General News
ICT @ Work for Air Navigation- Ifeanyi
Ogochukwu Ifeanyi, chief information officer (CIO), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (Nama), has over 15 years experience in the information and technologies space. His first class education locally and internationally stands him out. Ogochukwu, a Microsoft Global Hero is also a member of several professional bodies both national and international. He spoke to peter ugwu on state of ICT in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry.
ICT Department of Nama
Thank you. Well the ICT department in Nama is structured into four principal business units, namely Information Technology Service Management (ITSM); Business Intelligence Systems (BIS), Network Communications (NetComs) and Business Operations Support (BOS) reporting to the CIO.
For us in ICT department, to underscore our critical role and align technology to corporate business objectives we couched a vision which is, “…making ICT work for air navigation” with a supporting mission statement: “to provide leadership and guidance, service and support, education and technical expertise required to establish and maintain information communications technology systems for the Agency in accordance with its vision, mission, values and goals.”.
As you can see from this simple overview of the department that it completely aligns with and supports the vision and mission of Nama which is “To be one of the Leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) in the world” and “To provide safe, efficient and economic Air Navigation Services to airspace users, through the development of new technologies and dedicated workforce” respectively.
Total Radar Coverage of the Nigerian Airspace (TRACON)
First you need to understand that the TRACON project was a quantum leap for Nigeria in the area of rapid improvement of the existing CNS/ATM Infrastructure. It was therefore conceived as a key requirement for the modernization of Nigerian Air Traffic Management Infrastructure. It has Approach and Automated Area Control components. It was as major paradigm shift from analogue to digital technology, of course it also included satellite technologies.
You see the Nigerian TRACON project is a proudly Nigerian successful project that was executed by committed and dedicated Nama professionals and its one the best in Africa if not in the world. It’s an aviation state of the art cutting edge technology surveillance system manufactured by Thales of France. It has a support service program that ensures the continuous availability of this service for the safety of air navigation.
Its effectiveness is not questionable because it covers the Nigerian Airspace and even the contiguous (Flight Information Regions (FIRs) like Niamey, Brazzaville, Accra, etc.
Taking Over the Airfield Lighting, Bird Hazard Control from FAAN and Calibration Unit from NCAA
Well you aware it was a ministerial directive to Nama to take over that responsibility and Nama along with the relevant parastatals have complied.
The official handovers by NCAA and FAAN to Nama of the Flight Calibration Unit and the Airfield Lighting/Bird, Wild Life Control respectively has been done.
The parastatals have put in place well structured procedures and processes for this engagement and the process is already being consummated for smooth transition and transfers.
Settling Down to Work with the Huge Responsibilities
Nama through its thorough bred professional MD/CE has taking the new responsibilities in its stride and are gracefully re-engineering and transforming that part of the aviation environment in line with the Federal Government agenda for aviation as enunciated by the Honourable Minister of Aviation (HMA).
Nama is proactively building and enhancing capacity to ensure that it remains consistent with is excellent service delivery framework.
Dana Airline Crash and ICT
Well I will speak for Nama here and won’t hold brief for other agencies within the aviation sector. Nigeria is a class 2 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) contracting state and therefore operates in line with ICAO standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). Nama in line with African and Indian Ocean (AFI) Region and ICAO Global Communications Navigations Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) plans is implementing its National CNS/ATM plan. That basically tells you that Nama as an organization is focused on international best practice and is implementing its informational and all technological infrastructure and human capital asset on that premise.
Installation of AIS Automation Antennas
This is a very critical safety project. Of course we are on course regarding that. All the processes have been completed to enable for the rapid deployment of not just the antennas but the VSAT System.
Migration from Terrestrial Air to Satellite-based Navigation
I need to quickly give a background to this: The advent of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as a modern trend in air Navigation requires that spatial co-ordinate of points (be) established on an ICAO acceptable international terrestrial reference framework known as WGS-84. The reason being that, the future air navigation system will also use Communications, Navigations, and Surveillance (CNS) technologies tied to the WGS-84 platform to function.
The completion of the project therefore enabled for Performance –Based-Navigation (PBN) implementation with deliverables that will enable us to transit form Terrestrial to Satellite based systems.
Having said that the significance of the successful pilot flight test indicates that migration is positive and more importantly the features include: more flexible and direct routing i.e. pilot preferred trajectories; enables instrument approach where and when NAVAIDs is unavailable, no ground based equipment, no electric power required while the accrued benefits include reduced fuel consumption and emissions, reduction of flight distances/times, increased availability of airports in poor weather conditions, life cycle cost savings even for the airlines .
Capacity to Sustain the Process when Fully Adopted
Don’t forget that this is a satellite enabled navigation service but really apart from that Nama has in the course of this project engaged in capacity building across the industry. Trainings were done for the industry stakeholders: Airlines, Nama, NCAA, FAAN, Air force amongst others.
Nama has also gone ahead to train Air Traffic Controllers in Lagos and Kano on this new service delivery and more will be trained. These are all geared towards ensuring that the necessary capacity is available.
Recent Dana Air Crash
The recent Dana Air Crash was a tragic one for Nigeria and particularly for my organization and my person because we lost a dear colleague, friend and brother in the same crash. It was such a sad and unfortunate incident and my take is simple we should wait for the reports of the various investigations. I believe there will be valuable lessons to be learned.
Clamor for Merger among Airlines
Interestingly Airlines are business concerns and they are in business to invest and get returns on such investments. It’s not Nama’s remit to regulate airline operations but there are regulatory framework and controls that governs airlines operations which every potential or existing airline must continuously meet.
Human Capital
Nama values its human capital as a critical asset and therefore invests in its people. Continuous training and re– training is an inherent culture of NAMA because she recognizes the need for a highly professionalized competent workforce in a safety critical domain such as Air Navigation.
IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has partnered with the Ilorin Innovation Hub to host the maiden edition of its Demo Day at the state-of-the-art facility in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The event, themed “The Convergence,” is designed to spotlight 19 emerging startups that have participated in the Hub’s accelerator and incubation programs, and invite them to pitch their solutions to investors, venture capital funds, corporate partners, and the media.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub, a partnership between the Kwara State Government and IHS Nigeria, began operations in February 2025 with programs managed by Co-creation Hub and Future Africa.
The Demo Day presents an opportunity to take stock and assess how the Ilorin Innovation Hub is helping to nurture and bring to life groundbreaking ideas and solutions supporting economic resilience and addressing real-world societal challenges. The event is expected to help unlock funding opportunities, foster strategic collaborations, and amplify visibility for these startups that are developing solutions across critical sectors including agriculture, health-tech, green energy, lifestyle, and digital services.
Beyond the startup showcase, the Demo Day highlights Kwara State’s continued commitment to driving digital innovation and entrepreneurship, and IHS Nigeria’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and deepening the digital economy in Nigeria.
Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, “We believe innovation and digital technology are powerful drivers of economic growth and sustainable development. This is why we partnered with the Kwara State Government on the Ilorin Innovation Hub. It is impressive and very fulfilling to see the diverse portfolio of ideas and solutions showcased today from the hub within a year of the commencement of operations.
This speaks to the depth of creativity among Nigerians and what is possible when they are equipped and supported. Today’s event makes me proud of our investment in the space and underscores IHS Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting technology, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation in Nigeria.”
Temi Kolawole, Managing Director, Ilorin Innovation Hub, commented, “Today, we showcase 19 startups that have shown that when you combine talent with the right support, the results speak for themselves. The Ilorin Innovation Hub exists to ensure that geography is never a barrier to building something extraordinary, and this Demo Day is proof that we are on the right track.”
AfriStakes has launched a new capital platform in Nigeria aimed at linking African small- and medium-scale enterprises with a broad range of investors in a move to address persistent funding gaps across the continent.
In a statement, the firm said the platform would improve capital allocation by bridging the disconnect between available funds, investment-ready businesses, and viable opportunities.
The launch comes as many African businesses continue to face funding constraints despite the availability of capital within the financial system.
AfriStakes said structural barriers have limited access to funding, even as capital remains concentrated in traditional instruments such as fixed deposits, equities, and managed funds.
The platform enables businesses and investors to connect directly by creating profiles, listing funding needs, and identifying suitable investment partners.
According to the company, businesses can upload key documents and showcase their funding requirements, while investors can outline their interests and financial capacity.
Founder of AfriStakes, Henry Adebisi, said the initiative was designed to tackle inefficiencies on both sides of the investment market.
“In Africa, businesses suffer from low access to capital while investors suffer from low access to investable opportunities. With AfriStakes, we ensure businesses are properly prepared and positioned for investment, while investors gain the clarity and confidence needed to deploy capital effectively,” Adebisi said.
The company noted that a major challenge for many SMEs is not a lack of value but poor investment readiness, which affects their ability to attract funding.
AfriStakes said it addresses this gap by providing a structured framework that helps businesses present financial information, develop investment narratives, and prepare realistic projections.
The platform also offers support services such as due diligence, deal structuring, and preparation of investor-facing materials.
It added that the platform would facilitate capital inflow from local and international investors, including individuals, angel investors, diaspora investors, entrepreneurs, and institutional players.
Adebisi said the platform would promote efficient capital flow into businesses driving economic growth across Africa.
“Our vision is to build a system where capital flows more efficiently into real businesses that drive economic change. By positioning both businesses and investors for success, we enable stronger investment decisions and more impactful economic outcomes,” he said.
AfriStakes said it supports multiple funding pathways, including debt financing, equity investment, partnerships, and acquisitions.
The company added that the platform would promote transparency, inclusivity, and structured investment processes across the African business landscape, adding that the initiative positions AfriStakes as a key player in addressing the continent’s financing challenges by creating a bridge between capital and opportunity.
The modern kitchen is no longer just a place to cook, rather where families gather, conversations happen, and lifestyles are expressed. Today’s homeowners want appliances that don’t just work efficiently but also reflect their personality and enhance their living experience.
This is exactly where the LG MoodUP™ Refrigerator stands out. Designed to combine innovative technology, customizable design, and smart entertainment, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator transforms the kitchen into a vibrant, expressive, and connected space.
A Refrigerator That Matches Your Mood and Lifestyle
Traditional refrigerators focus solely on storage and cooling. The LG MoodUP Refrigerator takes a bold step further by redefining what a kitchen appliance can be.
At the heart of this innovation are colour‑changing LED door panels that allow users to personalise their refrigerator’s appearance. With just a few taps via a smartphone app, you can effortlessly change the colors of the refrigerator doors to match your mood, décor, or occasion.
Whether you prefer calm neutral tones, vibrant colours for entertaining guests, or subtle lighting for a relaxed evening at home, the LG MoodUP adapts seamlessly.
Customizable LED Panels: Design Meets Technology
One of the most striking features of the LG MoodUP Refrigerator is its customizable LED door panels. These panels offer multiple colour options and lighting combinations, helping you create a kitchen that truly reflects your personality.
Why This Matters for Modern Homes
- Enhance kitchen aesthetics without renovations
- Allows you to refresh your space instantly
- Creates a dynamic, stylish focal point in the kitchen
- Ideal for design‑conscious homeowners and young professionals
In Nigerian homes where kitchens are increasingly becoming open, social spaces, this feature adds a unique blend of style and innovation.
Built-In Bluetooth Speaker: Entertainment at the Heart of Your Home
The LG MoodUP Refrigerator goes beyond design by introducing entertainment into the kitchen. With a built‑in Bluetooth speaker, users can connect their smartphones directly to the refrigerator.
This allows you to:
- Play music while cooking
- Listen to podcasts or radio shows
- Enjoy audio while hosting family or friends
- Make daily kitchen routines more enjoyable
From meal prep to weekend gatherings, the kitchen becomes a more social and engaging environment.
Smart Technology for Smarter Living
LG is known globally for pioneering smart home solutions, and the MoodUP Refrigerator reflects this commitment. Using LG’s intuitive app interface – LG ThinQ, users can control lighting, sounds, and certain settings directly from their smartphones.
This smart connectivity ensures:
- Easy customization
- Seamless user control
- A modern, connected kitchen experience
For tech‑savvy Nigerian consumers looking to integrate smart appliances into their homes, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator fits perfectly into today’s digital lifestyle.
Designed for Style, Comfort and Everyday Use
Beyond its innovative features, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator remains a high‑performance refrigerator built for daily use. It delivers reliable cooling performance, efficient food preservation, and durable construction expected from LG appliances.
Key lifestyle benefits include:
- Elegant, premium design
- Reliable cooling efficiency
- Smart functionality without complexity
- A blend of practicality and visual appeal
This makes it ideal for homes that value both performance and style.
Why LG Continues to Lead in Home Innovation
LG’s approach to product development focuses on understanding how people live today and how technology can improve everyday moments. The MoodUP Refrigerator is a strong example of this philosophy, demonstrating that appliances can be both functional and expressive.
Rather than blending into the background, the LG MoodUP stands out as a lifestyle statement; one that reflects individuality, creativity, and modern living.
For anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen experience and embrace the future of smart living, the LG MoodUP Refrigerator delivers a bold and refreshing approach where your kitchen truly matches your mood.
For more information, kindly visit https://www.lg.com/africa/refrigerators/lg-gr-a24fdmmb
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