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IIBA-Nigeria, PwC Highlight Big Data Changing Business Analysts’ Role

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), (Nigeria), and the PwC have reiterated the need for business analysts to acquire the right skills and develop the right approach to leverage ever expanding concept of ‘BIG DATA’, to better enhance their organisations’ efficiency.
According to IIBA, the Business Analysts changing roles are evident in creating avenues for “stakeholders to understand the structure, policies and operations of an organisation and to recommend solutions that enable the organisation to achieve its goals”.
How Big Is Big Data?
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), in 2011, 1.8Zetabytes, approximately 1.8 trillion Gigabytes of information were created worldwide; in 2012, the number reached 2.8Zetabytes and estimated to hit 40Zetabytes.
It is believed that 2.0Zetabytes of data is equivalent to 57million iPads.
Speaking at IIBA Nigeria- Lagos City Chapter, June 2015 meeting on the theme “The Enterprise Value of Big Data in Business Analysis”, Olusola Osinoiki, senior manager/ proposition lead, Enterprise Data Solutions, PwC, United Kingdom, said that the concept has become now pronounced following the emergence of cloud-based technology.
In live demo using World Beta technology to measure global data creation, he found that 74.8 billion active app sessions were recorded within an hour the IIBA meeting started.
According to him, in as much as the Internet will cause ‘disruptions’ in organisations and the society in general, the important of Big Data revolves around using right skills to harness accurate data to make informed decisions.
Meanwhile, a study by PwC tagged “Key Trends in Human Capital 2014: A New vision for Growth” told the story of a downturn with a very noticeable human capital impact that “those that had survived some harsh workforce cuts were left disengaged, with the youngest generation of workers suffering the most”.
“Today, the story is very different. The regions hit hardest are accelerating out of recession and organisations are focused again on growth. But the recovery has brought with it some familiar problems – low employee engagement, wage inflation in some markets and most importantly, skills shortages”.
In a similar study PwC found that availability of key skills and talents remains a priority for CEOs as 55% of them are determined to increase their headcounts in the next 12 months; 94% of whom are having robust diversity of strategy to place as a key step to solving their problems.
But, 73% of these CEOs are concerned about harnessing the right skills to drive growth, even as 64% CEOs fee their HR department is not well-positioned to address the changes required and opportunities for growth over the next 12 months.
How Big Data Change Business Analysis:
Taking a cue from the study, Osinoiki said that HR professionals and Business Analysts in Nigeria are expected to adapt to the new world of work as strategic workforce planning becomes a critical differentiator in organisations.
He said agility and business designs in organizations are data driven while business intelligence, IT, cloud computing, among others are impacting business decision making processes around the world.
To be more relevant in the new era, Osinoiki affirmed that Business Analysts must not shy away from “thinking of the impact of self service; turn unstructured data into actionable intelligence; turn structured data into applicable intelligence. The truth is that Big Data is not new. It has been with us, but the internet and mobile devices have revolutionised the concept. We must think and act fast to sure our relevance in our respective organisations and the trend will continue to grow”.
HR With The Power Of Data
“With the right skills; having access to a deep reservoir of ‘BIG Data’, provides an organisation with opportunities to gather ‘BIG Analytics’ for right decision making in terms of investments, delivering on business plans, keep abreast of regulations and diversifying processes to be in line with international standards”, the Guest Speaker said.
Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek at the Forum, John Ojurabesa, director, Sponsorship and Marketing, IIBA Nigeria, said that the concept of Big Data has completely changed the way business are currently managed and indeed the solutions the Business Analyst provide.
He said that the advent of cloud-based technology has ushered in an era where organisations are able to store and utilisevast amounts of data at a fraction of the cost and manpower required in the past.
“Current estimates suggest that we are creating over two quintillion bytes of data every day and approximately 90 per cent of the data that exists today was created in the past two years.
“Businesses have to respond to this growing amount of data and its complexity which include new risks and challenges of openness and security and the need to respond with instant feedback publicly like on Twitter businesses need to adapt to.
“With the right skills, access to a deep reservoir of big data provides organisations with the opportunity to gather ‘Big Analytics’ which in turn can provide CEOs with ‘Big Insights’ into their organisations,”Ojurabesa said.
The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a non-profit professional association which commenced in October 2003 with the purpose of supporting and promoting the discipline of business analysis.
Over the years, IIBA helps business analysts develop their skills and further their careers by providing access to relevant content.
Thus, the Director, Sponsorship and Marketing, IIBA Nigeria, encouraged other Business Analysts in the country to join IIBA Nigeria, adding that, “When you join IIBA, you become part of a global network of Business Analysts practitioners, and have access to a range of valuable benefits.
“Joining demonstrates your commitment to professional development, and unlocks access to a range of networking and development opportunities, learning opportunities and discounts”.
News
Dangote Refinery Debunks Speculations on IPO

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has debunked recent circulation of unauthorised information regarding a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO).

In a statement, DPRP noted that several online platforms and unofficial sources have published unverified, and in some instances inaccurate, information relating to a potential offering.
“Such reports do not originate from DPRP and should be treated with caution. All official updates regarding any potential transaction will be communicated strictly through DPRP’s formal public disclosures and announcements issued by its appointed advisers, in line with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
“Accordingly, the public, investors, and all market participants are strongly advised to disregard speculative commentary and rely solely on verified information formally issued by DPRP or its authorised representatives,” the statement said.
The firm assured stakeholders that, when appropriate, comprehensive, and accurate details regarding any proposed transaction will be made available through official channels, including regulatory filings, authorised press releases, and coordinated communications by the Enterprise and its appointed advisers.
News
Descasio Launches “Give to Gain” Leadership Insights Report, Hosts Executive Brunch for Women in Leadership

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Descasio hosted an intimate executive brunch bringing together distinguished women leaders from its customer community for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, partnership, and shared growth.

Centered around the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” the gathering created space for accomplished women in enterprise leadership to reflect on mentorship, collaboration, and investing in people as key drivers of sustainable growth.
Held in Lagos, the event convened leaders from organizations including Honeywell Group Limited, Finchglow Travels, NGCOM, and Eroton Exploration & Production Company.
Guests were personally welcomed at the start of the gathering by Mr. Dele Nedd, CEO of Descasio; who greeted each of the women leaders and expressed his appreciation for their presence before leaving the session to allow the women lead the conversation among themselves.
The gesture reflected Descasio’s leadership culture; one where women are not only recognized, but actively supported and empowered. It also underscored the company’s belief that meaningful progress in leadership requires partnership and allyship across the organization.
Rather than a traditional panel discussion, the brunch was designed as a candid and reflective exchange among peers navigating leadership in complex industries. Throughout the conversation, participants shared perspectives shaped by experience, responsibility, and the realities of leading teams and organizations.
A recurring theme in the discussion was the role of execution and accountability in leadership. For many organizations, strategy alone is not enough; consistent delivery is what ultimately builds credibility and trust.
Reflecting on this, Josephine Adebola, Data Compliance & Process Automation Manager at Finchglow Travels, emphasized the importance of reliability in leadership and the discipline required to translate vision into results. “Get it done on time and in full.”
The conversation also explored the role of curiosity and continuous learning in shaping effective leaders. In rapidly evolving industries, the ability to ask questions, remain open to new perspectives, and keep learning is often what enables leaders to grow alongside their organizations.
Sharing her perspective, Tomi Otudeko, Chief Operating Officer at Honeywell Group Limited, reflected on how curiosity has shaped her leadership journey.
“Asking questions and continuously learning have always stood me in good stead as a leader.”
She also spoke about the importance of leading with empathy and understanding the people behind the roles within organizations.
“Everyone has multiple dimensions to who they are. Leadership has taught me to see people in their totality. That awareness doesn’t make a leader weak; it makes them more effective.”
Another important theme that emerged from the conversation was authenticity in leadership. In an environment where leaders often face pressure to conform to traditional expectations, remaining true to one’s identity while continuing to evolve is essential.
For Helen James-Eziashi, General Manager at NGCOM, authenticity and curiosity remain key guiding principles. “Be yourself, keep learning, and stay curious.”
The discussion also highlighted the role of self-awareness in sustaining leadership journeys, particularly in complex and high-responsibility environments. Understanding one’s values, motivations, and support systems often becomes the anchor that allows leaders to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Reflecting on this, Ifeanyi Onyejekwe, IT Manager at Eroton, emphasized the importance of knowing what grounds a leader.
“Know who you are and understand what supports and sustains your leadership journey.”
According to Descasio, the event reflects its broader commitment to building strong partnerships and fostering meaningful leadership conversations across its enterprise customer community.
“For us, this was about more than marking International Women’s Day,” said Umama David-Ogebe, The HR Manager at Descasio. “It was about creating a space where leaders could learn from one another and reflect on the kind of leadership that builds strong organizations. The most meaningful partnerships grow from conversations like these.”
To extend the impact of the discussion, Descasio has published “The Give to Gain Leadership Report: Insights from Women Leading Enterprise Organizations,” a curated publication capturing key reflections and leadership lessons shared during the session.
The report highlights themes including:
- The role of curiosity and continuous learning in leadership
• Building stronger teams through empathy and accountability
• The importance of authenticity and self-awareness in navigating leadership journeys
• How investing in people drives stronger partnerships and resilient organizations
The Give to Gain Leadership Report is now available for download Here.
News
World Backup Day: Research Reveals 84% of Users Store Sensitive Data Digitally

Ahead of World Backup Day, Kaspersky reveals the most popular ways to store important data and gives practical advice on how to keep it safe. Global research shows that zoomers and millennials keep nearly everything electronically, while almost one‑in‑three respondents over 55 y. o. still prefer good old‑fashioned paper.

Where do we store what matters?
Research* conducted by Kaspersky’s Market Research center shows that most people prefer to keep important info stored digitally.The majority of all respondents (84%) claim they store sensitive personal data like ID, financial details, healthcare related info or photo archive in electronic format.
When it comes to digital data storage, more than half (56%) say they keep their important records on a computer or a hard drive, 45% use cloud solutions and 20% entrust their data to government digital services.
Does digital mean safer?
Each storage method has its own advantages and limitations. Physical media can be lost or suffer damage, external hard drives are not always convenient to use on the go and cloud services, while being accessible, are vulnerable to unauthorised access. To maximise digital data security, Kaspersky experts advise adhering to the following best‑practice recommendations:
- Develop a backup strategy
There is no universal approach to data storage, nor is it necessary to back up every single file. Nonetheless, cultivating a regular backup routine is strongly recommended, particularly for sensitive data or files that cannot be regenerated or recovered through other means.
According to the popular 3-2-1 backup strategy you should have at least three copies of important data, store it on two different storage types, and make at least one copy off-side (cloud or external physical location).
The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky password manager, which apart from securely keeping users’ credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes.
- Protect your vaults
According to Kaspersky’s data, 98% of all respondents take at least some measures to protect their personal data storages, which is a good sign. However, 36% of respondents use quick-to-remember passwords to safeguard their personal data.
Relying solely on simple passwords leaves your digital vaults vulnerable to brute‑force attacks. That’s why experts recommend enabling two‑factor authentication (2FA) wherever it is available or adopting passkey technology. Passkeys can be stored securely in a password manager and accessed seamlessly from any authorised device.
- Set up automatic backups where possible
Continuously remembering to perform backups can be cumbersome. To streamline the process, enable the built‑in backup service on every device you use (e.g., iCloud for iPhone/iPad/Mac, Google Drive/OneDrive for Android/Windows).
Test it once a month or two by restoring a single file, just to be sure the backup works. Kaspersky Premium allows users to make regular backups and restore information on Windows devices. Backup copies of data can be easily saved on removable drives or in cloud storage in an encrypted format.
“We all know backups are important, but most of us never do them because we try to back up everything at once and it gets overwhelming. The smarter approach? Treat backup like any other workflow. Tag your files – critical, important, low‑priority.
Automate real‑time backups for the critical stuff, schedule weekly or monthly backups for the rest. And for sensitive data like passwords and IDs, use our dedicated solution with a secret vault to keep it secure. When you automate and prioritise, you protect what really matters without getting overloaded,” comments Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business in Kaspersky.
The study was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center in November 2025. 3000 respondents from 15 countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, UK, United Arab Emirates) took part in the survey.
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