General News
Technology Disrupting Global, Local Travel Industry

By Gbemisola Aruwayo-Obe
Nigerians from all walks of life love to travel. Like folks elsewhere, they feel deeply emotional about travelling. Although they may chit-chat about banking, shopping and similar experiences, discussions about their favorite airlines, miles, discounts, upgrades and boarding privileges also strike a deep cord with them. Regardless of social status, we all seem to be united by two things: our aspirational lifestyle and our individual and collective urge for excellent service delivery. Embracing digital innovation (technology) would help fast track the attainment of these social and economic realities.
While travelers around the world may differ in their hospitality tastes and preferences, the Internet has helped to flatten the world. Commercialization of the Internet has also introduced digital innovation into the travel and tourism industries, bringing with it a raft of new products, services and experiences. The digital influence is daily transforming the entire value chain of the hospitality sector, and this digital disruption is being embraced by travelers and operators alike. Take online checking in and self-service terminals at airports, for instance.
What about software which allows travelers to select destinations, flights and airlines, hotels, car hire companies and concierge services from the comfort of their laptops or hand-held devices? 20 years, you would have needed to visit or place a phone call to an airline or travel agent to access these sorts of services.
In hospitality establishments across the country and even around Africa, innovative technology is gradually bringing disruption to business models and customer expectations. Digital innovation is creating new challenges and opportunities for the travel industry. As with other industries, travel services customers have grown accustomed to individualized arrangements.
Whilst service quality levels may not be optimal in the fast-developing economies of the world, travelers in these regions are also not shy of demanding more comprehensive and consistent experiences and are becoming less tolerant of both inconsistency and imposition. Travel customers now expect streamlined processes, convenient self-service options and one-of-a-kind experiences. They are willing to quickly shift buying behaviors and preferences if they do not get what they are seeking.
This is the way it should be. However, this is not always how things have been over the last 20 years or so for members of the public who need to patronize airlines, hotels, transportation providers and other service providers in the business or leisure travel value chain. While hospitality industry analysts have called for increased public sector investments in the sector and in some cases, sectoral reforms which will galvanize domestic and foreign direct investments, there is also the need to realize that the entire hospitality landscape is undergoing disruption, as new entrants continue to leapfrog established travel businesses by applying digital technologies in innovative ways, whether it’s businesses that rent private homes to strangers or provide one-way car services.
Executives in the industry recognize the ongoing disruption and the impact of digital innovation on their industry. In 2016, an IBM Institute for Business Value’s Global Ecosystem Survey, conducted in collaboration with the Economist Intelligence Unit, consulted the opinions of more than 2,000 cross-industry leaders. Study findings include:
63 percent of the surveyed travel industry executives report that traditional value chains are being replaced with new value models.
Half of the surveyed travel industry executives indicate that boundaries between their industry and others are blurring.
57 percent of surveyed travel industry executives say that competition from new and unexpected sources is beginning to impact their businesses.
According to another report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, the global travel industry can sustain its momentum by meeting and hopefully, exceeding travelers’ personal expectations by embracing the philosophy of a Digital Reinvention.™ There is a three-step process, which includes:
1) Digitization improves efficiency by applying technology to individual resources or processes. Within the context of travel, digitization involves setting up digital systems that support processes such as online ticketing, but has evolved into online services where customers book directly with providers rather than through traditional travel agents.
2) Digital transformation involves the integration of digital functions or processes across an organization. By combining a set of systems and processes, digitally transformed travel businesses can offer their customers individualized experiences. An example of increasing importance is the ability of travel providers to combine data collected through travel booking sites, as well as customers’ personal social media channels, to deliver highly customized vacations.
3) Digital Reinvention of travel goes even further. Digitally reinvented travel involves a fundamental re-imagining of the way an organization operates and engages with customers and other stakeholders. Digital Reinvention at its most fundamental puts the customer first in all of the organization’s dealings to deliver travel experiences that are personalized for individual customers.
Digital Reinvention combines multiple digital technologies, including cloud, blockchain, mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT), to transform customer and partner relationships and to create new business ecosystems. Often, the most successful digitally reinvented businesses establish a platform of engagement for their customers and partners.
These are the steps, the benchmarks if you like, that many Africa-based travel industry operators need to adopt to take their game to the next level. Digital disruption is a reality of the global travel industry. The earlier and faster we embrace digital disruption locally, the more efficient our travel and hospitality systems will be.
General News
Africa Enters Age of Intelligence with an Advantage

Africa heads into the Age of Intelligence with a distinct advantage: its people. By 2030, Sub-Saharan Africa will account for half of all new workers worldwide.
According to a new report, this is more than just a demographic fact; it is a historic opportunity. The report also states that talent remains the critical foundation of the AI stack—talent, data, compute, and use cases.
Zindi’s Kenya country report, compiled in collaboration with Dalberg Data Insights and the International Centre for AI Research Ethics, explored employability and career outcomes.
Zindi is professional community of African data scientists, working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges using machine learning and AI.
The report’s forward was written by Philip Thigo, special envoy on technology of Kenya, and states that without skilled employees, data is unrefined, compute is idle, and use cases are irrelevant. And he makes it clear: Africa’s talent is already contributing to the global AI economy, rather than waiting to be included.
Thigo goes on to say the evidence is compelling, stating: “Nearly 1 in 5 Kenyan Zindi users experienced a career change after joining the platform.
“More than 80% of those with completed profiles advanced in their careers, compared to just 3% without.
“Completing four or more challenges makes a user four times more likely to secure employment, while engaging in teams and discussions makes them three times more likely to get jobs.”
“These findings highlight an important truth: employability today is built not just in classrooms, but also in communities of practice, peer learning, and collective intelligence.”
According to Thigo, in this dynamic talent climate, companies must look beyond degrees and leader boards to find a vast pool of market-ready AI talent defined by resilience, collaboration, and creativity.
Similarly, politicians and educators are informed that the message is obvious.
Thigo writes: “If Africa is to secure its place in the digital economy, we must reimagine how we connect our youth to opportunity. Platforms like Zindi show that talent is abundant; what is needed are pathways that translate skills into livelihoods, and ecosystems that link learning to work.”
For Kenya, he notes that this resonates deeply with the country’s broader ambition: to build a sovereign AI ecosystem powered by African talent, clean data, and green compute—ensuring that Africa is not just a consumer of technology, but a creator of it.
General News
NITDA Calls for a Safer Tomorrow @ National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025

As the world becomes increasingly digital, our daily lives are now more connected than ever, through our phones, computers, and the internet we use every day. But with this growing connection comes a growing risk: hackers, scams, and cyber threats waiting for just one careless click.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is using this Cybersecurity Awareness Month to remind Nigerians that cyber safety begins with individual responsibility.
Everyone has the power to protect themselves and their communities by adopting simple but effective cyber hygiene practices, including:
- Using strong and unique passwords for all online accounts.
- Enabling two-factor authentication to add extra security layers.
- Keeping devices and applications updated regularly.
- Backing up important data frequently.
- Avoiding suspicious links or attachments from unknown sources.
- And thinking carefully before sharing personal or financial information online.
The theme for this year, “Cyber Hygiene for a Safer Tomorrow,” emphasizes that cyber hygiene is not only a personal responsibility but a collective effort. When individuals protect themselves, they also safeguard their families, workplaces, and the broader digital community.
As we continue to build a secure and digitally resilient Nigeria, NITDA calls on all citizens to stay alert, click wisely, and stay safe online.
General News
Nigeria Launches Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award for Journalists, Influencers

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has unveiled the Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award, a landmark initiative to recognise and reward journalists and online influencers who provide balanced, accurate, and impactful reporting on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.
The Award seeks to strengthen constructive public discourse, counter misinformation, and elevate journalism that explains reforms in ways citizens can trust and understand.
Announcing the initiative, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, stated: “The media is central to shaping narratives and building public trust. By equipping and rewarding journalists and influencers, we aim to ensure that the tax reform conversation is constructive, inclusive, and anchored in truth. This is how we build public confidence in reforms designed to secure our nation’s future.”
About the Award
- Eligibility: Open to all Nigerian journalists across print, broadcast, and online platforms, as well as digital influencers, bloggers, and podcasters.
- Entry Requirements: Published work between 1 July – 31 December 2025, in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba, that explains, analyses, or reports on the tax reform. Entries in local languages are to be submitted along with the English translations. Videos or podcasts should not exceed 10 minutes.
- Awards Structure: 1st Prize: ₦10m, 2nd Prize: ₦5m, 3rd Prize: ₦3m. The Top 20 finalists will receive ₦1m consolation prize each with plaques. Gadgets and training fellowships may also be provided.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be judged on:
- Accuracy & Technical Correctness
- Balance & Fairness
- Clarity & Accessibility
- Public Engagement & Reach
- Creativity & Innovation
Awards Gala
Winners will be announced at a high-profile ceremony either in Lagos or Abuja, which may be broadcast live on major TV stations with livestreams on YouTube and X Spaces.
How to Apply
Applications will open via the official portal by the end of the year: fiscalreforms.ng
Follow updates on social media with #ExcellenceInTaxReporting.
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