Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

News

AfDB, Partners Flag off ‘Coding for Employment’ Programme

Published

on

Kindly share this post

More young people and students across Africa and in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous economy, are becoming computer literate, with coding and digital skills training, under the “Coding for Employment” programme of the African Development Bank.

The programme began in February 2018, when the Bank, working with technology firms Facebook, Microsoft and the Rockfeller Foundation, embarked on a plan to launch 130 Centres of Excellence across Africa, as part of its Coding for Employment initiative.

With educators and IT experts from the Bank, Facebook and Microsoft Philanthropies designing the curriculum and Rockefeller Foundation supporting the vision with a $2 million trust fund to equip and operationalize the plan, the centres will correct the mismatch between Africa’s youth skills and employers’ requirements.

The programme anticipates that 75% of the trainees will be linked with employment opportunities, while 25% will become entrepreneurs.

By November 2018, the Bank had identified leading academic institutions, the designated “Centres of Excellence”, in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire, to run the pilot phase of the digital skills training programme. Four institutions, Ahmadu Bello University, Covenant University, Gombe State University and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were selected in Nigeria.

In December 2018, computer science departments in Covenant University and Gombe State University (GSU) flagged off “Hour of Code” sessions under the Coding for Employment programme in their respective campuses. 62 participants, comprising students and young people from neighbouring communities, attended the one-day classes at Covenant University. GSU recorded 545 participants over the course of three days.

All the participants, who were carefully screened and had little or no knowledge of technology, received certificates of participation. 95% of them expressed strong interest in the next level of digital skills, a course scheduled to commence in early 2019.

“The turnout was massive, and the enthusiasm was palpable,” said Yemi Orimolade, one of the facilitators and senior communication manager at Microsoft Philanthropies, the corporate philanthropy subsidiary of the technology firm.

For Dr Bala Modi, Acting Director of ICT at GSU, the impressive turnout and interest of young people from Gombe and neighbouring towns was particularly pleasing. It was an indicator that the youth of Gombe and surrounding Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa and Bauchi states were keen on moving on with their lives, away from the spate of terrorist attacks experienced in north-eastern Nigeria in recent months.

“It’s been an amazing start for the Coding for Employment programme in Nigeria,” said Uyoyo Edosio, ICT and youth development expert at the African Development Bank. “Across the country, we are observing pent-up demand for basic computing capabilities and digital skills. Africa’s youth will drive the digital transformation of African economies in the emerging fourth and fifth Industrial era.”

Promoting stability and peace in Africa’s once fragile and conflict-prone zones will pave the way for initiatives such as Coding for Employment to flourish, complementing formal and informal education and training programmes targeted at the youth population. With the continent’s youth population projected to reach 830 million by 2050, knowledge of advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, data analytics, mobile, security, social networking and artificial intelligence (AI), will become crucial.

Working with academia, private and public sector institutions, the Bank’s technology development programmes and investments support numerous national development plans and align with its High 5 priorities, especially Integrate Africa, Industrialize Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.

The Coding for Employment programme is a key pillar of the Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa (JfYA) strategy (2016 – 2025), which seeks to create 25 million jobs across the continent, developing and launching Africa’s next generation of digitally enabled youthful workforce.


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

News

CAC Announces Upward Review of Service Fees

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced an upward review of its service fees, which will take effect from August 1, 2025.

CAC Announces Upward Review of Service Fees

The announcement was made through the commission’s official social media page on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

According to the CAC, the fee adjustment was necessary due to the current economic conditions, rising operational costs, and input from key stakeholders.

The statement read, “The Commission wishes to inform the General Public, Esteemed Customers, and all Stakeholders that in the continued efforts to improve its service quality and delivery, it has become necessary to review certain service fees effective the 1st day of August 2025.”

The commission explained that the fee changes are part of efforts to deliver better and more digitalised services while maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s corporate registry.

The revised fee structure will affect services related to companies, business names, limited partnerships, and incorporated trustees.

Key fee changes announced by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) include adjustments across various service categories.

For voluntary striking-off, the fee is now ₦50,000 for small companies and ₦100,000 for public companies, up from the previous ₦25,000.

Relisting a company will cost ₦50,000 for LTD/GTE and ₦100,000 for public companies.

Due diligence through self-service is set at ₦50,000. Requests for extension of time to hold an annual general meeting will now cost ₦100,000 for public companies and ₦50,000 for others.

Historical search reports will range from ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 per request. A restriction of a director’s residential address now attracts a ₦25,000 fee, while obtaining a certified true copy of documents or extracts will cost ₦5,000 per copy.

For limited partnerships, both voluntary striking-off and relisting will cost ₦25,000. A letter of good standing will be ₦10,000, registration and certified copies of documents will be ₦30,000, and a change of name will attract a ₦10,000 fee.

Regarding business names, voluntary striking-off is now ₦10,000, relisting ₦25,000, and an application for cessation ₦10,000. The certified true copy of documents will cost ₦5,000 each, and restriction of a proprietor’s address will also be ₦25,000.

Name reservations remain at ₦1,000, while reserved names with restricted words still cost ₦5,000.

The new fee structure is expected to impact business owners, lawyers, compliance officers, and others who interact with the corporate registry.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

Global Travel Made Simple with Kaspersky eSIM Store

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Kaspersky eSIM Store is a new connectivity solution for international travel. Designed to make it easier for leisure and business travellers to stay online globally, it empowers users with easy Internet access across 150+ countries and regions, with a choice of over 2,000 affordable data plans.

The production of eSIM-compatible devices has increased tenfold in the last five years according to the GSMA. By 2028, it is expected that half of all mobile connections worldwide will use eSIM technology.

This rise in popularity is driven by eSIM’s convenience and ease of use – eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and enabling a hassle-free experience wherever you go.

To meet this growing trend, Kaspersky eSIM Store provides access to eSIM plans from local telecom operators all over the world – with an easy interface and simple management.

A new way to always stay connected

Kaspersky eSIM Store lets users to enjoy affordable and easily accessible Internet connections around the globe without the hassle of physical SIM cards. Users can seamlessly access eSIM plans from local telecom providers in 150+ countries and regions worldwide, providing favourable rates and transparent conditions without any roaming fees.

While travelling, an eSIM can help users avoid high roaming costs on a primary SIM, remove the need to search for a local SIM kiosk and share personal data with them, as well as avoiding the use of unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Instead, eSIM ensures that leisure travellers can focus on the joyful moments of their trip and instantly share them with friends and relatives, while business travellers have continuous access to important messages, working documents and video calls.

Seamless connection in a few taps

Kaspersky eSIM Store features a user-friendly interface for plan selection, purchase, top-ups, and data usage management. Travellers can choose their preferred activation date, allowing them to set up their eSIM in advance and be connected the moment their trip begins — all in just a few taps.

To match the needs of any traveller, there are many flexible ways to choose and manage data plans.

Options are available based on destination, including plans for specific countries, global plan 122 destinations, or mini-global plans tailored to specific regions.

For trip duration, travellers can select between expiring plans valid for a fixed period or non-expiring plans that remain active until the data is fully used. This ensures convenience whether the trip is short or long.

Additionally, users have control over when their plan starts. They can either schedule activation for a specific date or begin using the data immediately, providing flexibility to align with their travel schedule.

To ensure users never run out of GB unexpectedly, Kaspersky eSIM Store provides real-time data usage monitoring and alerts when a balance is near zero. The user profile (on the webpage or in the app) allows quick top-ups and supports multiple countries on a single eSIM – install once and use for a lifetime.

Kaspersky eSIM Store is launched in partnership with award-winning provider BNESIM Limited, which has been delivering global eSIM services since 2017.

“At Kaspersky we are constantly keeping up with latest trends shaping our digital habits, and eSIM is definitely one of them. eSIM technology greatly simplifies travelling abroad, allowing people to stay connected and not worry about issues like roaming charges.

“We know from our own experience how important it is to stay in touch with your family or colleagues when you are on a trip, so we designed Kaspersky eSIM Store for all types of travellers to ensure instant access to eSIM data plans wherever they go, as well as to provide a safe and positive digital experience,” – Mikhail Gerber, Executive Vice President, Consumer Business, Kaspersky.

Kaspersky eSIM Store complements Kaspersky’s wide range of industry-recognised solutions, such as Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection and Kaspersky Premium. Together they cover all modern connectivity needs and enhance digital freedom – ensuring safe, worry-free connectivity across the world.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

Rising Oil Prices: PENGASSAN Calls Out Marketers Over Fuel Hike

Published

on

Kindly share this post

President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has criticised oil marketers for exploiting Nigerians through inflated fuel prices, insisting that petrol should sell between ₦700 and ₦750 per litre.

This comes after depots across Nigeria have increased the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) following a surge in global crude oil prices triggered by rising tensions in the Middle East. A parallel strike by tanker drivers along Lagos’ Lekki-Epe corridor has further compounded the situation.

Data from Petroleumprice.ng revealed that Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its petrol price from ₦825 to ₦840 on Monday, while Rainoil increased its price from ₦850 to ₦900. Fynefield and Mainland adjusted their ex-depot prices to ₦930 and ₦920, respectively, marking increases of ₦51 and ₦63. Other reported prices included Sigmund at ₦920, Matrix Warri at ₦910, NIPCO at ₦895 (up from ₦827), and Aiteo at ₦840.

The rise in ex-depot prices suggests that petrol could approach ₦1,000 per litre in the coming days.

Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), attributed the spike to rising crude prices. However, a depot operator who spoke anonymously said Monday’s halt in petrol loading—caused by tanker drivers’ protest over a ₦12,500 E-Call-Up fee—was a more immediate concern.

“If unresolved, this E-Call-Up issue could plunge the country into another fuel scarcity,” the operator warned.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s crude grades—Bonny Light, Brass River, and Qua Iboe—climbed to $77 per barrel on Friday, continuing the upward trend into Monday due to Israel’s military actions against Iran. As of Monday, Bonny Light stood at $78.62 per barrel, according to Oilprice.com. These prices now exceed the Federal Government’s 2025 budget benchmark of $75, offering temporary fiscal relief but threatening domestic fuel stability.Music concert tickets

Energy experts caution that higher crude prices will raise the cost of refined products like petrol and diesel, due to the rising cost of feedstock.

On the E-Call-Up crisis, MEMAN’s Isong urged the Lagos State Government to engage stakeholders and resolve the issue quickly to prevent further disruptions. He echoed tanker drivers’ concerns that the ₦12,500 levy could spark additional fuel price hikes, noting that Nigerians are already under financial pressure.

At a press conference in Abuja, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo claimed that the persistent shutdowns of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries are politically motivated rather than due to technical faults.

Despite over $2.5 billion invested in refinery rehabilitation, he lamented that facilities like the Port Harcourt Refinery remain largely unproductive. The facility is currently undergoing a 30-day maintenance shutdown and is expected back online next week.

“We are aware the Port Harcourt Refinery was recently shut for maintenance, but the deeper issue is that these refineries operate far below efficiency. Political interference, not just technical issues, has stalled their performance,” Osifo said.

He urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to revisit its refinery operations model and adopt long-standing recommendations from PENGASSAN, which has been advocating reforms for over 15 years.

On the disparity in fuel pricing, Osifo criticised the continued high cost of PMS despite falling global crude oil prices. “Crude has dropped from about $80 to between $62 and $65 per barrel, yet petrol still sells at ₦875 to ₦905 per litre nationwide,” he said.

He blamed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for failing to enforce fair pricing under the deregulated market system.

“NMDPRA must not allow marketers to exploit Nigerians under the guise of deregulation,” Osifo stated. “Crude price and exchange rate account for nearly 80% of the final retail price. With current international benchmarks, petrol should retail between ₦700 and ₦750 per litre.”

He urged the agency to start publishing transparent pricing templates to prevent arbitrary pricing practices.

Osifo also expressed concern over worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions, particularly along the waterways. He warned that this is prompting multinational oil companies to divest, despite cost-saving incentives recently introduced by the Federal Government.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending