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Ekeh, Zinox Boss Urges FG to Infuse ICT in Transformation Agenda
The federal government has been urged to make information and communications technology (ICT) part and parcel of her visionary transformation agenda to achieve even and sustainable development.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who on April 16, 2011 won a pan-Nigerian mandate that swept through the North and South of the nation; ran on a promise to radically transform the nation and overhaul every aspect of the national life.
Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, said that the present administration has earned a lot of regards and respect with the transformation agenda but urged the government to make bold hearted interventions in technology just as it is doing in aviation and energy.
Ekeh said that the development of the capacity of the ICT industry will empower the vast majority of Nigerians towards productivity and growth.
“The government needs to exploit the pivotal role of technology in national development by providing the environment for technology to nurture to fruition the various initiatives that the President has taken in other sectors” Ekeh added.
According to Ekeh, the federal government should have seized the opportunity of President Jonathan’s landmark state visit to China to use ICT to consolidate on the gains recorded in aviation, infrastructure and energy.
The President, who made exhaustive use of the social media in his election campaign, has reaffirmed his belief in technology as a harnessing platform for his development initiatives by his establishment of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications.
Expectations from ICT stakeholders are that the mastery of ICT tools and the social media displayed by the President during elections would translate to a retooling of the citizenry sooner than later.
Ekeh said that “I must admit that the importance of ICT appeared restored recently with the inauguration of a 19-man Broadband Council to ensure the execution of an ambitious plan by the Federal Government to promote the diffusion of high-speed internet access expected to foster economic growth in the country.
The plan earlier released by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, is a five year programme which seeks to achieve a fivefold increase of broadband penetration by the end of 2017, up from the present 6% level. The plan, among other things, would provide security for broadband infrastructure, encourage a reduction in the costs of deploying infrastructure, use the regulatory bodies to ensure better performance levels of broadband services and use existing national assets to create access for communities for digital literacy” he added.
According to the Zinox boss, the definite steps being taken by the federal government to deepen the penetration of ICT and broadband are welcome and timely.
“They indicate awareness that ICT and broadband penetration are central to the success of the President’s transformation agenda, the attainment of the MDGs in 2015 and the vision 20 2020. The Onus is on the Council to respectfully pressurize the government to move beyond the setting up of the Council to practical interventions that would improve the living standards of our people” he said.
For example, the entire nation would come aflame if the federal government were to deploy wireless infrastructure for subsidized or free internet in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna.
Ekeh said that millions of new jobs would be created, decent wealth would abort corruption, and new digital lifestyles would be adopted as the levels of creativity and productivity reach unimaginable proportions.
He stated that “If Nigerians in these geo-political centers had heavily subsidized access to internet, it would trigger off a new era of fairly even development that would heal ethnic jealousies. The wireless infrastructure provided would then be complemented by the provision of subsidized laptops or tablets to all serving members of the National Youth Service Corps”
“In actual fact, I have said at some other forums that the Nigerian State needs to deploy a minimum of 25,000,000 PCs, in the next 3 years, 3,750,000 for each of the 6 geo-political zones and 2,500,000 in Abuja, or forget the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. These PCs would be targeted at youths who leave secondary school with 6 ‘Alphas’, all graduating students from the Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, and Universities. This generation closely interconnected by satellite television, social media and the internet would give rise to a new ICT based work culture, increasing productivity and self sufficiency; reducing corruption and the kinship that leads to ethnicity; and enabling a self interpretation of faith that would undermine religious extremism” the Zinox boss also added
The intervention would immediately arrest the high mortality rate among indigenous ISPs, and PC manufacturers, and give rise to a new tier of technologists.
The number of start-ups in Nigeria would run into tens of millions, the quality of education would become globally competitive, and business processes and procedures would improve drastically because of the increased opportunity to compare notes with things happening outside our borders.
The essence of promoting ICT is for employment creation as the largest platform for creating employment all over the world. ICT also helps a nation to build a new set of affluent citizens whose wealth can be defended as corruption free.
Above all, the Government and the President would get credit for kick starting modern Nigeria. The funding of these patriotic ideas need not give us sleepless nights – the Federal Government should liaise with the national assembly, create a special ICT and Broadband penetration fund, and persuade corporate persons to pay a 1% tax over the next 5 years or alternatively fund this from the Sovereign Wealth Fund for the next 3 years.
What other countries are doing: The advantage among nations is now measured by the level of ICT and broadband penetration.
As recently as 2010, in spite of the fact that nearly 200 million Americans had broadband access in their homes, the USA developed a National Broadband Plan, with the objective to ensure that at least 100 million US homes have affordable access to high speed internet as would make the United States the world leader in mobile innovations, with the fastest and most extensive wireless networks on earth. In pursuit of this goal the USA set up the Connect America Fund, CAF, to finance the provision of affordable high speed internet and the government approved the spending of $15.5 billion over the next ten years from the existing Universal Service Fund, USF.
In addition, the US Government approved incentives to encourage investors to achieve broadband penetration to the unreached and underserved.
It is instructive that smaller countries are already implementing various ambitious ICT Broadband interventions.
The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, announced at his swearing in – a laptop for every Kenyan school leaver. Thailand, the small Asian country that supplies Nigeria with rice is currently the cynosure of all OEMs with the intended supply of 1.5 million laptops to boost the economy.
Access to the tools of knowledge is the only way to ensure sustainable development through the creation of millions of intellectual merchants and entrepreneurs who can defend their wealth in the 21st century.
If smaller countries including Ghana can do it then Africa’s giant cannot afford to allow this opportunity to slip by. Recently, a Ghanaian company partnered with the Osun State government to produce tablets for their schools.
That Ghanaian company was recently empowered by a loan of $20 million from China, underwritten by the Government of Ghana. That is the kind of incentive that Nigerian OEMs need to go global.
Conclusion:
No nation is an Island unto itself and today’s peer review mechanism has made it easier for nations to learn from one another.
Nigeria must learn from what other developing nations are doing. The race for development is like a 100 metre dash and the front runner, by size and resources, cannot afford to be lethargic or minnows will overtake him.
All is not lost yet and Nigeria still has ample time to wake up to her manifest destiny as the giant of Africa. Mr. President should be consoled by the cliché that the thank you for hard work is more work. I rest my case.
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LG Electronics has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at celebrating decades of customer loyalty and technological heritage by searching for the oldest still-functioning LG television sets across the country.
The initiative, themed “The Oldest LG TV”, seeks to honour long-time customers whose LG screens have stood the test of time, while introducing them to the future of home entertainment through LG’s advanced AI QNED TVs.
For generations, LG televisions have been more than an electronic device in Nigerian homes, they have been silent witnesses to family milestones, cultural moments and shared memories.
This campaign bridges nostalgia with innovation, acknowledging the emotional connection Nigerians have built with the brand while showcasing LG’s leadership in AI-powered display technology.
The campaign features a storytelling -driven narrative that highlights community, heritage and the evolution of viewing experiences. Participants are invited to share the stories behind their long-serving LG TVs, transforming everyday screens into symbols of trust, resilience and innovation.
In creative twist, the campaign also introduces LG’s AI-enabled televisions as responsive companions that understand viewer preferences, recommend content and enhance picture quality in real time. This shift from nostalgia to futuristic interactivity underscores LG’s continued commitment to delivering smarter, more personalized entertainment solutions.
To participate, simply visit https://lgsearchcampaign.vercel.app/ upload a photo or video of your old LG TV and share the story behind it – how long you’ve had it and the memories it holds.
The winner walks away with a brand-new LG AI QNED TV, effectively trading legacy for luxury.
At its core, this campaign reminds us that technology is not only about pixels and processors, but about people. It’s about the laughter in the living rooms, the silence during tense match moments and the comfort of family routines.
By celebrating the oldest TVs still standing strong, LG is celebrating the people who kept the on, families who trusted the brand through changing times and evolving technologies. In doing so, LG isn’t just upgrading television, it’s upgrading memories into the future.
According to Mr. Choongbae Seok, General Manager, Media Entertainment Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria, “The journey from our classic CRT Televisions to today’s AI QNED technology reflects how far both our customers and our innovation have come. Those early sets were built to last, and many are still functioning today, a testament to durability and consumer trust. This initiative allows us to honour that legacy while introducing a new era of intelligent viewing, where the screen does more than show content; it adapts, learns and enhances every moment”.
LG Display 2026 TV Models at InnoFest
LG Electronics (LG), a leader in AI-powered solutions for the home, outlined plans to accelerate growth in emerging markets at LG InnoFest 2026 MEA. The event, held in Abu Dhabi, provided a forum to share LG’s strategic direction and market outlook with regional partners. At the exhibition, LG displayed its premium 2026 AI TV lineup focusing heavily on advanced processing power, smarter picture and sound technologies. The flagship OLED evo G6 and 100-inch Micro RGB evo TVs are powered by the new Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 3 enabling faster and more intelligent performance. The OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, an ultra-slim television designed to sit flush against the wall like artwork uses true wireless connectivity, reducing cable clutter and creating a cleaner, minimal setup.
African leaders used the AU Summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend to sharpen the continent’s technology agenda, with Ethiopia positioning artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and connectivity as pillars of Africa’s economic future.
Opening the 39th African Union Summit, Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed outlined an ambitious vision to place Africa at the forefront of the global AI race, anchored by Ethiopia’s plan to launch what he described as Africa’s first AI-focused university.
“In 2020, Ethiopia established Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence Institute. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to launch an AI university anchored in the philosophy of Medemer, purposeful collaboration, to unite human values with machine intelligence and position Africa as a global leader in the age of intelligence,” Abiy told delegates. “
He framed AI not as a standalone sector, but as a cross-cutting enabler for governance, industry and social development. “Every river we manage, every city we design, and every digital platform we deploy must generate resilience, opportunity and dignity,” Abiy said. He further linked digital transformation to Agenda 2063’s long-term prosperity goals.
Beyond AI, the high-powered AU summit discussions highlighted digital identity, cross-border connectivity and telecom expansion as critical building blocks for an integrated African market. Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, including its Faida digital ID ecosystem, was cited as a model for secure, interconnected public services.
Abiy pointed to aviation and telecom infrastructure as key accelerators for economic development across the continent. “Through Ethiopian Airlines, we connect people and markets. Ethio Telecom is expanding partnerships across Africa to bridge the digital divide,” he said.
The Ethiopian leader added that large-scale infrastructure projects are designed to anchor Africa deeper into global value chains.
The broader summit tech agenda also touched on regulatory harmonisation, digital trade and data governance, with leaders emphasizing that continental cooperation is essential to avoid fragmented digital markets.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the need for inclusive innovation, telling delegates that Africa’s digital rise must be “people-centered and opportunity-driven,” while African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed coordinated policy frameworks to accelerate adoption.
“AI capability, digital infrastructure and unified regulation are no longer optional ambitions, but strategic imperatives shaping the continent’s competitiveness in the intelligence era,” he said.
By Naeemah Junaid
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has held strategic discussions with representatives of Trust Stamp, a NASDAQ-listed global technology company, to explore potential areas of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital trust framework and advancing innovation within the digital economy.
The meeting, chaired by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, focused on identifying collaborative opportunities aligned with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the Agency’s strategic priorities for building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.
Inuwa emphasised that trust remains a critical foundation for the growth of the digital economy, noting that secure systems and strong cybersecurity frameworks are essential for driving innovation, economic growth, and national development. He stated that building trust in digital platforms and services is key to accelerating adoption and unlocking opportunities across sectors.
He reiterated NITDA’s mandate as a regulator to create an enabling environment through forward-looking policies and regulatory frameworks that support innovation rather than promote specific technologies. According to him, government interventions are designed to stimulate markets, create opportunities, and empower both businesses and citizens to participate fully in the digital economy.
The Director General further reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to investments that strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance digital services, stressing that sustainable national development is best driven by private sector participation under supportive regulatory and policy frameworks. He called for continued engagement to ensure alignment with national priorities and effective integration into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
In his remarks, Trust Stamp Vice President, Jonathan Pasha, highlighted the company’s global experience in secure verification and trust technologies, describing its approach as partnership-oriented and focused on delivering long-term value within local ecosystems. He noted that the company prioritises collaboration with governments and private sector stakeholders to address local challenges and expand access to secure digital services.
Pasha referenced Trust Stamp’s ongoing operations in Nigeria, including its collaboration with a telecommunications provider to enhance SIM swap prevention and fraud detection capabilities. He also outlined the firm’s biometric tokenisation technology, which converts biometric data into secure, privacy-preserving representations, enabling verification processes without exposing sensitive information.
He explained that the technology supports secure verification, fraud prevention, financial inclusion initiatives, and the tokenisation of real-world assets, while being designed to function effectively in low-connectivity environments and on low-specification devices to expand access to digital services.
Both parties expressed interest in advancing technical-level discussions to identify specific areas of collaboration aligned with national priorities and Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a secure and trusted digital economy through strategic partnerships, robust regulatory frameworks, and initiatives that promote innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
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