General News
Yudala Targets 24Hours E-Commerce Delivery, No 1 Spot in 2016- Founder
Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, founder and vice president, Yudala, Nigeria’s first composite retail chain, has guaranteed the platform’s readiness to delivery items to customers within 24hours of placing order.
With this in mind, Ekeh, an e-commerce enthusiast, said Yudala tends to climb to the number one spot on e-commerce sector in the country before the end of 2016.
He made the remarks during a chat with newsmen in Lagos, adding that Yudala’s long term plan includes opening offline shops in each of the 774 local government areas in the country for closer ties with the customers.
He however, identified poor electricity power supply, low internet penetration and lack of skilled personnel as part of challenges facing the sector in Nigeria.
24Hours Delivery
According to the Yudala Founder, “This starts this year. We are spending a lot of money on getting vans and trucks to move our goods. The same-day delivery plan is for nationwide. In fact, wherever we have outlets, customers should expect same-day delivery any time from now.
To Top E-commerce Table In Nigeria
“I can’t really fix a date or time for it to happen. However, Yudala expects it can become the number one in the country by the end of this year.
Courier As Key To E-Commerce
He said, “E-commerce is trending globally and logistics/courier sector will benefit from it. But, right now there the country has not enough courier companies to deliver for the online. That is the power of the e-commerce”.
“Currently, we have an internal logistics arrangement and some external logistics companies we work with. Since we have both online and offline outlets, our long time plan is to have a robust internal logistics operations. If we are going to achieve our targets for same day delivery, we cannot rely on (external) logistics/courier companies, because at the end of the day they will require bulk items before delivering”.
Competing With the Likes Of Jumia, Konga, Etc.,
Ekeh said, “A lot of people compare us with the likes of Jumia, Konga, but we are very different. We have offline stores. Today, we the shop in Port Harcourt, we can give the customer better services. It will take others four to seven days to deliver to a customer in Port Harcourt, because they are not physically present there, but we have our shops and items located there. Remember, customer satisfaction is key to driving e-commerce growth. We are ahead of them in that aspect. Even if they build regional warehouses, the reach of our stores, which are closer to the people, guarantees better service. Our plan is to have a store in every local government in Nigeria.
Yu-Jara Campaign
He said that the campaign was very successful as that was the first time they introduced different categories, aside smartphones and mobile devices. “We brought in rice, wine; in fact, we surpassed our expectations. We got trucks of wine and within the first two weeks they were sold out sold out”.
More Campaigns
“This year we have a number of campaigns to run. In few weeks to come we shall be unveiling these campaigns; all geared towards giving Nigerians a better e-commerce experience”.
Delivery by Drones, And Challenges
Speaking on the possibility of using drones to deliver purchased items across Nigeria, he said, “The idea of using drones for delivery on the black Friday in 2015 was to test the technology. A time will come when that aspect of e-commerce delivery will boom. Talking about crime minded individuals hijacking the process, it boils down to government regulations. It high time the government sat down and deliberate on how these technologies are harnessed for national/economic growth.
“If Nigeria can leverage the advantage of drones for e-commerce delivery before it spreads in the United States, it is even better for the economy. Although, not everybody can afford it, because it will incur between five to ten percent increase on the item purchased, but the technology is definitely for the future”.
Prospects of E-commerce In Nigeria
“I think the growth of e-ecommerce in Nigeria is going to be ‘crazy’ because looking at projections, e-commerce in the Middle-East and Africa tend to grow by 20% in 2016. That is the highest expected growth in the world. If you look at the likes of China, India and Asia, they have seen their growths in E-commerce. The US have seen their growth in the e-commerce. This is the time for Africa and Nigeria in particular. Very soon even the government will start paying attention to e-commerce, because the industry is getting to a point government cannot avoid its place in the economy.
Expected $32billion Annual Turnover
“I agree with the projection that e-commerce sector can make about $32b because the Internet of Things (IoTs) will help drive e-commerce growth”.
What To Expect From Yudala In 2016
“Customers should expect 24hours delivery. At the moment, others are guaranteeing four to seven-day delivery and they can cancel the delivery on the seventh day. Secondly, we source items sold on both our online and offline platforms directly from the companies, customers can be assured of best prices. And after sales services are important to us. Customer care is one aspect most businesses are defaulting. We are guaranteeing a paradigm shift on that. In Yudala, we offer the normal warranty that comes with the product and additional (in-house) warrantee like damaged screen, we replace it. It is all risk covered.
Job Creation
“We are consistently entering into partnership that will guarantee the customers the best shopping experience and create job opportunities for Nigerians. We have 400 workers since we started of whom 300 are graduates.
Challenges of E-Commerce Business
“The ultimate challenge before e-commerce in the country is the human resource. What is happening now is that we have to train the ones recruited and that costs a lot of resources. So, if they in already trained, it brings speed to the process. So, there is need to have e-commerce training facilities in the country. Secondly, the issue of logistics comes to mind. Moving goods around Nigeria is not very easy.
“If government can find a way to make this easier, it will boost the sector too. Thirdly, infrastructural deficit is affecting the business in terms of power, internet penetration. Online business is real-time. If there is point of downtime, the business will go down. If Yudala goes down for an hour, whatever order we are receiving, we can’t treat it”.
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General News
Tech-driven Solutions Receive Commendation @ Maiden Insurance Week Hackathon

Mrs Yetunde Ilori, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), has commended the innovative and technology-driven solutions presented during the institute’s maiden Insurance Week Hackathon competition.
Ilori gave the commendation after the completion of the competition on Thursday in Lagos, held at the College of Insurance and Financial Management in Asese, Ogun, as part of the Insurance Week organised by the CIIN.
She described the solutions as crucial to the industry’s transformation and relevance in the digital age. “This shows that the future is bright for the Nigerian insurance industry.
We are transforming as an industry, and digital innovation is at the heart of that transformation,” Ilori said. She noted that 19 teams initially applied for the competition, but only six were shortlisted.
The competition, which targeted young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 29, engaged six finalist teams over a fourweek intensive innovation process, culminating in a demo day on Wednesday in Lagos.
The hackathon focused on real-world challenges in the sector, such as inclusive insurance, fraud detection, risk management, and improving customer experience.
It was designed to cultivate the next generation of insurance innovators, deepen insurance awareness, and promote financial literacy among Nigerians.
The teams that participated in the final stage of the competition were: Ifokanbale, Insurbridge, Insurvate, Team Aegis, Team Phoenix, and The Assured Team. Team Aegis developed “Hustle Guard,” a microinsurance solution for tricycle drivers covering health, life, and income, in an effort to demystify micro insurance in Nigeria.
The Assured Team presented “Kolo Plus by Card,” an unstructured savings plan with payment and interest features tailored to low-income earners. Team Insurbridge created “Smarter Claims,” a solution aimed at improving the insurance claims process.
Team Phoenix introduced “HerShield,” a solution focused on empowering women and building trust in the insurance sector. The Assured Team also developed additional ideas to drive insurance penetration in underserved and informal communities.
After an engaging pitch session before a panel of judges, Team Insurvate emerged as the overall winner with its solution, “Claim Central”, an end-to-end digital platform designed to streamline the insurance claims process from policyholders to insurers.
Team Aegis secured second place, while Team Phoenix came in third. The panel of judges included financial sector experts such as Norah Igwe, Tunji Andrews, Diana Mulili, Sakeenat Bakare, Ibraheem Babalola, and Prince Adeshina Adeyemi-Doro.
Also speaking, Mr Eddie Efekoha, Chairman of the Insurance Week, said the hackathon demonstrated a conscious effort to explore how technology can help distribute insurance products to all parts of the country.
“We believe this initiative will spark more interest among the youth to engage with insurance, not just as consumers but as creators and innovators,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Mr Odunayo Ojeremi, leader of Team Insurvate, described the competition as highly competitive and rewarding. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity.
“We didn’t expect to win, but we are glad our solution was recognised. We hope to improve ‘Claim Central’ and make it a platform that ensures seamless claims processing,” he said.
General News
Enugu Air Commences Operations Today

Enugu State-owned commercial airline, Enugu Air, is set to officially launch its operations today Monday, July 7, 2025. The launch ceremony will take place at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries, according to a statement from the airline.
Dr Obi Ozor, Commissioner for Transportation, Enugu State, said Enugu Air is a key component of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transportation system, aimed at positioning Enugu as a major aviation hub in Nigeria.
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets, from the E170 and E190 series, chosen for their performance, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
The airline’s inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular operation connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos, with plans to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other key cities across Nigeria and beyond.
Ozor said, “With a strong foundation built on innovation and sustainability, Enugu Air is poised to transform regional air travel, boost state pride, and raise Enugu’s profile nationally and globally.”
The launch of Enugu Air is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Nigeria, providing more options for air travel and promoting economic development in the region.
With its modern fleet and strategic routes, Enugu Air is set to revolutionize air travel in Nigeria and establish Enugu as a major player in the country’s aviation sector.
General News
Cybervergent Selected as World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneer Company

In affirmation of its global standing, Cybervergent, a Pan-African technology company that leverages artificial intelligence to transform how organisations manage risk, governance, privacy, and cybersecurity, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Technology Pioneers for 2025—a global cohort spotlighting companies transforming industries through breakthrough technologies and responsible innovation.
The WEF, an international organisation committed to improving the state of the world through public-private collaboration, brings together global leaders to shape economic, technological, and societal agendas. Cybervergent now joins this global community.
The company is recognized for its innovative approach to building digital trust, reimagining how organisations manage cybersecurity, risk, privacy and governance.
Commenting on the company’s milestone, Adetokunbo Omotosho, CEO of Cybervergent, said, “I am honoured that Cybervergent has been named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. This is more than an accolade — it’s a validation of our commitment to redefining cybersecurity, privacy, and risk management to build true digital trust.
“What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the fact that Cybervergent demonstrates innovation in AI and infrastructure can emerge from any region, challenging conventional perceptions.”
Some past recipients of the Technology Pioneer recognition, including Google, Spotify, and Airbnb have gone on to fundamentally reshape global industries.
As a member of the 2025 Technology Pioneers community, Cybervergent will be contributing to discussions shaping cybersecurity, AI, and cyber resilience across industries and the global digital economy.
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