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Nigerian Startups Should Start Thinking Solutions To Global Problems – Ononobi

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Simeon Ononobi, Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of MyAds
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Simeon Ononobi, Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of MyAds, has urged startups in Nigeria to start focusing on solving global problems instead of just thinking locally.

According to him, this is the best way for the country to have startups that would grow to become unicorn companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter.

While noting that the startup ecosystem in Nigeria has grown over the years, and there are several startups that are performing satisfactorily in the market, he believes that the existence of numerous challenges that Nigerians and citizens of other countries face, presents local startups with access to a global market.

He said: “Nigeria currently has social startups that are doing very well and helping the economy grow; there are also some small startups that are striving to solve problems. What I’ve learnt so far is because we don’t think global, we think local first and I think it’s causing a lot of problems for us. We should start looking at the future.

“At a recent tech conference, guys from Russia and the USA talked about how they can expand globally first before expanding their local presence. I think we should start thinking in that direction where we don’t just solve local problems but we solve a global problem.”

Time To Stop Blaming Government For Everything
Even though a lot could be achieved in the startup sector with government’s support, Ononobi said startup founders in the country should stop blaming government for everything and strive to grow their startups even with the various challenges.

Furthermore, he said startups can identify the numerous challenges and develop their own solutions for them.

“Policies are always going to be there; it’s always going to be an issue but my theme has always been don’t blame everybody else for our problems. The government is not going to be doing everything for us – we’ve been at the same spot since forever, our problems remain the same and we will always talk about the same problems when we have conversations.

“We do have more problems than many developed countries of the world and these problems are what startups can pick and develop solutions for them. You don’t want to solve problems that Facebook and Twitter had already solved. Instead, you can talk about electricity and the rest,” he said.

“We are seen as the giant of Africa. We should take our position as giants and take Africa by storm and take the world.”

Nigerian Startups Should Help The Average Man On The Street
Using MyAds as an example, Ononobi said it was a solution to a problem he personally had – a problem that several other people across the world are facing on a daily basis.

“It’s something that is going to solve a lot of problems. It’s a solution I developed for myself, it was meant to solve my advertising needs. I found a way to help people on the street and to help myself to advertise. It’s like helping businesses and helping the people on the street. The bus conductor can make money from his phone and I discovered that I don’t need to start just in Nigeria – it’s the same problem in India, Pakistan, and Philippines where people on the street don’t get to earn big bucks,” he said.

Startups That Can Scale Globally
Ononobi observed that the startups that can easily scale globally are those that are solving a problem being faced in their local market and elsewhere.

“If a startup is solving a problem here, that same startup can solve the same problem in Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and elsewhere. Such potentially scaleable services include products for transportation, and aggregation platforms for menial jobs,” he said.

Experience Launching A Startup Outside Nigeria
Ononobi-founded startup, MyAds, recently launched in India and plans are underway to launch in more countries across the world.

Recounting how the experience has been so far, Ononobi said a startup that has the potential to succeed in other countries are those that solve the problems faced by the people in those countries.

“If your startup is not doing what the Indian environment needs, it is not really necessary to expand to India. MyAds allows you to earn money every time you see ads when you receive calls. It is the same everywhere in the world – everyone in Nigeria, India, and Malaysia wants to earn money. But it’s a different thing when you want to start ecommerce platform or a blog for instance,” Ononobi said.

Advice For Nigerian Startups
While admitting that Nigerian startups are battling numerous challenges, Ononobi said they can still make progress and achieve phenomenal results if they take the right steps.

“Stop thinking about it, hit it at the head, go straight out in the market and start selling your product. Don’t worry about the problems because there is always going to be challenges. If you’re a startup, you will face challenges. Let us all help ourselves. Owners of Facebook, Twitter, and Google are already billionaires, they are unicorns. Let’s help local guys succeed. Let the 180 million Nigerians help us to also become unicorns so that we can also help grow this economy. If 7 Nigerian startups go globally, we will be talking about helping other countries grow,” Ononobi concluded.

With minimum budget, MyAds allows advertisers to reach target users; it helps businesses to grow business by connecting them directly to users.

For the app users, MyAds app rewards them when they use it to connect to great brands and products. MyAds is an app that rewards everyone.

The user gets rewards, and the advertisers are able to reach their targeted users. With MyAds, everyone is a winner.


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NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


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T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

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T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


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Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

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Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Bank

Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.

He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.

“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”

Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”

He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.


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