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How Abdulsalami Almost Denied Nigeria $280m Telecom Deal — Obasanjo

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Editor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, revealed how the former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), almost denied Nigeria a $280 million telecommunications deal.

Obasanjo said when Nigeria was about to transit from landline telephones to mobile phones, some major telecommunication companies approached the country seeking to provide mobile lines for the citizenry, but Abubakar wanted to award the deal to his friends for $3 million.

The former President, however, said he suggested that the contract be auctioned and the highest bidder awarded the contract, leading to the $280 million sale.

He spoke at the launch of a book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution through a Journalist’s lens,’ authored by an immediate past Editor of The PUNCH Newspapers, Mr Dayo Oketola, in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said: “The story of telecommunications, particularly mobile telecommunication, is a very interesting one. Before mobile telecommunication, we had spent a lot of money, we had all sorts of companies invited from America, France and even from Britain, but we did not get more than 500,000 lines. People had to queue at the telephone kiosk to call their loved ones abroad. And then, of course, the mobile telephone age came in.

“When it came in, my predecessor in office was trying to give it away, I think, to their friend for $3 million. Then we said, what we would do was to auction it. The three that came in first, I think, paid $280 million for the line. $280 million for something about to be given away for $3 million. That was the first thing we did. Not only that, we achieved competition.

“The three of them were competing. And, of course, the one that had the upper hand in terms of spread, I think, was MTN, followed by Glo. And then, there was Econet. They are now Airtel. And then, of course, later on, we had the fourth one, Etisalat. When Etisalat came, I told them the last one we did was $280 million. We told Etisalat to pay $450 million. They did.

“When they paid $450 million, the ball went in the post and then we were playing. That was how we got money to do what we did at the time we did it. That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but that money will not come in unless we create a conducive atmosphere for that money to come in.

“What we did or what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well, are still there and can still be done today only if we put ourselves and we are honest to ourselves. We have to show character and attitude.”

In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, said: “It is great to see that an editor, despite the huge task of meeting deadlines, writing stories that would sell his paper, can sit down and write a book. I am here to say I appreciate Oketola’s effort and also honour him. It is an honour and privilege to be here for the launch of a book written by a respected and seasoned editor who has contributed hugely to shaping opinions through his paper. As an editor, he ensured that his readers were well-informed and educated. He has always been at the forefront of truth-telling, balancing the line between facts and analysis to ensure that readers are well-informed, engaged and sometimes even challenged.

“This book is a testimonial to his years of dedication to journalism. It captures insights, stories and perhaps some untold experiences that have shaped his career. It is an exploration of complexities through the lens of someone who has been on the frontline of news delivery. As we gather to celebrate this significant achievement, let us take a moment to acknowledge the efforts that went into writing this book. For an editor whose schedule is very tight and works round-the-clock, I think this book is very commendable.”

Notable dignitaries present at the launch included Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; former Governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Mr Gbenga Adefaye; Chairperson of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr Sam Omatseye.

VANGUARD

News

2027: Hashim, Falana Meet, Vow To Resist One-party System In Nigeria

Published

7 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

Former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Hashim, has vowed that pro-democracy groups across Nigeria will oppose any move to establish a one-party system.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, Hashim made the assertion after a meeting with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana.

He noted that the engagement was part of ongoing consultations with key stakeholders to preserve Nigeria’s multi-party democratic framework.

“We resolved to sustain the multi-party structure of Nigeria’s democracy and resist one-party rule,” he stated.

He described Falana as a long-standing associate, saying their relationship spans more than four decades, anchored on activism, resistance, and a shared pursuit of justice.

Hashim recalled their joint involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle under the Nigeria–ANC Friendship and Cultural Association, including a protest on January 7, 1988, during the visit of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

According to him, he led a group of students who defied security restrictions to stage a protest at the airport tarmac, an action that resulted in the arrest of five activists.

He paid tribute to those involved, noting that only two are still alive, while Olaitan Oyerinde, Chris Ayaeze and Rotimi Ewebiyi have passed away.

Hashim also highlighted his history of legal resistance against military rule, including a 1988 suit challenging the Structural Adjustment Programme under the regime of Ibrahim Babangida, in which Falana served as his pro bono counsel.

He further referenced his detention in 1989 during a constitutional case against the Attorney General of the Federation, handled by a legal team led by Alao Aka-Bashorun.

The former presidential candidate added that Falana played a significant role in his emergence as National Administrative Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, where he worked under the late Beko Ransome-Kuti.

Hashim stressed that their longstanding alliance remains committed to defending democratic principles, civil liberties and political plurality in the country.

He said the position reflects growing concerns among pro-democracy advocates over Nigeria’s political direction, adding that he is prepared to work with like-minded stakeholders to safeguard the nation’s democratic system.

News

[JUST IN] ADC Leadership Battle: Mark, Bala Await Fate As Supreme Court Reserves Judgment

Published

1 hour ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, challenging the jurisdiction of court to intervene in the internal affairs of the party.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Mohammed reserved its verdict shortly after lawyers representing parties adopted their briefs of argument for and against the appeal.

Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, who represented David Mark, in urging the court to allow the appeal, submitted that the apex court had in a judgment on March 21, 2025 put an end to the issue before the court when it held that “no court has jurisdiction to entertain cases bordering on internal affairs of political parties”.

Okutepa therefore urged the apex court to allow the appeal and hold that the Abuja Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a suit bordering on the ADC’s internal matters.

Robert Emukpero, SAN, who represented the 1st respondent, Nafiu Gombe however, urged the apex court to reject the appeal and affirm the judgment of the lower court, which held that the case of the appellant was premature and dismissed it.

It will be recalled that a three-member panel of the appellate court had dismissed Mark’s appeal, challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja Federal High Court presided by Justice Emeka Nwite, to entertain the suit filed by Bala against the leadership of the ADC.

The appellate court in its decision held that the appeal was not only premature but was brought without leave of the trial court.

The appellate court subsequently ordered that the matter be returned to the trial court for expeditious hearing, adding that parties should maintain status quo.

Following the order for status quo, the electoral umpire subsequently de-recognized the ADC leadership headed by Mark, pending the resolution of the matter by the court.

Dissatisfied, Mark approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the appellate court as well as an order staying the order for maintenance of status quo.

Rather than taking the motions filed in the appeal, the apex court directed parties to file their briefs for and against the appeal.

After taking arguments from the parties, Justice Garba announced that judgment is reserved to a date that would be communicated to parties.

News

UNIMAID, Federal Polytechnic Matriculate 82 Degree Students

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in affiliation with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi has matriculated 82 students into the degree programmes across five courses.

Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Tuesday, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, the Vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri, charged the matriculated students to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the two institutions to enable them achieve the set objectives.

The VC, who was represented by Professor Muhammad Ahmad Waziri, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Services, warned that any student or group of students trying to breach the peace of the two institutions would face the full wrath of the law.

The Don further assured that the University and its affiliated institutions would continue to make easy access to higher quality education to the teeming population across the country.

In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Sani Usman, said they were affiliated with the university to pursue academic excellence, describing the affiliation as a huge pillar in the education reforms.

The Rector, who was also represented by Dr. Dalhatu Saidu, the Deputy Rector of the Polymeric, commended the university of Maiduguri for not only improving the UNIMAID’s conducive learning environment but expanding the horizon to different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.

He therefore advised the newly matriculated students to pursue knowledge, to interact freely with the Polytechnic staff, be vigilant and be a brother’s keeper, adding that this would help to achieve the desired objectives.

The affiliated courses included BSc Mass Communication, BSc Accountancy, BSc Public Administration, BSc Business Administration and BSc Banking and Finance respectively.