Global smartphone prices could rise by 15–20 per cent in the coming months as surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure fuels shortages in memory chips, industry analysts warn. The pressure stems largely from rising prices of DRAM and NAND chips, core components used in smartphones, laptops, vehicles, and data centres. Spot prices for DRAM have jumped by more than 600 per cent in recent months, while NAND prices have also climbed sharply amid expanding global data storage needs. Semiconductor manufacturers are increasingly reallocating production capacity toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a specialised chip used in AI accelerators. This shift is…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections held on Saturday were marred by low voter turnout, allegations of vote-buying, logistical setbacks, and the late arrival of electoral officials across several polling units. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had cleared 17 political parties to contest six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats across Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji, and Kwali. Voter participation remained significantly low in many areas monitored. In Lugbe (AMAC), election officials and security personnel outnumbered voters at several polling units. At Polling Unit 007, where over 8,000 voters were registered, only a handful turned…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council elections, conducted yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), exposed systemic weaknesses that could become more dangerous in the 2027 general elections if left unaddressed. While local council polls typically attract lower participation, the scale and nature of the shortcomings, low turnout, vote-buying, logistical lapses and voter register confusion point to deeper structural and political risks. Low Voter Turnout: A Warning Signal Across multiple polling units, turnout was strikingly poor. In some centres, election officials and security personnel outnumbered voters. In others, only a handful voted despite thousands being registered. This trend signals:…
To the digital ANTICIPATOR and the “Saint Leo” of all stars from the Ekeh Universe; the oracles of the digital world salute you as you celebrate a milestone of deserved success and profound honour. Today, February 22, the global digital community does not merely honour your birth; we acclaim and cherish your masterclass contributions to the enterprise of human innovation. Your journey has been served with a rare blend of purpose and resilience that has redefined the Nigerian tech landscape. We recognise and honour your breathtaking ability to foresee the future; a future wrapped in extraordinary emotional intelligence and propelled…
The slow pick-up of refuse across parts of Lagos has been traced to mounting delays at the state’s approved dump sites, where Private Sector Participants (PSPs) now reportedly wait between five and 14 days to dispose of waste. An investigation by TheNumbersNG.com reveals that the bottleneck at landfill sites, rather than a lack of operational trucks or unwillingness by PSP operators, is at the heart of the refuse build-up troubling residents in several communities. Operators say trucks that previously completed multiple trips within days are now immobilised in long queues at designated dumps such as the Olusosun landfill and other…
The Lagos State Government has begun enforcing a five per cent withholding tax (WHT) on gambling and gaming winnings from licensed operators. Under the new directive, bettors will receive 95 per cent of their net winnings, while operators automatically deduct 5 per cent at the point of payout and remit it to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). In a notice issued by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), licensed gaming companies were instructed to begin immediate compliance. The tax applies strictly to net winnings, not total stakes. Operators must: Deduct five per cent before releasing payouts…
Umar Bago has pledged land and full state backing for a proposed multi-million dollar sugar project involving the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group. The governor gave the assurance while receiving an NSDC and Lee Group delegation at the Government House in Minna. He urged the investors to select suitable land anywhere in the state, promising swift allocation and support. “We have the land, water and political will to support projects that will grow our economy and create jobs,” Bago said. The NSDC delegation, led by Kamar Bakrin, its Executive Secretary, said the visit was part of…
The Association of Corporate and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has secured a public retraction from content creator Unofficial Osas over a misleading video on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s bank recapitalisation policy. The video had claimed that 12 banks were shut down due to the recapitalisation exercise. Following engagement by ACAMB, and an invitation by the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, the creator withdrew the statement and issued a public apology. In his retraction, he clarified that no Nigerian bank is shutting down, adding that most banks have already met the new capital requirements of ₦500 billion for…
Bluebulb is set to launch Orbita, a self-service treasury platform designed to help African businesses manage global payments from a single dashboard. The move comes as cross-border payments across Africa remain costly and fragmented. Businesses currently pay between 7.4 per cent and 8.3 per cent in transaction fees, more than double the 3 per cent global benchmark under the Sustainable Development Goals. Many companies also juggle four to 10 different platforms to manage multiple currencies and payment corridors. Orbita aims to centralise treasury operations by enabling businesses to: Fund and manage digital wallets Convert foreign exchange Settle international vendor payments…