MTN Nigeria says that its 5G network, has reached an estimated 15 million subscribers across the country.

In a statement, the company linked the growth to its aggressive leadership in 4G/5G deployment and the accelerated rollout of its Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network.

” We are proud to be the first telco to achieve over 82 percent coverage in 4G, and the first to roll out 5H in Nigeria, already reaching an estimated 15 million of the population and counting,” the statement reads.

It added that the drive for connectivity is backed by significant capital spending, stressing that Capex, excluding leases, soared by 248.0% to N757.4 billion.

The firm said that this investment was strategically directed at capacity enhancement to reduce congestion and to deliver ultra-fast broadband to households through FTTH.“Demand for data remains robust, driving a 36.3% YoY increase in data traffic, with average usage per subscriber rising by 20.8% to 13.2GB.

• Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, YAN Yuqing

Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, had said China-Nigeria bilateral trade exceeded $22.3 billion between January and October 2025.

Yuqing disclosed this at the Lagos Forum New Year Media Symposium, where she reviewed bilateral relations and outlined prospects for deeper cooperation in 2026

.“Over the past year, China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation has shown great vitality and strong momentum.

Over the past year, China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation has shown great vitality and strong momentum.

“From January to October 2025, bilateral trade exceeded $22.3 billion; this represented a 30.2 percent year-on-year increase,” Yuqing said.

She said Nigeria had remained one of China’s major investment destinations in Africa for many consecutive years.

• File Photo: Anthony Chiejina

PRovoke Media has again recognized the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, among the most powerful communications leaders in the world, in its prestigious 2025 Influence 100.

The recognition marks Chiejina’s fifth consecutive appearance on the global ranking, having previously been listed in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, a rare distinction that underscores both consistency and sustained global relevance.

According to PRovoke Media, the 2025 Influence 100 identifies the most impactful senior communications, corporate affairs and marketing executives worldwide.

It emphasised that Chiejina’s inclusion reflects his central role in shaping the reputation of Dangote Group, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate.

It notes that for over 15 years, Chiejina has overseen corporate communications across the group’s diverse portfolio, spanning cement, agriculture, energy, manufacturing and consumer goods.

His stewardship has been instrumental in positioning Dangote as the continent’s most admired indigenous company and a symbol of African industrial ambition.

According to the publication, under Chiejina’s leadership, the group’s communications function has navigated complex regulatory environments, major industrial expansions and heightened global attention, particularly as Dangote deepens its footprint across Africa and advances sustainability and energy security initiatives.

” As group head of corporate communications, he oversees external and internal reputation across multiple sectors spanning cement, agriculture, energy and consumer goods, and has helped steer the brand’s continued recognition as the most admired indigenous company on the continent,” it said.

His continued presence places him among an elite group of in-house communicators whose judgement, influence and strategic insight shape corporate reputation at the highest level

According to the publication, under Chiejina’s leadership, the group’s communications function has navigated complex regulatory environments, major industrial expansions and heightened global attention, particularly as Dangote deepens its footprint across Africa and advances sustainability and energy security initiatives.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Influence 100 includes 28 new entrants, alongside several high profile re entries by senior communications leaders who have since taken on expanded global roles.

These include Michael Stewart, who moved from PwC to Unilever; Michael Gonda, from McDonald’s to Nike; and Sandy Rodriguez, also from McDonald’s to Eli Lilly.

This year’s list reflects a powerful cross section of communications leadership from some of the world’s most influential organisations, including Walmart, Apple, Shell, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nissan, Coca Cola, Google, Lufthansa, MTN, Emirates, Ford, Marriott, Tencent and Reliance Industries among others.

In total, 20 countries are represented, highlighting the global reach and strategic importance of senior in house communications leadership.

Gender representation remains strong, with 58 women and 42 men featured, sustaining a female majority for the second consecutive year.