Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have commenced training in Lomé, Togo, ahead of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying first-leg clash against Benin Republic scheduled for Friday.

Asisat Oshoala was among the early arrivals in camp, joined by Joy Omewa, Tosin Demehin, Folashade Ijamilusi, and home-based players Anderline Mgbechi, Blessing Ilivieda, Miracle Usani, Taiwo Afolabi, and Kafayat Mafisere.

Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu confirmed that the team began their first training session on Monday afternoon at the Stade de Kegue, where the match will be played.

The 25,000-capacity venue will host the crucial encounter at 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Nigeria time).

The two West African neighbours are battling for a spot at the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, which will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The return leg will be held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries at a pace not seen since the Industrial Revolution. From Lagos to Sydney, from Wall Street to Yaba, AI is no longer a distant promise; it is a daily reality. In healthcare, it diagnoses diseases; in finance, it prevents fraud; in education, it powers personalised learning. By 2030, PwC projects that AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy, making it one of the biggest economic shifts in human history.

But as opportunities grow, so do uncertainties. The World Economic Forum predicts that automation will displace 83 million jobs worldwide by 2030, even as it creates 69 million new ones. That tension – jobs lost and jobs gained – defines our era. The story of Michelle Simmons in Australia captures it vividly. Simmons, a brilliant quantum computing pioneer, spent decades building AI-powered systems. Yet in a surprising turn, some of the very AI technologies she helped develop eventually replaced her role in a major project. Her experience shows us that even the architects of AI are not immune to its disruptions.

The real question is: if the creators themselves can be replaced, how much more vulnerable are the rest of us?

The human edge and the risky side of tech careers

AI excels at speed and scale, but it struggles with human traits: empathy, ethical judgement, cultural intelligence, and lived creativity. These uniquely human skills are the strongest shield against replacement. Still, some careers are more exposed to automation risks than others.

Take for example roles like basic software testing, where people manually check code line by line. Today, AI-driven tools perform these tests faster and with fewer errors. Entry-level coding jobs are also under pressure. Writing small scripts, fixing common bugs, or generating simple website structures can now be done by platforms like GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT within minutes. Similarly, routine data entry, Tier 1 IT helpdesk support, and system monitoring are increasingly being handled by AI-powered assistants and dashboards. Even creative fields such as basic graphic and web design face disruption, as AI tools like Canva and Midjourney can instantly produce logos, designs, and templates.

The tech industry has already felt this shift. Between 2022 and 2024, global tech layoffs surpassed 800,000, with many entry-level engineering, support, and operations roles cut as companies adopted AI-driven automation. Workers who once relied on technical skills alone are finding themselves displaced faster than expected.

But not all careers face the same risk. Certain roles are far less likely to be replaced because they require deep human expertise and judgement. Cybersecurity specialists, AI ethicists, cloud architects, product managers, and advanced data engineers are in higher demand. Their roles go beyond coding; they involve decision-making, strategy, innovation, and protecting systems from the very risks AI creates. For example, while AI can detect potential cyber threats, it takes a human to evaluate the broader context, determine intent, and coordinate an ethical response.

The key lesson is that AI replaces tasks, not entire jobs. People who upgrade their skills and learn to use AI as a tool, instead of competing with it, remain valuable. The challenge is whether workers will limit themselves to current expectations or go beyond them, learning new skills, diversifying expertise, and preparing for jobs that AI cannot easily take over. Those who only meet today’s demands may be replaced. Those who learn beyond expectations will thrive.

Lifelong learning as a survival strategy

In a world where job descriptions change faster than university curricula, learning can no longer stop at graduation. McKinsey research warns that by 2030, 375 million workers, i.e., 14% of the global workforce, will need to change careers completely.

This makes lifelong learning a survival strategy. Online platforms now offer certifications in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, cybersecurity, and product design – skills that remain valuable even in an AI-driven market. But learning beyond expectations means combining technical knowledge with human-centred skills. A data scientist who understands psychology, a software engineer who studies ethics, or a teacher who embraces digital tools will always stay ahead of the curve.

In Nigeria, the growing youth population has a unique advantage. Initiatives such as CodeSphere Academy, Skill Sch., Alt School, and government-led digital skill programmes are preparing young people for the global AI economy. But the question remains: will students stop at what is taught, or will they push further, learning what employers will demand tomorrow, not just today?

The road ahead: Thriving, not just surviving

The age of AI is not about resistance but adaptation. The story of Michelle Simmons is a reminder that even pioneers are not safe from disruption. But it is also a reminder that reinvention is possible. Those who thrive will be those who combine human creativity with machine efficiency, those who learn beyond expectations, and those who secure both their digital and professional lives.

By 2035, Accenture predicts AI could double annual economic growth in developed nations. But the true measure will not be GDP. It will be whether humans feel empowered, dignified, and secure. It will depend on whether young Nigerians, Australians, and workers everywhere can look at AI not with fear, but with readiness.

Thriving in the age of AI means more than survival. It means learning beyond the classroom, preparing for jobs that do not yet exist, and treating AI not as a rival but as a partner. It means strengthening the skills that machines cannot copy, protecting our security against AI-driven threats, and above all, remembering that technology exists to serve humanity, not the other way around.

Oladosu Ibrahim Adeniyi, Bsc, Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Cloud/Devops Engineer, Cloud Architect, Co-founder CodeSphere Academy.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Italian Serie A club Atalanta have paid glowing tributes to Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, who turns 28 today, October 20.

Born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parent, Lookman switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2022 and made his debut for Nigeria against Ghana in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Since then, the former Everton forward has grown into one of Africa’s standout stars, earning global recognition for his skills and consistency.

Lookman played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, and his outstanding form earned him the CAF African Player of the Year 2024 award.

CAF celebrated the occasion with a post on its official X account.

‘The crown fits. The continent knows. Another year of Ademola Lookman!’

The NFF also joined in the tributes, describing Lookman as ‘the pride of Nigeria.’

‘Happy Birthday, Ade. The king of clutch moments. The pride of Naija. Keep shining, Lookman,’ the NFF wrote on X.

His club, Atalanta, shared a touching birthday message on their website.

‘Ademola Lookman celebrates his birthday today! Born in Wandsworth on 20 October 1997, the Nigerian winger is blowing out 28 candles on his cake today.

‘Now in his fourth season wearing the Atalanta shirt, Ademola has made 122 appearances across all competitions, tallying 25 assists and 52 goals, including his unforgettable hat-trick in Dublin that sealed our historic 2023/24 UEFA Europa League triumph.’

The Italian club concluded their tribute with a heartfelt note.

‘MANY HAPPY RETURNS, ADEMOLA!’

Stakeholders on the innovation and creative space across the continent are set to gather at the 2025 Prosper Conference aimed to connect African innovation with global opportunities.

According to the organisers, the conference being hosted by Vesti Technologies from October 23 to 24 at the Landmark Event Centre, will go the overused rhetoric of ‘Africa rising’ to explore how the continent can convert its energy, talent, and creativity into measurable prosperity.

With the theme ‘Roots to Riches: Africa Climbing,’ the conference will reflect a growing understanding that Africa’s future wealth will depend less on resources and more on ideas, technology, and the continent’s increasingly mobile population. For policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, it offers more than just inspiration, it’s a strategic platform to rethink how migration, innovation, and digital finance can jointly fuel inclusive growth.

‘Prosper Con is more than a conference, it’s a bridge between Africa’s ambition and global opportunity,’ said Olusola Amusan, co-founder/CEO of Vesti Technologies. ‘We want to move beyond ideas and convert insight into measurable impact,’ he added.

The event’s speakers include Olakunle Soriyan, a global strategist and author; Tubosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology; and Vesti’s founders, Olusola and Abimbola Amusan.

Sessions will focus on practical solutions related to migration infrastructure, fintech innovation, and inclusive development, equipping African entrepreneurs with insights into navigating global systems and scaling their impact.

One of the major attractions is the Prosper Pitch Competition, where early-stage founders will compete for a $5,000 grant to advance bold ideas. The Prosper Awards will also honour individuals and organisations making tangible contributions across technology, migration, and the creative sectors, reinforcing the view that Africa’s economic future lies in cross-sector collaboration.

With the growing awareness and demand of end users coupled with the complexity of modern infrastructure, there is an increasing need for facilities management to adopt global best practices in Nigeria or, if such best practices are not achievable, at least adapt them to suit our peculiar circumstances.

From a practitioner’s understanding, facilities management has to do with people, process, place and technology. It integrates all these to make a built environment ideal and a place of comfort for those who use it. The built environment may also enjoy the benefits of longevity and value appreciation.

Every infrastructure is designed for a particular purpose, and this determines the kind of maintenance required to keep it in excellent condition despite natural wear and tear. For instance, a hotel is a place guests come to stay, attend an event or visit for relaxation.

It must, therefore, be in such condition that those who make use of it can enjoy the facilities provided. It will be unacceptable if electricity is unstable, the a/c system malfunctions, the toilets have no constant water supply, and the environment is generally untidy.

To achieve strong growth and best practice, the activities of facilities management practitioners ought to be regulated as is done with most other professions like law, accountancy, medicine, architecture and engineering, to name a few. This includes adhering to minimum acceptable ethical, moral and professional standards.

Currently, this is not the case as such standards exist only on paper without FM practitioners being held accountable for their professional actions. Oftentimes, health and safety considerations are ignored with vendors, contractors, artisans, FM staff wearing slippers instead of safety boots in designated areas.

Legislation is required to create a robust landscape for the practice of FM. Few legislations exist, such as the Factories Act, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Act and more recently Facilities Management and Maintenance Law of Lagos state.

However, more work is required to deepen the regulation and practice of FM in Nigeria, including advocacy and policy-making. To this extent, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is starting a webinar series on Ethics and Standards. What obtains now is that most FM professionals carry on, believing that they understand what to do.

Legislation and regulation will make it mandatory for existing and prospective FM professionals to acquire the necessary training, skills and apply a code of conduct. For the moment, a high percentage of people still don’t have the competence and skill set to practice in this industry.

As a result, many FM professionals end up creating more problems for clients when assigned tasks. With the necessary framework in place, professional misconduct can be handled according to laid-down rules and guidelines

My strong view is that we have to evaluate what we do, determine if it meets global best practice, if not, aim to achieve it or at the minimum set an achievable standard that gives customer satisfaction. We need to look outside our local environment and adopt what other countries that have done so well in this industry. The ISO 410001-2018 will also be very useful.

The growth of the industry requires collective effort from all stakeholders, including the government, private sector operators and the industry practitioners. It will require educating people to know about the FM industry in order to understand what it entails.

To develop and grow the industry, I believe it is time we start defining the criteria for standards and best practices for existing and prospective practitioners in facilities management.

When Desperados touched down in Ibiza, the island didn’t know what hit it. Nigerian energy collided with Elrow’s legendary vibes and the result was unforgettable.

Desperados has just wrapped up one of its boldest cultural takeovers yet, flying some of Nigeria’s biggest creators and five lucky winners from the Desperados x Element House experience in Lagos straight to the legendary Elrow party in Ibiza. And trust us, Naija energy lit up the island like never before.

From the moment SoftMadeIt, Purple Speedy, EllaLey, Crispdal, and Iyke Nnaman touched down, the excitement was palpable. Alongside the five winners, they dove headfirst into the Elrow spectacle: outlandish costumes, non-stop electronic beats, and immersive party chaos that the festival is famous for. Only this time, Nigerian dance moves, wild content, and unapologetic vibes stole the spotlight.

‘Desperados has always been about creating bold, unforgettable experiences that truly connect with young people,’ said Onyebuchi Allanah, Senior Brand Manager, Desperados, Nigerian Breweries Plc. ‘Taking both some of Nigeria’s most loved creators and everyday consumers to the Elrow party in Ibiza was not only about showing up, it was about proving that Naija energy belongs on the biggest global stages. We wanted the world to feel the creativity, confidence, and unapologetic vibe that defines our community, and that’s exactly what happened.’

The cultural crossover was impossible to miss. Videos of SoftmadeIt and Moyo dancing through Elrow’s confetti storms, EllaLey and PurpleSpeedy capturing behind-the-scenes chaos, and Iyke Nnaman repping hard for the Trybe flooded timelines, sparking a wave of FOMO back home. The five winners became the true heroes of the moment: proof that Desperados doesn’t just take you to the party, it puts you at the center of it.

This global move also cements Desperados’ position as the favourite party beer for Gen Z, a brand that taps into the boldest cultural moments and keeps its Trybe plugged into experiences that go beyond borders. From Lagos to Ibiza, the beer with Latin Vibe continues to break limits and redefine how the next generation celebrates. One thing is clear: Naija didn’t just attend the Elrow party. They owned it.

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving food sovereignty through improved seed systems, innovation, and international collaboration – as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness and reduce dependence on food imports.

In a statement from the ministry, Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, while speaking at the 2025 World Food Forum ‘Seeds to Foods’ Exhibition organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy, announced that the FAO-Trkiye-Nigeria South-South Cooperation Programme had successfully piloted a multi-million-naira initiative to boost dryland farming, enhance seed quality, and empower farmers in Borno State.

According to the Minister, the partnership has already yielded measurable results. ‘Under the programme, 10 Turkish crop varieties and five Nigerian local varieties were introduced to enhance crop diversity and climate resilience.

The initiative also conducted 219 field demonstrations and 14 seed multiplication plots, while identifying October 15 as the optimal sowing date for higher yields.

The project generated 7.5 tonnes of quality seed, including 684 kilograms from newly introduced legumes such as chickpeas and lentils. A total of 186 participants – 55 of them women – benefited from hands-on training and exchange visits to Trkiye focused on seed processing, value addition, and post-harvest handling.

The capacity-building effort was backed by an investment of USD 200,000 (approximately ?310 million) in training, demonstrations, and institutional development.

Infrastructure support included the installation of boreholes and provision of field equipment to promote irrigation and dry-season farming – critical for improving productivity in the drought-prone areas of northeast Nigeria.

‘This partnership stands as proof of vision in action – transforming ideas into impact and policy into progress,’ Kyari said. ‘When we strengthen our seeds, we strengthen our farmers. When we secure our seeds, we secure our nation’s future.’

Five years after the shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State, rights group Global Rights has once again demanded justice and accountability for the victims of the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS massacre.

In a statement titled ‘Waiting for Accountability: 20.10.20 – Five Years On,’ Abiodun Baiyewu, executive director of Global Rights, lamented that despite multiple judicial panels of inquiry set up to investigate the killings and police abuses, no one has been held accountable and most of the panel recommendations remain unimplemented.

Baiyewu described the continued lack of justice as ‘a deep wound on Nigeria’s democracy,’ noting that trust between citizens and government has continued to erode.

‘The tragic events of October 20, 2020, when armed security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters holding the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, drove that deficit even deeper,’ she said.

According to her, the #EndSARS movement was not only a protest against police brutality but a broader call for justice, accountability, and reform in governance.

‘The protesters’ five demands – justice for victims, compensation for families, police oversight, reform, and better welfare for officers – remain largely unmet,’ Baiyewu added.

The group expressed concern that the repression of peaceful dissent continues, citing the government’s handling of the #EndBadGovernance protests of 2024, where at least 30 protesters were reportedly killed and dozens detained, including minors accused of treason.

Global Rights warned that the misuse of laws such as the Cybercrime Act to target journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens undermines democratic freedoms and silences legitimate dissent.

‘This practice erodes the foundation of democracy and sends a dangerous message – that freedom of expression exists only on paper,’ the statement said.

The rights group restated its key demands to the Nigerian government, including call for Accountability, Reform, Respect for Rights and Civic Protection.

Baiyewu emphasised that protests are not a threat to democracy but a form of civic participation that can strengthen governance when properly managed.

‘No government enjoys criticism – but strong democracies use it as feedback,’ she said. ‘Nigeria must learn to listen to its citizens, not muzzle them.’

As Nigeria marks the fifth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate incident, Global Rights urged the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to justice and reform, warning that ‘justice delayed is democracy denied.’

In the space of nine months, food inflation has fallen by 9.2 percent, from 26.08 percent in January 2025 to 16.87 percent in September 2025, bringing stability in staple prices.

Food inflation, which tracks the average rise of food prices within a period, has risen at a much slower pace since the rebasing of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report at the beginning of the year.

It experienced a disinflation in September when it contracted month-month by 1.57 percent, the first time in 13 years.

Nigerians are beginning to experience relief in prices of certain food staples as several factors are presently leading the charge in inflationary pressures, especially in food.

A market survey by BusinessDay shows that prices of some food items frequently consumed by Nigerians are falling as against their 2024 price range.

For instance, a 50kg bag of rice now costs N65,000, down from about N92,000 in October 2025. Similarly, prices of a big tuber of yam now sell for an average of N3,500 from a N10,000 high last year.

Also, a big basket of tomatoes currently sells for an average of N35,000 as against N50,000 in the same period last year, reflecting a 30 percent drop.

BusinessDay looks deeper at some of the factors driving food inflation drop in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Favourable climate

Many farmers and agribusiness experts have attributed a favourable climate to be the reason for deceleration in food inflation. For them, adequate rainfall, coupled with improved climate in 2025, is heavily contributing to better harvest and slumping food prices as there are more food available in markets.

‘The rains this year did more good than harm to our crops,’ said Hassan Suleiman, a Kogi-based cashew farmer.

Suleiman explained how adequate rainfall during the rainy season bolstered his harvest – his largest harvest in many years.

Farmers in other food value chains say consistent rainfall led to a boom in their harvest.

Although the rains this year destroyed a lot of farms in states like Niger, where hundreds of people were displaced and about 10,000 hectares of rice farms wiped out.

But for several farmers, it afforded them their biggest harvest and the result reflects in cheaper food items.

Declining insecurity attacks

Experts note that insecurity is no longer at its peak. Farmers have now returned to the farms, and this is leading to a surge in food production.

China Peters, a Benue-based farmer, told BusinessDay that more farmers in the food basket state have returned to farming after the state suffered a series of banditry attacks that displaced many people and took the lives of several others.

‘Insecurity is not the way it used to be,’ he said. ‘More farmers have been able to return to the farms.’

Peters, who was forced into an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp due to heightened banditry incidents in his community, now farms a small portion within the camp.

Last year, over 1,356 farmers in northern Nigeria lost their lives to insecurity attacks fueled by farmer-herders clashes, according to SBM Intelligence, an Africa-focused market and security intelligence firm.

Ibrahim Kabiru, president of All Farmers Association, reaffirmed that, ‘insecurity is decreasing in many states’.

Harvest season

Abiodun Olorundero, an agribusiness expert and managing partner at Prasinos Farms, told BusinessDay that food prices have begun easing as farmers harvest in food-producing states.

‘Food inflation is dropping, and Nigerians are buying food at lower prices,’ he said. ‘We are at the tail end of the harvest season, which has increased food circulation,’ he said.

Increased food imports

The federal government created a free import window that spanned from July 15 to December 31, 2024. This window was to allow import of husked brown rice, grain sorghum, and beans, with duty rate levy ranging from 5 percent to 30 percent.

Today, that policy, though effected at a slower pace, is a major player in the relief experienced by Nigerians.

Toyosi Olatayo, founder/CEO of Palmira Farmtrade, an agro firm involved in cassava business, said ‘the free import policy led to a surplus in garri across markets as supply became more than demand,’.

Findings by this reporter shows that a paint of garri now costs an average of N1,500 as against N4,000 in the same period of 2024, highlighting 63 percent fall.

An expert who craved anonymity reiterated that a surge in food imports in the first six months of 2025 (Jan – June), is a reason why there is a relief in food inflation in Nigeria.

According to trade data from the NBS, Nigeria’s food import bill boomed to N2.22 trillion from January to June 2025, up 18 percent from N1.81 trillion in the same period of 2024.

Harry Maguire has called on Manchester United to build on their momentum after their dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, a result that gave manager Ruben Amorim back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time.

The England defender was the hero on Sunday, heading an 84th-minute winner to hand United their first win at Anfield in nearly a decade.

The victory lifted the Red Devils to ninth place, just two points behind third-placed Bournemouth and fourth-placed Liverpool.

Maguire, who has endured mixed fortunes at the club in recent years, believes the win should mark the start of a sustained turnaround.

‘This club will probably get a few plaudits this week, resilience, fighting spirit,’ he said. ‘But if we don’t perform next weekend against Brighton, it will be exactly the same again.

‘We need to build on it, build momentum, and deliver positive performances, that’s the most important thing. Performances breed results. Take the positives, take the confidence, but at Old Trafford next week, we have to make sure we perform and get the win.’

The 32-year-old also reflected on finally ending his personal Anfield drought. In last season’s fixture, he missed a late chance to seal victory in a 2-2 draw, a moment that has lingered in his mind.

‘I’ve been here seven years now and it’s been tough not getting that win, it’s been on my mind,’

Maguire admitted.

‘I’m in my last year now, so this could be the last time I play at Anfield for this club. It was really important to come here and tick that one off.’

With confidence restored and Amorim’s side finding rhythm, Maguire insists the focus now is on consistency as United aim to climb back into European contention.