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
Guinness Nigeria Sustains Growth Momentum in Q4 Amid Market Headwinds

Guinness Nigeria Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the twelve months ended 30 June 2025, reporting a remarkable turnaround in performance despite a persistently challenging economic environment and an intensely competitive landscape.
The announcement comes in a landmark year for the company, as Guinness Nigeria celebrates 75 years of operations in Nigeria—a testament to the enduring strength of its brands, its people, and its commitment to brewing excellence.
In the period under review, the company delivered strong topline growth, with revenue rising by 65.8% to ₦496.6 billion, up from ₦299.5 billion in the previous year. Gross profit grew by 62.2% to ₦148.3 billion, while operating profit rose by 86.6% to ₦47.4 billion. Most notably, the company returned to profitability with a net profit after tax of ₦16.2 billion, compared to a ₦54.7 billion loss recorded in FY24.
These results reflect Guinness Nigeria’s focused execution of its strategic priorities, disciplined cost management, and the resilience of its people and portfolio.
Commenting on the performance, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, Chairman of the Board, said: “This strong turnaround speaks to the quality of leadership, clarity of vision, and strength of governance at Guinness Nigeria.
“As we mark 75 years of doing business in Nigeria, this performance underscores our long-standing resilience and commitment to value creation. The Board remains confident in the company’s long-term strategy and is committed to sustaining this momentum for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
Girish Sharma, Managing Director/CEO, added: “These results reflect our team’s focus, agility, and deep connection with our consumers. We have set a clear ambition—to be one of the best performing, most trusted, and most respected consumer products companies in Nigeria.
“That ambition is driving us to build a high-performance organisation with an entrepreneurial spirit. While the external environment remains dynamic, we are building on this momentum with confidence and purpose.”
Guinness Nigeria remains committed to delivering long-term, sustainable growth while continuing its legacy of enriching lives and communities across the country.
General News
FintechNGR Rejigs Nigeria Fintech Week with Multi-location Model

With the fast-evolving financial technology ecosystem, FintechNGR plans to restructure the model of Nigeria Fintech Week (NFW) coming up between October 7–9, 2025, with a next-level, bold experience and movement uniting over 20,000 multi-industry stakeholders across Africa’s digital landscape.
As part of the restructured model, the event will take place as a multi-location experience, bringing activities to Abuja, Delta, and Enugu, while the main event unfolds at the Landmark Centre in Lagos. This inclusive structure allows for broader access and reflects the national impact of fintech across all geopolitical zones.
Dr. Stanley Jacob, President, Fintech Association of Nigeria, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, where the Association officially unveiled the direction for the 8th edition of Nigeria Fintech Week (NFW25), themed “The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future.” This edition will spotlight how harmonised efforts across government, startups, corporates, and investors can accelerate financial innovation and inclusion across the continent.
According to him, “We’re no longer just an association; we are a movement. NFW25 is where partnerships will be born, sectors will be reimagined, and Nigeria’s digital economy will be orchestrated like a grand symphony.”
Since its inception in 2017, Nigeria Fintech Week has emerged as the continent’s foremost fintech convening – a catalyst for market-shaping conversations, regulatory advancements, and investment deals.
Dr. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, Vice President and Chair of the Organising Committee, noted that this year’s expansion across multiple cities was designed to enhance accessibility, financial inclusion, and grassroots innovation. “Fintech is no longer for a select few. From the aviation sector to agriculture, from secondary school students to startup founders, this year, everyone has a seat at the table.”
Whether you’re a startup, policymaker, enterprise, student, creative or influencer, developer, or fintech enthusiast, your voice matters in this symphony. As Ms. Uche Uzoebo of SANE puts it, “Even food companies, schools, and churches are now digitizing. NFW25 is where they find solutions and partnerships.”
General News
Unmasking Nigeria’s Food Safety Crisis: A Dual Pathway to Public Health and Global Competitiveness

By Diana Tenebe, COO, Foodstuff Store
Nigeria, often heralded as Africa’s economic powerhouse and most populous nation, is grappling with a silent epidemic that exacts a devastating toll on its citizens and stifles its economic potential: a pervasive food safety crisis. This isn’t merely a matter of occasional discomfort; it’s a grim reality where over 200,000 Nigerians perish annually from foodborne illnesses, inflicting an estimated economic burden of US$3.6 billion each year. The current state of food safety is not just a public health nightmare; it’s a significant impediment to the nation’s economic growth and global trade aspirations, demanding immediate, comprehensive attention.
The challenges plaguing Nigeria’s food supply chain, from farm to fork, are multifaceted and deeply entrenched. Across the vast landscape, inadequate practices, weak enforcement mechanisms, and a widespread lack of awareness among both consumers and food handlers contribute to this grave situation. Unhygienic food handling, poor storage conditions, and the pervasive use of contaminated raw materials are disturbingly common, particularly within the vast informal food sector. This sector, a lifeline for many Nigerians, often operates without the most basic amenities, such as running water, adequate refrigeration, or proper waste disposal. The problem is further compounded by insidious issues like food fraud, deliberate adulteration of products, and the indiscriminate misuse of agrichemicals, leading to numerous documented cases of mass poisonings and tragic deaths across the country. A critical and alarming finding is the glaring absence of an organized system for monitoring food safety issues. This systemic failure means that incidents are often misclassified, under-investigated, and consequently, the true scope of the problem remains obscured.
Beyond the immediate public health ramifications, the ramifications of Nigeria’s weak phytosanitary policies and inadequate regulatory oversight ripple into the international arena, costing the nation millions in lost export revenue. The repeated rejection of Nigerian agricultural products by discerning international markets, including the EU, US, and various Asian countries, due to contamination from pesticides, aflatoxins, and pest infestations, severely limits market access and fundamentally undermines the nation’s agricultural competitiveness. The seven-year EU ban on Nigerian bean exports, initiated in 2015 and costing the country millions, stands as a stark and painful reminder of these systemic failures. It underscores the urgent need for a robust and internationally recognized food safety framework if Nigeria is to truly unlock its agricultural potential on the global stage.
Crucial regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), along with policies such as the National Policy on Food Safety (NPFS), are in place to ensure food safety in Nigeria. However, their full effectiveness faces ongoing challenges in implementation and enforcement.
These challenges often stem from overlapping responsibilities, insufficient funding, and a need for greater collaboration among the various agencies. Additionally, current legislation lacks comprehensive traceability requirements, which can make it difficult to identify the origin of contamination and assign accountability. Furthermore, certain traditional cultural practices sometimes present a barrier to the widespread adoption of modern, hygienic food handling standards.
Overcoming these formidable hurdles requires a concerted, multi-pronged strategy. For customers, fostering a culture of food safety is imperative. A pivotal step in addressing this crisis lies in empowering consumers through comprehensive public awareness campaigns and readily accessible food safety education. These initiatives must be presented in simple, digestible formats, perhaps through a “food safety culture toolkit” that demystifies complex information. Education should emphasize the critical importance of personal hygiene, safe food handling, proper storage, and effective preparation practices, all aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) internationally recognized “Five Keys to Safer Food.” Also, promoting the widespread adoption of robust risk assessment and management tools, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, is vital for food businesses of all sizes. This proactive approach can significantly mitigate risks throughout the food production process.
For market competitiveness, elevating standards and enforcement should be the goal. To enhance Nigeria’s global market competitiveness, a strategic focus on strengthening regulatory oversight is paramount. This includes substantial investment in modern testing and quarantine infrastructure, which is essential for meeting stringent international standards. Furthermore, establishing a more coordinated and effective phytosanitary enforcement authority will streamline processes and ensure compliance. By improving these standards, Nigeria can drastically reduce export rejections, enhance its credibility in global trade, and unlock immense opportunities presented by schemes like the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which offers duty-free access to over 3,000 Nigerian products. Crucially, enacting the comprehensive National Food Safety and Quality Bill is a vital legislative step, along with ensuring greater involvement and capacity building for state and local authorities in food safety enforcement.
By prioritizing food safety, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture where it can not only safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens but also significantly boost its agricultural exports, attract much-needed foreign investment, create sustainable jobs, and ensure overall economic prosperity. This is not merely a regulatory issue; it is a fundamental pillar of national development.
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