Critical Ingredients In Maximising Digital Economy Opportunities In Nigeria-Engr. Gbenga Adebayo

By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria(ALTON) Engr. Gbenga Adebayo,  was both a special guest and keynote speaker at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI) ICTEL Expo and Exhibition, 2026 just ended in Lagos, south west, Nigeria. 

Engr. Adebayo, in his presentation titled: Building Nigeria’s Digital Economy: Telecommunications as the Foundation for Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth, made ten(10) points, including but not limited to how to take full advantage of the humongous digital economic opportunities in Nigeria.

Telecommunications, the Economy’s Critical Infrastructure

The seminal ALTON Boss made the first point that Telecommunications is the Economy’s Critical Infrastructure.  ” Today, I wish to share perspectives on an issue that cuts across every sector represented  in this room -the strategic importance of telecommunications infrastructure to Nigeria’s  economic transformation,” began Adebayo, adding: “Every modern economy is now powered by digital connectivity.  Whether we speak of banking, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education,  logistics, commerce or government services, every sector increasingly depends on  robust telecommunications infrastructure.

Telecommunications has therefore evolved from being merely a communications service  into one of the most critical enablers of national productivity, investment and economic  resilience.

The future competitiveness of Nigeria will depend not simply on the quality of our roads  and ports, but equally on the quality, reach and resilience of our digital infrastructure. “

The Digital Economy Opportunity

According to Adebayo, Nigeria represents one of Africa’s largest digital markets.  “Our youthful population, entrepreneurial culture and growing technology ecosystem  position us to become the continent’s digital powerhouse.

Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, e-commerce, digital media, smart  manufacturing, precision agriculture and Industry 4.0 all depend fundamentally on  reliable broadband infrastructure.

Without resilient telecommunications networks, there can be no meaningful AI  economy.  Without fibre infrastructure, there can be no digital industrialisation.  Without continuous investment in networks, there can be no sustainable digital  transformation.  Telecommunications is therefore not simply supporting the economy—it is becoming  the economy’s digital backbone.”

Protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure

According to Adebayo, government’s  policy intervention in designating  telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National  Information  Infrastructure (CNII) is both timely and commendable.

Said he: “This recognition acknowledges what operators have long understood—that disruptions  to telecommunications networks translate directly into economic losses, reduced  productivity and diminished investor confidence.

Protecting telecommunications infrastructure is therefore not solely a security  responsibility. “

He said a Whole-of-Society approach involving government, regulators, operators,  businesses, local communities and law enforcement agencies, was  critical and that infrastructure protection must become a shared national responsibility.

Building a Resilient Digital Future

It was interesting to see the ALTON boss task his immediate constituency  with its functional specificity even while avoiding siloing. His words: “As network operators, we equally recognise our own responsibilities.  We must continue investing in resilient infrastructure.  We must strengthen network security.  We must adopt international standards in infrastructure deployment.  We must improve redundancy and business continuity.  We must leverage Artificial Intelligence to improve network management, predictive maintenance and cybersecurity.

Resilience, to Adebayo’s mind, must be designed into our networks—not added afterwards.

Creating an Investment-Friendly Environment

Adebayo made the important point that Nigeria required sustained investment running into billions of dollars to expand fibre networks, improve rural connectivity, deploy 5G and prepare for emerging technologies  saying such investment could only occur where investors had confidence in the operating  environment.

Per Adebayo, the followings are required to emplace an investment-friendly environment in the economy:

* Policy consistency

*Regulatory certainty Protection of investments

*Efficient Right-of-Way processes

*Reduction of multiple taxation

*Elimination of infrastructure vandalism

*Faster approvals for network deployment

He argued further that every improvement in the investment climate translated directly into improved digital infrastructure for businesses and citizens.

Artificial Intelligence and Nigeria’s Future

The Chairman of ALTON stated that Artificial Intelligence represented one of the greatest economic opportunities of our generation arguing, however,  AI could not thrive without trusted digital infrastructure.  “AI requires high-capacity broadband, resilient data centres, secure cloud infrastructure  and reliable power,” he said adding the telecommunications sector was therefore laying the foundation upon which Nigeria’s  AI future would be built.

‘Our objective should not merely be to consume AI technologies but to create an enabling ecosystem where Nigerian innovators, researchers and businesses can develop  AI solutions that address African challenges,” he added.

Public-Private Partnership

Adebayo made the case that Government alone could not build the digital economy.  Ditto,  the private sector alone. To him, the public and private sectors must necessarily synergise.

“Our greatest successes have always emerged through collaboration,” he said, adding: “As business leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders, we must deepen  partnerships that encourage innovation while protecting investments and promoting  competition.“  Adebayo said further the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry remained an important platform for  advancing this dialogue.

The Place Of Vision

At this point in his presentation, the ALTON boss validated the place of vision if the digital economic opportunities that Nigeria boasted could be realized.

To take the words from his mouth literarily, Nigeria does require vision.  Stable vision, if you like.

His words: “Imagine a Nigeria where every business has affordable high-speed broadband.

Where every school is digitally connected.

Where every hospital benefits from telemedicine.

Where manufacturers operate smart factories.

Where agriculture is powered by precision technology.

Where young entrepreneurs build globally competitive digital businesses. “

According to him, this vision was achievable but required sustained investment, policy stability, infrastructure protection and  collective commitment.

Investment Must Continue

Said Adebayo: “None of the opportunities before us can be realised without sustained private sector investment.  Telecommunications remains one of the most capital-intensive sectors of the Nigerian economy.  Every kilometre of fibre deployed, every base station constructed, every 5G site commissioned  and every rural community connected requires significant long-term investment.

“I would like to acknowledge the Federal Government for the strategic tariff adjustment approved  in 2025. That policy intervention played a pivotal role in restoring industry sustainability, enabling  operators to move from a period of severe financial pressure to one of renewed capital  reinvestment and network expansion.

The results are already evident. In 2025, Mobile Network Operators, Tower Companies and other  industry players invested approximately ₦2.13 trillion in capital expenditure. For 2026, the  industry has planned an additional ₦1.86 trillion in investment to expand network infrastructure,  modernize technology, improve resilience and enhance quality of service across the country.

These figures demonstrate that, despite prevailing economic headwinds, telecommunications  operators remain firmly committed to building Nigeria’s digital future.

“However, investment is not measured solely by foreign capital inflows. A substantial proportion  of telecommunications investment is financed through domestic capital, reinvested earnings and  other financing mechanisms that are not fully captured by conventional capital importation  statistics. This creates a gap between reported investment figures and the actual level of  infrastructure deployment taking place across the country.

“For this reason, ALTON has proposed closer collaboration between the Nigerian Communications  Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a more  comprehensive investment-reporting framework. A transparent and accurate investment profile  will better position Nigeria as a credible destination for telecommunications investment,  strengthen investor confidence and support sound public policy.

Investment follows confidence, and confidence is built on policy consistency, regulatory certainty,  infrastructure protection and transparent market information. If Nigeria is to remain Africa’s  leading digital economy, we must continue creating an environment in which investors are  encouraged to deploy long-term capital with confidence. “

Restoring Consumer Trust:

Adebayo seized the opportunity to address the data depletion narrative replete on both social and conventional media.               

His words: “Permit me to address an issue that has increasingly generated public concern and,  unfortunately, misinformation—the allegation that telecommunications operators  deliberately “steal” or unlawfully deplete customers’ data.

Let me state unequivocally: telecommunications operators have absolutely no  commercial incentive to steal customers’ data. Such a practice would be unlawful,  unethical, commercially self-defeating, and subject to stringent regulatory oversight by  the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“Every megabyte of data consumed on our networks is recorded through internationally  standardized billing systems supplied by globally recognized technology vendors. These  systems are independently audited, comply with internationally accepted  telecommunications standards, and are designed to ensure that billing is accurate,  transparent, and verifiable. Operators cannot arbitrarily manipulate customers’ data balances without detection.

More importantly, data is consumed today in ways that many users do not fully appreciate.

Unlike a decade ago, smartphones now run dozens of applications in the background.

Cloud backups, automatic software updates, app synchronization, video streaming, social  media autoplay, high-definition content, artificial intelligence services, location tracking,  security updates, and connected devices all consume data continuously, often without the  user actively browsing the internet.

“A single software update can consume hundreds of megabytes. High-definition video  streaming may consume over 3 GB per hour, while ultra-high-definition content can  consume significantly more. Automatic cloud photo backups, operating system updates,  and background application refreshes are among the largest contributors to unexpected  data usage.

Independent international studies by organizations such as GSMA, equipment  manufacturers, smartphone operating system providers, and network equipment vendors  consistently show that the overwhelming majority of mobile data consumption is driven  by user applications and device settings not by the network operator.

“The NCC has also established clear consumer protection mechanisms, including complaint  resolution processes and technical audits, to investigate any allegation of inaccurate  billing. Where genuine billing errors occur as may occasionally happen in any complex  technology environment operators are required to investigate and provide appropriate  remedies.

Rather than promoting unverified allegations that undermine confidence in Nigeria’s  digital ecosystem, we should focus on improving digital literacy. Consumers should be  encouraged to understand how their devices consume data, monitor application usage,  utilise built-in data management tools, and report any genuine concerns through  established regulatory channels.

Trust is fundamental to the digital economy.

Telecommunications operators remain committed to transparency, fairness, and  continuous improvement in customer experience. We welcome constructive scrutiny,  evidence-based dialogue, and regulatory oversight because these strengthen public  confidence and ultimately improve the services we provide.

The digital economy cannot flourish where misinformation erodes trust. Let us therefore  promote facts over speculation, evidence over perception, and partnership over suspicion. “

Conclusion

In rounding off, Adebayo stated  that the future of Nigeria’s economy would  increasingly be measured by its digital competitiveness, saying Telecommunications was no longer simply about connecting people.

His words: “It is about connecting opportunities.  Connecting industries.  Connecting innovation.  Connecting investment.  And ultimately, connecting Nigeria to a more prosperous future.

Together, government, industry and the business community can build the resilient digital infrastructure that will power the next phase of Nigeria’s economic  transformation.

I thank the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the opportunity to share  these thoughts.   May our collective efforts continue to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and position our  nation as Africa’s leading digital investment destination.  Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”-With additional reporting by Kingsley. I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West, Nigeria.