Author: ITPulse

Financial institutions are at the forefront of adopting generative AI (GenAI) technology. A recent global survey revealed that 17% of banking leaders have fully integrated GenAI into their operations, while 60% are actively using it in various applications. This widespread adoption is driven by the potential of GenAI to revolutionize numerous aspects of the banking industry, from marketing and risk management to customer service and beyond. GenAI’s Impact on Banking Banks are leveraging GenAI to: Enhance Customer Experience: Personalized recommendations, intelligent chatbots, and streamlined customer service interactions are becoming commonplace. Optimize Risk Management: Advanced fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and…

By Martin Ekpeke For nearly 15 years, Samsung and Apple have battled for the title of top smartphone seller. Though, both companies boast high-quality devices and billions of users, Samsung historically held the lead. However, a recent trend shows the gap between their shipments narrowing significantly. Data from AltIndex.com reveals that in the first nine months of 2024, Samsung shipped 171.8 million smartphones, 20 million more than Apple. This marks the smallest shipment gap ever recorded between the two tech giants. Shrinking Gap, Shifting Strategies This shrinking gap reflects changes in both companies’ strategies. Samsung has shifted focus from budget…

Dr. Bashir Gwandu, a seasoned telecom expert, has called on African nations to collaborate and secure the 600MHz spectrum band for mobile services. Speaking at the 9th Sub-Sahara Spectrum Management Conference 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Gwandu emphasized the importance of a unified African front at the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27). The 600MHz band is crucial for 4G and 5G networks, and many countries worldwide are already allocating it for mobile use. However, several African nations face challenges in securing this spectrum due to internal disagreements and external pressures. Dr. Gwandu expressed disappointment at the lack of cooperation…

Tinubu has granted full oversight responsibilities to Ministers of State over agencies under them. Amongst them are the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Matawalle, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Minister of State for Agriculture. Henceforth, they will enjoy full oversight responsibilities over such agencies. The cable reported that President Bola Tinubu, at the FEC Meeting, approved giving ministers of state full powers to supervise the agencies under them. Until now, their permanent secretaries sent files on departments and agencies under their supervision to the senior ministers. With the new dispensation, ministers of state can now…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Cisco, has launched the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative at Nassarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK). This initiative aims to equip students with essential digital skills, aligning with the government’s goal of achieving 70% digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027. NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, highlighted the global demand for digital talent and the opportunity for Nigeria to fill this gap. He emphasized the importance of digital literacy as a necessity in today’s world, enabling individuals to participate fully in the digital economy. The DL4ALL initiative focuses on developing the following…

By Martin Ekpeke Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) vows to address concerns raised by 132 internet users regarding rapid data depletion and billing transparency. Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, emphasized the growing concern over data consumption and billing transparency during his keynote speech at Abuja’s 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP). He said with Nigeria boasting 132 million internet connections, a significant portion of the global 5 billion user base, the nation’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving. “Nigerians, on average, spend 4 hours and 20 minutes daily on social media, significantly exceeding the global average,” he disclosed. In…

Martin Ekpeke, Founder of ITPulse, a leading Nigerian online Information and Communications Technology (ICT) news platform, was awarded the prestigious Digital Reporting Excellence Award at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards. The award, presented by Tech Castle Foundation, recognizes Ekpeke’s exceptional coverage of cyber threats, digital privacy, and the evolving online security landscape. “We are thrilled to honor Martin Ekpeke with the Digital Reporting Excellence Award. His insightful reporting has been instrumental in raising awareness about critical digital issues and empowering individuals and organizations to stay informed and protected,” said Chike Onwuegbuchi from Tech Castle Foundation. “His Ekpeke expressed…

QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness direct selling company, has been recognized as the Direct Selling Company of the Year at the recent AfriTECH 4.0 Conference and Awards. This prestigious award highlights QNET’s significant contributions to financial inclusion and e-commerce in Africa. Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, Co-Convener of AfriTech & ATAEx Awards, presented the award to QNET, commending the company for its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth. He emphasized QNET’s innovative approach to direct selling, coupled with its focus on financial literacy and digital innovation. Biram Fall, Regional Manager for QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed gratitude for the…

The Newmark Group, a leading Pan-African strategic communications firm, has been honored with the prestigious PR Excellence Award at the AfriTECH 2024 Summit. The award recognizes the firm’s outstanding contributions to advancing technology and digital transformation across Africa. Held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, AfriTECH 2024 brought together industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping Africa’s digital landscape. Newmark’s recognition at this prominent event underscores its commitment to crafting impactful communication strategies that drive brand growth and engagement. Lovelyn Okafor, Country Head of Newmark Group Nigeria, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “We are honored to…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is inviting the public to provide feedback on draft documents related to Information Technology (IT) projects and regulations. This initiative reflects NITDA’s commitment to open and collaborative rulemaking. Documents Open for Public Review: Guidelines for Licensing IT Projects Clearance Compliance Assurance Firms 2024 Regulatory Guidelines for Electronic Invoicing in Nigeria Guidelines for Software Development Guidelines for Software Testing Amendment to the Guidelines for Clearance of IT Projects for Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) Key Points: The new guidelines aim to ensure efficient and standardized management of IT projects within Federal Public Institutions (FPIs). Electronic…