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General News

Satellite Technology is Ready When Needed for Border, Port & Maritime Security

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By Andrew Aroh

We are still trying to figure out a lot of things in terms of threats, vulnerabilities and the integration of resources. We need to ensure that the satellite realm is recognized as critical infrastructure.

Satellite is a technology, which plays a critical role already, but most often omitted from formal discussions, and this is a huge problem.

Satellite communications is rarely mentioned as a specific solution or recommendation that spells out the need for improved communications and interoperability. There are instances, however, where attention is focused on a possible satellite solution such as border, port and maritime security. Recall the long-range vessel tracking system. In this case, we develop and implement a long-range automatic vessel tracking system for all vessels in Nigeria waters that are equipped with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System or equivalent satellite technology. The system shall be designed to provide the safety agencies or the authority the capability of receiving information on vessel positions at interval positions appropriate to deter transportation security incidents.

The above underscores the pivotal role of satellite technology at sea, and offers a possible way to solve the vessel tracking puzzle, which is an important dimension of port and maritime security under a much broader concept known as maritime Domain Awareness [MDA] as well as the system known as the Universal Shipborne Automated Identification System [AIS].

SECURING CARGO AND PORTS:

  • The goal here is to increase security throughout the entire international logistics chain by implementing security verification techniques. Building security into the global supply chain is a huge challenge.
  • By expanding the role of satellite based systems such as GPS, AIS and the vessel Monitoring system, we can reinforce and extend our existing security verification techniques. Satellite technology is essential to making key elements of overall MDA system work.
  • AIS a top priority which has been kicked into high gear by MDA. As a GPS-based system, AIS does include a possible long range interface with a satellite feed, for example.

The International Maritime Organization [IMO] is speeding up required carriage of AIS as well.

We have to have sufficient transparency and be able to verify low risk cargo as we go about building more confidence into our maritime and port security apparatus in general.

The process of tracking cargo as it moves along throughout complex intermodal transportation system mandates that we move our borders out, and provide security that moves with the box or container in question.

  • Although satellite enjoys general recognition in terms of the key role it can play here, satellite is not going to happen without real advocacy. A good paper trial has to be wrapped around a regulatory model to drive more innovations in the maritime domain. This will enable the exploration of new technology such as electronic seals, vessel tracking and electronic notification of vessel arrivals.
  • There is a growing interest in the use of satellites and GPS and global location systems to track the movement of cargo in real time. We are aware several companies have piloted advanced devices such as transponders and electronic seals, which when used with satellite technology, can pinpoint the location of a truck chassis, container, truck, ship or railcar in real time.

While the results of these demonstrations have been promising, we have also seen that this technology is feasible in a complex, commercial supply chain, on a practical as well as on an economic level.

Testing of satellite technology also upholds the devices for their ability to withstand the rigors of the commercial sea container/port environment, the effectiveness of the communication infrastructure, and their scalability, with the goal of developing requirements and protocols that can be commercialized within a competitive marketplace.

  • While satellite technology is able to assist maritime security, primarily in terms of tracking ships or cargo consignments, resources could be a problem.

Again, it would be inordinately expensive to track everything, and would create a blockage nightmare as well.

However, if some sort of compromise over the level of blockage can be achieved, there is much promise in satellite technology.

  • Remember, success will be very much reduced if some sort of tracking is not introduced for at least suspect vessels. So satellites would help very much, but again, depending upon the resources available. The Coast Guard [as the only resource] will certainly be stretched to do this vessel tracking job in a thorough manner.

BORDER PATROL LINKED VIA SATELLITE:

As for the nation’s borders, and the role of satellite technology in such programs as Smart Border Initiative, the National Transportation Security Plan and the National Land Border Security Plan, the door remains wide open. This is because for the large states, Cellular Digital Packet Data [CDPD] or Radio Frequency [RF] is not viable options.

  • Therefore, we need the applications of satellite for data transfer. We can implement a limited number of satellite voice units to supplement regular radios in fringe coverage areas.

Absolutely, the recommendation is that the federal Government should spend more money to equip state law enforcement agencies in rural Border States with more satellite equipment [linked to NigComSat-1R] both for routine use as well as for enhanced border security purposes. Note that the border is one of the areas where we have the weakest coverage utilizing our existing radio technology. Hence any activity we participate with in those areas should see the benefit of satellite technology regardless of whether it is border security, search & Rescue or our other law enforcement missions.

  • In every state, we can start with two vans assigned to perform commercial vehicle enforcement tasks equipped with two-way satellite terminals that can be used for dispatch as well as to instantaneously access driver and vehicle data anywhere in the state, including its remote border region. With the satellite technology, one can quickly check all the paperwork, validate the driver and verify that any Department of Transportation permits are valid, if required. One goal here is to simply increase monitoring presence in this remote and scarcely populated region both for safety and security purposes. The cost and ease of use of satellite gear are important considerations as well. There is no question that commercial vehicle enforcement activities represent a critical part of the overall plan to enhance border protection.

SATELLITE IMAGERY CONTROL:

  • Besides making sure that satellite technology is used in the most effective way to protect borders, coasts, and port, government and military officials must also ensure that any group seeking to do harm does not gain access to high-resolution satellite imagery.
  • We need policies for prohibiting the release of imagery beyond a certain resolution such as the guidelines provided by the appropriate security department, notification when an image crosses an international boundary, or when such a request is made by a person or group.

There is thus, a great need for effective and efficient schemes for facilitating such controlled dissemination of satellite imagery and the information products generated from it.

  • Experts in the area of information systems security have access control model for high-resolution satellite image databases.

Commercial Satellite Organizations should proactively address sensitive satellite-related issues such as the fact that image collection or distribution must be constrained where there is an immediate and substantial threat to national security or foreign policy commitment.

FUTURE SOLUTIONS VIA SATELLITE:

Reliable and affordable satellite solutions are reliable and most can be quickly obtained as off the shell, commercial satellite products.

Enhancing border, port and maritime security may require the creation of novel hybrid solutions which can be useful to multiple agencies. Using the broad footprint of satellites, along with the proven reliability of satellite-based solutions can be brought to bear quickly on a variety of security-related objectives.

Andrew Aroh is President SSPI Nigeria


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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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