News
Roll of Honours at Beacon Of ICT Lecture/Awards 2016

CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek online and print editions, last weekend, rolled out the drums to celebrate individuals, private and public organisations, as well as, startups, that have distinguished themselves in the Nigeria’s ICT space or different industries they represent.
The Beacon of ICT Awards are annual ICT awards recognizing organizations’ or individuals’ contributions to ICT development in Nigeria, and the world at large.
The award was established in March 2009 by Ken Nwogbo, a Nigerian columnist and founder of Communication Week Media Limited, publishers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, a leading Nigerian information and communications technology newspaper headquartered in Lagos State.
The award ceremony was proceeded by a distinguished lecture delivered by Mr. Ayotunde Coker, managing director of Rack Centre, on the theme: “Data Centre as Kiln of Industrialization and Transformation”.
Coker stressed the importance of data centres to the growth of any modern economy and the need for local businesses to store sensitive data locally. He was of the opinion that this will have massive and positive effect on the GDP of the country.
With the Nigerian Army Band mesmerizing the guests with blends of highlife and classical music, the roll of honours were called, with Ayotunde Coker awarded the Nigeria CommunicationsWeek Man-Of-The-Year award; Engineer Lanre Ajayi, the ever vocal president of the Association of Telecommunications Company of Nigeria (ATCON), receiving “Life Time Achievement Award”; ICT Software Personality of the year went to John Obaro, MD, SystemSpecs; ICT Journalist of the year went to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. “CFA” presenter, Tech Trends on Channels TV and Mr. Biodun Omoniyi was named the “ICT Personality Of The Year.
On Corporate categories, VDT Communications received “Bandwidth Company of The year Award”; as the “Internet Company Of The Year” award went to Globacom (Nigeria); Rack Centre received the “ICT Infrastructure Of The Year (Data Centre)” award; Vodacom Business Nigeria scored double, emerging “Cloud Services provider of The Year” and “Enterprise Solutions provider Of the Year”. Interestingly, “Software Company of the Year” and “IT Implementation & Support Company of The Year” awards went to FinTrak Software (Limited); Computer Warehouse Group Plc, took home, “Banking Application Of The Year (Finacle)” award.
Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, with a knack for education based software, they smiled home, “Indigenous Software Company of the Year” and the “ICT Innovator Of the Year” awards. Spectranet, offering smart internet for the home and office, emerged, “Broadband Company of the Year”, Business Connexion received the “ICT Solutions Provider of the Year”.
Digital Encode, a leading consulting and integration firm founded in 2003 that specializes in the design, management, and security of business-critical networks, telecommunications environments and other information technology infrastructure, emerged “Cyber-Security Company of the Year”; in same vein, Global Accelerex bagged, “ePayment Innovative/Value Added Services provider Of The Year; “ICT Clearinghouse of the Year” award went to Medallion Communications Limited; Path Solutions received, “Islamic Banking Solution Provider Of The Year”. While CNSSL Call Centre Limted was named the “BPO Operator Of The Year”, OLX Nigeria was named the “Classified Ad Website Of The Year”.
The Logistics Company for the World, DHL received, “Courier Operator Of The Year”; Dataflex are the receivers of “ICT Company of the Year” and McAfree and SSL received the “Information Security Product of the Year”.
Oradian, a Fintech company behind Instafin, the multi-award winning core-banking platform that built a solution to the challenges faced by Microfinance Institutions around the globe, was named the “Most Innovative Core-Microfinance Banking Platform Of The Year”; Zenith Bank received the “eBank Of The Year”; Internet Solutions- “Internet Service Provider Of The Year”; 21St Century Technologies- “Technology Company Of The Year”; Sophos Group Plc, which tackles IT security challenges with clarity and confidence, emerged, “Information Security (Hardware) Provider Of The Year”; Wi-Pay Technologies won the “ePayment Solutions Provider Of The Year”; Resourcery emerged the “ICT Business Integrator Of The Year”; while Phase3 Telecoms won the “Fibre Optic Company of The Year”.
Wakanow.com won the “Travelers Portal Of The Year”; Infinix Mobility smiled home with the “Mobile Phone Of The Year” following the achievements in Nigerian smartphone market since launch in 2013 and the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTbank) emerged the “Mobile Money Operating Bank Of The Year”.
Speaking on the awards, Mr. Ken Nwogbo, publisher/editor in-chief, CommunicationsWeek Media, said that the Beacon of ICT Distinguished Lecture and awards was designed to explore efforts to put Nigeria on the global information and communications technologies map.
He said that the awardees have demonstrated some levels of expertise, and distinguished themselves in the industries they represent, “as reflected in the online voting process. Even those that were given special awards was because they lived above competitions. We are very proud of the awardees”.
He added that CommunicationsWeek Media Limited will continue to support the development enterprises and human capital in Nigeria.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
News
Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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