What Users Should Expect from WhatsApp in 2021

By Aduragbemi Omiyale A 10-week equity-free accelerator for African startups designed to tutor participants on how to use artificial intelligence to solve local challenges has been introduced by Google. The initiative is called Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First. It recognises the transformative role AI is playing across the world, innovating industries and reimagining the realms of possibilities. It also highlights the significant contributions of African startups in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges through the use of AI. A statement from Google disclosed that application for the programme has commenced. It is for startups up to series

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) changed the numbering format for fixed lines from January 1 next year. The agency said the fixed-lines numbering format will no longer be eight digits but would be 10 digits, with the addition of the 02 prefix before the existing fixed number. This change is totally different to the existing mobile numbering format. The decision is in keeping with its responsibilities under the enabling law, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, to manage Nigeria’s numbering resources, according to Mr Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, in a statement.

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said Nigeria now ranks seventh in terms of mobile phone usage globally while it takes the 11th spot in terms of internet penetration. The NCC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Umar Danbatta, disclosed this while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on emerging technology forum for the telecommunications industry in Abuja on Thursday. Mr Danbatta, who was represented by Mr Abraham Osahadami, the NCC’s Head of Spectrum Database Management, said 82 per cent of the country’s 200 million+ population are telecom subscribers while just 29 per cent

By Adedapo Adesanya Social messaging platform, WhatsApp, has introduced a feature that lets users create groups on the instant messaging app without needing to name them. This is a new option open to users, a change from the norm as users are required to name the groups they create on the messaging app. The announcement was made by Meta’s chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Mark Zuckerberg, on his Facebook page and Meta’s Instagram channel on Wednesday. According to him, the feature will help users now be able to create a group, even if they have not decided on a topic

By Modupe Gbadeyanka This week, the Financial Services Industry, measured by volume, led the activity chart with 1.784 billion shares valued at N20.4 billion traded in 16,823 deals, contributing 76.60 percent and 70.47 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. This was followed by the Consumer Goods Industry with 171.1 million shares worth N5.4 billion in 4,055 deals, and the Oil and Gas Industry with a turnover of 124.1 million shares worth N296.7 million in 1,607 deals. Trading in the top three equities; Zenith Bank, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank, measured by volume, accounted for 664.4 million

By Dipo Olowookere Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has reminded Nigerians on the importance of prayer, especially at this trying period, saying it is what is needed to make the country remain at peace as well as out of recession. In his Eid el-Kabir message on Sunday, Mr Saraki said though he realises that times are tough at the moment, but Nigerians are tough people too, expressing optimism that Nigerians would survive the hardships. “Truly, times are tough, but we are a tough people too. Therefore, I have no doubt that we shall overcome our present economic setback sooner than

By Dipo Olowookere It was a positive week for the local currency at the Investors & Exporters (I&E) segment of the foreign exchange (Forex) market in Nigeria. During the week, the Naira achieved a marginal growth of 0.04 percent at the forex window against the Dollar to close at N362.35. This was as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) supplied $210 million to the market via the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS). A breakdown of the intervention showed that $100 million was allocated to Wholesale (SMIS), $55 million each to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and invisibles. Though the

By Modupe Gbadeyanka **May Consider Coroner’s Inquest The House of Representatives has rejected the result of an autopsy carried out in Cote d’Ivoire on Ms Itunu Babalola, a Nigerian, who recently died in the country’s prison under strange circumstances. The Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, expressed her dissatisfaction with the outcome when she visited the parents of the deceased in Ibadan, Oyo State. Recall that the late Babalola, popularly known as Becky Paul, was reported to have been sentenced for an offence she did not commit in the Francophone country. Her death raised dust

With Nigeria’s 43.3 percent unemployment rate, the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has urged Nigerian women to further sharpen their entrepreneurial skills in order to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), women constitute over 50 percent of Nigeria’s population. While a recent report by the World Bank said Nigeria’s population has been increasing exponentially, with an estimated figure of 300 million by the year 2050. Speaking at the 3rd edition of the Women In Leadership and Career Empowerment Programme (WILCEP) Africa, Managing Director of Development Bank of Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The total volume of shares transacted on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week increased despite the week-on-week decline in the market’s performance. The All-Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation both depreciated in the week by 1.99 percent to close at 24,336.12 points and N12.695 trillion respectively. This was despite the rise in the total turnover of 961.8 million stocks worth N9.2 billion traded in 20,058 deals in the week by investors, in contrast to the previous week’s 739.4 million equities worth N8.6 billion transacted in 17,248 deals. A breakdown showed that the financial

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Ringier Africa Digital Publishing (RADP) has further expanded its news and media portfolio with the launch of Business Insider, the renowned digital news brand for the global business community, for Sub Saharan Africa. The digital edition leads with an exclusive interview with Mr Tony Elumelu, who the newly launched editorial team for Business Insider Sub Saharan Africa met with at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Mr Elumelu, recognised as one of the continent’s most dynamic business leaders and philanthropists, is Chairman of the Board of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa and Transcorp, and

The news that England has gone into another full lockdown for at least a month came as a blow to many business sectors in the country. Hospitality was one of the worst-hit by the previous lockdown and was only just beginning to show some signs of recovery as people returned outdoors when this new lockdown was imposed. The news that all non-essential businesses, which includes pubs, restaurants and entertainment and leisure facilities will have to be closed till 2nd December at least was also disheartening for the various gambling shops, casinos and bingo halls in the country as well. Prime