Airtel Nigeria has reported a major milestone in its fight against digital fraud, revealing that its recently launched AI-powered Spam Alert Service has identified more than 9.6 million spam messages within just two months of operation. Introduced on March 13, 2025, the system is part of the telecom giant’s broader initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into its customer protection strategy.
According to Airtel, the AI service scanned millions of SMS traffic patterns and flagged 9,667,008 messages as potential spam by May 20, 2025. Of these, 528,080 originated from Airtel’s own network, while the vast majority — 9,138,928 messages — came from other networks, highlighting the scale of off-net threats facing mobile users.
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our AI-driven infrastructure in combating the growing menace of spam and scam calls,” said Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria. “We understand that trust is the cornerstone of digital communication. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in intelligent systems that not only detect potential threats but also evolve with time.”
He further emphasized Airtel’s continued commitment to delivering a secure and seamless digital experience for customers. “As threats become more sophisticated, so will our solutions,” he added. “We’re not just investing in connectivity; we’re investing in safety.”
Tackling a Growing Cyber Threat
The rise in spam detection comes at a time when SMS-based fraud, known as smishing, is becoming a major concern in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. These fraudulent messages often impersonate telecom operators or financial institutions, attempting to deceive recipients into sharing personal data or clicking malicious links.
Smishing has been on the rise globally, but its effects in Nigeria are particularly alarming. According to recent data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), financial institutions in the country lost a staggering ₦52.26 billion to fraud in 2024, a significant leap from ₦17.67 billion in 2023. The five-year trajectory shows a 350% increase in losses due to fraud, despite a decline in the number of reported cases.
While fraud cases dropped from 101,624 in 2020 to 70,111 in 2024, the financial impact has surged, revealing the increasing sophistication and success rate of fraud tactics, many of which are initiated via deceptive text messages.
AI as a Digital Guardian
Airtel’s AI-based system is designed not only to detect spam but to learn and adapt over time. By studying message patterns and anomalies, the system identifies suspicious behavior in real time, alerting users before they engage with potential threats.
This initiative is part of a growing trend among telecom providers leveraging machine learning and AI to proactively combat cyber risks. For Airtel, it marks a shift from reactive customer service to proactive digital protection.
As mobile connectivity deepens across Nigeria, telecom operators are now expected to do more than provide voice and data services. In the face of escalating cyber threats, building customer trust through security-focused innovation has become a competitive necessity.
With over 9.6 million spam messages flagged in two months, Airtel Nigeria’s AI-powered alert system is proving to be a powerful first line of defense in the evolving battle against digital fraud.
