valid documents, with the aim of compensating qualified owners of property affected by Oworonshoki regeneration.

The exercise, at Oloworo palace, Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government, is conducted by LASURA officials in charge of enumeration, led by General Manager, Mr. Oladimeji Animashaun and his directors, chiefs, community leaders, CDA and CDC officials, civil society leaders, security agencies and journalists.

Residents, who were not captured in the first round, came out to take advantage to be eligible for compensation.

Animashaun lauded residents for their huge turn out, noting that they were convinced of the state’s sincerity after 79 residents in the first round got their compensation.

He thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his promise of compensation, saying ‘Governor Sanwo-Olu must be lauded and appreciated for fulfilment of his promise to compensate residents.’

The state, on October 23 and 24, gave certified cheques to qualified residents affected by Oworonshoki regeneration at a ceremony in Oloworo palace, presided over by Animashaun.

The member representing Kosofe State Constituency I, Ganiyu Sanni, among others, attended the programme.

He hailed the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, for their steadfastness and efforts in ensuring the fulfilment of the government promise to the affected residents.

The people were advised to collect enumeration forms, fill them and submit with relevant documents, which included LASSRA ID card, passport photographs, land receipt or deed of conveyance and bank details for the enumeration, which would be verified by a committee comprising LASURA workers, the Oloworo of Oworonshoki kingdom, CDA and CDC officials and representatives of the affected residents.

Animashaun promised that presentation of cheques to deserving residents would follow soon after the completion of the enumeration and verification.

Some of the residents thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu and those overseeing the exercise, for their faithfulness and patience in the execution of the exercise.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the N100 billion suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE against Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others over fuel import licence dispute.

Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling yesterday, dismissed the suit following an oral application by lawyers to the defendants after Dangote Refinery’s lawyer, C. O. Adegbe applied to withdraw the case.

Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPCL; AYM Shafa Limited; A. A. Rano Limited; T. Time Petroleum Limited; 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited were the defendants.

Dangote Refinery had prayed the court to nullify the import licences issued by NMDPRA to NNPCL and the five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.

It sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products, among other reliefs.

Meanwhile, NNPCL plans to raise its shares in Dangote Refinery to 20 per cent, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, revealed at the ongoing Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).

Ojulari said NNPCL was improving transparency about its performance in preparation for a long-awaited initial public offering.

‘The IPO journey is by law. The PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) prescribes for NNPCL to journey towards achieving IPO. It’s not an option for us.

‘We have begun to publish our monthly performance since May this year and that has continued’, Ojulari added.

However, he did not give a time like for the IPO.

In Edo State, protesters led by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) took to the streets demanding protection for Dangote Refinery..

The protesters, who marched through the streets of Benin City, said the refinery was not just a business venture but a symbol that the country is capable of refining crude domestically.

They said actors within PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and DAPMAN aligned with fuel importation cartels to protect a business empire built on Nigeria’s weakness.

National President of NAPS, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, called on the Federal Government to defend and protect Dangote Refinery as a national strategic asset.

Comrade Oghayan said any sabotage against the refinery must be treated as economic terrorism, urging the federal government to ensure 100% crude oil supply allocated to the Dangote Refinery.

‘If we feed the refinery fully, it will crash fuel prices, strengthen the Naira, and stop the bleeding of foreign exchange. We call on the Federal Government to halt the importation of fuel entirely.

‘While we appreciate the 15% slash in fuel importation approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we insist that half-measures cannot deliver full recovery.

Nigeria must refine what we use.

‘We demand national priority for locally refined fuel in government procurement, transport, aviation, power and military sectors.

‘We urge Mr. President to dismantle the importation cartel and support genuine national industrialization,’ it added.

The crowd was huge in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State. Brooms, the symbol of the All Progressives Congress (APC), filled the air at the Samson Siasia Sports Arena.

Colourful posters and banners of various types welcomed party leaders from far and near to the grand ceremony.

It was not a rented crowd. Drummers, trumpeters and live bands entertained the people who sang and danced as they welcomed the new dawn in Bayelsa.

Joy was bold on all and sundry as the governor, Senator Douye Diri, received the party flag from the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to the admiration of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Other party leaders were in the mood of excitement as the APC enlarged its coast in the state. ‘This defection is not a Beyalsa defection; it is the Ijaw nation defecting to the APC,’ declared the governor who exuded confidence on the podium.

PDP’s loss is APC’s gain. This year alone, the main opposition party has lost four governors – Diri of Bayelsa, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, and Peter Mbah of Enugu – to the APC. There are feelers that Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Caleb Mutfwang may also follow suit.

Diri left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party with his big political family, a huge structure that has dominated the oil-rich, Ijaw state for five years.

Two sitting senators, Konbowei Benson and Benson Agadaga, Senator Ben Bruce and the House of Assembly Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, also dumped the umbrella.

Commissioners, special advisers, other aides, notable grassroots figures and party mobilisers across the eight local governments bade farewell to the crisis-ridden PDP.

Diri’s decision received the backing of 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker.

The 24-member Assembly currently comprises 20 PDP lawmakers; three APC, and one All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

On that defection spot, Diri became the automatic and authentic leader of the APC in Bayelsa, who is expected to coordinate its activities and wield the tendencies together without contradiction during the harmonisation of party structures.

‘Today, you have shown us that Bayelsa State has chosen the light of national integration over the shadows of political isolation. The All Progressives Congress is the party of those who believe that progress can only be guaranteed when we stand together, when we answer the call of the people,’ said Vice President Shettima, who received the governor into the APC.

‘Your story mirrors that of your people. You have led with calm and dignity. But beneath that calm has flowed a restless comitment to development, to unity, and to peace. You have expanded roads to remote communities and assured them that they are not forgotten.

‘You have built bridges where there were barriers. You have lit homes where there was darkness. This is what it means to govern with empathy. So, we welcome you into this fold to watch and support you as you champion what you have always done,’ he added.

Other party leaders nodded affirmatively, while also acknowledging the importance of the political realignment in the Southsouth.

Ahead of 2027 polls, five of six Southsouth states are now governed by the APC, which hopes to elicit vast support from Niger Deltans based on the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration in the politically conscious region.

From 1999 to that hour of defection, Bayelsa prided itself as the stronghold of the PDP. The state produced four governors on the platform- Diepreye Alamieseigha, Goodluck Jonathan, Tmpreye Silva, Seriake Dickson and Diri. It also produced Dr. Jonathan as president.

Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), who expressed happiness at the new geo-political calculus, described Diri’s move as the ‘last piece of the jigsaw puzzle’ that solidifies APC’s dominance in the region ahead of the next general election.

‘From a position of absolute weakness in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to a position of absolute advantage and strength ahead of 2027. Welcome home, Governor Duoye Diri,’ he added.

Diri fell into the warm embrace of Yilwatda and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a southsoutherner and an ally of President Tinubu in the course of forging integration, fostering inclusion and ensuring good governance.

Also present at the carnival-like rally were Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), and Monday Okpebolo (Edo).

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State (AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq), Peter Mba (Enugu), and former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole also hailed Diri for taking the right step.

Also at the rally were the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri,

Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, his counterpart in the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare.

A wordsmith, Akpabio said the party was happy to receive Diri as demonstrated by the large turnout of top party members. He commended the governor for steering the state on the path of peace. He also congratulated him for taking the bold step in moving the affairs of the state in the direction of the party at the centre.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the Bayelsa governor has taken a progressive step by aligning with the renewed hope agenda of the President.

Thanking Bayelsans for taking the right decision, Yilwatda said the Ijaw nation has spoken in one voice through the governor.

Bayelsa state has spoken. Today, Bayelsa state is APC,’ Yilwatda said.

‘Bayelsa State is too critical for us to leave it in the hands of the PDP. The roads have been constructed. We saw it. We saw the fishes in the fish farms. We saw agriculture booming. We saw trading. We saw everything doing good.

‘Therefore, Governor Diri is welcome to the family of the APC. I now give him this flag as the leader of the party in the state.

‘He takes over as the leader of APC in Bayelsa State. And anything concerning Bayelsa State, the National Working Committee will contact Governor Diri.

‘I will hold him responsible for APC in the state. Today, you take over as a leader of our party in Bayelsa state. Welcome, our leader in Bayelsa.

‘Take this broom as a symbol of our party. Sweep out PDP, and ensure that the votes are swept in. In 2027, sweep in all the votes for APC,’ he added.

Diri is a politician who cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. He had served the Ijaw nation from his activist days as the National Organising Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress. Under Governor Jonathan, he served as Commissioner for Youths and Sports before he was elected into the Senate.

On the eve of the event, he had said at a thanksgiving service in Yenagoa that the defection was motivated by the need to protect and promote the interest of Bayelsans.

Diri said: ‘Somebody had to take the decision (to leave the PDP) and I took it on behalf of the state. I took it in the best interest of the state. Some of you might not understand now but later, it will be clear to all.

‘When we came in as a government, what we did at the beginning was to ensure that most of the uncompleted projects were completed and we introduced new ones. That alone is enough reason to thank God.

‘The peace and security we are enjoying is another reason to thank God. Politics is for development and not to kill your brother. The gathering here is a testimony of the unity in the state.’

Explaining why he left the PDP on Monday, the governor said that he did his best to salvage his former party, which observers have described as a sinking ship.

Diri said the PDP had been hijacked by undertakers bent on destroying the party, adding that he had no choice than to join the ruling party to the protect the political future of the state.

‘After seeing that the undertakers wanted to bury the PDP, I never wanted my state to be buried alongside with PDP.

‘So, knowing what was going on, after all my consultations with all the leaders, it was incumbent on me as governor to make a decision,’ he stressed.

The governor said President Tinubu’s love for development of the state and the Ijaw nation through developmental initiatives, including the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also a N4bn tax waiver granted the state when he procured the 60megawatt gas turbine influenced his decision.

Diri said: ‘On October 15, I did something after consultation with elders and the State Assembly and afterwards resigned from the PDP for obvious reasons. This defection is not only for Bayelsa. It is for Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta and Rivers.

‘I will not denigrate my former party. We were happy with it until some undertakers destroyed it.

‘We tried to salvage it but to no avail. I never wanted my state to be buried with the PDP. What was going on became incumbent on me to take a decision and majority of the state House of Assembly, including the Speaker, have come with me to the APC.’

Diri praised President Tinubu for fighting the infrastructure battle in the region. He said the call for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway started before the current administration; it had been on since the military era.

‘Long in the military regime, we requested a coastal road from Lagos to Calabar,’ he stated, displaying an old memorandum from the Ijaw National Congress to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Military Head of State.

‘Bring those documents. Memorandum on the demands by the Ijaw ethnic nationality submitted to the Head of State. The major demand here was the construction of the coastal roads from Lagos to Calabar.’

Diri argued that President Tinubu had acted on that demand, saying that his intervention aligned with the long-term aspirations of coastal communities.

‘I don’t care how much the coastal road will cost. Today, we have a President who has come to realise that this coastal road is important to the people of the coastal area, majority of whom are Ijaw people,’ he added

Diri asked rhetorically: ‘Are we going to leave that type of man?’ The crowd chorused ‘no.’

The governor also dismissed comments that leaving the PDP would cost him his mandate.

‘There is only one way a governor will lose his office, by impeachment from the State House of Assembly. And in this situation, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the majority of the members are going with me,’

The telecom industry maintained strong performance through the third quarter of 2025, with active voice subscriptions rising to 173.54 million in September, from 171.57 million in August, latest industry stats from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has shown.

The data also showed that teledensity, which represents the number of active telephone lines per 100 inhabitants, stood at 80.05per cent during the month, slightly up from 79.14per cent in August, reflecting gradual subscriber additions across major mobile network operators (MNOs).

The new data showed that the operators connected additional 569,538 users to internet across their various networks, while broadband penetration recorded uptick by 10 basis points to 49.34per cent, representing 106.97 million connections to at least third generation (3G) network.

The breakdown of active GSM connections revealed that MTN Nigeria maintained its lead with 90.33 million subscribers, representing 52.12 per cent market share, followed by Airtel with 58.47 million or 33.74per cent share.

Globacom has 21.39 million active connections on it network with 12.34per cent of the market, while T2 (formally 9mobile) has the least market share of 1.8per cent with 3.11 million active subscribers on its network.

The stats showed that T2 is, however, gradually improving as it had 2.73 million customers in August.

Combined, the GSM segment accounted for over 99per cent of the total market, underscoring the continued dominance of mobile connectivity in Nigeria’s voice communication landscape.

The NCC data further showed that broadband subscriptions climbed to 106.97 million in September 2025, translating to a broadband penetration rate of 49.34per cent compared to 48.81per cent in August.

This is the highest broadband penetration figure Nigeria has ever posted, despite being a far cry from the 70per cent penetration target by the end of December 2025, envisaged by the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025.

Similarly, active internet users via GSM networks grew to 140.36 million, signalling sustained demand for data services as more Nigerians embrace digital platforms and smartphones for work, education, and entertainment.

Despite the increases in internet and broadband connections, data consumption moderated marginally month-on-month, from 1.152 million terabytes (TB) in August to 1.15 million terabytes in September.

In terms of technology, 4G accounted for the largest share of mobile connections, representing 51.6per cent of active users in September; 2G followed with 38.4per cent while 3G and 5G held 6.6per cent and 3.4per cent market shares respectively.

The figures indicate that 5G adoption is gradually expanding, supported by ongoing infrastructure rollout by operators since its commercial launch in 2022 first by MTN Nigeria.

MNOs have also committed over N1 trillion naira to network expansion and upgrade since the beginning of this year, according to authorities.

The NCC data showed that despite a rebasing effect on national accounts, the telecom industry remained a key driver of the economy, contributeing 9.2per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Q2 of 2025, up from 8.5per cent in Q1.

Its share of GDP had previously averaged between 13 per cent and 16per cent in 2023, before the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) updated its GDP and computation methodology earlier in 2025.