General News
Orodata Science Launches Vaccine Tracker to Enhance Economic Recovery & Improve Access to Data

Orodata Science sets another significant milestone with the launch of its vaccine tracker, “Orodata Covid19 Vaccine Tracker” driven towards achieving equitable economic recovery by improving access to data.
COVID-19 precipitated a global economic crisis, and even as wealthier nations are bouncing back, it is creating a great divergence between them and the rest of the world.
According to Oxfam International, it threatens “the biggest rise in inequality…”
The long-term negative economic and social impacts of the pandemic are predicted to cause even more long-term damage in the developing world such as lower earnings, fewer jobs, poorer health, and more deaths among those already hardest hit.
The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably highlighted the need for data and the value of models to inform response strategies.
It further illustrated that anticipatory action is no longer a conjectured idea but rather a framework upon which the protection of the most vulnerable populations can be built.
The pandemic reinforced a global demand for the use of data, most especially the tools of predictive analytics to anticipate and predict what would happen and to activate response mechanisms earlier.
“We built the vaccine tracker to support evidence-based research, towards the understanding of the economic, social, and political impacts of the pandemic; to enable the development of policy responses to deal with the aftermath, towards sustained equitable economic recovery. The platform extensively highlights government’s commitment to funding the health sector, vaccine procurement and administration, and the issues surrounding equitable distribution of health resources in Nigeria” – Executive Director of Orodata Science, Blaise Aboh.
The Orodata Vaccine Tracker serves as an epidemic forecasting tool through which stakeholders can garner deep insights into the depth of the outbreak, especially the vaccination administration efforts of government and allied actors.
It incorporates different vulnerability indices to provide cognizance of the size of the crisis and the pre-existing challenges, at not just the national but sub-national levels.
It is a tool that provides decision-makers with the capability to anticipate, predict, plan, and manage resources during a pandemic.
The vaccine tracker aggregates and features data in different formats which include Data by Map, Data by Sector and Data by State.
The Data by Map feature provides data on the Covid19 vaccine administered in all 36 states. The data presented on a map is differentiated by a spectrum of colours showing the areas where the vaccination rate is low, moderate and high. The Data by Sector feature provides data on different sectors such as health, demography, economy and governance among others.
It shows a graphical representation of a broad range of data with the use of data visualizations such as Bar chart, Column chart, Line chart, Area chart, Stacked Line chart and more.
The Data by State feature does not just provide data on the number of Covid19 cases reported across the country, it also shows data on crucial economic metrics relating to each state in Nigeria, think of it as a one-stop-shop for visualized data from credible agencies such as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The Orodata Covid19 Vaccine Tracker is supported by Africa Data Hub (ADH), a platform that seeks to support and promote quality access to information, data-driven journalism to facilitate evidence-based decision-making about the pandemic across the continent.
Achieving equitable economic recovery is key to long-term growth that’s sustainable, socially inclusive and resilient. With improved access to data, governments and institutions will be able to accurately plan, fund and evaluate development activities.
The vaccine tracker would provide individuals, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media with data and insights that can be leveraged to improve awareness on topics related to the Covid19 outbreak and vaccine administration.
It will undeniably enable citizens to demand more effective resource governance using information available on the platform.
General News
MTN Nigeria’s AGM Highlights Strong Q1 2025 Performance and Future Growth

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.
General News
NITDA Inaugurates Start-up Consultative Forum

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.
General News
NFIU Alerts Nigerians of Rising Ponzi Schemes, Unregulated Crowdfunding Scams

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) issued a detailed advisory on yesterday, warning Nigerians about the growing threat of Ponzi schemes and unregulated crowdfunding scams, particularly in digital assets, agriculture, and real estate.
These sophisticated scams, often disguised under appealing brand names, promise unrealistically high returns, exploiting vulnerable citizens facing economic hardship between 2022 and 2025.
Digital asset scams, like Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and Chinmark Group, leverage cryptocurrencies’ anonymity and limited regulation. CBEX, promising 100% returns in 30 days, collapsed with over ₦1.3 trillion in losses, using blockchain to obscure funds.
Chinmark, posing as a conglomerate, defrauded investors of over ₦10 billion via social media and religious endorsements. “We are committed to saving Nigerians from the troubles associated with Ponzi schemes,” the NFIU stated, pledging to pursue major actors.
Agricultural Ponzi schemes, such as Farmforte Ltd and Green Eagles Agribusiness, promise unsustainable farming returns, with one Lagos operator collapsing after processing ₦400 million with 16% monthly return pledges. Red flags include guaranteed high returns, unlicensed operations, and reliance on referrals.
The Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 imposes fines of ₦20 million and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for promoting Ponzi schemes, empowering the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate digital assets. The NFIU urged licensing for Virtual Asset Service Providers, advanced fraud detection, and stronger KYC/AML compliance by financial institutions.
It advised the public to verify platforms with the SEC, question return mechanisms, and report suspicious schemes promptly.
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