The Nation Newspaper

Category: Technology

  • From Crab Shells to Bone Healing: FUTA Don’s Big Discovery

    From Crab Shells to Bone Healing: FUTA Don’s Big Discovery

    A Nigerian researcher, Dr. Niyi Gideon Olaiya of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has developed a groundbreaking biodegradable material that could transform the way doctors treat bone fractures and tissue damage.

    Across the world, millions of patients undergo surgeries that depend on metal and plastic implants, materials that have saved countless lives but often come with serious long-term complications. Conventional implants are rigid and sometimes toxic, failing to biodegrade safely within the human body. They can cause inflammation, infections, and, in many cases, require secondary surgeries for removal. At a time when global healthcare systems are pushing toward more sustainable and patient-centered innovations, the need for biomaterials that are both strong and naturally compatible with the human body has never been more urgent.

    At the forefront of solving this global challenge is Dr. Niyi Gideon Olaiya, a visionary materials scientist and pioneer in sustainable polymer engineering whose work is transforming the field of biomedical materials. Known internationally for his groundbreaking contributions to biodegradable composites, Dr. Olaiya’s work bridges science and sustainability in ways that are reshaping modern medicine. Through his leadership and global collaborations across Africa, Asia, and Europe, he has positioned himself as one of the most influential voices in the development of eco-friendly materials designed to heal the human body without harming the planet. His research is driven by a simple but powerful belief: that the materials used to save lives should also sustain life on Earth.

    Dr. Olaiya’s innovation lies in his ability to engineer materials that behave like living tissue, strong, flexible, and responsive to their environment. Using naturally sourced polymers and advanced processing techniques, he and his team have developed biodegradable materials that possess remarkable strength and compatibility with human cells. These materials can safely dissolve in the body after serving their purpose, removing the need for additional surgeries and minimizing the risk of complications. His work is opening new possibilities for regenerative medicine, including safer bone and tissue repair technologies that align with the body’s natural healing process.

    Beyond its scientific brilliance, Dr. Olaiya’s work represents a profound contribution to global sustainability. By replacing petroleum-based plastics with renewable, biodegradable materials, his research aligns with the global movement toward greener technologies and circular economy practices. His innovative approach reduces environmental waste and sets a precedent for responsible biomedical manufacturing. The broader impact of his work extends beyond laboratories and hospitals; it speaks to a future where medical progress and environmental stewardship advance hand in hand.

    In every sense, Dr. Niyi Gideon Olaiya stands as a scientist redefining the boundaries of modern innovation. His pioneering research reflects not only extraordinary technical expertise but also a rare commitment to human well-being and planetary sustainability. Through his work, he is transforming how the world thinks about materials, medicine, and the moral responsibility of science itself. Dr. Olaiya’s vision continues to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, positioning him as a global leader whose influence extends far beyond his discipline, shaping the future of healthcare, technology, and sustainable living.

  • Researcher maps out how digital HR, AI are rewriting talent strategy rules

    Researcher maps out how digital HR, AI are rewriting talent strategy rules

    On a Monday morning in a bustling Lagos office, a manager scans his dashboard. It is not a simple attendance sheet. Instead, it offers a live forecast of who in her department might need new skills within the next year, which roles could face automation risk, and which high-potential employees might be ready for promotion. The predictions are drawn from thousands of data points, including performance reviews, project histories and training records, all processed in real time by an AI-powered human resource system.

    This scene is not science fiction. It is already happening, according to a new research by Derrick Afriyie, HR Change Management Analyst at the British Council in Accra, the Ghanaian capital. In a study published in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, Afriyie lays out a vision of the workplace where algorithms, agile feedback loops, and digital HR platforms have become core business tools, while employee trust and data protection have emerged as equally critical priorities.

    “In the near future, talent strategy and digital strategy will be indistinguishable,” Afriyie says. “Organisations that thrive will be the ones that anticipate change, adapt in real time, and keep trust at the center of their operations.”

    His research shows that integrated digital HR infrastructures are no longer just administrative support systems. Hosted in the cloud and powered by real-time analytics, these platforms consolidate performance tracking, career development pathways, compliance monitoring, and workforce planning into a single intelligent ecosystem. Executives can see a live portrait of workforce health, including who is excelling, who is struggling, where skill gaps are opening, and how external market shifts might affect talent supply.

    Yet the same systems that deliver these insights hold vast stores of sensitive employee information, making data governance a defining challenge. Afriyie warns that without strict classification protocols, clear consent management, and region-specific compliance measures, even the most advanced HR platforms can lose the confidence of both regulators and staff. His recommendations include tiered data access with categories such as public, internal, confidential, and restricted, mandatory encryption for sensitive files such as pay and medical records, and privacy dashboards tailored for local laws in each country where a company operates.

    The research also identifies one of the most striking cultural shifts in modern work, which is the decline of the annual performance review. For decades, these year-end appraisals defined employee evaluation. But in a fast-changing economy, waiting twelve months to give feedback or discuss career growth is operationally unsound. Many organisations are moving towards continuous, agile feedback in the form of weekly or monthly check-ins tied to specific projects or sprints. Digital tools now integrate with workplace applications like Slack or Outlook, sending prompts for managers to hold regular conversations. These systems encourage peer recognition alongside managerial input, turning performance management into an ongoing coaching process rather than a once-a-year judgment.

    Read Also: Chaos as Enugu South Urban rerun election fails for fourth time

    “Workforce planning is no longer about counting heads. It is about predicting, adapting, and protecting talent in real time,” the researcher says.

    Artificial intelligence plays a central role in this transformation. By analysing structured performance data, project histories, and even the sentiment in feedback, machine learning models can group employees by skill similarity, detect vulnerabilities in talent pipelines, and forecast supply-demand mismatches under various scenarios such as automation or new market entry. Natural language processing resumes, job postings, and internal feedback to create skill heat maps that reveal strengths and weaknesses across departments or regions.

    Afriyie offers a practical example. A junior analyst with growing technical skills in SQL and Tableau might be flagged as a strong candidate for a business intelligence role. The system could then suggest specific online courses, assign a mentor, and arrange shadowing opportunities, effectively creating a personalised career pathway aligned with both the employee’s aspirations and the company’s strategic needs.

    Analytics also help reveal when performance gaps are not the result of poor individual effort but outdated job roles. If several employees in the same position underperform despite training, predictive models may identify the role itself as misaligned with current business needs, prompting a redesign of responsibilities to match emerging demands from automation, hybrid work, or regulatory changes.

    To illustrate the practical impact of these strategies, Afriyie’s research turns to industry-specific examples. In manufacturing, predictive workforce planning tools identify job families most susceptible to automation and match those employees to reskilling programs that prepare them for new roles such as smart factory maintenance or supply chain planning. By simulating different redeployment scenarios, companies can ensure production remains stable while preserving decades of institutional knowledge.

    In financial services, where compliance is critical, predictive monitoring tools scan early warning signs in sensitive roles like risk officers and auditors. These systems might detect patterns such as delays in decision-making, shifts in communication tone, or frequent deviations from policy. Rather than penalizing employees, these alerts trigger mentoring, training, or job rotations designed to prevent burnout and safeguard ethical performance.

    While Afriyie is optimistic about the potential of AI and predictive analytics to make workforce planning more accurate and equitable, he is also clear about the risks. Algorithmic bias, digital fatigue, and ethical blind spots could undermine progress if left unchecked. He calls for explainable AI in HR, which means systems that offer transparent reasoning for decisions, especially in high-stakes cases like promotions, layoffs, or leadership appointments. Ethical frameworks must evolve alongside cultural contexts, and predictive tools must integrate with other business systems to form a unified “talent intelligence” layer.

    The study closes with a future-focused outlook. As automation advances, markets shift, and regulations tighten, the organisations that excel will be those that weave together people, processes, and platforms into an intelligent, responsive whole. Workforce planning, Afriyie insists, has moved from a quiet back-office activity to a strategic conversation in the boardroom, one that shapes the future direction and resilience of the enterprise.

  • Martin Uwakwe: Leading Imo State’s ICT and AI Development

    Martin Uwakwe: Leading Imo State’s ICT and AI Development

    Imo State has been recognized as the best-performing state in Nigeria for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development, receiving the prestigious award at the Annual National ICT Conference organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. The event, held on December 6, 2019, in Gombe State, celebrated outstanding achievements and advancements in ICT across the nation.

    This accolade highlights the significant contributions of Hon. Martin Uwakwe, appointed as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Data and Technology by Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON, Governor of Imo State. Under Uwakwe’s guidance, Imo State has seen substantial progress in ICT infrastructure, digital literacy, and the application of technology-driven governance.

    Key Achievements in Data, Technology, and AI: Since his appointment, Hon. Martin Uwakwe has overseen various projects integrating technology into government functions and daily life in Imo State. Some of his notable achievements include:

    E-Governance Implementation: Uwakwe has been instrumental in implementing e-governance systems that have improved public service delivery in Imo State. By digitizing many government processes, the state has enhanced transparency, efficiency, and accessibility for its residents.

    ICT Training and Education: Recognizing the critical role of education in technological advancement, Uwakwe launched ICT training programs to equip youths and civil servants with essential digital skills. These initiatives have significantly boosted the digital literacy rate in Imo State, preparing a tech-savvy workforce for the future.

    READ ALSO: FG to fully implement Sex Offender Register

    Broadband Expansion: Uwakwe’s efforts in expanding broadband infrastructure have been pivotal. Increased internet penetration has facilitated better connectivity, opening up opportunities for e-commerce, remote learning, and telehealth services, particularly benefiting rural areas.

    Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Uwakwe has championed the development and implementation of AI and machine learning applications in local content. These initiatives have enhanced various sectors, including agriculture and education, by introducing innovative solutions tailored to local needs.

    Smart Agriculture Project: This initiative involved using AI to predict weather patterns, optimize planting schedules, and monitor crop health, leading to a 20% increase in agricultural productivity.

    AI-driven Education Platforms: Uwakwe spearheaded the creation of personalized learning platforms that adapt to students’ learning paces and styles, significantly improving student performance and engagement in rural schools.

    Public-Private Partnerships: To bolster the state’s ICT sector, Hon. Uwakwe, in collaboration with the State’s Ministry of Technology Development, has fostered strong partnerships with private tech companies and international organizations. These collaborations have brought in investments, technological expertise, and innovative solutions, further accelerating the state’s digital transformation.

    Tech Hub Development: Uwakwe led the establishment of a technology hub in Owerri, in partnership with SixFactors, providing startups with the resources and mentorship needed to develop and scale their innovations.

    E-Tranzact Integration: This project enabled the digitization of financial transactions within the state’s government services, improving efficiency and reducing corruption.

    In line with the objectives of the Rebuild Imo administration, Hon. Martin Uwakwe’s leadership and dedication to integrating ICT and AI into the state’s development agenda have been crucial to Imo State’s success. His approach underscores the importance of leveraging technology to foster economic growth, improve governance, and enhance the overall well-being of the populace.

    Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s strategic appointment of Uwakwe has positioned Imo State as a leader in the ICT sector. The state’s recognition at the National ICT Conference reflects its current achievements and future potential.

    As Imo State continues to innovate, other states in Nigeria are encouraged to adopt similar ICT solutions to drive development and prosperity.

  • Olaleye’s expertise in network performance, spectrum strategy,  sustainable design

    Olaleye’s expertise in network performance, spectrum strategy,  sustainable design

    • Adekunle Bayero

    In today’s hyper-connected world, the performance of mobile networks underpins everything from everyday communication to the growth of digital economies. 

    At the forefront of this advancement is Damilare Olaleye, whose expertise in network design and optimization is redefining how mobile infrastructure is built, scaled, and sustained. 

    By blending strategic foresight with technical precision, his work is elevating service reliability for mobile users as well as driving forward a more sustainable, environmentally conscious telecommunications industry.

    One of his key contributions is making sure that vendor services are managed while ensuring performance improvement. 

    “You cannot wait until users complain about a problem,” Olaleye explains. “By catching performance issues early, you protect the network and save millions from disruptions.” 

    He is also helping to set important performance targets for 5G rollout, giving operators a clear standard to follow. 

    “Standards are not just numbers,” he noted. “They are the guardrails that keep a network reliable as it grows.” In addition, he identifies new case opportunities from raw data and KPIs, such that they are automated to enhance customer experience. 

    “Manual checks can miss patterns,” Olaleye says.

    “Automation allows us to detect small problems before they become big ones.”

    Olaleye plays a central role in increasing the capacity of mobile networks. By working on spectrum acquisition, the radio “space” that carries calls and data, he supported an increase in capacity. “Spectrum is the lifeblood of mobile connectivity,” he emphasised. 

    “Expanding it meant millions of new users could come online without sacrificing service quality.” This allowed millions of additional people to join the network, raising the total subscriber base.

    He also organised large benchmarking tests, which compares mobile performances. The results show a rise in data use, a boost in average speeds, and more reliable service overall.

    “Benchmarking is not about competition alone,” Olaleye reflects. “It is about learning where your network stands, finding weaknesses, and using data to make the experience better for every user.”

  • From SIM Scams to Cyber Strength: How One Man Sparked a Cybersecurity Revolution in Rural Northern Nigeria

    From SIM Scams to Cyber Strength: How One Man Sparked a Cybersecurity Revolution in Rural Northern Nigeria

    In a digital age where cyber threats loom large, an innovative initiative launched in 2017 continues to be celebrated for its profound impact on rural communities in Northern Nigeria. Mr. Samuel Adeniji, a visionary technologist and cybersecurity expert, spearheaded the “Rural Cyber-Resilience Initiative (RCRI),” a groundbreaking program designed to empower vulnerable populations with essential cybersecurity knowledge.

    Mr. Adeniji’s journey began in 2017 during a community outreach program in Kano State. He stumbled upon a paradox that would soon spark a transformative digital movement across Northern Nigeria. Mobile phones were everywhere. Farmers used them to check crop prices. Young students browsed the web for assignments. Traders transferred money across towns with the tap of a screen. But beneath this thriving mobile economy lay a troubling digital blind spot: cyber illiteracy. “Farmers, small shop owners, and students were embracing smartphones without any understanding of the inherent cybersecurity risks,” Mr. Adeniji explained. “Cases of SIM swap fraud, phishing scams via WhatsApp, and account takeovers were rampant, yet victims were often clueless about what had happened or how to protect themselves. That’s when I knew we needed a cybersecurity solution made not for tech giants, but for market women, herders, and small-town students.”

    A Model Rooted in the People

    At the heart of Adeniji’s RCRI are four pillars: basic cyber hygiene education in local languages, SIM security workshops, a grassroots cyber ambassador program, and a WhatsApp-based alert system for real-time scam detection.

    In a small classroom in Gwarzo, 42-year-old Hajiya Mariya Usman, a maize farmer, remembers the first time she heard the term “phishing.” “Before the training, I used to send my bank PIN to people I thought were from the bank. I lost N15,000 once. After the program, I learned to ignore those calls and never give out my codes,” she says with a wide smile.

    Similarly, Malam Garba, a groundnut farmer from Gwarzo LGA, Kano State, shared his experience: “Before Mr. Adeniji’s program, I lost money twice to strange messages on my phone. They would ask for my details, and I would give them. But after the training, I learned how to spot these tricks. Now, I don’t respond to any suspicious messages, and my mobile money is safe. This has helped me focus on my farming without fear.”

    Mr. Adeniji’s initiative recognized early that no outsider, however skilled, could embed cybersecurity awareness in tight-knit rural settings without trust. That’s why he created a Community Cyber Ambassador Network, training youths within the villages to become local cybersecurity guides.

    One such ambassador is Fatima Lawan, now 23, who leads awareness sessions in marketplaces and schoolyards. During an interview, she recounts: “We used radios, WhatsApp broadcasts, and even Friday mosque sermons. People started asking questions, reporting fake SMS messages. We created a culture of caution.”

    The success of RCRI extended beyond Kano. A local radio station in Kano, Arewa FM, aired the cyber hygiene tips in Hausa, further amplifying awareness. The initiative also became a template for similar digital literacy programs in Katsina and Jigawa states, demonstrating its scalability and effectiveness.

    The success of RCRI in Gwarzo quickly caught the attention of local leaders and digital policy advocates. Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar, Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Area, Kano State, lauded the initiative: “Mr. Adeniji’s Rural Cyber-Resilience Model has been a game-changer for our communities. It has addressed a critical gap in digital literacy, empowering our people to navigate the online world safely. The reduction in reported cyber fraud cases is a testament to the effectiveness of this program. We are grateful for this impactful intervention.”

    The initiative also continues to spread to other northern states, attracting the attentions of local governments with similar problems. Speaking to The Nation, Hon. Abubakar Jibril, Chairman of the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, also praised the model’s adaptability: “We replicated the same framework with minimal resources. Within six months, our own youth-led workshops trained over 300 individuals, including farmers, businesspeople and youth coppers. The impact was immediate, with less fraud, more awareness.”

    Hon. Aisha Danlami, Chairperson of the Gumel LGA in Jigawa State, added: “Gumel LGA also benefited immensely from the framework established by the Rural Cyber-Resilience Model. It has fostered a more secure digital environment for our farmers and traders, ensuring that the benefits of mobile technology are not overshadowed by the risks of cybercrime. This grassroots approach to cybersecurity is truly commendable.”

    Global Implications, Local Roots

    In an era dominated by enterprise cybersecurity tools and high-level infrastructure, Mr. Adeniji’s initiative is a reminder that people, not just platforms, must be protected. “While advanced cybersecurity solutions primarily focus on enterprises, my project demonstrates that grassroots education, local context, and robust community networks can establish a formidable first line of defense against cyber threats in rural Nigeria,” he concluded. The enduring legacy of the Rural Cyber-Resilience Model continues to protect and empower countless individuals, proving that digital security is not just for the technologically advanced, but for everyone.

    Indeed, the Rural Cyber-Resilience Initiative is now being reviewed by several NGOs for adoption in other underserved regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, and Mr. Samuel Adeniji is being recognized as a key innovator in inclusive digital safety.

  • Olushola Babalola honored with Tech Innovation of the Year Award 

    Olushola Babalola honored with Tech Innovation of the Year Award 

    At the 2018 Art of Technology Lagos Conference, where industry leaders gathered to recognize transformative achievements in Africa’s tech landscape, one name echoed across panels, speeches, and headlines—Olushola Babalola, recipient of the Tech Innovation of the Year Award. 

    Celebrated for his visionary work in building the foundational systems behind Nigeria’s most successful payment infrastructure, Babalola’s contributions are now reshaping how digital transactions are handled across the African continent.

    The award, given annually to an innovator whose work has had measurable impact across industries, was presented at a ceremony attended by senior government officials, CBN representatives, global venture capital firms, and executives from Nigeria’s top fintech companies. What set Babalola apart was not a consumer-facing app or a widely marketed product—it was the innovation that powered them all.

    Working behind the scenes at the height of Nigeria’s real-time payment surge, Babalola designed and deployed a transaction coordination engine that enabled platforms like Paystack to process high-volume digital payments with unmatched stability and speed. His orchestration layer introduced real-time reconciliation, retry intelligence, and payment queue optimization at a time when Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem was struggling to scale.

    By mid-2018, Paystack had integrated core components of his architecture to streamline cross-channel transactions—laying the groundwork for its continental expansion. The platform’s success in Nigeria quickly caught attention in Ghana, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire, where similar digital ecosystems were facing the same scale and settlement challenges Nigeria had only recently solved.

    Babalola was later invited to contribute to a multi-stakeholder advisory group supporting the West African Payments System Harmonization Plan, a project led by ECOWAS to unify digital payment standards across the region. His contributions have already influenced policy drafts for cross-border interoperability protocols and merchant onboarding compliance models in both Ghana and Benin Republic.

    In a year where Africa saw over ₦120 trillion processed through digital payment systems, Babalola’s technology helped reduce failed transactions by more than 58% across key platforms. One independent fintech survey found that businesses using systems powered by his orchestration logic had a 34% faster transaction turnaround time and 70% fewer reversal complaints than platforms relying on traditional backend pipelines.

    But Babalola’s innovation wasn’t just about speed or scale. It was about trust.

    As Africa’s fintech sector boomed, investors and regulators alike began demanding more resilient architecture. Babalola delivered just that—systems that could support millions of users without compromising reliability or transparency.

    Accepting the award at the Eko Hotel & Suites Grand Ballroom, Babalola spoke not about technology, but about impact. “Innovation is only as meaningful as the problems it solves,” he said. “What we’re building is not just code. It’s the digital foundation for commerce, for confidence, for possibility across Africa.”

    In the audience were delegates from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and founders of the region’s top fintech startups—all of whom applauded the recognition. Several noted that the award reflects a broader shift in how the industry views innovation—not just as flashy interfaces, but as the invisible logic that allows systems to grow without breaking.

    The Tech Innovation of the Year Award, previously given to top experts in Product Management, is now part of Olushola Babalola’s legacy. But as many of his peers will tell you, his most impressive achievement may be that his work is everywhere, and yet his name is only just starting to be recognized.

    In a landscape that demands fast, secure, and inclusive payment systems, Babalola is not just keeping up. He’s setting the pace.

  • Geraldine champions green innovation for corrosion control to strengthen manufacturing, industrial supply chains

    Geraldine champions green innovation for corrosion control to strengthen manufacturing, industrial supply chains

    Geraldine Chika Nwokocha, a chemical engineer, advocates for the use of natural plant-based inhibitors to revolutionize corrosion control in the manufacturing and oil & gas sectors, leading to safer operations and more sustainable supply chains.

    Geraldine began her career as a procurement and sourcing manager at Slot Engineering in 2016, following her graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Landmark University in Nigeria. She shared these insights following the publication of her co-authored research article, “Inhibitory Action of Vernonia amygdalina Extract (VAE) on the Corrosion of Carbon Steel in Acidic Medium,” in the Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering (Vol. 7, No. 3, August 15, 2017). She was indexed in Scopus, one of the world’s leading scientific databases.

    She notes that corrosion is a silent threat, costing global industries billions annually in repairs, replacements, and supply disruptions. “When equipment fails due to corrosion, production stops, safety is compromised, and the entire supply chain is disrupted,” Geraldine explained.

    Her study evaluated Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) stem extract as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic conditions, achieving a maximum inhibition efficiency of 78.1% at a concentration of 0.6 g/L. “This result demonstrates strong potential for industrial application, providing an eco-friendly alternative to harmful synthetic inhibitors,” she said.

    Connecting this to supply chain and procurement, Geraldine explained that corrosion-related failures often force procurement teams into emergency sourcing, which drives up costs and causes delays. “By extending equipment life and reducing unplanned downtime, green inhibitors like VAE support more stable and predictable supply chains,” she added.

    She further emphasized that integrating such natural inhibitors can reduce dependency on imported synthetic chemicals. “Sourcing inhibitors from locally abundant plants like Vernonia amygdalina supports local agriculture, empowers communities, and aligns procurement strategies with national economic goals,” she noted.

    Geraldine emphasized that production lines rely on equipment integrity and that effective corrosion control is crucial for maintaining consistent output quality. “Adopting green corrosion inhibitors protects assets and ensures that manufacturing timelines and customer commitments are met,” she said.

    Highlighting the green initiative aspect, she pointed out that traditional inhibitors pose significant environmental and health risks. “The use of natural plant extracts is a sustainable alternative that aligns with global environmental standards and corporate social responsibility goals,” Geraldine said.

    Her research found that the adsorption process was spontaneous and followed the Langmuir isotherm model, confirming the formation of a strong, uniform protective film on the steel surface. “We found that compounds like tannins and saponins in the extract were key to forming a robust protective layer, effectively reducing corrosion,” she said.

    Geraldine advocated for policies that encourage industry to invest in green technologies and local research. “Governments and private sectors should create incentives for adopting eco-friendly solutions, which protect assets and reduce the overall carbon footprint,” she said.

    She maintained that this approach could position Nigeria and other African nations as leaders in sustainable industrial practices. “We have the resources and scientific capacity to set a global example. By embracing green corrosion control, we can build stronger, cleaner, and more resilient supply chains,” she added.

    Looking forward, Geraldine is committed to further exploring natural solutions to industrial challenges, bridging her expertise in engineering, procurement, and supply chain management. “My goal is to continue integrating research with practical strategies that drive both economic and environmental benefits,” she said.

    Her research on Vernonia amygdalina not only advances scientific understanding of green corrosion inhibition but also provides a practical roadmap for industries aiming to improve operational efficiency, protect the environment, and enhance supply chain resilience.

    Read the complete publication here: https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.353

  • How KPMG’s Data Scientist Is Rewriting Nigeria’s Financial Map

    How KPMG’s Data Scientist Is Rewriting Nigeria’s Financial Map

    • By Kolawole Emmanuel Abe

     In a world where data drives decision-making, a quiet revolution is taking place in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem—and Peace Ogobor is one of its key architects.

    As a Data Scientist at KPMG Nigeria, Peace spent three years leading some of the most impactful analytics-driven projects supporting financial inclusion in the country. While many consultancies focused on compliance and audit, Peace and her team chose a different path: using advanced geospatial analytics to uncover why millions of Nigerians remained unbanked.

    The initiative—developed in collaboration with financial institutions and policymakers—involved building a dynamic data model that combined Nigeria’s population distribution, access to financial infrastructure, and behavioral trends related to digital financial services.
    The result was a visual financial access map that identified precise pockets of exclusion across all six geopolitical zones.

    “Before 2016, we had assumptions about where financial gaps existed,” said a CBN official who requested anonymity. “What Peace and the KPMG team delivered was data-driven certainty. For the first time, we had actionable intelligence to deploy agent networks and mobile solutions effectively.”

    This work directly supported key components of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria. According to World Bank Findex data, Nigeria experienced an upward trend in financial access between 2014 and 2017. Experts attribute a portion of that growth to the targeted expansion of financial services, made possible by Peace’s integration of geospatial and demographic analytics.

    Peace’s insights also influenced deployment strategies for mobile money operators and agent banking networks, particularly in underserved states such as Kebbi, Benue, and Nasarawa. Her models were referenced by several top-tier banks in planning new microcredit and digital wallet rollouts.

    “Peace brought a rare combination of technical skill and developmental insight,” said Nkechi Omorogbe, a fintech executive familiar with the project. “She understood not just the data models, but the socio-economic context behind the numbers.”

    Today, many financial institutions continue to rely on the foundational data architecture developed by Peace and her team. While she has since transitioned into broader innovation leadership roles, the legacy of her contributions at KPMG remains impactful and far-reaching.

    In a field often saturated with buzzwords, Peace Ogobor’s work stands out for its measurable, lasting impact—and for quietly helping redraw Nigeria’s financial map with the clarity and precision only data can provide.

  • Five global figures shaping development communication

    Five global figures shaping development communication

    Burghardt Tenderich

    Burghardt Tenderich is a seasoned expert in strategic communication, media innovation, and brand purpose. As an educator and researcher, he explores the evolving media landscape, media entrepreneurship, and the intersection of storytelling and branding. He serves as the Associate Director of Annenberg’s Strategic Communication and Public Relations Center and co-authored Transmedia Branding (USC Annenberg Press, 2015) alongside Jerried Williams, offering insights into how brands navigate an increasingly fragmented media environment.

     Before joining Annenberg, Tenderich was the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also lectured on entrepreneurship. His extensive background in communication and marketing spans decades, with a particular focus on the information technology and internet industries.

    His industry experience includes leadership roles such as General Manager for North America at Bite Communications, Vice President of Public Relations at Siebel Systems, and Senior Vice President and Partner at Applied Communications, a technology-focused public relations firm. In 2016, he co-founded Cardisio GmbH, an AI-powered mobile health technology company based in Frankfurt, Germany, dedicated to revolutionizing heart health by offering non-invasive screening for coronary artery disease and other heart conditions.

    With a career that bridges academia, industry leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures, Tenderich continues to shape the future of strategic communication and technology-driven innovation.

    Olatunji Oke

    One of the biggest errors of the Nigerian heritage is the failure to properly document in enduring forms, significant events of her chequered history and the roles of outstanding men and women who created the history. Such important documentation helps to put the contributions and achievements of heroes and leaders into proper historical perspectives for the benefit of posterity and researchers.

    By the mid 2000s, Lagos, Nigeria’s most important state, was developing at a rapid pace while evolving into an economic powerhouse on the continent. Yet, some of the activities of that epoch were not being recorded.

    This was the lacuna Olatunji Oke, a development communication expert, spotted over 20years ago and decided to tackle it headlong. A philosophy graduate of the University of Lagos, Olatunji, would, in the course of his career, evolve into a sought-after development communications specialist because of his fervent belief that effective communication can drive socio-economic change and sustainable development.

    This radical instinct led him to birth the Lagos Indicator in December 2007 which was specially designed to record and review the important roles of individuals and institutions within the state government.

    An all-colour, all-gloss periodical, the Lagos Indicator evolved into a robust, purposive, pragmatic, and value-driven vehicle of communication through which the government of the day could gauge the pulse of the people while the latter could monitor the activities of the former. Lagos is a sprawling megalopolis with an estimated 20million population, 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas. Stakeholders range from traditional rulers, party leaders in all the LGAs and LCDAs, civil society groups, opinion and religious leaders among. They all get free copies of the publication.

    The Lagos Indicator is a win-win medium, a type that had never been seen in Nigeria. And, through the years, the publication never faltered in its objectives. Lagos Indicator has been documenting the achievements and activities of the Lagos State government since 2007. Olatunji leveraged his profound knowledge of development communication to make Lagos Indicator a riveting, reader-friendly publication.

    Wendy Melillo

     Wendy Melillo’s journey in strategic communication is one shaped by a relentless pursuit of truth and a keen eye for the forces that shape public perception. With a background that spans print journalism, international relations, and the history of ideas, she has built a career at the crossroads of media, politics, and culture.

     Melillo brings her expertise to the classroom, guiding students through the intricate world of journalism. Her research delves into the powerful influence of strategic communication on society, examining how messages—whether through political ads, public service campaigns, or corporate narratives—shape public consciousness and media landscapes.

     Before stepping into academia, Melillo made her mark as a reporter at The Washington Post, where her investigative work earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination and an award from the White House Correspondents’ Association for her groundbreaking coverage of the United Way scandal. She later spent nearly a decade at Adweek, chronicling the ever-evolving world of political advertising and strategic communication.

     In 2013, she published How McGruff and the Crying Indian Changed America, a deep dive into the history and impact of the Ad Council’s iconic campaigns. Through this work, she unraveled the complex and sometimes controversial ways in which public service advertising has influenced American culture, embedding itself into the national psyche.

     Her academic career is marked by a dedication to both research and teaching. She has presented her work at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and contributed extensively to discussions on public communication, marketing, and journalism. In the classroom, she teaches courses such as Advanced Reporting, Journalism Capstone, and Writing for Communication, shaping the next generation of journalists and media professionals.

     Beyond academia, Melillo’s insights have been sought by major media outlets, including NPR, NBC4, and CBS Evening News, where she has provided expert analysis on advertising, media ethics, and strategic messaging. Her contributions to publications like Adweek further underscore her role as a thought leader in the field.

    With a career that bridges investigative journalism, media analysis, and education, Wendy Melillo continues to illuminate the ways in which storytelling, advertising, and strategic communication shape public discourse.

    Caty Borum

    Caty Borum is a distinguished media producer, scholar, and author dedicated to leveraging entertainment for social impact.  

    With a career spanning media production, academia, and advocacy, Borum has authored several influential books on entertainment’s role in activism. Her works include A Comedian and An Activist Walk Into a Bar: The Serious Role of Comedy in Social Justice (co-authored with Lauren Feldman, foreword by Norman Lear), Story Movements: How Documentaries Empower People and Inspire Social Change, and The Revolution Will Be Hilarious: Comedy for Social Change and Civic Power. Her scholarship has earned her accolades.

    Under Borum’s leadership, CMSI has launched groundbreaking initiatives at the intersection of comedy and human rights. She co-founded the Yes, And… Laughter Lab, a pioneering incubator supporting comedians who address social justice issues, in partnership with major entertainment platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, NBC Universal, and ViacomCBS. Other CMSI projects, including Comedy ThinkTanks and GoodLaugh, unite professional comedians with human rights organizations to co-create impactful content.

     Her work has been backed by some of the world’s leading philanthropic institutions, including the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Gates Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Open Society Foundations. These grants have supported her mission to research, develop, and amplify media that fosters civic engagement and policy change.

    Before entering academia, Borum was a senior vice president at FleishmanHillard International Communications, where she spearheaded public service campaigns and earned the industry’s highest honor, the Silver Anvil Award. She also worked closely with legendary TV producer Norman Lear, serving as a philanthropy director and producer on projects that merged entertainment and advocacy.

     Additionally, she has played a pivotal role in public health and media strategy, managing HIV-awareness campaigns and TV specials in collaboration with MTV and BET during her tenure at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Earlier in her career, she contributed to media research at the Center for Media Education and was a civic journalism fellow at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

     From producing award-winning documentaries to leading cutting-edge research in comedy and activism, Caty Borum remains a driving force in the evolving landscape of media for social change.

    Amina Lahbabi-Peters

     Amina Lahbabi-Peters grew up in a culturally rich environment, fluent in Arabic and French, with significant Spanish influences shaping her upbringing. Her multilingual skills expanded further as she spent fourteen years living and studying in English-speaking environments, ultimately mastering Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.

     From an early age, she actively participated in civil society organizations, including the Scouting-affiliated Fédération Nationale du Scoutisme Marocain, nurturing a passion for social engagement and community development.

    She pursued a degree in English Language and Literature at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tétouan, specializing in discourse analysis and sociolinguistics. Her academic journey continued at the King Fahd School of Translation in Tangier, where she earned a master’s degree in translation. As a recipient of a prestigious Fulbright scholarship, she advanced her studies at Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States, obtaining a second master’s degree in Advertising and Marketing.

    During her time at MSU, Lahbabi-Peters demonstrated strong leadership by spearheading an international student team conducting market research to enhance Marine City, Michigan’s tourism appeal. She also co-founded the International Sponsored Students Organization and actively participated in community outreach initiatives supporting minorities and refugees.

    Upon completing her first master’s degree, she held management positions at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, for three years. In the U.S., she worked as a marketing and communications consultant for NGOs and the local chamber of commerce.

    Returning to Morocco in 2009, Lahbabi-Peters rejoined Al Akhawayn University as the Director of Communication and Development. In this role, she developed the university’s first branding and communication strategy, leading groundbreaking initiatives that enhanced institutional visibility.

    Her expertise in Communication for Development (C4D) led her to a position at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where she managed high-impact global campaigns, particularly in the Southern Mediterranean/MENA region, Africa, and Europe.

    Beyond her roles in development communication and marketing, she has contributed as a translator, interpreter, newspaper columnist, and writer. Additionally, her creative pursuits include freelance work as a graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer.

    With a career spanning multiple fields, Lahbabi-Peters continues to drive meaningful communication strategies that bridge cultural and social divides while fostering global engagement.

  • The digital lifeline: How Grainsfield helps SMEs compete globally

    The digital lifeline: How Grainsfield helps SMEs compete globally

    In Nigeria, where companies strive for global relevance, one firm has carved a distinct path by pairing deep local knowledge with world-class consulting expertise. That firm is Grainsfield Consulting Services, a Lagos-based professional services powerhouse that has transformed some of Nigeria’s most prominent organisations through thoughtful strategy, technological rigour, and uncompromising commitment to results.

    Founded in 2009, Grainsfield Consulting Services was born of a conviction: that small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, and government agencies alike need more than just advice, they need a partner willing to walk with them through the labyrinth of organisational change, technology implementation, and process re-engineering. Since then, Grainsfield has built a reputation as a quiet yet potent force in Nigeria’s consulting industry, celebrated not for flashy marketing but for the consistent delivery of value where it matters most: in the sustained performance and competitiveness of its clients.

    “We are committed to supporting businesses to maximise their performance and work with them to achieve their vision,” the company’s President, Akachukwu Jonathan Ifechukwu, said. This promise is not mere corporate rhetoric, it is a philosophy that informs every engagement, from high-level strategy workshops to hands-on technology assessments.

    A commitment to high-performance organisations

    Grainsfield Consulting Services positions itself at the intersection of consulting, technology, and management services. From its Lagos headquarters, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to elevate its clients to “high-performance business” status.

    Its portfolio spans business process improvement and reengineering, organisational change management (OCM), ISO certification support, technology selection and implementation, employee engagement analysis, and business continuity planning. In each domain, Grainsfield’s approach is informed by globally recognized frameworks and methodologies, Michael Hammer’s Process Audit Framework, PROSCI’s ADKAR Model for change management, and ISO 9001 series quality management standards.

    But it is not simply the use of these tools that sets Grainsfield apart. Rather, it is the firm’s insistence on understanding each client’s unique context, engaging stakeholders meaningfully, and building capabilities that last beyond the consulting engagement.

    Restoring Competitiveness at Calabar Port

    One of Grainsfield’s standout success stories comes from Nigeria’s maritime sector, where ECM Terminals Limited, the concessionaire of Calabar Port, faced a daunting challenge. Mired in operational ineffectiveness and declining productivity, ECM found itself at risk of losing competitiveness in a rapidly modernising industry.

    Recognising that operational excellence demands more than technology alone, ECM engaged Grainsfield to identify gaps and design business processes that would transform its operations. Grainsfield’s first insight was simple yet profound: no process review can succeed without first winning stakeholder understanding and buy-in. The firm, therefore, began with a dedicated process training workshop for ECM’s senior managers, demystifying concepts and laying the groundwork for collaboration.

    Armed with agreed-upon templates, Grainsfield conducted a thorough analysis of processes, personnel, technology, and work-tools. The result was a blueprint for change that included redesigned processes, newly defined performance measures (Key Performance Indicators), and improved workflows that closed critical gaps. Grainsfield also outlined an actionable implementation roadmap, ensuring ECM could execute the transformation independently and sustainably.

    The partnership’s success was so evident that, in 2015, ECM once again turned to Grainsfield, this time to prepare for the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 certification. It was a clear vote of confidence in Grainsfield’s methodical, results-oriented approach.

    Eterna Plc: Bringing clarity to the oil & gas supply chain

    In the challenging and capital-intensive oil and gas sector, Eterna Plc confronted a familiar paradox: while some of its financial processes had been successfully automated, inefficiencies persisted across its supply chain. The absence of an end-to-end process manual not only limited visibility but also made it impossible to objectively measure workloads or set meaningful performance goals. 

    Grainsfield recognised that culture would prove decisive. Without documentation, processes cannot be measured and where there is no measure, culture, as the adage goes, eats strategy for lunch. To address this, Grainsfield used Michael Hammer’s Process Audit Framework to evaluate the firm’s process and capability maturity level.

    The findings were candid and illuminating. Grainsfield then designed targeted training workshops to move the organisation away from a silo mentality toward an integrated, process-oriented mindset. In tandem with facilitating the Organisational Change Management effort, the firm helped Eterna redesign and document its processes in alignment with ISO 9001:2008 requirements.

    The transformation plan was staged to ensure manageability and sustainability, with Stage 1 scheduled for completion by Q4 2015 and Stage 2 by Q3 2016. It was an ambitious timetable, but with Grainsfield’s support, Eterna Plc had the tools and the will to see it through.

    The work done was in preparation for the implementation of a new ERP system.

    Steering a Shipping Agency Towards Excellence

    For Daddo Maritime Services Limited, a 27-year-old shipping agency, the problem was not inexperience but stagnation. Despite decades of operation, the company found its business processes riddled with inconsistencies and inefficiencies, threatening its ability to compete in a modern maritime environment.

    Here again, Grainsfield’s first step was education. Senior managers participated in a process training workshop designed to secure understanding and buy-in, crucial for any transformation to take root. Using its structured approach, Grainsfield then analysed the organisation across four critical dimensions: process, people, technology, and work-tools.

    The output was not merely theoretical. Grainsfield redesigned processes, defined new performance measures, and improved existing workflows to address specific, identified gaps. The engagement also produced a clear, phased implementation roadmap, giving Daddo a strategic path forward. This work laid the foundation for the company’s eventual achievement of ISO 9001:2008 certification, a testament to the rigour and sustainability of Grainsfield’s methods.

    Partnership with Infoworks Nigeria Ltd

    When Infoworks Nigeria Ltd was engaged by Keystone Bank, Wema Bank, and State House for projects, it found in Grainsfield a worthy partner. In Nigeria’s intensely competitive banking sector, technology infrastructure can make or break an institution’s fortunes. Keystone Bank Plc understood this reality all too well when it commissioned Infoworks to help define a new IT Implementation Roadmap, including the re-implementation of its core banking application. Infoworks brought in Grainsfield, whose resource began with a detailed IT assessment of the bank’s technology infrastructure. The audit was not merely diagnostic but prescriptive: it recommended remedial initiatives to address the bank’s most pressing IT challenges.

    One highlight of the engagement was Grainsfield’s role in quality assurance for the bank’s T24 Banking Software implementation. But the contribution went far beyond software. Grainsfield’s expert coordinated the Project Management Office, identifying and managing risks and milestones, and facilitating meetings to uncover performance enhancement opportunities from back-up power system upgrades to ISP sourcing and vendor management.

    Crucially, Grainsfield also supported the redesign of IT Service Management processes, closing out gaps that had long impeded the bank’s technological and operational ambitions.

    Engineering a customer-focused transformation

    Infoworks also engaged Grainsfield in the Wema Bank Plc project. Wema is a brand synonymous with heritage in Nigeria’s banking landscape, but even heritage needs reinvention. Seeking to position itself as a leading bank with a customer-centric ethos and efficient service delivery, Wema Bank undertook a major process reengineering project.

    One of the critical Project Management roles was outsourced to Grainsfield, whose resource applied globally accepted methodologies to develop a comprehensive, cohesive project work-plan. The complexity of the task spanning multiple teams demanded precise stakeholder identification and engagement.

    Grainsfield’s contribution was deeply collaborative. The firm planned and managed routine PMO activities, identified and tracked project risks, and ensured that issues were captured and escalated appropriately. Moreover, Grainsfield provided supervision for the process design team, guaranteeing alignment between the new Service Delivery Model and the organisation’s goals, policies, and benchmarks.

    The result was more than just a new process manual, it was a redefinition of Wema Bank’s promise to its customers.

    Enabling civil service reform at the highest levels

    Perhaps the most striking example of Grainsfield’s capacity to drive systemic change comes from its partnership with Infoworks on the project with Nigeria’s State House. As part of the Federal Government’s Civil Service reform, initiated during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Grainsfield led the IT Assessment work-stream for a sweeping Process Improvement and Skills/Manpower Audit.

    The project’s ambition was nothing less than to build a High Performance work environment that could catalyse system-wide reforms across Nigeria’s public service. Grainsfield’s lead resource conducted an exhaustive audit of organisational components spanning IT infrastructure, people, processes, and tools.

    Crucially, Grainsfield went beyond analysis. It recommended realignment of manpower to match redesigned processes and contributed to defining a performance management framework that could institutionalise improvements. The resulting diagnostics report, which identified structural, cultural, and technological issues, was delivered to the Presidency as a cornerstone for reform.

    A Distinct Approach: Methods and values

    While these success stories are compelling on their own, they are underpinned by Grainsfield’s distinctive approach to consulting. At the heart of this approach lies a deep belief in process maturity and stakeholder engagement. Using frameworks like Michael Hammer’s Process Audit, Grainsfield diagnoses not only what is wrong but why it persists, designing solutions that clients can own and sustain.

    Equally critical is the firm’s mastery of Organizational Change Management. Applying PROSCI’s ADKAR model, Grainsfield understands that change must be lived, not just planned. Its structured OCM approach moves organisations from resistance to acceptance, ensuring that transformations are not only implemented but sustained.

    Grainsfield is also a trusted partner in helping firms secure ISO certification, an essential milestone for companies seeking to prove their quality standards on the world stage. Through hands-on support, the firm guides clients through the complexities of ISO 9001:2008, demonstrating again its commitment to real, lasting results.

    Beyond consulting: A partner for Nigeria’s growth

    Ultimately, Grainsfield Consulting Services is more than a consultancy. It is a partner in Nigeria’s economic development, helping companies large and small unlock their potential, compete on the world stage, and deliver value for customers, shareholders, and society at large.

    From business continuity planning that safeguards organisations against disaster, to employee engagement analysis that unlocks the potential of the workforce, Grainsfield’s services reflect an understanding that true transformation is multifaceted. It is technological and cultural, strategic and operational, human and systemic.

    In an era when Nigeria is determined to diversify its economy, deepen its industrial capacity, and compete in global markets, firms like Grainsfield Consulting Services represent a crucial enabler of that ambition. By fusing global best practices with local knowledge and a relentless commitment to client success, Grainsfield stands as an exemplar of how consulting, done right, can transform not just companies but entire industries and, in its own quiet way, a nation.