The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Dotun Oladipo, a respected journalist and prominent figure in Nigeria’s media industry.

Professor Yilwatda described the passing of Dotun Oladipo as a huge loss to the Nigerian media community and the nation at large, noting that his death has created a painful void at a time when the country needs experienced, courageous and responsible voices in journalism.

The APC National Chairman said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, that Oladipo’s contribution to the development of Nigerian journalism, particularly his commitment to professional excellence, credible reporting and the advancement of the media industry, would remain indelible.

“Dotun Oladipo was not merely a journalist; he was a committed professional who understood the enormous responsibility of the media to society. His sudden departure is deeply painful and has understandably thrown the Nigerian media industry into mourning.

“He brought professionalism, courage and intellectual depth to his work and remained committed to the ideals of journalism as an instrument for informing citizens, holding institutions accountable and strengthening democracy.

“His death is a significant loss not only to his family, colleagues and friends, but also to Nigeria’s democratic project and the broader media community.”

Professor Yilwatda commiserated with Oladipo’s family, colleagues, friends and the entire Nigerian media fraternity, urging them to take solace in the enduring legacy he left behind.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“On behalf of my family, the leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Dotun Oladipo and the entire Nigerian media. May God grant him eternal rest and comfort all those he left behind,” the APC National Chairman said.

…Says only unserviceable assets at affected locations are to be disposed of

The Enugu State Government has dismissed as false and misleading a report in circulation on social media claiming that it is selling assets belonging to the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS), Enugu State Water Corporation, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the State Liaison Office in Lagos.

The government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Nathaniel Urama, on Wednesday, said the publication did not emanate from either the Enugu State Government or the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Urama clarified that the government’s intended notice, which had not been published as of Wednesday, August 27, concerns the disposal of some unserviceable assets located at the affected government facilities, and not the facilities or institutions themselves.

He emphasised that the government intends to dispose of certain assets that have become unserviceable and are no longer of use to the state, in line with extant laws and due process.

He added that interested bidders would be required to obtain details of the assets from the Ministry of Finance and submit their bids in accordance with due process.

“The information is erroneous and it is neither from Enugu State Government nor the State Ministry of Finance. We, therefore, advise the general public to please ignore the message circulating in the media,” he said.

The Commissioner urged the public and media organisations to verify information through official government channels before sharing or publishing it, warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate misrepresentation of government activities.

He reiterated that any official notice on the disposal of the unserviceable assets would be duly published through the appropriate channels.

Nigerians consumed a record 8.51 million terabytes of data in the first half of 2026, underscoring the country’s accelerating shift toward a digital-first economy.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed this. Specifically, in January, consumption was 1.385 million terabytes; February, 1.260 million terabytes and March, 1.422 million terabytes.

In April, consumption was 1.414 million terabytes. It climbed to 1.504 million terabytes in May and 1.532 million terabytes in June.

In 2025 alone, Nigerians consumed over 13.2 million terabytes of data, a 35 per cent increase from 2024, reflecting how connectivity has become essential for daily life.

The surge in consumption was driven largely by the twin giants of the telecom sector, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, whose half-year reports revealed data services have firmly overtaken voice as the primary revenue stream.

According to industry figures, average monthly data usage per subscriber rose sharply, reflecting the growing reliance on mobile broadband for work, entertainment, and commerce.

Streaming platforms, social media, fintech apps, and remote work tools have all contributed to the spike in demand.

MTN Nigeria reported that its 55.7 million active data subscribers consumed an average of 14.8 gigabytes per month, representing a 15.2 per cent increase year-on-year. Overall, MTN’s data traffic surged by 25.8 per cent across its network in the period.

This translated into a massive N1.70 trillion in data revenue, a 38.4 per cent jump compared to the same period in 2025. Data now accounts for more than half of MTN’s total service revenue, dwarfing its voice earnings of N993.5 billion, which grew at a modest 12 per cent.

Airtel Nigeria also posted strong numbers, recording N691 billion in data revenue ($507 million). While Airtel’s voice services contributed to a combined N1.42 trillion in voice earnings alongside MTN, the clear trend is that data has become the dominant driver of growth.

Together, MTN and Airtel generated N2.4 trillion from data services in H1 2026, cementing their role as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.

MTN invested N620.5 billion in capital expenditure during the period, focusing on expanding 4G coverage, scaling 5G rollout, and strengthening fibre infrastructure. The company’s aggressive push into next-generation networks is aimed at meeting the surging demand for high-speed connectivity.

Airtel, meanwhile, faced challenges with fibre cuts and vandalism, forcing reinvestments to stabilize its network. The operator is blending 5G expansion with satellite partnerships to extend coverage into rural and semi-urban areas, where demand for reliable Internet is rising.

Despite these investments, many consumers continue to express dissatisfaction with service quality. Complaints of slow speeds, unstable connections, and high costs remain widespread, highlighting the gap between consumption growth and infrastructure capacity.

The NCC has repeatedly urged operators to deepen investments in fibre, towers, and spectrum to sustain the country’s digital transformation. Analysts note that the sector is undergoing a structural shift from voice-first to data-led growth, with internet connectivity now central to economic activity.

Industry experts predict that Nigeria’s data consumption will continue to rise exponentially as smartphone penetration increases and more services migrate online. The rollout of 5G is expected to further accelerate usage, enabling innovations in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and entertainment.

The consumption of 8.51 million terabytes in H1 2026 marks a historic high for Nigeria’s telecom industry. It reflects not only the appetite of a digitally hungry population but also the broader transformation of the economy.

With MTN and Airtel leading the charge, the challenge now lies in improving service quality, expanding infrastructure, and ensuring affordable access for millions of Nigerians. As data becomes the lifeblood of communication and commerce, the telecom sector’s ability to keep pace with demand will determine how effectively Nigeria harnesses the opportunities of the digital age.