Business Report

 The future of customer support is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. Ruachost has officially announced the launch of its newly developed AI assistant, a system trained extensively on the company’s internal knowledge base to deliver instant, accurate, and context-aware responses to customer inquiries. The innovation positions Ruachost at the forefront of intelligent digital infrastructure support across Africa. The AI assistant has been comprehensively trained on Ruachost’s hosting systems, support documentation, and operational framework to ensure that customers receive precise first-response answers; whether related to hosting plans, troubleshooting, technical configurations, or service guidance. Unlike traditional automated chat systems, the Ruachost AI analyzes each query, breaks it down, understands context, and delivers responses tailored specifically to the user’s situation. The system is designed to reduce human delay, minimize errors, and eliminate prolonge...

 Education consultants have raised concerns over the increasing number of UK study visa refusals affecting Nigerian students, attributing the trend to weak financial documentation, poorly structured study plans, and growing scrutiny by UK immigration authorities. According to Grewn Agency, a Nigerian study abroad and visa consultancy with offices in Lagos and Ibadan, many applicants underestimate the level of detail now required to convince UK visa officers of their genuine student intentions. “A large number of refusals we see are not because students are unqualified, but because their applications fail to clearly explain why they are studying the chosen course, how it fits into their career progression, and how their education will be funded,” the agency noted. Industry observers say UK visa officers have become increasingly cautious, especially with applications coming from high-volume countries, leading to stricter assessments of applicants’ academic background, financial history, and p...

The World Humanity Commission (WHC) has announced the appointment of Ambassador Dr. Richy Onolememen as High Commissioner for Africa and Special Representative of the Commission in Nigeria, following a comprehensive selection process that culminated in a high-level panel review at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Dr. Onolememen formally defended his application before the Commission’s selection panel, comprising senior officials, policy experts, and special envoy of the Presidency of the World Humanity Commission. The panel session formed a critical component of the Commission’s merit-based and transparent process for appointing senior leadership to advance its humanitarian and diplomatic mandate across Africa. During the engagement, Dr. Onolememen articulated a strategic vision focused on strengthening Africa’s voice within the global humanitarian architecture, deepening regional cooperation, and expanding the Commission’s operational impact in Nigeria. His presentation emphasized sustain...

 By Franco Why Advice Feels Heavy When You’re Already Overwhelmed When someone is overwhelmed, their inner world is already loud. And advising them at that point won’t help because it won’t arrive as relief. Instead it arrives as another demand. The reason an advice feels heavy it’s not because the words are wrong, but because it assumes two types of availability from the individual. Which are: 1. Mental availability .  2. Emotional availability .  That’s the capacity to receive something new without dropping what’s already being held, that's what it implies when it lands as another demand. And most overwhelmed people aren’t empty. They’re full internally. It’s vital to understand that being overwhelmed isn’t a form of confusion. It’s actually internal congestion .  In simple terms, it’s those plenty of unfinished thoughts running in the background (Your Mind).  Too many silent obligations stacked without resolution.  Too many internal negotiations happ...

Every year, hundreds of thousands of skilled professionals graduate from universities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These are software engineers, data scientists, financial analysts, healthcare professionals, and project managers who have invested years into building real, marketable expertise. Many of them are ready to work at an international level right now. Yet when they apply for roles in the UK, the US, Canada, or Europe, the results often do not match their ability. Applications go unanswered. Interviews never materialise. And for most of these candidates, the reason is not a lack of skill. There is a gap between how they present their experience and how international hiring systems are designed to read it. This is not a reflection of anyone’s capability. It is a design flaw in how global recruitment works, and it affects talented people from every emerging market. The good news is that once you understand the gap, it becomes surprisingly easy to close. ...

Skydreams Properties Limited introduces an affordable new estate, opening the door for individuals to build their own homes in Kaduna’s fastest-growing area. For many, the dream of building a personal home feels out of reach. SkyDreams Properties Limited is changing that narrative with the launch of its new estate, SKYGARDEN, in Millennium City, Kaduna. Officially opening on February 9, 2026, the project focuses on making land ownership accessible, providing a clear path for individuals and families to build a home that is truly their own. A Foundation for Your Future Home SKYGARDEN is designed for the person with a vision. The estate offers 3 bedroom bungalow and a section plots of land for individuals willing to develop on their own. The focus is on providing a secure, serviced foundation where your dream home can rise. “For potential homeowners, with this launch they are getting a plot at a discounted price to build,” said Miss Thalmon, Chief Marketing Officer at SkyDreams. “Our goa...

Politeness is often praised as professionalism. But in many workplaces, it is also a form of control. Mintslate Media’s upcoming psychological horror film Job Seekers examines how politeness operates as an unspoken rule within professional systems, especially when power is uneven and opportunity is scarce. Rather than presenting the workplace as neutral, the film reveals how survival can depend on silence, compliance, and emotional restraint. Founded in February 2025 by filmmaker Seyi Oluwatimilehin, Mintslate Media was created to tell stories rooted in lived experience. Job Seekers, directed by Seyi Oluwatimilehin and Alan Vega, reflects that vision by centering its story on Maya, a young immigrant attending a job interview that could determine her right to stay. “One of the reasons I founded Mintslate Media was to tell stories that are real, stories that are relatable, honest, and true to our time and existence,” Seyi Oluwatimilehin says. “Every one of these films carries a piece of ...

  Notilian Joins FasterCapital EquityPilot to Scale Birthday Contest Platform Globally Notilian and FasterCapital today announced a strategic partnership through FasterCapital's EquityPilot program to accelerate Notilian's Birthday Challenge Contest App. Effective Dec. 21, 2025, the collaboration will target Nigeria and broader African markets first validating a high-growth digital celebrations niche with product development, go-to-market support, and funding access. Market opportunity & problem statement Birthdays and milestone celebrations are a global cultural constant more than 2 billion birthdays are celebrated annually yet mainstream social platforms lack monetized, contest-driven celebration experiences. The creator economy is projected to exceed $250B by 2027, and fans increasingly seek interactive ways to engage and financially support creators. Existing contest apps are fragmented, impersonal, and offer limited fan-driven monetization. Notilian targets this white ...

   Sineli Telecoms has launched a seasonal connectivity initiative aimed at easing mobile data challenges faced by travellers during the December peak travel period, widely referred to as Detty December. The initiative comes as international travel volumes surge during the festive season, a time when many travellers encounter connectivity difficulties immediately upon arrival. Common challenges include high roaming charges, unreliable public Wi-Fi, and delays associated with purchasing physical SIM cards. According to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sineli Telecoms, Ayo Afonja, the initiative was designed to respond to a recurring pain point within the global travel ecosystem. “December is one of the busiest travel periods globally, and it consistently exposes how difficult it can be for travellers to stay connected immediately after landing,” Afonja said. “Reliable connectivity has become a basic travel expectation, yet it is still not guaranteed in many destinatio...

  Mustapha Rufai , a software engineer and open source community strategist, has been competitively selected as a featured speaker for FOSS Backstage 2026, a leading European conference on open source governance. His expert workshop on contributor growth was accepted via a rigorous peer-review process, marking significant professional recognition. Rufai Mustapha speaking at API Conf in 2024 FOSS Backstage is a premier international forum, renowned for its senior-level audience of project maintainers, foundation leaders, and technology executives. Speaking at this level signifies a demonstrable impact on the global open source ecosystem. Rufai will lead the workshop, “Docs, Demos, and Mentors: Growing Open Source,” on 17 March 2026 in Berlin. The session provides project leaders with actionable frameworks to solve the critical bottleneck of contributor scalability—a key challenge for open source sustainability. His methodology is informed by direct experience: training over 2,000 de...

  Jubril Arogundade , a former senior executive of CIG Motors , has clarified the circumstances surrounding his departure from the company, following recent media reports and public commentary that inaccurately described his exit as a termination. Mr. Arogundade stated that he voluntarily resigned from his position on December 2, 2025, in full compliance with his contractual obligations and established internal procedures. He explained that his resignation was submitted in writing, formally acknowledged by management, and included an agreed notice period and structured exit timeline. He stressed that any public representation of his departure as a termination is false and does not reflect the actual sequence of events. “I resigned from my position at CIG Motors after careful consideration and in line with due process,” he said. “It is concerning that my voluntary exit has been mischaracterised. I believe strongly in transparency and professionalism, and I am compelled to set the re...

 “Stand Attention”: The Arrival of a Commander The unveiling of Stand Attention was more than a release; it was a declaration of intent. Created on November 4, 2025 coinciding with the birthday of Valentine Luiz—the single stands as both a tribute and a defining moment. In every sense, it marked the official arrival of Siilvaar as a commanding presence within the Voltte universe. Officially titled “Stand Attention” – Siilvaar feat. Niphkeys, the record positions Siilvaar not simply as a new artist, but as the symbolic Commander of the Voltte army. The role embodies leadership, discipline, and purpose—qualities reflected in the song’s confident, almost ceremonial energy. Authority meets melody as the track establishes the sonic identity and ambition of Voltte Records. The collaboration with Niphkeys extends beyond production. Appearing on the track, Niphkeys brings his signature polish and rhythmic precision, transforming the song from a debut statement into a strategic alliance. Th...

  Transaction-free remittance and decentralized utility access coming to African businesses For years, African businesses have been held hostage by transaction fees. Send money across borders? Fees. Receive payments from abroad? Fees. Pay for utilities? More fees. These small percentages add up, eating into margins, slowing growth, and keeping local businesses trapped in systems designed to extract rather than empower. RIF Africa is preparing to change that. According to sources within the organisation, Subpadi, currently a utility and payment platform serving users across Africa, is set to undergo a major transformation in 2026. The platform will evolve into a fully decentralized fintech solution, leveraging blockchain and decentralized technology to offer something the African market has been waiting for: transaction-free remittance. Yes, you read that correctly. Transaction-free. What This Means for Local Businesses For the average Nigerian trader importing goods, the cost of m...

  News report on  Building the Infrastructure for African Small Businesses as Vant Is Powering Cross-Border Trade African small and medium-sized businesses produce goods that the global market wants. From fashion and food to manufactured and creative products, demand exists well beyond local borders. Yet for most African entrepreneurs, international trade remains out of reach, not because of quality or ambition, but because the infrastructure required to trade globally has never been built with them in mind. Vant, a Nigeria-founded technology company, is working to change that. Vant was co-founded by Paul Akolade (Chief Executive Officer), Raphael Abayomi (Chief Technology Officer), and Ayomikun Okorodile (Chief Operating Officer), a multidisciplinary founding team combining strengths across business strategy, engineering, and operations. Together, they are building a cross-border commerce platform that enables African small businesses to sell locally and globally through expo...

  RIF Africa Doubles Down on Bigisub as Platform Transforms into Everything Marketplace Ahead of 3-Year Celebration From utility payments to social media services, wealth growth, and business tools. Bigisub is becoming the one-stop platform for Nigerians When Bigisub launched in 2023, it was a simple utility platform. Pay your electricity bills. Buy airtime. Handle basic transactions. Two years later, it's becoming something much bigger. As the platform approaches its 3-year operational milestone in 2026, RIF Africa is transforming Bigisub into what insiders are calling an "everything marketplace". A single platform where Nigerians can access services that previously required jumping between multiple apps, websites, and service providers. What's Coming to Bigisub The expansion isn't just an upgrade. It's a complete reimagining of what a Nigerian digital platform can offer. Done-For-You Social Media Services Not everyone is tech-savvy. Not everyone has time t...

 GSOFT INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS DELIVERS STATE-OF-THE-ART DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, TRANSFORMING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Lagos-Based Software Developer Redefines Government Website Standards with Enterprise-Grade Technology and AI Solutions.  Gsoft Interactive Systems Ltd, a foremost technology solutions provider and artificial intelligence company operating from Lagos, has successfully deployed a transformative digital platform for the Rivers State House of Assembly at https://hoa.rv.gov.ng/ , marking a significant milestone in government digital transformation across Nigeria. The newly launched website represents far more than a conventional government portal. Built on enterprise-grade architecture, the platform seamlessly integrates advanced web technologies with sophisticated backend systems, enabling the Rivers State House of Assembly to modernize citizen engagement, streamline legislative operations, and enhance transparency in governance. "We didn't just ...

 Vic’Adex Reimagines Poetry Through Music at Abuja Live Performance In a bold departure from the conventional format of poetry readings and book signings, Abuja-based poet and cultural curator Adetimilehin “Vic’Adex” Inioluwa Victor on Friday night staged a genre-bending literary experience that merged poetry, music, and performance art, culminating in the sale of a poetry collection for a record-breaking ₦1 million. The event, held at Dunadura Restaurant in Abuja, marked the official launch of Vic’Adex’s twin poetry collections, Poetry Has All My Pain and Love Through the Eyes of a Village Boy. Rather than relying on static readings, the poet introduced what he described as “Sonic Architecture”, a live performance concept that deconstructs familiar music and rebuilds it through spoken word poetry. The intimate yet charged atmosphere drew members of Abuja’s creative, literary, and cultural community, many of whom described the evening as a redefinition of what a poetry launch could...

    Datamellon targets growth in Sub-Saharan Africa moves office to Victoria Island, Lagos Datamellon, a top artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and data consulting company, is expanding its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa with a new office in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of its growth strategy in the region. Datamellon, which currently operates in 11 markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, opened a new office in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday and is keen to take a bigger share of Nigeria’s growing demand for AI, cloud, and data, said Adewale Adedeji, Chief Executive Officer. The company plans to help millions of businesses move from experimentation with AI to real, scalable outcomes that make them scale faster and operate more efficiently. “We have come a long way from our early beginnings in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, and later our global headquarters in London. It became clear to us that we needed to do something meaningful back home, both for Africa and for Ni...