‘Good material on telecoms’ — Obasanjo commends book by ex-Punch editor Oketola

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended the book on the Nigerian telecommunications ecosystem authored by Dayo Oketola, the immediate former editor of Punch Newspaper.

Obasanjo spoke when Oketola paid him a courtesy visit at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

Oketola unveiled the book, ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution through a Journalist’s Lens’, in September 2024 during an exaugural lecture organised  in his honour after his sojourn at the Punch titles.

The former president described the book as a “must-have for readers, researchers, and those interested in the nation’s telecoms journey”.

“I have started reading your book; it’s good. It’s a comprehensive resource on telecoms,” Obasanjo said.

“It details some of our achievements in the telecoms sector. It is a good reference material for all. You have done well, and I must commend your efforts.”

He also narrated how his administration generated over $280 million from telecommunications license from MTN, Econet (now Airtel), and Glo at the inception of mobile technology in the country.

Obasanjo revealed that his predecessor had planned to award the licenses to friends at a meager cost of $3 million.

“MTN, Econet, and Glo paid over $280 million, while Etisalat, which came later, paid $450 million,” he said.

“That was one of the most profitable government’s ventures we pursued.”