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Rev. David Idowu, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and Visitor to Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, has urged Nigerian youths to resist the pressure to acquire wealth through fraudulent means, money rituals and other shortcuts to success.

He gave the charge at the 21st convocation ceremony of Bowen University, where he urged the youths to remain focused, purposeful and committed to hard work despite the distractions and declining moral values in society.

Idowu expressed concern over what he described as the breakdown of the country’s value system, particularly the growing involvement of teenagers in money rituals and the willingness of some parents to accept proceeds from such activities.

He said, ‘My challenge to our youths in this generation is for them to remain focused. We live in a very noisy world, totally distracted. We see distractions everywhere, we see confusion everywhere, and it must be said that society is not helping because we live in a society where the value system is broken down. We live in a society where teenagers are now going into money rituals and parents are happy to collect money from such teenagers.’

The Baptist cleric also challenged the popular notion that youths were leaders of tomorrow, insisting that young people already had important responsibilities in the country’s development.

He cited his appointment as a church pastor at the age of 21 and the leadership contributions of Nigeria’s independence-era leaders, including Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, who assumed leadership responsibilities in their 30s.

He urged the youths to take their moral lives seriously, remain prayerful and understand that hard work, even when its rewards were not immediately visible, would eventually pay off.

‘My charge to them with the fast-money syndrome is for them to continue to trust God. He who has brought us into the world knows what we need and has said He will provide for us. There’s always a season of sowing and reaping, so while sowing, they should remain focused and continue to trust God. Continue to do what is right. Hard work pays; it may look foolish now, but it pays. They should be hardworking and prayerful and take their moral life seriously,’ Idowu said.

He also charged the graduating students to pursue life’s opportunities with determination, describing their academic qualifications as a means to greater accomplishments.

The BOWEN visitor urged them to run their race with purpose, prudence and perseverance, warning against living aimlessly or surrendering to laziness.

In his convocation address, Rev. Yusuf Gwadah, the university’s Chancellor, advised the graduands to complement their academic achievements with strong character, integrity and compassion.

‘Remember, the world needs more than brilliance. You should be men and women of integrity, courage and compassion,’ he said.

Similarly, Deaconess Joan Ayo, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, challenged the graduands to identify their individual strengths and develop competitive advantages that would distinguish them in their respective careers.

She urged them to embrace innovation, take initiative and build confidence rooted in the word of God, encouraging them to think creatively and translate their ideas into practical achievements.

Prof. Jonathan Babalola, the Vice-Chancellor, also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to preparing its graduates for the future, urging them to distinguish themselves wherever they found themselves.

The ceremony featured the graduation of 1,443 students, comprising 1,345 undergraduates and 98 postgraduate students. 218 graduating students bagged First Class degrees, 657 obtained Second Class Upper Division degrees, while 315 would receive Second Class Lower Division degrees. The graduating set was named the Laureates Class of 2026.

Meanwhile, the Bowen University Parent Forum announced cash rewards for outstanding graduating students, offering N1 million to the overall best graduating student, N700,000 to the second-best and N500,000 to the third-best.

The Forum also announced N250,000 for each of the overall best graduating students in the university’s colleges.

The overall best graduating student, Bankole Oyindamola Naomi, with CGPA of 4.98, received N1 million, while the second-best graduating student, Taiwo-Adigboluja Ayobami Benedict, with CGPA of 4.97, received N700,000.

Alex Otti, Abia State Governor, has stated that the achievements recorded by his administration in the past three years represent only the foundation of his development agenda for a new Abia. He assured residents that the next four and a half years will focus on consolidating gains and entrenching irreversible reforms across the State.

Otti stated this on Sunday during the South-East Conference of Dominion City Global, held in Aba. He assured residents that his administration is committed to taking the State to the next level of development.

Describing the achievements of his administration so far as a ‘dress rehearsal’, the Governor said his government is determined to deepen ongoing reforms and deliver practical development outcomes that will have a lasting impact on the lives of the people.

‘What has happened here is what I call a dress rehearsal, to let people know that they haven’t seen anything yet. What we have built in the last three years is just the foundation,’ Otti stated. ‘In the next four and a half years, we will use them to consolidate. And when I say consolidation, I mean consolidation changes that are irreversible.’

Otti explained that his administration is not interested in making unrealistic promises but in implementing practical policies and projects capable of transforming the State. He disclosed that his government is working towards ensuring a constant electricity supply across the State.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, equity, and merit in governance. He declared that Abia has no state-of-origin discrimination, as everyone living in the State is regarded as an Abian and treated equally. He disclosed that appointments into his administration are based on merit rather than religious or other considerations.

Challenging Christians to demonstrate their faith through practical actions, Otti stressed that faith without works is dead.

Earlier, Dominion City Church President Pastor David Ogbueli commended Otti for demonstrating a servant-leadership relationship and transforming the State through purposeful governance. He described the Governor as an answer to the prayers of the people.

Ogbueli appreciated Otti’s leadership and transformational projects, encouraging him not to relent in his efforts to transform Abia State. He emphasised the importance of recognising and rewarding good performance in leadership.

‘If you want society to work, condemn what is bad and those that do it, praise what is good and those that do it,’ he said, observing that Abia is increasingly attracting positive attention across the country. He cited improvements in infrastructure, electricity, and the changing business environment as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development.

The Anambra State Government has announced plans to introduce a unified payment system for private schools to eliminate multiple taxation, promote transparency and protect school proprietors from unauthorised financial demands.

Ekene Ogugua, Commissioner for Education, disclosed this at the weekend, during a meeting with heads of private school associations, held in Awka, the State capital.

Ogugua explained that the meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the government and private school operators towards building a progressive and inclusive education system in the state.

He stressed the need for private schools to align with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s education vision, noting that the proposed unified payment system, will provide clear information on approved levies and recognised revenue collection agencies.

According to him, the initiative will prevent arbitrary charges and unauthorised collections, urging school proprietors to report any financial demands outside officially approved payments.

The Commissioner also reiterated the State Government’s ban on graduation ceremonies in schools, warning that institutions found violating the directive, will face appropriate disciplinary measures.

He said that the policy, introduced by the Governor, was designed to reduce the financial burden on parents and ensure that no child feels inferior or disadvantaged because of their family’s economic circumstances.

Ogugua further warned that, beginning from next year that schools, administrators, teachers and invigilators found facilitating examination malpractice, would face legal consequences, including possible closure of affected institutions.

Expressing concern over the growing perception of Anambra, as a centre for examination malpractice and urged private school associations to ensure strict compliance with government regulations and submit lists of unregistered schools operating under their respective associations.

Oyibor Alor, Director of Schools, cautioned against individuals impersonating government agents to extort money from unregistered schools.

She advised proprietors to seek clarification and guidance directly from the Ministry of Education.

Ochuko Uzochukwu, Head of AFAD, appealed to the government to address the challenge of multiple taxation affecting private schools.

A representative of the association assured the government of their cooperation in advancing Governor’s vision of equitable, progressive and accessible education across the State.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described the Flamingos’ triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as magnificent, as the victorious team returned to Nigeria to a warm reception following their historic achievement in Morocco.

Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF’s acting general secretary, and members of the federation’s management visited the players at their hotel in Abuja on Monday, where they praised the team’s discipline, hard work and determination in winning Nigeria’s first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title. Ikpeme conveyed the appreciation of the federation and the federal government, saying the players had elevated Nigeria’s standing in world football.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s distinction as the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.

‘There is no way the history of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be written without your names. The Federal Government is happy, and the generality of Nigerians are happy about this accomplishment.

‘Our prayer is that, as a collective and as individuals, you will continue to improve your game, get even better and take your game to the next level,’ Ikpeme said. NFF says Flamingos’ victory was no fluke

Ikpeme disclosed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe had separately commended the Flamingos for their performance and historic achievement.

‘The FIFA President and the CAF President told me at different times that you all have done well and that your triumph was no fluke. You won it as a result of better performance.

‘You played your opponents hands down and dominated right from your second match until the end. After narrowly losing your first match, you changed your game for the better and won the following six matches convincingly to lift the trophy. You showed the world the gulf in class between you and the other teams,’ he said.

NFF urges players to progress to Super Falcons

The acting general secretary also urged the players to remain committed to improving their performances, stressing that their World Cup success should mark the beginning of a long and successful football career.

He encouraged them to identify areas of weakness, work on their development and continue aspiring to greater achievements.

‘My prayer to you all is that, as you have decided to take football as a career, your career will not end abruptly; it will keep progressing.

‘As a federation, we want to see that you progress from the U-17 level to the U-20 and then the Super Falcons,’ Ikpeme added.

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is turning to grassroot startups to tackle Nigeria’s persistent digital infrastructure gap, offering N10 million in funding and venture incubation support to innovators developing solutions for communities beyond the reach of conventional telecommunications services.

The initiative in partnership with Ubulu Africa, comes as a 2024 USPF study identified 87 clusters across Nigeria with little or no telecommunications access, leaving an estimated 23.37 million people disconnected from essential digital services.

Through the nationwide USPF Changemaker Challenge, the federal agency is seeking early-stage startups and innovation teams capable of developing information and communications technology (ICT) solutions that can function in underserved communities where unreliable electricity, expensive devices, poor network coverage and high data costs limit digital adoption. The intervention highlights a growing weakness in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem: while much of the country’s startup activity targets consumers and businesses in established commercial centres, millions of people in rural communities remain unable to benefit from the digital services driving economic activity in urban areas.

The challenge also reflects a shift in how policymakers could approach digital inclusion, moving beyond the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure to supporting locally developed technologies that can operate despite infrastructure limitations.

Although Nigeria’s physical mobile coverage gap is estimated at between seven percent and nine percent of the population, the usage gap in rural corridors exceeds 50 percent, according to GSMA Intelligence data cited in the challenge material. This suggests that network availability alone does not guarantee meaningful connectivity, as affordability, access to electricity and digital devices continue to prevent many Nigerians from using available services.

For rural communities, the consequences extend beyond the inability to browse the internet. Limited connectivity restricts access to digital financial services, agricultural information, healthcare delivery, educational resources and markets, reinforcing the economic disadvantages facing populations outside major commercial centres.

The USPF’s strategy is therefore to encourage innovators to develop technologies around the realities of these communities rather than adapt products originally designed for urban consumers.

Odiong Akpan, chief executive officer of Ubulu Africa, said the initiative was intended to expand opportunities for innovators who understand the challenges facing underserved populations.

‘Innovation should not be limited by geography. Through the USPF Changemaker Challenge, we want to reach innovators across Nigeria who understand the challenges facing unserved and underserved communities and have practical solutions to address them,’ Akpan said.

The competition will focus on five sectors considered critical to improving livelihoods and economic participation in underserved communities: financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, education, and clean and affordable energy.

In financial services, the challenge seeks solutions that can extend reliable access to money and financial products among unbanked rural populations. In agriculture, innovators are expected to develop tools addressing farm productivity, supply chains and market access.

Healthcare and education solutions must respond to communities with limited clinical infrastructure, unreliable internet access and inadequate classroom resources, while the energy category targets technologies that can improve access to affordable power and support rural economic activities.

The emphasis on functionality in low-connectivity environments is particularly important. Solutions that depend on continuous broadband access, reliable electricity or expensive smartphones could struggle to reach the very populations the programme intends to serve.

Consequently, the competition is expected to favour practical innovations capable of delivering services under difficult operating conditions, including environments where connectivity is intermittent or unavailable.

Beyond the funding, the structure of the competition seeks to address another weakness in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem: the concentration of startup opportunities, investment and institutional support in Lagos and Abuja.

Following an initial screening, 50 teams will advance to regional demonstration events across the country’s six geopolitical zones. The selection structure guarantees representation for one team from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside 13 additional teams selected on merit.

Six finalists, representing the six geopolitical zones, will subsequently proceed to a National Demo Day.

All six finalists will participate in a four-week venture incubation programme designed to strengthen their products and improve their readiness for deployment, while the three leading teams will share the N10 million prize pool.

This geographic approach could help identify technology businesses that might otherwise remain outside the traditional startup investment pipeline. It also recognises that innovators operating in rural communities may have a better understanding of local infrastructure constraints, consumer behaviour and service delivery challenges than developers building exclusively for urban markets.

However, the larger test for the programme will be whether promising prototypes can progress into sustainable businesses and reach the millions of people identified in the USPF’s connectivity study.

A N10 million prize pool can provide early-stage capital, but deploying technology across remote communities requires more than product development. Distribution, maintenance, affordable pricing, local partnerships, reliable power and long-term financing will determine whether these solutions can achieve meaningful adoption. For the USPF, the opportunity lies in connecting grassroots innovation with the country’s broader universal access objectives. Supporting locally developed solutions could complement conventional telecommunications investments by addressing some of the barriers that prevent underserved populations from benefiting from existing infrastructure.

Applications for the challenge are open until 11:59 pm West Africa Time on November 15, 2026. Eligible applicants must be Nigerian-based innovation teams or early-stage startups comprising between two and five members, with all members aged 18 or older.

Participation is free, with entries assessed on the strength of their ICT component, alignment with the published problem statements and credible evidence that their solutions can work for the intended communities. The application details and eligibility requirements are available on the USPF website.

The Offa Youth Progressive has said the Kwara State Government’s decision to withdraw 18 of the original 20 charges against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed vindicates its longstanding position that the two former leaders should not be associated with the 2018 Offa bank robbery.

The group, in a statement signed by Adekola Mubarak Tadenikawo, its Coordinator, described the development as a vindication of its position that the allegations against the two former leaders were politically motivated and intended to smear their reputations for partisan interests.

It noted that while the government had withdrawn the 18 original charges, it introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges in the amended case to four. The group, however, maintained that the development raises serious questions about the handling of the case and reinforces its call for justice to be guided strictly by evidence and due process.

The Offa Youth Progressive has said the Kwara State Government’s decision to withdraw 18 of the original 20 charges against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed vindicates its longstanding position that the two former leaders should not be associated with the 2018 Offa bank robbery.

The group, in a statement signed by Adekola Mubarak Tadenikawo, its Coordinator, described the development as a vindication of its position that the allegations against the two former leaders were politically motivated and intended to smear their reputations for partisan interests.

It noted that while the government had withdrawn the 18 original charges, it introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges in the amended case to four. The group, however, maintained that the development raises serious questions about the handling of the case and reinforces its call for justice to be guided strictly by evidence and due process. ‘Enough of the deceit and political propaganda built around the misfortune of our people. Offa deserves better than a political culture that repeatedly brings up its tragedy for electoral advantage. Our people must reject any government or political party that exploits their suffering to score cheap political points,’ the statement added.

The group congratulated Saraki and Ahmed on the withdrawal of the armed robbery-related charges, expressing hope that the remaining legal issues would be resolved fairly and in accordance with the law.

It also urged the government to demonstrate greater sensitivity to the feelings of the people of Offa and allow the judicial process to proceed without political interference.

Funso Doherty, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Lagos governor, has pledged to make public education truly free and deliver 150,000 affordable housing units if elected in 2027.

Doherty made the commitments on Sunday at the 2026 governorship debate organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium in Lagos, where he laid out his plans for the state’s development.

He said his policies were anchored on the belief that a society prospers only when individuals have the opportunity and resources to improve their lives, adding that his administration would prioritise people-centred programmes aimed at building skills and widening access to essential services.

‘We have said we will make education truly free, not nominally free, truly free. So, people will not pay exam fees; they will not be asked to come and pay taxes at the point where they have to write their exams,’ he said.

He also pledged that pupils in public schools would receive at least one affordable meal daily, describing education as a priority given Nigeria’s youthful population. Healthcare, job creation, support for small businesses and public transportation would also feature prominently, he said.

On housing, Doherty said the 150,000 units would be delivered through funding arrangements, government guarantees and partnerships designed to make the target achievable.

Earlier in his remarks, he said Lagos was performing below its potential despite its substantial revenue and economic resources, arguing that residents carry a heavy tax burden without commensurate improvement in public services.

‘About 90 percent, or close to 90 percent, of that internally generated revenue is taxes. Taxes taken from people like you and me. So, the people are definitely playing their own part. It is the government that is failing,’ he said.

Doherty also faulted the state’s political leadership, saying the same political bloc had governed Lagos for 27 years without adequately tackling challenges in education, healthcare, housing, water supply and electricity.

He said his administration would focus on six areas: health; education and opportunity; affordable housing; jobs and small businesses; the environment; and honest and accountable government. These, he said, are backed by 34 commitments in his manifesto, which he urged residents to scrutinise and use to hold him to account.

Citing 30 years in the private sector, Doherty said his experience in leadership and financial management would shape his approach to governance.

He contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election and is running again in 2027, this time on the NDC platform. In October 2026, the party unveiled his running mate, Tolani Animashaun, alongside its manifesto, titled ?`nà Tuntun (The New Way).

The manifesto sets out 34 commitments across six areas, including healthcare and education, affordable housing, public transportation, jobs and small businesses, environmental services, and accountability in government.

Champion Breweries Plc is moving forward with plans to delist its shares from the official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), following a court-ordered meeting scheduled for December 3, 2026 in Lagos.

The meeting is being convened pursuant to an order of the Federal High Court issued on November 5, 2026, under Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) No. 3 of 2020. Shareholders will gather to vote on a comprehensive Scheme of Arrangement that will transition the brewer into a holding company (Holdco) structure.

The court ordered meeting marks a pivotal milestone in Champion Breweries’ ongoing corporate evolution, coming on the heels of major expansion milestones and robust financial performance through the 2026 fiscal year.

The company’s revenue in ine months to September 30 grew by 140 percent year-on-year to N51.4 billion, up sharply from N21.4 billion reported in the corresponding period of 2025.

This massive top-line jump was primarily propelled by the strategic consolidation of enJOYbev B.V. into the group, offsetting softer sales volumes in the standalone brewery operations.

Operating profit expanded by 48 percent to reach N6.3 billion, compared to N4.3 billion during the same period in the previous year. Profit After Tax ticked up to N2.18 billion, building on the N2.05 billion recorded previously, even as the business absorbed higher finance and operational cost pressures environment-wide.

Core operational cash generation remained resilient, while investing activities reflected major capital realignment, heavily underscored by the acquisition framework leading into the enJOYbev B.V. integration and HoldCo architecture.

These robust financial foundations provide Champion Breweries Plc the underlying valuation and operational momentum driving the current scheme of arrangement and transition into Champion Brands Limited.

The special resolutions at the meeting will empower the Board of Directors to take all necessary steps to delist Champion Breweries Plc from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) once the restructuring takes effect.

Under the Scheme, all 11,323,611,233 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each currently held by shareholders will be transferred to Champion Brands Limited (HoldCo). In return, shareholders will receive shares in HoldCo on a one-for-one (1 for 1) basis, maintaining their exact proportionate ownership.

The board will also seek shareholders approval to transfer Champion Breweries’ shares and interests in enJOYbev B.V. to HoldCo, making it a direct subsidiary of the new parent entity.

The resolutions will also empower the company’s board and legal counsel to secure necessary no-objections and clearances from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), and other relevant regulatory bodies.

Jacob Imo-Abasi, chairman of the Board of Directors, will preside over the meeting. Voting will be conducted by poll, and shareholders who cannot attend in person may submit completed proxy forms to Africa Prudential Plc at least 24 hours before the 12:00 noon start time.

active subscriber milestone for the first time in two years, marking a significant recovery from the mass disconnections triggered by the Federal Government’s National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM registration enforcement, which removed approximately 70 million lines from the market.

Latest industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show that active telecom subscriptions increased by 2.9 million to 200.3 million in September 2026, from 197.4 million in August, pushing the industry back above the 200 million threshold for the first time since the regulatory exercise disrupted subscriber numbers in 2024.

The recovery represents a reversal of the steep contraction that followed the government’s directive requiring mobile subscribers to link their SIM cards with their NINs to strengthen identity verification and support security agencies in tracking criminal activities.

Before the enforcement, Nigeria had 224.7 million active telephone lines in December 2023. However, the figure fell to 154.9 million by September 2024, representing a loss of nearly 70 million connections as operators barred lines that failed to meet the identification requirements.

The latest figures suggest that operators have gradually rebuilt their subscriber bases through new SIM activations, expanding network coverage and renewed demand for mobile connectivity, although the recovery also reflects the difference between the number of registered connections and the number of people actually using telecommunications services.

The NIN-SIM synchronisation initiative, introduced by the Federal Government in December 2020, was designed to establish a reliable link between subscribers’ identities and their telephone numbers. The process required the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to validate NIN records against SIM registration information.

In December 2023, the NCC directed MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile, now T2mobile, to bar SIM cards not linked to their owners’ NINs by February 28, 2024. Subsequent directives extended the verification requirements to satellite mobile communications operators and subscribers whose submitted NINs remained unverified.

The enforcement generated widespread complaints as millions of subscribers lost access to their telephone lines. Following the disruption, the NCC ordered operators to temporarily reactivate affected lines on July 29, 2024, ahead of the final enforcement deadline.

The return to 200 million lines therefore represents more than a numerical recovery. It shows the industry’s ability to rebuild its customer base after one of the most significant regulatory disruptions to Nigeria’s telecommunications market.

However, the distribution of the new connections reveals that the recovery is not being shared equally among operators.

MTN Nigeria strengthened its market leadership in September, adding approximately 2.1 million subscribers to reach 104.65 million active lines. Airtel remained second with 68.04 million subscribers after adding about 600,000 connections, while Globacom increased its subscriber base by approximately 300,000 to 23.8 million.

Together, MTN and Airtel controlled approximately 86.2 percent of Nigeria’s active telephone lines in September, reinforcing the dominance of the country’s two largest mobile network operators.

MTN alone accounted for more than half of the market, with its 104.65 million subscribers representing approximately 52.3 percent of total active connections.

The concentration has important implications for competition, investment and service quality. As the two largest operators attract most of the industry’s subscriber growth, smaller competitors face increasing pressure to invest in network capacity, improve customer experience and develop competitive data offerings.

T2mobile, formerly 9mobile, remained at 3.6 million subscribers for the third consecutive month, highlighting its prolonged struggle to regain growth in a market where competitors are expanding their customer bases.

The industry’s recovery is also reflected in the rising telecommunications penetration rate. Teledensity increased from 91.07 percent in August to 92.41 percent in September, indicating expanding access to mobile connections across the country.

If the industry sustains its average monthly subscriber growth rate of approximately 1.27 percent recorded between April and September, active connections could reach between 207.5 million and 208.2 million by December 2026.

Seasonal SIM activations, increased smartphone purchases and higher demand for mobile connectivity during the Christmas and New Year holidays are expected to support further expansion.

Beyond voice subscriptions, Nigeria’s internet market is also recording growth, although the economics of connectivity are increasingly shifting towards data consumption.

Internet subscriptions, excluding internet service providers, increased to 160.9 million in September from 158.5 million in August. Mobile networks accounted for approximately 160.4 million of these connections, with MTN leading at 86.5 million internet subscribers, followed by Airtel with 57.2 million.

Globacom added approximately 151,000 internet users to reach 15.9 million, while T2mobile remained unchanged at 810,010.

Data consumption, however, moderated slightly to 1.731 million terabytes in September from 1.756 million terabytes in August. Despite the decline, September recorded the second-highest monthly consumption level, indicating the growing importance of mobile internet to Nigerians’ everyday activities.

The expansion of video streaming, social media, digital payments, online entertainment and other bandwidth-intensive services is changing how Nigerians use telecommunications networks.

Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Netflix and Instagram are increasing demand for faster connections and higher data allowances. High-definition and 4K video streaming, in particular, can consume significantly more bandwidth than conventional browsing and messaging.

This shift is increasing the commercial importance of 4G and 5G infrastructure as operators seek to convert growing internet demand into higher data revenues.

Nigeria’s network transition is also gathering momentum. The NCC’s September figures show that 5G market share increased to 5.05 percent from 4.92 percent in August, crossing the five percent threshold for the first time since the commission began tracking the technology in May 2023.

In contrast, 3G market share declined to 4.16 percent from 4.27 percent, extending its downward trajectory from 5.32 percent in April 2026.

The crossover, which first occurred in August when 5G reached 4.92 percent against 3G’s 4.27 percent, signals a gradual transition towards newer mobile technologies.

However, the pace of 5G adoption remains relatively slow compared with the scale of investment being committed by operators.

From 3.77 percent in December 2025 to 5.05 percent in September 2026, 5G gained just 1.28 percentage points over nine months, averaging approximately 0.14 percentage points monthly. At that pace, the technology could take another seven months to reach 6 percent market share.

Operators are nevertheless expanding infrastructure to accelerate adoption. Airtel Nigeria’s chief executive officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said during the company’s Open Network launch that Airtel had deployed more than 1,000 5G telecom towers in 2026 as part of its investment drive to improve network quality and expand coverage.

MTN has also continued investing in its network infrastructure to accommodate increasing data traffic and improve connectivity.

The availability of more affordable mid-range 5G smartphones, alongside the expansion of network sites in major urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, is expected to support wider adoption.

The emergence of fixed wireless access services, including 5G outdoor devices and broadband routers, is also creating additional demand for high-speed mobile networks as households and businesses seek alternatives to conventional fixed broadband connections.

For Nigeria’s telecom industry, crossing 200 million active lines is a significant recovery milestone, but the next phase of growth will depend less on the number of SIM cards activated and more on the quality, affordability and economic value of connectivity.

With MTN and Airtel consolidating their market positions, data consumption remaining elevated and 5G gradually replacing legacy technologies, the industry’s challenge is to translate subscriber growth into better network experiences, broader broadband access and stronger digital economic activity.

Uli Hoeness, Bayern Munich’s honorary president, has expressed doubts about Jamal Musiala’s return to top form that established him as one of Europe’s most exciting young players.

Hoeness made the remarks about the German international following a health setback that has raised concerns over his long-term recovery and future at the German champions.

The 23-year-old reportedly collapsed twice within four days during pre-season, with subsequent medical assessments revealing a treatable neurological dysfunction. ‘We are facing a dilemma in this case, as he is suffering from an illness that cannot simply be cured, but it can be controlled to a certain extent with the use of medication,’ Hoeness told Bavarian broadcaster BR24.

Hoeness added that Bayern would continue to support Musiala, who is under contract with the club until 2030.

Musiala has scored two goals in four appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season.

Matthaus says Hoeness wants to motivate Musiala

Former Bayern Munich and Germany captain Lothar Matthaus believes Hoeness’ comments were intended to challenge Musiala and encourage him to fight his way back to his best.

‘He’s needling him a little. It’s not just about wrapping him in cotton wool. He also has to battle against adversity sometimes,’ Matthaus told Sky90.

‘Uli was looking to create that adversity with this statement.

‘It’s fine for him to say something like that, because we can’t just put a positive spin on things and somehow wait for him to come back.

‘If I were in Jamal Musiala’s position, that would be motivation enough to show Uli I’m back.’

Musiala’s record at Bayern Munich

Musiala joined Bayern in 2019 after coming through Chelsea’s academy and has since become a key figure in the club’s attack.

He has scored 71 goals and provided 38 assists in 235 appearances for Bayern since breaking into the first team as a 17-year-old.

One of the youngest players to represent Germany at the senior level, Musiala shared the Golden Boot as the joint top scorer at Euro 2024.

He has not played for Bayern since suffering a hamstring injury in September, but has recently returned to training as he works towards a return to competitive action.