Category: Business Day

What began as a homegrown innovation platform in 2022 has now evolved into a globally recognised event that mirrors the standards of top-tier conferences like CES, Web Summit, and TechCrunch Disrupt.

TechQuest International Conference 2025, powered by Tixafest Solutions wasn’t just another tech gathering. It was a powerful reminder that Africa’s innovators are no longer waiting for validation; they are creating global standards.

The conference celebrated excellence, creativity, and collaboration, solidifying TechQuest’s position as one of the continent’s leading platforms for technological advancement.

‘TechQuest 2025 reaffirmed Africa’s place on the global innovation map.’ From the main stage presentations to the breakout hackathon sessions, the atmosphere was charged with the energy of young developers, visionary entrepreneurs, and seasoned industry leaders united by one goal: to shape Africa’s digital future.

Since its inception in 2022, TechQuest Events has transformed from a modest conference into a pan-African hub for creativity and collaboration. The platform was conceived by Tixafest Solutions, a dynamic software development company committed not only to delivering high-quality digital products but also to building communities around technology and innovation.

Through its annual conferences, hackathons, and awards, TechQuest has consistently provided a space for visionaries to meet, exchange ideas, and co-create solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. What sets it apart is its focus on bridging local innovation with global exposure, empowering both startups and established organisations to compete at international levels.

This year’s edition pushed the boundaries even further. With a hybrid participation model, TechQuest 2025 attracted attendees from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Whether physically present in Lagos or connecting virtually from Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, or London, participants experienced a seamless, world-class conference that celebrated Africa’s growing digital ecosystem.

The 2025 conference was a three-fold experience: the TechQuest Awards, the TechQuest Hackathon, and a series of innovation showcases and keynote sessions. Each segment reflected the event’s dedication to excellence and its mission to position Africa as a key player in the global innovation economy.

The TechQuest Awards

The highlight of the evening was the TechQuest Awards, a ceremony honouring individuals and organisations driving transformative change in technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact. From software engineers pioneering new frameworks to women leading AI research and fintech founders revolutionising payments, this year’s winners represented the best of Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Each award category was meticulously curated to reflect emerging industry trends and align with international recognition standards. Winners were not only celebrated for their achievements but also spotlighted as ambassadors of African innovation to the rest of the world.

The TechQuest Hackathon

Another core pillar of the event was the Hackathon, a live showcase of technical creativity and problem-solving. Over the course of 48 hours, teams of young developers, designers, and data scientists built cutting-edge prototypes addressing real-world challenges in sectors like health, education, and sustainability.

Guided by an esteemed panel of judges drawn from leading tech companies and academia, participants demonstrated skill, resilience, and innovation that left attendees inspired. Many of these projects are expected to evolve into fully-fledged startups in the coming months, underscoring TechQuest’s commitment to nurturing homegrown solutions.

Hybrid Global Participation

In a testament to its growing influence, TechQuest 2025 was designed as a hybrid event, combining physical and virtual experiences. This model made it possible for international audiences to join sessions, engage in panel discussions, and network with African innovators in real time.

The global accessibility didn’t just broaden participation, it amplified TechQuest’s message: Africa is open for collaboration.

‘From Lagos to Nairobi, innovators are proving that the future is being built right here in Africa.’

The 2025 awardees were not only recognised for their groundbreaking innovations but also for their consistency, leadership, and impact on Africa’s digital transformation journey.

These winners, drawn from across the continent, embodied the spirit of resilience and forward thinking that defines the African tech community.

Their stories resonated with attendees, young coders saw themselves in the innovators being celebrated, and investors found fresh confidence in Africa’s growing potential. From pioneering AI applications in agriculture to designing blockchain systems for transparent governance, each recipient stood as proof that innovation is thriving across the continent.

In his closing remarks, a representative of Tixafest Solutions noted that the awards were more than just recognition, they were a call to action for the next generation.

The goal, he said, is to ensure that Africa not only consumes technology but also shapes its evolution.

TechQuest’s international significance lies in its structure and vision. It mirrors global conferences that combine networking, thought leadership, and recognition in a single experience.

However, what sets TechQuest apart is its African soul, the celebration of ingenuity born from necessity, creativity shaped by culture, and solutions tailored for real challenges on the continent.

Through the years, TechQuest has continued to position Africa as a central player in the global innovation economy.

By providing exposure, mentorship, and access to funding opportunities, it has become a springboard for startups and individuals looking to make a mark beyond their borders.

In many ways, TechQuest is doing for Africa what platforms like Web Summit did for Europe and TechCrunch Disrupt did for Silicon Valley: creating visibility, attracting investment, and fostering collaboration.

One of the strongest legacies of the TechQuest movement is its influence on young innovators. The annual hackathon, mentorship sessions, and award recognitions inspire thousands of students, developers, and entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas with confidence.

By bringing together professionals across industries, from finance to healthcare, education to entertainment, TechQuest continues to demonstrate that innovation thrives where ideas intersect. It has also become a model for how African tech events can operate with global precision while retaining local relevance.

As the curtain closed on TechQuest 2025, anticipation began building for next year’s edition. The organisers officially opened the call for nominations for the TechQuest Awards 2026, slated for August 2026. Startups, innovators, organisations, and individuals are invited to submit entries that showcase excellence, impact, and creativity in technology.

The 2026 edition promises to expand its reach, with new categories that reflect emerging trends like green tech, AI ethics, and social innovation. It’s another opportunity for Africa’s brightest minds to gain international recognition and contribute to shaping the continent’s future.

TechQuest’s mission has always been clear: to bridge innovation with community impact and ensure that technology serves people, not just markets. As Tixafest Solutions continues to lead this initiative, the message is stronger than ever, Africa is not behind; Africa is becoming the benchmark.

By sustaining partnerships, celebrating excellence, and driving collaboration, TechQuest is redefining what it means to build technology in Africa.

And as 2025’s edition reminded the world, the continent’s innovators aren’t waiting for the future, they’re building it, one idea at a time.

At first glance, A Bee in the Bonnet by Munachimso Jennifer Ezeilo sounds like a children’s book. Only later do you discover that the title actually refers to being consumed by an obsession and in this case, the painful reality of child marriage.

Child marriage may sound like a thing of the past, but unfortunately it is still happening. What makes it even more disturbing is that it is often wealthy and influential men who are at the center of it, just as we see in this book.

The story begins slowly, almost making you wonder where the author is taking you, but with each chapter the themes begin to unfold. Rape, child marriage, violence, abuse, and the struggle for justice. These are heavy themes, but the way they are revealed draws you in and forces you to think more deeply about them.

There are a lot of issues raised in this book. A nine-year-old girl is forced into marriage with a powerful man, with her own father’s support. A man must protect himself while handling a case so sensitive it could cost him his life. The lawyer defending the offender turns out to be the very man a woman is engaged to marry. A judge faces threats to his family’s safety while presiding over a case that should send the guilty to jail. A neighbour’s dangerous obsession becomes impossible to ignore. An employee grows weary of his boss’s corrupt and evil ways and decides to expose him. Ambition collides with morality when a career begins to matter more than values. And in the midst of it all comes the devastating discovery that the child you and your husband have loved and raised is not your husband’s. Plenty wahala indeed.

The dilemmas keep unfolding, one layered over another, creating a web of secrets and struggles that makes it difficult to put the book down. Set mostly in Abuja, with some scenes in Lagos, the story feels alive with tension and conflict. And as in real life, love finds its way into the chaos, sometimes in the form of infatuation, sometimes as something deeper. It almost feels as if no book is complete without love being inserted, and here too it appears, fighting to survive amidst the turmoil.

The further you go, the more engaging the story becomes. At times it feels a little predictable, especially if you are used to movies with similar twists, but there are still surprises tucked in along the way.

Even if you have a sense of how it might end, the journey there keeps you hooked. A Bee in the Bonnet is a sobering and thought-provoking story. It leaves you unsettled, yet it is an interesting and worthwhile read.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the commencement of a Post-Amnesty Voluntary Return and Documentation Programme (PAVRDP) for foreign nationals who failed to take advantage of the recently concluded Expired Visa Initiative (Amnesty), which ended on September 30, 2025.

In a statement by AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, the NIS said the new post-amnesty programme will take effect from October 13, 2025, and is designed to provide a structured and humane opportunity for undocumented foreigners to regularize their stay or voluntarily exit the country in line with Nigerian immigration laws.

According to the statement, affected individuals are required to report to the nearest Immigration Command for registration and documentation, where each case will be assessed individually to determine the appropriate course of action under the Immigration Act, 2015, and related regulations.

The Service, however, warned that any foreigner who violates the conditions of their visa and fails to report for documentation will face arrest, detention, and removal from Nigeria, in addition to long-term entry bans.

‘The public is reminded that aiding and harbouring illegal immigrants constitutes an offence under Nigerian law.

‘Companies, organizations, and individuals are therefore advised to desist from such acts to avoid prosecution’, the statement added.

The NIS also cautioned that breaches related to the conditions of stay or regularization are punishable offenses, urging full cooperation from the public and the expatriate community to support lawful migration management.

Reiterating its commitment to humane and effective migration control, the Service emphasized that the new initiative aligns with its mandate to promote seamless and orderly migration, ensure compliance with immigration laws, and strengthen national security through improved border and residency management.

Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has condemned the successive governments from 1999 till date for disposing critical government enterprises under the guise of privatisation, stressing that the privatisation of government enterprises is wrong.

He stated that part of the reason for the massive infrastructure challenge in Nigeria today is because of the sale of public assets between 1999 and today.

He particularly blamed the Olusegun Obasanjo administration from 1999 to 2007 for selling such public assets as the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) and the Nigerian Hotels Limited, among others.

He argued what the government should have done was to privatise the industry or the sector but not the enterprise.

He lamented that the ripple effects of that singular policy have been massive infrastructure challenges, massive savings challenges, massive unemployment and lack of where to train people. ‘This is because in those days, if you finish school, you can join NEPA and they will train you. Many engineers in Nigeria today were produced there; many people who are great engineers today are products of NEPA.

‘So, you have somewhere to go and work but we have destroyed the public works department. So if you see any state government in front of the camera trying to commission or start a 10km road, you will see one Lebanese person standing in front of them. Even simple works that they could do with the public works department, they will not.

‘I have more equipment inside my compound, you know, than the entire ministry of works. I have more caterpillar equipment and other things that I create inside my private house than they have in the works department in Akure, Ondo State. So with that, what have we benefited from privatisation?’ he stated.

He argued that even with the privatisation of NITEL, there is still a telecommunication problem because most of the telecom companies still rely on NITEL exchange to function optimally. ‘We also have a telecommunication problem because most of the carriers are still relying on NITEL; they are still relying on NITEL exchange and all of that. They do the company investment. So that will require them to carry broadband across the country but they can’t do that because the private sector will not do backbone investment,’ he said.

He also queried the rationale behind the privatisation of the power company when the operators lack the capacity to run it efficiently and effectively. ‘People are now generating electricity but what has happened is that many of these investments will rely on consumers to buy their own transformers,’ he said.

He noted that what the government should have done was to open up the sectors instead of privatising the enterprises. ‘What you privatise is the industry, the sector, not the enterprises. Privatisation of government enterprises is wrong. What you need is to open the sector; that’s all,’ he said.

He promised that his party, the SDP has a better idea, saying, ‘The idea is to reconstitute and raise new Nigerians who are going to now man these enterprises and then grow industries out of them.’

The Borno State Supervisory Councillors Forum has thrown its towel behind the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election, noting it would consolidate success recorded so far.

Briefing journalists in Maiduguri, Alhaji Kellum Gashau, the chairman of the forum, said the forum is satisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the progress of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The forum commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his dedication, loyalty and capability, urging President Tinubu to retain him as his running mate in 2027 for continuity and sustained socio-economic gains.

‘We express our profound satisfaction with the progress of the government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. We see the Renewed Hope Initiative gradually yielding fruits for Nigerians. We specifically thank the president for the confidence and trust in our son, His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima,’ the forum said. The forum also lauded Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, for his administration’s unprecedented achievements in the 27 local government areas of the state, saying that the governor has recorded tremendous strides by facilitating the safe return of countless internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

The chairman of the forum noted that the administration has aggressively driven post-conflict recovery by commissioning thousands of resettlement homes in high-risk areas like Baga, Marte, Gamborun Ngala, Malam Fatori, Damasak, Boso in Niger Republic and some parts of Bama, Ngrosuye, Banki, Pulka and Kirawa in Gwoza local government area.

Bluebulb, a UK-regulated fintech firm, has officially launched its operations in Nigeria as part of its mission to help African businesses move, manage, and access money globally through trusted and compliant digital infrastructure.

The company stated that it is entering the Nigerian market to enable corporations and businesses access to multiple remittance and treasury management options that simplify international transactions.

Ola Daramola, CEO and Co-founder of Bluebulb, said the move was inspired by his personal experience navigating payment and remittance challenges faced by African businesses.

‘Africa’s challenge was never ambition – it was the absence of trusted rails to move value with compliance and speed. That’s why we built Bluebulb,’ Daramola said.

Daramola noted that his firsthand experience with the complexities of cross-border finance inspired the creation of Bluebulb to close the gap for African enterprises. Since its inception, the fintech has supported more than 2,000 business customers across 35 countries, facilitating transactions for over 800 African corporations in 2024 alone, according to company data.

Seun Oladimeji, Bluebulb’s director of business growth, emphasised the company’s mission to modernise how African businesses participate in global trade.

‘The global market moves over $190 trillion annually across borders (Statista 2024), yet African businesses remain constrained by outdated systems. Bluebulb is changing that,’ Oladimeji said.

As part of its Nigerian debut, Bluebulb also announced the rollout of an AI-powered self-service treasury dashboard, designed to give Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and treasury teams real-time visibility into their financial operations.

The platform integrates automated compliance checks and predictive analytics to help businesses manage liquidity and international payments with greater confidence.

A recent Travel + Leisure ranking has revealed the top five most beautiful cities in Europe, as voted by nearly 180,000 readers. The survey highlights destinations celebrated for their history, culture, and timeless charm.

From Disney-like castles perched on hilltops to cobbled alleys winding through centuries-old districts, Europe continues to captivate travellers with its architectural splendour and romantic appeal.

The list reflects readers’ admiration for cities that balance heritage and beauty, offering more than just postcard views but immersive experiences steeped in art, cuisine, and tradition. While the full ranking spans the continent, it reaffirms Europe’s status as the ultimate destination for those seeking authentic, old-world elegance.

Here are the top 5 most beautiful cities in Europe, according to travel experts.

Rome, Italy

Rome placed fifth, with a score of 88.91. Often described as an open-air museum, the Italian capital is known for its vast collection of ancient monuments and religious landmarks. Visitors continue to explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and numerous Renaissance and Baroque churches. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, designed in part by Michelangelo, remains a central feature of Rome’s landscape. Santa Maria Maggiore and the Pantheon, first a Roman temple and now a Catholic church, show how centuries of architecture and faith are layered throughout the city.

Beyond its major landmarks, Rome’s narrow cobblestone streets and fountains such as the Fontana di Trevi continue to attract travellers from around the world. For many, the city’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect ancient heritage with daily life.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul ranked fourth with a score of 89.47. Spanning both Europe and Asia, the city is a meeting point of cultures. Its architecture reflects Byzantine, Ottoman and modern influences. The Hagia Sophia, once a Byzantine basilica and later a mosque, and the Blue Mosque are among its most visited sites.

The Dolmabahçe Palace, often called the ‘Turkish Versailles’, showcases Ottoman design, while Galata Tower offers panoramic views of the city. The neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, known for their colourful facades and antique shops, illustrate the mix of old and new that defines Istanbul.

Granada, Spain

Granada came third, scoring 89.48. Located in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, the city retains visible traces of its Moorish past. The Alhambra, an extensive fortress and palace complex built by North African rulers, dominates the skyline. Below it lies the Albaicín district, a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses and preserved Moorish baths.

Following the Christian reconquest, Granada became home to several significant churches, including the Basílica de San Juan de Dios and the Granada Cathedral, both examples of post-Renaissance architecture. The city’s layered history continues to shape its identity.

Seville, Spain

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, ranked second with a score of 89.49. The city reflects centuries of Roman, Moorish and Spanish influence. Its historic district, Santa Cruz, is home to Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar, both built on earlier Islamic structures.

Across the Guadalquivir River, the district of Triana is known for flamenco, ceramics and traditional tapas bars. Plaza de España, a semi-circular square surrounded by canals, remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

Florence, Italy

Topping the list with a score of 90.08, Florence was named Europe’s most beautiful city by Travel + Leisure readers. Widely seen as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it was home to figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Machiavelli.

The city’s skyline is defined by Brunelleschi’s dome, part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Streets lined with ochre-coloured buildings and views from Piazzale Michelangelo continue to draw visitors. For many, Florence’s lasting influence on art, science and architecture makes it a living record of European creativity.

Every city has that one food place that quietly becomes part of its rhythm. In Lagos, that spot belongs to Item7Go.

The restaurant does not rely on flashy marketing or extravagant decor. What draws people in is its simplicity, a straightforward promise of good food, fair prices, and quick service. At lunchtime, its Allen Avenue branch is a picture of Lagos in motion: office workers, dispatch riders, and families queueing with the same patience born from trust.

Founded by Ibigbemi Oloruntobi, a Physics graduate from the University of Ilorin, Item7Go began in 2012 as a small stall near the university gate. It started with students looking for affordable meals between classes, and over time, the model proved strong enough to grow into a multi-branch eatery across the South West.

That humble beginning also explains its name. In Nigerian slang, ‘Item 7’ simply means food, and it is not surprising that Item7Go actually delivers on that promise: food that is filling, tasty, and worth the queue.

Rice meals range from about ?2,500 to ?4,300, depending on whether you want beef, chicken, fish, or croaker. The shawarma, a crowd favourite, goes for around ?3,300 to ?3,500. Extra sides like rice, plantain, or meat are also available. Customers can order online or pick up in person, which adds to the convenience.

What’s perhaps most striking is how Item7Go manages to feel organised even during rush hours. Payments are neatly separated by method – cash, POS, or transfer – and each outlet runs with the same calm precision. There is a certain predictability to the experience, and Lagosians, who are used to daily surprises, seem to appreciate that.

Online, customers often echo the same sentiment. One post reads:

‘Walked into @Item7Go today just to grab food. but one staff guy turned it into a full experience. Customer service on premium mode.’

Another adds:

‘Since I tasted this Item7Go shawarma, I’ve been reluctant to try shawarma elsewhere.’

It is the kind of loyalty you can not buy, built slowly through small, consistent gestures.

More than a decade since that first stall outside Unilorin, Item7Go retains the quiet energy of a place that grew from community. In a city where many things change fast, it stands as proof that good food and good service rarely go out of style.

Omoyele Sowore, on Friday, said former President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to engage President Bola Tinubu over the travails of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in security custody, since August, 2021.

Sowore stated this after meeting with the former President in Abuja, where they discussed the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, a renowned human rights activist, and politician, while writing on his X handle, said former President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly.

Sowore had in August 2018, founded the African Action Congress (AAC), a political party on whose platform he contested the presidential elections, both in 2019 and 2023 and lost to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu, in 2023.

Sowore expressed his gratitude to the former President for recognising the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.

According to him, ‘Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet @officialabat to discuss this issue as soon as possible.

‘With this, former President Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case, a list that already includes ex Vice President @atiku, Femi Falana SAN, Senator @ShehuSani , and many others across political and regional divides.’

He said ‘Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria.

‘Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay.’

He appealed to all political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join this noble cause.

Recall that Nnamdi Kanu was arrested on June 27, 2021, allegedly with the help of the Interpol in Kenya, for prosecution in Nigeria, over alleged treasonable offences.

Interpol however denied involvement in his arrest in 2023.

Since then, he had remained in the custody of the federal government and appeared in courts several times, facing various charges.

Sowore who believes that Nnamdi Kanu should be set free, vowed that he ‘remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilising for justice and freedom in this matter.

‘In particular, I invite my brothers and sisters from the South East @PeterObi, @CCSoludo , @alexottiofr , @FrancisNwifuru , @PeterMbah, @HopeUzodinma , @ObyEzekwesili , John Mbata of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, as well as Nigerians of conscience everywhere, to lend their voices to the call for justice and freedom.’

Sowore had in August 2018, founded the African Action Congress AAC, a on whose platform he contested the presidential election in the 2019 Nigeria, both in 2019 and 2023 and lost to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu .

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, says his team remains strong and focused despite the suspension of star winger Ademola Lookman for Tuesday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.

Lookman, who played a key role in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday, will miss the encounter after receiving a yellow card in the 64th minute, his second of the qualifying campaign, which triggered an automatic one-match suspension under CAF regulations.

Chelle, however, dismissed concerns about the Atalanta forward’s absence, insisting the Super Eagles have enough quality and depth to cope without him.

‘The team remains focused and confident heading into the encounter,’ Chelle said after the win over Lesotho.

‘We have enough depth to compete effectively despite this setback. While Lookman’s suspension is unfortunate, the squad possesses the character and determination to secure victory.’

The Malian tactician added that his players must stay mentally sharp and take full control of their qualification destiny when they face Group C leaders Benin Republic.

‘Our focus is on making the most of the players available and ensuring a strong performance against Benin,’ Chelle continued.

‘Every player must be mentally prepared to contribute, whether as a starter or from the bench.’

He also noted that Lookman will still play a vital role from the sidelines, offering encouragement and support to his teammates as Nigeria chase a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 14 points, trailing South Africa and Benin Republic.

A win over the Cheetahs in Uyo, coupled with South Africa failing to beat Rwanda, would see the Super Eagles leapfrog to the top of the table and secure automatic qualification.