E-Business
How Nigeria can Turn Almajiris to Digital Millionaires – Ekeh, Zinox Boss
Leo Stan Ekeh, serial digital entrepreneur and chairman of Zinox Group said that Nigeria can turn the poor, nomadic children popularly called Almajiri into millionaires, employers of labour or even employable citizens if a digital solution is applied to address their peculiar plight.
Leo Stan Ekeh
Ekeh, who delivered an impassioned and workable solutions to the age-long Almajiri issue which government appears yet to find a fitting solution to, spoke as one of the panellists at the Africa Independent Television (AIT) Virtual Town Hall Forum with the theme: The Economic Implications of the New Normal Post-Covid-19 – Anticipated Revolution in Digital Economy, Business Re-Engineering, Government, Trade and Effects on Global Economic Recovery.
Speaking on the impact of COVID-19, Ekeh said one of the major classes of Nigerians negatively affected by the pandemic were the Almajiri who have been tossed from state to state like articles of trade nobody wanted to buy.
A 2014 UNICEF report estimated that there are 9.5 million Almajiri children in Nigeria, which accounted for 72 per cent of the nation’s out-of-school children.
Nigeria is estimated to currently harbour between 13.2 million and 15 million out-of-school children, most of them in the North.
However, Ekeh held that with a digital approach, the potential in these Almajiri that nobody wanted to have anything to do with, can be converted to treasures of gold in the vastly growing digital economy because they are young, brilliant with huge doses of energy.
‘‘I had the privilege of engaging with some of them in Lagos and Abuja. They sound like glorious messengers and have enhanced psychology of begging which, if retrained, could make them best sales persons of the second quarter of this century. We must not abandon them.
“Among these Almajiris, there are smart people whom we can turn to coders (software Application developers) if they are fast tracked under conducive environment with quality welfare program that influences them psychologically to anticipate a wealthy future.
‘‘They are Nigerians on the street and they feel the power of wealth around them but are handicapped because of their circumstances and place of birth. We cannot abandon them.
“The world needs about one million coders yearly and through coding, they can become millionaires and employers of labour. They don’t need to go to the university or secondary school.
‘‘All they need is a special finishing school for about six years where they would be turned to nerds and that will mark the end of poverty in their lives and in their families,” Ekeh said.
‘‘The nation and their states must provide for them, else they shall provide for themselves to survive like others, and it could negatively impact on the society from generation to generation. If we can turn waste to productive use why not human beings created by God?’’
Ekeh, who likened the COVID-19 pandemic to a war, affirmed that the best way to win a war is to anticipate it, stressing that in life, “you must be prepared to win a war before the war begins.”
He emphasised that Nigeria was not prepared for the COVID-19 war, hence the seemingly difficult struggle to deal with it.
Further, he explained that the sudden rush for e-learning in the country was what he had anticipated 15 years ago but added that the Nigerian government did not buy the proposal to make e-learning a life style among the people, noting that COVID-19 has validated his assertion that without digital technology as a way of life and doing business, a nation cannot be truly independent or sovereign in the 21st century.
He warned that companies and organisations including those in the public sector that failed to take advantage of COVID-19 realities to scale up their technologies as necessary tools in the workplace will either suffer huge loss or go into extinction.
“Post COVID-19, a lot will change; a lot of companies will die. We are witnessing huge disruption with digital solutions which have taken the form of technologies worth millions of naira invested to provide teleconferencing as we used to know it. Today, it’s Zoom. That’s disruption and such incidents will continue to define mankind.”
The Zinox boss, who is credited with pioneering a series of innovative firsts in the Nigerian technology sector, insisted that Nigeria must see opportunities inherent in the post COVID-19 economy and take advantage of them.
“I see infinite possibilities and opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. One of such was that, instead of importing face masks from China or anywhere, the government ought to have deliberately engaged Nigerians tailors, put them in school halls, give them electricity.
“They already have their machines. By the time we create such clusters in different states, we would have locally produced face masks that would serve 200 million people and that would translate to millions of naira for the tailors and indirectly for the government.
“The same tailors can transit to making school uniforms, under wears, ties, bed sheets and pillow cases, designer dresses etc., after the pandemic rather than having some schools import their uniforms from Asia and Europe,” he said.
Ekeh,a global advisor to renowned technology giants, Microsoft and the first to pioneer e-commerce in Africa when he launched BuyRight Africa.com, regretted that the Federal Government lost an opportunity to help grow e-commerce when it failed to initially clearly delineate e-commerce workers as persons on essential duty and e-commerce as essential service during the lockdown.
He cited the example of Amazon which, through the support of the United States government went a long way in helping Americans observe social distancing and keeping many employed even during the lockdown.
The serial digital entrepreneur added that e-commerce is a very cost-intensive venture, noting that e-commerce companies in Nigeria such as Konga are bearing huge losses in view of the complicated and exorbitant applications which drive the business and their status as heavy employers of labour.
Nevertheless, Ekeh insists that despite the lost opportunity, e-commerce remains the future of Nigeria and Africa in terms of jobs and wealth creation.
The only difference between the success recorded here and in other climes, he disclosed, was the institutional support received by players in the sector.
Non-profit think tank and research network Research ICT Africa (RIA) has developed the Just AI Framework of Inquiry. The contextually-grounded and action-oriented position paper aims to help African policymakers, researchers and technologists navigate the complexities of developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Developed by RIA executive director Pria Chetty and RIA deputy director Dr Araba Sey, as part of the second phase of the Africa Just AI project, the framework responds to the urgent need to ground AI policy in Africa’s historical and contemporary contexts.
As AI technologies proliferate across every sector of society, the Just AI Framework of Inquiry reframes global debates on ethics and fairness by centring justice as the fundamental quality AI systems must embody, according to RIA.
Rather than replicating governance models designed for high-income economies, the framework calls for an approach that reflects Africa’s diverse democratic systems, development priorities and epistemic traditions, it says.
Through nine interrelated inquiries, from structural inequality and data justice, to democratic governance and environmental sustainability, the Just AI Framework of Inquiry equips policymakers, technologists and researchers with the tools to design and evaluate AI systems that actively promote equity, inclusion and care.
“The framework’s justice-oriented lens connects human rights, ecology and economy, guiding both research and regulatory reform to ensure AI advances public interest outcomes. It aims to move beyond aspirational ethics toward actionable mechanisms for embedding justice across the AI value chain,” notes Dr Sey.
The framework provides a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, moving beyond a narrow focus on technological risk to examine the interplay of AI with sustainable development, security, economic policy and governance.
“It recognises that effective AI governance requires a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise in law, data science, economics and social sciences. This is crucial for developing integrated economic policies and governance frameworks that can address the full spectrum of AI’s societal consequences from labour market transformations to the regulation of intellectual property and competition,” Dr Sey adds.
The next phase of this project will test the framework’s application through participatory engagements with policymakers, civil society and research partners.
According to RIA, tech regulation, when developed through a justice-oriented lens, has the potential to unleash the developmental benefits of advanced innovation. Likewise, when AI systems are governed through justice-oriented frameworks, they can deliver equitable outcomes across diverse societies.
Yet, RIA is of the view that the dominant approaches to AI governance today − anchored in ethics, fairness and responsibility − remain inadequate. They are largely self-regulatory, driven by Global North actors, and designed for high-income countries with vastly different social, political and infrastructural realities. RIA’s research shows these frameworks often fail to recognise the uneven socio-economic contexts that shape life across the African continent.
“We have spent the past three years engaging deeply with this challenge: asking what it means to govern AI in ways that are truly just for Africa,” Chetty explains.
“We see a pressing need for a more deliberate and contextualised approach to AI governance; one that allows African countries to shift from being mere consumers of AI tech, to becoming co-creators of AI systems that reflect our development priorities, democratic values and lived experiences.
“Justice in AI requires more than inclusive aspirations. It demands redress of historical harms and inequities, attention to extractive data and value flows, and a commitment to ensuring that AI’s transformative potential is shared, not concentrated.”
Wild Fusion Digital Centre (WDC), a technology training center based in Lagos and EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity certification have partnered to officially launch an advanced ethical hacking programme.
Pix credit…. EC-Council
The announcement was made at a ceremony at WDC headquarters attended by training officials and local business representatives.
The initiative is designed to meet the growing demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals in Nigeria and across Africa.
The programme offers internationally recognized certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified SOC Analyst (CSA), and Blockchain Finance Certified (BFC).
WDC stated the training is conducted in-person and emphasizes practical application, ensuring participants master techniques for detecting and correcting vulnerabilities in computer systems.
The center noted that the training allows individuals and corporate teams to obtain these international-level qualifications without leaving the country.
WDC highlighted that the need for the training is urgent due to the increasing complexity of cyberattacks and a shortage of qualified experts.
The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has pointed to a persistent talent deficit, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% growth in cybersecurity jobs between 2023 and 2033.
The training programme is being launched amid significant growth in the digital sector.
An analysis by Mordor Intelligence estimates the value of the African cybersecurity market at $0.6 billion in 2024, with projections to reach $1.28 billion by 2029, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 13.5% over the period.
Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, Konga, has officially announced the dates for its highly anticipated Konga Yakata 2025, Nigeria’s biggest annual Black Friday sale.
The month-long shopping festival will run from Saturday, November 1st to Sunday, November 30th, 2025, promising shoppers across Nigeria a more exciting, rewarding, and value-packed experience than ever before.
To build anticipation, Early Bird Deals kicked off on October 26th and will run through October 31st, giving early shoppers a head start on some of the year’s most incredible bargains. This exclusive pre-sale window allows customers to secure limited-time offers before the official Yakata sale commences.
Since its inception, Konga Yakata has redefined Black Friday shopping in Nigeria. Evolving beyond a retail event, it has become a nationwide celebration of value, convenience, and trust, firmly positioning Konga as the go-to destination for millions of Nigerians seeking genuine products at the best possible prices.
According to the management of Konga, the 2025 edition of Yakata will surpass previous years with new innovations, expanded product categories, richer customer experiences, and unmatched discounts. This year’s event will feature engaging activities such as Treasure Hunts, Combo Day, Week of Wonder, Flash Sales, Live Auctions on Konga Radio 103.7FM, Giveaways, Freebies, and the same-day delivery option on KongaNow items, ensuring every shopper enjoys an unforgettable experience.
The campaign will also extend across multiple channels, online at www.konga.com and in Konga Retail Stores nationwide, offering customers flexible shopping options and exclusive in-store deals.
A wide range of products will be available across various categories, including Laptops, Desktops and Accessories, Mobile Phones and Tablets, Home and Kitchen Appliances, Electronics, Fashion, Groceries, Baby, Kids & Toys, and Wines & Spirits. Shoppers can expect massive discounts on top brands, including HP, Samsung, Apple, Haier Thermocool, iPower, Tecno, L’Oréal, Zinox, Nexus, Infinix, Nokia, iTec, Polystar, Nivea, and Lenovo, among others.
In line with its mission to promote financial inclusion and digital convenience, KongaPay is offering shoppers an instant 10% discount when they pay with their KongaPay wallet during the Yakata sale. The company has also encouraged customers to download and activate their KongaPay app ahead of the sale for a seamless checkout experience, extra savings, and exclusive wallet-based deals.
Speaking on the upcoming sale, the management reaffirmed Konga’s commitment to customer satisfaction, genuine products, and affordable pricing. “Konga Yakata is not just a sale; it’s a celebration of trust and value,” a company spokesperson noted.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their location or budget, can experience the joy of shopping for authentic products at unbeatable prices. This year, we are going even further with more deals, more engagement, and more innovation to delight our customers.”
Over the years, Konga Yakata has become an integral part of Nigeria’s retail calendar and is widely regarded as the benchmark for Black Friday sales in Africa. It has empowered millions of customers to access premium products, strengthening Konga’s position as a trusted household name in e-commerce.
As the countdown begins, Nigerians are urged to stay alert, prepare their shopping lists, and keep their devices close. Shoppers are also encouraged to follow Konga’s social media channels for firsthand updates, flash alerts, and exclusive Yakata offers.
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