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Poor ICT Fingered in Dana Plane Crash

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Abayomi Oloko, manager, Information Technology (IT), Nigerite Limited
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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.


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LG Nigeria Begins Nationwide Search for Oldest Working TV, Rewards Loyalty with AI QNED Upgrade

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LG Electronics has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at celebrating decades of customer loyalty and technological heritage by searching for the oldest still-functioning LG television sets across the country.

The initiative, themed “The Oldest LG TV”, seeks to honour long-time customers whose LG screens have stood the test of time, while introducing them to the future of home entertainment through LG’s advanced AI QNED TVs.

For generations, LG televisions have been more than an electronic device in Nigerian homes, they have been silent witnesses to family milestones, cultural moments and shared memories.

This campaign bridges nostalgia with innovation, acknowledging the emotional connection Nigerians have built with the brand while showcasing LG’s leadership in AI-powered display technology.

The campaign features a storytelling -driven narrative that highlights community, heritage and the evolution of viewing experiences. Participants are invited to share the stories behind their long-serving LG TVs, transforming everyday screens into symbols of trust, resilience and innovation.

In creative twist, the campaign also introduces LG’s AI-enabled televisions as responsive companions that understand viewer preferences, recommend content and enhance picture quality in real time. This shift from nostalgia to futuristic interactivity underscores LG’s continued commitment to delivering smarter, more personalized entertainment solutions.

To participate, simply visit https://lgsearchcampaign.vercel.app/, upload a photo or video of your old LG TV and share the story behind it – how long you’ve had it and the memories it holds.

The winner walks away with a brand-new LG AI QNED TV, effectively trading legacy for luxury.

At its core, this campaign reminds us that technology is not only about pixels and processors, but about people. It’s about the laughter in the living rooms, the silence during tense match moments and the comfort of family routines.

By celebrating the oldest TVs still standing strong, LG is celebrating the people who kept the on, families who trusted the brand through changing times and evolving technologies. In doing so, LG isn’t just upgrading television, it’s upgrading memories into the future.

According to Mr. Choongbae Seok, General Manager, Media Entertainment Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria, “The journey from our classic CRT Televisions to today’s AI QNED technology reflects how far both our customers and our innovation have come. Those early sets were built to last, and many are still functioning today, a testament to durability and consumer trust. This initiative allows us to honour that legacy while introducing a new era of intelligent viewing, where the screen does more than show content; it adapts, learns and enhances every moment”.

LG Display 2026 TV Models at InnoFest

LG Electronics (LG), a leader in AI-powered solutions for the home, outlined plans to accelerate growth in emerging markets at LG InnoFest 2026 MEA. The event, held in Abu Dhabi, provided a forum to share LG’s strategic direction and market outlook with regional partners. At the exhibition, LG displayed its premium 2026 AI TV lineup focusing heavily on advanced processing power, smarter picture and sound technologies. The flagship OLED evo G6 and 100-inch Micro RGB evo TVs are powered by the new Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 3 enabling faster and more intelligent performance. The OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, an ultra-slim television designed to sit flush against the wall like artwork uses true wireless connectivity, reducing cable clutter and creating a cleaner, minimal setup.


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African Leaders Highlights Africa’s AI Ambitions

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African leaders used the AU Summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend to sharpen the continent’s technology agenda, with Ethiopia positioning artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and connectivity as pillars of Africa’s economic future.

Opening the 39th African Union Summit, Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed outlined an ambitious vision to place Africa at the forefront of the global AI race, anchored by Ethiopia’s plan to launch what he described as Africa’s first AI-focused university.

“In 2020, Ethiopia established Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence Institute. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to launch an AI university anchored in the philosophy of Medemer, purposeful collaboration, to unite human values with machine intelligence and position Africa as a global leader in the age of intelligence,” Abiy told delegates. “

He framed AI not as a standalone sector, but as a cross-cutting enabler for governance, industry and social development. “Every river we manage, every city we design, and every digital platform we deploy must generate resilience, opportunity and dignity,” Abiy said. He further linked digital transformation to Agenda 2063’s long-term prosperity goals.

Beyond AI, the high-powered AU summit discussions highlighted digital identity, cross-border connectivity and telecom expansion as critical building blocks for an integrated African market. Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, including its Faida digital ID ecosystem, was cited as a model for secure, interconnected public services.

Abiy pointed to aviation and telecom infrastructure as key accelerators for economic development across the continent. “Through Ethiopian Airlines, we connect people and markets. Ethio Telecom is expanding partnerships across Africa to bridge the digital divide,” he said.

The Ethiopian leader added that large-scale infrastructure projects are designed to anchor Africa deeper into global value chains.

The broader summit tech agenda also touched on regulatory harmonisation, digital trade and data governance, with leaders emphasizing that continental cooperation is essential to avoid fragmented digital markets.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the need for inclusive innovation, telling delegates that Africa’s digital rise must be “people-centered and opportunity-driven,” while African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed coordinated policy frameworks to accelerate adoption.

“AI capability, digital infrastructure and unified regulation are no longer optional ambitions, but strategic imperatives shaping the continent’s competitiveness in the intelligence era,” he said.

 


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NITDA Explores Partnership with Trust Stamp on Digital Trust and Innovation

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By Naeemah Junaid

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has held strategic discussions with representatives of Trust Stamp, a NASDAQ-listed global technology company, to explore potential areas of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital trust framework and advancing innovation within the digital economy.

The meeting, chaired by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, focused on identifying collaborative opportunities aligned with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the Agency’s strategic priorities for building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.

Inuwa emphasised that trust remains a critical foundation for the growth of the digital economy, noting that secure systems and strong cybersecurity frameworks are essential for driving innovation, economic growth, and national development. He stated that building trust in digital platforms and services is key to accelerating adoption and unlocking opportunities across sectors.

He reiterated NITDA’s mandate as a regulator to create an enabling environment through forward-looking policies and regulatory frameworks that support innovation rather than promote specific technologies. According to him, government interventions are designed to stimulate markets, create opportunities, and empower both businesses and citizens to participate fully in the digital economy.

The Director General further reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to investments that strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance digital services, stressing that sustainable national development is best driven by private sector participation under supportive regulatory and policy frameworks. He called for continued engagement to ensure alignment with national priorities and effective integration into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

In his remarks, Trust Stamp Vice President, Jonathan Pasha, highlighted the company’s global experience in secure verification and trust technologies, describing its approach as partnership-oriented and focused on delivering long-term value within local ecosystems. He noted that the company prioritises collaboration with governments and private sector stakeholders to address local challenges and expand access to secure digital services.

Pasha referenced Trust Stamp’s ongoing operations in Nigeria, including its collaboration with a telecommunications provider to enhance SIM swap prevention and fraud detection capabilities. He also outlined the firm’s biometric tokenisation technology, which converts biometric data into secure, privacy-preserving representations, enabling verification processes without exposing sensitive information.

He explained that the technology supports secure verification, fraud prevention, financial inclusion initiatives, and the tokenisation of real-world assets, while being designed to function effectively in low-connectivity environments and on low-specification devices to expand access to digital services.

Both parties expressed interest in advancing technical-level discussions to identify specific areas of collaboration aligned with national priorities and Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a secure and trusted digital economy through strategic partnerships, robust regulatory frameworks, and initiatives that promote innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.


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