Telecom
Blakskill App: A Bridge to Solve the Challenges Organisations Face in Sourcing Verified Talents across all Sectors of the Economy – Olugbenga Omojola, CEO
Blakskill limited an indigenous talent organization has developed an app designed to give organisations global access to verified talents while also giving talents (job seekers) a platform to showcase their competencies.
The app is a robust platform designed to solve the challenges organisations face in talent sourcing as well as the ones faced by job seekers in showcasing themselves to prospective employers. Blakskill provides global access to verified talents!
Mr Olugbenga Omojola, a renowned Management Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Blakskill Limited stated this while speaking with newsmen by the side-lines of the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas , USA.
According to him, “Blakskill Limited is a robust technological platform that we invested in to solve the problem of talent sourcing for organisations across various sectors of the economy. Of course, this includes the Oil and Gas sector along with all other sectors of the economy. And how Blakskill works is this; not only does it solve the sourcing of verified talent for organisations, it also helps job seekers to showcase themselves.
“So, it’s like a bridge where job seekers can express themselves and where talent-employers can find them. An industry report indicates that Post-pandemic labor markets have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in many countries with low unemployment and growing talent shortages.
“Today, 77% of employers report difficultly in filling roles. However, Blakskill Limited provides the real-time data and insight that companies and people need to respond to today’s trends.
“So as workforce experts, we have created a platform that provides global access to verified talents. A platform where job seekers can be discovered by talent seekers who are looking to hire and retain the best talents”.
He further noted that as the global economy steadily recovers, employers are more optimistic and hiring demand remains strong.
On the importance of the app, Omojola expressed that the app provides employers with unlimited access to verified talents. ‘’By verified talents, I’m saying – for example, a Television station looking to hire an experienced reporter who has five years related experience and some other mandatory requirements can come on the platform and type ‘Television Reporter’ in the search window.
“The platform will streamline the search and bring out the profiles of professionals who fit that bill and that are already verified across various competencies; showing their proficiency levels across the required technical and behavioural competencies – and that’s just one of the functions of the app”.
Also, he noted that Blakskill could also conduct background checks on talents for recruiting organisations. ‘’You know, the app will be projecting talents that have been passed through certain checks which will include previous employer reference, social media footprints and even criminal records, depending on the type of access the platform user has subscribed to.
“The platform shortens the recruitment curve, saves organisations a lot of money and ultimately provides access to the right kind of talent. That’s for employers.
“Now, for the talents, Job seekers get the opportunity to showcase themselves and they are ranked across varied levels.
Also, they get an opportunity to access career coaching and counselling on Blakskill as well. So, not only is Blakskill designed to solve recruitment problems for organisations, it is also a platform that helps job seekers secure employments with prospective employers.
The CEO of Blakskill said that the Blakskill app is set to revolutionize the art of talent sourcing and it can be downloaded from the Playstore and Apple Store.
He also further affirmed that it is impossible to manipulate the Blakskill system as the team is made up of renowned and tested professionals who are well known both in the Private and Public sectors in Nigeria.
In his words, Omojola said, “We are people of integrity and we’ve been in business for over a decade. As a Director and CEO at Blakskill, I assure all our current and prospective subscribers that our team is made up of professionals with impeccable integrity and character.
“Blakskill is a credibile platform. We’ve been in the business of providing talent sourcing solutions to leading and growing organisations over the years and it has never happened that we would recommend a candidate that is unsuitable or that does not meet our clients specifications.
“In addition to talent sourcing, we have also been conducting background checks services before the app was created”.
Omojola is also, the founder of First Excelsia Professional Services, a Non-Executive Director at PremiumTrust Bank and the Coordinator of ‘Friends of Jesus’, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria and some other prestigious professional associations.
He is an alumnus of London Graduate School and holds a first degree in Industrial and Labour Relations with professional and academic Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Organisational Behaviour respectively.
Airtel Nigeria has strengthened its nationwide retail and distribution network as part of its continued investment in enhancing service delivery and making telecommunications and digital services more accessible to millions of Nigerians.
The company’s retail ecosystem comprises more than 4,000 exclusive Airtel shops and over 200,000 retail touch-points nationwide, including partner stores, channel partners and neighborhood agents. This network ensures that subscribers can conveniently easily access SIM registration, device purchases, airtime and data recharge, customer support and other digital solutions.
Commenting on the company’s retail distribution strategy, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO, Airtel Nigeria, said,
“Telecommunications goes beyond the physical infrastructure, it is important that we are able to reach people where they live and work. That is why we continue to invest in a strong retail and distribution ecosystem that enables us to bring Airtel closer to our customers while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience wherever they are.”
According to Joypratip Sengupta, Director, Sales and Distribution, Airtel Nigeria, the company’s distribution network plays a vital role in ensuring seamless service delivery.
“Our retail network is designed to ensure that our services reach customers efficiently. It is a combination of efficient logistic systems, strong partnerships and local engagement that enables us to consistently meet the needs of our customers across the country,” he said.
The strengthened distribution strategy complements the company’s ongoing investments in network infrastructure and digital innovation, recognising that customer proximity remains a critical driver of service excellence and digital inclusion.
In addition to improving customer access, Airtel’s extensive retail ecosystem continues to create economic opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers and small business owners who form an integral part of the company’s value chain.
As demand for accessible, interconnected digital services continues to grow across Nigeria, Airtel remains committed to investing in improving its service delivery and ensuring that every subscriber enjoys quality service.
Kaspersky’s latest global survey shows a change in how people go online: 60% of survey participants from the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region now claim their smartphone is the main device they use to access the Internet, pushing the PC into a secondary role.
But as the amount and sensitivity of data stored on these phones keep growing, cybersecurity experts warn that users’ security habits aren’t keeping up.
According to the survey* 60% of respondents from the META region consider a smartphone their primary device for accessing the Internet. The most active smartphone users are representatives of Gen Z, with 67% of all global respondents aged 18-28 choosing a mobile phone as their main device.
With mobiles as the full-fledged rivals of computers in accessing the Internet, the amount of important data stored on them has also increased significantly. Personal photos and videos are leading the pack. 60% of users in the META region store visual memories on their devices. Close behind are contact details (51%), text messages and chats history (45%) and important personal documents such as IDs and passports (43%).
At the same time, a substantial portion of users in the META region keep work‑related data on their smartphones (37% emails, 22% calendars and 17% even store access to corporate systems), blurring the line between personal and professional realms.
Financial credentials and login details appear on 40% of devices, while emerging categories like AI chat histories (30%) and gaming accounts (26%) signal new types of personal data stored on personal devices.
“Now our smartphones serve as full‑featured assistants that touch every aspect of our lives. The data we entrust to them goes far beyond photos, phone numbers or text messages. Consequently, the main question is no longer “what we store,” but “how we protect it,” requiring security to become as integral to the device as the data it carries,” comments Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Three keys to mobile data security
To help users navigate this new digital reality safely, Kaspersky experts have issued a three-step security plan:
- No data should live on your phone only
A smartphone should never be the sole repository for any type of information. While having everything at your fingertips is convenient, accidental deletions, loss or hardware failure can make recovery impossible without reliable backups or cloud sync.
The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention and preferably be kept in a protected format. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager, which apart from securely keeping credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes. Thanks to the cross-device synchronisation it allows access to the data from any gadget.
- Create a guard against digital threats
In Q1 2026 only, more than 2.67 million attacks utilising malware, adware or unwanted mobile software were prevented and more than 306,000 malicious installation packages were discovered.
Mobile devices require the same cyber protection as PCs. Kaspersky experts recommend cybersecurity solutions such as Kaspersky Premium that provide comprehensive protection – starting with scanning apps for potential threats upon installation, and using AI‑driven features to block malicious and phishing links in real time and prevent data or money losses, among many other security layers.
- The “what if” scenario planning
Phone loss always occurs unexpectedly, but a few proactive steps can dramatically reduce its impact:
Turn on location services. Both Android and iOS include built-in tools that can locate a lost phone and, if needed, wipe its data remotely. Kaspersky for Android app activates this capability through the Where Is My Device feature.
- Enable automatic backups.Regular backups ensure that photos, videos, documents, contacts and other vital data can be restored even if the device is lost or stolen.
- Configure instant auto‑lock.Setting the phone to lock immediately after the screen turns off keeps it inaccessible to thieves or cyber‑criminals when you’re not using it.
- Keep the device physically safe.In public spaces, never leave your phone unattended or within easy reach, avoid placing it on tables, in back pockets or any other vulnerable spot.
“We often underestimate how much valuable information we keep on our mobile devices and how vulnerable that data truly is. Ask yourself: When was the last time I backed up my photos or notes? What’s my plan if my phone goes missing? Do I verify links before I click them? While most users automatically think of security software for their computers, phones lag behind. It’s time to give your everyday digital companion the same robust cyber‑protection it deserves,” adds Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
Nigeria will host telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital economy ministers from across Africa for the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26), scheduled for July 23 to July 24 in Abuja.
The conference, the highest decision-making body of the ATU, is expected to bring together ministers, regulators, industry leaders, development partners and other stakeholders from the Union’s 52 member states to deliberate on Africa’s digital and telecommunications agenda for the next four years.
A statement by the organisers said delegates would adopt the Union’s strategic direction, approve its 2027–2031 budget and work programme, elect a new Secretary-General and determine the composition of the Administrative Council.
The conference will also harmonise Africa’s common positions ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to hold later this year in Doha, Qatar.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the conference as a significant milestone for Africa’s digital future.
“Nigeria is honoured to host the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries at a defining moment for Africa’s digital future.
“As countries across the continent accelerate digital transformation, it is increasingly important to strengthen regional cooperation, develop common positions on emerging technologies, and create enabling environments that attract investment, build digital talent and expand meaningful connectivity.
“Our role as host reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to building an innovation-driven economy while strengthening African cooperation on digital infrastructure, technology governance, skills development and investment,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the conference will be a ministerial dialogue on “Achieving Africa’s Meaningful Connectivity,” jointly organised by the ATU and the GSMA.
The dialogue will explore practical strategies for expanding affordable, reliable and quality connectivity across the continent, with emphasis on infrastructure investment, service quality, affordability and ensuring that digital access delivers tangible economic and social benefits.
Also speaking ahead of the conference, the Secretary-General of the ATU, Mr John Omo, said the meeting would provide member states with an opportunity to strengthen the Union’s capacity to drive Africa’s digital ambitions.
He said the decisions to be taken in Abuja would shape the ATU’s ability to support national priorities, sustain Africa’s participation in global telecommunications forums and respond effectively to emerging technological developments over the next four years.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Abuja Declaration, which will provide governments, regulators, industry stakeholders and development partners with a common framework for advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, hosting the conference underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration and reinforces the country’s growing leadership in digital policy, technology governance and investment promotion across Africa.
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