Science & Tech
Nigeria has 3rd Highest Mobile Subscription Addition Globally — Report

Nigeria has the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in the first quarter of 2021 globally, says the latest mobility report by multinational telecommunications company, Ericsson.
Ericsson’s Vice President and Head of Ericsson South and East Africa, Todd Ashton, made this known on Tuesday during a virtual press briefing to launch the company’s latest mobility report.
The report said that India had the most net additions of (+26 million), followed by China (+6 million) and Nigeria (+3 million).
Ashton said: “Positioned as the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in Q1 2021 globally, Nigeria is growing tremendously setting Africa in motion.
He noted that the growth could be attributed to the young, growing population, the increasing digital skills, and the more affordable smartphones.
“Correspondingly, this growth is reflected in the online habits of the country where the dependency on online activities for daily tasks is expected to remain high in the future.”
It said the net addition of mobile subscriptions was quite low during the first quarter(Q1) of 2021, at 59 million.
Ericsson said this was likely due to the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions.
The report reveals that despite the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, service providers continue to switch on 5G, and more than 160 service providers have launched commercial 5G services.
It also features breakout statistics from Sub-Saharan African markets where around 15 per cent of mobile subscriptions were for 4G at the end of 2020.
Mobile broadband subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa are predicted to increase, reaching 76 per cent of mobile subscriptions by 2026, it said.
According to the report, 5G volumes are not expected to grow in the sub Saharan region for 2021 but are likely to reach around 70 million 5G subscriptions in 2026.
Separately, the Global Telecom Market Report (GTM), also known as “The Future of Urban Reality Report”, was also recently launched by the Ericsson ConsumerLab.
It was launched to assess the penetration of 5G and the tremendous potential it holds to markets around the world.
According to the company, latest ConsumerLab report is Ericsson’s largest consumer study to date, revealing key insights about what Nigerian consumers believe will happen beyond the pandemic, into the year 2025.
Ericsson surveyed a sample of 1,000 to 2,000 respondents between the ages of 15–79.
The report shows that when entering the “next normal”, consumers in Africa will have added an average of 3.4 per cent online services to their daily online activities.
It also says that the time they spend online would increase by 10 hours per week by 2025, in comparison to their pre-pandemic habits.
Ericsson says this move is also expected to bridge the gap between moderate and advanced online users, with the more moderate online users having introduced more online services in their daily life over the course of the pandemic.
It said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of online education at schools and universities as well as remote working in Nigeria has increased to 72 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.
The report stated that going forward online education and remote working were collectively expected to remain at a level of 29 per cent.
It said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of online shopping in Nigeria stood at 35 per cent out of the total number of all shopping events, both online and at physical stores.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure increased to 51 per cent.
“Nigerian consumers online shopping is anticipated to remain at a level of 44 per cent after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed,” it said. (NAN)
General News
Davidson Amedu: A Trailblazer in the Blockchain Space

By David Torough, Abuja
One of the few individuals, who has made a profound impact in the Digital space is Dr. Talle Davidson Amedu, affectionately known as Dr. Talle.
As the CEO of Upportune International, a certified life coach, Amazon published Author, and a blockchain project consultant, Dr.
Talle has emerged as a leading figure in promoting blockchain adoption across Africa. His journey is not just a proof of his expertise but also an inspiration for the younger generation to dream big and pursue their passions.Dr. Talle holds an MBA in Business Administration from the prestigious Ascencia Business School in Paris. His educational foundation has equipped him with the strategic mindset necessary to navigate the complexities of blockchain technology and its applications in various sectors.
One of Dr. Talle’s significant achievements is his role as the co-founder of Nurika, a gamified fitness app that integrates artificial intelligence and blockchain technology with a Move-to-Earn system.
Launched in December 2023, Nurika aims to promote wellness by incentivizing physical activities among digital nomads in Africa.
In his announcement about the app, Dr. Talle expressed his excitement, saying,
“The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! We are thrilled to announce that the Nurika app is now live on the App Store for iOS/iPhone users.
“Whether you’re a new user or a “waiting user”, Nurika is now here as your AI-powered wellness companion to reward every step you take.
Get ready to embark on a journey to a healthier, happier you. With Nurika, every step pays!”
In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Dr. Talle is the founder of the Blockchain Elites Hub, a global network of blockchain educators, project managers, and advisors dedicated to promoting blockchain education and adoption in over ten African countries also reaching Africans in diaspora.
His commitment to education is further exemplified by his participation in various high-profile events, including being one of the 70 outstanding young Nigerian leaders invited by the presidency to Aso Rock Presidential Villa for the Youth Civic Engagement Strategy Design in 2015. He also served as a tech expert and moderator for the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit in 2021, representing Nigerian youths and advocating for technological advancement.
Dr. Talle’s influence extends beyond his professional achievements as he’s also a mentor to many aspiring professionals through his books, CSR interventions, mentorship classes and strategic program blocks.
A Blockchain Educator, Ayegorme Dzoboku Mawulolo Heartwill, a certified Blockchain Compliance Specialist and Crypto Forensics Expert, who has been privileged to be under Davidson’s mentorship for years described him as an astute and outstanding leader of great impact.
“It has been 7 years since encountering Talle Davidson Amedu who is fondly called Dr Talle and I must say he is a master of his field in aiding multi-potentials discover and maximize their potentials. He is skilled to lead result oriented teams and a down to earth leader who pays attention to everyone’s opinion to see to it that the corporate objective of the team is achieved”.
“I highly recommend him as I have had the privilege of being under his mentorship over the years and a great beneficiary of his expertise,” ADM Heartwill stated.
Also, a Project Manager, Helen Joshua, said Dr. Talle is a visionary leader worthy of emulation.
“Davidson Amedu is a rare gem, I was privileged to work under him and I must confess that his skills and expertise at what he does is worthy of emulation.
He is a profound Web3 project Analyst and a great leader and I strongly recommend him,” Joshua affirmed.
In addition to his work in blockchain, Dr. Talle is the author of the book “Making ROOM: Unleashing Your Multi-Talent Mastery for Success in Business, Career, and Life.”
Discussing his book, he stated, “Discover the transformative power of multi-talent mastery with ‘Making ROOM.’ This comprehensive book is your ultimate guide to developing and excelling in multiple areas.”
His insights encourage individuals to harness their diverse talents to achieve success in various aspects of life.
Dr. Talle’s journey has proven that with dedication and vision, one can make a significant impact in their field regardless of location. He embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience, inspiring the younger generation to embrace technology and pursue their dreams. He stands as a beacon of hope for aspiring technologists and entrepreneurs across Africa.
In his own words, Dr. Talle summarized his mission: “I am poised to help individuals and organizations maximize their innate potentials for greater impact and income.”
No doubt, Dr. Talle Davidson Amedu is a name to watch out for in the near future as his contributions to the blockchain space and Personal Development space is already paving and will undoubtedly keep paving the way for a new era of growth and opportunity in Africa and beyond in no small measure.
Science & Tech
Airtel flags 9.6m Potential Spam Messages in Two Months

Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunications service provider, says that its AI-powered Spam Alert Service has issued over 9.6 million spam alerts between March 13 and May 20, 2025.
Airtel Nigeria said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
It said that as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting customers from unwanted and potentially fraudulent communications, Airtel designed the AI Spam Alert service to analyse traffic patterns and detect anomalies.
It noted that the AI had identified 9,667,008 SMS as potential spam messages in the two months of its launch.
According to the statement, the system flagged 528,080 on-net and 9,138,928 off-net numbers as suspected spam messages, highlighting the magnitude of the threat and effectiveness of Airtel’s advanced technology.
Commenting, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh restated Airtel`s commitment to protecting its customers.
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our AI-driven infrastructure in combating the growing menace of spam and scam calls.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we are focused on connecting Nigerians and ensuring their safety and confidence while using our network.
“We understand that trust is the cornerstone of digital communication. That is why we are invested heavily in intelligent systems that not only detect potential threats but also learn and evolve with data.
“As threats become more sophisticated, so will our solutions. As a company, we remain focused on leading the industry in innovation and customer satisfaction, ensuring that every Nigerian can enjoy a safer and smarter digital experience, “Balsingh added.
Balsingh said the spam alert service was part of Airtel Nigeria’s broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into its core offerings to deliver smarter and safer experiences for its customers across the country. (NAN)
NEWS
JAMB Needs Rigorous System Test, Technical Glitch Maybe More Extensive – Experts

Information Technology experts have attributed the recent technical glitch experienced during the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination to inadequate testing of the system.
The experts spoke during a television broadcast on Thursday night.
The experts said that the system should have been subjected to rigorous testing, which included regression testing, to ensure it could handle the high volume of users.
The body which runs Nigeria’s university entrance exams had admitted to a “technical glitch” which compromised some results of this year’s tests, after nearly 80% of the students got low grades.
The low pass rate had sparked widespread outrage, with students complaining about not being able to log in to the computers, questions not showing up and power cuts making it impossible to take the examinations.
The President, Mr Bimbo Abioye, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), said that system glitches could happen, irrespective of country.
Abioye noted that globally, big names like Microsoft, Meta among others have had their share of system glitches, as recent as 2024 and 2025.
He said that everyone was seeking perfection but anything technical could malfunction and one should not be too confident.
According to him, a whole lot can be done to minimise such possibilities and reduce the chances of error to near zero.
“Especially, when you are dealing with systems that the whole nation is relying on.
“The process has got to be very rigorous, the testing processes and the various validations before the system is rolled out.
“It is because system glitches can have significant impact just like we are seeing now,” Abioye said
The Vice-Chairman, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr Eyo Essien, said that system failure was likely due to the inability of the software to handle the surge of users.
Essien said that the software was not subjected to proper testing to see if it could work with a high volume of users.
“A system that is not tested for three million or five million concurrent users will fail if suddenly there is a surge of users.
“The solution was not properly tested, especially for regression testing, which is designed to see if the system can function correctly under high load,” he said.
He, however, encouraged proper engagement of professionals such members of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria.
The experts also called for a comprehensive evaluation of the system to determine the extent of the problem and to prevent future occurrences.
JAMB had attributed the technical glitch to a network issue, but the experts believe that the problem may be more extensive than initially thought.
The development has raised concerns about the readiness of Nigeria’s education sector for digitalisation, with many calling for more robust systems and infrastructure to support online examinations.
The technical glitch affected over 1.9 million candidates who sat for the examination, with many experiencing difficulties in accessing the platform. (NAN)