Author: ITPulse

In a significant stride towards bolstering Nigeria’s innovation and technology ecosystem, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially commenced the establishment of an $11.2 million innovation hub in Abuja. This transformative initiative is a result of a strategic partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aiming to accelerate Nigeria’s economic diversification through industrialization and digitization. The formalization of this collaboration saw the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project between NITDA, represented by its Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, and a consortium of Japanese consultants, including Oriental Consultants Global Co. Ltd., Intem Consulting…

By Ivy Samuel Coscharis Technologies and Tenda, a global provider of networking solutions, are strengthening their long-standing partnership to enhance Nigeria’s digital infrastructure significantly. This collaboration was highlighted at a recent partner engagement and product launch in Lagos, themed “Connected to Win – For a Better Networking.” Driving Nigeria’s Digital Future The event served as a platform to showcase Tenda’s latest array of high-performance networking solutions and reinforce the shared commitment of both companies to power Nigeria’s digital transformation. Joseph Agema, Sales Manager for Tenda Nigeria, emphasized that this event marks a new phase in their four-year partnership with Coscharis Technologies.…

By Martin Ekpeke The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has launched its groundbreaking National Payment Stack (NPS), a revolutionary payment solution set to redefine instant transactions and usher in a new era for Nigeria’s digital economy. The NPS, building on the 14-year legacy of NIBSS Instant Payments (NIP) – Africa’s first real-time account-based digital payment solution – was unveiled in Lagos, marking a significant milestone in the country’s financial landscape. According to Mr. Premier Oiwoh, the Managing Director of NIBSS, the NPS is not merely an upgrade but a foundational shift designed to prepare Nigeria for the future of digital…

Technology company Zoho has launched Zia Hubs, a solution within Zoho WorkDrive that brings new forms of unstructured business data into the company’s broad portfolio of applications and AI services. Using Zia Hubs, organisations can now present any type of business content to Zoho’s powerful capabilities and services—including agentic AI, comprehensive analysis, and accurate, unified search—regardless of file format or structure. “According to IDC, 80 percent of business data is unstructured,” said Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head, Zoho Nigeria. “Most unstructured data is text-based, meaning pertinent information lives within email conversations, social media posts, word processor documents, or audio and video…

In the busy Fagge Market in Kano, Zahra Bello, a middle-aged entrepreneur who runs a fabric store, speaks about her experience with mobile banking and how this has simplified business transactions and improved her small business. Behind the growth of these resilient women entrepreneurs lies a story of transformation powered by technology. “My name is Zahra Bello, I’m from Dambatta in Kano State, and I’m a fabric trader. I first heard about PalmPay from my elder brother in March 2024. He told me how he used the PalmPay Target Savings feature to buy new machinery for his farm and even…

By Martin Ekpeke Starting today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, mobile subscribers in Nigeria will begin paying ₦6.98 per 120 seconds for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services. This shift to an “End-User Billing” (EUB) model means charges will now be deducted directly from a user’s airtime balance, rather than from banks. The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced this change, noting it’s a significant step in Nigeria’s digital financial evolution. This new billing system is implemented in line with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s Determination of USSD Pricing and Services, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank…

By Martin Ekpeke Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been elected Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for 2025. This marks a significant achievement as it’s Nigeria’s first leadership role in the ITU Council in nearly 50 years. Dr. Tijani announced his election on LinkedIn, expressing gratitude to the ITU leadership and member states for their trust. He affirmed his commitment to collaborating with Council Chair Ms. Cristiana Flutur and other council members to advance their shared goal of inclusive digital development. This appointment comes at a crucial time when global cooperation…

The Lagos Future Conference 2025, a landmark event organized by DigiVation Network, brought together leading figures to discuss the pivotal role of youth, innovation, and technology in shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape. Under the theme ‘Future-Forward – Harnessing the Power of Youth, Innovation, and Technology for National Economic Growth, key discussions revolved around fostering a robust digital economy, enhancing digital citizenship, and ensuring inclusive growth across all sectors. The conference kicked off with a strong message from Dr. Bayero Agabi, President of DigiVation Network, who underscored the conference’s theme as perfectly encapsulating “the spirit of innovation, progress, and collective endeavours that…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept in fintech; it has become the foundational engine driving innovation, efficiency, and customer experience. The global market for AI in fintech is projected to hit $26.67 billion by 2026, growing at an annual rate of 23.17%. This level of growth underscores a significant shift: AI is now core to the success of financial technology platforms. Today, over 90% of global fintech companies utilise AI and machine learning. I believe AI isn’t simply a value-add; it’s essential infrastructure. As the adoption of digital assets increases, AI empowers us to deliver smarter decision-making,…

Konga Health, a strategic business under Konga.com has triggered an unprecedented shopping frenzy across Nigeria, with thousands of customers rushing to take advantage of the historic 50% discounts on premium L’Oréal products. Since its launch on May 21, the initiative has not only made international beauty brands more accessible but has also sparked nationwide conversations about affordable self-care and wellness. The ongoing health and beauty campaign by Konga Health and Konga Online is uniquely structured to allow every Konga shopper to automatically qualify for up to 50% off deals on coveted beauty products from L’Oréal’s Dermatological Beauty (LDB) brands: CeraVe…