Author: ITPulse

Mr. Emmanuel Onajite, a research analyst whose research focus is centered on the impact of broadband penetration on low-income economies, has predicted it is possible for Nigeria to achieve a 70 percent broadband penetration target in five years. Onajite hinged his prediction based on the fact that a number of countries with lower gross domestic products (GDP) and per Capital Income have achieved greater broadband penetration, raising the hope of the same possibility in Nigeria. “There is an indication that Nigeria is finally waking up to the need for telecommunications as a major pillar for national development, the inauguration of…

The face-off between man and technology has lasted throughout history. From the first striking of stones to produce fire to the making of metal works, man has struggled to tame technology or machine, if you please. The invention of the computer only served to bring the battle closer home. There has always been the fear that one day the computer (machines) would among other things, take jobs, change the world and maybe even take over the world and rule man. This fear has persisted. A deep and often unspoken fear is that the end is near when machines begin to think.…

By Collins Nweze Capital is crucial in driving sustainable Small and Medium Enterprises’(SMEs’) growth and uplifting the economy. First Bank of Nigeria Limited, as part of the launch of its specialised SMEs’ propositions, has continually supported SMEs through diverse initiatives. The bank says its support for SMEs is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive on improved funding for SMEs to ensure economic growth and development. The economies of great nations thrive on the strength and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) seen as the engine of growth. For Nigeria, the Central Bank (CBN) defines SMEs as…

Several retail outlets in Lagos, especially Fuel filling stations and food vendors have in the last few days shunned the use of Point of Sales (PoS) machine for the payment of services rendered to customers with many of them citing network instability. But a check by ITPulse shows that the refusal to use PoS may not be unconnected with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s stopping the collecting N50 Point of Sale (PoS) Stamp Duty fee from customers. In fact, a popular food vendor off Allen Avenue in Ikeja-Lagos posted a notice on the outlet, saying ‘Only Cash Payment, PoS…

Last week Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), met with the Abuja Chapter of the National Information Technology Reporter Association at a press briefing. At the briefing, which was well attended by all agencies under the Ministry, the Minister among other policy comments, gave insights to the renaming of the Ministry to include Digital Economy and what Nigeria stands to gain from the name changed. Here, ITPulse highlights some of the key points and take-homes from the press briefing. President Buhari to sign an Executive Order on CNI Protection The 2020-2025…

In a bid to satisfy partners’ increasing demand, next-generation cloud-enabled cybersecurity solutions provider, Sophos has introduced enhancements to its MSP Connect program, which makes it easier for MSPs to deploy, manage and sell Sophos’ entire product portfolio. The new security offerings for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and cloud security, as well as new professional services automation (PSA) and remote monitoring and management (RMM) integrations, will help MSPs unlock revenue opportunities, increase productivity and lower operational costs. Sophos MSP Connect supports more than 8,000 global and regional MSPs worldwide. MSP billings increased 83 percent in the first half of Sophos’ fiscal…

Digital Economy Media Support Volunteers (DEMS Volunteers) has described as unpatriotic the hike in the prices of the Right of Way (RoW) for the deployment of telecom infrastructure by some Governors, saying such hike will derail digital economy progress currently being championed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami. Thisday Newspaper had earlier on Monday, 06 January 2020, reported that Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Ondo, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Kebbi and Gombe have hiked the cost of Right of Way (RoW) for telecoms infrastructure. The Newspaper gathered that instead of the Federal…

Galaxy Backbone Limited and the Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative (Eko-Konnect) have signed a joint venture agreement to collaborate on a backbone network for research and education as a critical step towards the development of robust national infrastructure that provides reliable high-speed connectivity, access to research outputs, teaching, and learning materials for tertiary education in Nigeria. Galaxy Backbone will provide datacentre services and a fibre-optic cable transport network through which Eko-Konnect will interconnect campuses and provide a number of  “above the net” scholarly communication services including a real-time collaboration platform, trust and identity framework, develop relevant cloud services and pilot…

Barely 72 hours after the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami said he had written all the state Governors in Nigeria to comply with the Federal Government N145 Right of Way charges, report emanating from a national Newspaper said 13 states, including Lagos, have hiked the cost of Right of Way (RoW) for telecoms infrastructure. The Minister had told journalists at a press conference attended by all agencies under the Ministry in Abuja on Friday that he has written to all the governors in Nigeria on the need to comply with the National Economic Council (NEC) resolution…

The promoter of the InnovationBed Africa Initiative and the United Nations World Summit Awards (WSA) Eminent National Expert for Nigeria and Grand Jury member Mr. Amos Emmanuel (mNCS, FIIM) has concluded plans to partner with the 36 state governors in Nigeria, including the federal capital territory to promote innovation capacity development local hubs among youths across the country as well as emphasize the use of numerous home-grown ICTsolutions already springing up from numerous heroic innovation hubs, institutions by struggling, restless nation-builders from predominantly candle-lit shanties determined to fix the gaps prevalent in various sectors of their society. The President of…