The West African nation has increased the retirement age for healthcare workers to 65, with consultants now able to work until 70. This decision aims to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, driven in part by the mass exodus of staff seeking opportunities abroad.
Monday, February 24, 2025
Video - Nigeria raises health worker retirement age to 65 amid exodus of staff abroad
The West African nation has increased the retirement age for healthcare workers to 65, with consultants now able to work until 70. This decision aims to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, driven in part by the mass exodus of staff seeking opportunities abroad.
German automaker, Volkswagen set to begin e-tractor manufacturing in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, disclosed the development after a meeting with Germany's Minister of State, Mrs. Katja Keul, at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
“We welcomed Volkswagen’s plans to introduce e-tractors to Nigeria, backed by the German government, as part of efforts to enhance agricultural mechanization,” Tuggar said.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts by Nigeria and Germany to strengthen economic and industrial ties, with a focus on economic partnerships, regional security, and cultural collaboration.
Volkswagen's e-tractors are expected to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector by enhancing mechanization and boosting productivity.
Nigeria’s automotive industry
Despite the presence of local players in the industry, Nigeria has struggled to attract leading global manufacturers due to the non-implementation of the Auto Industry Development Plan.
Experts argue that the growth of the country’s automotive sector hinges on the full implementation of the Nigeria Auto Industry Development Plan, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council but has yet to be signed into law.
Last year, Nigeria missed the opportunity to host Volkswagen’s new Body Shop and Assembly Plant, as the automaker instead finalized an agreement with the Egyptian government for its establishment.
The agreement followed Egypt’s introduction of the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), designed to promote local value addition, increase vehicle production, attract investment, and improve emission standards in the automotive sector.
Volkswagen’s return to Nigeria after decades signals growing confidence in the country’s economy after years of mismanagement and instability.
Despite the presence of local players in the industry, Nigeria has struggled to attract leading global manufacturers due to the non-implementation of the Auto Industry Development Plan.
Experts argue that the growth of the country’s automotive sector hinges on the full implementation of the Nigeria Auto Industry Development Plan, which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council but has yet to be signed into law.
Last year, Nigeria missed the opportunity to host Volkswagen’s new Body Shop and Assembly Plant, as the automaker instead finalized an agreement with the Egyptian government for its establishment.
The agreement followed Egypt’s introduction of the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), designed to promote local value addition, increase vehicle production, attract investment, and improve emission standards in the automotive sector.
Volkswagen’s return to Nigeria after decades signals growing confidence in the country’s economy after years of mismanagement and instability.
Volkswagen’s footprint in Africa
Volkswagen has established a new "Sub-Saharan" region, encompassing all countries south of the Sahara, to strengthen its presence and operations across Africa.
The newly formed Volkswagen Group Africa will oversee the company’s vision and strategic direction on the continent, where the brand has enjoyed decades of success.
Currently, Volkswagen operates manufacturing and assembly facilities in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana. In Rwanda, the company has been providing mobility solutions since 2018.
Notably, Volkswagen has already piloted a similar initiative in Rwanda, known as the GenFarm Project, which offers e-powered mechanized farming services to rural areas.
Last year, the group announced the start of operations of its multifunctional facility to pilot modern farming with e-tractors in Africa. The facility is in Gashora, Rwanda, about 60km from the capital, Kigali.
The project features e-tractors with swappable batteries, making sustainable farming more accessible and affordable for local farmers.
Volkswagen has established a new "Sub-Saharan" region, encompassing all countries south of the Sahara, to strengthen its presence and operations across Africa.
The newly formed Volkswagen Group Africa will oversee the company’s vision and strategic direction on the continent, where the brand has enjoyed decades of success.
Currently, Volkswagen operates manufacturing and assembly facilities in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana. In Rwanda, the company has been providing mobility solutions since 2018.
Notably, Volkswagen has already piloted a similar initiative in Rwanda, known as the GenFarm Project, which offers e-powered mechanized farming services to rural areas.
Last year, the group announced the start of operations of its multifunctional facility to pilot modern farming with e-tractors in Africa. The facility is in Gashora, Rwanda, about 60km from the capital, Kigali.
The project features e-tractors with swappable batteries, making sustainable farming more accessible and affordable for local farmers.
By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa
Starlink Surges To Become Nigeria’s Second-Largest Internet Service Provider
As of Q3 2024, Starlink Internet Services Nig. Ltd has emerged as Nigeria’s second-largest internet service provider (ISP), amassing 65,564 subscribers. This achievement, evidenced by data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), highlights Starlink’s rising prominence and competitive edge in one of Africa’s most dynamic internet markets.
Since entering the Nigerian market in January 2023, Starlink has seen remarkable growth in its subscriber base, climbing from 11,207 in Q3 2023 to 23,897 by Q4 2023. In the first three quarters of 2024 alone, the company added an impressive 41,667 subscribers, surpassing FiberOne Broadband Ltd, which previously held the second-largest position.
Although Starlink is rapidly gaining ground, Spectranet continues to lead as the top ISP in Nigeria, with 105,441 subscribers as of Q3 2024. However, it has faced a decline, losing 8,428 subscribers since Q4 2023. This shift illustrates the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s internet market, where satellite connectivity is increasingly competing with traditional fixed wireless and fibre broadband services.
The NCC reports that 124 ISPs operate in Nigeria, serving 307,946 subscribers. This number, while indicative of growth in the sector, pales compared to the four major mobile network operators (MNOs)—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—which collectively boast 132.4 million subscribers as of Q3 2024. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing dominance of mobile broadband as the primary connectivity choice for many Nigerians.
Despite this, the swift adoption of Starlink suggests that its high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband is drawing users away from fixed wireless access (FWA) and wireless-to-the-x (WTTx) services, which are often hampered by coverage issues and inconsistent performance, particularly in underserved areas.
Several elements contribute to Starlink’s growing popularity in Nigeria:Superior Performance:
Since entering the Nigerian market in January 2023, Starlink has seen remarkable growth in its subscriber base, climbing from 11,207 in Q3 2023 to 23,897 by Q4 2023. In the first three quarters of 2024 alone, the company added an impressive 41,667 subscribers, surpassing FiberOne Broadband Ltd, which previously held the second-largest position.
Although Starlink is rapidly gaining ground, Spectranet continues to lead as the top ISP in Nigeria, with 105,441 subscribers as of Q3 2024. However, it has faced a decline, losing 8,428 subscribers since Q4 2023. This shift illustrates the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s internet market, where satellite connectivity is increasingly competing with traditional fixed wireless and fibre broadband services.
The NCC reports that 124 ISPs operate in Nigeria, serving 307,946 subscribers. This number, while indicative of growth in the sector, pales compared to the four major mobile network operators (MNOs)—MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile—which collectively boast 132.4 million subscribers as of Q3 2024. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing dominance of mobile broadband as the primary connectivity choice for many Nigerians.
Despite this, the swift adoption of Starlink suggests that its high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband is drawing users away from fixed wireless access (FWA) and wireless-to-the-x (WTTx) services, which are often hampered by coverage issues and inconsistent performance, particularly in underserved areas.
Several elements contribute to Starlink’s growing popularity in Nigeria:Superior Performance:
Starlink provides download speeds of 100–200 Mbps, significantly outpacing the 10–50 Mbps typically seen with FWA/WTTx networks.
Wider Coverage: Starlink’s technology can reach remote and underserved regions where fixed networks are unreliable or nonexistent, avoiding the extensive infrastructure challenges that fibre networks face.
Quick Installation: The DIY installation process of Starlink’s systems makes them an appealing option for consumers frustrated by the complexities often associated with traditional satellite internet services. This plug-and-play setup lowers barriers for mainstream consumers seeking reliable connectivity.
These features make Starlink especially attractive to businesses and high-income households that demand consistent, high-quality internet and are prepared to invest in reliable service.
Starlink is grappling with capacity challenges in Nigeria and other major African markets despite its impressive growth. Since October 2024, its terminals have sold out in key urban areas across five African countries, including Nigeria, limiting new subscriber registrations in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Warri. This ongoing limitation—from regulatory issues rather than a decrease in demand—is anticipated to impact Starlink’s growth in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.
If these regulatory hurdles are not addressed, Starlink’s momentum in Nigeria may slow, potentially hampering its expansion opportunities. However, given the sustained interest in high-speed satellite connectivity, demand will likely resume if these limitations are lifted.
Users currently experience latency issues ranging from 100ms to 200ms, primarily due to the location of Starlink’s ground infrastructure, called points of presence (PoPs). It’s important to note that merely launching additional satellites will not resolve these latency concerns; instead, enhancing the proximity of PoPs is crucial.
Starlink is actively developing new PoPs to respond to these challenges across Africa. A recently established PoP in Kenya has yielded positive results, reducing global customer latency from 57ms to 44ms. This strategic enhancement reflects Starlink’s commitment to optimizing its service and meeting the needs of its growing subscriber base in Nigeria and beyond.
Related story: Starlink Increases Subscription Prices in Nigeria
Nigeria ex-military leader for first time admits regret over cancelled poll
Nigeria's ex-military ruler Gen Ibrahim Babangida has expressed deep regret for the first time for annulling the results of the 1993 presidential election.
The poll was supposed to bring about an end to military rule after 10 years and the cancellation of the outcome threw the country into turmoil. The date of the vote – 12 June - is now remembered in Nigeria as Democracy Day.
Gen Babangida was forced to resign. Moshood Abiola, widely believed to have won the election, was later imprisoned and his wife assassinated.
Nigeria's current President, Bola Tinubu, said Gen Babangida had shown courage by admitting what took place.
The former military leader, 83, expressed his regret at the launch of his autobiography A Journey in Service in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday.
"Undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held on 12 June 1993," he told the audience made up of the cream of Nigerian society, including Tinubu, two former presidents – Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan - and two other ex-military leaders, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Yakubu Gowon.
"However, the tragic irony of history remains that the administration that devised a near-perfect electoral system and conducted those near-perfect elections could not complete the process.
"That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my expression of regret."
Gen Babangida, popularly known as IBB, also acknowledged that Abiola, who died in 1998, won the election.
However, in 1993 as results were being collated, the military government abruptly stopped the process - an action that triggered widespread protests and a political crisis.
For three decades, the circumstances surrounding the 1993 election have been shrouded in controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging overtime.
This new admission, seen as reopening old wounds, has triggered fresh debates rather than closure.
Many people will be expecting the former military ruler to also provide answers to some questions relating to his policies at the time.
Gen Babangida, who overthrew another military leader Muhammadu Buhari in 1985, led the county for eight years.
Multiparty democracy did eventually return to Nigeria in 1999 with the election of Obasanjo – who had also been a former military leader – as president.
The poll was supposed to bring about an end to military rule after 10 years and the cancellation of the outcome threw the country into turmoil. The date of the vote – 12 June - is now remembered in Nigeria as Democracy Day.
Gen Babangida was forced to resign. Moshood Abiola, widely believed to have won the election, was later imprisoned and his wife assassinated.
Nigeria's current President, Bola Tinubu, said Gen Babangida had shown courage by admitting what took place.
The former military leader, 83, expressed his regret at the launch of his autobiography A Journey in Service in the capital, Abuja, on Thursday.
"Undoubtedly credible, free and fair elections were held on 12 June 1993," he told the audience made up of the cream of Nigerian society, including Tinubu, two former presidents – Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan - and two other ex-military leaders, Abdulsalam Abubakar and Yakubu Gowon.
"However, the tragic irony of history remains that the administration that devised a near-perfect electoral system and conducted those near-perfect elections could not complete the process.
"That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my expression of regret."
Gen Babangida, popularly known as IBB, also acknowledged that Abiola, who died in 1998, won the election.
However, in 1993 as results were being collated, the military government abruptly stopped the process - an action that triggered widespread protests and a political crisis.
For three decades, the circumstances surrounding the 1993 election have been shrouded in controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging overtime.
This new admission, seen as reopening old wounds, has triggered fresh debates rather than closure.
Many people will be expecting the former military ruler to also provide answers to some questions relating to his policies at the time.
Gen Babangida, who overthrew another military leader Muhammadu Buhari in 1985, led the county for eight years.
Multiparty democracy did eventually return to Nigeria in 1999 with the election of Obasanjo – who had also been a former military leader – as president.
Friday, February 21, 2025
Video - Nigeria's Afrobeats music dominates global scene
Afrobeats music continues to make waves globally, with Nigerian artists taking center stage at the 2025 Grammys. Nigerian singer Tems won the newly created Best African Music Performance category with her song "Love Me Jeje." Tems was also featured at a Formula 1 event in the lead-up to the season opener in March.
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