Ahmad Farroukh, the CEO of Nigerian telecom giant Globacom, has resigned after just one month in the role, multiple sources close to the matter confirmed.

While Globacom has not issued an official statement or communicated the resignation internally, several industry insiders suggest the decision was linked to significant challenges within the company’s organizational structure.

Techcabal reports that Farroukh’s departure was tied to problems with the organizational setup. A top-level executive at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) who asked not to be named confirmed Farroukh’s exit but declined to share specifics.

Farroukh’s abrupt resignation highlights significant internal challenges at the company, which has long been criticized for its centralized decision-making process.

According to a former Globacom executive, the company’s founder, Mike Adenuga, is key to most decisions within the company.

Adenuga has managed the telecom giant alongside his other business interests, including oil and gas, financial services, and real estate, with minimal structural separation between his other ventures and Globacom’s operations. 

This approach has historically worked for the company but may have presented obstacles for Farroukh, whose experience at more structured organizations like MTN and Airtel might have led him to expect a different level of operational autonomy.

Farroukh’s departure also comes when Globacom is facing heightened regulatory scrutiny.

In late 2024,  the NCC’s sector audit revealed that over 40 million subscribers were not properly registered with their National Identification Numbers (NIN), violating government regulations. 

This led to a significant loss of market share, with Globacom’s share of the Nigerian mobile market shrinking by approximately 60%, leaving it with just 12%.

Globacom has also faced ongoing cybersecurity issues, including a high-profile hack in 2023 that exposed the personal data of millions of its subscribers.

These issues may have created an environment where Farroukh’s leadership efforts could not make a meaningful impact quickly.

“A CEO leaving in one month is unprecedented in the industry. The NCC can investigate the reason for his exit. The commission can seek an explanation from the CEO, who is not obligated to respond, or from the company because this is about corporate governance, which the NCC Act covers,” said Ayoola Oke, a former Adviser to the former Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Ernest Ndukwe.

Globacom’s leadership void following Farroukh’s departure will raise questions about the company’s ability to navigate its ongoing internal challenges and regain its competitive edge.

Without significant structural changes, it is unclear how Globacom can address the organizational weaknesses that led to Farroukh’s exit.

The Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza, has disclosed plans to position Nigeria on the global map of aircraft manufacturing, repairs and operations.

“The vision is ambitious. It is to contribute to aircraft manufacturing, even if it’s just components like wings, landing gears, or tires.

Nigeria has the talent and ability; we just need the enabling environment and facilities to make it happen,” he said.

Iza spoke during the launch of XeJet’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility and flight support center in Abuja. 

He said: “Currently, XeJet employs about 300 people. With this new facility, we expect to quadruple that number.

First phase involves site preparation, including leveling the ground and constructing a taxiway to connect the runway to the facility, which is estimated to cost $5 million. The structure itself will require an equal investment.”

On the occasion, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, noted that the move aligns with the federal government’s vision to support local operators and boost the nation’s aviation industry.

He said: ” Since we came to office, we’ve been focused on attracting MRO facilities to our aviation ecosystem, just as they exist in other parts of the world.

“We’ve searched far and wide for investors, but now we see that what we were looking for elsewhere is right here at home. This collaboration between XeJet and local banks is a dream come true.”

Keyamo added: “This development will not only serve Nigeria but will attract users from across the West African sub-region. That’s the dream—to make this facility a regional center for excellence.”

The Nigerian Communications Commission has approved requests from network operators for tariff adjustments in response to rising operational costs, marking the first change in rates since 2013.

The decision, announced in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Monday, allows for a maximum adjustment of 50% to current tariffs, significantly less than the over 100% proposed by some operators.

The NCC said it is exercising its authority under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 and emphasised that the new tariffs would remain within the limits outlined in its 2013 Cost Study.

According to the commission, the adjustments will also adhere to its 2024 Guidance on Tariff Simplification, ensuring transparency and fairness in implementation.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews.

It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators.

The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised,” the statement said.

The NCC noted that the adjustment was necessary to sustain investment in infrastructure and innovation, benefiting consumers through improved services, better network quality, and wider coverage.

“This decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” Muoka stated, adding that the commission prioritised balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability.

While recognising the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses, the NCC mandated operators to implement the new rates transparently and educate consumers on the changes.

Operators are also required to demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery as part of the adjustments.

“Recognising the concerns of the public, this decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

“The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.

“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments.

To this end, the commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery,” it added.

The commission underscored its commitment to fostering a resilient and inclusive telecommunications sector.

“Beyond protecting consumers, the commission’s actions are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, support indigenous vendors and suppliers, and promote the overall growth of Nigeria’s digital economy,” the statement added.

The NCC assured Nigerians of continued engagement with stakeholders to maintain a telecommunications environment that protects consumers while enabling the ecosystem that drives connectivity across the nation.