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

Telecom

Gov. Soludo Distributes 2,000 Laptops to Teachers and Principals of Public and Public-Mission Schools

Published

on

Kindly share this post

In keeping with his mantra of ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday, 12th March, 2024, distributed 2,000 brand new laptops to headteachers, ICT teachers, and principals of public and public-mission schools across the state.

The distribution aligns perfectly with the vision of Mr. Governor, which the Anambra State ICT Agency is driving, to ensure the full digitization of all sectors of the state economy.

The implication of headteachers, ICT teachers, and principals owning laptops is that they will fully key into the digitization vision of Mr. Governor and, as such, guide school pupils and students early in their lives to join the digital revolution in the state.

In Governor Soludo’s speech, “The teachers are molders of men and women and as such, critical partners in the new Anambra project.

And if you want to predict the future of any society, look at the quality of their teachers.”

He said the state cannot be talking about Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere when the teachers and headteachers are still in analog mode.

“We have begun and as resources permit us, we will continue to prioritize work tools for our teachers and students.

We will also continue to scale up the numbers.

“We have launched the free public Wi-Fi in some strategic places and we will scale it too to the schools to begin to create the opportunity for the ingenuity and creativity of our students and pupils to find expression.

”We are deliberate about our young people because of their capacity to uptake the technological availings and make the most out of it.

“Therefore, the teachers need to be ahead in terms of technology to be able to champion 21st-century education that is technology-driven.

“We had started with the civil servants and we want to get to the point where every teacher would have their laptops as they have their phones.

“We are very intentional about it that we must provide you with the enabling work tools you require to get our children to the next level we desire technology-wise.

While we aspire to get your schools to be smart, you too must be first smart.

“We have to upscale because you can’t give what you don’t have.

“We have the Head of our ICT Agency and the Solution Innovation District here and we are looking at working with them to have structured training programs, to ensure they put these equipment to use, exploring the latest Artificial Intelligence enablements,” the governor promised.

Soludo maintained that in the last 24 months, the Anambra people have seen the transformation his administration had brought into the state governance, which has positively affected the lives of our people, assuring that more is to come.

On his part, the Managing Director of the State ICT Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, who played a key role at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Awka, said the governor has again by the distribution, reinforced commitment towards making Anambra State a technology hub, not only in the Southeast but also in the entire nation.

Agbata noted that capturing the teachers in the digitization revolution signifies a brighter future for the state, considering how critical young people are to the state’s technological advancement.

He made it clear that the state has been able to make giant strides in the technology area because Mr. Governor believes in the power of technology and has stepped out a strong foot in terms of investment in the sector.

“Today, the Governor has made Wi-Fi available in some public places where the people’s creativity needs to be enhanced in the areas of education, commerce, and public service.

“There is no doubt that with Mr. Governor’s mindset, better days are ahead for technology.

“For us at the ICT agency, the training which Mr. Governor spoke about is a no-brainer.

“Recall that the ICT Agency has partnered with relevant government agencies to bring technology to ease recruitment processes across various sectors and we are doing more.

“This is just to say that we are ready to drive the ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of Mr. Governor, to make Mr. Governor’s dream for a digitized Anambra State, a reality,” Agbata assured.

Some of the recipients of the laptops, whose joys knew no bounds, described Governor Soludo as a proactive leader, who is conscious of the need of the times.

Promising to deploy the equipment effectively for the purpose it was intended, the headteachers and principals said they are at home with the digital revolution the governor is bringing to the state education sector.

The high point of the ceremony was the distribution of the laptops as well as solidarity chants by the beneficiaries.


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

Telecom

Glo, Huawei, Communications Ministry Bring Digital Services to Abuja Village

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Telecommunications and digital services provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Huawei Nigerian Enterprises, to provide digital access to 7,000 remote communities in Nigeria with the commissioning of the pilot project in Isuanin Kura in Ibwa 2, Gwagwalada, on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday.

The project, which is championed by the Ministry, will deliver 2G/3G/4G services, free public Wi-Fi access, digital healthcare and remote learning capabilities to the over 12,000 residents of the community.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, was full of commendation to Globacom and Huawei for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the connectivity crisis affecting more than 20 million Nigerians who currently lack basic telecommunication access in the country.

 

Said he: “If you bring out your phone in many communities, there is no network at all. This is costing the country significantly because people cannot access financial services, medical care, or education”, adding that this also poses governance challenges as disconnected areas are difficult to administer.

“Where you live should not determine your access to opportunity. We are using innovation to ensure every Nigerian, regardless of location, can thrive in the digital age”, the Minister added.

Globacom’s Group Chief Technical Director, Mr. Sanjib Roy, who spoke on the project said the company worked with the Ministry and Huawei to bring up the site by providing the Microwave backhaul link and access to Globacom’s full core network resources and also manage the operation of the site to ensure uninterrupted voice and data services for the community.

“The Smart Education facility allows for young students within the community to receive education remotely, with the teachers being in Abuja or any other part of the world, while  Healthcare delivery has been revolutionised through connected medical equipment that enables remote consultations between patients in Ibwa and doctors and specialists in urban-locations”, Mr Roy explained. The site and all the equipment are powered by solar thereby ensuring clean environment and uninterrupted power supply.

During the inauguration, the system’s effectiveness was demonstrated with the leader of Isuanin Kura, Ibwa 2 Community, Chief Abubakar Bamaiyi, having a live consultation with a medical doctor in Abuja, while the Minister and other guests watched as the students in the local school were being taught via online video by a teacher in Lagos, using equipment provided by Huawei.

Mr Kazeem Kaka, Globacom’s Head of Division, North West, who also spoke at event, said, “For Globacom, this is a continuation of our long-standing mission to democratize access to communication. Since 2003, we have remained at the forefront of efforts to lower the barriers to connectivity—making telephony, internet, and data services more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

“Today’s launch reinforces that commitment. We are particularly excited about the impact this initiative will have on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment of Ibwa people”.

In his remarks, Mr Terrens Wu, Managing Director, Huawei Nigerian Enterprises, said his company was proud to be part of the initiative to provide connectivity, and promote learning and healthcare in rural communities through digital technology. His company later gave out 120 affordable smartphones to the community to help them have access to telephony.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

Experts @ ABoICT 2025 Warn of Digital Disaster Risks in Nigeria Without AI Governance

Published

on

L-r: Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres, Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode, Amrish Singhal, chief operations officer, Spectranet, Engr. Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria and Rudman Muhammed, Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, at the 16th Africa's Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership awards held in Lagos recently.
Kindly share this post

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the global digital landscape, two prominent technology leaders have issued urgent warnings and strategic calls for Nigeria and Africa to adopt a unified, governance-driven approach to AI development, emphasizing that trust, regulation, and cybersecurity are more important than ever.

L-r: Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres, Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode, Amrish Singhal, chief operations officer, Spectranet, Engr. Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria and Rudman Muhammed, Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, at the 16th Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership awards held in Lagos recently.

At the 2025 Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit & Leadership Award (ABoICT 2025), held over the weekend in Lagos, Professor Adewale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode, and Amrich Singhal, Chief Operating Officer of Spectranet, independently but powerfully echoed the same sentiment: AI without governance is a ticking time bomb.

Delivering his keynote on “AI Governance, Standardization and Cybersecurity in the AI Era,” Prof. Obadare warned against the rising trend of “AI washing”—where companies label basic software or services as “AI” to capitalize on hype, often without the underlying technological integrity or oversight.

“People are calling everything AI today, from photography apps to basic automation, but no one is talking about AI governance,” he said.

Drawing comparisons to the early days of the internet, Obadare cautioned that failing to integrate security and governance into AI architecture could lead to far-reaching consequences. “We are repeating the same mistake we made with TCP/IP, which was not built with cybersecurity in mind. We cannot afford to make that error again.”

He emphasized that governance should not be seen as a hindrance but as an enabler of safe innovation. “Governance is not a brake to stop movement; it is a brake to make movement safe,” he said.

Citing international standards like ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 38507, Obadare called for responsible innovation grounded in clear ethical guidelines, stressing the importance of securing the core components of AI: data, models, and infrastructure.

Echoing similar concerns, Amrich Singhal, chief operating officer, Spectranet in his presentation themed “Responsible AI and Nigeria: Balancing Innovation, Regulation, and Cybersecurity,” stressed that “the countries that will benefit most from AI are not necessarily those with the most powerful models, but those with the most trusted systems.”

Singhal painted AI as a double-edged sword, capable of boosting national productivity while also enabling new forms of cyber manipulation—from deepfakes to identity theft and disinformation. “AI can clone voices, create fake personas, and even undermine democracy. It’s no longer a question of readiness, it’s a question of urgency,” he declared.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s potential due to its youthful, tech-savvy population and its expanding use of AI across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and oil exploration.

However, he criticized existing regulatory structures such as the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and NITDA’s 2023 draft AI framework as being “underdeveloped, underfunded, and poorly enforced.”

Both experts called for a multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance. Prof. Obadare warned of real-world failures, such as Microsoft’s racist chatbot Tay, Amazon’s gender-biased recruitment AI, and Uber’s fatal autonomous vehicle incident, not as tech failures, but as governance failures.

He also cited cybersecurity breaches, including the 2023 hacking of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the leak of DeepSeek’s API keys and user data on launch day, to stress that “the danger is not just in the algorithms, but in how we design and deploy them.”

Singhal proposed a three-tiered strategy to build Nigeria’s AI resilience: government must champion AI education, create safe innovation sandboxes, and enforce data laws; private companies must adopt ethical and secure design practices; and civil society must raise awareness of digital rights and AI risks—especially for vulnerable populations.

In a firm conclusion, Prof. Obadare urged that “governance must be embedded by design,” warning that irresponsible innovation has already proven costly and called on both developers and policymakers to act before Nigeria’s AI future becomes a liability rather than a strength.

Meanwhile, Singhal closed with a stark challenge: “AI is already here. The question is not whether to use it, but how. Nigeria must choose whether AI will be a great equalizer or its greatest vulnerability.”

As the nation moves deeper into the AI era, the message is clear: building trust, enforcing cybersecurity, and embedding responsible governance must be at the core of Nigeria’s AI journey, before it’s too late.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Telecom

NCC Unveils E-Health Project in Akure, Pledges to Deepen ICT Integration in Healthcare

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has taken a major step toward revolutionizing healthcare in Nigeria with the commissioning of an e-Health project at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, Ondo State.

Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, highlighted the Commission’s commitment to leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance medical services across the country.

Dr. Maida emphasized that integrating advanced ICT solutions into healthcare would improve accessibility, streamline medical processes, and enhance patient care. He stressed that the initiative aligns with the NCC’s broader drive to deepen Nigeria’s participation in the digital economy.

“With the successful takeoff of this project, we anticipate a significant boost in the adoption of e-health solutions nationwide,” Maida said.

“By equipping healthcare facilities with innovative technology, we are ensuring timely and accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up care, ultimately leading to better patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.”

He praised stakeholders, including technology experts and government officials, for their contributions to the project, noting that their collaboration helped create a model that could be replicated across different regions.

The e-Health initiative is expected to set a precedent for similar projects nationwide, ensuring that modern healthcare solutions reach all citizens, regardless of their location.

With the commissioning, the NCC reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation, supporting digital integration, and driving national development through ICT-enabled solutions.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending