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Expert Wants AI Introduction In Retail Industry  … Says It’ll Boost Nigeria’s Economy 

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10 months ago

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A software engineer and digital transformation consultant, Faheem Abubakar, has said the integration of artificial intelligence into Nigeria’s retail industry will boost the economy.
Abubakar, who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Managing Innovation and Information Technology at the University of Salford UK, said this during a digital panel discussion held in London.
The discussion titled, “Agrohq Smart AI feature”, is aimed at helping farmers with disease detection, plant care guide, and smart reminders using AI technology.
He explained that AI’s capabilities in automating routine tasks, analysing vast amounts of data, and providing predictive insights are essential for modernizing the retail sector.
“AI can help Nigerian retailers understand customer behavior patterns, manage inventory more efficiently, and personalise the shopping experience for each customer”, he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s retail industry faces unique challenges, such as logistics and supply chain inefficiencies, which AI can help solve.
“AI-driven analytics can optimize delivery routes, predict demand, and ensure that stock levels are maintained, which will significantly reduce operational costs and improve delivery times.
“With chatbots, Nigerian retailers can provide 24/7 customer support, which is crucial for customer engagement and retention in an increasingly competitive market”, he said.
On the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises, Faheem said AI could level the playing field, adding, “AI allows SMEs to access market analysis, inventory management, and customer engagement tools that were once only available to large corporations. This shift gives smaller businesses the chance to compete and grow”.
However, Faheem acknowledged that there are challenges to adopting AI in Nigeria, including a lack of infrastructure, skilled personnel, and initial investment costs.
“Many businesses may not have the technical expertise or financial resources to implement AI solutions, but as technology becomes more accessible, these barriers are slowly decreasing”, the software developer noted.
For Nigerian businesses considering AI adoption, Abubakar advised starting small.
“Retailers can begin with affordable AI applications, like chatbots for customer support, and invest in employee training. Collaborating with AI specialists can also help businesses implement the technology effectively.
“With the right strategies, AI can drive sustainable growth and bring Nigeria’s retail sector to new heights”, he stated.
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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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4 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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4 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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4 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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