Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have threatened to withdraw their services if the federal government failed to meet their demands.

The union has extended its ultimatum by seven days to ‘allow the government room to respond.’

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) had issued a seven day ultimatum beginning from 15th September 2025, to the federal government to meet its outstanding demands.

The demands include: renegotiation of the 2009 FG/SSANU agreement, non-payment of withheld salaries and unjust disbursement of warned allowances.

In a communique signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim at the end of its 52nd National Executive (NEC) meeting at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri Imo state, the university workers expressed displeasure over government’s continued silence, as the ultimatum draws closer.

The communique reads, ‘NEC expresses deep disappointment over the continued silence and inaction of the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Committee regarding the 2009 FG/SSANU Agreement. NEC strongly calls on the government to honour the two weeks extension given by JAC of SSANU/NASU in order to avert the impending industrial crisis in the university system.

‘NEC strongly condemns the continued withholding of salaries of SSANU members who participated in the 2022 industrial action.

‘NEC therefore, urges the Federal Government to immediately release the outstanding two (2) months withheld salaries as a demonstration of good faith and commitment to restoring industrial harmony within the University system.

‘NEC also notes that third-party deductions from the already paid two months of withheld salaries have yet to be remitted and therefore calls for the immediate release of these funds.

‘NEC expresses deep concern over the Federal Government’s persistent disregard for Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Memoranda of Action (MoAs), and other duly negotiated collective bargaining agreements entered into with SSANU.’

The union reiterated that such agreements, reached through structured dialogue and mutual consent, are binding and must be honoured in full.

The SSANU warned that if this pattern of neglect continued, it will have no choice but to ‘explore all lawful and appropriate avenues to compel compliance.’

The union also condemned the formula adopted for the disbursements of earned allowances (EA) that was released by the government.

It alleged that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had a larger share of the released EA.

The union further said, ‘SSANU frowns at the inequitable and negligible allocation of the N50 billion Earned Allowance, wherein only 20% which amounts to N10 billion was allotted to the three (3) non-teaching unions (SSANU, NASU and NAAT) as against the N50 billion agreed in the signed MoU/MoA before the suspension of the 2022 industrial action.

‘This allocation is unjust, discriminatory, and fails to acknowledge the indispensable role SSANU members play in the effective functioning of Nigerian Universities.

‘It is also in breach of the MoU/MoA signed with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU in August 2022. NEC calls for an immediate release of the balance of ?40 billion Earned Allowance to reflect principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness across all non-teaching staff unions of universities and Inter-University Centres in line with the Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Action signed with the unions.’

The union also deliberated on the state of the health sector and other sectors in the country.

It expressed deep concerns over the poor funding of the sector and deteriorating condition of critical sectors, the rising spate of insecurity including kidnappings, banditry, and communal clashes which have continued to disrupt daily life, displace families, and cripple economic activity.

SSANU also expressed concerns that, ‘Agriculture and food security are under severe threat, with an estimated 33.1 million Nigerians facing acute food shortages due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.

Key recommendations made to federal and state governments include: granting full autonomy to university governing councils to reduce political interference and enable decisions that best serve the staff and students of the universities; strengthen existing research and innovation funds and make them accessible to all disciplines to ensure consistent support for groundbreaking studies and technological development; and provide a living wage with guaranteed, timely salary payments to attract, motivate, and retain top talents among both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Others are: increase budgetary allocations to health and education, and to ensure that all funds are fully and transparently disbursed; strengthen primary healthcare systems while improving working conditions to curb the brain drain of professionals; declare targeted security emergencies in high-risk states with the deployment of modern technology, intelligence gathering, and community policing, while addressing root causes such as poverty, youth unemployment, and land-use conflicts.

It also recommended support for farmers through provision of inputs, access to credits, storage facilities, and irrigation systems to safeguard food security and stabilise prices; prioritise infrastructure development by maintaining roads, ensuring reliable electricity, providing safe water, and implementing effective flood-control measures.

The union’s NEC called on all tiers of government to act with urgency and sincerity, noting that Nigerians deserved concrete action, not promises.

Reality TV star Anita Singh, popularly known as Nini, has organised a housewarming party to celebrate her newly acquired home.

The former Big Brother Naija housemate welcomed her fans and friends to her new home, stating that the newly acquired house has become her second-own mansion.

In a video posted on her Instagram page, she wrote, ‘One of the many blessings, another HOME’

The beautiful structure is a two-story building with multiple compartments.

Nini took her fans on a tour, starting with the sitting room, which features colorful furniture and chandeliers.

The first floor of the house features a modern kitchen fitted with a range of high-end gadgets and cooking utensils.

The top floor accommodates the reality star’s bedroom and an expansive walk-in closet designed for her clothing and footwear.

Her shoes are neatly displayed on a large rack, while her wardrobe spans almost the entire room, showcasing her extensive fashion collection.

The event featured an impressive spread of assorted dishes, cupcakes, drinks, and wine, all beautifully arranged for her guests.

A video from the celebration captured cheerful moments of Nini’s friends dancing, playing games, and enjoying the feast before departing.

Similarly, former Big Brother Naija housemate Mercy Eke also unveiled what she described as her third home, showcasing a large building in a viral video.

The Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday handed over a suspect and a total of 261,750 capsules of Pregabalin (300 milligrams) and 228,700 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride (225 milligrams) to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The illicit drugs, concealed in five jumbo agro sacks, were seized by Customs around the border.

Area Controller of Customs, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, disclosed that the drugs were hidden inside 35 packets of Pregabalin and 28 rolls of Tramadol tablets.

Speaking while handing over the seized illicit drugs to the NDLEA representative, the Kano/Jigawa Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the substances pose serious health risks to the body, including organ damage, addiction, and restlessness, particularly among the youth.

Abubakar warned about the wider social implications of drug abuse, linking it to violence, crime, immorality, economic loss, and insecurity in the region.

He said a male suspect was arrested at the scene with 455,500 Naira intended as a bribe, alongside a black-tinted green Nissan Pathfinder, marked DUT196AE

A cutting knife was also among the exhibits recovered from the suspect.

‘The seizure was in line with sections 55C and 234 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which mandated the protection of public health and prohibited the possession of smuggled goods,’ Abubakar said.

Commander of narcotics Mohammad Maiaduwa Usman received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of NDLEA.

He said NDLEA will conduct further investigations for the prosecution of the suspect.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to continued synergy with other security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.

In a world buzzing with complexity, where financial transactions often feel like navigating a maze, FlipEx was born with a singular vision: to simplify the exchange of digital assets while delivering a premium user experience.

Since our inception in 2016, FlipXpress Digital Technologies has been on a mission to redefine how people interact with their digital wealth whether it’s a gift card to Naira, crypto to Naira, or bill payment.

The name ‘FlipEx’ itself is a nod to our core ethos: flipping the script on traditional financial systems, making digital transactions effortless as a coin toss, yet as sophisticated as a tailored suit.

Our choice of black and white as our brand colors is no accident. Black, a tribute to our African roots – embodies strength, resilience, and pride. White complements it with clarity, purity, and simplicity.

Together, they create a visual identity that’s bold yet approachable, sophisticated yet unpretentious just like the service we strive to deliver. Our story is one of innovation, trust, and a deep-rooted commitment to empowering users across Nigeria, the UK, and the USA.

The idea for FlipEx emerged from a simple observation: gift cards and cryptocurrencies were becoming the currency of the future, yet the process of converting them into tangible value was anything but seamless. In 2016, as digital transactions began to outpace traditional banking, we saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. Why should someone with a $100 Amazon gift card struggle to turn it into cash? Why should trading Bitcoin or USDT feel like an ordeal?

These questions fueled our drive to create a platform that’s not just functional but transformative.

Based in Nigeria, with operations in the UK and USA, FlipEx was built to serve a global audience with a touch of African strength and resilience. We understood that users needed more than just a platform, they needed trust, speed, and reliability. That’s why every feature of the FlipEx app, from its sleek interface to its multi-layered authentication system, was designed with the user in mind. Whether you’re in Lagos trading a Steam gift card to Naira or in London flipping Litecoin to cash, FlipEx makes it happen with a few taps.

At the heart of FlipEx lies our commitment to accessibility. We believe that everyone, regardless of their tech savvy or financial background, deserves to harness the power of digital assets. Our mobile and web applications are designed to be intuitive, ensuring that even first-time users can navigate with ease. Want to sell an iTunes gift card? It’s done in minutes. Need to convert Bitcoin to Naira? The process is instant, secure, and transparent.

Our platform supports a vast array of digital assets, from cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, USDT, and Litecoin to gift cards from global brands such as Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Sephora, and Visa.

Whether you’re holding a Nordstrom gift card or a Google Play gift card, FlipEx ensures you get the best value with competitive rates and instant payouts. But we didn’t stop there. Recognizing the everyday needs of our users, we expanded our services to include bill payments, buy data, pay for electricity tokens, or settle your Cable TV subscription all within the same seamless app.

Our black and white aesthetic isn’t just about style; it’s a statement of intent. In a world of flashy colors and cluttered designs, we chose simplicity to stand out. Black represents the strength and pride of our African heritage, a reminder that FlipEx is an African product with global ambitions. White symbolizes clarity, ensuring that when you open the FlipEx app, you see exactly what we offer, no gimmicks, no confusion. Together, these colors reflect our promise: a premium service that’s straightforward yet sophisticated.

This design philosophy extends to every aspect of the user experience. From the moment you log in, the app’s clean interface guides you effortlessly through the process of trading gift cards or cryptocurrencies. Our multi-layered authentication system ensures your transactions are secure, while our instant payout feature means you’re never left waiting. It’s this balance of simplicity and sophistication that makes FlipEx more than just a platform; it’s a trusted partner in your financial journey.

Digital assets are more than just numbers on a screen; they represent opportunities to pay bills, invest in dreams, or simply enjoy the freedom of financial control. At FlipEx, we’re not just facilitating transactions; we’re empowering people to take charge of their digital wealth. Since 2016, we’ve helped thousands of users turn their gift cards and cryptocurrencies into real-world value, whether it’s cash in their bank account or a paid utility bill.

Our platform is built on trust. As a registered business in Nigeria, the UK, and the USA, we operate with transparency and accountability. Every transaction is backed by robust security measures, ensuring your assets are protected. But beyond security, we prioritize value. Our competitive rates for gift cards and cryptocurrencies mean you get the most out of every trade. Whether you’re selling a $50 eBay gift card or converting Litecoin to Naira, FlipEx ensures you walk away with the best deal.

The FlipEx app is more than a tool; it’s a revolution you can carry in your pocket. In a world where digital transactions are becoming the norm, we’ve created a platform that makes the process as natural as breathing. Need to pay for your DStv subscription? Done. Want to sell an Xbox gift card? Easy. Looking to convert USDT to cash? Instant. With FlipEx, you’re not just keeping up with the digital age, you’re ahead of it.

Our commitment to innovation drives us to constantly improve. We’re not content with being just another trading platform. We’re listening to our users, expanding our offerings, and refining our technology to stay at the forefront of the digital asset revolution. From supporting new gift card brands to integrating the latest cryptocurrencies, FlipEx is always evolving to meet your needs.

The story of FlipEx is still being written, and we invite you to be a part of it. Whether you’re a student in Abuja selling a Google Play card, a professional outside Nigeria converting Bitcoin to Naira, or a tech bro in Lagos paying bills with ease, FlipEx is here to make your financial life simpler, faster, and more rewarding. Our platform is more than a service, it’s a movement to empower people through the seamless exchange of digital assets.

As we look to the future, our vision remains unchanged: to bridge the gap between digital dreams and real-world value. With every gift card flipped, every cryptocurrency converted, and every bill paid, we’re building a world where financial freedom is just a tap away.

Join us on this journey. Download the FlipEx app today and experience the power of simplicity, the strength of security, and the joy of getting the best value for your digital assets.

Why choose FlipEx? Because we’re more than a platform we’re a promise. A promise to deliver a premium, reliable, and user-friendly experience. A promise to honor our African roots while serving a global audience. A promise to make every transaction, no matter how small, feels like a step toward financial freedom. With FlipEx, you’re not just trading, you’re flipping the script on what digital assets can do for you.

So, what are you waiting for? Step into the world of FlipEx, where black and white isn’t just a design choice it’s a symbol of trust, simplicity, and sophistication. Let’s flip the future of finance together.

Nigeria marked its 65th anniversary yesterday, without the commemorative parade, a major highlight of the yearly event. At 65, we have come some way as a nation. Our biggest test was the 1967-70 civil war. We came out of it united and indivisible. We have remained one since then. There have been other anxious moments after that, with

The annulment nearly plunged us into another war. We came out of it badly bruised, but unbowed. The military, especially Generals Babangida’s and Abacha’s evil plan to destroy democracy failed. They wanted to subject us to perpetual military rule, but the vigilance of Nigerians saved the day. Since 1999, we have enjoyed uninterrupted democratic rule, the longest ever in our chequered history. It has been 26 years and counting. We have seen that the worst form of democracy is better than the most benevolent military rule.

Things can only get better as we soldier on as a nation. There is no doubt that things are difficult, but the hope is that, as the President said in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday things are looking up. To borrow his words: ‘there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel’. May the light shine brighter and brighter, so that the people will rejoice. Happy anniversary, Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said more governors from the opposition parties were putting finishing touches to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ruling party.

He said Nigerians were already seeing many achievements of the Tinubu administration across all sectors.

Akpabio stated this in his goodwill message at the launch of a book, titled: Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of The APC Administration In Nigeria, written by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the inauguration of projects by President Tinubu in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Senator Akpabio said: ‘Mr. President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today who are ready to be received by you.’

The Senate President noted that Nigerians were beginning to see the positive outcomes of President Tinubu’s reforms and were acknowledging them.

He added: ‘The students, farmers, and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results in the overall interest and benefit of the people.

‘If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done.

‘I believe strongly in development and progress. I thank Governor Uzodimma for deciding to put history in writing, in his 10 years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria.

‘If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. Progressiveness is not in words; it is in action. The quality of works done by the governor is of high quality and the people of Imo State must be very, very excited.’

Akpabio recalled that when he was the governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, he was already a progressive, based on the projects he executed.

The Senate President congratulated his host and the national leadership of the party for achievements of the party in the last 10 years.

National Coordinator of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) Door-To-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, has praised the President’s role in sustaining Nigeria’s unity.

Speaking at a peace-walk in Lagos through Southwest coordinator to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day yesterday, Asuku said Nigeria’s journey is born out of sacrifice, vision, and determination of the country’s founding fathers.

Asuku said: ‘On this glorious occasion, we raise our voices in a thankful renewed hope for the journey of our nation, a journey born out of sacrifice, vision, and determination of our founding fathers.

‘Sixty-five years ago, our founding fathers stood tall with courage and hope, sowing the seeds of freedom so generations unborn could inherit a land of dignity, pride, and opportunity. Today, their legacy lives in us.

‘Nigeria is more than just a nation, Nigeria is the heartbeat of Africa, a tapestry of over 250 million resilient people whose strength lies in diversity, beauty in its culture and whose destiny is greatness. From the sweat of our farmers to the brilliance of our innovators, from the courage of our youth to the wisdom of our elders, Nigeria continues to rise as a nation destined to lead.

‘We salute President Bola Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda is rekindling faith in a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

‘We recognise the efforts of our governors working day and night to turn dreams into reality at the grassroots. Their leadership, together with the resilience of the people, is a testament that the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain.

‘PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, under leadership of Dr. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) is committed to carrying the message of hope, unity, and progress to every household, every street, every community, until every door enjoys good governance.

‘For we believe the true strength of a nation is not only found in its leaders, but in the will of its people to build, to endure, and to triumph.

‘Today, we renew our faith in Nigeria. We pray for enduring peace, divine wisdom for our leaders, prosperity in our economy, security in our land, and unity in our diversity. Let this Independence Day be a reminder that though our challenges may be many but our destiny is certain.”

We will together build a Nigeria that stands tall among the nations of the earth. Happy Independence Day to all Nigerians at home and in diaspora!’

One is James Duru, a chartered accountant who recently earned a Master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C., the political heartbeat of the United States. Another is Sunday Ogunleye, an MSc graduate in Management and Data Analytics from Indiana Wesleyan University. No less accomplished is Moses Adebayo, who studied Quantitative Economics at Miami University and is now pursuing a PhD in Economics at Northern Illinois University.

Though separated by hundreds of miles and charting careers in seemingly different fields, the trio discovered a unison of purpose that transcended books and borders. Together, they built a dual-function software system aimed at defending one of education’s most fragile values: integrity. AI Guard is designed to block students from copying real-time tests or exams into Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools for answers from ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms, while Cite Guard helps researchers craft theses that are solidly referenced and academically sound.

For them, this is more than tech innovation-it is a crusade. ‘As much as no student desires to fail, the least we can all do is to study a little more-not cheat the process to academic excellence,’ says James, speaking from his Washington, D.C., office at H and R Block Inc., where he juggles a demanding tax consultancy schedule with his passion project. His comic, easy-going manner makes him a favourite at work, but he admits the venture is steadily eating into his nightlife. The sacrifice, he insists, is worth it. Sunday agrees, confessing that the project has consumed the time he once devoted to social media.

Sunday has always been fascinated by social media trends and algorithms. At one point, he even wrote an article on how Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) posts influenced the U.S. stock market-a subject that sharpened his understanding of the digital economy. For balance, he works as a financial reporting analyst at the Indiana University Foundation, where spreadsheets and statements keep him grounded in the realities of finance. Moses, on the other hand, barely paused after completing his Master’s before securing a scholarship for his PhD. The doctorate, often described as a marathon that consumes every corner of life, is no less demanding. Yet Moses dares the odds, carving out space for both his research and the AI Guard/Cite Guard project. ‘I have a lot of hope for this project. That is why I don’t mind pouring all my resources into its success,’ Moses says. He refuses to see the PhD as a narrow, solitary path. ‘If this project becomes another contribution I make to the academic community, I am satisfied.’

Sunday, however, is less easily contented. ‘My aspiration is to replicate the applications of this software in the schools where the three of us studied. Beyond that, I want to see it adopted widely by lecturers across the United States.’ Once that milestone is reached, Sunday dreams of bringing the innovation to Nigeria. He envisions a tour across African universities, beginning in Nigeria, to promote AI Guard and Cite Guard as a way of giving back to the communities that shaped them.

From ‘Yahoo Boy’ to ‘Tech Bro’: How African innovators are rewriting the narrative

James, Sunday, and Moses wear their impressive academic laurels with pride. Yet, it is their shared passion for artificial intelligence that has carried them beyond the professional lanes they already mastered. They are not alone in this pursuit. Across Africa, the rise of the so-called ‘tech bro’ has become a cultural phenomenon-one that is rattling old stereotypes and positioning the continent as a serious player in the global tech revolution.

Take Nigerian-born Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, for instance. Trained in legal studies at the University of Waterloo, he pivoted into fintech entrepreneurship and went on to co-found Andela and Flutterwave. In 2019, New African magazine listed him among the 100 most influential Africans, after he led Flutterwave to process over $2 billion across 50 million transactions, pulling in millions of dollars in annual revenues. The list of black and indigenous talents transforming Africa into a budding Silicon Valley is growing-and fast. More importantly, it is upending a damaging stereotype. Once, the continent’s digital-savvy youth were dismissed as ‘yahoo boys,’ shorthand for internet fraudsters. Today, they are more likely to be recognized as software developers, fintech disruptors, and artificial intelligence pioneers. And it’s not just fintech. In South Africa, Sam Hutchinson’s Sendmarc has emerged as a cybersecurity force, helping businesses fight phishing, spoofing, and impersonation through automated DMARC, DKIM, and SPF controls. From Lagos to Johannesburg, Nairobi to Accra, Africa’s innovators are rewriting the continent’s tech story-one line of code at a time.

Introducing the first-of-its-kind offline AI software in academics

Since the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence, its application across fields has become almost inevitable. The COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a global lockdown, accelerated this shift dramatically. With classrooms shut and offices emptied, AI-powered tools helped bridge the gap between people and their work-life. At the height of the pandemic, even the United Nations endorsed remote learning as a way to preserve quality education and ensure social inclusion. Artificial intelligence was the engine that kept learning afloat.

Globally, the education technology sector saw an explosion of platforms. In Singapore, Erudite became a household name for personalized online learning, while in the United States, Yellowbrick carved a niche with its expansive digital courses. The U.S. now dominates the edtech landscape, accounting for more than a third of leading platforms worldwide. China follows with around 10 percent, while the United Kingdom contributes just over 6 percent. Even Brazil has carved a space, with Afya, a company that runs medical schools and delivers online courses in health sciences, earning a spot among the global top 10. Yet, as impressive as these platforms are, they share one limitation: connectivity. That is where the first-of-its-kind offline AI academic software steps in to change the game.

Even if the idea of AI use for learning and grading had been alien to less developed countries, COVID-19 made sure that changed. Despite the advantages of AI in education, its threat to education is a greater nightmare. This is why the AI Guard/Cite Guard are nipping the bud in the head. ‘My mentor, Prof Augustine Duru, approached me with his concerns about how his students were mostly inactive and less-performative in classes but acing their tests and exams, he suspected they received some forms of assistance,’ James recounted the story of how his team’s project was conceived.

‘The prof further investigated the issue and found out indeed that students are able to copy questions and transfer to Chat-GPT for answers. It was then I knew it was a problem that needed an urgent solution. He shared the problem with me because he perceived I was tech-savvy.’ During his Master’s programme at AU, he was a research assistant under Prof Duru in the same college, and grew fond of the professor in spite of his educational feat.

James grew increasingly restless after one of his lecturers voiced concerns about the creeping influence of artificial intelligence on academic honesty. Determined not to leave the problem unattended, he reached out to two erudite colleagues with whom he had once toyed with the idea of co-authoring research papers in Economics. What began as casual intellectual brainstorming soon evolved into long hours of Zoom meetings that gave birth to AI Guard-a tool designed squarely to address lecturers’ anxieties. Out of that same creative fire, the trio later forged Cite Guard, born from their shared desire to ease the recurring headache researchers face when managing references in their theses.

AI Guard is built to empower educators. The software allows mobile and computer users to edit, format, and convert text documents into various image formats. It supports loading and saving text from file types such as .docx and .pdf, while offering robust text editing and image-handling options. Crucially, it encourages faculties to upload assessments-tests and examinations-as reduced-quality but clearly visible images on learning platforms. By doing so, students are hindered from running Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools to extract questions accurately for AI-driven solutions. In essence, AI Guard safeguards the sanctity of real-time academic assessments.

Cite Guard, on the other hand, is crafted specifically for researchers. It streamlines the painstaking process of citation verification by automatically detecting missing or uncited references in academic manuscripts. Compatible with widely used citation styles such as APA, Chicago, and Harvard, the tool enables users to load documents, analyse them for compliance, and generate reports highlighting gaps. For students and scholars alike, Cite Guard is a quiet guardian-helping to strengthen the credibility of research outputs by ensuring references are not overlooked. Together, the innovations embody one mission: protecting academic integrity. The duo of AI Guard and Cite Guard could easily have joined the long list of plagiarism- and cheating-detection tools like Turnitin, Quetext, and Scribbr. But James, Sunday, and Moses pushed their idea a step further, introducing a groundbreaking twist: both applications were designed to function offline. This decision was not cosmetic-it was strategic.

For years, U.S. schools have grappled with the menace of data leaks. Even before AI surged into classrooms, vulnerabilities in educational software exposed millions of records. A study by Comparitech’s Charlotte Bond revealed that since 2005, K-12 school districts and universities across the United States have suffered 3,713 data breaches, compromising more than 37.6 million records. The problem reached crisis levels in 2023-the year before AI Guard and Cite Guard were conceived-when educational institutions recorded 954 breaches, nearly seven times the 2022 figure of 139. That year alone, almost 4.3 million student records were exposed, much of it traced to exploitation of vulnerabilities in internet-connected systems.

Against this backdrop, the trio understood their assignment: protecting academic integrity must not come at the cost of worsening exam leaks or exposing sensitive data. Thus, they built a platform that works independently of the internet. This offline attribute is the software’s unique selling point, one the developers believe will win the trust of lecturers, administrators, and students alike. As they put it in their mission statement: ‘Any software is more vulnerable to attack when it is run over the internet. Setting up an offline software reduces the chances of a hacker a great deal.’ That offline-first philosophy makes AI Guard and Cite Guard not just tools against academic dishonesty, but also guardians of institutional security-offering peace of mind in an age of digital vulnerability.

The 2nd edition of Quomodo Inter-Schools Swimming Competition ended recently at the Ikoyi Club 1938 with Grange School emerging the overall champions after a keen contest by all the schools.

The event, sponsored by Quomodo Systems Africa, witnessed spirited performances from young swimmers representing Avi-Cenna International School, Children’s International School, Corona Schools, Grange School, Greensprings School, Lagoon and Whitesands Schools, and Meadow Hall School.

From the opening event to the final relays, the poolside atmosphere was electrifying and charged with cheers, and bursts of school pride, banters and bragging rights of sort.

In the end, Grange School topped the scoreboard with 517 points, followed by Children’s International School with 389 points and Corona Schools in third place with 250.5 points.

Greensprings School came fourth with 196.5 points, while Meadow Hall School secured fifth position with 149 points.

Lagoon and Whitesands Schools finished with 87 points, while Avi-Cenna International School ended with 68 points.

The Chairman of the Ikoyi Club Swimming Section, Akinbulejo Onabolu, hailed the event standard, adding that it was a proof of Nigeria’s rising swimming prospects in the sport which is fast becoming a culture.

For Quomodo Systems Africa, the competition is aimed at investing in the future of young athletes.

Olufunke Preghafi, Quomodo’s General Manager, Finance, expressed joy at seeing children as young as six showing skills, energy, and determination to excel.

‘This is one of our key CSR projects this year,’ she noted. ‘Quomodo has always stood for youth development and all-round growth. Swimming builds confidence, strength, and resilience; qualities children can carry into every area of life. That’s why we are proud to support this initiative.’

With every stroke and dive, these young swimmers not only entertained the crowd but also embodied the promise of a new generation of swimmers for Nigeria.

Morocco’s OCP Group, a major global player in phosphate rock and plant nutrition solutions, recorded consolidated revenue of 52.16 billion dirhams ($5.7 billion) for the first half this year.

The financial results reflected a 21 per cent increase from the 43.24 billion dirhams ($4.7 billion) generated during the same period last year.

According to the company’s results , the strong performance was primarily driven by robust fertilizer demand in the Indian market and sustained export growth to Europe.

Additionally, rising fertilizer export prices contributed significantly, propelled by an increase in sulfur costs and global demand that exceeded available supply, pushing prices higher throughout 2025.

‘The price of fertilizers on the international market rose from $520/T in the first half of 2024 to $589/T in the first half of 2025,’ the document noted.

By region, South America was the top destination for OCP’s fertilizer shipments, accounting for 26 percent of revenue, followed by Europe (21 percent), India (19 percent), and Africa (18 percent). The remaining sales were realized in other Asian countries, Oceania, and North America.

OCP is confident in promising prospects for the remainder of the fiscal year, having continued to expand its fertilizer production capabilities.

In July, OCP subsidiary Nutricrops commissioned a new triple superphosphate (TSP) production line at the Jorf Lasfar industrial platform with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons. A month earlier, in March 2025, the company commissioned a new phosphoric acid treatment unit with a capacity of 1,500 tons of phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) per day.

These initiatives are expected to increase fertilizer production in the second half of the fiscal year and further boost the company’s sales. For the full year 2024, OCP had reported total revenues of 96.9 billion dirhams ($9.8 billion).