E-Business
Nigeria to Tap into $19tr IoT Market through OBUNO Engine

By peter oluka
‘OBUNO IoT Engine’, a wholly made-in-Nigeria IoT board with sea of possibilities, has been unwrapped by an NGO – Innovation Habitat Initiative for Indigenous Technology, as a launchpad for the nation into the emerging technology economy.
The Board adopts a modular and scalable architecture that addresses challenges facing the IoT adoption, adaptation and deployment in Africa, especially in Nigeria; in diverse areas such as e-Government, eHealth, fleet management, telematics, banking & financial services, utilities & service providers, eAgric, eLearning, amongst others.
Dr Agu Collins Agu, mentor at Innovation Habitat Initiative for Indigenous Technology, who midwifed the OBUNO IoT Engine highlighted, in a document obtained by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, said that there is the increasing need to fast track capacity development in emerging technologies such as IoT through hands-on training and workshops.
This, he said is to demystify the underlying technology and building blocks which translates to skills acquisition that will transition Africa into an outsourcing destination and manufacturing economy.
Agu, who doubles as director of Corporate Planning & Strategy Department of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said, as the world enters into the 4th Industrial age, the Internet of Things (IoT) is identified to be a key enabler with an estimation of more than 24 billion IoT devices on Earth by 2020 translating into approximately four devices per person; “As we approach that point, $6 billion is predicted to flow into IoT solutions, including application development, device hardware, system integration, data storage, security, and connectivity and these investments will generate at least $13 trillion by 2025”.
“The fact remains that the market share of IoT by 2020 will be 19 trillion USD with over 50 billion devices connected. Now the question is: Do we engage the usual Adoption Model or get innovative and engage the Adaptation Model.
“I would recommend the later; underscoring the need for scarce skills development & acquisition to enable us achieve Technology Adaptation and Customization (TAC), which will be a big shift from the traditional Technology Adoption that has kept us as consumers with no digital sovereignty”.
He also argues that the introduction of local content policy was a bold step by Nigeria to leapfrog technological developments.
“Nigeria has woken up to these challenges by the introduction of the Local Content Policy in ICT and The Executive Order, mandating the patronage of indigenous products and services with NITDA as the Watchdog. I must say that the countdown has commenced for massive explosion in hardware development such as the OBUNO IoT Engine to drive the penetration and application of IoT. Enforcement of the laws will be a major catalyst in materializing start-ups to drive the knowledge economy”, Agu said.
He further described OBUNO® IoT Engine as the perfect platform that brings both professionals and students (industry and academia) to explore the possibility of talking to the cloud, creating great opportunities to assimilate smart technologies, design the next big thing and solve unique problems.
“It is maker friendly and fully compatible with Arduino IDE and peripheral modules. OBUNO® IoT Engine, an end-to-end platform helps IoT developers avoid tunnel vision and its consequences by providing a comprehensive set of hardware and software components that easily combine into complete IoT applications, providing developers with a head start on their custom designs”.
E-Business
Tech Expert Unveils BAT-BOT AI App to Curb Fake News ahead of 2027 Elections

An artificial intelligence (AI) application has been developed to help combat the spread of fake news, misinformation and political propaganda as political activities gradually build toward the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.

The app, known as BAT-BOT AI, was unveiled in Abuja by Mr. Gunu Usman, its founder, who said the platform is designed to assist the federal government in addressing the growing challenge of false information within nation’s digital space.
Mr Usman explained that the new platform was created to ensure that factual information circulates faster than falsehood.
He noted that the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and manipulated narratives targeting the administration of Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress, and national institutions poses risks to democratic stability and public trust.
According to Mr. Usman, BAT-BOT AI was developed to support public access to verified information while countering misleading narratives online.
The Technology expert described the system as a sovereign AI-powered civic information and fact-verification platform designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital information ecosystem ahead of the 2027 general election.
He added that the initiative aligns with the government’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which seeks to promote transparency and encourage informed civic participation.
The founder further explained that the platform is currently accessible to Nigerians through multiple digital channels, enabling users to verify claims, seek clarification on government policies and obtain information on national development initiatives.
Mr. Usman expressed optimism that the tool would help curb the spread of false information and contribute to a more credible digital environment as the country prepares for the next electoral cycle.
E-Business
Why JustMarkets Is a Strong Choice for Gold Trading

Over the past four years, gold has risen by more than 400%. The precious metal has long been one of the most traded assets in global financial markets. From its role as a traditional store of value to its sensitivity to inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty, gold continues to attract traders seeking efficient and predictable trading opportunities during a period of global uncertainty and high volatility.

JustMarkets
For traders looking to effectively access gold markets, choosing the right trading environment is as important as timing their entry. One of the most popular and effective gold trading platforms is JustMarkets, offering the tools, conditions, and infrastructure to enable traders to achieve their most ambitious gold trading goals.
Tight Spreads on XAU/USD
Cost efficiency is a critical factor in gold trading, especially for active day traders. JustMarkets offers extremely competitive XAU/USD spreads, allowing traders to open and close positions with reduced transaction costs. Lower spreads can significantly impact short-term strategies, where precision and timing are key to effectively entering a trade. By minimizing trading costs, JustMarkets helps traders focus more on market analysis and finding the ideal entry point, and less on overhead.
Fast and Reliable Execution
Gold is recognized for its volatility, especially during the day, especially with economic announcements or geopolitical events. Speed is of the essence in volatile markets. JustMarkets provides high-speed execution of orders, which helps minimize the risks of delays, especially during periods of high volatility. This ensures that traders are able to respond better to market conditions, thereby having better control over trade management.
Flexible Trading Conditions
Each trader has their own approach to gold, ranging from intraday trading to position trading. JustMarkets offers flexible leverage and account types, enabling traders to adjust their exposure based on their risk tolerance and trading style. This flexibility is suitable for both conservative and aggressive traders while still allowing them to access the same global gold market.
Advanced Platforms and Tools
Successful gold trading is based on thorough technical and fundamental analysis. JustMarkets provides access to industry-standard trading platforms equipped with advanced charting tools, multiple timeframes, and a wide range of indicators for recognizing divergences and clear entry points. These features help traders analyze price trends, identify key levels, and plan their trades with greater confidence.
Accessibility via mobile devices and computers via the JustMarkets Mobile Trading app also ensures traders can monitor positions and market movements from anywhere and at any time.
Education and Market Support
Gold is also affected by factors such as inflation rates, central bank policies, and currency fluctuations. Understanding these factors is important for developing a structured trading strategy.
JustMarkets offers resources for traders, which provide information on how global events can impact the price of gold like case studies, daily, bank and weekly analysis. This is a knowledge-based system, which enables the trader to make more informed decisions rather than relying on the price movements of gold.
Trading Activities That Keep Gold Traders Engaged
In addition to the competitive trading environment, JustMarkets also runs various special activities and campaigns that aim to make the trading experience more interesting. At certain intervals, the special activities may include trading contests on specific trading instruments, such as gold, which are highly sought after by traders. This will give the traders an added impetus to keep trading.
The special activities are designed to encourage trading, consistency, and skill-building among the traders, along with the additional motivation for the trading strategies. This is also in line with the overall philosophy of JustMarkets to create a dynamic trading environment where trading, learning, and motivation are linked together.
A Trading Environment Built for Gold Traders
Gold is still one of the most dynamic markets with the greatest number of opportunities in the world. With tight spreads on XAU/USD, fast execution, flexible trading terms, and access to advanced analytical tools, JustMarkets creates an optimal trading environment for those who want to trade gold efficiently.
In addition to the comprehensive educational assistance, JustMarkets continues to position itself as a strong competitor for traders who are looking for professional trading conditions combined with growth opportunities.
E-Business
Microsoft Expands Africa AI Push while DeepSeek Gains Users

Microsoft is stepping up its push to expand artificial-intelligence adoption across Africa as competition intensifies with Chinas DeepSeek for influence in one of the worlds youngest and fastest-growing digital markets.

The company plans to train 3 million Africans on its AI technologies this year through partnerships with schools, universities and other institutions, with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco.
The effort reflects Microsofts broader attempt to accelerate adoption of its AI ecosystem across emerging markets where developers and enterprises are increasingly experimenting with generative AI tools.
Alongside the training initiative, Microsoft is working with MTN Group (MTNOY), Africas largest telecommunications company, to distribute Microsoft 365 and its Copilot digital assistant to about 300 million subscribers.
The Elevate program is designed to expand AI literacy and reduce cost barriers that might otherwise limit adoption, according to regional leadership.
The push comes as Chinese technology firms expand their footprint across the continent, with DeepSeeks open-source models accounting for roughly 11% to 14% of chatbot use in several African markets and reaching about 20% in countries such as Ethiopia and Zimbabwe following investments tied to digital infrastructure and telecom networks.
Microsoft is also increasing its infrastructure investment in the region.
In South Africa, the company plans to invest 5.4 billion rand, or about $330 million, to expand its cloud and AI capacity by the end of next year, while it is also exploring plans for a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.
Early corporate adoption is emerging across the continent, with South African grocer Spar Group using Copilot in ways that save more than 700 employee hours annually and Nigerias Access Holdings integrating AI into daily workflows.
Regional leadership has suggested broader AI adoption could potentially contribute up to $1.5 trillion to Africas gross domestic product by 2030 if governments and businesses continue investing in digital infrastructure and AI skills.
General News2 days agoInterswitch Advocates Trust-Driven Infrastructure as Cornerstones of Africa’s Cross-Border Capital Future
News2 days agoNLNG Advances Media Excellence with Change Your Story Workshop
E-Business2 days agoWhy JustMarkets Is a Strong Choice for Gold Trading
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Orders Banks to Restrict Access to Banking Services for Loan Defaulters
E-Financial2 days agoUBA Business Series Celebrates ‘Gen.W: The Evolved Woman’ in Push for Female Empowerment
Telecom2 days agoNDPC Warns Content Creators Against Privacy Violations in Viral Videos
General News2 days agoFCCPC Launches Fuel Price Surveillance, Probes Airline Price Gouging, Resolves N10bn Complaints
E-Financial2 days agoRecapitalisation Without Transformation is a Risk Nigeria Cannot Afford













