Category: Nigerian Tribune

A female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Abuja Halimat Jimoh, has provide lifesaving supplies and medical support to about 50 expectant mothers at a Primary Health Care Centre in Lugbe, Abuja through an outreach she led under The Midwife Next Door Foundation.

The outreach was a pet project to give back to the society through ‘the facilitation of knowledge-sharing sessions’ as a professional mid-wife.

While speaking during the programme, Halimat charged families on the need to help women stay healthy during pregnancy, noting that women are vulnerable during pregnancy and require intensive care, ‘especially first time mothers.’

‘Last week Wednesday when my team staged an outreach tagged MamaSafe Initiative, the idea was to help as many expectant mums as possible to stay healthy. We worked in partnership with the healthcare centre, and it was a success. We simply wanted to contribute our quota to our immediate community. One thing we have discovered is that pregnant women were vulnerable, and they deserved to be supported, especially by their immediate families,’ she explained.

‘Anyone carrying a life is in a critical state, and requires extra monitoring routine to ensure both mother and child is safe. Family support during pregnancy is crucial.’

Speaking further on the outreach, Ms Jimoh noted that the MamaSafe initiative had three components which included distribution of clean-birth kits to expectant mothers, equipping the clinic with an Emergency Maternal Care Kit, and launching a digital health support community.

‘In a plural society like ours, fingers are not equal. Hence, the community and government must always rise up to support this bloc of people in the society. The clean-birth kits we distributed contained essential items such as maternity pads, cord clamps, gloves, and diapers. Our goal is to help reduce infection and complications during childbirth.’

She further noted that a session on ‘Recognising Danger Signs in Pregnancy and Childbirth and What to Do’ was facilitated by Mrs. Cecilia Samuel, a seasoned maternal health educator with participants given an opportunity to ask questions, while learning from actionable steps shared during the session for safer pregnancies.

‘We didn’t just do the talking. We also gave these women opportunity to express their concerns and challenges. We are happy that they benefited from the little initiative, and are hopeful that we can continue the initiative for greater impact. Service to humanity should not wait for tomorrow. It begins with what we can do today,’ she said.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, a husband who had accompanied his wife to the centre described the gesture as timely and expressed gratitude to the foundation.

He said, ‘Fathers also carry a lot of stress during this time, and this initiative is a support for us as well.’

The Sector Commander, RS11.3, Oyo State Command, CC Rosemary U.K. Alo, has stressed that achieving effective road safety interventions requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including road users.

She made this known during a Town Hall Meeting organised by the RS11.3 Oyo Sector Command for tanker and trailer drivers at the Egbeda Unit Command, RS11.35, in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to her, ensuring lasting success in road safety is not the sole duty of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) but a shared responsibility among all agencies tasked with road safety and compliance with traffic laws.

Speaking on the theme ‘Enhancing Safety through Collaboration Strategies for Combating Tanker and Trailer Crashes,’ Commander Alo urged participants to embrace partnership and responsibility in promoting safety. She advised fleet operators to properly train their drivers, conduct routine vehicle checks, and install speed limit devices on their vehicles.

The Sector Commander also highlighted several factors that could improve road safety outcomes, including the use of technology, public awareness campaigns, emergency preparedness, policy support, infrastructure improvement, and collaboration with sister agencies.

At the end of the meeting, participants pledged their commitment to promoting safety, preventing road crashes, and discouraging the dangerous act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

The Unit Commander of RS11.35 Egbeda, Assistant Corps Commander Abiodun J. Arowolo, said the meeting was part of the Corps’ continued efforts to reduce traffic crash fatalities and injuries. He explained that participants were educated on the causes of tanker and trailer accidents, safety precautions, and prevention measures for petrol-related crashes.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Oyo State Sector Commander, CC Rosemary U.K. Alo; Sector Head of Operations, DCC B.I. Olugbesan; Alajia of Ajia; Onisade of Isade; Olosegere of Osegere; Fire Service representative, CSF N.O. Adeoye; Administrative Secretary, OYSEMA, Mrs. Ojuolape; NSCDC representative, CSC Abubakri Ganiyu; Chief Olubode (Abobagunwa); representatives of the Tipper Association Egbeda Unit, Alhaji Dauda Eleti; FandB Logistics Global Limited, Alhaji Teslim; TGC Logistics and Route Limited, Mr. Isiak; and the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Adekunle Adedoyin.

Despite record-breaking global cocoa prices, millions of smallholder farmers in West Africa, including Nigeria, remain locked in poverty, according to the newly released Cocoa Barometer 2025.

The report paints a complex picture of a sector simultaneously booming and broken, where profits surge for traders and chocolate manufacturers but the growers who sustain the industry continue to struggle.

The Cocoa Barometer, a flagship publication by a consortium of civil society organizations, reveals that while cocoa prices have soared to historic highs amid global supply shortages, the financial benefits have largely bypassed producers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria, who collectively supply more than two-thirds of the world’s cocoa.

Nigeria, emerging as a key producer with an estimated 350,000 tonnes expected in the 2024/25 season, has yet to see farmers reap meaningful rewards from the price rally.

The report attributes this gap to forward-selling mechanisms, contracts that fix prices months before market shifts, along with declining yields from aging trees, climate change, and crop diseases.

While international buyers and processors profit from price fluctuations, many farmers remain trapped in what the report calls a poverty cycle that underpins nearly every other challenge in the sector.

These include deforestation, child labor, and gender inequality, which continue to persist despite years of sustainability pledges from multinational chocolate companies.

The report warns that the current cocoa boom could lead to another bust if left unmanaged. High prices have triggered rapid expansion into new forest areas, increasing the risk of deforestation and environmental degradation.

The Barometer cautions that, without supply management or price stabilization measures, the market could face oversupply and price crashes similar to the 2016 downturn.

‘Market volatility and weak governance are creating a fragile system that benefits a few while exposing millions to risk.

‘The absence of transparent farmgate pricing and the exclusion of women and farm workers from profit-sharing mechanisms further distort value distribution’, the report stated.

The Barometer identifies weak governance, lack of transparency, and poor coordination among governments and private companies as central to the sector’s instability.

In particular, it highlights how European political resistance to stronger human rights and environmental regulations could undermine recent progress in ensuring fairer trade and sustainable production.

Despite these setbacks, the report points to examples of progress, including new sustainability standards and collaborative frameworks among farmers, governments, and chocolate manufacturers. These, it argues, demonstrate that systemic change is not only necessary but possible.

The Barometer calls for a global commitment to fair pay for farmers, a moratorium on deforestation, and the inclusion of farmers, both men and women, as equal decision-makers in the cocoa value chain.

It also urges the implementation of transparency and accountability mechanisms to rebuild trust and ensure equitable distribution of profits.

‘Paying farmers fairly is both a moral and a legal obligation,’ the report notes, emphasizing that income justice is essential for sustainable cocoa production.

For Nigeria, the findings are particularly relevant as the country seeks to revive its cocoa industry and position it as a non-oil export growth driver.

Analysts say that addressing structural challenges in pricing, access to finance, and climate resilience could help Nigerian farmers benefit from the global cocoa boom and attract investment into value-added processing.

Spokesperson of the Amotekun operatives in Osun State, Yusuf Idowu, has claimed that the state command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested no fewer than 20 of its operatives in connection with the killings of Akinlalu people.

Amotekun spokesperson made this known in an interview in Osogbo on Wednesday. However, Police spokesperson has countered that the claim, clarifying that five people were arrested.

According to Yusuf, the arrest was carried out on Wednesday by a special police squad from the headquarters in Abuja.

It was learnt that after the arrest, the command office at Oke-fia in Osogbo was sealed but others were not.

Commenting further on the matter, Yusuf confirmed the arrest of some operatives of the Corps.

He said, ‘Some policemen came, but they didn’t seal our headquarters (Powerline Office). They burst our operation base in Oke-Fia and the Ife Central command.

‘They also arrested about 20 of our operatives at Oke-Fia and Ife Central Command in connection with Akinlalu killing. They came in respect of the Akinlalu incident. The policemen are still at Oke-Fia, and we don’t know where they took our personnel that they arrested’.

However, Osun state police command in a separate statement said the command has arrestedý five suspects in connection with the alleged killing of Ibrahim Oyebamiji (m), 26yrs, Sefiu Oyebamiji (m) and Abiola Olutayo (m).

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who made this known in a statement in Osogbo, said efforts are on top gear to arrest other suspects at large.

‘It would be recalled that on 30th September, 2025 at about 1320hrs, information received from Chief Oyebamiji Kamorudeen of Akinlalu that members of Western security network also known as Amotekun came in large numbers and invaded Akinlalu community with their two official patrol and one private vehicles in retaliation for the two pump action guns earlier allegedly snatched from their operatives by yet to be identified person(s).

‘And that during the invasion, they shot sporadically which caused serious bullet injuries on the following people namely: Adeagbo Kadijat ‘f’ 22yrs, Oke-Ila Oyebamiji ‘f’ 60yrs and Fayomi Toheeb ‘m’ 19yrs.

ý’It was further alleged that, three persons lost their lives during the shooting, namely: Ibrahim Oyebamiji (m), 26yrs, Sefiu Oyebamiji (m) and Abiola Olutayo (m) ýand their corpses were taken away by Amotekun operatives.

ý’Investigation carried out by the Police revealed that, the attackers are members of Amotekun Corps and individuals were mentioned to have masterminded the attack which victims and witnesses of the attack said they can identify them if seen.

ý’Meanwhile, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the case; efforts are on top gear to arrest other suspects at large.

‘The Commander of Amotekun Corps has been invited to clarify his roles played in the entire episode of the attack.

‘He has refused to honour the invitation and equally efforts made to reach him on phone proved abortive as his phone has been switched off, only for him to come on social media on 6th October, 2025 and put up a claim of being attacked by unknown armed men wearing mask which preliminary enquiry reveals to be a figment of his own imagination aimed at concealing the truth and derailing the course of justice to the victims.

ý’Osun State remains very peaceful as Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM has ordered the elite investigative body of the Force, the IRT-FID to take over the case.

‘The Command urges the public to disregard such unsubstantiated claim and go about their lawful businesses. Police remain focus in maintaining the peace which Osun State has always been known for,’ the PRO statement said.

.Unhappy over NBS’s report indicating ransom payment to kidnappers between May 2023 and April 2024

Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen reiterated that the creation of state Police remains a viable option to tackle insecurity.

He added that the resolve of the National Assembly towards strengthening the nation’s security architecture and institutionalization of standards that will promote professionalism and accountability in the private intelligence and investigation sector.

Speaker Tajudeen gave the assurance while declaring open the public hearing organized by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, explained that the proposed bill seeks to develop a regulatory framework for overseeing private intelligence and investigation firms, ensuring that they operate ethically, responsibly, and within established professional standards.

In the bid to tackle myriad of security challenges facing the country, he averred that creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious consideration.

Speaker Tajudeen represented by Hon Muktar Shagaya noted that the proposed bill ‘aims to implement uniform practices that will raise service quality and promote best industry standards.

‘The Bill also provides for continuous training and capacity development to enable professionals in this sector to respond effectively to emerging security challenges.

‘Furthermore, it encourages stronger cooperation between private and public security institutions, ensuring that both sectors complement each other in advancing the overall safety and stability of our nation.

‘Honourable Colleagues and distinguished guests, as l candidly remarked in my speech yesterday, Security reforms remain a top national priority, and the time has come for the debate on multi-level policing to move from theory to decisive legislative action.

‘Creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious consideration.

‘However, beyond constitutional reform, there is also an urgent need to strengthen community policing as provided in the Police Act, 2020, to make it more effective and responsive to the realities of local communities.’

In his remarks, Chairman, House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmed Satomi explained that the proposed legislation to establish a Private Intelligence and Investigation Council will mark a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture through the regulation and professionalization of private intelligence operations.

Hon. Satomi described the bill as a forward-looking initiative that seeks to ensure accountability, professionalism, and ethical conduct within the country’s growing private intelligence and investigation industry.

According to him, the proposed Council will serve as a regulatory body responsible for standardizing industry practices, providing accreditation and certification, and promoting continuous training and collaboration between the private and public security sectors.

‘This marks a significant step towards strengthening our national security framework and ensuring the professionalism of private intelligence and investigation services,’ Satomi said.

‘The proposed bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework that ensures ethical conduct and accountability.

‘If established, the Council will standardize practices, promote continuous training, and foster collaboration between private and public security sectors.’

He noted that the initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is confronted with a web of security challenges ranging from insurgency and banditry to cybercrime and kidnapping, stressing that innovative approaches are required to strengthen the country’s security frastructure.

Citing recent data, Hon. Satomi said the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported over 51.89 million household crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024, with kidnapping alone accounting for 2.23 million incidents and ?2.23 trillion paid in ransoms during the same period.

‘These figures, underscore the magnitude of the security threats confronting our nation and the need for all stakeholders, governmental and private, to work collaboratively. Security, as it is often said, is everyone’s business.’

The lawmaker emphasised that while the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies are commendable, the evolving nature of threats demands additional layers of support, regulation, and intelligence coordination.

He said the bill aligns with the National Assembly’s legislative efforts to address security concerns through proactive, intelligence-driven reforms.

According to him, the benefits of the bill are extensive. Beyond establishing a council to accredit private intelligence and investigation services, it seeks to streamline compliance mechanisms, enforce ethical standards, and create partnerships between public and private security agencies for improved outcomes.

However, Hon. Satomi acknowledged that not all stakeholders fully agree on every provision of the proposed legislation.

He disclosed that while many of the submissions received by the Committee were supportive, some expressed concerns regarding possible overlaps with existing laws and the mandates of established security institutions.

‘For instance, there is a concern that upholding Section 1(3)(a-f) of the Bill as it stands may dilute the exclusive statutory responsibility of an agency in matters of security clearance and internal vetting. Another concern referenced Section 4(i) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, warning that the bill may create duplication, legal disputes, and confusion over authority.’

He noted that these differences reveal deeper institutional issues within Nigeria’s security ecosystem, particularly the long-standing challenge of poor inter-agency collaboration and inefficient intelligence sharing.

‘The obvious disparities in the stance adopted by various security agencies on oversight of intelligence matters once more bring to the fore the problem of non-collaboration in intelligence sharing and utilization,’ Satomi observed.

‘This issue has hampered efficient delivery of security services, and this Bill may present us an opportunity to address that important aspect of our national security governance structure.’

Hon. Satomi commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and other members of the House for their support in prioritizing legislative measures that seek to modernize Nigeria’s security framework.

He therefore urged all participants and stakeholders at the hearing-including representatives of security agencies, civil society, and the media-to make meaningful contributions that would guide the Committee’s final report.

‘We assure you that all contributions will be taken into consideration by this Committee.

‘The discussions, observations, and submissions from this hearing will significantly shape the report that will be presented to the House for further legislative action.’

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), has said that the Agency is not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that desire it, but remains opposed to its local consumption.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop themed ‘Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria’, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa said, ‘At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends.

‘Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety. This is why it is crucial that scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators are in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.

‘Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen-not weaken-our fight against drug abuse. As such, the Agency will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries that desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings.

‘After all, some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes, while others, including Nigeria, have not. Our concern, however, is about its consumption in Nigeria. In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it, but such must be strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored by NDLEA, with such processes located only within export-free zones,’ he stated.

Explaining the position of the Agency, the NDLEA boss said the conversation is necessary because ‘we are talking about cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. For decades, the debate has been one-sided. Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt, informed the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.

‘In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export.

‘What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.

‘Another fundamental issue that we must take cognisance of is that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as ‘cannabis oil’ often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside medical supervision. Already, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide.’

He said that as part of efforts to mitigate the consequences of illicit drug cultivation and production, the Agency, as the first in Africa, decided to introduce an alternative development project in 2023.

According to him, ‘The Alternative Development Project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies and humanitarian responses to mitigate drug-related problems and end the complexities and violence of the war on drugs in Nigeria and globally.

‘In Nigeria, the Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, unemployment, and underdevelopment that push people into illicit economies, particularly illicit drug cultivation.’

In his welcome remark, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof Abubakar Sambo, who was represented by the Vice President of the Academy, Prof Friday Okonofua, noted that several research studies have considered various uses of cannabis and its side effects.

He said the workshop was aimed at reaching a consensus on the contentious issue of the use of cannabis oil, noting that ‘at the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented and will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country.’

Chairman of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil use, Prof Musbau Akanbi, commended NDLEA for being proactive and working with the Academy to obtain a science-driven guide for Nigeria.

‘As we all know, cannabis oil is extracted from cannabis, and the legalisation of the use of the oil would translate to large-scale cultivation of the weed itself. The Nigerian Academy of Science consequently constituted the consensus study committee on the cannabis oil debate, comprising experts in all fields related to the study request.

‘The committee collected a lot of literature on the subject matter from all over the world, reviewed what is happening in other lands, and decided to arrange this workshop where experts from various related fields would come together with stakeholders and present evidence that will be collated to assist NDLEA in carrying out its honest responsibility.’

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr Samuel Adekola, who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, noted that ‘this all-important workshop will offer our great country, Nigeria, the opportunity to move from debate to design, from potential to policies, and I urge all participants to contribute constructively so that together we can rise to craft a model that not only benefits the consumers of health, the Sunshine State, and Nigeria, but also positions our nation as a leader on the African continent in this emerging field. Let us proceed with vision, with courage, and with unity of purpose.’

In his keynote address, Prof Oye Gureje, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, stated that cumulative evidence suggests that ‘cannabis has some limited medical use’, and ‘widespread recreational use is likely to lead to increased risk of psychosis’, while ‘public health may be moderately affected by increased use (e.g. road accidents)’.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that it is unlawful for Transnational Energy Limited to remove Dr Funmi Olawepo as a shareholder and a director of the company.

The case, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1652/2021, presided over by Honourable Justice G. K. Olotu, has Dr Funmi Olawepo as the plaintiff, Transnational Energy Limited as the first defendant, and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as the second defendant.

In the suit, the seven reliefs sought by Dr Olawepo included, among other things, a declaration of her shares in Transnational Energy as personal, a declaration that Transnational Energy cannot remove her a shareholder and a director without her consent, and an order for Transnational Energy to pay her N300 million for breach of contract for unlawfully removing her name from CAC records as a shareholder and a director without her consent and knowledge.

In a ruling dated March 20th, 2025, Justice Olotu adjudged that a director who believes that they have been wrongfully removed, like in this case, can seek legal remedies, including claims for breach of contract and compensation for loss of office.

‘In my humble view, the actions of the 1st Defendant in transferring the Plaintiff’s shares without her consent and removing the Plaintiff from being a director without due notice to her boil down to the fact that the 1st Defendant breached the contract between it and the Plaintiff and therefore, the Plaintiff is entitled to damages,’ Justice Olotu said.

Justice Olotu further ruled that, ‘Such actions are clear violations of the principles of corporate governance under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. Consequently, I order that the Plaintiff is entitled to the reliefs sought and the Court so holds.’

In light of the ruling, Justice Olotu declared that the reliefs of Dr Funmi Olawepo were granted as prayed.

Nigeria’s betting industry shifted to mobile apps faster than almost anywhere else. Not because operators sat in boardrooms planning ‘mobile-first strategies’ – because they had no choice. When your customers exclusively use phones to access internet, you build for phones or disappear.

Desktop Never Existed Here

Nigeria skipped the desktop era completely. While Europe and North America spent the 1990s and 2000s on dial-up modems and home computers, Nigeria went straight to smartphones. By 2025, over 90% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices.

The numbers: 107 million internet users out of 235 million people. Mobile connections hit 150 million – 64% of the population. Many people keep multiple SIM cards for different networks and pricing, which partly explains the numbers.

Fixed broadband barely exists outside Lagos and Abuja. It’s expensive and limited. Mobile broadband through 3G, 4G, and now some 5G became the default. Median mobile speeds hit 18.91 Mbps in early 2025. For millions in rural areas or without steady income, a smartphone is the only gateway to internet.

Economics Changed Everything

Smartphone prices dropped dramatically over the past decade. Entry-level devices still cost a chunk of monthly income for many Nigerians, but they became accessible. This happened right when betting companies realized their audience lived on phones.

Think about Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt. Young guys commuting have phones in pockets. Lunch break? Phone. Evening hangout? Phone. Desktop computers need dedicated space and time. You don’t fire up a PC while waiting for danfo or sitting at a bukka.

Betting apps let you place wagers in transit, check scores during matches, withdraw winnings without visiting a shop. The convenience gap is enormous.

Data consumption matters too. Surebet247, Sportybet, Betking, Bet9ja – all optimized apps to use minimal data compared to websites. Some offer ultra-lite versions for older phones and slower connections. When you’re monitoring every megabyte to avoid expensive data charges, this efficiency becomes critical.

Apps Do Things Websites Can’t

Push notifications changed user engagement completely. Platforms alert you about match starts, odds shifts, promotions, bet outcomes – all without opening the app. Desktop websites can’t compete with that immediacy.

Payment integration works seamlessly. Nigeria’s mobile money ecosystem – Opay, PalmPay, bank USSD codes – plugs directly into betting apps. Deposit and withdraw within minutes using tools already on your phone. Try doing that smoothly on a desktop site.

Security advanced too. Two-factor authentication, fingerprint login, facial recognition, encrypted connections. These features exist on desktop, but they integrate naturally on mobile where you already use them for banking and social media.

Apps cache data locally, reducing load times and data use. They handle network instability better – common in Nigeria. Live betting needs split-second responsiveness, which works more reliably in native apps than browsers.

Survival Required Apps

The Nigerian betting market reached a point where not having a solid mobile app meant death. When Surebet247 betshop launched apps, they weren’t innovating – they were catching up to baseline expectations. Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet continuously refine their apps because falling behind technologically is existential.

User acquisition happens through app stores now more than Google searches. Young Nigerians discovering betting search app stores, not URLs. The psychology matters: downloading an app signals commitment. It sits on your home screen, constant reminder, zero friction for placing bets.

Social features drive adoption. Many apps let you share bet slips with friends, join group challenges, use chat functions. These features make sense on mobile, not desktop. They create communities and boost retention.

What Comes Next

Mobile dominance will intensify. 5G expansion continues from current low single-digit penetration. Better infrastructure means apps will add HD live streaming, augmented reality features, AI-powered recommendations.

Cryptocurrency payments might expand. Voice-activated betting through digital assistants could emerge. AI could personalize experiences based on betting patterns.

Regulation will shape the future. Lagos State Lotteries Board and state regulators show increasing sophistication after the November 2024 Supreme Court ruling. Future regulations will address mobile-specific concerns: responsible gambling, age verification, data protection. Companies investing heavily in mobile platforms position themselves to meet evolving standards.

What This Means If You Bet

Mobile apps from Surebet247, Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet make betting accessible anywhere with network coverage. That cuts both ways. Spontaneous opportunities, yes. But also requires discipline to avoid impulsive decisions.

Having apps from multiple platforms lets you compare odds and chase promotions. Check Betking, compare with Surebet247, bet on Sportybet – all within minutes from your couch. Desktop never enabled this kind of platform hopping.

Modern apps include responsible gambling features. Use them. Deposit limits, self-exclusion options, spending trackers exist for reasons. The same convenience enabling constant access should help you maintain control.

The Reality

Nigerian betting operators going all-in on mobile reflects deeper economic realities. Mobile-first internet access, smartphone economics, technical advantages of native apps, competitive pressure – these forces collectively made mobile apps the primary interface between companies and customers.

Surebet247, Bet9ja, Betking, Sportybet didn’t just follow this trend. They shaped it through continuous investment. For Nigerian bettors, this revolution transformed betting from an activity requiring dedicated equipment into something woven into daily life.

As telecommunications infrastructure improves and smartphones penetrate deeper, mobile betting apps will evolve. But one thing’s certain: the mobile-first paradigm dominating Nigerian betting today isn’t temporary. It’s the permanent foundation for whatever comes next.

The Kids Technology Empowerment Foundation (KTEF) a non-governmental organization dedicated to equipping young people, especially less privileged students, with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills through practical learning, competitions, and mentorship programs, held the third edition of its STEM hangout recently and the event was acclaimed to be a success

The STEM hangout tagged ‘The Humanoid Robot’ was held at the Oba Akinyele Memorial Secondary School, Basorun Ibadan.

The event had over a 300 children and was an enlightening experience for the students who got exposed to various STEM oriented projects. Also present were 13 teachers, STEM mentors and a private visiting school of 7 students from Living stone college with their teacher.

The event commenced with showcase of different type of humanoid robot; House Cleaning robot, Singer Robot, Food Server Robot, Robot Art Painter, Robot Farmer, A pregnant Humanoid Robot, Care Giver Robot, Customer Service Robot, Barber Robot, Chess Player Robot, Surgeon Robot, Dander Robot, Solder Robot, Industrial Robot and a chef humanoid robot.

The opening speech was delivered by the founder of the KTEF, Adenusi Cecilia, a Certified IT Professional and STEM Educator, who enlightened the students on Artificial Intelligence, a Carton-built humanoid robot and different sensors that make the robot respond to its environment.

The event proceeded with a showcase of the humanoid robot models powered by Arduino micro controllers (the brain), demonstrating how these components form the basis of automated machines. Two Carbon humanoid robots were exhibited, to showcase the movement and speech of a robot.

Another key segment of the hangout featured one of the STEM Mentors, Mr Lifted Olasehinde who gave an in-depth talk on the functions of robot sensors, using a functional robot that could effectively detect motion and touch, as a practical example.

The students got a hands-on introduction to the world of engineering and programming during the event and each level carried out different projects: JS1 students worked on building a robot head, JS2 worked on building a Robot Hand, JS3 worked on building a robot chest, SS1 worked on building robot legs while SS2 and 3 worked on the coding Arduino microcontroller for the robot automation.

Each session classes did their best and they presented what they could achieve within the short period given the organizers by the school. This division of labor ensured that students at every level were engaged with relevant, hands-on tasks and teamwork spirit.

The event was held with the generous support and accommodation of the secondary school teachers and their principal, who recognized the importance of such practical STEM exposure.

To conclude the successful hangout, gifts were distributed to the students, celebrating their participation and inspiring them to desire more as it relates to science and technology.

The event was successful with support from Mrs Funke Oyedun (Founder, Tech the Special) and others like Dr. Sakpere from Lead City University.

‘We appreciate all the effort of our volunteering team including Omosalewa, Bolu, Michael, Bethel Gbenga-Ogundare, Abulsalam, Feranmi, Bunmi, Joel and Michael Akerele as well as Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and the Nigerian Tribune team for constantly showing support,’ Mrs Adenusi said.

MR Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a key shaper in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, stressing that the country’s efforts are deeply anchored on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking during a plenary session themed ‘Technology, Migration and Trade Representation’ at the Stakeholders’ Interactive engagement with the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, held at the State House in Abuja, recently, Inuwa outlined Nigeria’s strategic roadmap for emerging technologies.

He noted that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on economic diversification and inclusivity, with priority number seven focusing on accelerating industrialisation, digitalisation, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation.

According to him, this vision has informed the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy’s roadmap, and guides NITDA’s ongoing initiatives to transform Nigeria into a digital powerhouse in Africa.

The NITDA boss explained that at the heart of this ambition is Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, which lays out a clear pathway for the country’s technological future.

He described the first priority as building foundational infrastructure that will allow Nigeria to play a meaningful role in the AI journey.

According to him, this involves expanding connectivity, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and building clean and representative national datasets.

He noted the launch of the National Multilingual Large Language Model in New York as a major milestone, saying, ‘For us, it is important that our languages, our culture, and our people are represented in the AI of the future. That is why we built Nigeria’s own multilingual large language model – to ensure that technology reflects our identity and diversity.’

Inuwa also stressed the importance of nurturing the ecosystem by empowering startups and innovators, anchored by the Nigerian Startup Act which provides a legal and institutional framework for growth.

‘Innovation does not happen in isolation. You need an ecosystem that connects government, innovators, investors, and global partners. Through our startup policies, we are not just encouraging entrepreneurship; we are deliberately prioritizing inclusivity and giving women founders the space to thrive,’ he added.

On sectoral transformation, Inuwa explained that AI is being integrated into key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education to radically boost productivity, adding that AI will not replace humans; rather, it will enhance human endeavour.

‘With AI, we can achieve ten times the productivity we are seeing today. Imagine what it means when our doctors can diagnose faster, our farmers can predict yields better, and our manufacturers can cut inefficiencies. That is the kind of leap Nigeria is preparing for,’ he stated.

Inuwa pointed out that if technology is not designed with inclusivity in mind, vulnerable groups could be left behind. ‘If you are digitally invisible, AI will not consider you in its decision-making. That is why inclusivity is not optional – it is central. In every one of our initiatives, we insist on at least 40 percent women representation, because we cannot build a future that excludes half of our population,’ he said.

He concluded by stressing the importance of strong governance and regulation, noting that Nigeria is co-creating its AI governance framework with the ecosystem to ensure sustainability. ‘We cannot build this future in silos. We are working hand in hand with innovators, industry leaders, and the global community to create policies that safeguard innovation while protecting citizens. This is how Nigeria will lead responsibly.’