Author: ITPulse

UNDP and Anambra State Partner to Establish Cutting-Edge Makerspace In a significant stride towards positioning Anambra State as Africa’s Silicon Valley, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Anambra State Government to establish a state-of-the-art Makerspace. This initiative, launched during Anambra Innovation Week 2024, aligns with Governor Charles Soludo’s vision of a technology-driven future. Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators The Makerspace, located in Awka, is designed to democratize access to innovation and entrepreneurship. It will provide young people with the necessary tools, skills, and collaborative environment to bring their ideas to life. The space will prioritize…

…. Funding, talent, and regulation hinder Nigeria’s tech scene By Martin Ekpeke The Nigerian startup ecosystem, despite its recent surge, faces significant challenges that threaten its growth. A new report by TLP Advisory, a leading venture law firm, has identified three primary hurdles: funding, talent, and regulatory bottlenecks. Key Findings from the Report: Funding Woes: While 2021 witnessed record-breaking venture capital investments, 51% of surveyed startups still struggle to secure funding. Currency volatility and limited investor access exacerbate the issue. Angel investors have emerged as a crucial lifeline during these challenging times. Talent Crunch: Acquiring and retaining top talent remains…

Global cybercrime is on a rampage, ballooning to a staggering $9.2 trillion in 2024. Even more alarming, it’s projected to surge another 70% by the end of the decade, reaching a mind-boggling $15.6 trillion. This despite all the efforts companies and organizations worldwide throw at prevention. This shocking figure is even more worrying given that companies across the sectors worldwide hire only half of the cybersecurity staff they need to keep their organizations secure. According to data presented by AltIndex.com, the global cybersecurity workforce hit 5.4 million in 2024, yet companies lack another 4.7 million professionals to keep their businesses…

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called on the Nigerian Airforce to intensify its various platforms to end banditry and terrorism, describing the Nigerian Airforce as a key to the fight against all forms of criminalities in Nigeria.  “We must put our acts together on your active component to end this war,” he said during his operational visit to the Air Component Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA at Katsina state yesterday. While appreciating the heroic Air warriors who have continued to shine as beacons of hope, courage and resilience which he believes is an inspiration to Nigerian people,…

Sophos X-Ops has uncovered a new phishing technique known as “quishing,” where attackers embed malicious QR codes in PDF email attachments to steal sensitive information from mobile devices. How Does Quishing Work? Targeted Email: The attacker sends a seemingly legitimate email, often disguised as a message about payroll, benefits, or other important company matters. Malicious QR Code: The email contains a PDF attachment with a QR code embedded within it. Mobile Device Scan: The recipient, often unaware of the threat, scans the QR code with their mobile phone. Phishing Site Redirect: The QR code redirects the user to a malicious…

By Martin Ekpeke Cybersecurity and data protection emerged as key themes at the recent 12th Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum (NIICF). Industry leaders gathered to discuss the urgent need to strengthen digital infrastructure and safeguard sensitive information. Balancing Data Localization and Security Ike Nnamani, CEO of Digital Reality, highlighted the importance of striking a balance between data localization and cybersecurity. While local data hosting can offer benefits, it also introduces new security risks. Nnamani emphasized the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive data, even as governments push for data localization policies. Investing in Cybersecurity Talent and Infrastructure Lekan…

By Martin Ekpeke MTN Nigeria, the leading telecommunications company, has emerged as a significant driver of the nation’s economic growth, contributing a substantial 7% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola disclosed this recently while speaking at the prestigious TeXcellence 2024 conference, where he highlighted the telecom sector’s pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy. He emphasized that MTN’s evolution into a technology company (Techco) positions it to propel the nation to unprecedented economic heights. Toriola reflected on MTN’s journey from the early days of GSM licensing to the deployment of 5G technology. He acknowledged the…

A gathering of technology experts at the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 4.0) recently illuminated the transformative potential of blockchain, AI, and e-commerce in propelling Africa’s economic growth. Blockchain and AI: A Digital Revolution Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasized Africa’s unique position to harness the power of blockchain and AI. With a burgeoning youth population and widespread mobile penetration, the continent is ripe for digital transformation. “Blockchain and AI offer unparalleled opportunities to propel Africa into the future as a leader in the global digital economy,” Abdullahi stated. He outlined how blockchain…

In a significant stride towards empowering women in technology, TD Africa officially launched the TecHERdemy program on November 13, 2024. This initiative aims to equip 400 young Nigerian women with essential digital skills to excel in today’s technology-driven world. The launch event, held at the Yudala Height Building and co-sponsored by global tech giants Huawei, Microsoft, and Cisco, brought together a select group of participants who had successfully completed rigorous online assessments. Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing its alignment with the company’s mission of “Empowering You.” “TecHERdemy is more than just…

The Jigawa Youth Agenda has vehemently denied the unfounded allegations made by a mysterious group claiming to represent APC youth in Jigawa State against Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakari. After thorough investigations, it was revealed that this group is not officially registered with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa and seems to have been hastily formed to spread misinformation and disrupt party unity. The Youth Agenda is in solidarity with Minister Badaru Abubakar as they reaffirmed its unwavering support for Minister Badaru Abubakar, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to the APC and Nigeria. His leadership and commitment are indisputable,…