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General News

.ng Domain Offers Identity, Security on Cyber space–Uduma

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Mary Uduma, president, NIRA
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Mary Uduma is the president, executive board, Nigeria internet Registration Association (NiRA). She assumed the role in September 2010, after serving as vice-president since 2009.
Uduma has also served as member of NiRA’s Interim Board of Trustee and was a director of Consumer Affairs Bureau with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) where worked for over 16 years.
The NiRA President is a Chartered Accountant and had worked at Deloitte and Touché, before joining NiRA.
Her portfolio also includes work at a public accounting firm and a bank. She is a member of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). She spoke to peter ugwu on a wide range of issues.

NiRA’s Achievements
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) started in 2009 and we had only 2,000 domain names then.
Over the years, we have been progressing. We have raised, not just funds, but the uptake of domain names have increased from 2,000 to about 60,000. That is a lot of achievement owing to the rate of adoption, understanding of the importance and governments’ support or interest in the scheme.
We just had our annual general meeting where we reported that our domain names grew more than 50%; from 10,000 to 16,000 within the year under review.
Although, we have not reached the peak, at the same time, it is an achievement. That is why we coming up with some interventions that will encourage Nigerians-students, small scale businesses, artisans, etc., to register on n.g. 

Nigerians and .ng Adoption
The reason it appears Nigerians are skeptical about .ng domain name adoption, migration or switchover is based on the obvious belief that made in Nigeria products are not genuine.
But, over the years, we have proven to them that have signed on to the domain name that it is secured as any foreign domain name they might want to align themselves to.

Nigerians and Foreign Domain Names
On our part, we have gone to the extent of easing the registration periods; such that within 24 hours you can get done with your registration.
It is just like .com, but people are still looking as: What is that? Am I sure it works? Is it not 419 (fraudulent)? However, we are making breakthroughs, especially with the Federal and State Governments (through the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)) on our side by saying they must be on .gov.ng, every other business person would like to follow-suit.
We have at various occasions highlighted the important of .ng; a Nigeria’s Code Top Level domain name, an Internet top-level domain generally used or reserved for Nigeria only.
General, the awareness level is still low; that is why we are eager to educate, inform and mobilize the people. It was as a result of our advocacy that even the Government thought of embracing .gov.ng. We are committed to work with the registrars; they are our partners and channels to achieve this.

Incentives to Drive Public Interests
The intervention we are bringing to the fore is such that those who have domain names, but have not been able to develop a website, we want to encourage them on that.
They registered with the Registrars, but presently offline, so we want to make sure they are online. With a token (amount of money) they will join the league of website owners and users.

Registrars Complaints
Although, the registrars have sought for reduction in the amount they remit to NiRA, but we are relent enough. We are not taking much from them; we have even gone ahead to remove any CAP on it.
We told them, from whatever u sell just give us a little amount. It is no longer percentage based.  We just need little amount of money to run the secretariat; pay our bills, etc. 

MDAs Yet to Subscribe to Nigeria’s Domain Name
Yes, there are cases of ministries, departments and agencies of the government who are yet to give-in to .ng domain name, but that is going to change.
With a steering committee on switch to .gov.ng, there are programmes lined out to ensure, for instance, every civil servant adopts at the work place.
The truth of the matter is that domain name switch over is work in progress and we are making progress.

August Deadline for .ng Internet Domain Switch Over
Yes, in a bid to protect state apparatuses from deliberate and unintended abuse, NiRA came up with the deadline for State Governments, Ministries and parastatals as well as local governments in the country have till August this year to host their websites on the country’s name .ng top level domain.
Apart from offering a cover to the assignees, the country will, through the process, set up and operate a unified ICT infrastructure platform that permeates through all tiers of government and its agencies.
It is not news that the creation of the .ng domain-based websites and email addresses followed discovery that some civil servants have inadvertently transmitted sensitive government data and information through their own free email addresses which pose national security challenges.
To meet the deadline, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is collaborating with NIRA to ensure a smooth migration for the states and local governments.
The decision was reached by the council involved to rally all stakeholders for wholistic implementation.

ICT Professionals Missing at National Conference
I wouldn’t know why ICT professional bodies were not invited. However, I know that there are ICT professionals who are part of the conference, representing other groups. I can point out one or two people who are ICT professionals who are there.
Because it is a constitutional matter NBA will be given the prominence. There are many Institutes in the country; I wouldn’t know if there were given prominence.

Institutions and Domain Name Registration
There is a zone dedicated to educational institutions, the .edu.ng. It’s not only the educational institutions that are given priority.
The military, businesses, in fact, every sector has its designation.

Why Businesses, Individuals Should Switch To .ng Domain
First, as an organization in Nigeria, n.g is your identity on the cyberspace. It is your ICT currency. If you must trade on the cyberspace in Nigeria, trade with the currency.

Security, Skeptics And The Domain Name
There is no string of internet domain that is more secured than .ng. We have said this time without number. In fact, .ng registrars with the approval of NIRA are planning promos aimed at creating awareness on .ng.
Just few days ago, the American government warned the citizens and businesses to stop using Explorer due to security implications.
For instance, if someone takes your name under .com, the process of getting it back is long, but with us the process is seamless and fast. We are also signing NiRA on Domain Name System Security Extension (DNSSEC) which is the highest level The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has provided. Our practices are in line with the international best standards and the infrastructures also.

Centenary Celebration and Free Domain Name Registrations
We now have the (centenary) registrars. They are the ones to give the domain names out, not directly by NiRA.
When they have done so and from their reports we can ascertain. We just finished the first phase consultations with them.
And we are going to run it for hundred days. And we are going to begin by the next quarter.  

 

 


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General News

How Investments in Reskilling and Trust Help Businesses Succeed in the Agentic AI Era

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Linda Saunders
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The ascent of agentic AI, systems that can perform tasks without human intervention, represents not just an incremental technological advancement but a fundamental reshaping of the business landscape. The possibilities for enhanced productivity and innovation are immense. Using AI agents, businesses around the world are unlocking a piece of the potential $6 trillion digital labor market opportunity.
Linda Saunders

Linda Saunders

Businesses that fail to adopt agentic AI, however, risk disruption by competitors or savvy upstarts. This demands a proactive and strategic response from leaders. In this new era of human-AI collaboration, leaders must center their efforts around two key pillars: large-scale employee reskilling and establishing a trustworthy AI ecosystem.

Reskilling for the agentic AI era

With just 15% of workers saying that they have the education and training necessary to use AI effectively, reskilling must be a priority for every business leader.

Employees must be given access to learning opportunities so they can adopt human-AI collaboration skills, including a foundational understanding of agentic AI and prompt engineering — a way to provide clear and effective instructions to AI systems.

Consider, for instance, the evolving role of developers. With AI agents capable of handling routine coding, developers can focus on bigger-picture tasks like system design and future planning.

According to Salesforce’s latest State of IT survey of software development leaders‌, more than nine in 10 developers are excited about AI’s impact on their careers, and an overwhelming 96% expect it to change the developer experience for the better. More than four in five believe AI agents will become as essential to app development as traditional software tools, the survey found.

In addition to technical abilities, cultivating human and business skills is vital for fostering a trusted environment where teams feel comfortable experimenting with AI. And, as every employee increasingly manages individual or even teams of agents, developing basic managerial skills across the workforce will become increasingly important.

Identifying the skills is just the first step. To succeed in the agentic AI era, businesses need to develop a comprehensive strategy that incorporates these skills into their workforce plan. This includes setting clear, measurable goals and actively tracking progress.

Managers need to provide active guidance and support to employees throughout this transformation, ensuring the workforce remains relevant and engaged.

Adopting trusted AI across the ecosystem

As the capabilities of agents grow, so too does the responsibility to manage ‌associated risks. It’s imperative to ensure these systems are fair and prevent stereotypes or alienation. The very qualities that make AI transformative can also lead to biases and erode trust if not managed.

To fully harness the potential of agentic AI, businesses must prioritize trust and safety at every stage of development and deployment. This means implementing strong security measures and adhering to ethical AI practices to safeguard data and ensure responsible use.

Guardrails for AI agents can be established using natural language topics and instructions specifying when an agent should escalate or transfer a task to a human. Concerns around data privacy and potential biases must be proactively addressed through strong data protection protocols and transparent communication.

Equally important are tools that foster transparency and empower users to make informed decisions regarding task delegation to AI. Employees need a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the AI agents they collaborate with, alongside having control over the tasks being automated.

A key feature of Agentforce is its capacity for autonomous operation within specifically defined guardrails. This means that while ‌AI agents can operate independently, making decisions and taking actions, they do so within boundaries established by human teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives and policies. The Einstein Trust Layer enables Agentforce to use any LLM safely by ensuring that no Salesforce data is viewed or retained by third-party model providers.

The power of reskilling and trust to drive innovation

The transition to an AI-powered future will bring challenges, particularly ensuring employees have access to the right infrastructure, high-quality data, and relevant skills.

However, by investing in reskilling and comprehensive training programs, organizations can empower teams to work effectively alongside AI agents, adapt to the evolving nature of work, and ultimately drive innovation in this age of digital labor.

Building a robust infrastructure that prioritizes trust and safety, and fosters transparency, will also be instrumental in mitigating disruptions and unlocking new opportunities for growth.

Ultimately, investing in both AI agents and human employees, and actively fostering their collaboration in a trusted way, will enable businesses to operate at scale and realize their full potential in the agentic AI era.


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MTN Nigeria’s AGM Highlights Strong Q1 2025 Performance and Future Growth

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc held its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos today, where shareholders reviewed the company’s full-year financial performance and endorsed its strategic priorities for the future.

The AGM came on the heels of a strong first quarter in 2025, during which MTN Nigeria invested a record ₦202.4 billion in capital expenditures and posted ₦133.7 billion in profit after tax, marking a major turnaround from a ₦392.7 billion loss in Q1 2024.

This 159% year-on-year surge in Q1 CAPEX—the company’s highest-ever quarterly investment—has gone into expanding network capacity, boosting data speeds, and enhancing service quality nationwide, in response to rising demand for digital services.

The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), addressed shareholders, saying: “On behalf of the MTN Nigeria family, I am proud to affirm that our business remains deeply rooted in strength and resilience.

“Our foundation remains solid, and our role within the broader economic landscape is unwavering, even amidst the challenges we encountered over the past year.

“As we reflect on this journey, I am inspired by the resilience of the Board, management, and staff of our Company, backed by the unwavering confidence of our shareholders, the valued support of our customers, and the immense potential of our nation, Nigeria.”

Dr. Karl Toriola, chief executive officer stated: “The year 2024 undoubtedly tested our resilience as we navigated a challenging operating environment marked by severe macroeconomic conditions.

“At MTN Nigeria, we viewed these challenges as catalysts for innovation and decisive action.

“We focused on what mattered most, strengthening the resilience of our network, prioritising customer experience, and accelerating the growth of our commercial operations through our customer value management initiatives.”

However, the company reported a ₦400.4 billion net loss for the year, largely due to ₦740.4 billion in foreign exchange losses from the devaluation of the naira, alongside elevated operating costs, and higher interest expenses. Due to negative retained earnings, the Board was unable to recommend a final dividend for FY 2024, consistent with regulatory requirements.

Looking ahead, MTN Nigeria remains optimistic, citing tariff increases, currency stabilisation, and easing inflation as key factors that will support the company’s return to positive equity in 2025.

Chief Financial Officer, MTN Nigeria, Modupe Kadri, commenting on this optimism said, “Our Q1 2025 results reflect strong operational execution and financial discipline, with service revenue up 40.5% and EBITDA growing by 65.9%.

“We delivered N133.7 billion in profit after tax, marking a significant turnaround from the prior year, while maintaining a healthy cash position and robust balance sheet metrics.”

During the AGM, all resolutions were passed by shareholders, including the adoption of the 2024 financial statements, the re-election of directors, and approval of remuneration policies.

The Q1 2025 report shows the company has returned to profitability and remains committed to strengthening network investments, accelerating digital inclusion, and delivering sustained value to its customers and shareholders.


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NITDA Inaugurates Start-up Consultative Forum

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Nigeria has taken a bold step toward deepening its innovation ecosystem with the official launch of the Start-up Consultative Forum, an initiative designed to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Start-up Act (NSA) and strengthen the country’s tech startup ecosystem.

While addressing the forum, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, who was represented by Barrister Emmanuel Edet, the Ag. Director, Regulation and Compliance described the platform as more than just a stakeholder meeting.

“It is a commitment to building a stronger tech ecosystem through collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance, marking a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act,” he said.

He noted that the Nigeria Startup Act is more than legislation—it is a framework for national development. “Startups are not fringe players. They are central to Nigeria’s economic future,” he asserted.

Inuwa further mentioned that over the past eight months, NITDA has driven key activities under the Act. These include stakeholder workshops across 10 states, roadshows at tech events like Lagos Tech Week, the Omniverse Summit, Moonlight Conference and the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, and awareness campaigns through digital and direct engagement.

The forum, according to Inuwa, will serve as a feedback engine, spotlighting regulatory gaps, guiding policy improvements, and shaping a startup-friendly environment.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA continues to support startups through initiatives like the Startup Portal, tech infrastructure deployment, and digital skill training across the country.

The DG emphasised that for startups to thrive, policies must be inclusive and responsive. “Inclusion is not charity. It is a strategy,” he said, calling for equal representation across gender, region, and sector.

While inaugurating the members if the Conservative Forum on behalf of the Director-General, the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Oladejo Olawunmi, ignited the forum with a call to action, envisioning it as a vital nexus for collaborative breakthroughs.

He inspired the members, saying, “We remain deeply committed to nurturing a space where innovation can flourish, and I call upon each of us to embrace the task ahead by shaping ideas into concrete policy and outcomes that leave a lasting impact.”

Earlier, Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in her opening address called the Forum, a “structured dialogue between those building the future and those enabling it.”

She outlined five key pillars for success: access to funding, capacity building, supportive policy, inclusive innovation, and global competitiveness.

She urged startups to speak boldly, private sector players to offer more than capital, development partners to scale what works, and government to harmonize efforts. “This Forum must be a problem-solving platform, not another talk shop,” she concluded.

With the Startup Consultative Forum now launched, NITDA aims to turn policy into action, ensuring startups are no longer on the sidelines, but at the center of Nigeria’s innovation journey.

The virtual event was attended by private sector players, development agencies, verified Ecosystem Support Organisations (ESOs), angel investors, venture capital firms, and labelled startups from across the country.


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