Technology

BUA clarifies stage of refinery amidst misleading reports

By Anas Abbas

BUA Refinery and petrochemicals has dismissed a report claiming that its 200,000 barrels/day refinery is 90% complete, describing it as misleading and inaccurate.

In a statement, The Daily Reality, gathered that, the company urged the public to disregard these misleading claims, emphasizing that they did not originate from BUA company.

The company confirmed that construction is progressing steadily and remains on track to meet its delivery timelines in collaboration with partners.

The Akwa Ibom refinery project is seen as a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security.

In addition to the refinery, BUA is also advancing other energy initiatives, including a mini-LNG plant and new hybrid power plants across the country, aimed at increasing its existing captive power generation capacity of over 1,000 megawatts.

BUA also, encouraged the public to verify information through its official channels to avoid being misled by false reports. The company reiterated its commitment to transparency and excellence, noting that it has successfully completed over 12 major industrial projects worth more than $3.5 billion in the last decade.

As the Akwa Ibom project progresses, BUA expressed appreciation for the publics’ interest and support, affirming its dedication to building a robust industrial and manufacturing base for a self-reliant Nigeria.

Why do we underestimate science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria? 

By Abba Ado

I believe the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation is not a graveyard ministry where no development or policies will bring positive and sustainable achievement to our state or country. I learned that many people think science and technology are not among the portfolios that can contribute immensely to economic development and growth. 

The Ministry is designed to promote education, scientific research, and development at the state and national levels and evaluate their impact on society. Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) play a significant role in addressing issues such as agriculture, sustainability, food security, climate change, healthcare, and education. 

Recently,  Kano State Governor Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf announced his cabinet reshuffle, changing the commissioner for Higher Education to the Ministry for Science and Technology. Some people were mildly upset, while others mocked the commissioner and even underestimated the ministry for political reasons. 

Nigeria has a massive gap in STI policy, and we need to address it to achieve sustainable economic growth. We alsoneed to start relying on technological innovations to solve our existing problems. 

We need an effective policy to help our scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs develop and commercialise their products. With this, we can start exporting our products, and at the same time, our currency will add value.

I hope the newly assigned commissioner for the Ministry for STI will work hard and implement the “Triple Helix” concept, a collaborative model between industries, academia, and government to promote technological innovations and economic growth. As a commissioner, his duties are to facilitate knowledge from the universities to the industries and eventually to progress it to the society for commercialisation. 

Since 1949, China has focused on Science and Technology, and its economic development has been remarkable. The country has implemented effective policies to exploit local innovation and facilitate its commercialisation. 

Domestic companies like Moonlight Communication should not be taken for granted. We urgently need to optimise their efforts, and the government needs to engage heavily and provide strong networking, which can transform our sustainable development. 

Afri Venture Capital is another opportunity to leverage as a commissioner for STI to establish networking and investment; interestingly, this company has launched its funding opportunities in Kano State.  

I advise the newly appointed commissioner to ignore any discouragement from the naysayers who think his assignment to the Ministry for STI has downgraded him. He should focus on providing a suitable platform for huge investment in research and development in our domestic institutions in Kano State and translating this research into a usable product. 

It might not be easy, but it is possible with hard work and perseverance. As an economist who can think critically, I believe he can easily integrate STI with economic development to help Kano State. This new role will undoubtedly contribute to solving the state problems of energy, climate change, agriculture, and healthcare.

Abba Ado wrote via abbaadomusa0@gmail.com.

Building collapse claims four,105 rescued in Abuja

By Anas Abbas

In a recent briefing, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) revealed that 2024 saw the successful rescue of 105 individuals from various building collapse incidents across the territory.

Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Acting Director General of FEMD, shared these statistics during a media conference held yesterday in Abuja.

The reported collapses occurred in several locations, including Prince and Princess Estate, Guzape District, Garki 2, Kubwa, and Sabon Lugbe along the Airport Road.

Mohammed highlighted that the department’s efforts not only focused on building collapses but also addressed other emergencies such as fire outbreaks, flooding, and earth tremors, while distributing relief materials to affected individuals.

Reflecting on the department’s activities over the past year, Mohammed noted that FEMD successfully saved approximately 3,500 lives through 165 calls made to its emergency toll-free number, 112.

He provided a detailed account of their search and rescue operations: “In 2024, we rescued 75 individuals from flood-related incidents. Unfortunately, we did record one fatality due to flooding in Angwan Hakimi, Orozo, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. To alleviate the impact of heavy rains, we barricaded the slip road at Galadimawa interchange on June 25, reopening it on November 17.”

In terms of building collapses, he confirmed that while 105 people were rescued, there were four tragic fatalities. The incidents primarily took place at the aforementioned locations.

FEMD also reported significant success in managing fire outbreaks, rescuing 1,230 individuals without any loss of life. Notable incidents included fires at Old Karu Market, a fitness center in Gwarinpa, and various residential properties.

In a separate incident, FEMD officials and police intervened to prevent a suicide attempt on a mast atop Katampe Hill. Their quick response showcased their commitment to community safety.

The department also addressed concerns regarding an earth tremor that affected Mpape, Katampe, and parts of Maitama Extension, which left over 2,000 residents in distress. A comprehensive report on this incident was submitted to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

On the issue of road safety, FEMD reported rescuing 89 individuals from road crashes, although three fatalities were recorded. In response to these incidents, they launched their “Operation Eagle Eye” campaign in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps. This initiative aims to educate commercial drivers at motor parks across the FCT on safe driving practices during the busy ember months.

The rise of Product-Led Growth: A new era for tech startups

By Oluseyi Sodiya

The tech startup landscape is evolving, and with it, a new paradigm known as product-led growth (PLG) is taking centre stage. Unlike traditional strategies that rely heavily on sales and marketing to drive growth, PLG focuses on the product itself as the primary driver of customer acquisition, expansion, and retention. This approach is not only reshaping how startups grow but also revolutionizing the tech industry as a whole.

Understanding Product-Led Growth

Product-led growth is a strategy where the product itself is the main vehicle for acquiring and retaining customers. In a PLG model, the product is designed to deliver immediate value, encouraging users to try, adopt, and champion it without the need for aggressive sales tactics. This approach leverages user experiences and organic growth channels such as word-of-mouth and network effects, making it a cost-effective and scalable growth strategy.

Empowering users

One of the core principles of PLG is empowering users. By offering a seamless and intuitive user experience, startups can enable users to derive value from the product independently. This empowerment not only enhances user satisfaction but also fosters loyalty and advocacy. When users are delighted by a product, they are more likely to share their positive experiences with others, driving organic growth.

Data-driven insights

A product-led approach relies heavily on data-driven insights to continually improve the product and user experience. Startups can leverage analytics to understand how users interact with their product, identify pain points, and make informed decisions about feature development and enhancements. This iterative process ensures that the product remains relevant and valuable to users, driving sustained growth.

Reducing customer acquisition costs

Traditional customer acquisition strategies often involves significant marketing and sales expenses. In contrast, PLG can reduce customer acquisition costs by leveraging the product itself to attract and convert users. Free trials, freemium models, and in-app onboarding are effective tactics that allow users to experience the product’s value firsthand before making a purchasing decision. This not only lowers the barrier to entry but also accelerates the adoption process.

Building viral loops

PLG leverages the power of viral loops to drive exponential growth. Viral loops occur when users encourage others to adopt the product, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of user acquisition. Features such as referral programs, social sharing options, and collaborative functionalities can amplify the reach of the product and increase its user base organically. This network effect is a powerful growth engine that can propel startups to new heights.

PLG success

Several tech startups have successfully implemented PLG strategies to achieve remarkable growth. Companies like Slack, Dropbox, and Zoom have harnessed the power of their products to build massive user bases with minimal reliance on traditional marketing. Slack’s user-friendly interface and seamless integrations made it a favourite among teams, leading to widespread adoption through word-of-mouth. Similarly, Dropbox’s freemium model allowed users to experience the benefits of cloud storage before upgrading to premium plans.

Challenges and considerations

While PLG offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges. Startups must ensure that their product delivers real value and can stand on its own without heavy sales intervention. This requires a deep understanding of user needs and continuous investment in product development. Additionally, measuring the success of PLG initiatives can be complex, as it involves tracking user behavior and engagement metrics.

Finally, the rise of product-led growth marks a new era for tech startups, offering a scalable and cost-effective approach to growth. By focusing on delivering exceptional user experiences and leveraging data-driven insights, startups can build products that not only attract and retain users but also drive organic growth through advocacy and network effects. As the tech industry continues to evolve, PLG is set to become a cornerstone strategy for startups looking to make a lasting impact. Embracing this approach can help startups navigate the competitive landscape and achieve sustainable success in the digital age.

It is time to question creativity amidst AI chatbots     

By Timothy Agberagba 

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have gained prominence in Nigeria, bringing benefits and potential side effects to Nigerian students and the general public in particular. 

AI chatbots are computer programs or interfaces that can carry on human-like conversations using natural language understanding (NLU), natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML). 

Those programs are designed to help with academics, business, data analysis, and entertainment. To use them, you instruct the chatbot to provide a solution to a particular problem, and it will automatically generate the result. 

Many Nigerian students have embraced AI as a resource for academic exercises. Some use it for research, presentation, and literary compositions. Lecturers also use it to generate lecture materials without the stress of surfing the internet. Information can be easily accessed through AI Chatbots.

However, this trend has become a matter of concern as many Nigerian students and graduates heavily depend on these AI chatbots rather than engage in critical reasoning and rationality. AI Chatbots have made many people so lazy and dependent that they cannot conduct joint research on issues around them. 

Many fail to understand that AI chatbots collect information randomly from published materials and present it as facts. This is why people, mainly Nigerian students, should always engage in personal research rather than depend on AI.

With the emergence of AI Chatbots, it is also disturbing that many Nigerian youths cannot compose a simple essay without using AI chatbots anymore—a 2024 research by Prof. Oluebube Miracle on the effect of AI chatbots in Nigeria revealed that “many students boycott knowledge construction process, leading to a dearth of experience, irrationality, passive learning, groupthink, academic dishonesty, and a diminished propensity for critical thinking”. This negates the future of academics and knowledge transfer because future generations will depend on it, and creativity and brain work will die naturally. 

Additionally, in a developing country like Nigeria, people need to engage in creative thinking and innovation rather than allow AI to think for them. The secret behind developed countries is the constant brainstorming of creative ideas that translate into innovative undertakings. This is exactly what Nigeria needs. 

It is said that youths are leaders of tomorrow, but if they heavily depend on AI chatbots for ideas, what will happen to the country? AI can only give you what you ask for and nothing more. It doesn’t feel or think and is not sensitive to the environment. By implication, dependence on AI is a sign of gross failure as far as creativity is concerned.

Finally, to mitigate the tendency to over-depend on AI Chatbots and promote creativity among Nigerian youths, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders need to work collaboratively to ensure that the integration of AI in education promotes independence and critical thinking. Nigerian youths should not abandon traditional study methods to enrich themselves with the knowledge necessary for self-development and national progress. 

Timothy Agberagba writes from the Mass Communication Department at Bayero University, Kano.

The future of public relations in Nigeria: Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)

By Zainab Haruna Shittu

Nigeria’s public relations sector is on the cusp of a revolution driven by artificial intelligence (AI) integration. This technological advancement transforms how PR professionals work, interact with audiences, and craft compelling narratives.

Artificial intelligence enhances creativity, streamlines processes, and provides data-driven insights, revolutionising the PR landscape. Renowned experts Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu and Mr. Yusha’u Shuaibu emphasise AI’s potential to automate routine tasks, facilitate strategic decision-making, and foster personalised stakeholder communication.

Professor Adamu, a distinguished scholar at Bayero University’s Department of Information and Media Studies, notes that AI has transformative potential. He adds, “AI can automate routine tasks, facilitate strategic decision-making, and foster personalised stakeholder communication.” However, he cautions that AI’s impact on PR is still uncertain due to limited empirical evidence.

Integrating AI in public relations offers numerous benefits, including enhanced creativity and strategic thinking, improved stakeholder engagement and crisis management, targeted messaging and personalised storytelling, and increased productivity through automation.

Despite AI’s potential, challenges persist, including technical issues, infrastructure constraints, a lack of skilled manpower and training, high costs and budget constraints, potential biases, and ethical concerns.

Professor Adamu cautions, “AI can perpetuate biases if not critically evaluated. PR practitioners must develop expertise to recognise and mitigate these biases.” To maximise AI’s benefits, PR professionals should invest in AI training and capacity building, develop critical thinking to evaluate AI outputs, and balance AI-driven efficiency with human touch.

Mr. Issa Ali Musa, a leading media and IT expert, notes, “AI tools have increased productivity by automating tasks like media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and stakeholder segmentation.” However, he emphasises the need for human judgment and creativity.

Looking ahead, experts agree that AI will enhance PR practice in Nigeria. By embracing AI, Nigeria’s PR sector can improve efficiency, precision, and creativity, ultimately leading to better communication strategies.

PR professionals must build the capacity for expertise and criticality to recognise AI biases. As Nigeria’s PR sector evolves, embracing AI will be vital to staying ahead of the curve. By adapting to AI-driven changes, PR professionals can unlock new opportunities, enhance their skills, and drive business success.

 Zainab Haruna Shittu wrote from Bayero University, Kano, via harunazainabshittu7567@gmail.com.

FG introduces decade-long plan to boost raw material sector growth

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology has rolled out a 10-year strategic roadmap aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s raw material sector, with the goal of achieving 60% value addition by 2034.

Announcing the plan during a Program Presentation and Dialogue Session in Abuja, Minister Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji highlighted the need to enhance the value of raw materials before export to promote job creation, stimulate domestic manufacturing, and strengthen the naira.

Currently, only 25% of raw materials undergo value addition, which Nnaji described as “unacceptable.”

The roadmap, developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, includes building capacity in circularity, developing real-time data systems, and upgrading testing laboratories to support research and technology innovation.

Nnaji urged the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), development partners, and financial institutions to collaborate on these ambitious goals.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence: A double-edged sword of progress

By Zainab Abubakar Abba

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, from healthcare and finance to transportation and education.

As AI systems become increasingly sophisticated, the ethical implications of their development and deployment have sparked intense debate.

The ethics of AI are complex and multifaceted, raising fundamental questions about the nature of intelligence, autonomy, and human responsibility.

One of the primary concerns surrounding AI is its potential impact on human agency. As machines assume tasks traditionally performed by humans, there is a risk that individuals will become increasingly dependent on technology, relinquishing control over critical decision-making processes. This could lead to a loss of autonomy, as humans become relegated to secondary roles, with AI systems dictating the terms of our interactions.

Furthermore, AI systems are only as unbiased as the data used to train them. If this data is tainted by existing societal prejudices, AI will perpetuate and amplify these inequalities, exacerbating issues such as racial and gender discrimination.

For instance, facial recognition algorithms have been shown to exhibit racial biases, misidentifying individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Similarly, AI-powered hiring tools have been found to favor male candidates over female ones.

Another critical issue is accountability. As AI systems assume greater autonomy, it becomes increasingly challenging to assign responsibility for their actions. In the event of an AI-related accident or malfunction, who bears the blame: the developer, the user, or the machine itself? This ambiguity undermines the principles of moral accountability, creating a regulatory vacuum that must be addressed.

The potential consequences of advanced AI are equally unsettling. The prospect of superintelligent machines capable of surpassing human intelligence raises existential questions about humanity’s future. Will these machines prioritize human well-being, or will they pursue goals inimical to our interests? The lack of clarity surrounding AI’s long-term goals and motivations necessitates cautious consideration.

To mitigate these risks, developers and policymakers must prioritize transparency, explainability, and accountability in AI development. This involves implementing rigorous testing protocols, ensuring diversity in training data sets, and establishing clear guidelines for AI decision-making.

Moreover, ongoing dialog between stakeholders—including developers, ethicists, policymakers, and the public—is essential for fostering a shared understanding of AI’s ethical implications.

Ultimately, the ethics of artificial intelligence are inextricably linked to our collective values and aspirations. As we navigate this uncharted territory, we must recognize that AI is not a neutral entity but a reflection of our own biases, strengths, and weaknesses. By acknowledging these complexities and engaging in thoughtful deliberation, we can harness AI’s transformative potential while safeguarding human dignity and agency.

Zainab Abubakar Abba wrote from Bayero University, Kano, via zainababba19@yahoo.com.

Five dead, 15 missing in Jigawa canoe accident

By Anwar Usman

The police in Jigawa have confirmed the death of five persons and 15 others missing in a canoe accident that occurred on Thursday in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to news men in Dutse.

Mr Shiisu stated that the incident occurred at Nahuce in Taura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“Today, at about 1200hrs, information from a reliable source revealed that a canoe conveying 20 passengers to cross over Gamoda River at Nahuce Village capsized.

He identified the deceased passengers as Abdurra’uf Mohammed, aged 15, Suleman Ali, 20, Shafiu Mohammed, 25, Ado Nafance, 7, and Alasan Mohmmed, 16, all from Taura LGA.

Mr Shiisu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmadu Abdullahi, had prayed for the restfulness of the souls of the deceased and for Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Dail Reality (TDR) gathered that the incident was coming one month after a similar incident in Kwalgai Village, Auyo LGA, leading to the death of two persons and the rescue of 18 others.

Waste to wealth: An introduction for students 

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin

A couple of days ago, the Lagos State government officially entered into an agreement with the Netherlands government to establish a waste-to-energy firm. 

The initiative was said to get rid of heaps of waste across the Lagos metropolitan area (about 2250 tons daily) and generate between 60 and 75 megawatts of electricity annually, providing some 40,000 homes. 

In addition, the Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu said the project will help cut down the country’s carbon footprint, as about 550,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses emitted daily from the dumpsite will be addressed. 

Singapore is one of the countries that is an embodiment of waste to energy. Singapore is said to have zero waste, thanks to its waste-to-wealth program. They completely convert their waste, partly into energy and other parts into recycling.  

Trust developed nations; they always think ahead. In Denmark, an innovative twist was added to this technology. Due to the extensive space occupied by the conversion centre, the top area of this facility would be transformed into a game reserve and tourist attraction. Who said you can’t kill two birds with one stone?

As Sanwo-Olu highlighted, the world is currently grappling with climate change, so several countries have been resorting to generating energy from biomass. This includes food crops (maize, sugarcane, cassava, etc.), lignocellulosic materials (e.g., woods), and waste (a mixture of biomass, petroleum products, and metals), the latest being the most expensive for conversion. By using waste to generate energy, countries would not only clean the environment but also cut down their carbon budget, hence mitigating the effect of the looming climate change. 

The most widely used technology for waste-to-electricity conversion is the combustion integration into steam turbines. In this process, the waste is burned in the boiler unit to generate steam, which generates steam channels to power the turbine and the movement of turbine generic electricity. But that is not all; the exhaust steam is channelled into a condenser unit, where the steam is converted back to the water, then finally the water is pumped to the boiler to complete the cycle.  

Applications of the laws of thermodynamics in each unit allow the energy usage analyses to make each step more efficient, that is, reduce energy waste in each section (boiler, turbine condenser, and pump). This technology is known as a steam turbine, one of the heat engines based on the principle of the Rankine cycle. A closely related heat engine is a locomotive rail or refrigeration and Air conditioning system based on Rankine cycles. 

 The second way to convert waste to energy is pyrolysis. In pyrolysis, waste is converted to oil instead of directly burning them. As mentioned above, these oils can then be burned in a boiler to generate steam and the cycle proceeds. Catalysts like zeolite can be used to upgrade the oil for use, such as petroleum.  The difference between pyrolysis and combustion is that in the former, oxygen is not allowed; in fact, pyrolysis means a lack of oxygen. In the former, oxygen is necessary; without oxygen, combustion will not occur, or there will be incomplete combustion if it is inadequate. 

The last category of technology for waste conversion is gasification; in this process, waste is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas); these gasses can be burned in a boiler to generate steam, and the process proceeds just as mentioned. Similarly, the syngas can be upgraded to synthetic fuels using metal catalysts like iron through popular technology known as Fischer-Tropsch. Depending on the quality, synthetic fuels produced may be used as petroleum, too. Gasification differs in combustion in the oxygen usage; in the former, oxygen is meticulously controlled.

Wise students will check out abundant videos on YouTube demonstrating these three categories of biomass conversion: combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification, the principles of Steam Turbines, Heat Engines, the Rankine cycle, and the Carnot Cycle, the applications of the laws of thermodynamics, and the catalysis involved in the bio-oil upgrade and the Fischer-Tropsch process.

If you are in the secondary or early years of a degree program and already aware of this information, then you are a step ahead, and you are not only fortunate than your peers but most of us at your level.

Bilyamin Abdulmumin wrote via bilal4riid13@gmail.com.