The Nation Newspaper

Category: Technology

  • How MEXC is making learning easy for traders, beginners

    How MEXC is making learning easy for traders, beginners

    MEXC is helping crypto traders and beginners to learn about crypto in a simple and confident way. The platform provides clear learning materials, practical guides, and beginner friendly explanations that help them understand how crypto works without confusion.

    The MEXC Learn offers lessons on key topics such as blockchain, trading, and risk management, while the MEXC app gives you real time market updates that help you learn by observing real activity.

    Through its live sessions, community discussions, and helpful support team, MEXC makes it easy for anyone to grow from a curious beginner into an informed crypto user.

    Since 2018, MEXC remains committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.”

    The word crypto comes from a Greek word that means hidden. Cryptography protects information and ensures secure communication. With crypto transactions, special encryption keys act like digital signatures to confirm a user is the real sender. This creates trust without needing a central authority.

    Analysts said: “Imagine scrolling through your social media feed on a normal day. Your favorite music artist is praising a new digital coin. A football star is telling you that crypto changed his life. A popular influencer insists that buying a particular token is the smartest financial move you will make this year. Everywhere you look, someone is pointing you toward the next big crypto opportunity that may give more returns than Bitcoin. It feels exciting, fast, and full of promises. It also feels like everyone else is getting rich without you”.

    “This feeling has a name. The fear of missing out, often called FOMO, has become a driving force in the world of cryptocurrency. Many people today are drawn into digital assets by the hope that their money will rise quickly in value. Phrases like going to the moon have become part of everyday conversations about crypto. But behind all the excitement, there is also a need for understanding. Crypto can be rewarding, but it can also be confusing and risky. To make wise decisions, we need to look beyond the hype”.

    Experts said crypto assets are digital assets, which exist only in electronic form.

    While they were originally created as a way to make payments, many people today treat them as investment tools. The idea is simple. You buy a crypto asset like Bitcoin or Ethereum and  hope its value increases.

    But this hope comes with risk. A risk is the chance that your investment may lose value. This has happened many times in the crypto world. Bitcoin, the first and most popular crypto asset, has experienced large rises and large declines. Even though it is considered one of the most stable coins, it has lost almost seventy percent of its value during some periods.

    If you ever choose to invest in crypto, consider these points  only use money you can afford to lose, be cautious of celebrity endorsements. Many are paid promotions and may not reflect real financial wisdom, do your own research before trusting online suggestions and protect yourself from scams by avoiding offers that promise guaranteed profits.

    Celebrities and influencers may also invest in the assets they promote, which means they benefit from price increases. Their priority may not be what is best for you.

    Cryptocurrency began as an innovative way to make payments. Over time, it became a global investment trend. Blockchain technology changed how we record transactions and opened the door for thousands of digital assets. Yet crypto remains unpredictable. It has created wealth, but it has also caused significant losses.

    To navigate the crypto world safely, knowledge is essential. Look beyond the hype. Study the risks. Be aware of scams. Never invest more than you can handle losing. Crypto is fascinating and full of potential, but it demands careful understanding.

    That understanding begins with asking the right questions and not letting excitement make decisions for you.

    Crypto asset market capitalization refers to the total value of all units of a particular asset. In November 2021, all crypto assets combined reached a value of about $2.9 trillion dollars. By mid 2022, almost $2 trillion dollars of that value had vanished. Some people, including well known investors like Bill Gates, question the idea of crypto as a strong investment. Gates argues that crypto value depends mainly on what someone else is willing to pay, rather than on a product or service that benefits society.

    Blockchain technology forms the heart of crypto assets. A blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions. For example, when people buy or sell Bitcoin, the information is stored on one shared public ledger. Every transaction must be verified before it becomes official. This is done by a network of powerful computers called miners. Miners solve complex math problems to confirm each transaction and are rewarded with new Bitcoin.

    Once a group of transactions is verified, it is placed into a block. Each block connects to the one before it, creating a long chain. This is why it is called a blockchain.

    The blockchain is not stored in one place. It is spread across many computers around the world. This means no single government, company, or person controls it. The creator of Bitcoin designed it this way to avoid control from any central authority. Unlike traditional digital payments like PayPal or bank transfers, Bitcoin allows people to transact directly with one another. This is known as peer to peer interaction.

  • What Australians Look For In Online Casinos

    What Australians Look For In Online Casinos

    The world of online casino gaming in Australia is rapidly becoming more and more popular every day. The ability to access all the glitz, glam, and entertainment of the traditional casino world from the comfort of our home is a complete game-changer for countless Australian gamblers across the country. That being said, with so many casino platforms to choose from, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses, it can be hard knowing where to start. That’s why in this article, we break down what exactly Australians should look for in online casino gaming platforms before jumping into the games.

    The Best Payouts

    There’s one key thing that sets online gambling apart from every other kind of online gaming, and that is the opportunity to win real cash for your gaming time. As such, one thing that almost every Australian gambler should look for is high payout casinos, as these are much more likely to provide players with decent returns for their wagers.

    Gamblers can gain an understanding of what makes a high payout casino by coming to terms with key concepts such as return to player scores, house edge, and volatility, all of which will have a significant effect on how much they can expect to win after a prolonged period of play.

    Multiple Payment Options

    In 2025, many players aren’t looking for online options that only allow them to utilise one form of payment, and online casino gaming certainly isn’t an exception. Many Australians look for online gambling platforms that not only accept traditional payment methods like credit and debit cards but also have gone above and beyond to allow more contemporary modes of payment such as cryptocurrency, e-wallets, or pre-paid cards.

    Heightened Security

    Digital threats are on the rise, and Australians shouldn’t settle for any online casino that doesn’t offer the best security services. We mentioned cryptocurrency in the previous point, and many gamblers look for platforms that allow for the integration of these digital assets for the additional security services they provide. They might also only be interested in gambling platforms that don’t require Know Your Customer checks, as this enables them to keep their anonymity while playing. Plus, many Australians will only use online casinos that are VPN compatible, enabling them to obscure their IP address and hide their internet activity from malicious actors online.

    Bonuses and Rewards

    There are so many online casinos out there that every platform needs to shine in order to stand out among its competitors. One way these sites can do this and attract more Australian players is by offering the best bonuses and rewards on the market. There are a variety of bonuses these platforms can give, including free spins, match bonuses and deposit bonuses, and the more generous they are, the more likely they are to attract new customers.

    Credibility

    Although the majority of online gambling platforms are safe and legit, there are a few malicious actors out there who create these kinds of platforms to scam anyone who uses them. As such, many Australian gamblers put a lot of value on credibility when it comes to choosing a platform. Online casinos can prove their credibility by having all their licensing on display and easy to access for players. Plus, having multiple positive reviews from several different sources is also a good sign of credibility for these gambling platforms.

    Mobile App Compatibility

    The great thing about online gambling is that we can access it from anywhere. Rather than needing to go to a traditional casino, which can be inaccessible to many people, the casino world is brought to us. However, it is much easier to enjoy casino games on your phone than on a laptop, especially when on the move. This is why many Australians will only use online casino platforms that can be accessed from a mobile device, as this gives them near instant access to the casino world, no matter where they are located.

    Bigger Games libraries

    There’s nothing more frustrating than needing to look in more than one place when we know it would be so much easier to have everything together, and this sentiment certainly exists when it comes to online gambling platforms. Australians seek casino sites that offer them all manner of gaming options, from much-loved classics like blackjack and poker to more contemporary options such as themed spins and crash games. The more options a site has, the more popular it is likely to be amongst Australian players, but only if the games are of good quality with sound graphics and the casino site meets all of the above criteria as well.

  • Opeyemi blends science, storytelling to drive tech adoption

    Opeyemi blends science, storytelling to drive tech adoption

    A biochemist, Opeyemi Olu-David Esther, has built a career at the intersection of science and technology, helping organisations explain complex products in a clear and accessible way.

    Opeyemi, who later moved into content marketing and product strategy, is applying analytical skills to communication.

    She has since worked with brands in fintech, artificial intelligence, mobility, logistics, real estate, and cybersecurity, helping them present their innovations in ways users can understand.

    Colleagues say her strength lies in simplifying technical concepts and making technology feel relatable. Industry analysts note that her approach views content as a functional part of product development, guiding users from awareness to informed decision-making.

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    Her early career included work at a Nigerian fintech platform, where she helped translate technical financial services into straightforward information that supported user understanding.

    She later worked within the mobility and logistics sector, managing communication for an emerging African ride-hailing brand and contributing to clearer messaging for both drivers and riders.

    Her experience also extends to an Australian AI-driven investment platform, where she developed communication frameworks aimed at improving user engagement with advanced technology. In the cybersecurity space, she has created strategies focused on digital safety and user awareness.

    Across different sectors, her work is grounded in the belief that people engage better with technology when communication is simple and transparent.

    As a content marketing manager and strategist, Opeyemi continues to contribute to efforts to make digital tools more understandable and accessible.

    Observers note that her career reflects a broader shift in the industry, where communication specialists play an increasing role in shaping how users interact with technology.

  • Experts urge MTU students to adopt emerging technologies

    Experts urge MTU students to adopt emerging technologies

    Speakers at the seventh International Conference on Entrepreneurship, of Mountain Top University, Ogun State, have urged Nigerian students and institutions to embrace artificial intelligence, digital skills, and industry collaboration as the future of work rapidly evolves.

    The event had academics, innovators, and industry leaders in attendance. 

    The Guest Lecturer and head of ICT/ Business Process Operations at the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, Dr. Kola Olatinwo, said AI was no longer optional for young entrepreneurs, warning that failure to adopt emerging technologies would leave Nigeria behind in global innovation.

    “AI provides an opportunity to reduce cost, reduce staffing burden, and solve real-life problems.

    “Students must begin to think as entrepreneurs while still in school. Don’t wait to graduate before building solutions,” he said. 

    Olatinwo, who is also CEO of One Innovation Hub in Kwara State, said Nigerian startups were already proving what was possible. 

    He cited AIQ, SiteMap, and ePail, a defense and surveillance tech company, as examples of homegrown innovation.

    He stressed that universities must deepen partnerships with the industry.

    “There is a gap between the data we have and those using it. Universities must guide students, attach them to industries, and push hackathons—not just lectures.”

    He added that with over 20 startups incubated through his hub, Nigerian youths only need mentorship and the courage to “think more in-depth and solve Nigeria’s own problems.”

    Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development at MTU and host of the conference, Prof. Patience Erigbe, said digital transformation had become inseparable from entrepreneurship, especially in the post-COVID era.

    “COVID-19 disrupted everything. The digital era has emerged stronger, but many are still not aware of how to use these tools entrepreneurially,” she said.

    She noted that MTU was intentional about bridging the digital divide through hands-on entrepreneurship training.

    “Our Chancellor’s vision is that every student must graduate with at least one or two vocational skills in addition to their certificate.

    “Many of our graduates are already entrepreneurs before leaving school,” she said. 

    Erigbe said the forthcoming student-run trade fair was part of MTU’s culture of raising “studentpreneurs.”

    Her message to participants, “Take charge. Embrace the digital space and make the best use of it—for work, creativity, and entrepreneurship.”

    Delivering the keynote address titled “The Digital Drumbeat: Rhythms of Innovation, Inclusion and Enterprise,” Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Prof. Oyedunmi Sola Arulogun, said Africa was at a turning point.

    Drawing from African proverbs and vivid metaphors, Arulogun said,

    “In Africa, when the drum beats, the community gathers. Today, the drumbeat we must follow is digital. And the call is clear: Innovate, include and enterprise.”

    She described data as the new oil—one that “multiplies when shared.”

    Arulogun challenged universities to evolve from “ivory towers to innovation towers,” urging lecturers to become mentors and students to become problem solvers.

    On innovation, she said, “Innovation requires foresight—and foresight demands courage. No brain in this room is expired.”

    She warned against digital inequality,

    “Innovation without inclusion is like a drum without rhythm. Digital transformation must not widen the gap between those who can and those who cannot.”

    On entrepreneurship, she emphasized that the modern entrepreneur was not defined by a physical shop. “The marketplace today has no borders,” she said, citing the drama performed earlier where a tomato seller could reach Canada through digital tools.

    Arulogun also spoke bluntly about ethics, condemning idea theft. “If an idea is not yours, you cannot run far with it,” she said, narrating two personal experiences of academic plagiarism.

    On fears around AI, she stated:

    “If you approach AI with zero, it will return zero to you. But if you have a solid foundation, AI will help you excel.”

    She challenged the audience:

    “Are we going to dance to the beat that AI is drumming, or remain silent spectators?”

    All speakers agreed that the future of entrepreneurship in Nigeria depends on digital literacy, innovation ecosystems, ethical practices, and strong university–industry partnerships.

    Arulogun closed her speech with a powerful metaphor, “The future is not ahead of us; it is here—only unevenly distributed. Digital knowledge is the water of today. Let us drink deeply.”

    The conference ended with renewed calls for Nigerian students to embrace innovation, think boldly, and take their place in the global digital economy.

  • How Nigerian companies are leading more responsible digital transformation

    How Nigerian companies are leading more responsible digital transformation

    • By Kehinde Ogundare

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere–in polished social media posts, in the recommendations that guide our viewing habits, and in the bots that handle customer queries before a human agent steps in. On LinkedIn, AI-assisted writing has become standard practice. A year ago, more than half of English long-form posts that went viral were estimated to have been written by or assisted by AI. If that’s the norm on the world’s biggest business network, it’s no surprise that AI is driving conversations in Nigerian boardrooms as companies move from experimentation to embedding AI into their daily operations.

    Part of the package

    The Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), modelled on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, together with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, requires companies to build privacy into their systems from the outset rather than adding it later. This clear regulatory framework has evolved alongside a rapid rise in AI adoption.

    New research from Zoho on responsible AI adoption highlights the impact of the regulations. As per the report, 93% of Nigerian companies have already started using AI in their daily operations; 84% have tightened their privacy controls after adoption, and 94% now have a dedicated privacy officer or team, which is well above global averages.

    The survey, conducted by Arion Research LLC among 386 senior executives, shows just how deeply embedded AI has become in Nigeria. One in four companies already uses it across several departments, and nearly a third report advanced integration. Financial services firms are pioneers in this sector, using AI to automate client interactions, streamline operations and sharpen their marketing, while staying compliant with data protection rules.

    The NDPA has helped make privacy part of business planning. Four in ten companies now spend more than 30% of their IT budgets on privacy. Regular audits, privacy impact assessments and explainability checks are becoming standard practice.

    Skills, compliance and capacity

    Rapid adoption brings challenges. More than a third of businesses say that their biggest obstacle is a lack of technical skills, and another 35% cite privacy and security risks. Instead of outsourcing, most are building capacity in-house: nearly 70% of companies are training staff in data analysis, more than half are improving general AI literacy, and 40% are investing in prompt engineering for generative tools.

    The understanding of the NDPA regulation, which came into force in 2023, has also improved. 65% of organisations see compliance as essential. Many voluntarily apply data-minimisation and transparency standards even when not required to do so, aligning more closely with international norms and easing collaboration with global partners.

    Privacy is increasingly influencing business decisions — from investment priorities to system design. Companies are asking tougher questions: is specific data essential? How can exposure be limited? How can fairness and transparency be proven?

    Trusted systems

    As privacy becomes part of how technology is built, companies are being more cautious about the tools they use because they now want systems that protect customer data, with clear boundaries between data and model training, straightforward controls, and reliable records for compliance teams.

    Demand for business software that balances productivity with privacy is also growing. Zoho, among others, has seen strong customer growth as more organisations are looking for platforms that support responsible data handling.

    The study identifies three main reasons behind AI adoption: to make work more efficient by automating routine tasks, to support better decision-making by identifying patterns sooner, and to improve customer engagement through faster, more relevant interactions. But none of this can succeed without trust. Nigeria’s experience shows that privacy and innovation can reinforce each other when they’re built together.

    There’s still work to do because some industries are moving faster than others, and smaller businesses often face the biggest hurdles in time, cost and skills. Enforcement is also patchy; while the law is clear, application across sectors and geographies is a work in progress.

    The next steps are more practical, requiring investment in skills – from data analysis and AI literacy to sector-specific training – and for governance to be put in place, with clear responsibilities, written policies, and a plan for managing errors or breaches. Privacy impact assessments should become part of every new system rollout, enabled by technology.

    As AI becomes fundamental to doing business, Nigerian companies that build it carefully and responsibly will be better able to compete at home and abroad.

    Kehinde Ogundare is the Country Head, Zoho Nigeria

  • Ogweda awarded as 277th certified global tech hero

    Ogweda awarded as 277th certified global tech hero

    Haruna Ogweda has been immortalised as the 277th Certified Global Tech Hero, a recognition that celebrates a career defined by technical mastery, measurable impact, and steady contribution to both industry and community. 

    From building resilient cloud infrastructure at a leading technology company to architecting mission-critical banking platforms across the African continent, Haruna’s work bridges academic rigor and production-grade engineering, yielding systems and practices that scale, secure, and simplify complex operations.

    Haruna’s professional trajectory is marked by deep systems thinking and an ability to turn research insights into pragmatic solutions. 

    In cloud and platform engineering, Haruna has strengthened build-image reliability, resolved critical security extension regressions, and improved pipeline hygiene and secret rotation processes, interventions that reduced repetitive toil, hardened large fleets, and increased developer productivity. 

    In enterprise banking software, Haruna led the architecture and delivery of a modular, multilingual core banking platform and a cross-platform cheque and card inventory management solution deployed across hundreds of branches in dozens of countries. 

    Those systems transformed manual workflows into API-driven processes, dramatically cutting teller transaction times, slashing reconciliation effort, and ensuring uninterrupted card availability at scale.

    Complementing product work is a robust research record and a commitment to knowledge sharing. 

    Haruna’s authored and co-authored papers traverse adversarial robustness in video models, federated meta-learning for hybrid cloud–edge pipelines, and autoencoder-driven temporal convolutional networks for cold-chain monitoring,research that not only advances academic understanding but also demonstrates practical gains in reliability, latency, and detection performance. 

    A published author of a technical volume on cloud security and AI-driven DevOps, Haruna presents regularly at international conferences and translates complex techniques into operational architectures that address real world fragilities in logistics, security, and large-scale services.

    This recognition also acknowledges Haruna’s dedication to mentorship and community impact. 

    As an educator and mentor in university and nonprofit settings, Haruna has guided students and early-career engineers through coding, statistics, and interview readiness, producing measurable improvements in academic outcomes and career opportunities. Service to professional awards and panels further demonstrates a willingness to steward standards of excellence across the engineering community.

    The certification board emphasised the blend of measurable outcomes, original contribution, and reproducible practice in conferring this honour. 

    Haruna’s work has demonstrably improved operational throughput, system reliability, and security posture, while research and product innovations have been translated into systems used by millions. 

    These cumulative achievements formed the foundation for immortalising Haruna as a Global Tech Hero.

    “Today we celebrate a practitioner who exemplifies technical excellence and tangible impact,” said Qazeem Oladejo, founder of The Connected Awards. 

    “This recognition honours a career that has not only solved hard problems at scale but has lifted teams and communities through mentorship, rigorous research, and the delivery of solutions that matter.”

    Haruna Ogweda’s induction as the 277th Certified Global Tech Hero recognises a rare synthesis of scholarship, engineering, and civic commitment, an enduring testament to the power of engineering to transform systems, institutions, and lives.

  • Darvey Ezeala leads new wave of tech-driven enterprise across Africa

    Darvey Ezeala leads new wave of tech-driven enterprise across Africa

    The African business landscape is in the midst of rapid evolution, shaped by new technologies, shifting consumer patterns, and a rising class of creative entrepreneurs. Among the leaders driving this transformation is Darvey Ugochukwu Ezeala, a multi-sector innovator whose impact is being felt across technology, real estate, and creative enterprise.

    With a career characterized by reinvention and strategic experimentation, Darvey has become a reference point for modern African entrepreneurship — one rooted in adaptability, digital fluency, and long-term value creation.

    Darvey Ezeala first gained national visibility as a creative entrepreneur working across film, music, and media. These experiences offered him deep insight into storytelling, branding, and cultural influence — skills that now serve as pillars of his business strategy.

    As he transitioned into broader sectors, his portfolio diversified into: Film and media production, Technology development, AI-driven enterprise tools, Short-term rental investments and Business strategy and brand development.

    One of Darvey’s core missions today is simplifying digital transformation for African entrepreneurs. Through TMS Group, he is developing custom mobile apps and AI-powered tools designed to help businesses enhance efficiency, engage customers, and scale sustainably.

    His digital projects focus on automation, data analytics, predictive modeling, and creative content enhancement — areas essential for businesses preparing for a globalized future.

    Darvey’s investment in the short-let real estate market represents a new direction for Nigeria’s accommodation sector. His properties combine technology with contemporary aesthetics, prioritizing convenience and comfort for travelers, executives, and creators seeking high-end living experiences.

    Known for his strong business networks, Darvey Ezeala continues to collaborate with local and international partners to expand his influence. He views relationship-building as a structured strategic tool — not a social endeavor — and credits this approach for the rapid growth of TMS Group.

    As Darvey looks to the future, he plans to introduce AI-supported business platforms, scale his tech ecosystem, expand his real estate footprint, and extend his influence to global markets across Europe, the UAE, and the United States. He also aims to empower young entrepreneurs through mentoring and accessible digital tools.

    With every project, he reinforces his belief that Africa’s future will be built by innovators who embrace technology, creativity, and collaboration.

    Darvey Ugochukwu Ezeala is building more than businesses — he is building an ecosystem designed to prepare African enterprises for the opportunities of tomorrow.

  • Artificial intelligence reshaping journalism, crisis communication – PRNigeria publisher

    Artificial intelligence reshaping journalism, crisis communication – PRNigeria publisher

    The Publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau A. Shuaib, has urged young journalists and communication students to embrace Artificial Intelligence responsibly, stressing that the future of the media industry will be defined by those who master digital tools without compromising ethical judgment.

    Delivering a keynote address titled “AI for Strategic Communication” at the Annual Campus Journalism Awards (CJA), Shuaib unveiled findings from his latest studies on AI in crisis communication and its adoption among student writers. He warned that while AI offers unprecedented opportunities, its misuse could erode credibility and weaken professional standards.

    Tracing the evolution of modern communication, Shuaib reflected on the internet era, which opened the floodgates of unregulated publishing, and the rise of social media, which turned editors into content chasers under algorithmic pressure. Currently, he observed, AI is narrating human experiences while raising concerns about bias, hallucinations, and deepfakes.

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    “Today, technology giants harvest our behaviour and preferences. The user has become the product, not a participant,” the award-winning communication strategist told the audience, cautioning that unchecked reliance on AI could undermine trust in journalism.

    According to Shuaib, AI is already reshaping strategic communication by improving speed, efficiency, and multi-platform dissemination. Yet transparency, responsibility, and human oversight remain essential, particularly during crises when credibility is paramount.

    Presenting insights from his recent studies, Shuaib noted that while AI adoption is expanding across organisations, its use remains uneven. Many institutions deploy AI tools, but a significant percentage of staff are either unaware of their full capabilities or unconvinced of their reliability.

    The study revealed a huge gap in institutional preparedness, as many higher institutions have not integrated AI training into their curriculum, causing students to learn through self-exploration rather than structured academic support. However, the vast majority expressed desire for universities to introduce more AI-focused courses, especially in critical thinking, digital ethics, and content verification.

    Despite widespread adoption, the research found that most students possess only surface-level familiarity with AI, with many lacking essential skills in accuracy verification, ethical application, and prompt engineering. More than 51 percent of communication professionals still consider AI-generated crisis alerts untrustworthy due to the prevalence of deepfakes, synthetic voices, and manipulated visuals.

    The research further showed that while communication students and young writers are increasingly adopting AI tools in their academic and creative work, their usage is marked by unequal expertise, ethical concerns, and a lack of institutional guidance.

    “Young communicators currently use AI more for tactical purposes—brainstorming, drafting, summarising, transcription, and translation—rather than advanced strategic functions like predictive analytics, risk forecasting, or crisis modelling,” Shuaib explained.

    Shuaib observed that students show strong enthusiasm for AI tools but often lack deeper literacy for responsible use. While they rely heavily on AI for writing support, many struggle to verify accuracy, address ethical considerations, and develop the technical skills needed for effective prompt engineering. This, the scholar argued, signals a pressing need for improved digital literacy and structured training.

    He highlighted several advantages that young communicators are leveraging. Majority of users rely on AI for content automation and brainstorming, rating the technology as highly effective in helping them meet deadlines, organise tasks, and streamline processes. AI has also transformed transcription and translation, with most confirming that AI tools outperform traditional methods in speed and accuracy.

    Furthermore, users acknowledge AI’s faster and more reliable data analysis, enabling communicators to monitor sentiment, identify trends, and extract insights for better decision-making. ChatGPT, Meta AI, Google Gemini, and Copilot, Shuaib noted, now form the backbone of digital content creation for young writers. But, several students admitted that constant AI use sometimes weakens creativity and reduces engagement.

    Despite these advantages, Shuaib warned that over-reliance on AI poses serious risks. In both research targeting crisis communicators and student journalists, respondents identified plagiarism risks, over-reliance, privacy concerns, and algorithmic bias as major worries associated with AI use.

    The author emphasised that misinformation and manipulated content remain major threats, as deepfakes and synthetic voices continue to undermine public trust. “AI must not undermine the credibility that communication relies upon,” he stressed, urging young journalists to prioritise verification and ethical judgment.

    Shuaib also pointed to broader regulatory concerns, including privacy breaches, job displacement, diminishing human empathy, and the need for mandatory disclosure when AI tools contribute to content creation. Stronger policies and improved digital literacy, he argued, are essential to ensure AI enhances rather than compromises communication integrity.

    Beyond technology, Shuaib advised campus journalists to strengthen foundational skills that remain irreplaceable. He emphasised curiosity, urging young communicators to ask deeper questions and verify AI-generated outputs rather than accepting them at face value. Critical thinking, he said, ensures objectivity and sound judgment, while creativity remains central to effective storytelling.

    He encouraged students to cultivate discipline by meeting deadlines and practising consistently, noting that professionalism is defined by commitment regardless of technological change. Crisis management skills, he added, are increasingly vital in fast-paced digital environments, while collaboration and networking remain essential since meaningful relationships cannot be automated.

    “Efficient time management is key to maximising both human capability and AI-assisted productivity. The next generation of communicators will be defined by how they balance AI efficiency with human ethics, judgment, and creativity,” Shuaib declared.

    The publisher added that the critical question society must ask is not what technology can do, but what society will allow it to do. He encouraged young journalists to use AI as a supportive tool—for fact-checking, content creation, verification, and cross-platform publishing—while maintaining strong human oversight to prevent inaccuracies and ethical violations.

    Mrs. Mufeeda Hussaini, representing the Minister of State for Education; Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali M. Ali; and Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, hailed the event theme, “AI and the Future of Journalism”. They described it as timely and apt, given the global impact of emerging technologies.

    The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi; the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, DCC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada; and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of News Central TV, Kayode Akintemi, also endorsed the programme and pledged continued support for its sustainability.

    Other distinguished guests included Brigadier General S.K. Usman, former Army spokesperson; Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers; Professor Sule Yau Sule, Chairman of Image Merchants; Dr. Khalifa Mohammed of AANI; Mrs. Blessing Oyem, Director at NOA; Mrs. Maryam Sanusi of NIPR; and Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim Banta, NFIU.

  • Oluwabukola named 276th certified global tech hero

    Oluwabukola named 276th certified global tech hero

    Oluwabukola Rachael Tiamiyu has been named the 276th Certified Global Tech Hero in recognition of a career that has fundamentally reshaped financial intelligence, compliance, and enterprise performance across multiple sectors. 

    A Financial Analytics Visionary and Enterprise Performance Strategist, she has built a practice at the intersection of data, governance, and operational excellence, delivering tools, frameworks, and insight that help institutions detect risk earlier, close revenue leakages, and make resilient, future-ready decisions.

    Her signature contribution, FIN-RESOLVE™️ (Financial Intelligence Network for Risk Evaluation, Surveillance, Optimization, and Learning-based Value Enhancement), stands at the center of her professional acclaim. More than a concept, FIN-RESOLVE™️ is a deployable, technology-driven framework that combines predictive analytics with strengthened internal controls and compliance surveillance. 

    Executives and policy analysts have lauded the framework for its practical orientation and cross-industry applicability, noting how it elevates governance standards while enabling measurable operational improvements. 

    In practice, her work has improved reporting accuracy, tightened control environments, and helped organizations align with global regulatory expectations.

    Throughout a career spanning banking, financial services, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and social-impact organizations, she has repeatedly translated complex data into strategic clarity. 

    Her expertise in financial modeling, regulatory compliance, risk management, and digital finance transformation has enabled senior leaders to act with confidence and operational teams to implement robust, transparent systems. 

    Equally notable is her ability to communicate technical insights to non-technical audiences, driving enterprise-wide alignment and implementation.

    Beyond formal roles, her influence extends into research, mentorship, and public thought leadership. 

    She is a consistent advocate for financial literacy, the adoption of data-driven practices, and the advancement of women in technology, using media platforms and professional fora to share best practices and to mentor emerging finance professionals. 

    These contributions amplify the reach of her work, seeding capacity and ethical standards across a broader ecosystem.

    Her induction as a Global Tech Hero recognizes measurable impact, sustained achievement, and purposeful innovation. 

    The certification celebrates not only a body of work that has delivered demonstrable value but also a leadership philosophy that privileges accountability, practical innovation, and the public good.

    “Her FIN-RESOLVE™️ framework is a powerful example of innovation applied with purpose,” said the founder of The Connected Awards. “It is rare to see a solution that so effectively bridges technology, governance, and operational practice, her work sets a new standard for how organizations can safeguard assets, comply with scrutiny, and plan for long-term sustainability.”

    This immortalisation as the 276th Certified Global Tech Hero affirms her status as a steward of financial integrity and a catalyst for systemic improvement. 

    As organizations continue to navigate complexity and regulatory change, her work offers a reproducible blueprint for building resilient, transparent, and performance-driven financial systems.

  • Cyberpedia unveils new tool to strengthen global response to fake news

    Cyberpedia unveils new tool to strengthen global response to fake news

    Cyberpedia has announced an upgrade to its search engine application aimed at supporting efforts to detect and address misinformation and disinformation online.

    According to the organisation, the platform is designed to help users, including individuals, journalists, institutions, and government agencies, verify claims, assess online content, and request the removal of harmful material.

    Cyberpedia said its system allows users to run instant checks on claims, names, organisations, and URLs by comparing them against a wide range of data sources such as domain records, litigation databases, sanction lists, and cyber-threat intelligence feeds.

    The platform also generates reports that point out inaccurate claims, manipulated media, and coordinated disinformation patterns. 

    In cases where content violates regulations or platform rules, Cyberpedia facilitates requests for takedown through its collaborations with search engines, social media platforms, and hosting services.

    Cyberpedia is affiliated with international digital governance bodies and operates under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation.

    The organisation highlighted the real-world consequences of misinformation, citing examples, saying, “The 2016 “Pizzagate” incident in the United States, where a false online conspiracy led an armed individual to enter a restaurant.

    “The spread of misleading health claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to widespread confusion and avoidable deaths.

    “Election-related misinformation linked to violence in countries including Myanmar, India, Brazil, and the United States.

    “Stock market disruptions triggered by viral false headlines, resulting in significant financial losses.

    “Fake news is not harmless gossip — it has serious consequences for societies and institutions,” Dr. Abiodun Sowemimo, President and Chairperson of Cyberpedia Internet Governance,” said.

    Cyberpedia noted that the increasing sophistication of disinformation campaigns has made faster verification and content accountability more important. 

    The platform’s latest features combine artificial intelligence, regulatory compliance, and direct communication pathways with hosting platforms.

    He said the company’s application is available for use by individuals, media organisations, companies, and government bodies.