Author: ITPulse

By Martin Ekpeke The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has revealed that Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem has rapidly expanded to a valuation of ₦16.2 billion. Speaking at a capacity-building for journalists and a press conference in Lagos, Dr. Olatunji further disclosed that the commission has generated over ₦5.2 billion in compliance revenue since its establishment, signaling a major shift in how Nigerian entities handle personal information. Dr. Olatunji attributed this growth to the commission’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (NDP-SRAP), which aligns with the President’s eight priorities and the Federal Ministry of Communications,…

As Nigeria faces rising youth unemployment and increasing scrutiny of informal business models, trust has become the defining currency of entrepreneurship. Against this backdrop, QNET, a global wellness and lifestyle company, says it is repositioning ethical direct selling as part of the solution – not as a quick-income promise, but as a regulated, transparent pathway into micro-entrepreneurship – as it outlines its Nigeria-focused strategy heading into 2026. With nearly three decades of experience in the wellness and lifestyle segment, QNET has operated in Nigeria through independent distributors and digital sales channels since 2021. In recent years, regulators have intensified oversight…

PayPal has officially ended its two-decade-long restriction on inbound payments to Nigeria by partnering with the local fintech giant Paga. This collaboration allows Nigerians to receive international funds directly, settle them in Naira, and fully access PayPal’s global network of over 400 million users. For years, Nigerian freelancers and businesses were largely limited to making outbound payments due to PayPal’s fraud concerns, but the maturity of Nigeria’s digital economy has finally paved the way for a complete re-entry. The strategic choice of Paga as a partner stems from its robust infrastructure that sits at the intersection of mobile wallets, merchant…

As data center demand accelerates across Africa, electricity infrastructure is emerging as the decisive enabler of digital growth, investment and energy-system transformation The global digital economy is driving an unprecedented surge in electricity demand from data centers and IT infrastructure. Worldwide, uninterruptible power supply demand for IT equipment alone is forecast to reach 249 GW by 2030, with total installed capacity, including cooling and ancillary loads, expected to climb to 374 GW. For Africa, where digitalization, cloud adoption and mobile services are accelerating, this trend presents both a challenge and an opportunity. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org)…

As the demand for localized data storage, cloud services, and low-latency AI processing surged, the year 2025 marked a pivotal era for Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, even as the country’s Tier III and Tier IV data centres facilities faced a high-stakes environment. While the trio of Digital Realty, Africa Data Centres (ADC), and Equinix, regarded as the “Big Three,” expanded their footprints, they did so against a backdrop of volatile energy costs and a tightening regulatory landscape. Here is an analysis of how the major players performed over the last 12 months, as compiled by ITPulse’s Martin Ekpeke. 1. Digital Realty:…

By Martin Ekpeke As MTN Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026, the telecom giant’s 2025 performance review offers a sobering look at the realities of operating Africa’s largest digital network. In a year defined by massive subscriber growth and significant infrastructure vulnerabilities, CEO Karl Toriola released the “MTN Nigeria 2025 Wrapped,” a candid assessment of the company’s successes and systemic struggles. The most staggering data point from the 2025 review is the sheer volume of physical network disruptions. MTN reported a total of 9,218 fibre cuts throughout the year. These disruptions were compounded by the theft and…

A new global study by KPMG reveals a massive shift in corporate strategy as organizations move from “AI roulette” to disciplined execution. The 2026 Global Tech Report, titled “Leading in the Intelligence Age,” indicates that while the ambition to scale artificial intelligence is nearly universal, a significant “maturity gap” persists between experimental pilots and enterprise-wide returns. While 68% of organizations aim to reach the pinnacle of AI maturity by the end of 2026, currently only 24% have achieved that status. The data suggests that high performers, those who have successfully integrated AI into core workflows, are reaping an average ROI…

Since the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) nearly three years ago, he has steered the regulator away from traditional “policing” toward a data-driven, consumer-centric model. Under his leadership, the NCC’s transformation projects have focused on a “Three-Pillar” strategy: the Consumer, the Industry, and the Government. In this analysis, ITPulse’s Martin Ekpeke explores the key projects and strategic shifts defining the Maida era and their impact on Nigeria’s digital economy. 1. Data as the New Regulator: The Quality of Experience (QoE) Pivot The most visible shift under Dr. Maida’s…

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has detailed the agency’s deliberate transition from a rigid, bureaucratic civil service structure into a high-velocity and smart public sector organisation. Speaking during a strategic visit from the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Inuwa revealed that the transformation was a necessity to overcome entrenched mindsets that often hinder innovation within the mainstream public service. Inuwa noted that when the agency’s transformation drive began, between 70% and 80% of its workforce consisted of mainstream civil servants, which brought a set of rigid…

The seventh edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition concluded with a spectacular grand finale, as three exceptional students emerged as winners, securing a combined N30 million in university scholarships. The trio of Saint Riman (Adedokun International Schools, Ogun State), David Okorie (Caleb International College, Lagos State), and David Solomonezemma (Deeper Life High School, Enugu State) outperformed over 18,000 participants nationwide to claim the top spots in Nigeria’s largest STEM competition. The rewards reflect the intense level of competition and the high stakes of STEM excellence in Nigeria: Saint Riman (1st Place): Crowned “Nigeria’s Best STEM Student,” he won the…