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Experts Seek Policy to Address Telcos Forex Demand

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Dr. Umar Bindr, director general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP)
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The federal government has been urged to come up with a national strategic policy aimed at addressing the huge demand for foreign exchange by telecommunications operators to fund the acquisition of software to drive their networks.

This is on the heels of the recent statement credited to Dr. Umar Bindr, director general, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) that telecommunications operators are putting enormous pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange as they seek approvals to acquire foreign software to drive their networks.

James Agada, a software expert and chief technology officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, called for a better understanding of the operations of the networks of telecommunications operators.

He explained that the major foreign software demands of telcos are meant to drive their switches which according to him are proprietary and will be difficult to be sourced outside of the switch manufacturers.

Nodding in agreement, Pius Okigbo Jnr. President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), explained that most of the switches of telecommunications operators are foreign made with intellectual property right for the software that makes it difficult to source outside of the manufacturer.

Agada and Okigbo therefore urged government to come up with a national strategic policy that will encourage those foreign companies that manufactures the switches to establish in the country and employ Nigerians to service the telcos who in turn will learn the technology and may as well develop competing products that can serve as alternative to the ones telcos are using.

But Agada cited instance of China which provided loan guarantee for banks to support Huawei that assisted the company to where they are today.

Adding his voice, Lanre Ajayi, president, Association Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) wondered why NOTAP singled out telcos in its accusation as other sectors are also liable of the same practice.

Ajayi stated that such strategic policy canvassed by Agada and Okigbo, should focus more on ensuring that the equipment which requires those software that are procured abroad are manufactured locally with its software written locally as well.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Air Peace Suspends Flight Operations Nationwide

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Air Peace Ltd has announced the suspension of all flight operations nationwide due to the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
Air Peace Suspends Flight Operations Nationwide

This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace,  on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, the decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
He said without these reports from the control tower, flight safety could not be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling,” he said.
The staff of NiMET on Tuesday commenced an indefinite strike over the condition of service and other demands.


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NITDA Fixes Date for Inaugural Meeting of the Startup Consultative Forum

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is pleased to announce the inaugural meeting of the Startup Consultative Forum, scheduled for Monday April 28, 2025 This milestone event marks a significant step in deepening stakeholder engagement within Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem.

The Forum will serve as an interactive platform for startup founders, innovators, ecosystem enablers, and intermediaries to actively shape national policies that foster growth, attract investment, and drive digital innovation.

Convened under the framework of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to making startups not just stakeholders but key contributors in building an enabling environment for innovation.

The meeting will emphasize collaborative dialogue, with a primary focus on nominating and selecting representatives for the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Startup Council)—Nigeria’s highest advisory body for the startup ecosystem. Decisions from this Forum will lay the foundation for inclusive policy development, amplifying the voices of Nigeria’s tech and innovation community.

NITDA invites all Labelled Startups, Verified Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organisations, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, and other relevant stakeholders to join the Forum and actively participate in the nomination and voting process.

Join us in shaping the future of digital innovation in Nigeria. Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports and celebrates the pioneering spirit of Nigerian startups.


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IMF Downgrades Nigeria’s Economic Growth Forecast Amid Oil Price Decline

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised downward its economic growth forecast for Nigeria in 2025 to 3.0%, a 0.2 percentage point cut from its earlier projection of 3.2%.

The downgrade is attributed to a decline in global crude oil prices, which remain a significant driver of Nigeria’s economy.

The updated figures were published in the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, released in Washington, DC, during the ongoing Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

The report outlines global and regional economic trends, highlighting continued vulnerability among oil-dependent economies.

According to the IMF, growth across sub-Saharan Africa is also expected to experience a modest decline, with projections falling from 4.0% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025. However, a slight recovery is anticipated in 2026, with growth forecasted at 4.2%.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, was singled out in the report as among the major economies affected by falling oil prices. The IMF noted that the country’s 2026 growth forecast has also been revised downward by 0.3 percentage points.

The IMF further reported similar economic challenges in other African countries. In South Africa, growth projections were adjusted downward by 0.5 percentage point for 2025 and 0.3 percentage point for 2026.

These revisions reflect weakening economic momentum following a lacklustre 2024, growing uncertainty, a rise in protectionist economic policies, and the impact of a broader global slowdown.

In a more severe adjustment, the IMF slashed South Sudan’s 2025 economic growth forecast by a staggering 31.5 percentage points.

The sharp decline is linked to delays in the resumption of oil production after a major pipeline sustained damage, significantly impacting the country’s revenue and export capacity.

The IMF’s outlook underscores the fragility of economies heavily reliant on natural resources and the ongoing risks posed by global market volatility.


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