News
NITEC & Re-Engineering Nigeria’s Technological Ecosystem
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) warning that the giant of Africa’s economy nears recession is not only disturbing, but heart-wrecking.
The thinking is that by now, the Government and businesses, mostly the technology community whose counterparts across the globe are giving their economies a lift, should have been fire-up in search of short, mid and long-term solutions.
Singling out the tech ecosystem, which is actually growing in leaps and bounds, because every forecasts have constantly favoured Nigeria as a honeypot for investments, but we urgently need to create platforms and structures that will further deepen the conversation and help new innovations grow.
The Global Technology Research and Consulting Services, arm of International Data Corporation (IDC), had in a series of ‘IDC FutureScape Predictions’ for the year 2016, noted that “Nigeria Information Technology (IT) spending will top $5.3 billion, as organisations increasingly embrace digital transmission initiatives, in a bid to streamline their costs and bolster flexibility”.
Despite the rapid pace of growth in recent years, the industry is piqued with host of challenges, not limited to low penetration in terms of both usage and infrastructure access, high operating costs and lack of local content and ultimately, the disruptive technologies.
Coincidentally, the present predicaments and precarious situations bedeviling the nation’s economy, especially, the dwindling oil revenue and all sorts, should have pushed the government to rallying the tech industry to stand up and be counted as one of the biggest contributors to the GDP.
Have you heard? Fortnight ago, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Nigeria’s employment crisis worsened in the first quarter of 2016, with unemployment rate rising to 12.1 per cent.
The bureau said, unequivocally, in its latest Unemployment Watch report that between December 2015 and March 2016, the population of unemployed Nigerians increased by 518,000 to over 1.45 million. The heart-wrecking parts of the highlighted that economically active or working age population increased from 105.02 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 to 106 million by the end of March 2016, while actual population of people willing, able and actively looking for work increased by 1.99 per cent, from 76.9 million in fourth quarter of 2015 to 78.4 million in the first quarter of 2016.
The report blamed failures on government to meet its target of creating a minimum of 1.5 million jobs required for the period to keep the unemployment rate constant at 10.4 per cent before the end of December 2015 as worsened the unemployment situation.
To bail the cat implies ultrasonic measures with immediacy, which only the information and communications (ICT) or equivalent technological investments can guarantee this time.
Thus, there is no doubt that Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has not hidden his quest for ideas from stakeholders to unleash a viable tech ecosystem not necessarily dominated by the telecoms industry, becoming a reality.
Therefore, the Nigeria International Technology Exhibition & Conference (NITEC 2016) is ‘platform of necessity’ for the Honourable Minister and the private sector to chat clear-cut discussions that will continue to midwife a tech ecosystem that can rave-up the country.
When ‘tech-preachers’ say business leaders in Africa, especially entrepreneurs, should not be frightened by the prospect of disruptive technology, rather innovate for relevance, it only implies Nigerian, or African startups must be backed by both the private and public sectors for possible developing of social relevant technological disruption in the likes of Facebook, twitter, WhatsApp, (social media), Uber (transport), Google, Yahoo, Bing (search engines), among others.
How do we redefine our agriculture? Disruptive technologies! Can our mines fetch us money again? Yes, engage companies with disruptive technologies. These evolutionary process and tools whereby new goods and services replace established competitors, and eventually increase accessibility and affordability for a much larger population, can these help us “avenge the avengers” on our oil? Yes. Disruptive technologies have reduced the stress in banking, aviation, trading (through e-commerce), social networking or engagements, among others.
To this end, he said that NITEC 2016 is positioned to bridge the gap between the private and public sectors and the international technology community in re-engineering the African technological ecosystem for greater impact on every facet of the society.
Like Mr. Ehi Braimah, managing director and CEO, Neo Media & Marketing; the Conveners of NITEC 2016, pointed out, “NITEC believes that successful leaders are very often entrepreneurs in their own way, who also see the benefits of embracing the ‘disruptive innovation’ perspective.
This perception also informed choice of the slogan, as “Trending Technologies”, for what will become an annual conference and exhibition, and obviously characterize each year’s edition anchored on trending issues in technology around the world.
It is expected that both the Ministry, and the parastatals, as well as the private entities should rally together to make the platform an enviable one where innovations are conceived, birthed and nursed, as the existing startups are breathed upon through adequate financing and mentoring to becoming blue-chip companies.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has appointed Professor Adesola Aderounmu, renowned computer scientist and technology advocate, as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).
Professor Adesola Aderounmu
The decision, made by the university’s Senate, marks a strategic step towards aligning OAU’s academic vision with technological innovation and global best practices.
A distinguished scholar and leader in Computer Science and Engineering, Professor Aderounmu brings decades of experience to this pivotal role.
He has served as the Centre Lead for the African Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering and the Obafemi Awolowo University Knowledge Park (OAK-Park), where he has driven initiatives that advance technological innovation and academic excellence.
His leadership journey includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Head of the Department of Computer Science, as well as President of the Nigeria Computer Society from 2015 to 2019. Under his stewardship, the Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT (OAK-Park) was established and has flourished, positioning OAU as a hub for digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This is an opportunity to shape the future of education at OAU,” Professor Aderounmu stated. “I am committed to fostering an environment where ideas thrive.”
Professor Aderounmu’s appointment as DVC Academics carries significant implications for the information technology profession and industry in Nigeria and Africa.
His leadership is expected to further bridge the gap between academia and industry, aligning curriculum with emerging technological trends, and fostering research that directly addresses the needs of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
His commitment to developing high-level ICT talent will contribute to strengthening the nation’s capacity in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and digital entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria and Africa continue to embrace digital transformation, this appointment signals a continued push for collaboration between universities and the technology industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with globally relevant skills while advancing innovative research that supports the tech ecosystem.
This appointment recognises Professor Aderounmu’s unwavering commitment to research, excellence in education, and visionary leadership, and marks a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to deliver impactful education and innovation for national and continental development.
In a heartwarming demonstration of corporate social responsibility and community impact, IviTrybe Hearts, a key initiative driven by members of IviTrybe – a vibrant group of budding marketing communications specialists – visited the Little Saints Orphanage, Akowonjo branch.
The visit, part of IviTrybe’s ongoing commitment to societal betterment, was significantly supported by Pladis Foods Nigeria, which generously donated gift items and products.
IviTrybe is a social responsibility initiative of IVI PR, a dynamic public relations agency dedicated to not only elevating brands but also fostering positive societal impact. This initiative provides focused practical training covering brand strategy and public relations, directly addressing the critical issue of insufficiently skilled manpower within Nigeria’s Public Relations industry. Through the #IviTrybeHearts program, the group channels its growing expertise into meaningful community engagement.
During the visit, the IviTrybe Hearts team dedicated the day to creating a memorable and impactful experience for the children. Activities included extensive bonding and interaction sessions, where members engaged in games and companionship, fostering an atmosphere of joy and connection. Essential items were donated to support the orphanage’s daily needs, and motivational talks were delivered, inspiring the children with words of encouragement and hope for their futures.
Busari Toheeb Dolapo, IviTrybe Coordinator and spokesperson for the project, underscored the essence of the visit, stating, “For whom much is given, much is expected. We have been empowered through knowledge and mentorship at IVI PR, and it’s only right that we channel that privilege into making a difference. The smiles on the children’s faces today reminded us why giving back is non-negotiable.”
The management of Little Saints Orphanage expressed profound gratitude for the support and the tangible impact of the donations, emphasising how such gestures significantly improve the lives and spirits of the children under their care.
Through impactful initiatives like IviTrybe Hearts, IviTrybe continues to exemplify how youth-led action, empowered by practical training and a strong sense of responsibility, can effectively shape communities and enrich lives for the better.
Cybercrime has emerged as a dominant security concern across Africa, with more than 30 percent of all reported crimes in Western and Eastern regions linked to cyber activity, according to the newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report by INTERPOL.
The report, based on data from African member states and private sector partners, reveals that two-thirds of surveyed countries describe cybercrime as constituting a medium to high share of total criminal cases.
This highlights how cyber-enabled criminal activity is evolving rapidly across the continent. The report identified alarming spikes in scam attempts, with some countries witnessing a 3,000 percent increase in suspected scam notifications in the past year.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cyber Crime Director, warned that the threat landscape is evolving faster than enforcement responses.
“This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyber Threat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement, and strategic private-sector collaboration.
“It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone,” Jetton stated.
In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky, one of several private sector partners that work with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate
Online scams, particularly through phishing, are the most frequently reported cybercrimes across the continent. Ransomware attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) incidents are also increasing, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
“Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively, according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitised economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030),” it stated.
Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the report stated.
OAU Taps Aderounmu, Tech Advocate as DVC Academics
FG Halts FRC’s Turnover-Based Levy, Introduces N25m Cap
GTBank to Close Branches Early Today for Half-Year Audit
Half of Cybercrime Victims Paid Ransom in 2025- Sophos
NCS Advocates Digital Literacy to Enhanced Cyber Security
General News2 days agoNigeria’s BNPL Market is Projected to Value @ $2.6B by 2030
Telecom2 days agoFree WiFi Meets Mega Entertainment at the Grand Opening of Solution Fun City
E-Financial2 days agoNIA Puts Industry Written Premium @ N1.5trn in 2024
Telecom2 days agoInstagram Safety Tools Every Parent Should Know About
Telecom2 days agoV-Malaysia 2025: QNET Strengthens Global Network with Landmark 5-Day Event
E-Financial2 days agoUN and Sterling One Foundation Lead Coalition Ahead of ASIS 2025
News2 days agoINTERPOL Report Shows Cybercrime is West, East African Most Dominant Security Concern
E-Financial12 hours agoShareholders Oppose Transfer of Unclaimed Dividend to CBN