E-Business
Easy Taxi, Google Train Drivers on Use of Google Map
Easy Taxi, Nigeria’s leading taxi booking application and Google (Nigeria), a multinational corporation specializing in Internet-related services and products, at the weekend, trained over 100 taxi drivers on the use of Google Map.
Easy Taxi is the largest taxi hailing app in the world. Present in 27 countries and increasing constantly, there are more than 90,000 drivers registered to the Easy Taxi network and over 3.5 million users worldwide.
Mr. Bankole Cardoso, chief executive officer and founder, Easy Taxi (Nigeria), told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the coaching session was spurred by the desire to make operations easier for both the drivers and the customers.
“Based on our findings that taxi drivers, registered with Easy taxi, on some occasions failed to locate their ways to pick up a customer. Google map as a user-friendly application we decided to work with the Google to get them improve services to our customers by educating our drivers on how to use the Maps.
“Definitely, it will make them to work more efficiently, save some litters of fuel, time and energy”.
He said, Easy Taxi hopes to replicate such gestures in other areas of its operations like Abuja (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana). We have plans for more cities on the Continent.
The session, the coordinator said, would not distract the drivers.
Nodding in agreement, Mr. Adepolu Abiodun, business associate intern, Google Nigeria, who lectured the drivers, said that it will not distract them while driving due to the availability of “voice bar”.
In other words, they (the drivers) do not necessarily look at the map while driving. “Of course that feature in the map will tell them when to turn left or right. Google understands safety while driving”.
On how it will impact on their operations, he said, “Everywhere is location based. As a driver you do not know everywhere in Lagos or in Nigeria, but with Maps you have the directions on your palm. Although, every nooks and crannies may not be fully mapped, you can be sure of the entry and exit of Lagos. It covers 80% to 90% of where they may want to navigate. With the map you can choice alternative route when there is traffic gridlock.
Google had recently added five new features on its Map for seamless navigating.
The features are Real Time Traffic report; Related Results; Easy-to-View Review Information; Trip-Planning Tool and Rich Media that allows users to better explore the places they want to visit before actually going there.
“You can save the Map offline so that anything you do not have internet connectivity you can pull that up for usage,” Abiodun added.
One of the participants, Mr. Akinlawon Olugbenga, also said “Although, I have been using the Google Map to locate my way, especially in Lekki where there are a quite number of streets and the Mainland too, however, with today’s coaching session I am more enlightened on the usage.
“The challenges I have been encountering in the usage is the connectivity, but during the training, we were taken on the process on offline connections. Also, when the GPS in that area is not in order, the Map, usually, do not give you the ultimate services; today also, we were told how to navigate your way right from the business area or home.
“The usage to me is seamless and very helpful in the business we are doing. The smartness of the Map is such that it gives you directions ahead of time; measuring your journey, updating you on the distance ahead”.
He expressed delight that the application does not distract them while driving.
Speaking on other empowerment programmes the Firm had adopted to help the drivers, Cardoso said, for those who could ill-afford to purchase smartphone for easier use of the Map, Easy Taxi has provided them with options to buy on three installments through a partnership with mobile phone manufacturing company.
“We do not own any taxi, so any driver that registers with us is an Easy Taxi partner. They have identity card. We are hopeful that the process will restore customers’ confidence on the taxis, because safety is paramount to us. For any registered driver we have the plate-number, residential address, and other important bio-data; car hires number and convince it will give to people.
Another driver who was part of the training session, David Mark said, “I am glad to be part of this training. Easy Taxi and Google have actually added value to my business, because I have learnt how to use the Google Map better. Before, some of us (drivers) do not know how to operate the map to locate our way when a customer calls for services.
“With this training, I am sure Easy Taxi will be well-known within the vicinity. Also, our customers will not be disappointed as the case has been due to delays in locating the way”.
Easy Taxi was launched in Nigeria in July 2013 as leading free smartphone application that provides the safest, fastest and most convenient way of hailing a taxi in Lagos by connecting a network of registered drivers directly to customers.
Easy Taxi has become a safe and convenient way for people to book a taxi anywhere within Lagos, as it pioneered mobile taxi application services in Nigeria.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
Coinbase forecast a hit of between $180m and $400m from a cyberattack that breached account data of a “small subset” of its customers, the crypto exchange said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
The company received an anonymous email on May 11, claiming to have information about certain customer accounts as well as internal documents.
While some data — including names, addresses and emails — was stolen, the hackers did not get access to login credentials or passwords, Coinbase said.
Still, it will reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attackers.
Hackers had paid multiple contractors and employees working in support roles outside the US to collect information.
The company has fired those involved, it said.
Separately, the New York Times reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating whether the company had misstated its user numbers.
Coinbase shares extended losses after the report and were last down 6.5%.
“This is a hold-over investigation from the prior administration about a metric we stopped reporting two-and-a-half years ago, which was fully disclosed to the public,” said Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer.
“While we strongly believe this investigation should not continue, we remain committed to working with the SEC to bring this matter to a close.”
The SEC declined to comment.
The latest developments come days before the company is set to join the benchmark S&P 500 index, casting a shadow over what was expected to be a landmark moment for the crypto industry.
Security remains a challenge for the crypto industry despite its growing mainstream acceptance.
In February, Bybit disclosed a hack in which about $1.5bn worth of digital tokens were stolen — widely described the biggest crypto heist ever.
“The cyberattack may push the industry to adopt stricter employee vetting and introduce some reputational risks,” said Bo Pei, an analyst at US Tiger Securities.
Funds stolen by hacking crypto platforms amounted to $2.2bn in 2024, according to a report from Chainalysis, a US-based blockchain analysis firm.
“As our nascent industry grows rapidly, it draws the eye of bad actors, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the scope of their attacks,” said Nick Jones, founder of crypto firm Zumo.
Coinbase has refused to pay a ransom of $20m demanded by the attackers and is working with law enforcement agencies. Instead it has established a $20m reward for information on the hackers.
The company is also opening a new support hub in the US and taking other measures to prevent such cyberattacks, it said.
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