A Nigerian mind at the table of Africa’s finest — Professor Rita Orji’s AAS induction inspires the next generation of innovators

When the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) unveiled its latest Fellows, the announcement carried more than prestige, it signaled a compelling affirmation of Africa’s intellectual firepower. Among those honoured is Professor Rita Orji, a globally recognized Nigerian scholar whose journey from humble beginnings to international research leadership speaks to the continent’s extraordinary pool of talent.

Today, Professor Orji stands as a world-renowned pioneer in persuasive technology and behaviour-change systems. Yet, her story began without access to a computer of her own, a reminder that brilliance often grows despite barriers, not because of privilege. Her induction into the AAS marks a defining moment, both for her career and for Africa’s evolving technological identity.

AAS honours leading scientists and researchers who have excelled in their disciplines. Selection is granted based on outstanding accomplishments,  including scholarly publications, groundbreaking innovations, leadership influence, and meaningful impact on society.

At Dalhousie University in Canada, where she leads the Persuasive Computing Lab, Professor Orji has built more than a research centre, she has cultivated a platform that champions African perspectives in science. Her work focuses on technology that improves mental and physical wellbeing, especially for underserved communities, aligning seamlessly with AAS’s vision of transforming lives across the continent.

Her appointment places her among an elite group of scholars shaping Africa’s future. She is one of only two women inducted in the engineering, technology and applied sciences category, a statistic she intends to help change. Beyond recognition, she sees this Fellowship as a vehicle to influence policy and elevate unheard voices.

“Technology must be designed with and for the communities it serves,” she has repeatedly emphasized. Now, she has a continent-wide stage to advance that conviction.

Professor Orji’s research transforms scholarly ambition into social impact, designing apps, AI-driven interventions, and behavioural systems that encourage healthier choices, empower vulnerable groups, and enhance digital inclusion. What makes her work different is not the technology alone, but its grounding in cultural context, a principle Africa urgently needs to further embrace as it builds its digital future.

Through the AAS network, her insights now have a direct line to policymakers in over 50 African countries. Instead of stopping at publications, her research can shape real decisions, influencing maternal health systems, youth development policies, sustainability initiatives, and AI governance frameworks.

Her message is clear: this Fellowship is a beginning. She is committed to mentoring emerging African scientists, especially women, accelerating representation in spaces where brilliance exists but opportunity is scarce.

Professor Orji’s appointment is not merely a personal triumph. It is a mirror to what the world often overlooks, Africa is not short of talent, only platforms. Her rise is a reminder that when opportunity meets ability, the results are world-class.

As Africa races toward a knowledge-driven future, voices like hers ensure the continent designs its destiny, not by imitation, but by innovation rooted in its own values, challenges, and vision.

In celebrating Professor Rita Orji, we celebrate a continent brimming with brilliance and the truth that Nigeria and Africa are not just participants in science; they are architects of the solutions the world has yet to imagine.

Nigeria’s Joy Oluwatoyin Adeboye Named 2025 Global Activist Network (GAN) Impact Fund Awardee

Sometimes, change does not begin loudly. It begins quietly in classrooms, in community halls, in farms, or in the hearts of women who choose not to surrender to silence. This is the spirit behind the 2025 Global Activist Network (GAN) Impact Fund, which has chosen two African women whose life’s work is rewriting the narrative for young women across their nations.

One of them moves cities literally, by teaching women to ride scooters and bicycles. The other rebuilds futures by teaching girls to find their voices, their rights and their financial strength. Together, their stories show what happens when empathy becomes leadership and conviction becomes strategy.

From Cairo, Egypt, Dr. Nouran Farouk uses mobility as a bridge to inclusion. Her organisation, Dosy, trains women to control their movement and their job prospects through micromobility. More than 8,000 women have learned to ride under her guidance, with thousands gaining employment as a result. 

The second recipient, pulsing with urgency, defiance and hope, comes from Nigeria.

Joy Oluwatoyin Adeboye does not simply advocate; she rebuilds. The founder of LEVAWG Initiative and CEO of Resilient Joy Agro Farms, Joy emerged from her own trauma determined to ensure no girl walks alone through violence, fear or voicelessness. Her mission is not abstract, it is deeply personal. She has taken her survival and alchemised it into systems that heal others.

Where some see victims, Joy sees leaders waiting for their turning point. She mentors girls, trains them in leadership, teaches reproductive health rights and uses storytelling as therapy and transformation. She is as comfortable guiding a young survivor through legal processes as she is helping a teenager learn how to raise poultry, manage income and discover independence. To her, dignity is not given; it is built.

Her journey has been shaped by knowledge as much as passion. A philosophy degree, business school exposure and gender advocacy certification equipped her with tools to design what she calls “the architecture of courage”, a model honouring both emotional well-being and economic empowerment. The reach of her work is staggering: more than 21,000 women and girls have benefited from her initiatives, some rescued, others strengthened, many inspired to speak and lead.

Awards have followed her impact, including the Princess Diana Award and a finalist position at the 2024 .ORG Impact Awards. Most recently, she carried Nigeria’s voice to the United Nations stage in Qatar at the Second World Summit for Social Development. Yet, in every recognition, she redirects attention back to the girls whose futures she is fiercely rewriting.

The GAN Impact Fund arrives as expansion fuel, a chance to deepen these transformations and multiply outcomes. It is not just another grant; it is an endorsement of the belief that the answers to community challenges often already live within the community. With GAN’s support, spaces where Nigerian girls grow braver and Egyptian women move freer will widen.

As their stories expand under GAN’s backing, they offer a truth worth repeating: when women lead from experience, the world shifts, not in theory, but in lives changed, doors opened and futures reclaimed.

Former UK PM Praises Imo’s Progress, Says He Felt ‘Perfectly Safe’ in Nigeria

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson concluded a notable visit to Nigeria on Thursday, offering strong reassurance to foreign investors and countering long-standing narratives about insecurity in the country. 

Speaking in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Johnson stated that he felt “perfectly safe” throughout his visit, a direct contrast to the warnings and negative security reports he had received before travelling.

Johnson attended the 2025 Imo State Economic Summit, where he addressed an audience of investors, policymakers, and business leaders. His presence at the summit was itself symbolic, given the hesitations many international visitors express about travelling to some parts of Nigeria. Johnson revealed that he had been cautioned extensively prior to his trip, but insisted that his first-hand experience contradicted those concerns. He asked the audience whether they felt safe at the event and, without hesitation, affirmed that he did.

Beyond security concerns, Boris Johnson shifted attention to Imo State’s development ambitions under Governor Hope Uzodimma. He praised the administration’s focus on infrastructure and economic modernization, particularly plans to provide 24-hour electricity across the state. Johnson described reliable power supply as foundational for economic growth and positioned it as part of a broader strategy to unlock new opportunities for industry and investment.

The former UK prime minister also emphasized the growing role of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, in transforming economies. He highlighted AI-driven solutions for clean, sustainable energy and argued that technology would shape the next phase of global economic competition. According to him, regions like Imo State, with clear development goals and a willingness to adopt advanced technologies, could benefit significantly from this shift.

Johnson referenced the longstanding economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting the exchange of professionals and the potential for deeper cooperation. His remarks suggested that Nigeria remains an important partner in trade, innovation, and human-capital exchange, particularly as it continues to refine its policies and investment frameworks.

For investors abroad, Johnson’s visit presented a nuanced message. While Nigeria’s security challenges remain real and unevenly distributed across regions, his positive experience underscored the importance of distinguishing between general national narratives and the conditions within specific states or sectors. His comments may encourage stakeholders to re-examine preconceived notions, identify regions with improving stability, and explore emerging opportunities in infrastructure, technology, and energy.

Johnson’s participation in the Imo State Economic Summit, combined with his public expression of confidence, may help shift international perception if paired with sustained improvements in governance, infrastructure, and safety. 

For Nigeria, such endorsements have the potential to attract renewed global interest but long-term progress will depend on consistent reforms that translate into measurable improvements for citizens and investors alike.

Nigeria Makes History as Champions of the Inaugural West Africa Para Games

Team Nigeria has etched its name in the annals of continental sports history by emerging as champions of the first edition of the West Africa Para Games, hosted in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The country dominated the multisport competition with an overwhelming medal haul, reaffirming its leadership in para-sports development within the sub-region.

The landmark event brought together para-athletes from several West African nations to compete across multiple disciplines including athletics, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and table tennis. Designed to promote inclusion, inspire talent, and strengthen regional sporting cooperation, the Games marked a major milestone for disability sports in Africa.

Nigeria emerged first on the medals table with 59 gold, 39 silver, and 31 bronze medals, reflecting the team’s exceptional depth, technical quality, and consistency across events. Benin Republic finished a distant second with four gold, four silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Ghana claimed third place with three gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals.

Officials attributed Nigeria’s success to years of investment in para-sports, improved training structures, and the resilience of athletes who have consistently showcased their abilities on both continental and global platforms. The victory also reinforces Nigeria’s long-standing dominance in Paralympic sports, where it has been a top performer internationally.

Beyond the medal glory, hosting the Games in Abeokuta highlighted Ogun State’s emerging reputation as a sports development hub. The smooth organisation of the event demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capacity to stage international para-sport competitions and foster unity through sport.

Stakeholders across the region hailed the West Africa Para Games as a turning point for para-athletes, expressing hope that subsequent editions will deepen collaboration, discover new talents, and elevate West Africa’s visibility in global disability sports.

As the inaugural champions, Team Nigeria’s historic performance not only celebrates athletic excellence but also highlights the nation’s enduring commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and sporting leadership across Africa.

Demfati: How Emmanuel Ekunke and His Team Are Simplifying Ticketing Through WhatsApp and Telegram

Demfati is emerging as one of Africa’s most relevant innovations in digital event infrastructure. Built by Nigerian technologist Emmanuel Ekunke and co-founders, Clement Donatus and Gracious (Besor) Ekunke, and headquartered in Calabar, the platform enables organisers to sell tickets, run events, manage RSVPs, collect payments, host voting and process digital forms, all directly through WhatsApp and Telegram. 

Demfati recognised early that while several ticketing tools exist in Africa, adoption remains low because people often distrust new platforms or avoid downloading unfamiliar apps. GSMA research supports this insight, showing that over 74% of Africans consider messaging apps their most trusted digital channel, while Meta reports that more than 50 million businesses already operate through WhatsApp.

Demfati solves this by embedding event infrastructure inside platforms that are already deeply woven into social and commercial life. Instead of forcing organisers to build websites or integrate multiple tools, Demfati provides an all-in-one SaaS ecosystem that manages everything from ticket creation and payments to verification, attendance tracking, voting integrity and digital receipts. 

In less than a year, the platform has processed millions in transactions, powered numerous events end to end, helped organisers scale and built strong user trust, with increasing reliance on Demfati to handle complex event operations seamlessly.

This approach reflects Africa’s event culture, where informal networks drive participation. The World Bank estimates that 85% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is informal, with churches, student unions, professional bodies, alumni groups, civic communities and creatives constantly organising gatherings, programmes and elections. Yet many lack access to reliable digital tools. Demfati lowers these barriers by offering a simple, familiar and cost-efficient system that works inside everyday chat environments.

Messaging platforms matter in this context. WhatsApp alone has more than 500 million users in Africa, making it arguably the continent’s largest digital marketplace. Telegram continues to grow for its privacy features and low data usage.

Industry analysts have reported the rise of WhatsApp-native businesses globally, signalling a shift toward chat-based commerce and automation. Demfati aligns with this movement but brings a distinctly African focus, digitising ticketing, participation, verification and payments in a way communities find intuitive.

Security, transparency and ease of use are core advantages. Automated QR codes, digital receipts, vote tracking and verified attendance help reduce fraud, gate-crashing and manual errors that often undermine events. Statista reports that youth digital payment adoption in Africa has passed 55%, meaning people are increasingly willing to transact within chat-based ecosystems, further validating Demfati’s model.

Ultimately, Demfati represents a new phase of African innovation where technology adapts to behavioural realities rather than demanding change. By situating event infrastructure inside the platforms people already live on, Emmanuel Ekunke and his team are not just building software, they are powering a modern event economy, making experiences more accessible, trustworthy and rewarding for organisers and participants across Africa.

Professor Rita Orji Wins Dalhousie University’s 2025 President’s Research Excellence Award for Research Impact

Dalhousie University has named Professor Rita Orji as the recipient of its 2025 President’s Research Excellence Award for Research Impact, one of the institution’s highest honours conferred on faculty whose work demonstrably improves society. The award recognises her pioneering research in persuasive computing, digital health innovation, and technologies for behaviour change, areas where she has become an international authority.

Professor Orji, a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive and Behaviour Change Computing, leads Dalhousie’s Persuasive Computing Lab. Her team develops digital tools and evidence-based technologies that promote healthier lifestyles, mental well-being, gender equity, disease prevention, and inclusive decision-making. With over 200 academic publications and multi-sector collaborations, her research has influenced how universities, public health bodies, and technology developers approach human-centred digital solutions.

This accolade adds to a fast-growing list of honours marking her leadership in Canada’s innovation ecosystem. In 2025, she was also named the recipient of the Thinking Forward Award at the Tech Forward Awards in Nova Scotia, recognising her role in shaping future-oriented technologies that bridge research and real-world application. In addition, she recently secured a national appointment to Canada’s Digital Research Council, the strategic advisory body that guides national digital research infrastructure planning and investment. 

Her success story mirrors a wider narrative: the global rise of Nigerian academics. Nigeria, with a median age of about 18 years, making it one of the youngest populations in the world, represents a dynamic and expanding talent pipeline. Its universities and communities have produced researchers, innovators, and professionals who increasingly shape knowledge economies across the world.

Nigerians who choose to advance their studies abroad continue to excel at the highest levels, leading laboratories, winning research chairs, publishing transformative work, and mentoring future thinkers. Professor Orji is emblematic of this trajectory, having built her academic foundation in Nigeria before emerging as one of Canada’s most influential research figures.

Dalhousie emphasised Professor Orji’s work not only for scholarly distinction but also for meaningful societal impact, a hallmark shared by many Nigerian academics in global institutions. Her research has helped underserved populations access digital health tools, informed technology design principles, and fostered inclusive innovation ecosystems.

Beyond scholarship, she is widely recognised for advancing equity, speaking on women in technology, and mentoring emerging researchers across continents. Her visibility and achievements continue to inspire young scientists, especially women and Africans seeking international research careers.

As the honours accumulate, Professor Orji’s positions amplify Canada’s research capacity while reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a source of world-class intellectual capital. Her achievements, from the Dalhousie President’s Award to the Tech Forward Thinking Forward Award and her appointment to the Digital Research Council illustrate how diaspora excellence strengthens national innovation systems and contributes to global progress.

Her journey remains a beacon for Nigeria’s youthful demographic, reminding them that with knowledge, discipline, and purpose, their talent can create global impact.

Africa Chooses Nigeria to Lead Petroleum Regulation

Nigeria has been officially selected as the headquarters of the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum (AFRIPERF), marking a major milestone in the country’s role within the continent’s energy governance structure. The decision came as Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of Nigeria’s Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Forum.

AFRIPERF brings together petroleum regulatory authorities across Africa to promote harmonised policies, regional cooperation, transparency, and sustainable energy governance. The Forum aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks, encourage investments, and support knowledge-sharing among member nations.

Nigeria’s selection as host reflects its influence in Africa’s oil and gas ecosystem, where it remains one of the largest producers and the most experienced regulatory jurisdictions. It also underscores the country’s recent reforms, particularly under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which have modernised upstream regulation and sought to drive efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness.

Sixteen African countries endorsed the move, signalling a shared commitment to deeper collaboration in areas such as licensing standards, energy transition policy, safety regulations, local content advancement, and regional best practices. The decision represents growing recognition of Nigeria’s regulatory expertise and the NUPRC’s role in establishing progressive frameworks for the future of hydrocarbons management on the continent.

As pioneer Chairman of AFRIPERF, Engr. Komolafe is expected to lead efforts toward institutional development of the Forum, capacity building among regulators, and the creation of structured dialogue on the continent’s evolving energy landscape. His appointment places Nigeria at the centre of continental policy-making discussions, including areas such as decarbonisation strategies, cross-border investment rules, and the optimisation of Africa’s petroleum resources for economic growth.

With AFRIPERF headquartered in Nigeria, observers believe the country stands to benefit from increased visibility, knowledge exchange, and positioning in Africa’s ongoing push to reform the oil and gas sector in line with global changes.

Jaybash Clinches 2025 Drift Championship Act 2 Title in Lomé, Togo

Nigeria’s motorsport community has recorded another milestone victory as Jamus Bashar Muhammad, popularly known in the drift circuit as Jaybash, emerged winner of the 2025 Drift Championship Act 2 hosted in Lomé, Togo.

The event, part of the growing West African drift series, drew competitors from across the region including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and the host nation Togo. Drivers were judged on precision, angle control, speed, fluidity, style, and execution, key technical criteria that define professional drift competition.

Jaybash, who has steadily built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest drift talents, delivered a commanding performance through multiple elimination stages. His runs combined aggressive entry angles, remarkable throttle balance, and crowd-pleasing transitions, setting him apart from the field in both qualifying and final battles.

This Togo victory follows his impressive win earlier in Kenya, which strengthened his reputation as one of the continent’s most consistent and technically gifted drivers. These back-to-back wins have further elevated his standing in African motorsport and demonstrated Nigeria’s growing presence in regional drift competition.

Before these continental achievements, Jaybash gained attention through grassroots racing circuits, stunt demonstrations, and participation in regional car culture events. Over the years, he has grown into a motorsport ambassador, spotlighting Nigeria’s emerging drift scene and inspiring a new generation of drivers. His recent victories reinforce Nigeria’s presence on the regional motorsport map, especially as West Africa’s drifting and automotive sport ecosystem continues to expand. Enthusiasts and analysts note that Jaybash’s success reflects the increasing professionalism and technical capability among Nigerian drivers, despite challenges such as limited track infrastructure and sponsorship gaps.

With two major continental titles now under his belt, attention shifts to future championship rounds and expanded league participation. Fans and insiders predict that Jaybash’s recent wins may open pathways to sponsorship deals, brand partnerships, and invitations to compete in larger African and Middle Eastern drift circuits. 

As momentum builds, his story signals a broader narrative: Nigeria’s motorsport landscape is evolving, driven by passion, rising technical skill, and pioneers like Jaybash who are turning local ambition into continental triumphs.

From Nigerian Roots to U.S. Healthcare Revolution: Dr. Toyin Ajayi is Redesigning Care for the Forgotten

Dr. Toyin Ajayi’s story is one of heritage, intellect and mission-driven leadership.

Born into a Nigerian family rooted in faith, discipline and community responsibility, she grew up watching her parents live out the belief that those with education carry an obligation to uplift those without access. That upbringing would later become a defining force in her work, shaping a passion to serve people whom society overlooks.

Her academic path reflects both ambition and purpose. After completing her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, she crossed the Atlantic to the University of Cambridge where she earned her master’s degree in Medical Sciences, immersing herself in research foundations that would later inform her approach to care innovation. She then attended King’s College London School of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree and achieved a Distinction in Clinical Practice, a marker of both excellence and the discipline often associated with Nigerians who excel in global academic spaces.

Her clinical journey continued in the United States at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, where she undertook her family medicine residency. Working in safety-net hospitals exposed her to the structural inequities of American healthcare, patients battling poverty, unstable housing and chronic disease, all within fragmented systems. Those experiences reinforced a truth she had absorbed in childhood: healthcare must not stop at treating illness, it must care for people.

Before venturing into 

entrepreneurship, Dr. Ajayi took leadership roles that deepened her perspective. She served as Chief Medical Officer at Commonwealth Care Alliance in Massachusetts, designing programs for medically complex patients, and later worked at Sidewalk Labs, an Alphabet company exploring how cities and technology could improve human wellbeing.

That momentum culminated in 2017, when she co-founded Cityblock Health with fellow innovators Iyah Romm and Bay Gross. Together, they set out to redesign how healthcare reaches vulnerable populations, bringing clinicians, behavioural health specialists and social care workers directly into neighbourhoods, homes, shelters and community spaces.

The company’s early belief garnered backing. In 2018, Cityblock secured its first major investmentn of $20 million through seed financing led by Sidewalk Labs, signalling confidence in its mission. More funding followed as outcomes improved and its model drew national attention. To date, Cityblock has raised over $500 million from investors including General Catalyst, Tiger Global, and Alphabet affiliates, at one point reaching a valuation above $5 billion, positioning it among the most successful health innovation companies in America.

Under Dr. Ajayi’s leadership, she became CEO in 2022, the company has expanded into several U.S. states, deployed care teams that meaningfully reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and established professional pathways for community health workers. Today, Cityblock employs more than 1,000 people, including clinicians, technologists, data scientists, community health partners and operational staff.

Recognition soon followed her achievements. Dr. Ajayi was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and profiled by Forbes, Bloomberg and the Financial Times as one of the most influential voices in health equity. Her public speaking blends policy insight with humanity, informed by years spent sitting with patients whose vulnerabilities shaped her calling. In 2024, she was elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine. 

Despite success, her journey has not been without obstacles. Cityblock operates in the most complex corner of healthcare, navigating regulatory hurdles, insurer relationships and communities historically mistrustful of institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic further tested the organisation as needs surged dramatically among the people it serves. Yet Dr. Ajayi’s resilience reflects familiar traits within the Nigerian diaspora, quiet determination and a conviction that systems can be reimagined in service of the marginalized.

As Cityblock looks forward, Dr. Ajayi sees opportunity to expand models of care across more regions, influence Medicaid policy reform, scale programs tackling maternal and behavioural health, and continue proving that healthcare must evolve beyond clinic walls. 

Her story remains in motion, but one truth is clear: she is not merely running a company, she is helping rewrite what healthcare can and should mean for people who are often forgotten. In doing so, Dr. Toyin Ajayi stands among a generation of Nigerians reshaping global sectors through education, innovation and service. 

Her future promises still wider impact as she pushes healthcare toward equity, dignity and measurable transformation, an aspiration deeply tied to where she comes from and what she believes systems must become.

When Food Becomes Innovation: Ebuka Njoku’s Mission to Transform African Nutrition

In Nigeria’s fast-changing food industry, a new kind of company is emerging, one that treats food not merely as sustenance but as science, intelligence and culture. At the centre of this movement is Ebuka Njoku, founder of Wetheral Integrated Foods Limited, a health-focused nutrition company headquartered in Owerri, Imo State. His work reflects an idea that food should do more than fill stomachs; it should improve lives.

Wetheral Integrated Foods does not behave like a traditional agro-business. The company calls itself a health-centred, tech-enabled nutrition enterprise, one with ambitions that stretch beyond manufacturing. It is built on the belief that everyday foods can be redesigned to support wellness, prevent lifestyle diseases and remain accessible to ordinary homes. For Njoku, change is not something to wait for, it is something to trigger.

That philosophy shapes how the company operates. Wetheral scans health trends across Africa and the diaspora, turning insight into action long before competitors react. It uses AI-driven consumer feedback loops to shape products, refine taste preferences and adjust campaigns in real time. Adaptation in Wetheral’s world is not manual, it is automated, evidence-based, customer obsessed and constantly learning.

This spirit of innovation finds its sharpest expression in Yulie Special Diabetic Rice, the company’s flagship product. With more than 11 million Nigerians living with diabetes, Njoku identified a painful gap: there were almost no enjoyable, culturally familiar, blood-sugar-friendly rice options for daily use. Yulie Rice was created to fill that void, not as a premium diet specialty, but as an everyday meal for households managing blood sugar carefully. The rice is suitable particularly for individuals whose blood sugar levels fall at or below 130mg/dL, making it a convenient option for controlled diets without sacrificing food pleasure.

Parboiled to reflect Nigerian taste and cooking styles, Yulie Rice carries a glycaemic index of 53. It is rich in dietary fibre, gluten-free and non-GMO. The principle behind it is uncomplicated - let people keep the foods they love, but make those foods love them back. As orders began to pour in, the company noticed something else: testimonials from people enjoying rice again with less fear. To date, Yulie Rice has reached thirty states, fulfilling more than two thousand orders and entering living rooms, kitchens and conversations about health.

Wetheral’s growth model is as unconventional as its thinking. Rather than relying solely on supermarket shelves, the company distributes through its own direct-to-customer e-commerce platform powered by Paystack and GIG Logistics. This gives the organisation more than revenue, it gives intelligence. Every purchase, repeat order and feedback comment feeds into its data engine, shaping future versions, packaging and messaging. Retail expansion is underway, but digital touchpoints remain its backbone.

Behind all of this is a philosophy that scale is no longer about size, it is about sense. Njoku insists that the companies that will thrive tomorrow are those adapting today. In Wetheral’s universe, adaptation is intentional - designed, measured and constantly refined.

Yulie Rice may be the first success story, but it is only a beginning. It stands as proof that culturally rooted, scientifically informed nutrition can work in Nigeria. The company’s mission reaches beyond rice, it aims to redefine Africa’s food landscape through nutritious, affordable, familiar staples engineered for wellbeing.

Ebuka Njoku reflects a growing movement across Africa, where food companies evolve into health companies, where AI becomes an ingredient, and where the future of nutrition is built not in distant labs but in everyday households. Through Wetheral Integrated Foods Limited, he hopes to build not just a brand, but a quiet revolution, one that makes eating well normal rather than privileged.

Nigeria, Boeing and Cranfield University Seal Landmark Partnership to Establish World-Class MRO Hub

Nigeria has taken a major step towards developing domestic aviation capability through a landmark partnership involving the Federal Government, global aircraft manufacturer Boeing, and Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. The collaboration aims to establish a world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, a project regarded as one of the most strategic aviation investments in the country’s history.

For decades, African airlines, including those operating from Nigeria, have relied on overseas facilities in Europe, the Middle East, or Asia for heavy maintenance checks, component overhaul, and aircraft repairs. This dependence results in substantial capital outflow and extended aircraft downtime. Industry experts estimate that African carriers spend as much as $1 billion annually on offshore maintenance, with Nigeria accounting for a significant share. The establishment of a local MRO centre addresses this challenge by reducing foreign expenditure, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing airline competitiveness.

The Federal Government’s involvement provides the regulatory backing, infrastructure support, and policy reforms required to nurture a sustainable aviation ecosystem. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Aviation and Aerospace Development Roadmap, which identifies local maintenance capacity as a priority for industry transformation.

Boeing’s participation brings expertise in aircraft engineering, maintenance planning, certification processes, and advisory support. As one of the world’s largest aviation manufacturers, the partnership allows Boeing to deepen its long-term footprint in West Africa while supporting aircraft operators in the region.

Cranfield University’s contribution focuses on human capital development, technical research, and academic exchange. Recognised globally for excellence in aerospace engineering and aviation studies, the university will support Nigeria in training a new generation of aircraft engineers, safety professionals, and maintenance specialists. This ensures the facility is not just an infrastructure build, but a knowledge and capability transfer programme.

The new MRO complex is expected to handle line and base maintenance for commercial aircraft, including major structural repairs, avionics work, component overhaul, and future research into advanced materials and digital maintenance systems. Beyond Nigeria’s airlines, the facility is positioned to attract traffic from across West and Central Africa, allowing the country to become a regional service hub.

In addition to enhancing safety and operational reliability, the project is projected to generate significant economic impact. It will create skilled jobs, encourage investments in technical supply chains, improve foreign exchange retention, and boost industry confidence. 

By shortening maintenance turnaround times and cutting costs, Nigerian airlines will strengthen their competitiveness and service reliability.

The training partnership with Cranfield University is considered pivotal. Nigeria intends to build local expertise comparable to international standards, with academic pathways, technical certifications, curriculum development, and research collaborations anchoring the transformation. This reflects the government’s ambition to move beyond being a buyer of aviation services to a producer of specialised skills and technology.

The partnership also aligns with global trends in which manufacturers invest in regional competence centres to support long-term fleet performance. For Boeing, the project strengthens after-sales support and expands its maintenance know-how network. For Nigeria, it represents a step toward industrial sovereignty and participation in future aerospace opportunities.

If successfully executed, the facility could reduce aircraft downtime by as much as half, expand Nigeria’s aviation economy, and enhance the country’s role in continental aviation logistics and technical services. The collaboration demonstrates a shift from outsourcing maintenance to building capacity at home, one of the most consequential aviation initiatives Nigeria has pursued in decades.

AUTOVOGUE: Nigeria’s First Luxury Mobility Revolution

Adebayo Oluwafemi’s journey into luxury mobility started with a simple observation: in a country where lifestyle expression is a language and prestige matters, booking an exotic car shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt, yet it did. He watched families planning weddings struggle to find Rolls Royces, businesses go through uncertain referrals to secure Maybachs for VIP arrivals, and high-profile individuals chase vehicle vendors through WhatsApp threads. Meanwhile, luxury automobiles sat idle in garages, admired, polished, but rarely monetised.

Adebayo saw a fragmented market gasping for structure, trust, and technology. With a background in business administration and mobility advisory, he began architecting a solution, one that would allow premium car owners and discerning clients to meet seamlessly through a digital ecosystem. That idea became AUTOVOGUE.

Although he began building long before public recognition, AUTOVOGUE formally commenced business operations in May 2025, positioning itself as a mobile-first luxury car hire platform designed to connect verified exotic car owners with customers seeking prestige vehicles for weddings, VIP movement, corporate logistics, appearances, photoshoots, or symbolic entrance moments. Even after that first operational milestone, the platform remains in its build and refinement phase, steadily working toward its official full launch.

The early work has been meticulous. Adebayo has been validating user behaviour, onboarding pioneering car owners, shaping service standards, establishing insurance and professionalism expectations, and fine-tuning the digital experience that will power AUTOVOGUE. His view is simple: Nigeria is mobile-led so luxury mobility must be accessible with ease, through a device people already live with.

The emerging platform reflects this belief with intuitive booking flows, secure payments, verified drivers, customer guarantees, and digital trust mechanisms that replace uncertainty with reliability. Yet beyond convenience, Adebayo is building something deeper: a new wealth logic for premium car owners. Luxury vehicles that once stood only as symbols can now become structured revenue assets, without sacrificing their prestige.

Like all breakthrough journeys, building AUTOVOGUE comes with its challenges — winning trust, navigating evolving regulation, securing premium-grade service delivery, and educating both sides of the market. Nevertheless, Adebayo approaches these realities as a builder, iterating, learning, and improving. His focus is not speed but precision and readiness for launch.

Even as AUTOVOGUE is still forming its public identity, the vision is already stretching forward. Adebayo imagines a future with corporate mobility plans, secure authentication for self-drive access, AI-driven booking intelligence, and concierge layers extending into yachts, armored transport, diplomatic logistics, and curated premium travel services.

If the foundations he is laying hold firm, AUTOVOGUE has the potential to become the backbone of luxury movement in Nigeria but today, it represents something equally powerful, a venture in motion, quietly aligning partnerships, refining systems, and preparing for its full debut.

Adebayo Oluwafemi’s story is a reminder that impactful innovation rarely appears fully formed. It begins in insight, grows in preparation, and emerges with disciplined execution and AUTOVOGUE is on track to redefine how Nigerians experience prestige transportation, not as friction, but as elegant access.

A Jet Built for Leaders Lands in a Nation Built for Greatness — Nigeria Welcomes the G700

The recent visit of U.S. Consul General Rick Swart and U.S. Commercial Counselor Julie LeBlanc to Gulfstream Aerospace’s flagship G700 aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos was far more than a symbolic diplomatic gesture. It was a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s growing weight in global commerce and its expanding relevance in high-value sectors such as business aviation. For an American aerospace company like Gulfstream, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of corporate jets with over 3,000 aircraft operating internationally, to showcase its most advanced aircraft in Lagos speaks directly to Nigeria’s strategic importance in regional and global markets.

Lagos continues to stand at the heart of West Africa’s economic architecture. Its scale, connectivity, and commercial energy make it a natural magnet for global brands seeking long-term opportunities. The presence of the G700 in the city underscores the fact that Nigeria is not just a consumer market but an emerging hub for business operations, aviation logistics, maintenance services, and high-net-worth travel across the continent. Manufacturers like Gulfstream understand that Lagos’s influence extends beyond Nigeria; the city serves as a launchpad for reaching West and Central Africa’s rapidly expanding corporate and investment community.

What strengthens Nigeria’s position even further is the growing availability of local technical capacity to support sophisticated aviation assets. Maintenance partnerships, technician training programs, and improved aviation services mean that advanced aircraft no longer need to depend exclusively on facilities outside the region. This shift keeps high-value economic activity within Nigeria, creating skilled jobs, attracting investment, and building critical capabilities that reinforce the country’s long-term industrial ambitions.

The involvement of senior U.S. officials in this visit also reflects a broader commitment to deepening commercial ties with Nigeria. Their presence signals confidence in the Nigerian market and highlights the country’s stability, potential, and influence as a commercial partner. For foreign investors, this level of diplomatic engagement reduces perceived risk and strengthens Nigeria’s profile as a destination for global business.

This moment is a reminder of what Nigeria already represents on the world stage: a nation with tremendous market power, a growing pool of skilled professionals, and the strategic advantage of serving as a regional gateway. The country’s aviation sector, long seen as an indicator of economic health, is evolving into a platform for innovation, training, service provision, and cross-border commerce. Every major international collaboration reinforces Nigeria’s ability to shape the future of business in West Africa.

The visit of the Gulfstream G700 in Lagos ultimately reflects a larger narrative: Nigeria is claiming its place as a rising economic force. Its influence is expanding, its partnerships are deepening, and its capacity to attract world-class technology and global industry leaders continues to grow. As the nation strengthens its infrastructure, nurtures technical talent, and maintains open channels of international cooperation, Nigeria is not only participating in global commerce, it is positioning itself as a central pillar in the future of African and international aviation.

New Umza Air Route Strengthens Ilorin–Abuja Travel Link

Umza Air continues to deepen its footprint in Nigeria’s aviation sector with the introduction of its Ilorin–Abuja route, reinforcing its identity as a quietly determined indigenous carrier. In a market where new airlines often struggle to balance visibility with sustainability, Umza Air represents a story of steady ambition, operational discipline and national relevance.

The airline is tied to the Umza Group, a Kano-based industrial enterprise that expanded from agribusiness and manufacturing into aviation with the aim of improving mobility, commerce and regional connectivity. The move into air transport reflects the group’s belief that economic growth depends on moving people, services and ideas efficiently across regions. Its structured operations began around 2022–2023, initially through charter engagements before transitioning into scheduled passenger service. This measured entry reflects Umza’s preference for system building, route maturity and operational grounding rather than aggressive publicity.

The evolution of Umza Air’s route network began in northern corridors where flight connectivity was needed. Over time, the airline has operated or been associated with services connecting Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Lagos on selective scheduling, and now Ilorin. The Ilorin–Abuja route represents a breakthrough, linking a rising educational, administrative and commercial hub directly to Nigeria’s capital. For travellers, government actors, students and business operators, it reduces reliance on extensive road travel or detours through Lagos, helping to save time and improve travel safety.

A defining characteristic of Umza Air is its focus on execution rather than visibility. Across travel commentary, the airline is often described as one that prioritises delivery before marketing, a posture that stands out in an industry where new players often lead with branding campaigns. Its operation of appropriately sized regional aircraft including jet types suited for short-to-medium haul domestic routes such as Embraer-class regional equipment, aligns with its efficiency-driven approach. By scaling capacity to match emerging demand, Umza demonstrates prudence in its growth model.

Beyond commercial motives, the airline adds value to national development goals by enhancing access across regions, strengthening business mobility, stimulating local tourism, and supporting the country’s push toward stronger indigenous aviation capacity. For Ilorin-based travellers, the new route links them more quickly to federal institutions, markets and international travel gateways. For Abuja, it creates another viable northern corridor with academic, administrative and investment ties.

As more passengers embrace the Ilorin–Abuja connection, industry analysts anticipate route consolidation, potential increase in frequency, and gradual fleet progression. What is clear is that Umza Air’s newest service marks more than geographic expansion, it signals confidence, a strengthening operational rhythm, and a proudly Nigerian commitment to linking people, opportunities and markets across regions.

Nigeria’s MYai Robotics Unveils Curation AI to Tackle Digital Misinformation

Nigeria’s technology landscape recorded a significant milestone with the launch of Curation AI, a real-time content authentication and opinion-intelligence engine developed by Lagos-based deep-tech company MYai Robotics. Marketed as the first of its kind, the platform addresses one of today’s most urgent challenges: verifying the authenticity of digital information while interpreting public sentiment as it happens. Notably, around 80% of the engineering behind the system is attributed to Nigerian talent, underscoring the country’s growing competence in advanced artificial intelligence development.

Curation AI is designed to verify whether digital content is manipulated, misleading or synthetic, while simultaneously extracting insights from public discussions, behavioural trends and narratives across social and online environments. Its architecture enables the analysis of live data streams from social media, news outlets and digital communities, providing organisations with timely intelligence on what is truthful, what people think, and how opinions evolve in real time. In an age dominated by misinformation, deepfakes and coordinated information warfare, such capability is becoming globally indispensable for journalists, institutions, regulators, businesses and security agencies.

What sets this launch apart is its talent story. MYai Robotics highlights that the system is driven predominantly by Nigerian engineers working across natural language processing, machine learning, threat intelligence, knowledge systems and human-AI interaction. This achievement challenges assumptions that African startups must outsource deep-tech work and signals the rise of a competent engineering ecosystem capable of building frontier technologies locally.

The potential applications are extensive. Curation AI could support media houses in fact-checking before publication, help government and security units detect harmful narratives early, enable brands to gauge sentiment and protect reputation, and assist election stakeholders in monitoring propaganda or disinformation. Its relevance also extends to financial markets, where sentiment influences investor behaviour and risk perception.

Although the platform enters a competitive and complex global field, its emergence represents more than just a product launch. It reflects Nigeria’s ambition to transition from being a consumer of technology to an innovator shaping the future of digital trust. The success of Curation AI will depend on enterprise adoption, regulatory navigation and the system’s ability to scale beyond local markets. Yet its arrival signals that Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem is evolving beyond fintech and mobile services into deep-tech and cognitive computing.

In sum, the unveiling of Curation AI positions Nigeria as an emerging contributor to global AI development. By building advanced verification and opinion-intelligence technology largely through local expertise, MYai Robotics demonstrates that African engineers are capable of tackling complex digital problems with global implications. As the world intensifies the search for solutions to misinformation and narrative manipulation, this Nigerian-built platform reinforces the continent’s growing relevance in the future of artificial intelligence.

Nigeria Moves to T+2 Settlement Cycle: A Milestone for Market Efficiency and Global Alignment

Nigeria’s capital market reached a key reform milestone on 28 November 2025 when it officially adopted a T+2 settlement cycle, replacing the longer T+3 structure that had governed transactions for over a decade. The change, led by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) in conjunction with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) and regulatory authorities, reflects a deliberate effort to accelerate trade completion, strengthen market resilience, and position the country more closely with international post-trade practices.

A T+2 framework ensures that trades are fully settled within two business days. This means cash and securities move between buyers and sellers more quickly, reducing the time capital sits idle in the system. For investors, the shorter cycle allows faster reinvestment and improves overall market liquidity. It also narrows the window during which settlement failure or market disruption could occur, thereby lowering systemic and counterparty risk.

The reform places Nigeria alongside leading global markets including those in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, where T+2 has become the accepted norm. This alignment matters for foreign portfolio investors who weigh settlement efficiency and operational reliability when allocating funds to emerging markets. By adopting a familiar settlement standard, Nigeria enhances its credibility and investment appeal.

Transitioning to T+2 followed months of preparation and collaboration. The Securities and Exchange Commission supervised the process, while market operators upgraded their settlement systems, tested new workflows, and revised compliance procedures. Brokers, custodians, registrars, and settlement banks adjusted internal processes to ensure readiness for faster transaction cycles.

In practical terms, brokers now face a tighter timeframe to confirm trade positions and mobilise required cash or securities. On the other hand, investors benefit from quicker access to their assets, reduced uncertainty, and a smoother post-trade experience. International investors may view this as a positive signal, especially at a time when Nigeria is seeking to deepen foreign portfolio inflows and rebuild confidence in its market infrastructure.

This shift complements a broader suite of reforms focused on modernising Nigeria’s capital market. Efforts such as dematerialisation of share certificates, digitisation of issuance processes, and clearing technology upgrades demonstrate a wider push toward efficiency and transparency. Market observers believe that the successful implementation of T+2 could eventually open the door to even shorter settlement windows, mirroring discussions in advanced markets exploring T+1.

More than a procedural adjustment, the adoption of T+2 reflects institutional maturity and strategic intent. As stakeholders adapt to the new settlement rhythm, expectations include lower exposure to settlement risk, faster capital rotation, higher trading activity, and greater investor confidence. With supportive macroeconomic policies and continued regulatory commitment, the reform could meaningfully strengthen Nigeria’s market competitiveness and its integration with global financial systems.

How Godfrey Lebo and Stella Thomas are building Raeven - the AI-powered marketplace giving Nigerian sellers a digital edge

Raeven Marketplace began as a quiet experiment between two Nigerians who had grown tired of watching brilliant local sellers struggle to find customers in a digital economy that rarely understood them. Godfrey Lebo, a software architect known for building lean, durable systems, had spent years helping startups fix scalability and reliability problems. Stella Thomas, a legal and operations strategist with deep knowledge of Nigeria’s regulatory terrain, had spent her career helping small businesses structure themselves properly while navigating real-world constraints.

Their paths crossed in 2023, during a consulting engagement where both were advising a small consumer-tech startup. In their long working sessions, the kind that stretch past dusk while commuting traffic hummed below, they kept circling the same idea: Nigerian commerce needed something more grounded than another generic online marketplace. They wanted a platform built not for a faceless global audience, but for the roadside retailer in Calabar, the supermarket in Makurdi, the gadget seller in Ibadan, and the fashion startup in Abuja. Something local in rhythm, but advanced in engineering.

Raeven Marketplace took shape from that shared frustration and ambition. In its earliest sketches, it was simply a “smart listing engine” that would help informal merchants create product pages without wrestling with long forms. Godfrey wrote a prototype that used lightweight machine intelligence to clean up product descriptions, categorize items properly, and suggest the right images. Sellers testing it found that something that once took fifteen minutes now took two. That small time-saving, for people managing stalls and customers simultaneously, felt like a door cracking open.

Stella then transformed the prototype into a viable business. She built Raeven’s early compliance structure, drafted its seller agreements, secured the right CAC registrations, and assembled the first operational playbook. She also set up the pilot vendor network, dozens of small merchants across Lagos Island, Surulere, Owerri, and Kaduna, whose feedback shaped the app’s earliest features. Many of these vendors had never used a marketplace dashboard before, so Stella’s approach blended digital onboarding with human-first support. She insisted that Raeven should never intimidate the very people it sought to empower.

By 2024, Raeven had moved from experiment to product. Godfrey engineered a flexible backend that could support buyers, sellers, and delivery partners in one coordinated flow. He built the mobile-first interface Nigerians actually use, optimized it for low bandwidth, and designed the system so that thousands of micro-transactions wouldn’t cause the platform to break into digital hiccups. The AI layer expanded too: smarter product discovery, local-context search, predictive delivery routing, and inventory suggestions based on neighborhood trends.

The team also began to grow. A small cluster of young Nigerian developers joined Godfrey on platform optimization. Operations associates supported Stella in creating seller success frameworks and training new merchants. Raeven’s early designer, a quiet animator from Port Harcourt, created the visual identity that now sits on every store page, giving the platform the warm but modern feel that vendors often comment on.

As the marketplace matured, so did its ambitions. Raeven pushed beyond being just a listing platform and became a full market ecosystem: buyers could compare prices across neighborhoods, delivery partners gained structured routes, sellers gained business insights, and informal shops were suddenly able to participate in digital commerce without needing a technical degree or an expensive marketing budget. Deals that once required multiple phone calls could now happen through Raeven with a single tap and a transparent delivery timeline.

The most remarkable milestone was the platform’s first 10,000 product listings, many uploaded by merchants who had previously never sold online. Another milestone came when regional vendors started joining not through onboarding drives, but through word of mouth. Market women in Port Harcourt recommended the platform to cousins in Uyo. A gadget store in Ikeja introduced it to a reseller in Kano. A logistics partner signed on after completing a single successful pilot route and realizing Raeven’s AI routing reduced his wasted kilometers.

By 2025, Raeven Marketplace had crystallized into something rare in the Nigerian tech landscape: a homegrown commerce engine engineered for Nigeria’s daily realities but infused with the precision of modern AI. Instead of bending Nigerians to fit global marketplace models, Raeven bent the technology to fit Nigerian life.

At its center remain the two co-builders - Godfrey, who still tinkers with system reliability as though each line of code were part of a delicate instrument, and Stella, whose calm operational discipline keeps the company aligned with Nigerian regulations and customer needs. Around them, a young, determined team has grown: engineers improving latency, onboarding specialists guiding first-time sellers, legal and compliance officers preventing regulatory surprises, and community leads gathering real-world feedback from markets across the country.

The story of Raeven is ultimately a story of practical innovation, not spectacle. Instead of claiming to “revolutionize everything,” it focuses on steady improvements: faster listings, clearer discovery, better logistics, and a growing network of merchants whose livelihoods benefit from the digital bridge Raeven provides. 

For Nigeria’s vibrant, entrepreneurial economy, that kind of grounded innovation matters. It strengthens the commercial heartbeat already present in every market stall, shopfront, and small business and extends it into the digital future with tools that feel familiar, accessible, and indigenous. 

Hakeem Condotti Unveils FaithStream - Africa’s First Free Streaming Platform Built for Believers

FaithStream is emerging as one of the most ambitious African-led platforms in faith-based entertainment, and at the centre of its development is media and technology entrepreneur Hakeem Condotti, a co-founder of the House of Faith organisation behind the project. His work on the platform reflects a broader vision: to give millions of Christians across Africa access to high-quality, culturally grounded, spiritually uplifting content without the barriers that currently limit many viewers.

FaithStream was conceived as a response to a striking gap across the continent. Africa is home to more than 700 million Christians, many of whom rely on mobile devices, contend with high data costs, and lack a dedicated faith-first streaming ecosystem built with their realities in mind. Condotti and his team positions FaithStream as a corrective to this imbalance, a service that merges African Christian storytelling with global faith content, and delivers it in a format that works for everyday users, from urban centres to rural communities.

The platform is designed as a free, donor-funded service, allowing audiences to watch films, series, documentaries, family content and ministry programmes without subscription fees. Its architecture is mobile-first and data-efficient, with offline viewing and low-bandwidth modes intended for regions where connectivity fluctuates. It also incorporates artificial intelligence tools to personalise recommendations and improve the viewing experience, a feature the team believes will help people discover content aligned with their values and interests.

FaithStream’s creative pipeline draws from original productions in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, alongside licensed works from Nollywood and established international Christian filmmakers. This blend positions it to serve both local tastes and diaspora audiences seeking African Christian storytelling. House of Faith has said the initiative could create thousands of jobs across the continent’s creative economy over the next decade, as production, distribution and technology teams scale.

For Condotti, FaithStream represents a long-term commitment to democratising access to faith-anchored entertainment. His career spans media, hospitality, logistics and technology, and he has described the platform as a way to unite innovation with spiritual purpose. The project has already attracted international attention following its unveiling in London, with pre-launch registrations beginning ahead of its projected January 2026 rollout.

As Africa’s digital landscape rapidly evolves, FaithStream signals a growing shift: technology built for Africans, by Africans, and shaped by values deeply woven into the continent’s identity. Condotti’s role in driving this vision ensures FaithStream is not just another streaming service, but a platform rooted in community, cultural relevance and the belief that millions of Christian viewers deserve a home designed with them at the centre.

Where Nigerian ingenuity meets Africa’s construction future: the Ejide Akinbiyi story

In Lagos, the early morning traffic always feels like a negotiation with time, yet inside a quiet office tucked away from the city’s rising hum, Dr. Ejide Akinbiyi begins her day with the calm of someone shaping order from disorder. Her desk is often lined with sketches of workflows, supply-chain maps, and notes gathered from site visits. She studies them with the steady curiosity that first pushed her to rethink how Africa procures the materials it builds with.

Her journey didn’t begin in conference halls or in front of investors. It started on dusty project sites where builders waited hours for materials that should have arrived long before. It started with shifting prices, handwritten receipts, and the quiet anxiety that comes when timelines depend on unpredictable supply chains. Dr. Akinbiyi saw something different in those moments, not chaos to endure, but a chance to spotlight the remarkable capacity of Nigerian professionals to create structure, reliability and innovation when the moment calls for it.

Nigeria’s construction industry has always carried a pulse of ambition: new districts rising, businesses expanding, and communities reshaping themselves with impressive speed. What Dr. Ejide recognized was that this momentum deserved a procurement system as efficient as the builders driving it. She responded with MaterialsPro, a platform shaped by on-the-ground insight, local wisdom, and a modern digital backbone.

MaterialsPro doesn’t announce itself loudly, yet its presence is felt across busy yards and growing developments. It verifies suppliers, reveals prices upfront, tracks deliveries and simplifies the steps that once drained the time and energy of contractors. Within months of launch, many builders noticed what felt like a quiet shift: procurement began to move with clarity. Schedules became steadier, vendors more accountable, and project teams regained control of their timelines.

This clarity resonated far beyond Nigeria. Dr. Akinbiyi’s work caught the attention of international innovation leaders, earning her a place in the prestigious NASDAQ Milestone Makers Program, a global initiative that recognizes entrepreneurs shaping industries with integrity, creativity and measurable impact. Her selection placed her alongside founders from around the world, reinforcing a truth Nigerians know well: innovation from home can stand confidently on any global stage.

Yet despite the international spotlight, Dr. Akinbiyi’s focus remains grounded. She speaks about Nigeria with the warmth of someone who believes deeply in the country’s talent, a place where challenges inspire invention and where technology becomes a bridge between vision and delivery. Through MaterialsPro, she is helping reshape expectations not just for procurement, but for what African-built solutions can achieve.

As evening settles over Lagos and cranes become silhouettes against the sky, the city continues its upward stretch. Somewhere in that landscape is the imprint of Dr. Ejide’s work, quieter than steel beams and cement mixers, but no less essential. She is part of the architecture behind the architecture, guiding an industry toward precision and transparency one verified supplier, one scheduled delivery, one digital decision at a time.

Dr. Ejide Akinbiyi is not only refining a process, she is helping define a new era of construction culture in Africa, one anchored in trust, enabled by technology, and proudly driven by Nigerian expertise.

Nigeria Secures Crucial IMO Council Position, Marking a New Era in Maritime Diplomacy

Nigeria achieved a major diplomatic milestone on 28 November 2025 as it won re-election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 term, marking the country’s return to the global maritime decision-making body after a 14-year absence. The announcement, confirmed by the IMO following the Council elections at its Assembly in London, represents a significant comeback for Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s most strategically placed maritime nations.

This victory followed months of intensive diplomatic engagement led by Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and supported by Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the IMO and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Nigeria’s delegation met with IMO Member States, regional blocs, and maritime partners to make a case for renewed representation, positioning the country as a critical player in maritime security, trade facilitation, environmental responsibility, and the development of the blue economy. Their argument was compelling: with its vast coastline, major shipping corridors, and leadership role in stabilizing the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria deserved a voice in shaping global maritime governance.

Nigeria last held a seat on the IMO Council in 2011, after which it experienced repeated unsuccessful attempts to return. This year’s win is therefore widely regarded in the maritime community as a reflection of the country’s renewed credibility, reforms in the maritime sector, and its strengthened international partnerships. It also signals the IMO membership’s confidence in Nigeria’s contributions to shipping safety, security, and global maritime development.

Being part of Category C gives Nigeria influence in decisions that guide maritime regulations, environmental protection, safety standards, and international shipping policies. 

For Nigeria, council membership is more than symbolic; it allows the country to advocate for stronger support for developing maritime states, promote security frameworks for the Gulf of Guinea, and align global maritime regulations with its growing blue-economy ambitions. The Gulf of Guinea has long been a priority for Nigeria, and the country’s progress in tackling piracy and improving regional security cooperation has drawn international recognition. Council membership provides a platform to expand these gains.

Nigeria is also expected to use its seat to reinforce its commitment to maritime pollution prevention, capacity building, and technology-driven improvements in maritime administration. With increasing attention on the environmental impact of global shipping, Nigeria’s participation will enable it to contribute meaningfully to discussions on decarbonisation, cleaner ports, and sustainable maritime operations.

The newly elected IMO Council will convene in December 2025 to begin its work and set the agenda for the 2026–2027 biennium. Nigeria’s return to this influential body is both a national achievement and a strategic opportunity. It restores the country’s voice within the organisation responsible for regulating the world’s shipping industry and positions Nigeria to play a more assertive role in shaping the future of global maritime affairs.

In the eyes of many observers, this election marks a new era for Nigeria’s maritime diplomacy. It shows what is possible when national institutions, international engagement, and sector-wide reforms are aligned. For a nation whose economy depends heavily on seaborne trade and whose waters serve as a gateway to West and Central Africa, being on the IMO Council is not just a win, it is a responsibility, a recognition, and a renewed mandate to lead.

From Abuja to the Last Mile: Nigeria Launches a Homegrown Telemedicine Revolution

When dawn filtered through the Abuja skyline on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, the city felt as though it had been handed a fresh script, one where technology, medicine and national ambition converged to write a new chapter for Nigerian healthcare. That morning, dignitaries, innovators and journalists gathered for the formal launch of MySmartMedic, UNICCON Group’s AI-powered telemedicine platform. What unfolded was more than a product unveil; it was the quiet ignition of a nationwide health reawakening.

The event carried a distinct sense of national purpose. Representing the Federal Government was Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, whose message was delivered through NCAIR Director, Olubunmi Ajala. Facing them, with the calm confidence of a man unveiling the future, was Prof. Chuks Ekwueme, Founder and Chairman of UNICCON Group, the technologist whose team designed MySmartMedic to be a Nigerian-built solution for Nigerian realities.

MySmartMedic is a fusion of AI triage, smart chatbots, voice-driven assistance and real-time video consultations powered by licensed doctors and specialists. It was made clear by Prof. Ekwueme that the platform is not merely a digital convenience  but a deliberate national offering. “We deeply studied the healthcare journey of the average Nigerian,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of intent. “We saw the gaps, but more importantly, we saw our potential. MySmartMedic is built to serve every Nigerian - in cities, in towns, in villages.”

It was Ajala’s announcement, however, that lit the room with possibility. Speaking on behalf of the Minister, he reaffirmed the government’s decision to use NigComSat, Nigeria’s own communications satellite infrastructure, to carry telemedicine into unserved and remote locations. His statement had the firm ring of nation-building: “We have the talent, we have the innovation, and with NigComSat, we have the reach. Nigeria is fully capable of delivering world-class digital health to all its citizens.”

In that moment, Nigeria was not being framed as a nation struggling to catch up, but as a nation choosing to lead boldly, intentionally and with homegrown technology.

The benefits of MySmartMedic flowed through the presentation like bright threads: instant consultations with certified doctors, AI-supported medical assessments, e-prescriptions, follow-up monitoring, and seamless access to specialists across fields such as dermatology, mental health, cardiology and chronic disease management. Instead of projecting difficulty, the launch highlighted capability, the kind that positions Nigeria as a continental leader in digital health innovation.

One of the platform’s most compelling abilities is predictive care. MySmartMedic’s AI engine can analyze patterns in a patient’s medical history to flag potential risks early. “This is preventive healthcare brought to the palm,” Prof..Ekwueme explained. “It empowers Nigerians to stay ahead of illness, not just respond to it.”

Outside the hall, as the Abuja breeze rolled over the venue, one could almost imagine the ripple effect: a farmer in Taraba consulting a cardiologist without leaving his farm; a teacher in Bayelsa receiving a digital prescription before first bell; a new mother in Sokoto getting mental-health guidance without needing to travel. These are not far-fetched dreams. They are the everyday futures MySmartMedic is engineered for.

What makes this moment powerful is not only the technology but the message behind it, that Nigeria is fully capable of architecting its own solutions, exporting its ideas and lifting its people with innovation rooted in local knowledge. There is a growing class of Nigerian thinkers, engineers and policymakers who are proving that the country’s greatest resource is not oil, but intellect and imagination.

With MySmartMedic, Nigeria has declared that quality healthcare should not be a privilege of geography but a right of citizenship and with NigComSat extending the nation’s digital embrace, the boundaries of access are dissolving.

As the event drew to a close, one quote lingered in the air like a quiet drumbeat of national confidence: “We are not just consuming technology, we are creating the tools that shape our future.”

On Tuesday 25 November 2025, Nigeria did not simply launch a telemedicine platform, It showcased its capacity to innovate, to lead and to reimagine what it means to care for its people. 

The story of MySmartMedic is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria itself, ambitious, ingenious, and determined to rise on its own terms.

How Credlock Is Turning Smartphones Into Collateral for Millions of Nigerians

Credlock Africa’s story begins with a simple observation: in Nigeria, almost everyone has a smartphone, yet many still cannot access loans. Traditional collateral is hard to provide, credit histories are often nonexistent, and many lenders see informal-sector workers as too risky. But what if the very device people rely on every day could open the door to credit?

When Credlock launched in early 2024, its founders set out to build a lending system shaped around this question. Working quietly from Ilorin, they created a tool that evaluates a borrower’s smartphone and assigns it a collateral value. Once a loan is granted, a small security feature stays on the device. If the borrower stops paying, the phone doesn’t disappear into the hands of debt collectors; instead, its major functions gradually lock until the borrower regularises repayments. For many people, that phone is their business line, their banking tool and their window to the world, and losing access to it even temporarily is enough motivation to stay on track.

Within a short time, the company’s idea caught on. As merchants and phone sellers began adopting the system, Credlock’s loan volume surged. It moved from thousands to hundreds of thousands of active borrowers, eventually crossing more than ₦1.5 billion in deployed credit across most Nigerian states. On its own platform, the running counter climbed even higher, passing ₦2.5 billion in loans facilitated, a remarkable feat for a company not yet two years old. The number of borrowers seeking Credlock loans grew sharply, with demand in some periods rising by well over 100 percent as more Nigerians discovered the option to finance smartphones and other needs without traditional collateral.

Much of this momentum reflects the leadership style of the company’s CEO, Dayo Fabayo, who has long worked in technological and financial systems. He often describes Credlock’s mission as building a layer of trust in markets where formal structures have failed people for decades. His approach blends technology with human insight: small loans for first-timers, longer repayment cycles than the typical short-term digital lenders, and a gradually expanding credit limit for those who repay responsibly. Under his guidance, the company has become both a consumer lender and a kind of digital infrastructure partner for merchants and financial institutions.

The numbers behind Credlock hint at how deeply the model resonates. Their repayment rate hovers around 95 percent, striking for a business serving customers who usually have no credit history. The device itself becomes a steady reminder of responsibility, avoiding the forceful and sometimes dangerous repossession practices that exist in other parts of the informal lending world.

Of course, the approach has its critics. Some worry about the ethics of locking a person’s primary communication tool. Credlock argues that its system is consent-based, transparent, and far less harmful than many alternatives. Whether debating risk, convenience or fairness, one truth is clear: the company has created a new kind of collateral for a new kind of borrower.

For some Nigerians, a Credlock loan has become more than just quick cash, it is a first step toward formal finance, a way to buy a needed phone, start a roadside business, or handle an emergency without falling into predatory debt. 

Credlock has turned the ordinary smartphone into something quietly impactful: a pathway to trust, dignity and financial possibility.

Uyo Airport Gets Full International Status, Opening a New Gateway for the South-South

The Federal Government’s decision to upgrade Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to full international status marks a turning point for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region, the kind of shift that quietly redraws the map of opportunity. After years of steady investment in infrastructure, from runway enhancements to the development of the state-owned MRO facility, the airport has now been formally recognised as meeting the standards required to receive and process international traffic.

The announcement followed a meeting in Abuja between aviation authorities and the Akwa Ibom State Government, where officials affirmed that the airport’s physical assets, safety systems and expanding operational capacity justified the elevation. With the designation now in place, agencies responsible for customs, immigration, health screening and aviation regulation are expected to complete the final round of assessments that will unlock actual international flight operations.

For Akwa Ibom, this milestone is more than administrative. It signals a broadening horizon for travel, business and logistics. Direct international access reduces travel friction for residents and investors, making Uyo a more attractive entry point for corporate travellers, diaspora visitors, and tourists drawn to the state’s growing hospitality sector. The ripple effects are already being anticipated by hotels, transport operators and service providers who understand that airports often serve as the first heartbeat of economic expansion.

The airport itself has been gathering momentum. Earlier upgrades to navigational aids, airfield lighting and safety infrastructure restored night-flight operations, allowing carriers such as Ibom Air to operate more flexible schedules. This renewed capacity strengthens the airport’s appeal to both domestic and foreign airlines and aligns neatly with the state’s ambitions to build a modern aviation hub.

State authorities have also laid out plans for further development, including a dedicated cargo terminal and residential quarters for aviation personnel, projects that would expand the airport’s economic footprint and support increased activity once international routes open.

With its long runway, modern facilities and the rare advantage of an in-country MRO, Victor Attah International Airport is positioned to evolve from a regional gateway into a strategic portal for trade, tourism and investment. The federal upgrade acknowledges this potential, while the work ahead - certification, airline partnerships, and strengthened border-control operations will determine how quickly Uyo steps fully onto the global stage.

The path is set, the machinery is in motion, and Akwa Ibom now finds itself preparing for a future in which its airport becomes not just a point of departure, but a doorway into the world.