E-Business
Coders at 13, Billionaires @ 30
In the last few days, the world celebrated another computer science week; a statutory commemoratory series of events which held between December 8th-14th of the world to recognize the huge contribution that the knowledge of computer science and engineering has added to our world.
The event aimed to introduce 10 million students of all ages to computer science ideas and tools—and to let them try coding for one hour—while also demonstrating to parents, teachers, and policymakers how accessible coding can be.
Technology as we know it today has changed the way we live, the way we love and learn.
From the 1 Billionth view of the Gangnam Style video on Youtube to the 1.9 Billionth impression of the #bringbackourgirls hashtag on twitter, our world is experiencing huge technological and social Metamorphosis having the duo of its merits and demerits.
It might be healthy however to simply focus on the positive contributions and see how focus on this can magnify the benefits over the ills.
As we think about the how the social media has ushered in a new culture of learning, buying and even consuming products, and we remember the billions of dollars locked in information assets, we must rethink business as usual.
CNN had once said that “the future of TV is Twitter and TV is the future of Twitter”. Amazon, the Internet Market Giant has such a small office space compared to the gigantic plants of Toyota and Ford, yet the company made it to top 20 most valuable brands in the world ahead of both automobile firms.
What is special to learn about the founders of Google, the Creator of Facebook and the father of Microsoft is that they all started investing in the knowledge of technology at a really young age.
Reading Malcom Gladwell’s outliers, I realized that Bill Gate had been learning to code and coding for six (6) years before he got into Harvard.
Steve jobs interned with Bill Hewlett co-founder with David Packard of HP before Mark Zuckerberg (founder of FACEBOOK) built what has today become the third largest ‘Nation’ in the world after China and India, he began using computers and writing software in middle school.
His father taught him Atari BASIC Programming in the 1990s, and later hired software developer David Newman to tutor him privately.
Code.org an international organization in support with sponsors including Microsoft and Omidyar Network is leading a huge campaign that will ensure that millions of line of codes are written and promote the knowledge of programming and computer science education all over the world. The Initiative has been dubbed the “Hour of Code”.
Tons of events were held all over the world to celebrate the Computer Science week and get millions of Children and youth to start coding. During the computer Science week in Nigeria, Microsoft Nigeria partnered with Wifi-Combat academy (an organization that trains children how to code and build mobile applications), to host the hour of Code Lagos.
This is part of the organization’s commitment as software, devices and services leader to transform Nigeria’s economy and build future information technology entrepreneurs.
In the ‘tweets’ of Satyr Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, “Coding is fun! Help us get 100M students to see how it can help them achieve great things”.
This is my own submission, If they start coding at 13, they could be Billionaires at thirty, or to be modest something close.
We can only live what the technology of the future will look like to our lofty imaginations. In every way, within our sphere of influence, we can and should inspire children and youth to maximize tools like their mobile phones to create technology.
We cannot just remain consumers, we can turn the table around and one way to do this is to take charge of the creating side.
Which software(s) will run the technology consumed by the 200Million people who will live in Nigeria by 2025?
Who will write the software(s)? These two questions must be answered, and better answered in our favor.
The future is about quantum information, Information at the snap of thought, the age of speed, 4-dimensional representations, cloud computing and ubiquitous computing.
If we put the children in charge of this, that’s how to secure the future.
Olusola Amusan is the Citizenship Manager at Microsoft Nigeria. He manages all non-Profit and youth engagements, an inspirational speaker and inspiration to the nearly 60,000 young people he has trained in the past 5 years.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to enhance data protection in Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC and Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard
The agreement was sealed during a workshop where 150 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) were trained on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC, said the event kicks off activities for the 8th NADPA conference, highlighting government efforts to train more certified DPOs.
Olatunji also disclosed the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing the number of certified DPOs with the required skills to manage data protection.
He noted that Nigeria’s digital-savvy youth are key to driving this agenda.
“Human capital is really key to us, and the ecosystem we are regulating is very special. It is still new, still emerging, and we need all we can to build the capacity of officers.
“We want to build the capacity of our people so we can be able to deliver on our mandate and fully deepen privacy in Nigeria.
“We are targeting to build the capacity of 250,000 DPOs annually, and we are working with partners like Mastercard to achieve that,” he said.
Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard, also stressed the need for collaboration to build trust in the digital economy and urged participants to embrace training as data protection keeps evolving.
Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) has announced the launch of *7270#, its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code service, set to go live on May 8th, 2025.
The USSD code service is an innovative solution designed to enhance the ease and accessibility of investment services for all users.
Also, this service leverages the network capabilities of MTN Nigeria to bring unparalleled convenience to investors.
Driven by a relentless commitment to innovation, CSCS aims to revolutionize information access within the Nigerian capital market through this USSD code service.
As the Central Securities Depository (CSD), CSCS focuses on enhancing investor experiences and providing deeper market insights with unparalleled convenience.
The CSCS USSD code service offers seamless access to essential market information directly from mobile phones, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or specialized trading platforms.
Investors can now effortlessly retrieve Clearing House Number (CHN), check Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status, view stock positions, account balances, and account status confirmations.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, managing director/chief executive officer of CSCS, said ” We are excited to launch the *7270# USSD code service, a significant step in leveraging mobile technology to democratize access to account and portfolio information.
“This service empowers every investor, regardless of their location or resources, to stay informed about their investments. At CSCS, we believe that financial inclusivity is key to driving economic growth.
“Our partnership with MTN Nigeria on this project represents a significant leap toward a more inclusive financial landscape, leveraging the spread of the MTN network.
“This collaboration enhances the investing experience, reinforcing our shared commitment to empowering individuals with the tools they need to manage their financial futures effectively.” he added.
The CSCS USSD code service will initially be available to MTN users only. However, CSCS plans to expand this service to other networks soon.
This innovative service offers investors streamlined and secure access to critical market information at their fingertips.
Aisha Umar Mumuni, chief digital officer of MTN Nigeria, said, “This collaboration with CSCS on the *7270# USSD service underscores MTN’s commitment to harnessing the power of mobile technology to simplify complex processes for our users.
“By making critical investment information available at the touch of a button, we are helping to democratize access to the capital markets and, in the process, enhance investor engagement and market transparency,” she said.
CSCS continues to lead the way in technological advancements, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the Nigerian capital market ecosystem.
This initiative underscores our dedication to enhancing market efficiency and empowering investors with the tools they need for informed decision-making.
The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.
Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.
He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.
Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.
“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.
According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.
Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.
“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.
He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.
“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.
He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.
NDPC, Mastercard Partner to Strengthen Data Protection
CSCS Launches *7270#, USSD Code Service
NIPOST Suspends Cash Transactions Nationwide
CBN Spending on Naira Printing, Distribution up by 306 Percent
ABoICT Lecture 2025 to Focus on Governance, Standardization in Artificial Intelligence Era
E-Business2 days agoExpert Urges FG to Leverage Digital Assets to Drive Diversification Goal
General News2 days agoSeamlessHR, AOPN Push Payroll Innovation for Nigeria’s Outsourcing Growth
General News2 days agoFG Faults AfDB’s Adesina on Nigeria’s GDP Per Capita Figures
News2 days agoCabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote
Telecom2 days agoTelcos Plan Zero Tariff in Some Regions with Low Opex
E-Financial2 days agoFirst Asset Management Surpasses ₦1 Trillion in Assets Under Management
Telecom2 days agoAVEVA Appoints Sébastien Ory as EMEA VP Partners & Channels
News2 days agoNPAN Hails Tribunal’s Ruling on FCCPC’s $220M Fine Against Meta