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Nigerians to pay N16.50/min as NCC approves 50% tariff hike

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The Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50 per cent increase in call tariffs on Monday, which may raise the average cost of calls to N16.5 per minute.

Based on the 2023 national telephone traffic data, this hike could generate over N6.74tn in revenue for telecom operators in 2025 if call volumes remain stable, hence Nigerians may pay this amount to the firms.

However, this projection excludes the impact of free and discounted call promotions, which may alter actual revenue figures.

An analysis of data from the latest 2023 Subscriber/Network Performance Report by the NCC showed that in 2023, total outgoing telephone traffic was 205.3 billion minutes, while incoming traffic stood at 203.2 billion minutes.

The report read, “As of December 2023 total outgoing Local and National Traffic was 205,298,114,995.11 minutes while Total incoming Local and National Traffic was 203,187,588,876.00 minutes. MTN had the highest total outgoing and incoming Traffic of 122,667,600,437.00 and 123,762,501,615.00 minutes respectively in 2023.”

This implies that Nigerians spent about 408.5 billion minutes making local calls in 2023.

Since there was no fresh data yet for 2024, our analysis was based on the available data for 2023, which might vary for 2025.

Our analysis also excluded international calls, although Nigerians spent 1.5 billion minutes on international calls in 2023, according to the NCC.

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Further analysis showed that MTN led the market, recording 122.7 billion minutes of outgoing traffic and 123.8 billion minutes of incoming traffic.

At the new rate of N16.5 per minute, MTN’s combined revenue from outgoing and incoming calls is projected to exceed N4tn, making it the primary beneficiary of the tariff adjustment and accounting for over 60 per cent of the market’s total revenue.

Airtel is expected to follow with a projected revenue of approximately N1.78tn, reflecting its strong share of both outgoing and incoming traffic.

Glo, the third-largest operator, is estimated to generate N536.2bn.

Smaller players, including Smile and Ntel, are expected to earn N5.7bn and N13.1bn respectively, affirming their minimal market influence.

9mobile (EMTS) is likely to generate about N105.6bn from its traffic volumes.

The projected N6.74tn revenue highlights the significant impact of the tariff increase.

Outgoing calls alone are expected to bring in N3.28tn, while incoming calls will contribute an estimated N3.23tn.

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Despite the growing popularity of data services and over-the-top messaging platforms, voice calls remain a significant revenue driver for telecom operators.

MTN’s dominance in outgoing and incoming traffic reinforces its leadership position, with Airtel and Glo following as major contributors.

In contrast, smaller operators continue to face challenges, with limited market penetration and a smaller customer base impacting their revenue potential.

The 50 per cent tariff hike approved by the NCC will likely raise the average cost of an SMS to N6, and significantly boost revenue for telecom operators in Nigeria.

Based on the 2023 SMS traffic data, the projected earnings for 2025 could surpass N137.84bn, assuming traffic remains unchanged.

According to the NCC’s 2023 annual report, a total of 22.97 billion SMS were sent and received during the year, representing an 11.38 per cent decline from the 25.92 billion recorded in 2022.

MTN accounted for the highest SMS traffic, with 8.21 billion sent messages and 8.57 billion received, bringing its total to 16.79 billion SMS.

With the revised tariff of N6 per SMS, MTN is expected to earn approximately N100.72bn, making it the likely largest beneficiary of the hike.

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The telecom giant’s share of SMS traffic represents over 73 per cent of the total market, securing its position as the dominant player in the sector.

Airtel is projected to generate N26.26bn in revenue from its total SMS traffic of 4.38 billion, comprising 2.01 billion sent messages and 2.37 billion received.

This accounts for 19 per cent of the projected industry-wide earnings. Glo, with a total SMS count of 1.35 billion, is expected to earn N8.10bn, representing 5.88 per cent of the total revenue.

Meanwhile, smaller operators such as EMTS and Smile are likely to see modest revenues.

EMTS, with 458 million SMS, is projected to earn N2.75bn, while Smile, which recorded just 1.2 million SMS, is expected to generate N7.36m.

Combined, these smaller players contribute less than two per cent of the total projected revenue for 2025.

The telecom industry is projected to earn N137.84bn from SMS in 2025, driven by the tariff hike.

However, the new pricing may affect consumer behaviour, as more Nigerians may shift towards over-the-top messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, which offer cost-free alternatives.

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The Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50 per cent tariff adjustment for telecommunications operators in response to increasing operational costs and prevailing market conditions.

According to a statement made on Monday by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the decision was made under the NCC’s regulatory powers as stipulated in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The approved adjustment falls significantly below the over 100 per cent increase initially requested by some network operators.

The NCC stated that the decision was carefully calibrated to balance the rising costs faced by operators with the need to protect consumers from excessive price hikes.

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Governor’s wife sprays US dollars at wedding ceremony

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Footage of Katsina State First Lady Fatima Dikko Radda spraying dollars
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A widely circulated video on social media has stirred controversy, showing Katsina State’s First Lady, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, allegedly spraying U.S. dollars at an event.

The footage, primarily shared on Instagram, has sparked criticism, with many questioning the insensitivity of such an act in a state grappling with terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, and a high number of out-of-school children.

The video, which lasts one minute and nine seconds, was shared with a caption condemning the First Lady’s actions, labeling them as reckless and immoral. Given the dire socio-economic situation in Katsina, the accompanying text expressed outrage over the act.

PRNigeria, a leading Fact-Check platform in Nigeria, conducted a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of the claims.

Footage of Katsina State First Lady Fatima Dikko Radda spraying dollars

The fact-checking process involved analysing the video and cross-referencing it with another clip showing Fatima Radda at a separate event, where she was donating ?2 million for cervical cancer screening in the state.

The analysis revealed a strong resemblance between the First Lady in both videos, confirming her presence at the wedding.

Furthermore, PRNigeria examined the background music in the controversial video, where praise singers could be heard extolling Fatima Radda in Hausa, reinforcing that the event was a family gathering.

PRNigeria performed a reverse image search using Yandex to further validate the claim and segmented the video for detailed scrutiny.

These steps confirmed that the video was indeed from a wedding that took place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Katsina.

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Additional keyword searches and independent sources corroborated these findings.

Based on extensive fact-checking, PRNigeria has verified that Katsina State’s First Lady, Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, did spray dollars at her sibling’s wedding.

This confirmation has fueled further public discourse about the appropriateness of such actions, especially given the economic challenges faced by many citizens in the state.

The revelation has reignited debates about the display of wealth by public officials and their families, raising questions about leadership sensitivity in economically challenged regions. (By PRNigeria)

The Full Report: Fact-check: Did Katsina State’s First Lady, Fatima Radda, Spray Dollars at an Event? https://prnigeria.com/2025/02/13/katsina-first-lady-dollars/

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Anambra govt seals another church linked to Oke Ite practice in Nkpor

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The Anambra State government has taken a decisive step to combat the spread of illicit practices linked to ritualistic and fraudulent activities within religious spaces by sealing a controversial church in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area.

The church, reportedly led by Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha, has been accused of engaging in activities associated with the dangerous and illegal practice known as “Oke Ite.”

This ritual, which has been tied to fraudulent schemes and human trafficking, was allegedly being conducted under the guise of religious worship.

Oke Ite, a term that refers to a concoction created by native doctors, is believed to be a form of ritual used for money rituals and other forms of spiritual manipulation. The concoction is typically prepared using human body parts, animal remains, and a mix of powerful herbs, all of which are combined in a mud pot. The practice is rooted in the belief that such rituals have the power to summon wealth or bestow significant financial rewards upon those who partake in them.

In recent years, Oke Ite has been exposed as a fraudulent practice, where unsuspecting customers, often in search of quick wealth, fall prey to native doctors and religious leaders who promise them unimaginable riches in exchange for performing ritualistic rites. Many of these practices are said to involve human sacrifice or the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, contributing to a growing problem of human trafficking and ritual killings in parts of Nigeria.

The Anambra State government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has been actively working to curb the prevalence of such fraudulent practices and restore order to the state’s religious and spiritual landscape. As part of this initiative, the government responded to reports of Oke Ite being performed in the ministry of Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha, which had raised dusts in the local community.

The closure of Pastor Okocha’s ministry in Amafor village, Nkpor, followed a thorough investigation launched by the Anambra State government.

The Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, led a team of security personnel, including members of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, to the location to seal the premises.

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The government’s decision to shut down the ministry was a response to a series of public petitions and disturbing revelations that came to light regarding Pastor Okocha’s activities.

Among these was a video circulating on social media, where the pastor, also known as “Aka na Asa Uchu” (translated as “the one who does things”), openly admitted to performing Oke Ite rituals.

The video, which featured Okocha speaking candidly about his involvement in the practice, triggered public outrage and prompted the government to take immediate action.

In his address to the press, Emeakayi explained that the closure was not an act of religious persecution but rather a necessary response to the dangerous and fraudulent activities taking place in the church.

He emphasized that the state government has no intention of infringing upon the rights of individuals to practice their religion but would not tolerate any practices that promote scams, deceit, and exploitation under the guise of spirituality.

As part of the government’s response, a full forensic investigation is underway to examine the contents and potential dangers of the liquids found in the ministry.

Emeakayi stated that the government would send samples of these liquids to forensic experts to determine their composition and assess any risks they may pose to public health and safety.

One of the most concerning elements of Pastor Okocha’s practice involved the use of a body of water known as River Bethsaida.

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According to reports, the pastor had been using the river to perform rituals on individuals, which allegedly included bathing them naked.

The government has vowed to bring in environmental and health experts to examine the water and ascertain whether it poses a threat to those exposed to it. The concern over River Bethsaida stems from the possibility that the water may be contaminated with hazardous substances due to the rituals performed at the site.

While the church leader claimed that these practices were beneficial to his followers, there was no scientific evidence to support such claims. As a result, the government has made it clear that it will not tolerate any activities that put the health and well-being of the public at risk, especially when those involved are vulnerable or uninformed about the dangers.

The closure of the church has sparked mixed reactions from the local community and the wider public. Many residents of Nkpor and surrounding areas have expressed relief that the government has taken swift action to address the allegations of ritualistic practices.

Some have described the activities of Pastor Okocha as harmful, stating that they had long suspected that something was amiss but had been too afraid to speak out.

Others, however, have raised concerns about the potential negative impact on religious freedom in the region.

They argue that the state government should be cautious in its approach to policing religious practices and that the closure of the church may infringe on the rights of individuals to worship freely. They assert that there should be a clear distinction between legitimate religious practices and fraudulent activities masked as spirituality.

Nevertheless, many citizens are applauding the government’s stance against fraudulent religious practices, particularly those linked to the dangerous Oke Ite ritual. Some have called for more extensive measures to be taken to eradicate such practices, with some even urging the government to investigate other churches and ministries in the state that may be involved in similar activities.

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The sealing of the church has underscored the importance of security agencies in the fight against ritualistic practices in Anambra State.

In recent months, the government has made significant strides in addressing security concerns, especially those involving ritual killings and other forms of violent crime linked to spiritual practices.

Ken Emeakai, in his role as the Special Adviser on Community Security, has been instrumental in organizing security operations to monitor and eliminate fraudulent religious practices.

Operation Udo Ga-Achi, the task force deployed to the site, has been actively involved in ensuring that these illegal activities are promptly investigated and halted.

The government’s approach has involved a combination of law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement to tackle the root causes of these practices.

The decision to involve forensic experts in the investigation of River Bethsaida and the liquids found at the ministry highlights the government’s commitment to using science and technology in its efforts to address spiritual and health risks. By relying on expert analysis, the government hopes to provide definitive answers about the nature of the practices and the potential dangers they pose to public health.

The sealing of Pastor Okocha’s ministry is just one of the many steps the Anambra State government plans to take in its ongoing fight against fraudulent spiritual practices and rituals. While this incident highlights the growing problem of ritualistic crime, it also serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that the safety and well-being of citizens are not compromised by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit their desperation for wealth and success.

Governor Soludo has called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to ritualistic practices. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in identifying and addressing such issues before they spiral out of control. Additionally, the government has vowed to continue its support for law enforcement agencies, ensuring that they are well-equipped and well-trained to handle the complex nature of these crimes.

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In conclusion, the sealing of Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha’s ministry in Nkpor serves as a clear message that the Anambra State government is committed to rooting out fraudulent practices that exploit vulnerable individuals under the guise of religion.

The closure of the church marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and security in religious institutions throughout the state.

Moving forward, the government will continue to monitor and investigate any further allegations of ritualistic crime to protect the people of Anambra and ensure that they are not deceived or harmed by those who seek to exploit their faith. (Geencee Blog)

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NAFDAC seizes 140 tonnes of expired drugs, uncovers warehouses in Aba

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered two warehouses stocked with expired drugs at No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road (formerly Faulk’s Road), Aba.

This was made known in a statement shared by the agency on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

According to reports, some suspects managed to remove several cartons of expired but relabeled drugs before security reinforcements arrived.

The statement said, “#AbaUpdates Two warehouses at No. 269, Sam Mbakwe Road (formerly Faulk’s Road), Aba, stocked with expired drugs, have been uncovered.

“During the raid, it was discovered that suspects had removed some cartons of expired but relabelled drugs before security reinforcements arrived.”

In a related operation at Umumeje, Umuocheala, Osisioma LGA, NAFDAC seized 140 tonnes of expired drugs. This figure does not include additional products confiscated from drug shops at the Ariaria International Market.

During the crackdown, NAFDAC officials collected 178 drug samples, which will undergo laboratory analysis to determine their composition and potential health risks.

The statement added, ‘From the warehouse at Umumeje, Umuocheala, Osisioma LGA, 140 tonnes of expired drugs were evacuated—excluding products seized from drug shops at Ariaria International Market.

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“A total of 178 drug samples collected during the operation will undergo laboratory analysis.”

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