E-Business
Over 45% Enterprises in Nigeria to Deploy UCC Solutions in Next 3 Years

More than 45% of enterprises in Nigeria are planning to deploy unified communications and collaboration (UCC) solutions in the next three years, according to the latest research from global IT market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC).
Referencing its ‘Unified Communications Trends and Priorities in Nigeria 2013 Survey Results’ report, IDC on Tuesday said it expected the adoption of convergence technologies to increase over the coming years as enterprises transform their business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) models in order to exploit the opportunities offered by these solutions.
Based on its survey results, IDC expects the uptake of UCC solutions in Nigeria to blossom over time as the substantial cost savings, simplified management, reduced latency, improved customer experience, and increased workforce productivity brought about by UCC will undoubtedly prove attractive to organizations of all sizes.
In line with this development, the local organizational practice of buying individual services such as telephony, instant messaging, audio/videoconferencing, and email from different vendors is expected to decline over the course of 2014.
“Email applications stand out as the most used element of UCC among Nigerian enterprises,” said Oluwole Babatope, a research analyst for telecommunications and media at IDC West Africa. “However, the more advanced elements of UCC, such as conferencing applications, enterprise social software, and videoconferencing/telepresence equipment, have yet to gain traction in local enterprises due to the inadequate telecommunications infrastructure currently seen in Nigeria. Consequently, we expect the uptake of advanced UCC applications to occur over the longer term as the infrastructure required to support advanced services steadily improves in the country.”
“The future technological priorities of Nigerian enterprises are clear,” continued Babatope. “They will increasingly focus on upgrading their existing infrastructures, expanding their network capacities, improving their data backup and recovery capabilities, strengthening their WAN/network security protocols, and enhancing the performance of applications on WAN topologies. Each of these priorities will contribute to increased adoption of UCC in the country.”
Overall, IDC expects the implementation of UCC solutions in Nigeria to remain on a positive growth trajectory as such applications are slowly but surely being incorporated into the business processes of Nigerian organizations.
Meanwhile, on the vendor side, IDC’s survey identified Cisco, Avaya, and Microsoft as the leading vendors of UCC solutions in Nigeria.
IDC’s ‘Unified Communications Trends and Priorities in Nigeria 2013 Survey Results’ provides a succinct overview of the latest UCC trends and priorities in Nigeria.
The study includes an overview of key industry developments in communications convergence, the major UCC players in Nigeria, and the key technology priorities for organizations.
It also provides an insightful analysis of the UCC environment in most enterprises in Nigeria and assesses their options for the future.
The insights are based on continuous research with technology leads in various SMBs and large organizations, as well as on interviews with industry experts and inputs from IDC analysts on the ground in Africa.
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.
- Telecom2 days ago
Fines: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria
- General News2 days ago
How Investments in Reskilling and Trust Help Businesses Succeed in the Agentic AI Era
- Telecom2 days ago
Premier League Fever Builds as MTN Nigeria Stages Dual-City Watch Parties This Weekend
- E-Business2 days ago
Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees
- E-Financial2 days ago
FMITI, NGX Group Partner to Achieve $6Bn Investment Target
- E-Business2 days ago
PwC says AI Adoption by African Businesses will Unlock Growth
- News2 days ago
NITDA, RHI, Commission IT Community Centre in Ibadan
- Broadcasting2 days ago
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors