The dawn of the 21st century marked a dramatic turning point in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Prior to 2001, mobile communication in Nigeria was a luxury. It was barely accessible, unreliable, and limited to a few thousand lines operated by the state-owned NITEL. But in 2001, with the introduction of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), everything changed.

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The Birth of GSM in Nigeria

In 2001, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nigerian government deregulated the telecom sector, inviting private players to transform a stagnant industry. This move led to a landmark auction of digital mobile licenses by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Three operators won the licenses: MTN Nigeria, Econet Wireless (now Airtel), and NITEL’s mobile arm, M-Tel. Each license cost $285 million and they had a 90-day deadline to launch services. This deregulation opened the doors to private investment and healthy competition in a sector that had been stagnant for decades.

Who Made The First GSM Call?

Two firsts were recorded, both symbolic of the mobile revolution. On May 6, 2001, Econet Wireless made Nigeria’s very first GSM call. This pioneering moment marked the technical birth of mobile communication in Nigeria. The-then Chairman Strive Masiyiwa, made the very first GSM call on May 6, 2001, to the NCC regulator, announcing, “We’re live!” In his own words,

I had the privilege of making Nigeria’s first GSM phone call back in 2001 when I called the regulator to say, ‘We’re live!’.

Reflecting on the historic moment, Masiyiwa described it as a symbol of enterprise in Africa. Ten days later on May 16, 2001, MTN Nigeria made its own historic first GSM call at Maritime House in Apapa, Lagos. By August 7, 2001, Econet began commercial operations, followed shortly by MTN.

Early GSM Experience

In the early days, owning a mobile phone was a status symbol because the cost of getting connected was extremely high and varied between providers.

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Econet Wireless charged:

• ₦15,000 connection fee

• ₦400 monthly access fee

• ₦15,000 for handsets

MTN Nigeria charged:

• ₦20,000 connection fee

• ₦4,000 access fee

• ₦20,000 for handsets

Despite the high costs, the demand was overwhelming. Nigerians were eager to ditch unreliable landlines for instant, mobile communication.

Following Econet and MTN, other players entered the scene. Globacom (Glo) launched in 2003 as Nigeria’s first indigenous operator. It revolutionized the market by offering free SIM cards and per-second billing. Etisalat (now 9mobile) joined in 2008, bringing a focus on data services and youth-friendly plans. These competitors intensified the race for market share, pushing down prices and improving service quality across the country.

Challenges Faced by Telecom Operators

Despite the success, telecom providers had to battle various challenges like:

• Unstable power supply, requiring heavy reliance on diesel generators

• Multiple taxation from federal, state, and local governments

• Security concerns, including vandalism of telecom infrastructure

• Foreign exchange volatility, which increased equipment costs

• Poor road access in rural areas, limiting infrastructure rollout

As of recent reports, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reports over 187 million active GSM subscribers compared to just 400,000 landlines before 2001. The evolution of GSM also paved the way for mobile banking, social media, online commerce, and digital learning. It has made life more connected and convenient.

Today, SIM cards cost under ₦100. Entry-level smartphones are widely available. Calls, SMS, and mobile data have become affordable, connecting people from all over… all of these was an unimaginable reality in 2001.

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My name is Tunde, and like thousands of young Nigerians, my biggest dream was to japa. I had applied for a UK visa three times, three painful rejections. Each time, the embassy returned my passport with that heart-crushing stamp: “Application Refused.”

One evening, after another rejection, my friend Emeka called me.

“Bro, you’re still struggling with visa? There’s one man in Ibadan, he works miracles. Just pay him, do the sacrifice, and your visa will come.”

I laughed. “Abeg, stop joking. Na scam.”

But Emeka insisted. “My cousin used him last year, two weeks after, visa came. Even the white people don’t understand how it works.”

A week later, I found myself in a dimly lit shrine somewhere in Ibadan. The air smelled of herbs and burnt offerings. The native doctor, a stout man with reddened eyes, sat on a wooden stool, chewing kola nuts.

“You want to travel?” he asked, already knowing my problem.

I nodded.

“₦2 million. I will prepare something powerful for you. The spirits will open doors.”

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₦2 million?! That was almost all my savings. But the way he said it… like it was a sure deal.

“If it doesn’t work?” I asked.

He smirked. “It will work. But if you doubt, walk away.”

Something in his confidence convinced me. Maybe it was frustration. Maybe it was the stories of people who “made it” after visiting him.

I paid.

He gave me a small black pot containing a strange-looking powder.

“Burn this at midnight. Speak your request to the flame. Then wash your face with the ashes the next morning.”

I followed his instructions like my life depended on it.

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Two weeks later, I got an email:

“Your UK visa application has been approved.”

I screamed. IT WORKED!

I called Emeka, overjoyed. “This native doctor is powerful! My visa cleared!”

But then… things got weird.

A week before my flight, I started having the same dream. A faceless woman standing at the foot of my bed, whispering: “You will pay… you will pay…”

I woke up sweating every night.

Then, the calls started. Unknown numbers. When I picked up, silence, followed by faint crying.

One evening, I saw her, the woman from my dreams, standing across the street, staring at me. I blinked, and she was gone.

Frightened, I went back to the native doctor.

This time, his demeanour was different. Cold.

“You got what you wanted, abi? Now, the spirit wants something too.”

“What spirit?!” I shouted.

He sighed. “The money you paid was just part. The real sacrifice is you.”

My blood went cold.

“What are you saying?”

“The spirit that helped you now owns you. If you travel, it will follow you. And one day, it will collect its payment.”

I tore my visa that night.

Some dreams aren’t worth the price.

Now, anytime I see those “Visa lottery” or “Spiritual visa help” ads, I shiver.

Because I know the truth. Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.

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Nigeria is home to 36 states and over 370 distinct ethnic groups, including major ones like the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

The country’s cultural diversity is reflected in its vibrant array of festivals across the 36 states. These festivals are rooted in traditions, beliefs, and communal values passed down through generations. Here’s a look at some of Nigeria’s iconic cultural festivals, grouped by state:

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Abia State – New Yam Festival

In Abia, the New Yam Festival is a significant event among the Igbo people, symbolizing the end of the yam harvest season. Known as Iri ji ohu, the festival is a time for thanksgiving to the gods for a bountiful harvest. Traditional leaders perform rituals, and families offer prayers and food. Cultural dances, music, and masquerades mark the occasion.

Anambra State – Afiaolu (New Yam Festival)

This festival is celebrated mainly in Nnewi. The Afiaolu festival begins with rituals such as IWAJI (yam tasting) and Ikpa Nku (wood gathering). The Igwe (king) performs thanksgiving rites, while masquerade dances, women’s cultural dances, and feasting bring the community together in joy and thanksgiving.

Bauchi State – Durbar Festival

During Eid celebrations, Bauchi hosts a grand Durbar, where colourfully dressed horsemen parade before emirs and community leaders. This spectacle of horsemanship, music, and martial displays reflects northern Nigeria’s Islamic heritage and warrior traditions.

Borno State – Global Kanuri Cultural Festival

This festival unites Kanuri people from across West Africa in Maiduguri. It’s a celebration of shared heritage, featuring traditional attire, language, culinary arts, and performances, preserving a culture that spans multiple countries.

Cross River State – Calabar Carnival

This festival is tagged “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.” The Calabar Carnival is a month-long extravaganza held every December. With parades, colourful costumes, band competitions, and global participants, it fuses modern carnival flair with local traditions in an electrifying atmosphere.

Enugu State – Mmanwu & Iriji-Mmanwu Festivals

The Mmanwu festival showcases traditional masquerades believed to embody ancestral spirits. The Iriji-Mmanwu, held in August, merges new yam festivities with over 2,000 masquerade performances, acrobatics, and vibrant dances, celebrating Igbo spirituality and art.

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Imo State – Ikeji Arondizuogu Festival

A celebration of Arondizuogu pride, the Ikeji Festival features masquerades, music, and poetry. The event draws tourists and locals, fostering cultural appreciation and unity among the Igbo subgroups.

Jigawa State – Gani Durbar Festival

During this festival which is held annually, the Gani Durbar displays royal regalia, cavalry parades, and music to celebrate historical events and the end of Ramadan. It reinforces traditional authority and cultural pride.

Kano State – Durbar Festival

Kano’s Durbar is among the most extravagant in Nigeria. Featuring hundreds of decorated horsemen, drummers, and dancers, it marks Islamic festivals and royal milestones, attracting tourists from around the world.

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Kogi State – Ovie Orese & Ovia-Osese Festivals

The Ovie Orese celebrates male initiation into adulthood among certain Kogi communities. The Ovia-Osese Festival, celebrated in Ogori, is a rite of passage for virgin girls, recognizing their purity and readiness for womanhood with music, dance, and blessings.

Kwara State – Ilorin Durbar Festival

This multi-day Islamic cultural festival includes royal horse processions, Quranic recitations, and homage to the Emir of Ilorin. It is a blend of religion, culture, and royal grandeur.

Lagos State – Eyo Festival

A historic Yoruba festival held on Lagos Island, Eyo features costumed masqueraders in white, carrying staffs and dancing through the streets. It’s a celebration of Lagos’ ancestors and traditional institutions.

Niger State – Nupe Day Festival

Observed on June 26, Nupe Day commemorates the Nupe people’s 1896 victory over the British. Cultural exhibitions, horse parades, and prayers highlight this proud history and identity.

Ogun State – Ake Festival & Ojude Oba Festival

The Ake Festival celebrates Yoruba literary and artistic excellence in Abeokuta. The Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode showcases Islamic fashion, horse riding, and tributes to the Awujale, blending culture and religion magnificently.

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Kebbi State – Argungu Fishing Festival

An iconic four-day event, Argungu draws thousands to compete in fishing using traditional methods. The event includes canoe races, wrestling, and cultural showcases, celebrating peace and productivity since 1934.