General News
Efficient Bandwidth Drives Cloud Computing- John
Sony Mathew John is a senior research analyst with International Data Corporation (IDC) Middle East, Turkey, and Africa and is responsible for conducting research on IT services and contributing to services and software consulting projects across the region.
Before joining IDC, John worked for Capgemini Consulting as a senior consultant. He also worked as a research analyst at Corporate Executive Board and as a software engineer with Satyam Computers.
John has experience in IT application development, market sizing, competitive analysis, new business identification, and market entry strategy across industries.
He spoke to peter ugwu during the IDC cloud Computing 2013 Roadshow held in Lagos, Nigeria, recently.
IDC Cloud Computing Road Show
Basically, we are an IT advisory company and we do a lot in IT modernization across the region. The essence is to increase awareness of the emerging technology by inviting vendors and ask them to talk about existing solutions.
Before then, we had to lay the foundation by sharing with the participants, results of our recent studies as regards cloud and other IT solutions in relation to the market.
We are confident that the roadshow is one of the lee-ways to inform them on how to leverage on the emerging technology and grow their businesses.
The moderation is to educate people on the emerging technology and how to engage customers appropriately.
Companies in MEA and Cloud Computing
The reactions of organisations show they believe in the cloud despite challenges. We are encouraging them to take advantages in the cloud by moving their operations there.
They will definitely achieve efficiency and virtualization. On the other hand, we are aware that not everybody will move the cloud at the same time.
So there are those organisations that are very reluctant about it; unless they see concrete evidence that cloud is working properly for those that have embraced it, they may not move there. We are seeing such skepticism in Africa, especially in Nigeria, but with time they will embrace it like every other solution that has been developed in the industry.
Basic Requirement to go into the Cloud
From the user perspective they have to look at their existing system like what leads to redundancy in their environment or look at their line of application and the workload in their line of business or computing system gadgets.
They can also look at their idle systems and areas that need improvement or virtualization. The second step is on the workload identification; that will help them determine which type of cloud to embrace, whether public, private of hybrid cloud environment.
After the segmentation against acceptable cloud model, they will choose reputable vendor that will give satisfactory service and ensure security.
Critical Factors that Determine Virtualization to the Cloud
First, the motivation for most companies is efficiency. The cloud will give every other operation in the organisation especially in the virtualization; they will see the benefits immediately.
The public cloud organisations will have the tenacity to access the latest software technology which will beef up their resources, because these international cloud service providers have the best in technology class and the personnel which local companies do not have access to.
They usually depend on the channel and local partners. So cloud offers them the opportunity to access the best in class resources.
There is also the process of standardization. In the new environment you have so many discrete ideas that make things easy to manage and reduce costs.
Cloud and Security Threats
Absolutely, the cloud will drastically take care of issues on security threats to systems and processes. Both in public and private clouds there are number of things companies can do to contain cyber threats to data.
There are basic things like having strong password and having a grip on their system.
They also need to have strong or strict security policies and implementing them. The private cloud will also offer them opportunity to secure their own end of the process and implementation.
Vendors Perspective on Growing Cloud Computing Adoption
So far, the customers like showcased by Vodacom business, Cyberoam, Schneider Electronics, etc are happy. However, what the vendors need to improve on is do more local case studies and highlight the local successes so that companies can believe by seeing the level of testimonials as regards the cloud implementations.
Right now, there seem to be low turnout of local cases studies on the successes and implementations. They need to get companies share their stories, because whether we like it or not, the cloud has since begun and the earlier companies get to embrace it the better for their operations.
Bandwidth Challenges
Some companies have become smart that they are finding several means of overcoming the bandwidth challenge.
During a discussion, a representative from a particular company said they request for bandwidth upfront from the internet service provider (ISP).
That will serve as measure to ensure there are delays in their operation. And they take the advantage of cloud to move on seamlessly.
Some other companies work with multiple internet service providers, while others save their bandwidth by compressing whatever data they are sending.
Cloud Computing Success Stories
Globally, cloud computing has recorded success stories. We have studies on that, though they are not public at the moment.
Globally, there are case studies that companies have made tremendous returns from cloud computing implementation.
Assessment of Nigeria IT Market
We have seen tremendous growth. It is one of the fastest growing markets in Africa.
Companies, government and even individuals are spending on developments of different components of IT, and these will pay off in different.
However, areas like education should be brazened up so that available skill will be commensurate with IT gadgets in place. And the government needs to support local software companies to thrive.
Guinness Nigeria has officially begun rewarding consumers under its nationwide ‘Open For More’ National Consumer Promotion (NCP), with an impressive ₦17 million in rewards to 107 winners during the campaign’s first live draw held on July 31, 2026.
The inaugural draw instantly transformed the fortunes of consumers across the country, producing seven new millionaires, who each received ₦1 million, alongside 100 additional winners, who each walked away with ₦100,000. The milestone marks the beginning of a series of weekly live draws that will see hundreds more Nigerians rewarded throughout the promotion.
The seven ₦1 million winners are Marcus Barieepie, Ani Valentine Ogochukwu, Okafor Sochima, Taiwo Adebola, Zubair Rukayat, Oluwatobi Femi, and Ebubechukwu Okolo.
The live draw was conducted under the supervision of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to ensure transparency and fairness. Representatives of the commission present included Dr. Olubunmi Otti, Zonal Coordinator, FCCPC Southwest, and Mrs. Abosede Ogundeji, Surveillance and Investigation Officer.
Speaking during the draw, Ramanathan S, representing Guinness, said the promotion reflects the brand’s enduring commitment to celebrating and rewarding the consumers who have supported Guinness over the years.
“For decades, Nigerians have made Guinness a part of their milestones and celebrations. Today, we are proud to give back by putting ₦17 million directly into the hands of 107 consumers in our very first draw. This is only the beginning. Over the coming weeks, many more Nigerians will experience life-changing rewards as we continue to celebrate the loyalty of the people who have made Guinness part of their stories.”
He added that all weekly draws will continue to be streamed live across Guinness Nigeria’s official platforms, enabling consumers to witness the winner-selection process in real time and reinforcing the transparency and credibility of the promotion. He also encouraged eligible consumers nationwide to participate, noting that every valid entry presents another opportunity to win.
The ‘Open For More’ National Consumer Promotion offers consumers the chance to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash prizes for 1,000 winners, and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. Altogether, the promotion will reward consumers with more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes.
To participate, consumers simply need to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, locate the unique code beneath the crown cork or can lid, and enter the code via the designated campaign platform.
With ₦17 million already won in its opening draw, the campaign is off to a remarkable start, reinforcing Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumer loyalty through transparent processes and unforgettable experiences that go beyond the product. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and details of upcoming draws.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with Nigerian universities to promote research, innovation and technology-driven solutions to local challenges.
NITDA, UniAbuja
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stated this when the management of Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, paid a familiarisation visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi said stronger collaboration between NITDA and tertiary institutions was essential to building a robust innovation ecosystem, developing practical skills and positioning Nigeria for technology-driven economic growth.
He stressed the need for increased investment in research, particularly in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
“We need to invest more in in-depth research with universities to build a robust research ecosystem that will help us develop solutions.
“Research will focus on harnessing AI, IoT, blockchain, cybersecurity and cloud technology, among other emerging technologies, to improve our lives and grow our digital economy,” he said.
The DG described universities as critical talent factories required to achieve Nigeria’s digital transformation aspirations.
“NITDA has a vision to make Nigeria a digitally empowered nation. You (UniAbuja) are the talent factory, and we cannot achieve our vision without talented Nigerians.
“The only way to achieve that is by working with institutions like yours. So, we need to build talent,” he said.
Abdullahi also advocated the integration of AI education across disciplines in tertiary institutions, saying students needed practical digital skills to remain relevant in the evolving world of work.
“We can work together to explore ways of introducing AI across the board as a general study course in tertiary institutions.
“Elements of AI should be included in every field of study to equip our students with the hands-on skills for navigating the real world,” he said.
According to him, NITDA is already collaborating with key education sector stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education.
He said the agency was also working to promote digital literacy programmes across all levels of education to ensure that graduates acquire skills relevant to industry requirements.
Earlier, Fawehinmi said the university’s visit was aimed at seeking NITDA’s partnership and support in strengthening digital infrastructure and technology-based training at the institution.
He expressed appreciation for NITDA’s contributions to the Digital Geoscience Centre at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university was willing to collaborate with NITDA on joint research, capacity-building initiatives and innovation programmes capable of contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“We could go into partnership with you to provide data, collaborative engagements, staff exchanges and joint research hubs, so that we can produce high-level human resources.
“The university is committed to serving as a strategic academic partner to NITDA by providing academic expertise required to advance your national digital transformation initiatives,” he said.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen the link between academic research and industry needs while creating opportunities for technology innovation, skills development and practical solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million to address the alleged harms caused to young people by its social media platforms.
Meta
The ruling by Judge Bryan Biedscheid came in the second phase of a landmark trial concerning the impact of Meta’s platforms on children and teenagers.
The judge said $420 million of the amount would be dedicated to treatment services for young people, while the remaining funds would support awareness and prevention programmes, screening services and other related costs over the next five years.
The latest financial order comes on top of $375 million in civil penalties awarded against Meta in March after a jury found that the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed information about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
During the second phase of the trial, prosecutors asked the court to order fundamental changes to Meta’s platforms, including measures to reduce addictive features, improve age verification and prevent child sexual exploitation through stronger privacy settings and increased oversight.
The court subsequently ordered Facebook and Instagram to introduce banner notifications and informational screens explaining their safety features, recommended practices and tools for addressing inappropriate comments.
The platforms must also regularly display the information, while an educational campaign in New Mexico will be subject to review by the state.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the ruling sent a clear message that technology companies could be held accountable when their product designs knowingly exposed children to risks.
“Today’s decision is a victory for every parent who has worried about what social media is doing to their child and every child who deserves to grow up safer online,” Torrez said in a statement.
Meta said it would appeal the ruling.
“We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and have been transparent about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors and harmful content,” the company said.
The company said it remained confident in its record of protecting teenagers online and would continue to defend itself against what it described as claims that misrepresented the facts.
On age verification, the court said federal children’s privacy laws restricted Meta’s ability to apply certain verification tools to children under 13.
The court cited the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which limits the collection of personal information from children under 13.
Rather than imposing a blanket age-verification requirement exclusively on Meta, the judge ordered the company to continue improving its age-assurance tools in New Mexico.
The tools include the use of artificial intelligence to estimate users’ ages based on signals such as their social connections and the type of content they post and consume.
Meta was also ordered to attempt to develop a dedicated model for predicting whether users are under 13 within the next two years.
Additionally, the company must request proof of age from Facebook and Instagram users in New Mexico whom it estimates to be under 13.
Where Meta determines that a user is under 13, or under 18 but cannot determine a specific age, it must treat the user as being under the applicable age threshold until the user verifies their age.
The court further ordered Meta to partner with schools or a child-safety organisation to establish a reporting portal through which school officials can flag users suspected to be under 13.
Meta must also delete personal information it has collected from users under 13 and submit progress reports twice a year detailing its compliance with the court-ordered measures.
The ruling comes as Meta faces thousands of lawsuits from families alleging that children have been harmed by social media use.
The company is also preparing for another trial in California amid the growing litigation over the impact of social media platforms on young people.
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