E-Business
Localisation of IT for Development: Imode, UNN Example
By Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata
The National Information Technology Policy (NITP) received a boost with two recent events; one at Imode Community, Kwara State and the other at University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State. NITP seeks to make Nigeria an IT capable country in Africa and a key player in the information society by using IT as the engine for sustainable development and global competiveness.
So, it was an emotional day on September 30, 2017 as Imode Community in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State commissioned as a 40 computer- capacity Digital Literacy Center (DiLiCe).
No doubt, this smart move will definitely bequeath the community a ‘digital smart community’ status in no distant time, delivering a decent living and respectable future to its people, irrespective of their social status.
Imode Development Association (IDA) deserve commendation for its vision to make the community dwellers, especially the youths, become IT complaint and ‘netizens’ in the information society by using IT as the engine for sustainable development and global competiveness. The most interesting part is that it was a wholly community initiated, sponsored and executed project. A project of such magnitude with less than N10million is rare these days, but that is the way to go is we are serious about digital literacy.
Speaking at the recent public presentation of the solar-powered excellent Digital Literacy Center (DiLiCe), equipped with modern ICT infrastructure to support the education and curiosity of every citizen within and around the community, the President, Imode Development Association (IDA), Pastor Joseph Babatunde, said the project, were to assist the students imbibe the IT culture as the world has gone digital. I dare to say that this must not be limited to the students alone. Digital Literacy has become a right, hence every ruralite deserves to know what goes on in the world of information (and communication) technology.
Babatunde actually gave little insight to what prompted this project. He said, “I recall with joy that the idea of the provision of a modern IT Centre for our school came to me a couple of years ago when one of my children did the post-JAMB exam in University of Ilorin (Unilorin). The students were all given computers to do the exams. While she breezed through the exams, most of the other children were just starring at the device until the time was over. I felt challenged there and then, to give every child that needed opportunity”.
So disappointing! How come the organisers of these examinations care-less about the computer competences of the students? This reflects the challenge faced by students in over 744 local governments in Nigeria. You will be making mistake to think every student in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt is exposed to digital knowledge. We must do the needful by equipping the local communities with digital tools and centers; that is if the national IT policy is something we are serious about.
I am particularly impressed with further explanation given by Reverend Sunday Folayan, IDA’s Vice President, who stated that “Imode ICT Vision- will be achieved by reliance on technology, carefully backed up with traditional methods that are functional. A significant number of indigenes will continue to live outside the community or the country, and their needs and requirements to stay connected to their roots will continue to inform the community’s development policies. ICT will be used to solve practical problems, such as educational deficiency as well as the security of lives and properties”.
If I understand Folayan’s statement, most aspects of the community’s engagement activities will be conducted electronically towards widening access and participation especially with its citizens in the diaspora, using appropriate technologies. In other words, members of the Community will come to accept a high standard of up-to-date facilities, ease-of-use and reliability, richness of information, integrated services and excellent support. What is more heartwarming than this!
The icing on the cake was the IDA’s contact with Paradigm Initiative (PI) to conduct training and capacity building. I urge every community based association in Nigeria to borrow a leaf from this laudable project, even as I encourage IDA to adequately capture the depreciating cost of the centre, so as to ensure that the spirit called lack of maintenance culture is defeated.
…UNN, Crestsage Commission Lion Laptop Assembly Complex
Good news! University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) scored another first on October 6, 2017 with the commissioning of Nigeria’s first indigenous (university) laptop assembly complex.
This is a significant project, as the Complex with a capacity to produce 100,000 laptops a year will deliver jobs for not less than 500 people.
Why am I excited here? This was not delivered by a foreign firm, rather an alumnus of famous tertiary institution- Engr Charles Emembolu, the CEO of Crestsage Limited, a Lagos-based indigenous Technology company under a management arrangement with BOC (Benefitting Our Community) Innovations Limited, initiated and delivered the project.
This is a boost to 2015 conceived ‘one laptop per student’ initiative set by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, in his bid to ensure 21st century compliant learning for the university students.
Though, this initiative was threatened by the recent high foreign exchange rates hence the vision of this production project, however, Engr Emembolu has demonstrated the ‘die-hard’ spirit of a Nigerian Entrepreneur.
Lion laptop project is critical project due to the ability to deliver local content in the billion-naira industry by value substitution of components with locally available materials and labour.
It will be recalled that Emembolu and some other University Alumni delivered the Roar Nigeria business incubator and technology hub at University of Nigeria in December 2016.
The Lion laptops meets the needs of the Nigerian student matching quality with affordable cost and capacity to produce bespoke specification for different school and government initiative across the country.
Speaking at the event Engr. Emembolu confirmed that the complex will employ about 500 people when producing at full capacity and affirmed the complex offers an on-campus manufacturing and learning environment for the university community, students and researchers.
The strategy is such that the ultra-modern complex will serve as an avenue to empower the youth with much needed applied technology skills to take a leadership role in Nigeria’s economic emancipation.
Yes. We keep saying that Nigeria’s youthful population is an asset that needs to be prepared for a prosperous future of Africa and the world. This a practical step to make this happen, even as this initiative is in line with the vision of the University’s founding fathers, “To restore the dignity of man”.
With these two projects commissioned almost at the same time, it is my hope that we don’t end there; rather it should challenge both government and private entities to innovate and make our nation proud.
Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
Coinbase forecast a hit of between $180m and $400m from a cyberattack that breached account data of a “small subset” of its customers, the crypto exchange said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
The company received an anonymous email on May 11, claiming to have information about certain customer accounts as well as internal documents.
While some data — including names, addresses and emails — was stolen, the hackers did not get access to login credentials or passwords, Coinbase said.
Still, it will reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attackers.
Hackers had paid multiple contractors and employees working in support roles outside the US to collect information.
The company has fired those involved, it said.
Separately, the New York Times reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating whether the company had misstated its user numbers.
Coinbase shares extended losses after the report and were last down 6.5%.
“This is a hold-over investigation from the prior administration about a metric we stopped reporting two-and-a-half years ago, which was fully disclosed to the public,” said Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer.
“While we strongly believe this investigation should not continue, we remain committed to working with the SEC to bring this matter to a close.”
The SEC declined to comment.
The latest developments come days before the company is set to join the benchmark S&P 500 index, casting a shadow over what was expected to be a landmark moment for the crypto industry.
Security remains a challenge for the crypto industry despite its growing mainstream acceptance.
In February, Bybit disclosed a hack in which about $1.5bn worth of digital tokens were stolen — widely described the biggest crypto heist ever.
“The cyberattack may push the industry to adopt stricter employee vetting and introduce some reputational risks,” said Bo Pei, an analyst at US Tiger Securities.
Funds stolen by hacking crypto platforms amounted to $2.2bn in 2024, according to a report from Chainalysis, a US-based blockchain analysis firm.
“As our nascent industry grows rapidly, it draws the eye of bad actors, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the scope of their attacks,” said Nick Jones, founder of crypto firm Zumo.
Coinbase has refused to pay a ransom of $20m demanded by the attackers and is working with law enforcement agencies. Instead it has established a $20m reward for information on the hackers.
The company is also opening a new support hub in the US and taking other measures to prevent such cyberattacks, it said.
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