E-Business
Darey.io, Xterns Partner to Provide Digital Skills with New Tech Hub in Lagos
Darey.io in collaboration with Xterns plan to provide Nigerians with digital skills as they plan a new tech hub in Yaba, Lagos. This new hub scheduled to officially open on March 15, 2025, is designed to drive digital transformation, foster collaboration, and provide startups, businesses, and individuals with AI-driven solutions and workforce development programmes.
Dare Olufunmilayo, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Darey.io said the hub will provide an alternative narrative—one of opportunity and empowerment, and caters to individuals from various fields, including management, healthcare, and other industries, who aspire to enter the world of IT, software development, and other tech-driven careers.
“Regardless of your background, you can join our network, and within a short period of time, you’re able to acquire the skills, you’re able to acquire the experience, and you’re able to present yourself in a way that convinces an employer that you can actually get hired,” Olufunmilayo said.
Whether one has undergone training elsewhere or is new to the tech space, the Excellence platform offers a structured pathway to gaining the experience needed for a successful career in technology.
“With over 1,000 tracked job placements locally and internationally in just the last year and a half, Darey.io is proving that tech careers are within reach for anyone willing to put in the effort. By leveraging technology, breaking traditional barriers, and emphasizing hands-on experience, Darey.io is redefining what it means to enter and excel in the tech industry,” Olufunmilayo said.
Olufunmilayo noted that a key motivation for many aspiring tech professionals is the ability to work remotely, and stressed that Darey.io not only enables skill acquisition but also facilitates global employment opportunities, explaining that through its innovative approach, individuals can work from Nigeria while securing jobs with international companies, thus contributing to the growing digital economy.
Identifying one of the main challenges in transitioning to tech careers as the demand from companies for experienced professionals in which many employers prefer hiring candidates who can contribute immediately, making it difficult for newcomers to secure roles, Darey.io, he said, addresses this by providing a structured pathway where individuals gain both skills and experience before entering the job market.
To bridge the gap between training and real-world application, Olufunmilayo said that Darey.io has introduced the Xterns platform, which provides practical experience alongside training, and highlighted how this scalable platform allows individuals to fund their own learning journeys, ensuring they gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.
According to him, “The Xterns platform meticulously tracks acquired skills at a micro level, offering detailed insights into individual competencies and completed projects. It is open to anyone who has completed a training programme, regardless of where they received it, fostering collaboration and exposure to industry best practices.
He said that one of the standout features of the Xterns platform is its accessibility, asserting that anyone who has undergone relevant training can join, provided they pass a basic assessment that verifies their foundational knowledge and added that new students are onboarded regularly.
“Participants receive quality learning from experienced instructors, ensuring they acquire the skills necessary to thrive in the tech industry. This commitment to accessibility and excellence makes Darey.io a key player in expanding digital education opportunities in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has launched a new digital identity verification tool called the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) application.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen the country’s national digital identity management framework.
The launch builds upon Nigeria’s comprehensive unified digital identity system that has been transforming access to financial services and government programs.
The NINAuth application introduces several key features focused on data security and privacy.
The platform requires explicit user consent before sharing identity information for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, giving individuals greater control over their personal data.
The system provides seamless access to various government services, including SIM card registration, immigration applications, passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions.
The development follows significant investment in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, including a $45.5 million support from the World Bank as part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.
As the official service for integration with NIMC’s backend infrastructure, NINAuth enables secure verification processes across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The application is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store for users of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The rollout represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize government services and strengthen identity verification processes.
“NINAuth is a cutting-edge suite of services including web, API, and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.
“The platform introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
The implementation supports the objectives of the recently established Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, which oversees the country’s digital identity initiatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the launch of the NINAuth app and directed its use for verification and authentication across all MDAs.
The application provides a secure single sign-on solution for accessing government services and social protection programs while maintaining strict data privacy controls.
The centralized approach to digital identity management represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to modernizing government services.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has set in motion a machinery to checkmate the booming copyright piracy market in the country.
Copyright piracy is said to cost Nigeria an annual loss estimated at billions of naira.
Despite the absence of a coordinated or official statistics to gauge the quantum of loss, John Asein, director general, NCC, said as far back as 2019, Nigeria lost N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to digital piracy.
The financial damages severely impact local businesses and innovation efforts.
The commission, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has started a project to develop strategies and tools to address the menace.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the WIPO project to address online copyright piracy in Nigeria, Asein said digital technologies have unlocked tremendous opportunities for the creative and innovation sectors.
The NCC boss said technology also poses serious challenges, including online piracy, which he said is growing rapidly.
He said: “Pirate sites continue to emerge rapidly, with statistics indicating a 6.7 per cent increase in user visits. A significant percentage of these users are students aged between 18 and 24, with social media and messaging platforms becoming major gateways for accessing pirated content.”
He added: “No industry is immune. The most affected sectors include television (43.6 per cent), publishing (27.5 per cent), film (12.9 per cent), music (7.0 per cent), and software (6.2 per cent).
“Far beyond mere statistics, the victims are no longer only foreign right owners. Many Nigerians in these sectors have also been bruised and their creative enterprises ruined.”
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