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

E-Business

Cost of Solar Energy Technology is Declining – PPC

Published

on

PPC
Kindly share this post

The mass production of solar panels in response to the rising demand for alternative cleaner power solutions has made solar installation for homes and businesses more affordable, says PPC Limited, Nigeria’s leading engineering and infrastructure development company.

PPC

While commenting on the frequent collapse of the national power grid, the attendant blackouts and its disruption of business activities, Dr Kelechi Onuigbo, Head of Power Division at PPC, advised businesses to look into cost-effective alternative power solutions for uninterrupted power supply.

He noted that even though solar panel installation and its storage systems have become more affordable, the efficiency of photovoltaic panels have not diminished in any way but improved with constant research and innovation.

As part of the global decarbonization and energy transition drive, the Nigerian government has demonstrated commitment by commissioning off-grid electricity projects that will ensure all Nigerians have uninterrupted electricity through investment in solar-powered mini-grids.

The Federal Government is implementing different initiatives targeted at achieving at least 30,000MW generation by 2030 with 30 per cent from renewable energy sources.

The energy expert commended the Federal Government for providing robust incentive programmes that ensured corporations and government facilities enjoy stable electricity through off-grid energy sources.

Onuigbo said, ”It’s important for energy access to keep pace with population growth in the country. This is why we are advocating for increased investment in off-grid alternative energy solutions that provide stable electricity in the event of natural disasters or power outages. We are proud to be at the forefront of the drive for renewable energy in view of the climate change realities and the frequent collapse of the national grid.”

“The one-time investment and low maintenance of solar installations make it an affordable and preferable alternative power option for businesses and households. Constant electricity is key to survival of businesses and that is why PPC is committed to supporting organizations in bridging the infrastructure gap in Nigeria’s power sector.”

According to him, rapid advances in technology and available financing facilities has encouraged manufacturers to invest in expanding their production capacity, which has lowered the cost of solar panels.

He explained that solar panels can generate major utility savings for businesses that are considering reducing electricity costs, carbon emissions, or both.

PPC is dedicated to ensuring equitable electricity access in Nigeria and has over the years invested in grid infrastructure as well as affordable renewable energy solutions.


Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. 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

E-Business

10 Percent of Nigerians Affected by Data Breaches since 2004 

Published

on

Data Breach
Kindly share this post

At least 10 out of every 100 Nigerians have fallen victim to data breaches since 2004, according to a new report by global cybersecurity firm Surfshark, raising serious concerns about the country’s long-standing vulnerability to cyber threats.

10 Percent of Nigerians Affected by Data Breaches since 2004 

Surfshark’s research is based on data gathered from 29,000 publicly available databases.

Each unique breached email address is treated as a separate user account, and breaches often include additional personal data such as passwords, phone numbers, IP addresses, and postal codes.

The data was anonymised before analysis, and countries with populations under one million were excluded from the study.

Findings of the report revealed that a staggering 23.2 million Nigerian user accounts have been compromised in the past two decades, an alarming figure in a country with an estimated population of over 230 million.

This includes 7.3 million unique email addresses and 13 million passwords leaked into the public domain.

“Cyberattacks remain a persistent and growing threat globally, and Nigeria is no exception,” Surfshark stated in its analysis.

Despite a significant 85 per cent drop in new data breaches in the first quarter of 2025, falling from the previous quarter’s numbers—Nigeria still recorded over 119,000 breached accounts during the period. This places the country 34th worldwide in total breach volume.

Even with the recent decline, the scale and depth of past breaches remain troubling.

According to the report, 56 percent of Nigerian users affected by breaches are at heightened risk of identity theft, extortion, and unauthorised access to their online accounts.

“In Q1 2025 alone, an estimated one Nigerian account was breached every minute,” Surfshark noted.

The global picture also shows a dramatic shift: the number of leaked accounts dropped 93 percent year-on-year—from nearly 974 million in Q1 2024 to just 68.3 million in Q1 2025.

Countries with the highest number of breaches include the United States (16.9 million), Russia (4.4 million), and India (4.2 million).

However, when adjusted for population, smaller nations like South Sudan, Spain, and Slovenia reported the highest breach density, with South Sudan recording 61 breached accounts per 1,000 residents.

Luís Costa, Surfshark’s research lead, warned that the downturn in breach numbers should not lead to a false sense of security.

“Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and attackers are adapting their tactics. Strong security practices, frequent password updates, and enabling two-factor authentication remain essential,” Costa stated.

The report underscores the urgent need for improved cybersecurity infrastructure and public awareness in Nigeria, as millions remain exposed to potential exploitation due to past breaches.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

NIN: FG Increases DoB Update Fee by 75Percent to N28,574

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerians seeking to correct their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database will now pay N28,574, following a major upward review of service charges by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

NIN: FG Increases DoB Update Fee by 75Percent to N28,574

Bisoye Coker Odusote, CEO, NIMC


The new fee represents a 75 per cent increase from the previous charge of N16,340, making it the most expensive data modification service under the Commission’s revised price regime.

The change is part of a broader review of NIMC’s service fees, which the agency says is necessary to reflect current economic realities, including a national inflation rate of 32.70 percent, rising operational costs, and the need for self-sustenance.

Under the new structure, corrections to other personal details such as names, addresses, and gender now cost N2,000 per modification — up from N1,522, a 31 percent increase.

Re-issuance of the NIN slip, previously pegged at N500, will now attract a fee of N600.

Meanwhile, premium services offered at select enrollment lounges and visa centers will cost N20,000 for NIN enrollment, and N3,500 for re-issuance of slips.

For Nigerians in African countries, NIN enrollment now costs $50 for adults and $30 for children.

Data modifications cost $55 for date of birth changes, and $10 for other fields.

Outside Africa, name corrections are charged at $60, with other data fields remaining at $10 per change.

In an executive summary accompanying the new pricing list, NIMC stated that the adjustments followed consultations across its departments and benchmarking against charges by other government agencies like the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“For over a decade, our service charges remained stagnant despite expanding our infrastructure and service offerings. This new price regime ensures we can maintain our systems, support national revenue goals, and align with global identity management standards,” the Commission said.

NIMC also cited its role in broader policy objectives such as tax unification, social interventions, and digital identity expansion.

While the Commission insists the fee hike is necessary, many Nigerians have expressed concern about the affordability of the new charges, particularly the high cost of correcting date of birth — an error that often arises from initial registration challenges in rural or crowded centers.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Minister Seeks Digital Tech Adoption to Improve Agriculture, Boost Food Security

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has called for the urgent adoption of digital technology in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to boost food production, curb rising prices, and reduce the country’s dependence on food imports.

Speaking on Thursday in Abeokuta at the Ogun Tech Forward Innovation & Startups Roundtable session, Tijani stressed that Nigeria’s vast arable land and large population could only be effectively harnessed through technological intervention.

He warned that without embracing innovation, traditional farming practices would remain inefficient and expensive, putting food security at risk.

“Technology innovation has already contributed 16 to 18 per cent, but we are aiming for 21 per cent. We need to introduce our technology into agriculture to produce enough food to feed ourselves

“Without technology, countries like Nigeria cannot practise agriculture effectively. We have the vast land, but without technology, we won’t do it well,” the minister said.

Tijani noted that the continuous rise in food prices and the country’s dependence on foreign exchange to import grains that can be grown locally is unsustainable.

He emphasised that leveraging tools such as mobile apps, drones, sensors, and data analytics could transform Nigeria’s farming landscape by enabling precision agriculture and providing real-time insights on soil conditions, pest control, crop health, and intruder detection.

He maintained that the deployment of such technologies would not only enhance farming efficiency and sustainability but also lead to higher yields, lower production costs, and ultimately, more affordable food for Nigerians.

The minister also made a broader case for inclusive innovation across the country, cautioning that Nigeria’s technological future cannot be shaped by a few urban centres alone.

He said the federal government would support emerging tech ecosystems, especially in states like Ogun, to ensure grassroots participation in the digital economy.

Tijani declared, “We can’t leave innovation in the hands of just a few cities. Every part of Nigeria, including towns and rural areas, must be part of the digital journey. The more people we carry along, the stronger we become as a country.”

Tijani, however, revealed that the federal government would back Ogun Tech Hub’s initiative aimed at creating 300 jobs through business process outsourcing as part of a broader vision to transform Nigerian states into ‘talent cities’.

He said, “If we don’t invest in our own people, we’ll keep depending on others for solutions. We must create space for local ideas to grow and become real businesses.”

The minister further called for the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and drones into key sectors, particularly agriculture, while advocating for the adoption of generative AI in education to support personalised, accessible learning across communities.

In his remarks, the President of the Ogun Tech Community, Adekunle Durosinmi, called on the federal government to provide strategic support to accelerate the growth of the state’s digital ecosystem.

He urged the minister to facilitate the establishment of a functional innovation hub and a permanent secretariat to nurture local startups.

Durosinmi highlighted the critical role Ogun State plays in Nigeria’s economic framework, describing it as a major industrial hub and strategic transport corridor linking Lagos with the rest of the country and West Africa.

He said that with 57 per cent of its 7.1 million projected population in the working-age category, Ogun State possesses immense potential for digital innovation, job creation, and youth development.

“Ogun State is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in technology and entrepreneurship. We have more than 29 tertiary institutions—more than any other state in the country—which makes us a natural home for innovation,” he said.

Since its launch in February 2022 and formal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Durosimi stated that the Ogun Tech Community has organised various initiatives aimed at strengthening digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and grassroots tech engagement.

He noted that the community has created 19 active clusters, ranging from developers and mentors to women in tech and agritech specialists, all working together to drive inclusive growth in the tech space.

He reiterated the community’s alignment with the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2024, stressing that its programmes, governance structure, and advocacy are geared toward promoting digital literacy, supporting startups and SMEs, encouraging e-government services, and fostering responsible digital innovation.

He also stressed that collaboration between government, industry, academia, and the tech ecosystem is key to achieving national development goals.

He expressed appreciation for Tijani’s presence at the roundtable, describing it as a clear indication of the federal government’s commitment to inclusive innovation.

“We want to see such solutions replicated across the country. To accelerate this, we need your support. Ogun urgently needs a fully functioning physical secretariat and, importantly, a dedicated innovation hub to nurture and grow even more startups,” he said.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending