General News
Experts in the Supply Chain Discuss Industry Issues and Solutions
In line with its commitment to build an efficient supply chain in African markets, Africa’s fastest growing logistics company, 8BM Freight System joined industry experts to discuss the industry’s challenges and solutions at a conference titled “Supply Chain Infrastructure in Nigeria: Challenges and the Way Forward.”
The insightful conference which had in attendance Hio Sola-Usidame, CEO of Oneport 365, Ayo Olunuga, former CEO of Warenet, Zanau Hassan, MD of Farmfields Agro-Allied Services, and Kamal Raji, Managing Director of AFEX. Tobi Badmus, CEO of 8BM Freight System welcomed the audience and thanked each speaker for their availability for the event; he also provided a brief overview of the importance of the discussion.
He discussed some of the issues confronting the supply chain industry. In his words, “I appreciate all attendees of this event and especially, the speakers for accepting the invitation. 8BM Freight System is delighted to be a part of the industry growth process. We have identified a gap in the industry, which necessitate our collaboration to dissect the challenges and proffer lasting solutions.
“I am also pleased that the speakers are thinking in this way, bridging the industry gap, and finding solutions to the industry’s current challenges. I believe with the contributions of today’s industry experts; we will be able to make reasonable decisions that will contribute to the growth of the sector.”
According to the speakers at the event, majority of cargos in Nigeria are transported by road, resulting in a high rate of challenges for the supply chain industry. They discussed some of the challenges, such as high transportation costs, insecurity, poor logistics management, insufficient experienced personnel, a poor road network, poor infrastructure, port congestion, and so on.
Tobi further proffered solutions to curb the challenges facing the industry. He said: “Visibility, transparency, traceability, and a method to manage inflation are some of the solutions that I believe are necessary and that we can work towards to help the sector develop. I also believe that with blockchain and technology, all of this is possible, and 8BM is working to solve these issues.”
Sharing their extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, the speakers agreed that the best way these challenges can be tackled is by digitalizing the freight system. By making use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, it will help in optimization of the supply chain. Also, the Blockchain application is a promising technology to proffering lasting solutions to the challenges in the industry by reducing the challenges by 45%.
Nigeria is a business-driven economy, and commerce is impossible without a supply chain. As a result, the government has a role to play in relieving the country’s supply chain pressures.
In conclusion, as suggested by the speakers, the government can help by increasing port access, providing alternatives to road transportation (such as improving the rail system), putting institutions and policies in place to alleviate problems, and creating a calm environment for investors.
8BM Freight System is committed filling the industry gap by to using technology to improve the sector by streamlining logistical framework.
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.
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.
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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