TECH NEWS REELS

By Fummilola Gboteku  Lifi.Net, a network company has urged the government to reduce right of way(RoW) charges in the implementation of the recently passed Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order.   Mr Abraham Oluwambe, Chief Executive Officer of Lifi.Net, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.   He said that the effective implementation of the CNII provision should not just protect deployed assets but also guarantee seamless rollout of more backbone infrastructure for digital economy drive.   The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government recently designated telecoms and ICT assets in the country as critical national infrastructure to guarantee their safety and protection through the passage of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc,) Amendment Act 2024.   The telecoms expert in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) space said that the passage of the CNII was commendable, noting that it woul...

  By Funmilola Gboteku In today's tough economic times , smartphones have become an indispensable tool for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and individuals alike. However, affordability has long been a significant barrier, limiting access to quality devices. realme, a pioneering smartphone brand, has taken on this challenge head-on. Driven by a commitment to make technology accessible to all, realme has engineered innovative smartphones that combine impressive features with unbeatable affordability. realme's mission is to empower the young generation, who are the driving force of innovation and progress. However, the brand's products are designed to benefit users across various age groups, providing an affordable gateway to the digital world. The realme phone boasts impressive features, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a powerful and affordable device. Speaking at a press question and answer session in Lagos, realme's Head of Marketing in Nigeria, An...

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi Stakeholders in the technology ecosystem, on Wednesday, called on the Federal Government to leverage emerging technologies to harmonise various revenue collection systems for national development. The stakeholders made the call at a two-day Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED) Summit, organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) in Abuja. The summit, which is designed to mark thr  10th anniversary of YIN, has “Securing Nigeria’s Revenue Streams: The Power of Technology” as its theme. Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), said the use of technology for e-commerce and revenue generation had raised a new concern for data privacy and protection. Olatunji, who was represented by Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, Head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, said the commission advocated privacy by design and default to achieve data protection while collecting revenue. “What we can do from the point of data collection and reven...

  Google on Thursday said that a recent study, conducted by Public First, showed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) had the potential of contributing $15 billion to the Nigerian economy by 2030. Director, West Africa, Google, Mr Olumide Balogun, said this at its Economic Impact Report Press Roundtable in Lagos. Balogun said that the Public First’s Digital Opportunity of Nigeria Report’s projection would be achieved with Google’s commitment to responsible AI development playing a pivotal role. He said that the report revealed that in 2023, Google’s products and services which included Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria. He said that, according to the report, this estimated $1.8 billion had significantly boosted the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers. Balogun noted that the study highlighted Google’s digital skills programmes, including Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates P...

Mr Akeem Ajisafe, Managing Director, Transblue Ltd. (a QNET partner company), says the global direct selling industry is projected to reach 204.89 billion dollars by 2032. Ajisafe said, during the second VCON 2024 Media Experience sharing webinar organised by QNET on Thursday, that the industry was valued at 167 billion dollars in 2023. According to him, with the industry’s projected growth, Nigerian entrepreneurs are well-positioned to tap into the lucrative market. Highlighting the significance of the industry, he said it had the potential for job creation, wealth generation and economic growth. Ajisafe said: “Direct selling offers unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to leverage their skills and build successful businesses with minimal capital. “Nigeria has a bright future in the direct selling industry, and by embracing this model, entrepreneurs can create jobs, generate wealth and contribute to the country’s economic growth. “We are working to educate the public about the benefits...

    Microsoft, a technology company has emphasised the crucial role of digital skills development in boosting Nigeria’s economic growth. Ola Williams, the Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria, said this in a statement made available on Sunday in Lagos. According to Williams, Africa’s youthful population presents an opportunity to become a global hub for tech skills, noting that it is, however, crucial to bridge the digital skills gap. Williams said that by 2030, Africa would account for one-fifth of the global workforce and one-third of the youth workforce, making digital skills development essential. “Digital literacy must be the starting point. Employers globally are looking for workers with enhanced digital skills, and 70 per cent of demand will come from occupations outside ICT specialisations. “Microsoft Nigeria has launched several initiatives to address this challenge. The Global Skills Initiative, launched in 2021, has engaged 196,000 learners in Nigeria, providing acc...

Zipline, a US-based drone technology company is joining forces with the Nigerian government to transform healthcare accessibility and equity, through cutting-edge drone delivery solutions. The Co-Founder of Zipline, Keller Cliffton, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Cliffton said the partnership aimed at bridging healthcare gaps, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring timely delivery of medical supplies across Nigeria. The co-founder said the company, Zipline, was designed to enable access to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. According to Cliffton, the company has delivered millions of vaccine doses, essential medicines, and more than 260 types of health products to more than 900 hospitals, health facilities and community drop points. He said that across Africa, the company had invested to build local infrastructure and human capacity, creating more than 500 local jobs in robotics, healthcare, software engineering and business disciplines. The Zipline boss said the ...