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Nigerian businesses must embrace AI in the future of work

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The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed how we work. It accelerated a digital transformation that was already underway, forcing businesses to embrace new technologies and rethink traditional structures. In this new era, Artificial Intelligence (AI), once a concept from science fiction, is no longer a luxury but a necessity for growth and survival.

AI is poised to redefine the very nature of work, much like email revolutionised communication. It’s not about replacing human ingenuity but augmenting it, making work more agile, efficient, and ultimately, more rewarding. A PwC report, “Sizing the Prize,” predicts AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. For Africa, the potential is immense, with a 2023 African Development Bank report suggesting AI could boost the continent’s GDP by up to $1.2 trillion by 2030.

Nigeria, with its rapidly growing tech sector, stands to benefit immensely. The government’s commitment to developing a national AI strategy signals a clear understanding of this technology’s importance for the nation’s economic future. For Nigerian businesses to compete on a global stage, they must strategically commit to AI adoption, moving beyond mere interest to a multi-pronged approach that includes deployment, training, and a fundamental shift in mindset.

AI is not a replacement for talent; it’s a powerful coworker. Companies must communicate that AI is an enabler, freeing employees from repetitive tasks to focus on higher-value, creative, and strategic work. This mindset shift is crucial for successful integration.

AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up employees to dedicate their energy to more impactful work. One key way it transforms the workplace is through the automation of repetitive tasks. AI-powered Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can handle routine jobs like data entry, invoice processing, and report generation, significantly boosting efficiency and accuracy. This allows staff to focus on more strategic and creative responsibilities.

Beyond automation, AI also offers enhanced data analytics. Its algorithms can quickly sift through massive datasets, providing businesses with actionable insights for informed decision-making. This capability helps companies uncover trends and predict outcomes much faster than traditional methods. Furthermore, AI improves the customer experience through tools like AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, which provide 24/7 customer support, handle routine queries, and free up human agents for more complex issues.

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AI also facilitates smarter collaboration. It can transcribe meetings, translate languages in real-time, and summarize lengthy documents, making communication smoother, especially for remote or global teams. In addition, it enhances efficient talent management by streamlining the recruitment process, sifting through resumes to identify the best-fit candidates. In an increasingly digital world, AI is also crucial for stronger cybersecurity, playing a key role in detecting and responding to cyber threats to protect sensitive company data.

AI offers a unique advantage in creative marketing, a field where originality and strategic thinking are paramount. It doesn’t stifle creativity; it amplifies it. AI-powered tools can analyse market trends, consumer behavior, and campaign performance with incredible speed and accuracy. This data allows creative teams to move beyond guesswork and create highly targeted, personalised content that resonates deeply with their audience.

For example, an AI tool can analyse thousands of social media posts to identify emerging trends and emotional sentiment around a brand. This insight allows marketers to craft campaigns that are not only relevant but also culturally timely. Additionally, AI can automate the creation of marketing materials like social media captions, email subject lines, and ad copy, freeing up creative professionals to focus on big-picture strategy and innovative campaign concepts. In essence, AI handles the data and the drudgery, while the human mind is left to do what it does best – create.

Nigeria and the broader African continent, with a young, tech-savvy population, are perfectly positioned to lead this AI revolution. Businesses in Lagos, Nairobi, and beyond are already leveraging AI in various sectors, from fintech to agriculture. The post-COVID workplace is not just about remote work; it’s about smart work. It’s about empowering employees with tools that enhance their capabilities, fostering a culture of innovation, and strategically leveraging AI to build resilient, globally competitive businesses.

The future of work is here, and it is intelligent, collaborative, and boundless. Nigerian companies have a critical window to position themselves at the forefront of this wave, understanding that AI is not a futuristic concept but a present-day imperative for growth and global relevance.

  • Nosa Iyamu is the Chief Executive Officer, IVI PR

IIF opens nominations for the 2025 annual awards for impact investing

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…celebrating changemakers advancing social and environmental impact

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), Nigeria’s leading platform for advancing impact investing, has announced the call for nominations for its 2025 Annual Awards for Impact Investing. Now in its seventh year, the Awards celebrate outstanding organisations and individuals whose investments, products, services, or programmes have created measurable social and environmental value while driving sustainable business growth.

The 2025 Award recipients will be recognised at the prestigious IIF Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which will take place during the 8th Annual Convening on Impact Investing on November 6, 2025, in Lagos.

Speaking on the announcement, Ms. Etemore Glover, CEO of the Impact Investors Foundation, said, “Over the years, these awards have spotlighted pioneers who demonstrate that capital can and must deliver more than financial returns. By recognising these leaders, we aim to inspire others to embed impact into their business and investment strategies and strengthen Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a thriving impact economy.”

Read Also: Wema named best digital bank at Euromoney awards 2025

Since inception, the IIF Annual Awards have celebrated bold visionaries, innovative enterprises, and resilient changemakers working across diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, gender inclusion, and financial services. The 2024 awardees include Alitheia Capital Management, FAMASI Africa, and the Centre for Legal Support and Inmates Rehabilitation (CELSIR), all of whom are making tangible contributions to social progress.

The 2025 Awards continue this tradition of honouring changemakers who are proving that entrepreneurship, investment, and social good can go hand in hand.

Nominations are open to individuals and organisations across Nigeria and West Africa that can demonstrate measurable impact and a commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable growth. Interested nominees should visit the IIF Awards website to review eligibility criteria and submit entries by September 30, 2025.

The IIF remains committed to eliminating barriers to impact investing by building an effective ecosystem that nurtures investment pipelines, unlocks private capital, and fosters sustainable impact.

For sponsorship and partnership inquiries:
Chizoba Ada Emmanuel-Awakessien coo@impactinvestorsfoundation.org

Five tips to make the back-to-school hustle smoother

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September is here, and for many parents in Nigeria, that means the start of the back-to-school frenzy. The mornings become a blur of getting kids ready, packing lunch boxes, and making sure everyone has what they need for a successful day.

The challenge begins with finding out what is on the menu for the kids to take to school for their meals. But with a little planning, you can turn the back-to-school hustle into a smooth, stress-free routine.

Here are five tips to help you get ready for the new school term and stay on top of things:

1. Stock Up on Pantry Essentials

Don’t wait until the last minute to stock up on foodstuff and everyday staples. A well-stocked pantry is your best friend during busy school weeks. Think about all the things you need for quick breakfasts, easy lunchbox fillers, and after-school snacks. Items like cereal, oats, bread, pasta, rice, and cooking oil are essential. You can also grab things like biscuits, juice, and canned goods for those days when you’re short on time. Buying in bulk can also save you money and ensure you don’t run out of key ingredients at a crucial moment.

Read Also: ‘Why youth engagement is Nigeria’s agricultural imperative’

2. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

One of the biggest time-savers is planning your meals for the week. This doesn’t have to be a complicated, rigid schedule. Simply jotting down a few ideas for breakfast and dinner can make a huge difference. By knowing what you’ll cook, you can ensure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. This also makes grocery shopping more efficient, as you’ll only buy what you need. Consider prepping some ingredients in advance, like chopping vegetables or marinating meat, to make weeknight cooking even faster.

Five tips to make the back-to-school hustle smoother

3. Set Up a ‘Grab-and-Go’ Station

Create a designated area for school essentials. This can be a shelf or a corner near the front door where kids can easily find their backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles. You can also use this space to store pre-portioned snacks, so they can quickly grab something on their way out. This simple trick eliminates the frantic search for missing items in the morning and helps teach your children responsibility.

4. Create a Family Calendar

A shared calendar, whether digital or a simple whiteboard, can be a game-changer. Use it to track school holidays, test dates, sports practices, and other family appointments. When everyone knows the schedule, it reduces confusion and helps the whole family stay organized. This is also a great way to help older kids manage their own schedules and responsibilities.

5. Involve the Kids

Getting your children involved in the back-to-school preparation can make a big difference. Let them help you with tasks like picking out what goes in their lunchboxes for the week or choosing which after-school snacks to stock up on. This not only makes the process more fun for them but also gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them about making healthy food choices and understanding why organization is important.

By following these simple tips, you can take the stress out of the back-to-school season and create a smoother, more enjoyable routine for everyone in the family. The key is to start early, stay organized, and work together. Foodstuff Store is also here to help, as your partner in making back-to-school preparations seamless by offering a wide range of quality foodstuff and everyday essentials.

BBNaija 10: Dede, Kola’s intimate moment sparks kiss speculation

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The BBNaija Season 10 house stirred fresh buzz on Tuesday night after housemates Dede and Kola were caught in what many viewers have described as an “almost kiss” moment.

The scene unfolded during a quiet period in the house when the pair were spotted sitting together away from the usual spotlight. With dim lighting and the two leaning unusually close, the moment left fans wondering whether a secret kiss had just happened or if they were simply sharing hushed words.

While cameras captured the intensity of the encounter, the angle and shadows made it nearly impossible to confirm exactly what took place.

Read Also: BBNaija Season 10: Gigi Jasmine evicted

As soon as the clip surfaced, social media exploded with reactions. Some fans insisted they had just witnessed the birth of a new BBNaija couple, while others dismissed it as misleading body language, describing it as “too close to call.”

BBNaija 10: Dede, Kola’s intimate moment sparks kiss speculation

On Twitter (X) and Instagram, shippers have already coined potential couple names for Dede and Kola, while skeptics urged caution, insisting that fans should “wait for clearer evidence” before concluding any romance.

Inside the house, both housemates appeared unbothered and continued their conversations casually afterward. Still, their fellow contestants were not left out, as whispers and knowing glances quickly spread across the house.

With the season heating up, viewers are eagerly waiting to see if this close encounter will blossom into the show’s next big relationship or remain one of Biggie’s unsolved mysteries.

I take responsibility for Abuja-Kaduna train derailment, says NRC MD

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The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment that occurred on Tuesday.

Opeifa, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, assured Nigerians that the ongoing investigation into the incident would be transparent.

“Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference.

“Once it happens, the chief executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility,” Opeifa said. 

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The NRC boss further stressed that while the derailment should not have happened, measures were being put in place to prevent a recurrence.

“I want to assure Nigerians that an incident like this is not expected, is not prayed for, should not be happening, but where it does, it is to bring out the best in us.

“And I assure Nigerians that just as we are doing currently on the Warri-Itakpe, which he (the analyst) also mentioned, we shut down the Warri-Itakpe (route) three weeks ago.

“I ordered the shutdown for safety reasons, and if you see the level of work the men have been doing on the track, cutting it off and replacing it is to make sure things like this don’t happen,” he added.

The derailment occurred on Tuesday along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja at about 11 a.m. en route to Kaduna.

Passengers described the scene as chaotic, with many scrambling to safety.

US court jails Osun monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede for $4.2m COVID-19 relief fraud

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A United States District Court has sentenced the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, to 56 months in prison over a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fund fraud.

The sentence was delivered on Tuesday, August 26, by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

Oloyede, 62, a dual U.S.-Nigerian citizen who lives in Medina, Ohio, was also ordered to pay $4,408,543.38 in restitution, forfeit his Medina home purchased with fraud proceeds, and surrender $96,006.89 seized by investigators. He will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

Prosecutors said Oloyede led a conspiracy that exploited emergency loan programs created to assist pandemic-hit businesses.

“From about April 2020 to February 2022, Oloyede and his co-conspirator, Edward Oluwasanmi, conspired to submit fraudulent applications for loans made available through the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) under the CARES Act,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

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Investigators said the monarch, a tax preparer, operated five businesses and one nonprofit, while Oluwasanmi owned three entities. Using these, they filed falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

“Oloyede caused the SBA to approve 38 fraudulent applications, amounting to $4,213,378 in disbursed loans and advances,” prosecutors said.

Authorities added that Oloyede also filed fraudulent applications for some clients, taking 15–20% of their loans as kickbacks without reporting the income to the IRS. The funds were spent on personal items, including land purchases, home construction, and a luxury vehicle.

Oluwasanmi, 62, of Willoughby, Ohio, was sentenced in July to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the FBI Cleveland Division, and IRS-Criminal Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward D. Brydle and James L. Morford.

BBNaija 10: Sultana, Mensan, others get final warning for infringement

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Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemates have been issued a stern final warning after repeatedly flouting one of the show’s key rules.

During Monday night’s live nominations, Big Brother expressed disappointment over the contestants’ persistent habit of tampering with or removing their microphones, describing the act as a “serious breach.”

He stressed that the microphones serve as the crucial link between housemates and the viewing audience, and warned that continued violations would not be tolerated.

Read Also: BBNaija Season 10: Gigi Jasmine evicted

The housemates cautioned include Kola, Bright Morgan, Doris, Isabella, Mensan, Rooboy, Sultana, and Thelma Lawson. Big Brother reminded them that switching off or covering microphones not only breaks the rules but also deprives fans of an authentic viewing experience.

He further warned that any future infringements would attract strict penalties, which could affect both the individuals involved and the entire house.

The announcement reinforced Big Brother’s stance that the rules of the competition are non-negotiable, and all housemates must adhere to them throughout their stay in the house.

NDLEA seizes 2.318 tons of marijuana in Kwara

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has intercepted and  seized 2.318 tons of cannabis in the last one week in Kwara.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Hajia Fatima Popoola, said this at a news conference in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Popoola said that the cannabis were intercepted during two operations along Offa and Omu Aran axis of the state command at about 3:00 am and 5:30 am.

She said that four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures, concealed the drugs among sacks of saw dust.

“This is one of the biggest seizures we’ve made in a single week in recent time, and the street value of what we seized runs into at least billions of naira.

“This shows just how serious the drug use and trafficking have become in Kwara,” she said.

Popoola said that one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tons of cannabis, another suspect with 300kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720kg seizure was linked to two suspects.

Read Also: NDLEA arrests notorious drug kingpin in Delta

The drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of saw dust to deceive NDLEA officials at the check points.

“A J5 vehicle was checked, which appeared to be empty, but we found it loaded with cannabis, and these operations took place mostly between 3:00 am and 5:30 am, when traffickers often move to avoid detection,” she said.

The commander, who noted that drugs are at the root of many criminal activities, added that, “no sane person wakes up to commit inhumane acts or violent crimes, most of the time, there is drug influence behind it.”

She said that security challenges in such places like Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu, and Omu Aran were drug-related.

The commander said that while only two tons of drugs were seized in 2024, the command has seized over 2,000 kilograms between January and August  2025.

She attributed the feat achieved to the synergy among sister security agencies, saying that, “the NDLEA is not working alone. We are working with the police, army, civil defence, and traditional rulers.”

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the agency for the feat, adding the arrests and seizures reflected the commitment of his administeation to eliminate drug abuse in the state.

Represented by Alhaji Saadu Salahu,  the Senior Adviser/Counsellor,  AbdulRazaq said the state was working closely with the NDLEA in mobilising traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, and religious institutions to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.

“We need to educate the younger generation on the health implications of involvement in drugs,” he said.

He urged residents of the state to be vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking requires everyone’s support.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the event was attended by the representatives of traditional rulers, military and para-military agencies.

(NAN)

Fire razes 15 houses in C’River community

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No fewer than 15 houses were on Tuesday razed by fire in Agbokim Waterfall village in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the affected buildings was the residence of the council’s Vice Chairman.

The fire was reportedly triggered by Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stored in one of the houses.

An eyewitness, Mr John Agbor, said a leakage from one of the drums of PMS spilled into a nearby fire, sparking the inferno that spread through the community.

Read Also: Fire guts Fresh FM Ibadan studio

“It was hell of a fire, and the whole community was covered with fear as the fire spread and thick smoke billowed into the sky.

“The worst is that there is no fire service close, and we were all left to our fate to bring the fire under control, but by then the damage had been done,” Agbor said.

Agbor said the PMS was meant for transit to Cameroon from Agbokim.

Contacted, Director of the State Fire Service, Mr Dennis Ajom, who confirmed the incident, said he had mobilised saying officers ti the scene of incident.

Contacted, the Director of the State Fire Service, Mr Dennis Ajom, confirmed the incident, saying he had mobilised officers to the scene.

“I am aware. I directed officers from our Ikom office to move there, and I am awaiting a detailed report from them,” he stated.(NAN)

BBNaija Season 10: Gigi Jasmine evicted

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Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Gigi Jasmine, has been evicted from the “10/10” edition of the reality show.

Her exit followed a dramatic twist that saw 20 housemates placed on possible eviction after a frantic search for an envelope containing an immunity card. Gigi Jasmine eventually became the seventh housemate to leave the competition.

Read Also: BBNaija S10: Why Victory dumped me — Gigi Jasmine

The eviction has heightened tension in the house, leaving the remaining 22 contestants on edge as they strategize to secure their spots in the game.

Recall that Head of House Zita is immune this week and also used the veto power to save Mensan and Faith, while Jason Jae earned automatic immunity after being voted the ‘Most Influential’ housemate in Week Three.

With the stakes rising, housemates must navigate new twists, shifting alliances, and mounting pressure as they compete for the coveted grand prize.