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A Flawed Policy Draft, an Optimistic Johnson

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By now Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of communication technology would have realized that the Nigerian ICT terrain is trodden with several booby-traps and uncertainty; such as can make a lily livered politician take the easy way out. And the easy could mean not hurting established order, especially technocrats in the system. Technocrats are basically made up of civil servants, and other public office holders (some like to brand them hangers-on) who have so perfected the art of sharetocracy that any talk of changing the existing order would mean do-or-die. These groups of persons understand the inner workings of government and they take charge of shielding every truth from a pragmatic leader. Public and civil service workers do not readily see opportunities of invention in the system, but they easily identify loopholes to exploit for personal gains. And it is this unholy practice that has dragged down good intentions of every successive government, and by extension the country’s lack of progress towards attainment of goals. On Friday, March 9, 2012 the minister hosted ICT stakeholders in Lagos to present the draft of the national information communication technology (ICT) policy. Since assumption of office, Johnson has made it a policy not be late for official engagement, a trait not readily found among Nigeria’s officialdom; and that was the initial signal she was a different breed. At 9.15am, the Lagos City Hall was less than a third full but with Johnson already in attendance, the programme commence. Uncharacteristically also there were no formalities of introduction of high and low tables. She commenced with a brief exposition of the policy process, following on Dr. Daudu, permanent secretary’s remarks. “This isn’t the final document yet, it is still a draft policy and the aim is to harmonise all existing policies in the information and communications technology sector into a single ICT policy,” she stated. Johnson noted that key performance indicators (KPIs) were deliberately omitted in the policy draft as they would form the second part of its evolution process. “KPIs will continue to grow along (with) the line of development,” said Johnson. But she didn’t fail to remind her audience that the administration was fully committed to the attainment of a converged regulatory ecosystem. With that she let the stakeholders have their say on the policy document. And one after the other, speakers picked holes in the policy draft beginning with the 9-member committee headed by Professor Raymond Akwule, which comprised only public servants including three of the minister’s personal aides. Mrs. Florence Seriki, chief executive of a leading OEM in Nigeria, Omatek Computers pointed out the flaws between policy set-up and implementation. As president of information technology association of Nigeria, (ITAN) Seriki noted that the country’s universal service provision fund (USPF) has not been used positively affect the industry. “We must redirect our IT mindset. We cannot achieve new policy without manufacturing. A small and medium enterprise (SMEs) fund should be set up to redirect this new framework. But as it is now, we must begin to ask ourselves: how many OEMs are still in operation in this country? The government policy is effectively directed against innovation and growth of local OEMs,” said Seriki. At the end of the day, it became apparent the committee had made several fundamental omissions. Interest groups such the Nigeria telecom consumers association pointed out the error of omitting a consumer’s protection clause. The document’s lack of clarity on direction for national PC penetration, broadband penetration and internet governance were all noted. Johnson also agreed with critics of the policy draft that harmonization and convergence would not come easy. As noted in section 7.14.2 (Strategies); it would take review and harmonization of existing national laws and creating new laws to drive the ICT sector. It would also mean amendment of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution to “permit the issuance of broadcasting licenses by the regulator.” As noted in the draft policy, the “reality of technological and market convergence implies that existing policies relating to the ICT sector in Nigeria are in need of a critical review. Most of the objectives in the existing policies have been overtaken by technological advancement and market transformation worldwide. A key requirement is the development of appropriate policies, as well as legal and regulatory framework that foster an enabling environment.” Some of the technological and market realities formed the core of challenge mounted by leaders of the courier industry against the continued existence of the Nigerian postal service (Nipost) as both a regulator and last mile service provider. Ralph Ozodu, managing director and chief executive of UPS Nigeria called it “unfair” trade practice to have Nipost regulator a market it is an active player. Sule Umar Bichi, managing director of FedEx Nigeria also branded it unfair competition. He noted that government has given Nipost undue advantage over competition.


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World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

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World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.

Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.

Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.

The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.

Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.


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Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

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The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.

According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.

The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.

Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.

Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.

The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.

The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.

The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

 


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LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

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LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.

By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.

Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.

LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.

The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.

For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.

For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.

At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.

According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.

“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”

Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.


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