News
NCC licenses two eew satellite internet providers to boost connectivity
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed two additional global satellite internet service providers, BeetleSat-1 and Satelio IoT Services, in a move aimed at strengthening satellite broadband connectivity and enhancing competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
KANO FOCUS reports that the seven-year licences, which take effect from February 28, 2026 to February 28, 2033, are intended to expand satellite broadband services across the country and align Nigeria’s communications sector with global best practices.
The approvals come against the backdrop of persistent connectivity gaps, with more than 23 million Nigerians living in unserved or underserved areas and mobile broadband penetration standing at 50.58 per cent as of November 2025. The development underscores the limitations of terrestrial networks in reaching rural and hard-to-access communities.
BeetleSat-1, operated by NSLComm, is an international satellite company with a multi-country corporate structure. The firm is developing a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of 264 satellites designed to deliver high-throughput, low-latency satellite internet, cellular backhaul and mobility services worldwide.
In 2021, BeetleSat formed a strategic alliance with Spanish technology group Arquimea, which has since become its largest shareholder and principal industrial partner. The NCC granted BeetleSat a Ka-Band frequency licence, which is renewable upon the expiration of the seven-year term.
Germany-based Satelio IoT Services was licensed for its planned 491-satellite Internet of Things (IoT) system, although only one satellite is currently in orbit. The approval positions the company to develop IoT connectivity solutions across Nigeria, supporting emerging applications in agriculture, logistics and industrial monitoring.
According to the NCC, the new licences will enable both operators to invest in ground infrastructure, build local partnerships and enter enterprise contracts, while expanding Nigeria’s role in the growing global space-based internet services market. The approvals align with the Commission’s commercial satellite communications guidelines, which are designed to attract investment and promote next-generation non-geostationary satellite (NGSO) systems.
The licences also follow the NCC’s recent approval of a landing permit for Amazon’s Kuiper Systems LLC under its Project Kuiper initiative. The permit authorises the deployment of up to 3,236 non-geostationary low Earth orbit satellites using Ka-band frequencies to provide fixed satellite services, mobile satellite services and earth stations in motion over the same seven-year period.
The new entrants join an increasingly competitive satellite broadband market in Nigeria. SpaceX’s Starlink, operating through Starlink Internet Service Nigeria Ltd, has already emerged as the country’s third-largest internet service provider. According to NCC subscriber statistics for the second quarter of 2025, Starlink recorded 66,523 subscribers, reflecting rapid growth since its entry into the Nigerian market in 2023.
News
JONAPWD Kano to hold leadership election Saturday
Ibrahim Khalil
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kano State Chapter, will hold its leadership election on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to elect new executives for the association.
KANO FOCUS reports that the election will take place at the Social Welfare Department, Gyadi-Gyadi Court Road, Kano.
Ahead of the exercise, the Chairman of the JONAPWD Kano State Chapter Electoral Committee, Malam Yusha’u Ibrahim Kofar Waika, has urged members, accredited delegates and representatives of the various disability clusters to arrive at the venue on time.
He said punctuality and adequate preparation were necessary to ensure a smooth and orderly electoral process.
Kofar Waika also called on all disability clusters to make the necessary arrangements and participate actively in the election.
The exercise is expected to usher in a new leadership for the association in Kano State.
The election is an important step towards strengthening democratic participation, unity and inclusive leadership among persons with disabilities in the state.
It is also expected to support effective representation and advocacy for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
