News
Building Connections – The Value of Our Transport Networks
By Tobechukwu Okigbo
Over the years, embarking on road trips across Nigeria has provided me with some of the most fulfilling and memorable experiences of my life.
Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services Officer of MTN Nigeria.
Our country is blessed with natural and beautiful landscapes, local cultures, languages and architecture that change as you move through the states or geo-political zones.
It’s only when you travel like this that you experience the richness of our diversity, providing a much-needed perspective and deeper understanding of our country.
When you can’t see a country for what it really is, then you are especially vulnerable to the manipulation of more radical elements.
Travelling through these places gives one a direct connection to them, and it is those connections that are so important to our cohesion.
Unfortunately, the option to travel by road is more limited today than it has been in the past, especially taking into consideration the prevailing security challenges.
Nigeria currently is quite low in the global ranking of road networks to people ratio, with many important roads in various state of disrepair.
This has an impact, not only on our individual ability to explore and understand our nation, building connections between us, but on our economy; limiting domestic trade, commerce and tourism, driving up costs and so reducing our competitiveness.
In turn, this impacts productivity, employment and puts a brake on improvements to living standards.
When a farmer struggles to get his produce to the market, the quality of the produce available to the consumer is lower and costs more.
When a petroleum marketer needs to move product from Lagos to Kano, the time it takes is a direct input into the price differentials we see across the country.
When it takes longer for a can of Coca-Cola to navigate the roads in the East, then it costs more for the consumer when it gets there.
When tourists fly into major cities but are unwilling to brave our roads and cannot explore our regions, we lose not just income, but the ability to share our culture and heritage with others.
At a very human level, poor roads contribute to unnecessary accidents and deaths.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) estimates that 3,700 people lost their lives in the first ten months of 2022, and road quality is one of the top-ten causes of those accidents.
These challenges are not new, and the impact is understood by the government.
The Senate has estimated that Nigeria loses over N1 trillion in annual revenue due to bad roads, revenue which is critical to us as a nation.
The Federal Roads Management Agency (FERMA) estimates that the cost of loss in man-hours due to traffic caused by poor roads is N1.02 trillion every year.
This is before we consider the additional costs associated with price inflation that Nigerians and Nigerian businesses have to absorb.
Many will put the responsibility to fix roads solely on government. Besides, what are the governments at various levels doing if they cannot fix the roads.
Indeed, in fairness to the current administration, a lot of work has been done in both road repairs and the construction of new ones.
But the truth is, the expectations are very high. However, the reality is that the government alone cannot fix all the roads.
They only have to be strategic and take the lead on an integrated approach to providing motorable roads to the citizenry, which is why in recognition of the importance of improving our road infrastructure, the Nigerian government conceived and launched the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) in 2019, a tax incentive programme to crowd in private sector finance for road construction, maintenance and repair.
It is designed to accelerate the investments that can be made to improve the network of roads in the country.
The government recognises the severity of the funding gap that exists, and that partnerships are required to deliver better roads, faster.
Not only does the RITC programme mobilise additional funding, it ensures that public budgets can be allocated to other equally pressing development priorities.
When done well, with proper planning, design and monitoring, these programmes attract significant private sector support and deliver impressive results.
Recognising that the RITC programme encapsulates everything that we at MTN call shared value, we are proud to have marked the 20th anniversary of our operation in Nigeria in 2021, by successfully bidding to reconstruct the 110km dual carriage Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
There is no better way of demonstrating the strength of the partnership between MTN and Nigeria, than by directly contributing to a project that benefits the government, business and the people by improving people’s ability to connect.
It is a tangible manifestation of our belief that “We’re good together” and an extension of our purpose to enable the benefits of a modern connected life to everyone.
MTN will invest N202.8 billion in the rehabilitation of the road, receiving tax credits of the equivalent value that it can use to offset future tax liabilities.
Work has already commenced on the road with a delivery schedule that anticipates people will be able to use it within 18 months.
We fully understand the strategic importance of the Enugu-Onitsha road to the eastern economy and Nigeria at large.
For us, the completion of the rehabilitation of the expressway is more than fixing a road. It is more than a road; it is connecting people and opening an economy.
It is about creating memories for people to appreciate the beauty of our land.
I am incredibly excited at the potential of this partnership to embed a culture of collaboration between the public and private sector in Nigeria.
It is not just MTN that recognises this opportunity. The strong design of the RITC is evidenced in the range of other private sector partners that are joining the programme.
By working together, we can accelerate progress towards national development goals, make life easier for Nigerians and improve the prospects for all businesses, large and small.
Personally, I look forward to driving on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, to re-ignite my passion for road trips, and seeing the vibrant beauty that is Nigeria.
It is not just about fixing a road; it is about accelerating connectedness and building lasting partnerships.
We’re good together!
Okigbo is the Chief Corporate Services Officer of MTN Nigeria.
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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