Twenty-five years after the introduction of GSM transformed Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders are set to examine the next phase of the country’s digital transformation and connectivity.
The conversation, themed “GSM Revolution: 25 Years After,” is scheduled to hold at Oriental Hotel on September 24, 2026, at 10am. The event will bring together some of the key figures and institutions associated with Nigeria’s telecommunications sector to reflect on the industry’s journey and consider what lies ahead.
The milestone provides an opportunity to examine how mobile telecommunications changed communication in Nigeria and how the foundations created by the GSM revolution have contributed to the country’s increasingly connected digital economy.
A major highlight of the event will be a keynote address by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The commission is expected to provide insights into the development of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector over the past 25 years, including key milestones, lessons from the industry’s growth and opportunities for the future.
The event will also feature Dr. Ernest Ndukwe as Special Guest of Honour.
Ndukwe is one of the key figures associated with the birth and early development of Nigeria’s GSM revolution. His participation is expected to provide historical context on the vision behind the transformation, the challenges encountered during the industry’s formative years and how the telecommunications sector has evolved since then.
His perspective will offer a connection between the early days of GSM and the emerging digital environment, particularly as Nigeria considers the technologies and infrastructure that will shape the next stage of connectivity.
Another major feature of the event will be a high-level panel discussion titled “What Happens After the GSM Revolution?”
The discussion will bring together leading voices from Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital infrastructure ecosystem to examine the changes that have taken place since GSM was introduced and the direction in which the industry is heading.
Among the expected panelists are the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty, and technology strategist and IT industry leader Chris Uwaje, popularly known as “The IT Oracle.”
More industry leaders and stakeholders are expected to join the conversation as preparations for the event continue.
The panel will move beyond the history of mobile telecommunications to focus on the future of connectivity and digital transformation in Nigeria.
Discussions are expected to cover emerging technologies, broadband expansion, digital infrastructure, innovation and the changing requirements of consumers and businesses.
The evolution of mobile telecommunications over the past 25 years has been significant.
When GSM was introduced, mobile communication was primarily associated with voice calls and text messaging. Today, mobile networks have become a critical platform for a wide range of activities, including financial services, commerce, education, entertainment, healthcare, entrepreneurship and access to digital services.
The transformation has also changed the way individuals, businesses and institutions interact.
Mobile connectivity has helped create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, expanded access to financial services and provided businesses with new channels for reaching customers. It has also become an important part of everyday life for millions of Nigerians.
However, the achievements of the past 25 years also raise questions about what should come next.
The central question of the event — what happens after the GSM revolution — reflects the need to consider how Nigeria can build on the infrastructure, innovation and connectivity created by the mobile telecommunications era.
As technology continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to consider what will define the next generation of connectivity and how Nigeria can prepare for emerging technologies.
Digital infrastructure will remain an important part of that conversation. The ability to provide reliable and accessible connectivity will influence the extent to which businesses, consumers and public institutions can take advantage of new technologies.
Broadband expansion is also expected to feature prominently as stakeholders examine how to improve access and support a more connected economy.
Innovation will form another important part of the discussion, particularly as new technologies continue to reshape industries and create changing expectations among consumers.
The event is therefore positioned as more than a celebration of the GSM revolution’s history. It is also intended to serve as a forward-looking discussion about the future of Nigeria’s communications and digital ecosystem.
The gathering will bring together pioneers who contributed to the development of the telecommunications industry, regulatory institutions, operators, infrastructure providers and technology leaders involved in shaping its next chapter.
The participation of both industry veterans and current technology leaders is expected to provide different perspectives on the country’s digital journey.
For the pioneers of GSM, the event provides an opportunity to reflect on the transformation that began 25 years ago. For the current generation of industry stakeholders, it provides a platform to consider how those achievements can support the next stage of Nigeria’s digital development.
The evolution from basic mobile communication to an ecosystem supporting financial technology, digital commerce, online education, healthcare and other services demonstrates the broader impact of telecommunications on Nigerian society.
The next stage could bring another wave of changes as emerging technologies become more deeply integrated into businesses and everyday life.
The September 24 gathering will therefore provide an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with that transition.
The key issue will be how Nigeria can translate the gains of the past 25 years into sustainable opportunities for the future while ensuring that digital infrastructure and emerging technologies remain accessible to citizens and businesses.
Twenty-five years after GSM changed the way Nigerians communicate, the industry is now looking beyond mobile connectivity as it considers the next phase of the country’s digital transformation.
The event’s central question captures the transition: the GSM revolution changed how Nigeria communicates, while the next generation of technology could fundamentally change how Nigerians live, work and do business.