Telecoms giant Airtel Nigeria has revealed that its AI-powered Spam Alert Service flagged over 9.6 million potentially harmful SMS messages between March 13 and May 20, 2025.
The initiative, launched as part of Airtel’s broader efforts to protect users from spam and fraud, uses artificial intelligence to analyze messaging patterns and detect irregularities. Within just two months of deployment, the system identified 9,667,008 SMS as likely spam. Of these, 528,080 messages originated from within the Airtel network (on-net), while a significantly larger portion — 9,138,928 messages — were traced to other networks (off-net), underlining both the scale of the threat and Airtel’s AI capabilities.
Speaking on the milestone, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to customer safety.
“This achievement reflects the strength of our AI infrastructure in tackling the growing menace of spam and fraudulent communications. At Airtel Nigeria, we are dedicated to delivering not just connectivity, but a secure and trusted digital environment for all our customers,” he said.
“Trust is essential in today’s digital ecosystem. That’s why we’ve invested significantly in intelligent systems that not only detect threats but adapt and improve over time. As cyber threats evolve, our solutions will continue to evolve with them,” he added.
Launched on March 13, 2025, the Spam Alert Service forms a critical component of Airtel’s push to integrate artificial intelligence across its services, enhancing user safety and network reliability.
In an increasingly connected world, the convenience of mobile communication comes with rising risks. While technology has made it easier for Nigerians to stay in touch and access vital services, it has also opened the floodgates to cyber threats — particularly through SMS fraud, or smishing.
Smishing involves deceptive text messages designed to trick recipients into disclosing personal information or clicking malicious links. These attacks often mimic telecom providers or promote fake offers to gain trust.
The stakes are high: Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) reported that financial institutions lost N52.26 billion to fraud in 2024, a sharp rise from N17.67 billion in 2023. Over five years, fraud-related losses have surged by more than 350%, from N11.61 billion in 2020 to the current levels, even as the number of reported cases dropped by 31% during the same period.
Airtel’s proactive use of AI highlights how technology can help stem this tide — offering Nigerians a safer digital experience in the face of growing cyber threats.
