SPORTS

Submarine cable system underused after $1b investment

Published

7 years ago

November 1, 2017

After several investments worth over $1 billion (N306 billion), the nation’s submarine cable system is still hampered by gross underutilisation.

The cost of NITEL’s South Atlantic 3 (SAT3) fibre optic cable, which now belongs to ntel, for instance is put at over $600 million. MTN’s West African Cable System (WACS) costs $650 million. ACE cable, by Dolphin Telecoms, is worth about $700 million. While MainOne gulped about $300 million, the cost of Globacom’s Glo1 cable is estimated at $800 million.

Going by the capacity of the system with bandwidth potential in excess of 19.2 terabytes and over 340 gigabytes, a revolution, as witnessed in the mobile phone segment, should have been replicated in e-governance, e-health, e-banking, e-education, telemedicine and e-security, especially at a time the country is hoping to deepen broadband penetration by 30 per cent.

This, however, has not been the case, raising concern among operators in the sub-sector who claim they have not broken even yet, not to talk of making profit after years of investment.

Consequently, while there is a glut in bandwidth capacities at the shores, network expansion to hinterlands and expected falling prices in subscriptions that would fuel explosive growth in mobile broadband and other Internet related services, are still seriously constrained.

Already, over 200 communities housing about 40 million Nigerians still lack access to basic telephone services.

The World Bank, meanwhile, has found a direct correlation between rise in broadband penetration and increased economic growth, citing China, where a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration boosted GDP growth by 2.5 per cent.

McKinsey & Company also noted that bringing broadband penetration levels in emerging markets to today’s Western European levels could potentially add $300 billion to $420 billion in GDP and generate 10 million to 14 million jobs.

Responding to The Guardian’s enquiries on the underutilisation, the President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola, said there was a serious glut in the supply of bandwidth on the wet segment of the optic fibre ecosystem in the country.

Teniola, an engineer, noted: “Without data hosted locally, without local content being developed in PetaBytes, without more data centres and without prices being affordable, it is hard to see the case for a Return of Investment (ROI) until 2030 at best.”

The ATCON president admitted that the lack of a national backbone remained a challenge hindering ubiquitous broadband. However, the costs of running generators, running a parallel security network (personnel) and multiple demands of fees/payments from state and local governments over and above what is paid at the federal level deter many operators from venturing further afield. Hence what is evident is a concentration of investments in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt by all operators in the country with reduced concentration in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and the northeastern part of the country.

On what the Federal Government could do to assist the sub-sector, especially now that the country is looking for investors, the ATCON president said there was the need to solve the foreign exchange issue in respect of importation of telecoms equipment, remove Right of Way (RoW) barriers, harmonise the 26 taxes and levies, protect telecom infrastructure from vandalistion, adopt ICT in the way government is run and finally create an easy environment for businesses.

The Chief Executive Officer of MainOne Cables, Funke Opeke, who estimated investments in the country’s submarine cable system in excess of $1 billion, told The Guardian in Busan, South Korea at the recently held International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom world, that only about 10 per cent of MainOne’s fibre optic cable system had been utilised.

A reliable Globacom official, who preferred anonymity, spoke in the same vein, saying utilisation had been low, despite several huge investments in the sub-sector.

A telecoms expert, Kehinde Aluko, blamed the low utilisation of the cables on the poor implementation of the Nigeria Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013 to 2018.

He said: “These are initiatives that would propel the consumption of bandwidth, which in the long run becomes highly beneficial to the economy. With Internet booming, people will become busy, doing stuff. All we would need to do then would be to ensure that these facilities are used judiciously and not for activities such as cybercrime.

“I still blame the government because the private sector has made the facility available. But when government is not forthcoming with ideas that can transform Nigeria into a knowledge economy, then there is trouble.”

The President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Agency (NiRA), Rev. Sunday Folayan, blamed poor Internet services being experienced by Nigerians on the lack of adequate Internet pipes that connect the shores to the cities and hinterlands.

Folayan, who led NiRA’s team to The Guardian headquarters, explained: “The way Internet delivery is done right now is that you have four to five submarine cable systems land at the coast in Lagos, but the pipes that take them from where they land, to where they are needed, is of doubtful and unknown size. It depends on what you negotiate with your Internet Service Providers. So, it is slow because most people don’t know. Some operators can claim to be giving you a big pipe, which is connected to the coast, but they may not. It may be connected to someone else’s pipe and that could be the challenge. Until you trace where the service is coming from, you may not get the very best.”

He said the lack of adequate infrastructure, especially the last mile that would take services from the coast to the cities and hinterlands, were issues government must look into.

Market observers have posited that broadband would lower the cost of real estate, as people would be able to work from anywhere, without necessarily meeting in urban areas and commuting.

The ITU also said that investments in broadband infrastructure and broadband-enabled applications and services facilitate long-term sustainable economic development, economic productivity and growth, and job creation, and generate significant returns.

According to it, investments in broadband are necessary if developing countries are to eradicate poverty and take part in the digital economy of the 21st century.

Guardian

SPORTS

Benin & Sudan Qualify For AFCON As Ghana, Nigeria & Tunisia Exit

Published

4 days ago

November 19, 2024

Reporter

Benin and Sudan Secure AFCON Finals Qualification Amid Upsets

Benin and Sudan clinched spots in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals after securing 0-0 draws on the penultimate day of preliminaries.

However, the day also witnessed surprising home defeats for powerhouses Ghana, Nigeria, and Tunisia, adding unexpected twists to the qualifiers for the tournament in Morocco.

Benin Survives Group D Battle

Benin entered a three-way fight with Libya and Rwanda for the second spot in Group D, as Nigeria had already qualified. Playing in Tripoli, Benin held Libya to a goalless draw, which proved enough to edge past Rwanda on a superior head-to-head record.

Rwanda shocked the football world by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in Uyo. After trailing early, Rwanda struck back with late goals from Jimmy Mutsinzi and Innocent Nsuthi, who plays semi-professionally in the United States.

The defeat exposed Nigeria’s vulnerability under caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen, their third coach in 2024. Following a 1-1 draw with Benin last week, Nigeria’s performance intensified the urgency to appoint a foreign coach ahead of the AFCON.

Only 3️⃣ spots left. 👀#AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/mbVgKVH942

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 18, 2024

Sudan Secures Second Spot in Group F

Sudan needed a point from their final two matches to qualify behind Angola in Group F. After suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Niger, Sudan redeemed themselves with a hard-fought draw against Angola in Benghazi.

The result confirmed their AFCON berth, but Niger kept the pressure on with a stunning 2-1 victory over Ghana in Accra.

Niger’s upset relegated Ghana to the bottom of the group, ending their streak of 10 consecutive AFCON appearances.

⏰ Full-Time in Accra.

🇬🇭 Ghana 1️⃣-2️⃣ Niger 🇳🇪

⚽️ Jerry Afriyie 67’ | Ousseni Badamassi 22’, Oumar Sako 90+2’ #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/tUCOhlmN25

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 18, 2024

Despite debutant Jeremia Afriyie scoring an equaliser, Ghana conceded a late header by Oumar Sako in stoppage time. Mohammed Kudus added to the home side’s misery by missing a penalty in a forgettable campaign for the Black Stars.

Tunisia Loses Top Spot in Group A

Although Tunisia had already qualified, they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Gambia in Tunis. Abdoulie Ceesay’s 17th-minute goal toppled Tunisia from the top of Group A.

Earlier, Tunisia also suffered a defeat at home to the Comoros Islands, who clinched first place after defeating Madagascar 1-0. These results highlighted the growing competitiveness of African football.

Morocco Completes Perfect Campaign

AFCON hosts Morocco demonstrated dominance in Group B by finishing with a flawless record. Brahim Diaz led the charge with a hat-trick in a 7-0 rout of Lesotho. Morocco scored 26 goals in six matches while conceding only two, showcasing their readiness for the tournament.

Final Qualifiers to be Decided

Thirteen matches remain in the qualifiers, but only four hold significance for the final three spots in the 24-team tournament.

With several unexpected results already shaping the competition, the final day promises more drama as the remaining teams battle for their place in Morocco.

The unexpected upsets and competitive performances underscore the evolving landscape of African football, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 AFCON.

Check out more sports updates here.

SPORTS

AFCON 2025: What Rwanda, Benin & Libya Have To Do To Qualify Like Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

November 18, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

AFCON 2025: What Rwanda, Benin & Libya need to qualify | fab.ng

Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya: A Tight Race for AFCON 2025

Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya are currently battling intensely for a single spot at AFCON 2025, set to take place in Morocco.

As the qualifying series for Group D heads into its final matchday, the competition remains wide open. The Cheetahs, Amavubi, and the Mediterranean Knights are all still in the race for a coveted spot at the tournament.

However, only one will join Nigeria, who have already secured their qualification with a 1-1 draw against Gernot Rohr’s side at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

With Monday’s decisive matches quickly approaching, each team has a realistic chance of booking their ticket to AFCON 2025.

However, in the end, only one team will succeed in advancing alongside the Super Eagles to Morocco.

Let’s dive into what each country needs to clinch the final qualification spot.

What Result Does the Benin Republic Need to Qualify?

Benin Republic finds itself in a strong position heading into the final matchday. Currently, they hold second place with seven points, thanks to two wins and a draw. To secure a spot at AFCON 2025, Benin has several possible pathways.

A win or even a draw against Libya in Tripoli would guarantee their place in Morocco. However, if Benin suffers a loss, they must ensure that the defeat is by no more than a two-goal margin while also managing to score at least once.

This is crucial because, despite losing the reverse fixture 2-1 to Libya, a similar scoreline in Tripoli would still see Benin qualify based on overall goal difference.

On the other hand, if Benin loses by two clear goals, their hopes of reaching AFCON 2025 after a six-year absence would be dashed.

In that scenario, Libya would likely qualify on goal difference in head-to-head encounters among the tied teams.

Since their first AFCON appearance in Tunisia in 2004, Benin has reached the finals four times, with their best showing being a quarter-final finish at Egypt in 2019.

What Does Rwanda Need to Secure AFCON 2025 Qualification?

For Rwanda, the path to AFCON 2025 is clear but challenging. A win over Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo would secure their spot, provided Benin fails to win against Libya.

Torsten Spittler’s side will draw confidence from their recent 1-0 away triumph over Lesotho during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With Nigeria already qualified, Rwanda hopes that coach Eguavoen might field a weakened squad.

However, if Rwanda manages to defeat the Super Eagles and Benin draws against Libya, Rwanda would still miss out on AFCON 2025 due to goal difference in head-to-head matchups with Benin.

The Amavubi endured a heavy 3-0 defeat against Benin in Abidjan but later secured a crucial 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in Kigali. Thus, to secure their AFCON 2025 ticket, Rwanda must first overcome Nigeria and then hope that Benin loses in Tripoli.

Since their debut at AFCON 2004, where they finished ninth, Rwanda has yet to qualify again for Africa’s most prestigious tournament. Overcoming Nigeria in Uyo would certainly be a historic feat for the Amavubi.

How Can Libya Qualify for AFCON 2025?

Libya faces a tough but not impossible path to AFCON 2025. Coach Nasser Al-Hadiri’s team must secure a win over the Benin Republic by at least two goals while hoping Rwanda fails to pull off a victory in Nigeria.

Libya’s qualification hopes appeared slim after the Confederation of African Football sanctioned them, resulting in the loss of three points and three goals due to the mistreatment of the Nigerian national team.

Despite this setback, Libya’s recent 1-0 away win against Rwanda and Benin’s draw with Nigeria have revived their chances. They now sit at the bottom of Group D with just one win from five matches.

If Libya manages to snatch the AFCON 2025 ticket from both Benin and Rwanda, it would mark one of the most dramatic turnarounds in African football.

Historically, Libya has qualified for the AFCON three times, with their best performance being a runners-up finish in 1982 when they hosted the tournament. Should they qualify for AFCON 2025, it would be their first appearance in over a decade.

Finally…

As the final day of the qualifiers looms, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome. The battle for the remaining spot in AFCON 2025 is far from settled. Benin, Rwanda, and Libya each have strong reasons to believe they can secure that last ticket to Morocco.

Whether it comes down to goal difference, head-to-head matchups, or a last-minute surge, only one of these teams will join Nigeria in representing Group D at AFCON 2025.

Check here for more sports updates.

SPORTS

Nigeria Seal Qualification For 2025 AFCON As Osimhen Equals Odegbami’s Goal Tally

Published

1 week ago

November 15, 2024

Reporter

2025 AFCON: Nigeria secures qualification | fab.ng

Nigeria has secured its qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two games to spare. This is all thanks to Libya’s 1-0 away victory over Rwanda on Thursday.

Prior to their clash against the Cheetahs in Abidjan, the Super Eagles, led by coach Augustine Eguavoen, needed just one point to confirm their spot in the tournament set to take place in Morocco.

However, Nigeria clinched their qualification even before facing Gernot Rohr’s Cheetahs, who are also on track for a potential return to the competition.

In their encounter in Abidjan, Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw. The hosts initially took the lead through Mohamed Tijani in the first half. However, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen rose to the occasion, scoring the equalizer with just nine minutes left on the clock.

With that crucial goal, Osimhen matched the legendary Segun Odegbami’s international tally, as he now shares the second spot with 23 goals in 37 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen is now only 14 goals away from breaking Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer.

Victor Osimhen (37 caps) is now Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record against Benin Republic. Only Rashidi Yekini has scored more, with 37 goals. Truly exceptional! pic.twitter.com/w9TlExR0xp

— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) November 14, 2024

Meanwhile, Libya’s qualification hopes took a major hit after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed sanctions on them.

The disciplinary board awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory and fined the Libyan Football Federation $50,000 (£38,500) due to the poor treatment experienced by the Nigerian squad during their visit. Despite this setback,

Libya showed resilience as they defeated Rwanda in front of a lively crowd at Stade Amahoro in Kigali. Although Rwanda dominated possession, Libya managed to seal the win with a decisive goal in the 84th minute.

Fahd Saad Mohamed, who had just entered the game four minutes earlier, made an immediate impact by scoring past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, thanks to an assist from Nouradin Elgelaib.

However, Libya is not ready to give up just yet. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has announced that they plan to appeal the sanctions, hoping to reverse CAF’s decision.

They intend to pursue the matter to the highest levels of legal channels in a bid to keep their AFCON qualification hopes alive.

As Nigeria looks forward to making its 21st appearance in the continental tournament, its history in AFCON remains impressive. The Super Eagles made their debut in 1963 in Ghana, finishing sixth after a group-stage exit.

Since then, they have claimed the AFCON title three times—in Nigeria (1980), Tunisia (1994), and South Africa (2013).

Additionally, they have finished as runners-up five times and hold the record for the most bronze medals in AFCON history, having secured third place on eight occasions.

In their last outing at the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria narrowly lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final despite taking an early lead, with William Troost-Ekong being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Looking ahead, Nigeria is determined to close out its qualifying campaign on a high note when they face Rwanda’s senior national team on Monday.

With only one game left, the Super Eagles are the sole team to have secured qualification from Group D. The battle for the second spot in the group remains wide open.

Furthermore, the Benin Republic, Libya, and Rwanda set to fight for a ticket to Morocco. As the final day of qualifiers approaches, fans can expect an intense showdown among these nations.

Besides Nigeria, several other nations have also booked their spots in the 2025 AFCON tournament.

Alongside hosts Morocco, countries such as Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda have all punched their tickets.

With these teams already qualified, the stage is set for another thrilling edition of Africa’s biggest football spectacle – 2025 AFCON!

Check out more sports updates here.