MTN Nigeria yesterday confirmed the news making the rounds that it closed its offices nationwide saying it was in order not to expose its workers to more harm than they suffered on Monday.

The telco said it was still taking stock of its losses as a result of damages protesters inflicted on its operations by physically destroying some of its facilities

A reliable source at MTN said: Yes, we had to take the decision of closing offices nationwide to protect our workers. They have suffered untold humiliation already and we did not want more harm to happen to them. However, the decision will not affect any of our services which will be going seamlessly on the background. But, what I don’t know, is when to open offices. It will depend on the nature of the nationwide protest and how long it lasts.

Some people had mischievously instigated that the protest begins at MTN offices and true to type, that can happen, and if it does while our workers are in the office, they may be subjected to more harm

Recall that yesterday the telco announced the closure of its offices and service centres nationwide, asking its customers to use its digital channels for any support they may need.

It used its Customer Care handle on X, to send the notice of closure saying: “Please, be informed that our shops nationwide will be closed today, 30th July. We are available 24/7 to support you via our digital channels.”

The build up to the closure started when scores of angry subscribers besieged MTN offices in many parts of the country vandalizing and pulling down facilities in reaction to massive barring of subscribers’ lines in compliance to the NCC’s directive that any telephone line not properly linked with the National Identity Number be barred on July 30th.

Eye witness account, recounted how angry subscribers pulled out the gates and barricades of MTN service centre in 23 road, Festac Town and damaged valuable property.

Protests in Festac, Oshogbo, others

Also in Oshogbo, Osun State, hundreds of subscribers, same Monday, trooped out to protest the action of telcos in barring their lines, just a few hours to the protest.

The protesters marched to the offices of different telecom operators in the state, particularly Dada estate, Head office of MTN Nigeria in the state.

Many of the protesters claimed to have arrived MTN office since 6.00 am with a view to unblocking their barred SIM cards but could not because the telco shut its doors.

The protesters also blocked the Osogbo-Iwo road leading to Oke-Fia area of the state capital, thereby disrupting traffic and creating gridlock in the area.

The customers consisting of old men, women, pregnant women and others, including civil servants appeared visibly angry over refusal to be attended to by the workers in the office. 

According to a resident of Dada estate, Mr Ismail Ademola who was affected by the blockage, subscribers had lined up since 8am but could not be attended to after several hours.

Another customer, Ifeoluwa Dayo, said, “I left my children at home since 7am in Ikirun, Ifelodun local government area of the state only to get here and be told that I should come back another day in this period of high transportation fare.

Also at its shop in Maitama, Abuja, angry subscribers were reportedly banging and hitting the gate of the facility, and threatening that the planned nationwide protest would start from MTN’s premises.

Security operatives, especially DSS officials were later called in to calm the rising tension.
The situations in Festac and Oshogbo and Abuja were just few out of many in the Telcos’ offices in major cities, including Obalende, Victoria Island, Mushin and Ikeja in Lagos State,; Onitsha in Anambra State, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and Warri in Delta State.

Viral videos online show protesters venting their frustration and anger over the sudden disconnection. The protests highlight the frustration and disruption caused by the mass disconnection, with many subscribers demanding a resolution to the issue.

NCC’s remedy

Meanwhile, the telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, immediately directed all operators to urgently reactivate all lines that were disconnected since the weekend in view of the short time available for consumers to undertake the verification of their National Identification Numbers, NINs with their Subscriber Identity Module, SIMs.

The commission apparently did that to avert more damages on the operators but before it did, MTN had suffered substantial losses.

The MTN source told Vanguard that the company was disappointed but not surprised at the way the whole anger over call barring was directed at it, because such is the price a big operator pays, especially when it is dominating market share.

MTN leads the market with active subscriptions of 81.7 million, as of March this year while the closest operator, Airtel, had 63.3 million subscriptions.

Globacom and 9Mobile had 62.1 million and 11.6 million active subscriptions respectively.

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) highlights a pervasive global prevalence of corruption, with significant challenges also evident across the African continent.

According to the CPI, two-thirds of countries in the world have some form of corruption issue. 

The index evaluates 180 countries and territories based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, with scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Although North Africa has made strides in combating corruption, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to have the lowest corruption index among regions. With a global average of 43, Sub-Saharan Africa has an average score of just 33.

Here are 10 African countries with high corruption. 

Somalia, Global Rank: 180th

Somalia has emerged as the most corrupt country in Africa heading into 2024. Political instability and ongoing conflicts have fostered an environment rife with corruption. The weak central government lacks effective oversight and accountability mechanisms, significantly hindering the nation’s progress.

South Sudan, Global Rank: 177th

As the world’s youngest country, South Sudan has faced persistent corruption issues since its independence in 2011. Power struggles and resource mismanagement have siphoned funds away from essential services and infrastructure, creating substantial obstacles to economic development.

Equatorial Guinea, Global Rank: 172nd 

Corruption control in Equatorial Guinea is reportedly extremely poor, leading citizens to lose faith in public officials who seem to prioritize their own interests over public service.

Libya, Global Rank: 170th

Following the revolution, Libya faces severe corruption due to weak institutions and political instability, with control over the nation’s oil wealth intensifying governance challenges and stalling economic development.

Sudan, Global Rank: 162nd

Sudan is listed among the most corrupt African countries due to widespread issues affecting nearly all sectors, especially the economy and politics, where power abuse and favoritism are prevalent.

Democratic Republic of Congo, Global Rank: 162nd

The DRC contends with corruption across both public and private sectors, impeding development efforts. Despite its abundant natural resources, corruption continues to be a major barrier to progress and the enhancement of living standards for its citizens.

Comoros, Global Rank: 162nd

Corruption is widespread in Comoros, undermining national progress and worsening poverty and inequality, while the island nation faces significant challenges in establishing effective anti-corruption measures and promoting transparency.

Chad, Global Rank: 162nd

Chad faces severe corruption, which, coupled with security issues worsened by insurgency, cripples its economy and weakens the rule of law, as many individuals engage in corrupt practices with a sense of impunity.

Burundi, Global Rank: 162nd

In Burundi, systemic issues significantly impede progress, affecting public services, worsening economic challenges, and hindering efforts to improve citizens’ well-being.

Eritrea, Global Rank: 161st

Eritrea rounds out the top 10, facing corruption challenges that obstruct progress and development, making it crucial to address these issues to ensure a brighter future for its citizens.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has appealed to youths in the country to shun the proposed protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024.

Ododo made the appeal on Tuesday during an event held in Lokoja to mark the empowerment of 500 women and youths in the poultry value-chain credit support programme.

He argued that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited the current economic hardship, adding that protest will bring about destruction of the nations economy.

“As a state, we will continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu laudable initiative in making Nigeria great. To those Nigerians who are bent on violent protests, let reasoning prevail. We are making progress. We are moving forward. Our hopes are back.

“Any violent protest at a time like this will no doubt reverse our gain in the past 13 months. The intent of the promoters of protest in Nigeria are concealed in political desperation.

“I call on all the youth of our dear nation to rise behind Mr. President in his determination to fix the nation back on track. Mr. President is trying. What we are facing today is not caused by him. He inherited this economic crisis and hardship and he is trying to pull us out of it. I urge everyone of us as a state to support Mr. President’s programs and policies so that together we can jointly pull ourselves out of this economic hardship.

“Tell those that are telling you to go on the street to protest to bring their children.You cannot send your children abroad, thinking we are fools. We are not fools. Mr. President is trying. We will continue to support him so that we will be pulled out of this inherited economic crisis,” he stated.

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to retract the deployment of soldiers across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other cities ahead of the planned hunger protest.

Reports from Naija News highlighted the increased presence of security forces, including military personnel, in the FCT and other major cities as a prelude to the nationwide protests scheduled from August 1 to 10.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, refuted claims that the deployment was aimed at intimidating protesters.

He clarified, “Troops have always been stationed nationwide for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. There’s nothing new about this deployment.”

In a letter sent to the Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday, Adeyanju emphasized that managing security during protests is the responsibility of the police.

The letter, titled “Request to Restrict Men of the Nigerian Army to Barracks during the Scheduled 2024 National Protest,” recalls that military intervention during protests in Kenya and the 2020 #EndSARS movement often resulted in escalated violence.

Adeyanju stated, “We write as a pro-human rights law firm to draw your attention to the disturbing deployment of men of the Nigerian Army across the Federal Capital Territory and other cities to suppress the scheduled August 1, 2024, national protest.

“The task of providing internal security, including the protection of protesters during the scheduled protest, lies with the Nigerian Police Force and not the Nigerian Army.

“You may also recall that at all times when the armed forces intervened in any protest, including the recent ongoing Kenya protest, such protests often escalated into full-blown riots leading to loss of lives and property.

“It is on the premise of the foregoing that we urge you to withdraw your men back to the barracks as we do not want a repeat of soldiers killing protesters as was witnessed during EndSARS.”

Some suspected thugs, on Tuesday, took to the street in Lagos State to threaten residents not to come out for the hunger protest scheduled for Thursday, August 1 to 10.

In a viral clip on Tuesday, the people whose voices were only heard were chastising the market women and men to desist from the planned protest as it might lead to more destruction than that witnessed in the #EndSARS protest.

The men in the video warned, “Anybody that is confident should come out on Thursday to protest. Are you the only one hungry?

“If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.”

This development comes amidst the directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordering senior police officers to protect participants of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest.

Naija News reports that Egbetokun gave this directive in a letter to the request of human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.

Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had, on July 26, 2024, written the IGP to provide police coverage for protesters.

The senior lawyer had written the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups planning the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.

The IGP, in his response letter dated July 29, 2024, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer.

Watch the video below:

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, said there is no longer a need for protest.

According to Idris, the planned protest should come to a halt because President Bola Tinubu-led government is already addressing the demands made by aggrieved Nigerians.

Idris, while addressing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, said, “Many of the issues that those planning the protest are putting forward is being addressed. Government is putting efforts to make sure that food is made available.

“Rice has been taken to various centers across the country and it is being sold for ₦40,000. This is just the beginning and necessary first step. Other efforts are underway.

“There is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector and we believe that as we move forward, the price of food will come down.”

The Minister said the President believes that the government is answering the questions being asked by the youths, “The student loan is making sure that no youth that wants to go to school will be left out. By the time the CNG takes full course, the transportation issues will be resolved.”

Naija News understands that aggrieved Nigerians are planning to hit the streets on the 1st of August due to the level of hardship in the country