₦airaland Forum

Why Nigeria Must Stand with Its Own: The Urgent Case for Backing Globacom

Nigeria is a country that loves to talk about greatness. From policy documents to political campaigns, we are constantly told that we are the “giant of Africa.” But a giant that cannot protect or grow its own strategic industries is only a giant in words, not in reality. If we are serious about economic sovereignty, digital independence, and national dignity, then the Nigerian government must deliberately support indigenous companies like Globacom.

This is not about hatred for foreign companies. It is about self-respect.

Telecommunications is not an ordinary business. In the modern world, it is as important as oil, power, and national security. Whoever controls a nation’s communication channels controls its economic bloodstream and, in many ways, its future. Yet in Nigeria, two of the biggest players in this strategic sector are foreign-owned: Airtel from India and MTN from South Africa. Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, is largely dependent on foreign control for its digital lifeline.

This should worry us.

What makes this issue more painful is the imbalance in treatment. How many Nigerian companies operate freely and dominantly in India, the home of Airtel? How many Nigerian firms enjoy real protection or preference in South Africa, the home of MTN? The honest answer is: very few. In fact, Nigerians in South Africa have, over the years, faced violent xenophobic attacks, harassment, and humiliation. There have been times when Nigerians were targeted like prey in a forest, hunted and terrorised simply because of their nationality.

A country that watches its citizens treated like this abroad should think deeply before surrendering complete control of a critical sector at home.

Supporting Globacom does not mean banning competition. It does not mean burning bridges or chasing away foreign investors. No serious nation grows that way. What it means is creating a smart, legal, and patriotic framework that gives indigenous champions a fighting chance.

Government can achieve this by giving clear preference to Nigerian-owned companies in public sector telecom contracts, national broadband expansion, and rural connectivity projects. It can reduce the crushing cost of operating by reviewing spectrum fees and right-of-way charges for local firms that invest heavily in infrastructure. It can offer tax incentives that are tied, not to luxury, but to reinvestment in Nigerian soil: more towers, more fibre-optic cables, more rural coverage.

The benefits are not abstract. They are practical and immediate.

First, jobs. When a Nigerian company grows, more Nigerians are employed — engineers, marketers, technicians, call-centre staff, contractors. Families are fed. Rent is paid. School fees are covered. That is real economic development, not theory.

Second, money stays at home. Profits made by indigenous companies are more likely to be reinvested in Nigeria, taxed in Nigeria, and spent in Nigeria. This strengthens the naira, supports small businesses and deepens our financial ecosystem.

Third, national security. Data is the new oil. A country that does not control its communication infrastructure is exposed. Supporting a trusted local champion strengthens data sovereignty and reduces vulnerability to external pressure or geopolitical blackmail.

Fourth, national pride. Countries that respect themselves build their own champions. India protected and nurtured its own companies before they went global. South Africa did the same. China, Korea and even small European nations strategically boosted domestic firms in their early stages. Nigeria cannot be the only country that preaches free market to its own detriment.

Globacom has shown that a Nigerian company can think big and act big. From laying submarine cables to expanding broadband infrastructure, it has invested in the physical backbone of our digital economy. That is not small thinking. That is nation

I laugh when I see topics like this...


Glo has all the backing it needs the be a major competitor in the Nigerian market both from government and from Nigerians.


Glo is not a very efficient company and has fallen short of expectations that's why most people have turned to other competitors.


Glo should work on itself internally. It should focus on providing and delivering effective and efficient services to customers.

Backing is there. To me glo is a failed company or at least a company that has performed below expectations a company that has not taken advantage of opportunities available at it's disposal. It has nothing to do with backing!

Very poor idea. Glo should compete and stop looking for unwarranted favour. Nigerians arent good managers of corporate systems. Look at the example of DSTV and EPL license

brain54:
I laugh when I see topics like this...


Glo has all the backing it needs the be a major competitor in the Nigerian market both from government and from Nigerians.


Glo is not a very efficient company and has fallen short of expectations that's why most people have turned to other competitors.


Glo should work on itself internally. It should focus on providing and delivering effective and efficient services to customers.

Backing is there. To me glo is a failed company or at least a company that has performed below expectations a company that has not taken advantage of opportunities available at it's disposal. It has nothing to do with backing!

Very underperforming infrastructure

After giving us per second billing and maybe crashing the cost of obtaining a sim card, what has Glo done for her teeming customers?

Why stand with a business that refuses to improve its network coverage and quality of calls but instead spends money on celebrities and advertising.


I currently have 4 MTN registered lines and I have rest of mind after discarding my 2 glo lines which annoyingly were my first lines.