In a bold move, OpenAI has lifted the lid on what appears to be an expanding web of artificial intelligence–assisted scams circulating across the globe. According to the company’s Intelligence and Investigations unit, organised criminal actors are adapting existing scam techniques, weaving AI into fraudulent schemes, and targeting unsuspecting users in a variety of markets — including Nigeria.

The revelations were shared via a LinkedIn announcement made recently by the OpenAI Global Affairs team, supported by remarks from Jack Stubbs, who leads investigations in the company’s anti-fraud division. During a recent session at the OpenAI Forum titled Scams in the Age of AI, Stubbs disclosed how the firm is simultaneously battling AI-enabled crime and equipping users with defensive tools to stay safe.

“Scammers often rely on AI to streamline existing schemes rather than invent new ones,” he noted.

Over the past year, OpenAI says it has helped dismantle scam operations in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nigeria. The company identified networks using fake job offers, bogus investment platforms, and AI-aided coordination tools to lure victims. Stubbs laid out what he calls the “ping, zing, and sting” sequence — where a scam begins with an initial contact, moves into psychological manipulation, and ends with the fraudulent extraction of money or data.

AI: Tool for Both Crime and Defence

While the dangers are real, OpenAI emphasises that AI is not solely a weapon for scammers. In fact, usage patterns suggest many people turn to ChatGPT to verify, challenge, or detect suspicious claims. Stubbs revealed that there are nearly three times more scam-detection queries on ChatGPT than there are misuse attempts by bad actors.

This insight shifted how OpenAI frames its anti-scam strategy: giving users accessible, trustworthy AI tools may do more damage control than strictly policing violations. “AI needs to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem,” Stubbs argued.

In line with this philosophy, the company is scaling up educational outreach and partnerships. One such collaboration is with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), under AARP in the U.S., to offer older individuals training and support through the OpenAI Academy — an initiative designed to build confidence and digital safety skills in vulnerable populations.

What This Means for Nigeria and Other Vulnerable Markets

Nigeria, already a frequent target for cyber fraud, features prominently in OpenAI’s disclosures. The kinds of scams flagged — job offer fraud, investment traps, and phantom business opportunities — are well known locally, but the infusion of AI amplifies their reach and speed.

Because scammers can now scale messaging, mimic writing styles, and coordinate complex fraudulent narratives through AI, traditional red flags (e.g., grammatical errors, awkward phrasing) become less reliable. This dynamic raises the stakes for Nigerian tech users, job seekers, and small investors, who may already operate under some digital literacy constraints.

OpenAI’s stance suggests that governments, regulators, and tech firms must collaborate to tighten oversight — including detecting suspicious AI‐driven operations and enforcing accountability. At the same time, equipping citizens with countermeasures and literacy is indispensable.

Striking a Balance: Governance, Education, and Accountability

The challenge ahead lies in balancing innovation with protection. AI, including models like ChatGPT, holds enormous potential for social good — but without guardrails, bad actors will exploit its power. OpenAI’s dual approach — exposing illicit activity and reinforcing user safety — is a case in point.

In practice, this means:

1. Strengthening oversight — regulators should monitor AI-enabled platforms for misuse, enforce sanctions, and require transparency from providers.
2. Building literacy — widespread digital education, especially in regions like Nigeria, must include how to recognise AI-augmented scams.
3. Embedding safeguards — AI platforms should integrate scam detection prompts, anomaly alerts, or usage patterns that raise red flags.
4. International cooperation — scams easily cross borders, so law enforcement, tech companies, and civil society need cross-border coordination.

By exposing these AI scams and pushing for safer engagement with ChatGPT, OpenAI is betting that empowering people is just as important as policing platforms. In the Nigerian context, where cyber fraud is already a systemic concern, this signal must not be ignored.

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Nigeria’s fast-rising fintech leader, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, is preparing to launch the second edition of its Nigeria Informal Economy Report — a major data-driven study exploring the realities, resilience, and challenges of Nigeria’s informal sector. The report will be officially unveiled on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Continental Hotel in Abuja, bringing together policymakers, regulators, entrepreneurs, academics, and financial experts from across the country.

The inaugural edition, released last year, sparked widespread interest in shining a light on the vast but often under-researched informal sector that employs over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce. This year’s edition is expected to build on that momentum — revealing deeper insights, updated statistics, and actionable recommendations aimed at fostering inclusion, stability, and sustainable economic growth.

Unmasking Realities in the Informal Economy

Preliminary findings from the upcoming report reveal a worrying trend: 42 per cent of informal workers in Nigeria have no savings that can sustain them for more than a month without income. This statistic underscores how deeply vulnerable millions of small traders, artisans, transport operators, and market women remain — despite their immense contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

According to Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, the goal of the report is to provide government and private-sector stakeholders with credible data to design targeted interventions.

“The Informal Economy Report is a robust and important study that examines the informal market more closely and curates fresh insights into its realities,” Olofin said. “We believe its key outputs will serve ecosystem players and government well in policy direction and execution.”

The informal economy forms the backbone of Nigeria’s commerce, estimated to account for over half of the country’s GDP. Yet, most of its participants remain financially excluded, with limited access to credit, digital tools, or social protection systems. Moniepoint’s latest research seeks to address that knowledge gap by documenting lived experiences, regional disparities, and the socioeconomic dynamics driving informal trade across Nigeria’s states.

A High-Profile Event with National Relevance

The Abuja launch is expected to attract senior government officials, regulators, legislators, financial-sector executives, development partners, and civil-society leaders. The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and a presentation of key findings from the new report.

Moniepoint is positioning this forum not only as a data-sharing event but also as a policy roundtable — where experts can explore solutions that bridge the divide between formal and informal enterprise. Discussions will likely touch on financial inclusion, taxation, regulatory frameworks, small-business financing, and digital transformation.

The first edition of the Informal Economy Report earned commendation from major government agencies — including the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) — for providing actionable insights that guided sectoral policy reviews.

This second edition, Moniepoint says, will “go beyond diagnosing problems” to outline specific, data-backed recommendations that can empower micro-entrepreneurs and informal operators across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Why This Report Matters

For a country where the informal sector remains the default employer, Moniepoint’s research represents more than corporate social responsibility — it is an economic necessity. The findings will likely shape how policymakers, lenders, and development institutions design their future programmes.

1. Strengthening policy direction:
The data could help refine Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to formalise informal enterprises — from simplified business registration processes to tax reforms and access to financial safety nets.

2. Empowering financial institutions:
By understanding informal workers’ financial behaviours, banks and fintechs can tailor savings, insurance, and loan products that match their income patterns and risk profiles.

3. Building resilience and inclusion:
Highlighting the vulnerabilities within this sector — particularly regarding savings, shocks, and access to capital — may prompt stronger social protection schemes and digital-finance adoption.

4. Supporting national planning:
The report’s insights can inform Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and guide donor agencies investing in inclusive growth and gender-focused entrepreneurship programmes.

Moniepoint’s growing reputation as a thought leader in financial inclusion further cements its influence. Once known primarily as a fintech serving small merchants, the company has evolved into a full-fledged microfinance bank providing digital banking, payment, and credit services to millions of small businesses nationwide.

Through its network, Moniepoint reaches even the most remote areas, helping small traders access digital payment tools and loans that were previously unavailable. By conducting deep market research, the company demonstrates that inclusion begins with understanding — and understanding begins with credible data.

Looking Ahead

As anticipation builds for the October 17 unveiling, expectations are high that this report will not only highlight challenges but also chart a new pathway for economic inclusion in Nigeria. Analysts believe it could help spark policy conversations around wage protection, micro-insurance, access to credit, and informal-sector taxation — all essential to strengthening Nigeria’s economic foundation.

Moniepoint’s initiative arrives at a critical time. With inflation biting and the cost of living rising, millions of informal workers face increasing uncertainty. For them, every day without earnings can mean hunger or debt. Insights from this report may serve as a lifeline — guiding policies and products that help them not merely survive but thrive.

The event’s success will ultimately be judged not just by attendance or applause, but by how effectively its insights translate into action — from new financial tools to grassroots policy reforms.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex economic terrain, Moniepoint’s Informal Economy Report could become a key reference point for governments, investors, and entrepreneurs determined to bridge the gap between informal resilience and formal opportunity.

In the words of Olofin, “We believe that when we truly understand the informal economy, we can build solutions that empower the people who hold up Nigeria’s economy from the ground.”

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In the bustling roads and markets of African cities, small-scale transporters—those who run single trucks or motorcycles—are often overlooked in the grand narrative of logistics. They struggle with inefficiencies, a lack of access to credit, and manual processes. Yet, a Nigerian startup called truQ is determined to rewrite that story. By fusing logistics with fintech, the company aims not just to digitise their operations, but to create real pathways toward growth and inclusion.

Founded with a vision to serve the backbone of African transport, truQ is carving a niche at the intersection of logistics and technology. It addresses chronic challenges like vehicle underutilisation, route planning, downtime, maintenance delays, and the absence of credit facilities. Its model is simple in principle but complex in execution: empower small transport operators with digital tools and financial access so they can operate more efficiently—and profitably.

Recent recognition has reinforced its mission. truQ recently secured a US$100,000 grant in the Fintech for Financial Inclusion category from the FINCA Competition Grant, outshining over 300 global entrants. The funding is earmarked for rolling out more inclusive finance solutions tailored to small transporters, enabling them to scale without drowning in debt or administrative burdens.

Digitisation in Practice: Solutions Tailored for the Field

What does digitising a transporter’s operation really look like? It goes beyond tracking and messaging. TruQ has engineered several complementary systems to address every stage of the logistics lifecycle.

1. Fleet & Route Management

Instead of relying on handwritten logs or fragmented communication, transporters using truQ gain access to a digital dashboard. This platform suggests optimal routes, matches cargo with the nearest vehicle, and tracks deliveries in real time. The result is less idle time, lower fuel costs, and better capacity utilisation. The founding team notes that truQ’s value proposition lies in optimising intra-city and short-haul logistics, reducing friction in last-mile movements.

2. Embedded Financing and Credit Access

One of truQ’s most compelling differentiators is its integration of fintech into logistics. Many small transport operators lack the collateral or credit history to qualify for loans from conventional banks. truQ steps in by offering microloans and flexible credit based on operational data and performance metrics. That way, operators can repair trucks, purchase spare parts, or invest in upgrades without collapsing under interest burdens. This financing model was among the reasons truQ won the FINCA grant.

3. Value-Added Services & API Tools

To keep pace with increasingly digital supply chains, truQ also offers APIs that allow businesses to integrate their logistics directly with the platform. Retailers, e-commerce vendors, distributors, and institutions can automate order dispatch, track shipments, and even predict delivery timelines seamlessly. In addition, truQ continues iterating on ancillary services—vehicle maintenance scheduling, insurance linkages, performance analytics—that deepen its footprint beyond just moving goods.

Impact on Small-Scale Transporters

The true measure of truQ’s work lies in how it changes the day-to-day of small operators. In many African cities, independent transporters endure volatile incomes, hidden costs, and unplanned downtime. By digitising operations, truQ helps mitigate those risks.

• Increased Earnings: With smarter route matching and fewer “dead miles,” transporters are able to increase their trip count and revenue per shift.
• Reduced Downtime: Predictive maintenance alerts and repair financing cut the downtime associated with vehicle breakdowns, which is a frequent disruptor in this sector.
• Access to Credit: Rather than depending on predatory informal lenders or foregoing vital maintenance, transporters can tap fairer, data-driven credit lines tied to their performance on the platform.
• Transparency and Trust: Digital systems create auditable records, which help operators negotiate better deals with clients, avoid disputes, and build credibility over time.

These benefits ripple outward—transporters become more profitable and stable, which in turn strengthens the efficiency of supply chains and distribution networks in cities and between regions.

Challenges, Growth and the Road Ahead

No transformation of this scale comes without obstacles. TruQ must navigate regulatory uncertainties, infrastructure gaps, digital literacy, and trust issues. Convincing transporters—many of whom operate with cash and manual habits—to adopt a new system is no small feat.

Yet recent signals suggest momentum is in truQ’s favor. The grant from FINCA not only provides capital but also validates its social and financial inclusion goals. Investors like Ajim Capital have publicly articulated confidence in truQ’s model, citing its strong use of data, scalable infrastructure, and integrability with businesses. With this backing, the company is expanding beyond Nigeria, eyeing markets in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

To reach scale, truQ must keep refining its risk models, diversifying its revenue streams, and deepen partnerships with insurers, maintenance providers, regulators, and fleet owners. It will also need to localise in each market: logistics conditions, regulatory regimes, and credit norms vary across African countries.

But the promise is big. As Africa accelerates toward digitised infrastructure, logistics remains a linchpin of growth. Empowering those at the “last mile”—the small transporters—could multiply economic impact far beyond what traditional big logistics players can do alone.

Conclusion

How Nigeria’s truQ helps small-scale African transporters digitise operations is more than just a headline—it’s an emblem of a movement. By combining logistics, fintech, and human-centred design, truQ is demonstrating how underbanked, under-resourced transporters can leapfrog a generation of inefficiency. If it succeeds, it won’t just change transport—it could redraw the map of opportunity for micro-entrepreneurs across Africa.

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The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has taken a bold step to ease growing public fears surrounding the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) across Nigeria. Through a new national campaign tagged “AI Literacy for Everyday People,” the organisation seeks to promote understanding of AI technologies and show how they can be used safely and responsibly.

The event, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Hall in Osogbo, Osun State, brought together journalists, students, teachers, and civil society advocates. It focused on how Nigerians can adapt to AI-driven change while ensuring the technology supports national development rather than replacing human potential.

Speaking during the launch, Sanni Alausa Issa, BBYDI’s Communications Director, said the initiative is part of the group’s effort to reduce public fear and misinformation about AI. According to him, AI Literacy is essential if citizens are to use the technology productively without falling victim to its risks.

“People are afraid because they do not understand AI,” Issa explained. “Our goal is to build AI Literacy at every level — from schools and media organisations to market traders and artisans. The more people know, the more confident they become about engaging with new technologies.”

He emphasised that the initiative aligns with global conversations on ethical AI use, digital inclusion, and responsible innovation. “We cannot afford to be left behind in the AI revolution,” he said. “Nigeria must lead with knowledge, not fear.”

Addressing Public Concerns: Jobs, Privacy, and Regulation

During the session, experts discussed major concerns surrounding AI, such as job displacement, data privacy, and overdependence on machines. Participants acknowledged that while AI has the potential to improve efficiency and productivity, it could also cause economic and ethical challenges if not properly managed.

Issa admitted that automation is already changing work patterns across the world but stressed that AI Literacy could help Nigerians prepare for those changes rather than resist them. “Every technology disrupts jobs, but it also creates new ones. The real challenge is training people for the jobs that AI will create,” he said.

The BBYDI director added that AI Literacy would also help Nigerians understand their data rights and the importance of digital protection. “Many citizens unknowingly share personal data online daily. When people are educated about AI systems, they can make informed choices about what data they share and how it’s used,” he noted.

Participants at the event called on government and tech companies to ensure transparency in deploying AI-powered tools, especially those that collect user data. They urged the establishment of clear policies to regulate AI in Nigeria, prevent discrimination, and ensure human oversight in automated decision-making.

“AI should always complement human effort, not control it,” Issa said. “Our advocacy for AI Literacy is about empowering people to understand what these tools can and cannot do. Knowledge is the best form of protection.”

Collaboration for Responsible AI and Local Innovation

The BBYDI team stressed that tackling fears about AI requires collaboration among government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. The group called for a coordinated national strategy that includes AI awareness, local capacity building, and ethical guidelines.

Issa explained that BBYDI will partner with educational institutions to incorporate AI Literacy into school curricula and community learning programmes. “We are ready to work with the Federal Ministry of Education, universities, and innovation hubs to develop modules that teach practical and ethical AI use,” he said.

He also noted that the AI Literacy for Everyday People project was designed to support Nigeria’s ongoing curriculum reforms aimed at promoting digital skills among young people. The initiative, he said, will help ensure that students, workers, and entrepreneurs are prepared for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

At the event, speakers also encouraged the use of local data and talent in developing AI solutions suited to Nigeria’s realities. They emphasised that foreign-designed AI models often fail to understand the country’s languages, culture, or economic conditions, making homegrown innovation critical.

“AI development must reflect our values and priorities,” Issa said. “We cannot just import technology without questioning its fit. Our local developers need support to build tools that work for Nigerian users. That is why AI Literacy must also include local capacity building.”

The Nigerian Context: Promise and Precaution

Nigeria stands on the edge of a technological shift. Experts agree that AI could transform sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and governance — if deployed responsibly. However, they also warn that without widespread understanding, the benefits could remain limited to a privileged few.

The BBYDI highlighted that Nigeria faces unique challenges in adopting AI, including weak digital infrastructure, low awareness in rural areas, and limited regulatory oversight. To close these gaps, they urged both federal and state governments to establish frameworks that promote safe AI adoption while protecting citizens’ rights.

“The aim is not to resist AI but to guide it,” Issa stated. “AI can help us detect diseases earlier, manage farms better, and make cities smarter — but only if we approach it with proper planning and public understanding. That’s the essence of AI Literacy.”

Experts also cautioned against overhyping AI as a magical solution to every problem. Instead, they recommended an evidence-based, people-centred approach that keeps human oversight at the core of every decision-making process.

In a joint communiqué issued after the event, BBYDI and its partners reiterated their commitment to continuous public education on digital ethics, AI transparency, and inclusion. They announced upcoming town hall sessions, community workshops, and school campaigns across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to spread the message of AI Literacy beyond urban centres.

Conclusion

The “AI Literacy for Everyday People” campaign represents more than a public-awareness effort — it is a step toward building trust between Nigerians and emerging technologies. For the BBYDI, the real goal is not to stop AI from advancing, but to ensure Nigerians advance with it.

As Issa concluded, “Our mission is simple — to turn fear into understanding, and uncertainty into empowerment. AI Literacy gives Nigerians the confidence to shape their own future in a world powered by technology.”

With initiatives like this, Nigeria is gradually positioning itself not as a passive consumer of AI, but as an informed participant — one capable of ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared widely, fairly, and safely.

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Africacomicade has once again proven why it stands at the forefront of Africa’s digital storytelling scene. The Africacomicade Gamathon 2025, held in Nigeria, drew innovators, developers, animators, and storytellers from across the continent, turning the spotlight on Africa’s growing creative revolution. The annual event has become one of the continent’s most exciting creative tech gatherings, serving as a platform where imagination meets innovation.

This year’s edition reflected a bold truth — Africa is not just catching up with the rest of the world in digital creativity; it’s setting new standards. From gaming to animation, virtual reality to interactive storytelling, creators showcased projects that blended African narratives with cutting-edge technology.

Africacomicade’s mission remains clear: to amplify African voices in the global creative and digital space, and to prove that African creators can compete, collaborate, and lead on the world stage.

Empowering Creators And Redefining Narratives

Speaking during the event, Oluwatosin Ogunyebi, co-founder of Africacomicade, emphasised that the Gamathon is more than just a showcase — it’s a movement built to empower creators and reshape how Africa is perceived globally.

“We need governments and ministries to see us as one body,” Ogunyebi said, calling for unity and recognition for Africa’s growing creative tech industry. He stressed that gaming and extended reality (XR) are not only entertainment tools but also powerful instruments for education, research, and professional training.

For many participants, this message resonated deeply. The Gamathon wasn’t only about competition; it was about connection — bringing together developers, writers, artists, and designers who share the same passion for storytelling through digital experiences.

At the same event, Victor Mark-Onyegbu of Africa No Filter reminded attendees of the cultural responsibility that comes with creativity. “The storytellers will shape Africa’s future,” he said, urging creators to go beyond stereotypical depictions and tell authentic African stories that reflect the continent’s diversity and innovation.

This vision aligns with a growing movement among African digital creators who are tired of Western-filtered representations of the continent. Instead, they are choosing to present Africa as modern, complex, and forward-thinking — a philosophy Africacomicade continues to champion.

Innovation, Competition And Collaboration

One of the major highlights of the 2025 Africacomicade Gamathon was the Ark Pitch Competition, where creative studios pitched their projects for a chance to receive funding, mentorship, and exposure to international markets. The contest gave emerging developers and artists a platform to refine their ideas and learn how to make their creations globally competitive.

The organisers also announced that future Africacomicade Gamathons will now be held every two years, allowing participants more time to develop their projects and deepen collaboration between editions. This new structure is expected to enhance project quality and give creators space to refine their craft before showcasing to the world.

Panels, workshops, and networking sessions ran throughout the event, fostering collaboration among participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and other parts of the continent. The discussions covered industry growth, funding strategies, diversity in storytelling, and how technology can be used to preserve African culture.

The atmosphere was electric — filled with optimism, creativity, and determination. Many participants described the Africacomicade Gamathon as a defining moment for African creatives, especially as the continent’s gaming and immersive media industries continue to expand rapidly.

The rise of African content creation is more than entertainment; it’s a form of cultural diplomacy. Every animation, game, and comic produced is a message to the world — that Africa is no longer waiting to be represented, it is now representing itself.

Building A Sustainable Future For Africa’s Creatives

While the 2025 Africacomicade Gamathon was a celebration of creativity, it also shed light on persistent challenges facing African creators. Funding, infrastructure, and government support remain top issues for many studios trying to scale their operations.

Ogunyebi and other speakers called for greater institutional backing, policy reform, and a unified creative body that can advocate for the industry’s interests. Without stronger support systems, many promising creators risk being overlooked or unable to sustain their projects long-term.

Despite these challenges, the event left participants hopeful. Young innovators and experienced professionals alike walked away with renewed energy and a shared sense of purpose. There was a collective belief that Africa’s creative future is bright — and that this is only the beginning.

As one developer from Nairobi put it, “Africacomicade 2025 reminded us that our stories are powerful, our technology is improving, and our audience is global.”

Indeed, the success of Africacomicade Gamathon 2025 demonstrated that Africa’s creative revolution is here to stay. With better funding, stronger partnerships, and continued innovation, Africa is poised to become a global leader in creative technology and storytelling.

The journey ahead may be challenging, but the vision is clear. Africacomicade is not just playing the game — it’s changing the rules.

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Over the years, Nigeria’s business landscape has seen countless enterprises rise and fall. But a rare few have withstood the test of time—growing, adapting, and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s economy for half a century or more. In recognition of this remarkable feat, Businessfront is launching Businessfront Over 50, an initiative born of respect, purpose, and a desire to preserve the legacy of these stalwarts.

In what follows, I trace the origin, structure, and potential ripple effects of this landmark project—with a view grounded in human stories, not just corporate narratives.

A deep-rooted mission beyond mere recognition

As the parent company behind Techpoint and other media verticals, Businessfront has long been invested in documenting Nigeria’s evolving entrepreneurial and innovation story. After marking its own decade in operation, the leadership reflected on what true longevity entails—not just surviving past the early years, but thriving across generations in a challenging ecosystem.

It is within that reflection that Businessfront Over 50 takes root. This is not merely a “who’s who” celebration; it’s a deliberate attempt to shift how we define success in business in Nigeria—from rapid scale and funding rounds to resilience, stewardship, and enduring relevance.

The central idea: Windows into corporate legacies often fade with time. Institutions that have shaped industries, supported communities, and anchored employment deserve more than a footnote in history. By spotlighting them now, Businessfront seeks to build a living archive—not just of companies, but of practices, leadership styles, culture shifts, and decisions made under pressure.

This is an initiative with both archival ambition and forward-looking purpose.

How the honouring framework works

The structure of Businessfront Over 50 is as thoughtfully layered as its mission. Not all companies are treated the same, and not every narrative is identical. By establishing tiers of recognition, the project offers nuance and clarity in how it honours permanence:

• Gold (50–70 years): Those who have crossed the golden milestone of half a century, sustaining relevance and stability across decades.
• Diamond (71–99 years): Rarer still—companies whose footprint and influence have stretched over three-quarters of a century.
• Ruby (100+ years): Institutions that belong to another class altogether—symbols of timelessness and continuity.

Beyond simply awarding titles, Businessfront intends Over 50 to be multi-faceted and sustained. The plan includes:

1. An online directory, permanently hosting profiles of Nigeria’s long-standing companies, ensuring their stories remain accessible to future business leaders, scholars, and the public.
2. A commemorative magazine, featuring in-depth interviews, leadership reflections, and visual storytelling that humanises the journey behind the balance sheets.
3. A trends & insights report, using data and qualitative analysis to extrapolate resilience patterns—what decisions, cultures, or structural shifts helped those companies last.
4. A signature gala event (scheduled for December 7, 2025), a black-tie dinner where CEOs, policymakers, and thought leaders convene to honour these institutions in person.

These components together pulse with the same heartbeat: preserving memory, inspiring ambition, and linking past legacies with future possibilities.

Why this moment matters — and why now

In Nigeria, many startup stories are told and retold—new unicorns, disruptive models, scale strategies. Yet the narrative of durability tends to be marginalized. That gap is worth addressing, and Businessfront Over 50 does precisely that, for several key reasons:

• Shifting the metrics of success: By lifting up long-standing companies, there’s an invitation to entrepreneurs and investors to think beyond short time horizons. Legacy-oriented growth may demand different choices, but it offers stability and deeper impact.
• Connecting generations: Many of the companies in the Over 50 cohort have employed several generations within families, communities, and industries. Their practices, challenges, and stories offer rich learning for those building today.
• Anchoring national economic identity: Institutions that persist across regime changes, policy overhauls, and shifting consumption patterns become part of the national fabric. Honouring them is also honouring Nigeria’s industrial and commercial heritage.
• Data for reflection: A curated archive and report can reveal patterns—when companies innovated, how they weathered crises, how leadership transitions were handled. That insight is rare in Nigeria today.
• Strategic partner alignment: For brands, aligning with legacy brings credibility. For Businessfront itself, this initiative expands its brand from technology and startup reportage into deeper realms of business, industry, and heritage.

In sum, this is an intervention not just in media, but in how Nigeria tells the story of its own commercial evolution.

Looking ahead: potential impact and challenges

There is cause for optimism—yet also room for caution. Businessfront Over 50 is a bold undertaking, and its success will be measured not only by the dinner glitz but by sustained relevance.

Potential positive outcomes include:

• Elevated awareness of the role legacy institutions play in national development, encouraging policy, investor, and academic discourse.
• Encouragement of longevity mindset in younger firms: thinking about succession, culture preservation, reinvention.
• Creation of a central repository for business historians, students, and researchers.
• Strengthened networks among long-standing firms, enabling shared learning, mentorship, and advocacy.

However, challenges remain:

• Selection and fairness: Determining which firms qualify (and ensuring no deserving ones are overlooked) is delicate. The criteria must be transparent and rigorous.
• Avoiding nostalgia bias: There’s a risk of romanticising endurance while overlooking underlying weaknesses or structural inertia.
• Sustainability of the project itself: For Businessfront, maintaining momentum, funding, and audience interest across years—not just the launch—will be key.
• Engaging younger stakeholders: To truly transform thinking, the initiative must resonate with newer entrepreneurs, not only legacy CEOs.

In bridging past and future, Businessfront Over 50 must balance celebration with critical reflection—so that legacy doesn’t become static, but a living conversation.

Conclusion

In many ways, Businessfront Over 50 feels overdue. Nigeria’s entrepreneurial story is rarely told in long stretches, in the same way nations celebrate heritage sites or cultural archives. What better time than now, in an era of rapid change, to pause and acknowledge those who have navigated change for decades?

This is not about nostalgia. It is about recognising that companies with 50 or more years under their belt may hold some of the best lessons on adaptability, leadership, and continuity. And by making their stories visible, Nigeria’s future business leaders get to stand on firmer ground.

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In a bold and visionary move, Nigeria is laying the foundations for what would be its first national AI Ethics curriculum for secondary schools — a framework that seeks to equip young minds not only with technical know-how, but with a deep sense of responsibility in a rapidly digitising world. Behind this unfolding initiative are carefully designed pilots, cross-stakeholder collaboration, and an emerging policy roadmap that aim to transform AI education in Nigeria from aspiration to reality.

A New Chapter in AI Ethics Education: From Idea to Blueprint

The ambition is clear: to build, from the ground up, a curriculum that supports ethical understanding of artificial intelligence in secondary schools across Nigeria. Unlike many tech-driven academic programmes that prioritise coding or tool usage alone, this AI Ethics curriculum places ethics, human values, and societal impact at its core.

Drawing upon global best practices and local needs, the design process has involved educators, curriculum developers, ethicists, AI specialists, and policy makers. Its architecture proposes integration across disciplines — not limited to computer science or ICT classes, but woven into social sciences, languages, and even arts — making AI Ethics part of broader critical thinking education.

To test viability, pilot programmes are being rolled out in selected states. These pilots are designed to trial lesson plans, instructional resources, teacher training modules, assessment strategies, and feedback loops. Early reports suggest enthusiastic uptake from teachers keen to expand beyond rote teaching towards more reflexive, inquiry-based instruction. The pilots also serve as a testbed for identifying contextual challenges: connectivity gaps, teacher capacity, resource constraints, and regional diversity in student needs.

This iterative approach ensures that when the curriculum eventually scales, it will have been stress-tested, locally adapted, and vetted by those who will use it.

Challenges of Scale: Infrastructure, Training, and Equity

Rolling out a national AI Ethics curriculum of this nature is no small feat. The ambitions collide with old constraints.

First, infrastructure is uneven across Nigeria’s states. Some schools lack reliable electricity, let alone stable internet access. For a curriculum that anticipates use of digital tools, AI simulations, and online modules, this disparity could leave students in remote or under-resourced areas behind.

Second, teacher capacity presents both an opportunity and bottleneck. Many educators, especially in rural or public schools, have limited exposure to AI or its ethical implications. Without robust capacity-building programmes, even the best curriculum will fail in its execution. To remedy this, the design includes phased teacher training (both pre‐service and in-service), peer coaching, and mentoring networks.

Third, equity and inclusion must guide every step. Nigeria is ethically and regionally diverse, and the curriculum must avoid reinforcing biases. AI systems and case studies used in class should reflect local contexts, multiple languages, and inclusive perspectives. In addition, schools in lower-income zones must be provided with supplementary support—hardware, connectivity, and maintenance—to ensure all students can fully engage.

Lastly, policy coherence and continuity are essential. The curriculum must lock into Nigeria’s broader educational frameworks, regulatory environment, and national AI strategy. Political shifts or funding gaps should not derail long-term progress. To safeguard this, the roadmap includes legal anchoring, partnerships (public–private, NGO, academia), and mechanisms for monitoring and accountability.

Roadmap to National Adoption: Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships

Transitioning from pilot to full national adoption hinges on a well-articulated policy roadmap for AI Ethics. This roadmap encompasses several phases:

1. Pilot consolidation and evaluation
   After the first wave of pilot deployments, evaluation data—qualitative teacher feedback, quantitative student performance metrics, deployment logs—will be gathered. Insights will guide revisions in content, pedagogy, assessment, and support systems.
2. Curriculum codification and standardisation
   Revised modules will be formalised and packaged as a national standard. This includes syllabi, teacher guides, student activity packs, assessment tools, and digital resource repositories. Localization will remain a feature—allowing states or schools to adapt certain examples, languages, or case studies.
3. Policy endorsement and institutional anchoring
   The curriculum needs formal adoption through national bodies—such as the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), and relevant regulatory agencies. Legislation or policy directives may codify teacher training, resource allocation, and accountability frameworks.
4. Teacher training and professional development
   A phased scale‐up of teacher training programmes must accompany rollout. This includes face-to-face sessions, online modules, peer communities of practice, and continuous support. Training curricula themselves must be aligned with AI Ethics education.
5. Resource deployment and infrastructure support
   States and school systems will require hardware (computers, tablets), software (AI simulation tools, analytics dashboards), reliable internet, and maintenance agreements. Budget lines and external funding mechanisms (e.g. grants or public–private partnership models) should be secured.
6. Monitoring, evaluation & iteration
   Continuous monitoring through internal audits, external reviews, and feedback loops will keep the system responsive. Based on data, course adjustments, remediation strategies, or scaling decisions will be informed.
7. Sustainability and evolution
   AI advances rapidly. The curriculum and its associated tools must evolve, incorporating new ethical dilemmas (e.g. generative models, algorithmic bias, data privacy) and emerging use cases. A standing advisory board of educators, technologists, ethicists, and students should guide iterative updates.

Throughout, partnerships are key. Collaboration with universities, AI research centres, NGOs, philanthropic funders, technology firms, and international agencies can supply content, toolkits, teacher training, infrastructure grants, and evaluation expertise.

Significance for Nigeria’s Future: Ethics, Agency, and Global Readiness

Why does this matter?

First, AI is not just a technical discipline; it’s a social force. By grounding AI Ethics into early exposure, Nigeria can nurture a generation of citizens who understand not just how AI works, but what decisions it should or should not make. The curriculum aims to build agency, so students can question AI — its biases, data policies, accountability, and societal impact — rather than be passive users.

Second, beyond the moral imperative, this initiative is an investment in future competitiveness. As AI becomes deeply embedded across industries — from agriculture and health to governance and finance — Nigeria’s youth must be prepared not just to consume, but to innovate, regulate, and lead.

Third, this is an opportunity for thought leadership in Africa. If Nigeria successfully models a national AI Ethics curriculum, the template could influence neighbouring countries contending with similar challenges. It positions Nigeria not just as a consumer of AI, but as a pioneer in AI pedagogy and governance on the continent.

Fourth, it responds to inequalities in digital futures. Without purposeful design, AI education could exacerbate divides: students in elite schools get access while others lag. But by centring AI Ethics, inclusion, and equity from the start, Nigeria strives to make AI literacy a universal right, not a privilege.

Finally, for policymakers, it signals that Africa can participate not only in the technical construction of AI but also in shaping the values, norms, and rules that govern it globally. In a world wrestling with AI governance, Nigeria can assert perspectives that reflect African priorities — fairness, communal welfare, local knowledge, multilingualism, and social justice.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s journey to create its first national AI Ethics curriculum for secondary schools is ambitious, urgent, and consequential. It is not merely about teaching algorithms or tools; it is about nurturing a generation capable of shaping AI — not being shaped by it. Through careful design, robust pilots, infrastructure investment, teacher development, policy anchoring, and ethical vigilance, Nigeria aims to turn this vision into reality. If successful, it will mark a milestone not only for Nigerian education, but for how the Global South engages with the ethical frontiers of technology.

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