Здравей,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- NCC could slap telcos with ₦12.4B fine
- Who spends millions attending tech events?
- New DStv feature lets friends share the bill
NCC could slap telcos with ₦12.4B fine
Nigeria’s telecom regulator is done issuing warnings. After years of consumer complaints about dropped calls, slow data, and vanishing airtime, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is preparing to hit operators with fines totalling about ₦12.4 billion ($8.77 million), one of its toughest enforcement moves yet, per TechCabal.
The planned penalties target breaches of service quality rules and come as the NCC updates its enforcement regulations to include stiffer sanctions and new communications-related offences. The push follows an order from Communications Minister Bosun Tijani, who wants penalties for poor network performance to be automatic, not negotiated.
What this means is simple: telcos can no longer hide behind promises of future investments. While the NCC approved tariff increases earlier this year to help operators cope with rising costs, it insists that higher prices must translate into better service, not excuses for bad performance.
Why it matters is obvious to consumers. The regulator says it is now focusing squarely on the issues Nigerians complain about most: poor network quality, unexplained data depletion, and failed airtime or data transactions. Audits of base stations, refunds worth over ₦10 billion, and spectrum reallocations are already being used to force improvements.
Nigeria isn’t alone in tightening the screws. In Kenya, the Communications Authority has fined operators like Safaricom and Airtel over quality-of-service breaches. Across Africa, regulators are shifting from friendly oversight to rule-based enforcement, and Nigeria’s ₦12.4 billion fine signals it is ready to play hardball too.
Who spends millions attending tech events?
Who spends millions of naira attending events? When I first heard how much Esohe Igbinoba invests monthly in conferences and industry gatherings, I was genuinely shocked and then not surprised at all. Because when you see the network she’s built and the doors she’s walked through, the strategy becomes obvious.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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Esohe describes herself as a “super connector”, someone who thrives on bringing people together and building communities that actually grow. As Director of Programs at Businessfront, that instinct shows up clearly in her work, but it also shapes how she’s deliberately designed her career.
By February 2024, she realised something crucial. If she wanted to move into venture capital and eventually secure a senior leadership role, talent alone wouldn’t cut it. There was a network gap. So she turned conferences and tech events into her personal lab, consistently and intentionally showing up across the African tech ecosystem.
She didn’t attend events randomly. Once she defined her “why”, she filtered aggressively, prioritising rooms filled with venture capitalists, founders, investors, and operators she wanted to learn from. If the people she was looking for wouldn’t be there, she stayed home. Sometimes, a single speaker was reason enough to show up.
The numbers are wild. What started as five events a month quickly grew to between ten and twenty. In 2024 alone, she attended 111 events. In 2025, that jumped to 160, a staggering 271 events in just two years. More importantly, she documented the journey, turning photos and videos into a personal brand built around presence, consistency, and connection. For more on her story, including how much she spends a month and what others can learn from it, read Sarah’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
New DStv feature lets friends share the bill
If you’ve ever argued over who should pay the DStv bill this month, MultiChoice thinks it has a fix. DStv has introduced a new split payment feature in its MyDStv App, allowing customers to share the cost of a single subscription with a friend or family member.
With the new feature, the primary account holder can generate a payment link and send it to someone else to contribute toward the monthly subscription. The bill can be split between two people, making it easier for households, shared apartments, or families to manage costs without awkward reminders or transfers.
The update comes as DStv shifts focus from short-term promos to everyday affordability. With its Upsize promotion ending in January, the company says it’s now prioritising practical product tweaks that reflect how people actually live and pay for TV. Alongside the split bill feature, DStv also refreshed its entry-level Access package.
The Access package now includes three additional channels — Trace Ngoma, Trace Gospel, and WWE — at no extra cost. DStv says this is aimed at ensuring customers who stick to its most affordable package still get value, especially as many households tighten their budgets.
Hardware pricing has also been adjusted to lower the barrier to entry. Entry-level HD decoders now start at R499, with discounts of up to 57% on Explora decoders. According to MultiChoice CEO Willington Ngwepe, the goal is simple: give customers more flexibility to stay connected, even when money is tight.
In case you missed it
- PayPal returns to Nigeria, but its reason for blacklisting the country for 20 years is still there
- Nigerians are still mad at PayPal but their startups need dollars
What I’m watching
- What Happens If You Eat Only Once a Day — Inside Your Body
- Understanding HEAVY Menstrual BLEEDING – Dr Lora Shahine
Opportunities
- Credpal is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Want to learn how to secure your first $50,000 cheque? Attend the Nestuge event happening on January 30, 2026. Apply here.
- Lagos Business School is recruiting a Programme Officer (Delivery and Coordination). Submit a cover letter and your CV here.
- Kuda Technologies is looking for a Head of Product (Credit). Apply here.
- MTN Nigeria is hiring a Specialist – International Remittance (Product Manager). Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for several roles. Apply here.
- Bamboo is hiring a quality assurance manager. Apply here.
- Paystack MFB is hiring for a few roles. Apply here.
- Attend your first tech event in January! Tech Revolution Conference, a two-day event to discuss everything tech, takes place at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos on January 30 and 31, 2026. Get your tickets here.
- Don’t miss the Cavista Technologies Hackathon happening between February 21 and 22. Register your team and go home with cash prizes here.
- Kuda is recruiting a Head of Product (Credit). Apply here.
- Jumia is looking for a Senior Key Account Manager. Apply here.
- MTN is hiring a Specialist, International Remittance (Product Manager). Apply here.
- Don’t Miss the Africa Business Convention (ABC) 2026. It’s Africa’s #1 Business Conference & Investment Expo. It’s between February 3 and 4. Book your seat today here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for over 100 roles. Apply here.
- We’re hosting a debate on AI in daily life. Join us to share your insights and perspectives.
- Techpoint Africa is creating a video series where people discuss and debate policies and current events. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations, fill out this form. Apply here.
- Are you building a startup can feel isolating, but with Equity Merchants CommunityConnect? You can network with fellow founders, experts, and investors, gaining valuable insights and exclusive resources to help you grow your business. Click here to join.
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Have a superb Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
