General News
That Gartner Doom-card for the PC
For many, especially in emerging markets like sub-Saharan Africa the talk of the personal computer’s use coming to an end may sound like telling a virtually impaired person to tell the colours of the rainbow. In an analysis on technology innovations and trends Steve Kleynhans, research vice president at Gartner wrote in a 10-pager titled: ‘The New PC Era: Personal Cloud’ that the reign of the personal computer as we know it today maybe over in two years. Incredible – sounds so. “The era of the personal computer is giving way to the new personal cloud age. This will enable new levels of flexibility and functionality for users, but will challenge enterprises to rethink how they deliver services to users,” said Kleynhans. He theorises that by 2014 the present PC role of serving as the ‘master chef’ for corporate business inter-operation could come to end, ushering in another era of entirely new PC – personal cloud. Kleynhans believes this emerging technology trends would deliver more user flexibility with personal devices, delivering more satisfaction. “Major trends in client computing have shifted the market away from a focus on personal computers to a broader device perspective that includes smartphones, tablets, and other consumer devices. “Emerging cloud services will become the glue that connects the Web of devices that users choose to access during the different aspects of their daily life,” said Kleynhans. While the term ‘cloud computing’ may still be a buzz word for most Nigerians, global trend in the last two-three years show a major shift in innovations which includes data storage and virtualization; mobile devices like smartphones and apps have all become part of the cloud integration. Kleynhans notes that: “Many call this era the post-PC era, but it isn’t really about being ‘after’ the PC, but rather about a new style of personal computing that frees individuals to use computing in fundamentally new ways to improve multiple aspects of their work and personal lives.” This fundamental shift in focus however could sound more meaningful to an average young-urban Nigeria between the age ranges of 16 – 25. Their use of the computer aligns with Kleynhans position; they are more adapted to smartphones, iPad and Blackberry for both mobile connectivity and corporate executions. Several university students given a choice would rather buy an iPad or Blackberry than a laptop. For these classes of individuals, the use of desktop computer is too ‘unfashionable’ to even think about. Although it is very debatable that Kleynhans analysis of the cloud over shadowing the present model of PC sounds alarming, yet recent workplace trends indicate information generation and sharing is moving away from the traditional portfolio management system. From the concept of a reporters’ beat news gathering and filing to the newsroom for onward dissemination to the news-consumer; trends have changed threatening to confine the ‘old’ newsroom into the graveyard. In the new style of computer usage, the individual is nolonger wheedle into straight-jacked corporate suit. His corporate operation is defined more by technology than by operational norm. Sumit Agnihotry, vice president of product marketing, Americas region for Taiwan’s leading PC marker Acer notes that innovation would rule the market. He believes that taking the consumers’ perspective into detail designing of the PC would connect the user to the product. “It’s critical that consumers are connected to the design. Design has become one of the most important factors in the PC industry,” said Agnihotry. This perhaps defines the new Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra laptops feature a magnesium-alloy, unibody chassis that looks sweet on top, inside and even underneath. It measures 20 millimetres thick with a consistent eight hours of battery life. “It’s for the consumers who are looking for a laptop that will meet their needs today but also anticipate the things they’ll be doing nine months to a year out,” Agnihotry says Kleynhans’s personal cloud theory could also be linked to a so-called consumerization of IT which is said to be “causing wrinkled brows and sleepless nights for the tech department, but its potential to revolutionize information-worker productivity has generated comparisons to Henry Ford’s impact on manufacturing,” according to Microsoft’s ‘PC Trends for 2012’ review. Key factors in the consumerisation of IT market to note is that: users are getting more technologically savvy and have very different expectations of technology. The rise and rise of both the internet and social media is redefining the consumer power. Increasing high budget spend on R & D by OEMs means manufacturers are able to introduce new affordable mobile devices that are multitasking and user friendly. One critical factor to this innovation is the influence of China and other Far East Asian tigers like Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan who continue to challenge traditional Euro-America market place with new technology that breaks status symbol as a result of price tag. The personal cloud factor also defines the scalability and infinite availability of resources available to consumers over the internet. The impact of this IT infrastructure is beyond imagining when measured against the backdrop of where we were a decade back. The convergence of digital mobility has redirected the consumers’ taste bud and this in turn drives IT innovation. The availability of more mobile devices and practical convergence with the cloud gives the user a most fulfilled experience. For a market like ours that hasn’t got a 24/7 power supply experience, the emergence of mobile apps deepens the user experience giving the user that feeling of belonging to the global super highway.
Femi Otedola, chairman, First HoldCo, has revealed that he will invest $100 million in Dangote refinery.
Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola
This is coming ahead of news that the Dangote refinery is planning to raise $2 billion through private placement, by selling its shares to the general public on a stock exchange for the first time.
Otedola, announced his plans on Wednesday after leading top executives of First HoldCo to visit Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, at the refinery in Lagos.
“From on a personal note, I’ve appealed to him (Aliko Dangote). I’ve been here with him 25 times, so my compensation is he’s going to allocate to me shares worth $100 million in the private placement,” the billionaire said.
“That’s one of the reasons why I sold my stake in Geregu plant to come and invest my proceeds in the IPO of Dangote refinery.”
During the meeting, Dangote said, the company is targeting a private placement of about $2 billion for the refinery
Dangote, on October 22, 2025, said the refinery could sell up to 10 percent stake in the listing, which Bloomberg valued to be about $5 billion.
The billionaire is planning to make the IPO a cross-border listing to enable the refinery draw investments from domestic and international investors.
In an earlier report, Dangote said the IPO is designed to democratise wealth creation and give Africans direct access to participate in the continent’s industrial transformation.
On May 12, Bloomberg reported that the billionaire is reportedly aiming for a valuation of up to $50 billion for Dangote refinery.
The Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, has entered into a collaborative partnership with Lasaco Assurance Plc to drive sustainable institutional growth and operational synergy.
According to a statement from the firm, the partnership is a strategic move to bridge the gap between public service efficiency and private sector innovation.
The partnership was solidified during a courtesy visit by top officials of the NIS Lagos Command to the corporate headquarters of Lasaco Assurance Plc in Lagos.
Led by the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration and Passport Control Officer, the NIS delegation engaged the insurance firm’s executive team in high-level discussions aimed at fostering knowledge exchange, strengthening risk management practices, and advancing national development goals.
A major highlight of the strategic engagement was the presentation of an award to the Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Ademoye Shobo.
The NIS delegation honoured the insurance boss for his exemplary leadership in driving product growth, building operational resilience, and introducing innovative risk management solutions to the industry.
While commending Lasaco’s leadership, the NIS delegation noted that the company had consistently distinguished itself through a customer-focused approach and commitment to professionalism.
They emphasised that public-private partnerships were vital to creating value-driven systems that would benefit the larger Nigerian economy.
Reacting to the honour and the partnership prospects, Shobo reiterated the insurer’s readiness to support the immigration office.
“We are deeply honoured by this visit and the recognition from the Nigeria Immigration Service. At Lasaco, we believe that the future of institutional growth lies in deliberate collaboration. We are fully committed to maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the Immigration Office to improve operational efficiency and deepen trust across both sectors,” Shobo said.
The management of Lasaco Assurance further expressed gratitude, noting that the engagement had set a new benchmark for public-private alignment.
The management stated, “This courtesy visit is not just a ceremony; it is a reinforcement of our shared commitment to institutional excellence. By combining public sector dedication with private sector innovation, we can create stronger avenues for service delivery that ultimately advance our national goals.”
The engagement underscored the growing importance of continuous dialogue between government agencies and private corporations to solve modern operational challenges.
Moving forward, both organisations expressed confidence that the partnership would unlock new opportunities for strategic growth.
Lasaco Assurance Plc reaffirmed its long-term vision to deliver value-driven insurance solutions, sustain stakeholder confidence, and champion impactful collaborations that foster national progress.
Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer (EVC/CEO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has has been confirmed as a Special Guest of Honour at this year’s Africa Beacon of ICT Lectures and Awards.
Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, NCC
Africa Beacon of ICT Lectures and Awards, is widely regarded as the most prestigious annual event available in the ICT industry in Nigeria.
The event according Ken Nwogbo, editor-in-chief of Nigeria Communications Week,“is digital transformation edition” will hold on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.
Africa’s BoICT Lecture is designed to explore efforts to put Nigeria on the global Information and Communications Technologies map.
It will also to recognise and celebrate organisations and individuals in the ICT and banking industries that have impacted in digital transformation of the economy.
Nwogbo said that Dr. Maida, oversees the regulation, development, and strategic direction of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
His administration at the NCC, actively drives initiatives to improve telecom consumer experience, enhance infrastructure, and foster collaborations (such as with the Central Bank of Nigeria) to protect citizens from financial fraud
He holds a PhD in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, UK.
Prior to joining the NCC, he served as the Executive Director, Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).
At NIBSS, Dr. Maida was responsible for spearheading the technical and operational standardization of all devices deployed in the financial system in Nigeria for interoperability.
He led a dynamic team that ensured that all terminals used in the e-payment industry and all devices deployed in Nigeria would accept all cards issued by banks and other licensed card schemes without discrimination.
Prior to his appointment at NIBSS, Maida was the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at the Nigerian-based FinTech Arca Payments Network and Senior Manager at Cisco Systems, United Kingdom.
As a seasoned technical professional with over 15 years of multi-functional and international experience in FinTech & Telecoms & Enterprise Technology, Dr. Maida between 2010 and 2014, worked as a Network Design Consultant at EE, part of BT Group, and one of the largest mobile communications companies in the UK.
He was also at some point (2006-2010) a System Engineer at Ubiquisys, a leading company in intelligent 3G and LTE small cells, which is now part of Cisco.
Dr. Maida will be joining will join top dignitaries who have graced the event in the past including: Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, former executive vice-chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.
Others are: Chris Uwaje, chairman, Mobile Software Solutions Ltd; Uche Orji, former managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodun Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Dr. Isa Pantanmi, former DG, NITDA; Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, co-founder and COO, Digital Encode Limited; among others.
The highpoint of the BoICT Lecture will be the conferment of awards to companies and individuals for their significant contributions to the growth of technology in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
The event is a five-star event; easily Nigeria’s ICT Oscars.
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