E-Business
Market Experience, Knowledge Different Global IT Service Firms- Torchia

IDC Energy Insights announced on Monday, the availability of a new IDC MarketScape designed to evaluate IT (professional) services firms that provide consulting, project management and IT outsourcing offerings for utility smart grid investments on a worldwide basis.
The new report, “Worldwide IT Professional Services for Utility Smart Grid 2014 Vendor Assessment,” analyzes quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vendor offerings (delivered today and planned for the future) and actual performance as rated by IT service firm clients.
The report is based on a rigorous evaluation framework that assesses vendors relative to the evaluation criteria. Vendors evaluated in this report include: Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, CGI, IBM, Infosys and T-systems.
This IDC MarketScape provides an assessment of firms with a global capability to deliver services across major regions APAC, Europe and North America.
The assessment looked at firms that deliver business consulting, IT consulting, systems integration, and IT outsourcing.
There are many other vendors that offer a partial list of IT services that deliver on a local, regional and national level. The vendors in this assessment provide utilities an integrated IT service capability.
“Regional market experience and knowledge is an effective pollinator of ideas for other regions. It is this dynamic that places global IT services firms at an advantage. Since the major regions of APAC, Europe and North America are in their own right unique to each other, project diversity is identifiable and growing. Carrying the experience from one region to competency centers and clients in other regions will allow utilities to learn and innovate from the sharing of ideas that IT services firm gather,” said Marcus Torchia, research manager, Worldwide Smart Grid Strategies.
IDC Energy Insights suggests utilities should use this new report to aid internal utility processes around vendor identification and selection. Further, IDC Energy Insights recommends the following actions for utilities: Identify an initial uncut list of IT services firms.
Float an RFI to the firms initially identified and use an assessment approach on the responses to determine the short list for RFP invitation.
Identify the top two or three firms, work through key details before final selection including filling resource gaps i.e. employee turnover, and how they will be managed from a schedule standpoint; pricing additions and out of scope work i.e. time and materials, outcome based; etc.
IDC MarketScape criteria selection, weightings, and vendor scores represent well-researched IDC judgment about the market and specific vendors.
IDC analysts tailor the range of standard characteristics by which vendors are measured through structured discussions, surveys, and interviews with market leaders, participants and end users.
Market weightings are based on user interviews, buyer surveys and the input of a review board of IDC experts in each market. IDC analysts base individual vendor scores, and ultimately vendor positions within the IDC MarketScape, on detailed surveys and interviews with the vendors, publicly available information and end-user experiences in an effort to provide an accurate and consistent assessment of each vendor’s characteristics, behavior and capability.
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific suppliers in a given market.
The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market.
IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT, telecommunications, or industry-specific vendors can be meaningfully compared.
The framework also provides technology buyers with a transparent foundation to allow companies to independently compare the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
E-Business
Expert Urges FG to Leverage Digital Assets to Drive Diversification Goal

The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.
Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.
He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.
Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.
“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.
According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.
Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.
“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.
He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.
“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.
He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.
E-Business
MRA Flags AI Concerns ahead of Press Freedom Day Today

Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has unveiled a visual brief emphasizing the critical need for responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly within Nigeria’s evolving media environment.
This is coming ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.
The visual brief, developed under this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” explores the opportunities and dangers AI poses to media freedom in Nigeria and across the world.
In a statement released in Lagos by John Gbadamosi, its programme officer,MRA noted that AI is quickly changing the way news is produced and consumed, adding that it offers powerful tools that can assist journalists in analysing data, translating stories into local languages, and extend the reach of vital information, especially to underserved areas with limited media infrastructure.
Gbadamosi added that AI can help to ensure that essential news and information are also disseminated to local communities.
However, Gbadamosi warned that the same technology is being weaponised to undermine truth and press freedom, saying: “While AI can be used to advance journalism, it can just as easily be exploited to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and drown out independent voices with algorithmically generated propaganda.”
According to him, “In Nigeria, journalists face threats that go beyond just physical dangers; such threats now also encompass digital, algorithmic, and systemic harms and challenges, which requires media professionals to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, media freedom and that technology is used to promote the truth, not distort it.”
“The visual brief breaks down key concepts like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and information overload, which are increasingly shaping Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem. It also raises concerns about AI-enabled surveillance, political manipulation, and the marginalisation of community-based journalists.”
Gbadamosi stated that the visual brief also advocates support for independent media, transparent AI regulations aligned with Nigeria’s context, increased digital literacy, and stronger accountability from tech companies regarding platform content and influence.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to advocate for responsible AI usage and a free, independent, professional and vibrant media environment in Nigeria, stressing that “when media freedom thrives, democracy lives.”
E-Business
Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the fees for all its products and services, including charges related to data modification on the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, announced that the updated service fees are published on the commission’s official website.
Adegoke noted that the new pricing structure for NIMC’s services and products marks the first comprehensive review of its fees in over a decade.
The statement stated that the revised pricing is designed to align with prevailing operational costs and industry standards, while continuing to ensure that services remain accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
The statement warned its Front-End Partners (FEPs) to comply with the newly approved rates, stating that any failure to do so could attract strict sanctions, including possible license revocation.
“The new structure ensures that the quality and integrity of our services remain uncompromised. We are committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians through fair and transparent pricing,” the statement read.
NIMC urged the public to report any Front-End Partners (FEPs) found charging beyond the approved rates. Reports can be directed to the Commission’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit via email at ieu@nimc.gov.ng
It further reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and dependable identity services. A complete list of the revised service fees can be accessed on its official website at www.nimc.gov.ng.
In a related development, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the National Identity Database (NIDB).
She also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing a sustainable and effective identity management system.
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