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Airtel Africa Partners SpaceX to Bring Starlink Mobile Connectivity to Remote Communities

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Airtel Africa has announced a landmark partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite technology across its 14 African markets, a move aimed at extending mobile coverage to millions of people in remote and underserved areas. With this agreement, Airtel Africa’s 174 million customers using compatible smartphones will be able to access mobile services even in places without traditional network infrastructure. The service, which relies on satellite-to-mobile connectivity, is expected to begin in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in each country. At launch, the satellite-powered service will support text messaging and data for selected applications. The partnership also covers Starlink’s first broadband Direct-to-Cell system, powered by next-generation satellites designed to deliver data speeds up to 20 times faster than earlier versions. Airtel Africa will be the first mobile network operator on the continent to offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell services. The solution will use a network of about 650 satellites to provide seamless connectivity, particularly in hard-to-reach rural and remote locations where building traditional infrastructure is often difficult or costly. The collaboration reflects Airtel Africa’s broader mission to close the digital divide and ensure reliable, continuous mobile connectivity across Africa. Both companies also revealed plans to explore additional areas of cooperation to further advance digital inclusion on the continent. Commenting on the partnership, Airtel Africa’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to improving service access for customers. “Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology complements our existing terrestrial infrastructure and allows us to connect areas where conventional networks are hard to deploy,” Taldar said. “This collaboration sets a new benchmark for service availability across our 14 markets.” Starlink’s Vice President of Sales, Stephanie Bednarek, described the deal as a major step toward connecting communities beyond the reach of traditional networks. “For the first time, people in remote parts of Africa will be able to stay connected where terrestrial coverage cannot reach,” she said. “Together with Airtel Africa, we are delivering next-generation technology that enables faster, more reliable access to essential digital services.” The rollout of the service will take place in phases, in line with regulatory requirements in Airtel Africa’s operating countries.

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Moniepoint Unveils “Moniebook,” an All-in-One POS and Business Management System for Nigerian SMEs

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Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has rolled out Moniebook, a new all-in-one Point-of-Sale (POS) and business management system aimed at transforming how Nigerian businesses operate. Designed for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as multi-location businesses, Moniebook is the first solution of its kind in the country to merge payments, bookkeeping, sales tracking, and business operations into a single platform. According to the bank, Moniebook combines advanced software with durable hardware, giving entrepreneurs a seamless way to manage inventory, track sales, handle customer relations, process payments, and generate detailed reports all from one device. The goal, Moniepoint said, is to eliminate the inefficiencies caused by juggling multiple tools and to help businesses improve productivity and profitability. “Whether it’s a supermarket, pharmacy, restaurant or boutique, Moniebook takes away the stress of daily operations—from preventing stockouts to managing staff and monitoring product expiry dates,” the company said in a statement. Speaking at the launch, Moniepoint MFB Managing Director, Babatunde Olofin, noted that the product aligns with the bank’s mission to empower Nigerian businesses. “Our mission has always been to help businesses grow by giving them the tools they need to succeed. Moniebook is built to be a growth partner an entrepreneur’s single source of truth. With real-time visibility over sales, staff, customers and inventory, business owners now have the control they need to scale efficiently and securely,” he said. The product has already gained strong traction during its beta phase. Over 4,000 businesses have onboarded, processing a total transaction value of ₦19 billion. Head of Product for Moniebook, Oluwole Adebiyi, explained that the system was developed with a deep understanding of local business realities. “For years, SMEs have struggled with using multiple disconnected tools just to run basic operations. That complexity slows growth. With Moniebook, a supermarket owner or a restaurant operator doesn’t need five different systems anymore. Everything is now in one place fast, secure and scalable,” he said. He added that simplifying business operations will allow entrepreneurs to focus on serving customers and expanding their enterprises. “This is another step in our commitment to building a thriving business ecosystem in Nigeria,” Adebiyi stated.

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Energy Expert Warns Nigeria Risks Economic Decline Without Urgent Sector Reforms

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The Regional Director of Africa Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, urged Nigeria to adopt rapid science-driven reforms to its energy sector. He warned that decades of mismanagement are threatening national growth and industrial competitiveness. Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of the Pioneer Fellowship and Honours Cohort of the Global Chartered Institute of Energy Management (GCIEM), Canada, Dr. Ogwus delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the theme “Challenges of the Energy Sector in Nigeria’s Economy.” The event brought together policymakers, regulators, energy specialists, and innovators. Dr. Ogwus also drew attention to the ironies of Nigeria’s huge endowments of oil and gas and renewable energy sources, with maddening inability to supply electricity to more than 70 million citizens regularly. He noticed that industries have to rely on very expensive generators to increase their production costs and make them less competitive globally. With an estimated 209 trillion cubic feet of gas and over 13,000 MW of installed electricity capacity, just a fraction reaches consumers reliably. He termed this gap “a structural embarrassment that undermines national competitiveness,” saying inefficiencies, vandalism, and aging infrastructure siphon more than $28 billion annually from the economy. He said the root of this crisis is not just technical setbacks but deep governance failures, ranging from deteriorating refineries and pipeline vandalism down to erratic regulation. These challenges, he said, have weakened investor confidence and slowed progress toward sustainable energy development. Dr. Ogwus emphasized that domestic gas has to anchor the energy transformation of the country. He spoke of extending the initiative of the Decade of Gas into increased gas-to-power electricity generation, reducing emissions, and enhancing industrial productivity. He also stressed the importance of drones, satellite surveillance, and community involvement in minimizing pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

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TETFund Leading Nigeria’s Transition to a Digital, Knowledge-Driven Tertiary Education System — Masari

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has reiterated its dedication to ensuring the Nigerian university system is ready for a digital and ‘knowledge-based’ future. This is according to the Board of Trustees’ Chairman, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, during the Lagos edition of the 2025 National Town Hall Meeting, which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Masari stated that TETFund is currently working to transform the management of some of the nation’s best institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges, by deploying technology in a bid to enhance accountability and support learning technologies. At the core of this strategy is TERAS, an education resource and administration system introduced by TETFund. “These investments enhance transparency, increase efficiency, and increase digital literacy within institutions, which is essential for preparing ‘students for the knowledge economy,’ ” he said. The chairman emphasized that the scope of work of TETFund is much broader than infrastructure, with a view to ensuring a holistic improvement in research capabilities and institutional strength. Masari mentioned improvement in academic staff capacity and utilization, with thousands of lecturers trained in Master’s and PhD Programs organized by TETFUND both within and outside Nigeria. TETFUND has contributed to conferences, manuscripts writing, teaching practice, and professional conversion in the sector. Concerning research and innovation, some of the flagship projects mentioned by Masari include the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR), which has produced over 200 prototypes currently being commercialized. Others include the Research for Impact project commonly known as R4i, which has trained over 1,000 researchers to develop ideas into products ready for the market. However, he highlighted some initiatives introduced including the establishment of Multidisciplinary Research Laboratories, Centres of Excellence, and the Nigerian Education Data Initiative, commonly referred to as NEDI. Masari went on to announce the extension of the Entrepreneurship and Technology Hubs with facilities for robotics, 3D printing, renewable energy labs, biotechnology centers, and creative industry workshops. This covered 18 institutions in 2024, with 15 added for 2025. To enhance medical education, TETFund has upgraded 18 Colleges of Medicine and is currently developing eight medical simulation centers across the country. He also stated that N70 billion has been budgeted in the 2025 budget for the provision of sustainable mini-grid energy solutions on some of the campuses. Masari stressed accountability, stating that 91 per cent of TETFUND’s revenue is directly channeled into programmes, and only those public institutions with legal regulatory recognition can access financial aid. He emphasized the need for a joint approach in ensuring the sustainability of projects being carried out by TETFUND. As stated by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, “Knowledge and skills have actually overtaken natural resources in the determinants of a nation’s competitiveness, and education is one area we need to invest heavily in.” During a paper presentation, Jean Monnet Professor Anthony Kila urged a transformation of TETFund itself from an infrastructure-driven agency to a drive engine for innovation and national development. Citing the challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, low research outputs, and a mismatch between learning and the needs of the nation, he emphasized the need for a rebuilt future-responsive tertiary education landscape. Kila argued that Nigeria needs a better education system capable of cultivating innovators, problem solvers, globally competitive professionals, and critical citizens.

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REA Launches 7.5MW Solar Power Projects in Kano to Boost Electricity in Key Public Institutions

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The Rural Electrification Agency has commissioned two major solar mini-grid projects in Kano State to further improve power supply at critical public institutions. The projects comprise a 1.5MW solar installation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, and a 6MW expansion project at Bayero University Kano. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Dala, REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, said the projects are part of the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative aimed at improving power supply in four critical sectors, namely education, health, agriculture and security. He explained that 15 federal universities have so far benefited from the education component of the programme, noting that BUK’s project entails the upgrading of an existing hybrid mini-grid from 3.5MW to 6MW. Aliyu said President Bola Tinubu had approved N100 billion in the 2025 national budget to drive this initiative that aims to guarantee clean and stable electricity while reducing fuel dependence and operational costs in major public institutions. He explained that the National Orthopaedic Hospital, established in 1959, was chosen due to its long-standing service record and increased energy demands. The new solar installation will also power the MRI machine recently acquired by the hospital, he added, which requires continuous electricity supply. “This is a nexus as we provide electricity reliability, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is providing MRI equipment to enhance diagnostic services,” he said. Aliyu said the final cost for the projects would depend on upgrades to existing distribution networks and metering, but assured that additional power projects were being rolled out across the region as part of efforts to close Nigeria’s electricity access gap. The Chief Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nuruddin, welcomed the project as timely, especially with increasing electricity tariffs. He added that powering the MRI with diesel would have been extremely expensive, saying the solar installation will reduce operating costs and deliver direct benefits to patients.

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Adebogun Backs Tinubu’s Call for Critical Thinking Amid AI Revolution

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The proprietor and director of Caleb Group of Schools, and visitor to Caleb University, Dr. Ola Adebogun, has thrown his weight behind the appeal by President Bola Tinubu that students should keep intact their analytical and critical thinking abilities in this era of Artificial Intelligence. Describing the President’s message as timely and essential, Adebogun said technology should complement, not replace, human intellect and reasoning. “We must harness AI’s power without surrendering our capacity for analysis, judgment, and creativity,” he said. He commended the Federal Government’s partnerships with Google and Awarri Technologies in developing an AI software that could accommodate Nigeria’s culture, language, and societal needs, adding that this would impact the desire for digital innovation and economic diversification. Adebogun noted a wide range of AI opportunities in education, productivity, and entrepreneurship; at the same time, he warned of the risks arising from erosion of critical thinking, cultural misrepresentation, data insecurity, and job loss. He called for a balanced approach to the matter by policymakers, educators, and industry players alike that will drive innovation while being ethically responsible. “We must pair innovation with instruction,” he said, calling for AI literacy in schools, support for local research, and transparent regulatory frameworks that guarantee technology acts as a tool to attain inclusive growth.

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Lawyer, Four Others Remanded Over Alleged Cyberbullying, Blackmail of Senator Shehu Buba

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Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a lawyer, Ahmed Abdulrahman, and four others at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Area 10, Abuja, till November 10. The order followed their arraignment by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on an 11-count charge bordering on cyberbullying, advance fee fraud, and extortion of Senator Shehu Buba Umar, who represents Bauchi South and chairs the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. Others charged alongside Abdulrahman are Daure David, Ishaq Abubakar Muhammed, Abdulrashid Abdullahi Musa, and Nasiru Usman Abubakar. They all pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. The prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, asked the court to remand the defendants at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial, but the defence counsel, Affis Matanmi, applied for Abdulrahman’s bail, contending that his client was a lawyer of the Supreme Court and would not jump bail or interfere with the course of investigation. However, Okoye opposed the bail application, alleging that the lawyer had committed two more acts of cyberbullying after he was previously released on administrative bail. In a ruling, Justice Ajumogobia ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the FCID pending November 10, to enable the defence to file further affidavits and replies to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit. The case was adjourned to the same date. According to the indictment, Abdulrahman and others knowingly conspired, in the year 2025, to commit cyberstalking against Senator Umar. The lawyer was also accused of uploading a defamatory video on his TikTok and YouTube channels, where he falsely accused the Senator of sponsoring banditry a claim prosecutors said was untrue and aimed at inciting unrest. One of the defendants, Daure David, was further accused of attempting to extort N5 million from the Senator on the pretext of preventing planned protests against him. The offences are said to contravene various provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (as amended in 2024).

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Stakeholders Back FG’s Drive for Local Auto Parts Production to Cut Imports, Create Jobs

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The stakeholders in the Nigerian auto industry have been optimistic as the federal government steps up efforts to encourage local auto parts production a move that will cut dependence on imports, save foreign exchange, and create jobs. The fresh push, led by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), is part of Nigeria’s overall strategy to achieve backward integration in the auto sector. The council invited assemblers, component manufacturers, and investors to raise local production of key automobile parts such as batteries, brake pads, glass, filters, and tyres. NADDC DG, Joseph Osanipin, said that localisation of component production is key to economic sustainability. “Every imported component is a lost job and foreign exchange lost. By producing locally, we can retain value, create jobs, and build resistance to currency volatility,” he said. Nigeria currently spends between $7 and $8 billion annually importing vehicles and parts, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Experts estimate that local production can cut the import bill by up to 30 per cent and create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and raw material supply. Already, some stakeholders are scaling up operations. Infinity Tyres, ASPIRA, and Ibeto Batteries are boosting production, and manufacturers in Nnewi and Ibadan continue to produce brake pads and filters. Austin Akpochafor, a car importer, commended the Tinubu administration’s action, saying, “Even reverting to the 1970s and 1980s production levels, when Nigeria assembled vehicles and locally produced components, would be a great boost to the economy.” A financial economist at Auchi Polytechnic, Zakari Mohammed, also said that the project aligns with the government’s aspiration to diversify the economy and also achieve a $1 trillion GDP by 2030. However, stakeholders caution that continued policy support and infrastructure development are crucial for success. Professor Oscar Odiboh emphasized the need for consistent power, reliable logistics, and affordable finance. “You cannot have a sustainable auto-parts ecosystem without policy stability and access to low-interest funding,” he stated, advocating a reconstitution of the Automotive Industry Development Fund for the benefit of component manufacturers. Industry analysts believe that with good policy and government support, Nigeria can become a hub for manufacturing of automobile components in West and Central Africa.

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EU, Nigeria Deepen Collaboration on Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovationl

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The European Union (EU) and Nigeria are deepening their cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation, with both nations working to connect scientific research to marketable products in key areas of technology. Speaking about the University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Massimo De Luca stated that the new EU-Nigeria Science, Technology, and Innovation Agreement would formalize the partnerships whereby scholars, universities, and firms are able to work together in discovering the applications of AI of use to Nigeria’s development and Africa’s innovation sphere in general. “The partnership will offer the opportunity for research centers and innovators to collaborate on topics of mutual interest to our regions ju how AI can be deployed responsibly to address issues of society, boost productivity, and create inclusive opportunities,” De Luca stated. He also cited the current Generative AI for Africa call for proposals, which is still open until October 31, as part of a number of EU-funded projects encouraging cross-continent collaboration in the development of AI. In addition to the funding of research, De Luca assured the EU’s continued commitment to building Nigeria’s research capabilities through collaborative partnerships with entities like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the creation of a national research contact point for further international visibility by Nigerian researchers. University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola praised the EU’s continued partnership as a partnership equity model. Our students and researchers will derive great benefit from exposure to global knowledge networks. Such collaboration fortifies not only innovation, but the institutional capacity of our universities,” she stated. The theme for this year’s UNILAG International Week was “Equitable Partnership and the Future of AI in Africa.”

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Global Frustration as Canva Suffers Major Outage, Disrupting Millions of Users Worldwide

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‍Popular graphic design site, Canva suffered a major outage impacting millions of users globally on Monday, as users were not able to access their accounts and complete ongoing design projects. The outage led to widespread annoyance among professionals, businesses, and content creators utilizing the site for creating marketing materials, branding, and social media content. In a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), Canva acknowledged the issue and assured customers that its technical team was attempting to resume normal service. They stated: “Not the ideal situation right now, but we’re working on it. You can check canvastatus.com for updates. We’ll keep you posted!” the company said. The downtime affected both desktop and mobile users, with users taking to error messages, very slow loading, and outright inaccessibility in some areas. With over 170 million monthly active users in more than 190 countries, Canva is today one of the world’s leading digital design and content creation platforms utilized by individuals, small businesses, and enterprises at large. At press time, the company had not issued the cause of the outage or an estimate of when full services would be restored.  

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