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SAP’s Push for Technology in Education Continues FLL in Lagos

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Annually, 29,000 children in over 80 countries around the world participate in a phenomenon known as the FIRST® LEGO® League.

This year is no different as Nigerian kids get their thinking caps on to learn and compete against their peers around the world.

In the 2015/16 FIRST® LEGO® League TRASH TREKSM Challenge FLL teams explored the fascinating world of trash.  From collection to sorting, to smart production and reuse, there is more to trash than meets the eye.

The championship in Lagos at the Youth Centre Oshodi was a culmination of the intensive work carried out by students from various schools around Lagos (majority from within the Ministry of Education District VI catchment area).

The task was simple; Identify any form of trash and think of how to convert same to treasure.

The championship witnessed different innovations coming from the youngsters; from helicopter made from disused plastic and lollipop sticks to a 3-in-1 mp3 player, torch and fan, to air-conditioner made out of a disused cooler and plastic bottle caps and many more.

It only reaffirms that every problem comes with a solution and as a nation only just needs to dare to think.

The SAP FIRST LEGO League in Lagos was hosted by the Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Education District VI, Alhaja Anifowoshe and had in attendance; the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola who was in awe of the great innovations on display.

FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers.

During the TRASH TREK season, teams are expected to build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game.

They are also given opportunity to choose and solve a real-world question in the Project.

Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of Core Values

On the value proposition of the programme, Olajide Ade Ajayi, a support team manager at SAP, who also doubles as the coordinator, FIRST® LEGO® League Nigeria, said, “We are eternally grateful to sponsors such as SAP, NITDA and the LEGO Foundation.University of Abuja, Rivers State University of Science and Technology and MTN for spreading this initiative across Nigeria.

The programme is spreading rapidly as people and organisations are beginning to see the value and how technology can shape and transform teaching. The program combines the pedagogy of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) literacy with that of teaching social values.

He said that it is apparent that kids use technology but they are mostly not creating with technology, this is akin to learning to read but not being able to write.

“With a program like FLL, they engage in a hands-on way of learning by doing, while also learning the key skills of communication and self-expression,” Ajayi said.

He added that the objective of this program is to foster an ecosystem of creative natives who are capable of transforming their communities.

“Last year, the kids did amazing things, and this year they have exceeded our expectation,” the Coordinator said.

“Although, the FLL is an international competition it funnels down to what kids see around them. The kids in the Western world may see a mobile phone as an e-waste while in Nigeria, kids may see sachets or cans of water littered around as trash. This they can research on how to convert to something useful.

The theme for this year is aptly titled “Trash Trek”, asking kids to look at their surroundings and identify waste, and see how they can convert waste to wealth. Due to population explosion, major cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt have to contend with waste management issues some of the projects by teams across these three regions centered around identify  the prevalent wastes and proferring solutions to resolve the issues.  For instance, the team from Great Heights School Abuja found a unique way of converting disused cans to Alum, while Glisten Academy team focussed on turning Styrofoam  to sealant,” he explained.

Teaching/Learning of S.T.E.M
Ajayi, a Software Engineer with SAP in Ireland, further emphasized the need for enhanced teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (S.T.E.M) as critical steps to solving several technological challenges facing Africa as a continent.

“Gradually, we will get there. The teaching of technology and sciences is not a sprint, but a marathon. We have to adhere to the basic steps. This year, we witnessed the African Code-Week, a programme championed by SAP and other partners. That kind of program that ran in 18 countries is opening up the space to show that kids need to get different sets of skills. Most jobs in the 21st Century require the adept use of technology.  It is pertinent that we start to impart this knowledge to our youth to prepare them for the future,” he added.

According to him, the nation needs to give the kids creative freedom and assurance that upon graduation they can create jobs and not only become mere job seekers.

“We must emphasize hands-on skills. So, as they finish school, they will realise that if the jobs are not there, they can create something. It is about changing the mindset of people,” he said.

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Study Reveals 88.5% of Phishing Attacks Focus on Stealing Account Credentials

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Kaspersky analysed phishing and scam campaigns observed from January through September 2025 and found that 88.5% of attacks globally sought credentials for various online accounts.

Another 9.5% targeted personal data such as names, addresses, and dates of birth, while 2% focused on bank card details.

According to data from Kaspersky, over 38 million phishing links were clicked in Africa in the previous year (from November 2024 to October 2025) – all of which were detected and blocked by Kaspersky solutions.

Not everyone uses protective solutions on their devices however, and phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber threats, with attackers luring users to fake websites where they unwittingly surrender their login credentials, personal information, or bank card details.

Kaspersky research shows that most phishing pages transmit stolen information via email, Telegram bots, or attacker-controlled panels, before it enters underground resale channels.

Data stolen through phishing is rarely used only once: credentials from multiple campaigns are consolidated into data dumps and sold on dark web markets, in some cases for as little as $50. Buyers sort and verify the data to check whether accounts remain active and reusable across different services.

According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, average 2025 prices ranged from $0.90 for global Internet portals to $105 for crypto platforms and $350 for online banking access. Personal documents such as passports or ID cards sold for about $15 on average, with pricing influenced by account age, balance, linked payment methods, and security settings.

As datasets are enriched and combined, attackers can build detailed digital profiles that may later support targeted attacks on executives, finance staff, IT-administrators or individuals with valuable assets or personal documents.

“Our analysis shows that credentials account for nearly 90% of phishing attempts. Once collected, logins, passwords, phone numbers, and personal details are aggregated, checked, and resold, sometimes years after the initial theft.

Combined with new information, even old credentials can enable account takeovers and targeted attacks against both individuals and organisations.

By leveraging open-source intelligence and old breach data, attackers can craft highly personalised scams, turning one-time victims into long-term targets for identity theft, blackmail, or financial fraud,” said Olga Altukhova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.


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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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