News
Poor ICT Fingered in Dana Plane Crash

The recent Dana plane crash in Lagos has exposed the frightening dearth of modern technologies in the nation’s aviation sector, making the touted achievements in the industry only cosmetics, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report.
The crash came just days after Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, minister of Aviation, beat her chest at the ministerial press briefing tagged 365 Days of Aviation Sector Transformation and reeled the accomplishment of her ministry including the near accident-free record as well as the attainment of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s category 1 Safety Status oblivious of the landmine ahead.
But in the midst of claims and counter charges following the crash, the spin and sound bites, obvious questions are not being asked: are there adequate technologies; and are they relevant to current market conditions in the country’s aviation sector?
This is coming on the heels of fresh suggestions that the plane crash could be linked to the deplorable state of ICT infrastructure at the airport that probably denied the late pilot Peter Waxton, opportunity to link up with air traffic controllers in the Lagos control tower, even after establishing contact with the radar controller.
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) claimed it has an advanced aircraft tracking device to ensure that passengers and aircraft in Nigerian airspace are safe and their location easily identified.
Described as the first of its kind in Africa, the tracker allows NCAA, airlines and other operators to pin-point the whereabouts of an aircraft at anytime with precision.
Theories have been conjured as to why the tracker could not locate the ill-fated aircraft with pin-point accuracy.
Sam Adurogboye, head, Public Relations Department, NCAA said: “unlike the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) system and other tracking devices already in use in the Nigerian aviation industry, the current aircraft tracking device would track both airborne and aircraft on ground”.
But a source at the airport who does not want to be named asked “when the pilot of the ill-fated plane alerted the aviation authority via the radar on the emergency situation even at 11 nautical miles to landing, why couldn’t he contact the control tower before crash landing at 4 nautical miles?
According to the source, the derelict ICT infrastructure has shown itself, and it is quite unfortunate that nobody could come out to admit that.
“Between the time Captain Waxton contacted the radar and the crash we have 7 nautical miles, had it been the control tower was on, then the deed may not have been as disastrous as we have it now. We work here and we know what is going on in the industry. Most of the airlines are managing, and is disheartening that the authorities are economical with the truth. And if drastic measures are not taken to avert the impending dooms, the sector may be depleting to the era of air crashes,” our source added
Captain Oscar Wason, the director of Flight Operations, Dana Air, confirmed that “the captain did not have a chance to talk to the Lagos control tower. He was talking to the radar control. He was released from the radar control to control tower, but he never made the call”
As the argument swung left and right, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations showed that the sector is lagging behind in ICT application and in some cases they are entirely absent making it sore-footed and refractory.
For instance as countries are moving away from old technologies, Nigeria is adopting them and hailing them as the next big thing, the result is a monstrous array of outdated and non-functional pieces of equipment.
Aviation experts described the situation as worrisome and urged government to muster the political will to avert a systemic failure that may lead to harvest of plane crashes and save the industry which records 14 million passengers annually.
One made case for the adoption of IPv6, being pushed as a critical enabler for greater speed and precision in the performance of net-centric operations for the global ground and air communications area still elude the nation’s aviation industry.
Dr. Emeka Orji, an aviation expert based in USA said that air crash could be avoided if Nigeria moved with speed as technologies emerge. He is pushing for IPv6 in aviation.
“Airline companies and airports can easily track and monitor airplane information by becoming IP addressable: that is sensors and cameras and IPv6 also facilitates the “reachability” of people and machines and enhances communications that are fundamental for airports to achieve efficient resource management” Orji added.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek however gathered that the industry has more pressing issues because even if the technologies are available, there may be no qualified hands to apply them.
This is because the aviation manpower is gradually phasing out as qualified Nigerians look elsewhere for greener pastures, leaving a greater number of those left to learn on the job.
Orji agreed that the sensitivity, accuracy and performance of each IT/IS systems and software in aviation field is crucial factor because a simple coding formation error, a lost data packet or unstable system may spell doom.
Dr. Harold Demuren, director-general, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) who was asked to proceed on suspension by the Senate had in an interview earlier in the year said that manpower development in the aviation industry would also help combat brain-drain.
Demuren was quoted as saying that “establishing a manpower development board is the right way to go, unless they do it we won’t get anywhere in the aviation industry. There must be a body that has to take a global look on the manpower requirement in the industry, plan for manpower development, have a data base, carry out research and know which way to go”
Orji said a coordinated national policy on aviation backed by political will address most of the problems in the industry especially information sharing relating to airport security; funding; manpower and safety.
News
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira

National Reading Culture (NRC), an online investment platform targeting Nigerians has collapsed, resulting in the loss of billions of Naira for investors.

The website unexpectedly shut down, blocking users from withdrawing their funds and locking in their investments.
Just like all other investment scams, victims were lured with promises of doubling their money in few weeks.
When National Reading Culture eventually crashed, the operators vanished with users’ funds, leaving investors devastated.
How the Platform WorkedTask-Based Earning:
According findings, National Reading Culture lured users with promises of making money by completing simple daily tasks like reading articles, clicking links, or inviting friends.
They also offered investment tiers to earn higher daily profits, where users had to deposit their own money into the platform.
Evidence showed the website previously operated as a Chinese job search platform before rebranding into an “earning” scheme.
News
NSITF Partners South African Insurer on Digital Transformation

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) to collaborate on digital transformation aimed at strengthening worker protection systems and support economic growth.

According to RMA, the agreement was concluded during a visit by its delegation to Abuja.
The partnership will focus on institutional capability development, modernising operating models, improving service delivery and sharing knowledge between the two organisations.
Through the partnership, RMA and NSITF will collaborate to strengthen institutional capability, modernise operating models, accelerate digital transformation and improve services for workers and employers.
The organisations will also explore opportunities for knowledge exchange and the adoption of best practices in social security administration.
RMA said the agreement forms part of its broader engagement with governments, regulators and social security institutions across Africa to support improvements in governance, operational resilience and service delivery.
“Our partnership with NSITF reflects much more than the signing of an agreement,” said Mandla Shezi, group chief executive officer of RMA. “This partnership is not simply about sharing knowledge. It is about co-creating the next generation of African social security systems.”
He added: “By combining our respective strengths, we can help build institutions that are more resilient, more responsive and better equipped to protect workers while supporting national development.”
Shezi said the future of social security depends on integrated systems where prevention, insurance, healthcare, rehabilitation, technology, investment management and institutional capability work together.
News
Senate Rejects Nationalisation of MTN, DStv Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

Senate on Tuesday rejected calls for the nationalisation of South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as a retaliatory measure against renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

The upper chamber, however, condemned the attacks and intimidation of Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, urging the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the safety of Nigerians living in the country.
The resolutions followed a motion titled: “Motion on the Need to Halt the Recurring Xenophobic Attacks and Intimidation Against Nigerians and Other African Nationals in the Republic of South Africa,” sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River South).
The motion was triggered by renewed concerns over attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa following the expiration of a June 30, 2026 deadline reportedly issued by some vigilante groups asking foreigners to leave the country.
During the debate, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun proposed that South African companies operating in Nigeria should be nationalised, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested that profits generated by South African firms could be appropriated to compensate Nigerians who suffered losses if the South African government failed to provide compensation.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigerians should not continue to bear the consequences of attacks against their businesses and lives while South African companies operating in Nigeria continued to make profits.
He said the government should consider using profits from affected companies to compensate victims if South Africa refused to address the losses suffered by Nigerians.
However, the Senate declined the proposal, opting instead for diplomatic engagement and further investigation into the attacks.
Presiding over plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cautioned lawmakers against relying on unverified social media reports and urged a careful approach to the matter.
Jibrin said Nigeria must condemn attacks against its citizens but should allow relevant committees to complete their investigations before taking further actions.
He directed the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations to review previous resolutions on the matter and submit a report within two weeks.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from South African authorities on the protection of Nigerians and demand the arrest and prosecution of persons responsible for violence, intimidation and looting.
The lawmakers further called for collaboration with other African countries and relevant continental institutions to establish effective mechanisms for monitoring and preventing xenophobic attacks.
Senator Ekpenyong had earlier raised concerns that the attacks were no longer limited to undocumented migrants but had extended to Nigerians with valid work and residence permits.
He described the situation as a threat to the dignity and safety of Nigerians abroad, urging the government to take stronger measures to protect citizens.
The Senate’s latest action comes amid renewed public anger over attacks targeting Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa, with lawmakers insisting that diplomatic solutions should be prioritised over economic retaliation.
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