About ATOASDA

The Arewa Telecom Operators Agents and SIM Card Dealers Association (ATOASDA) is a network of over 500 partners and hundreds of thousands of agents spread across the 19 Northern States of Nigeria. We are the people at the grassroots who connect communities—through SIM card distribution, registration, activation, and data products—making sure telecom services reach the last mile.

As an association, our vision is simple: to protect the interests of our members, promote compliance with regulatory standards, and build opportunities that empower our people. We believe that telecom is more than business—it is livelihood, it is national security, and it is economic growth.

Since inception, ATOASDA has been at the forefront of advocacy, training, and capacity building. We organize sensitization programmes in partnership with regulators like the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure our members understand the dos and don’ts of SIM registration, data integrity, and taxation compliance. Beyond that, we are now exploring new frontiers—such as creating a microfinance cooperative to support members with capital, and engaging with key institutions like NIMC and FIRS to address downtimes and tax burdens that affect our business.

We also recognize the power of relationships. That is why we are intentional about building strong ties with traditional rulers, government agencies, and the media, because their voices amplify ours and help protect the work we do at the grassroots.

We are ATOASDA. We are more than agents—we are connectors, builders, and advocates for a stronger telecom ecosystem in Northern Nigeria.

Leadership Structure

ATOASDA operates on a comprehensive hierarchical structure, ensuring every member is represented. Our organization flows from the National President, supported by National Executives, down to Zonal and State Coordinators, and Local Government Representatives. This structure guarantees efficient communication and collective action across the entire Northern region, making us a formidable and unified force in the Nigerian telecom landscape.

Founding Members

• Hassan Yakubu • Abdullahi Musa • Jaafar Shafiu Usman • Idris Umar Sanda • Bello Alhassan • Ahmed Abdullahi Yahaya • Abdulkadir Muideen • Otorkpa Essa Joshep • Batholomew Shina • Duniya Joel • Abubakar Shahya'u • Suraja Ibrahim

Advisory Council Committee

• Chairman - Alh. Ibrahim Ladan Jega - Kebbi

• Vice Chairman - Otorkpa Essa Joseph - Benue

• Member - Abdulkadir Muideen - Kaduna

• Member - Idris Gambo - Kaduna