General News
Microsoft Software Gives Value to Businesses-Onyeje
Emmanuel Onyeje is responsible for Microsoft’s business in Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
He has 12 years of experience working in the country’s technology sector.
Onyeje believes that Microsoft’s strong technology and advanced roadmap help Nigerian businesses realize their potential, local organizations and consumers can benefit from accessible and locally-relevant technologies.
He spoke to emeka okafor
Microsoft Losses to Pirated Software
It is difficult to say exactly how much Microsoft is loosing to pirated software because we are looking at it holistically as an entire problem of software developers. According to the last study conducted last year by IDC/BSA, the country was loosing an average of N10 billion for the Nigerian IT economy.
The study also showed 82 per cent rate for all pirated software. The study also suggested that if piracy is reduced from 82 per cent to 72 per cent that Nigeria would get $137 million in additional revenue and that 2275 more jobs would be created. If you look at it closely, you will observe that Nigeria is loosing more than 20,000 jobs in the industry.
Nigeria as Focus in War against Piracy
Of course Nigeria is our main focus, it is a country where a new frontier in IT is developing every time and that is why we have taken four steps to fight piracy. We have a prevention strategy and what we do is to work with government agencies like the National Copyright Commission (NCC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and we support them in their activities. Every time they need us to supply them with information we easily oblige them to help them do their job because piracy is a crime. Then, two, we are educating all the IT based companies in Nigeria – hardware and software companies.
We are training them on the issue of piracy and on how to maximize their own benefits by selling not only Microsoft software but other software as well. What we are trying to do is to have a general awareness campaign for example in the media talking about the risks involved in using pirated software. For instance, somebody called to complain that he had a black screen and I tell you that may have happened as a result of virus emanating from using pirated software. Pirated software are always cheaper and tend to offer a good bargain if you are talking about pricing. Two, we are targeting some of them with specific messages about what they can gain if they obey the law. It is pertinent for them to also know that Microsoft software can be used to help their businesses and allow them to make more money. We are also trying to make our solutions more affordable to our customers. We do general advertisement trying to create awareness and working with government on high level to see if there will be a programme whereby the government can create awareness on the dangers of piracy. It is not only software that is being adulterated in the country. There is also property theft, NAFDAC is also fighting adulteration, so also the movie industry and the music industry. We hope to have a kind of partnership with the government.
Encouraging Local Software Developers
We have two things we arte doing. We have dedicated resource centre with our developer manager who works with university students who are interested in working in software development. We also have this pact with the Nigeria Computer Society. We have the Microsoft academy based programme that is coming up soon. These are where we are trying to promote the local software industry and we are trying to showcase the best of today’s solutions to them. We are also trying to get them certified for their own good. It is also important to note that Microsoft has a programme meant to objectively address the needs of the people.
Fight against Cybercrime
We are actually doing a lot to fight cybercrime. We have a dedicated team that is supporting us in Nigeria. Recently we held a programme called Internet Safety Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (ISSPN). The programme is targeted at the youth.
So, what we are trying to do is to tell the young ones that it is not a good idea to go into this. It somehow constraints the growth of the economy because now that the banks are going for online banking solutions , nobody would trust them because of cybercrime that is going on here and that will have constraint on our growth to have access to the world through the internet. There are challenges but I think a lot of them have bought the idea. I think 72 of them from 11 universities across the country have volunteered to become ambassadors to take this message to their own peers. They run seminars at different times in their schools to tell their friends about the other opportunities that are available online; this is what we can do with the internet instead of cybercrime. By this alot more people will not be involved in cybercrime. Apart from that, we signed an agreement with Yahoo and African Development Bank to fight internet lottery scam. In addition to that we are working with CAPDAN to clean up the system.
Price of Microsoft Software
It is an issue that is coming up every time and for us to be very clear, Microsoft has been doing a lot to make our software more affordable. On the other side, people that are making use of our software are using them to make money and we find it very strange that a chief executive officer can buy a brand new jeep at N40 million and could not buy software for him to do his business. So it is all about perception. Our software give value for many businesses. We find out that people don’t buy the right solution for their problem, which is why they find it costly. Ignorance here is a big problem. People need to make the right decision for their software need.
Digital village
Those who are living in the villages like in Bayelsa, Ogun State, communities around them do not have access to the computer. Digital village is like a community resource centre where people can come and learn the basic computer knowledge that they need. For example the one in the north called Iya Abubarka Centre for Development in Borno State. What they focus on is to train women in purdah on how to use software like power point, Microsoft word and all that. In the riverine areas we concentrate on reaching those farmers in their creeks and make sure that people who ordinarily wouldn’t have been reached are reached. The programme is in partnership with federal and state governments. The federal government builds then place and the state governments equip and we supply the software while in some other states they would build the place while the federal government supplies the equipment. What we do is to supply the software and hand over. In addition we give them curriculum and all that Digital villages are left for the states to manage. Some states are managing their own very well while some others are not but we are still on discussion with partners , governors to ensure that things get back on track.
Value of Microsoft Business in Nigeria
We have created a very vibrant software ecosystem which has resulted in more value to businesses, more employment. By providing innovative technology, we have positioned Nigeria as a strong competitor in the world today.
By providing the right software at the right prices for different categories of users, we have democratized technology, giving more companies access to sophisticated solutions to make their organisations more productive and profitable.
Corporate Social Responsibility
We have made huge contributions to the communities in which we operate all over the world. In Nigeria, we are working with various stakeholder groups including NGOs to create access for the underserved in our communities, from the fisherman in the creeks to the women in seclusion.
Working with Schoolnet, the Nigerian Union of Teachers and other groups, we develop IT capacity among the teachers to ensure that our youth get the right education to compete in today’s knowledge economy.
We are also very involved in the area of youth development, working with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Leap Africa to train youth on employability skills.
Breathe Life Foundation partnered with Teach Nigeria Fellow, Ms Bunmi Rotimi, to deliver a respiratory health awareness session for over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos.
The session equipped students aged 15–19 years with practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha, while challenging the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education. By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the Foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
Breathe Life Foundation is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
Nigeria’s technology retail landscape reached another significant milestone on Monday, August 3, 2026, as global technology giant ASUS, in partnership with Konga, officially commissioned its first flagship experience store in West Africa.
Strategically located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos; the heartbeat of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, the state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in customer experience, product accessibility, and digital innovation.
The launch also reinforces Konga’s growing reputation as a preferred gateway for leading global technology brands into the Nigerian market.
The landmark event attracted Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who officially commissioned the store.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; Chief Operating Officer of Konga, Dave Omoregie; VP Omni-channel & Commercial Planning, Melvin Onochie; and Head of Marketing and Communications at Konga Group, Victor Oluwaleye.
The ASUS team was led by E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, alongside Business Development Manager, Sunnie Chen; Sales Manager, Mohammed Kazim; Gaming Product Manager, Joy Chen; Marketing Manager, Adeola Odeleye; and Sales Specialist, Williams Okenna.
The Honourable Minister described the facility as a defining achievement for Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that it is far more than the opening of a retail outlet.
He called it a strong vote of confidence by a global technology brand in Nigeria’s innovation, science, and technology ecosystem and the immense potential of its market.
He noted that his presence underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing such partnerships as essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by private enterprise and enabled by government.
The Minister paid tribute to Leo Stan Ekeh, describing him as one of the foremost architects of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He announced that Ekeh had recently agreed to champion the Federal Government’s Youth and Students in Innovation initiative, a flagship programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and technology skills.
According to him, Ekeh’s decades of visionary entrepreneurship have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s technology ecosystem and attracting prominent technology companies into the Nigerian market.
Using the occasion to address the international business community, the Minister encouraged global investors and brands to look beyond establishing commercial operations in Nigeria and actively partner with the government in driving national development.
He assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that safeguards investments and delivers sustainable returns.
Speaking at the event, ASUS E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, expressed appreciation to partners, government representatives, and customers for their support.
He explained that the flagship store was conceived to provide consumers with direct access to authentic ASUS products, and expressed confidence that the partnership with Konga will further accelerate the brand’s growth and strengthen customer engagement in the region.
The experience centre features dedicated sections showcasing ASUS’ complete portfolio of premium laptops, gaming devices, AI-powered PCs, and cutting-edge innovations. A standout attraction is an interactive digital display that allows visitors to explore ASUS’ latest technologies virtually before making purchase decisions, creating a more engaging and informed customer journey. Plus, every ASUS device purchased through the flagship store or online on Konga comes with a special one-year replacement warranty at no extra cost.
In his remark, Chief Operating Officer of Konga Group, Dave Omoregie, said the flagship store reflects Konga’s deliberate strategy to give Nigerian consumers a seamless blend of online and offline retail.
He noted that Konga’s logistics network, payment infrastructure, and nationwide retail footprint uniquely position the company to support global brands like ASUS at scale, while ensuring customers enjoy authentic products backed by reliable after-sales service.
According to him, the partnership demonstrates what becomes possible when world-class technology brands trust Nigerian platforms to deliver exceptional experiences, adding that Konga remains committed to setting the operational standard for authentic technology retail across the country.
The launch further reinforces the enduring partnership between ASUS and Konga, built on shared values of innovation, authenticity, and customer satisfaction.
It also highlights Konga’s continued evolution beyond traditional e-commerce into a comprehensive omnichannel technology ecosystem that combines online convenience with physical retail experiences.
For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the new ASUS Flagship Experience Store represents more than a retail outlet; it is a symbol of confidence in Nigeria’s technology market. It highlights Konga’s commitment to bridging the gap between global technology brands and Nigerian consumers. With its robust logistics infrastructure, digital payment solutions, and nationwide physical retail presence, Konga continues to set the standard for authentic, accessible, and reliable technology retail across Africa.
The flagship store opening featured guided product demonstrations, immersive technology experiences, exclusive launch-day offers and customer engagement activities celebrating this historic milestone.
Customers can begin shopping immediately at the ASUS Flagship Experience Store, located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos. Visitors can explore authentic ASUS products, experience live product demonstrations, receive expert guidance, and access dedicated Starlink customer-support services.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice; Olatunji Rilwan Disu, inspector-general of Police, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds were missing, diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, the organisation urged the government to ensure that anyone implicated in the report is prosecuted and that all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition are recovered.
“Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
SERAP described the Auditor-General’s findings as a serious breach of public trust.
“The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
The organisation also expressed concern over allegations involving missing firearms, unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, and poor storage of weapons.
“The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to SERAP, the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing and the reported irregularities have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The organisation said the Auditor-General’s report documented several alleged financial irregularities, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.
“The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”SERAP further cited allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, failures to properly account for recovered weapons and exhibits, and insecure storage of firearms.
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands, warning that it would pursue legal action if no response is received.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
SERAP also argued that the allegations, if left unaddressed, would violate constitutional provisions requiring the government to combat corruption and safeguard the welfare and security of Nigerians.
Among the specific findings cited from the Auditor-General’s report were allegations of payments for abandoned and unexecuted police projects worth hundreds of millions of naira, inflated contract values, unretired cash advances, irregular procurement processes, unsettled insurance claims exceeding ₦681 million, over ₦1 billion in uncleared insurance policy liabilities, missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release of police exhibits, and contracts allegedly awarded without due diligence by the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
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