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General News

How OTAs Are Changing The Travel Experience of Nigerians

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By Adeniyi Ogunfowoke,

Once upon a time, around two decades ago, you had to seek the services of a local travel agent to research and book a trip on your behalf regardless of whether it is domestic or international.

With the debut of the internet, booking travel became seamless as online travel agencies started to leverage the internet to make travel seamless for millions of Nigerians. So, nowadays, travellers have many options available to them to help choose destinations, compare prices and make reservations independently and easily.

The undeniable fact is that online travel agencies have changed and disrupted the way we travel. Jumia’s travel and flight marketplace, Jumia Travel is one of the few OTAs that are playing a huge role in making travel smooth for Nigerians.

By booking hotels for Nigerians at any time of the day, Jumia Travel eliminates the stress of scouting for hotels. Today, Jumia Travel has expanded to flight, packages, airport pickups and even cruises. The aim is to become an all-in-one travel agency. So, how is an OTA like Jumia Travel changing the travel experience of Nigerians?

Democratise travel

For some Nigerians, the reason why they do not travel is that they think travel is expensive, which is not always the case. However, with an OTA like Jumia Travel, every Nigerian has a better chance of travelling. This is because unlike other OTAs, Jumia Travel has one of the best available rates you can ever find on the internet. Hence, whether you have a huge amount in your account or not, you can still travel comfortably.

Take the stress off travel bookings

Travel planning can be overwhelming, especially if it is group travel. You have to put together a bucket list of destinations to visit and even book hotels you do not know anything about. If you get this wrong, it can make or mar the travel experience. This is where online travel agencies come into play. All over Nigeria, they have hotels on their platform; you simply reach out to your preferred OTA, for example, Jumia Travel and their travel advisors will recommend fantastic hotels you and your group can stay anywhere in Nigeria. This is, of course, at the best price.

Enhanced customer service

Customer service and satisfaction have also transformed the travel experience of Nigerians. The travel advisors of Jumia Travel help customers make informed decisions. Also, the vast majority of brands have a social media presence that is being used to make customers aware of the best packages and deals. And when necessary, to provide relevant information to help unsatisfied or confused customers.

Travel research transformed

One of the most profound effects that OTAs has had on travel in Nigeria is the democratization of online reviews. Today’s travellers go online to research their future travel destinations and accommodations. When booking travel, a good number of Nigerians plan travel activities based on the content posted by their peers online. Hence, travel agencies do everything in their power to ensure they get positive reviews by offering sterling services.


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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

General News

NIMASA Embraces Technology to Strengthen Regulatory Mandate

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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance its regulatory functions, improve efficiency, and boost revenue generation for the Federal Government.

According to a statement by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, on Sunday, the move follows a comprehensive internal review of NIMASA’s operational systems aimed at closing gaps in monitoring and compliance.

A key component of the technological transformation is the deployment of the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS), which brings digital traceability to the core of Nigeria’s maritime operations.

“MEMS provides real-time visibility into vessel movements, operational logs, and regulatory interactions,” Osagie explained.

“With automated alerts, smart invoicing, and centralized data integration, NIMASA can now detect, document, and respond to maritime activities with greater precision and efficiency—eliminating unnecessary bottlenecks while strengthening compliance.”

He noted that one of the major targets for improvement is waste reception services—routine for both domestic and international vessels—which have historically lacked proper tracking.

This has resulted in unmonitored activities and substantial revenue losses. Through MEMS, each waste offload can now be logged, time-stamped, and automatically billed, ensuring environmental standards are upheld while generating consistent revenue.

Marine pollution control, another critical area under NIMASA’s mandate, has also suffered in the past from limited digital oversight.

“Without satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often went unnoticed or were reported too late to mitigate environmental damage,” he said.

“Now, with modern surveillance systems, digital logbooks, and real-time alerts, NIMASA can respond swiftly to pollution incidents, recover environmental damages, and hold polluters accountable both legally and financially.”

Osagie further explained that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the agency were largely due to outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and inadequate digital enforcement tools—factors that external actors exploited for personal gain.

“The ongoing reforms at NIMASA are designed to overcome these systemic weaknesses. By investing in digital infrastructure and streamlining monitoring systems, the agency is positioning itself to fulfill its statutory obligations with greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability,” he added.

Responding to recent reports claiming the agency had commenced a concession of its operations, Osagie dismissed the allegations as false and misleading.

“There is no iota of truth in the reports suggesting that NIMASA has embarked on any form of concession. These are the handiwork of both internal and external elements attempting to exploit the existing system for personal benefit,” he stated.

“We urge the public to disregard these baseless claims and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey, which aligns with the national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to enhancing maritime governance, environmental protection, and revenue optimization for national development.


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General News

Nigerian Tech Prodigy sets World Record with Smallest GPS Tracker

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Young Nigerian tech genius, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has developed the world’s smallest GPS tracking device, a prototype measuring just 22.93 x 11.92 mm.

Recognised by the Guinness World Records, the device was created at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, on April 27, where he is employed as a researcher.

It has been hailed for its potential across industries, from logistics and personal safety to medical devices and wildlife monitoring.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the feat in a post on X, praising Oyinlola for showcasing the ingenuity of the West African country’s youth. “You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he wrote.

Adding to the accolades, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, lauded the innovation as a symbol of national pride and technological potential.

He commended Oyinlola’s journey, noting his early support for the young inventor’s IoT startup. “Long before this global recognition, I had the privilege of backing Oluwatobi. His journey, now continuing at MIT, is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary potential of our people,” Tijani said.

The prototype not only marks a leap in miniaturised technology but also highlights Nigeria’s growing footprint in global innovation. Bosun added that as Nigeria intensifies efforts to nurture homegrown tech talent, Oyinlola’s success is a beacon for the next generation of innovators.

“The world is only beginning to see what you’re capable of,” said the Minister.

 

 


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Africa Looks to Solar Amid Electricity Challenges

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Africa is becoming a global hub for solar energy development. The commercial and industrial sectors are driving this trend, with photovoltaic systems being installed on-site at businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities to meet energy demands.

This is according to CBi-electric: low voltage, which manufactures and supplies low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment.

2.5 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of solar capacity was built across Africa in 2024, with 194.34 GWp expected in 2025, according to the company.

Dr. Andrew Dickson, engineering executive of CBi-electric: low voltage, outlines how several reasons are hastening the continent’s transition to solar. “Energy poverty remains a major issue across Africa, with reliable grid electricity reaching only 14% of Zimbabweans, for example.”

He goes on to say that inconsistent power supply is another significant contributor, stating that “Persistent nationwide blackouts are affecting countries like Botswana, disrupting day-to-day operations. And in hydro-electric dependent countries such as Zambia, climate change is reducing water levels, leading to lower electricity generation and higher prices.”

Dickson believes that strategic system design and management are critical to realising the full potential of solar energy on the continent.

He said: “As Africa’s solar energy market continues to expand in 2025, organisations have an opportunity to capitalise on its long-term benefits. With the right technologies and safeguards in place, solar is not only a clean energy solution it’s a strategic asset that pays off.

“By combining surge protection, DC breakers, and monitoring tools, businesses can reduce unexpected costs, minimise downtime, and extend the life of their investment.”


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