Ever since the ban of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, the federal government has announced the release of another digital currency issued by the CBN called e-Naira. We'll after a long wait the currency is finally launched and functioning as you read this article.  E-Naira was launched by the president of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari on October 1st, 2021. Making Nigeria the only country in Africa to have its own digital currency and one of the few in the world.  Some people are still confused and keep on asking why would the federal government ban digital currencies like bitcoin and the rest if they are just going to launch another digital currency, well…

Shodipo Ayomide, a local software developer based in Lagos, Nigeria announced today that he has joined major tech company Stackoverflow. Stackoverflow is a popular Question and Answer platform for software developers. Shodipo is an inspiring member of the Nigerian software developer community. He is one of the leaders of Facebook developers Circles Lagos. In addition to that, Shodipo is the founder of Unstack Africa and he contributes to other groups like GDG Lagos and OSCA . "It's hard to find where you belong, this is mine and I'm very excited about it! I'm excited to announce that I have joined @StackOverflow full-time" he wrote in his tweet. It is likely…

This morning, we learnt that the main regulator of the telecommunication sector in Nigeria (NCC) has issued directives to network service providers to suspend SIM registration. According to an image shared by a social media user, MTN Nigeria, a leading service provider will be taking their SIM registration portal down. As a result, the registration of new SIM cards, reactivation of old SIMs and any additional registration will be unavailable. Also, the statement contained in the image shared online did not include any specific reasons why NCC issued the directive. However, the news has been confirmed by multiple reliable sources including employees of mobile network providers. We have no confirmed…

NIPOST, the managers of our good old "Post Office" recently released a memo that might change how delivery businesses run. The memo list new license fees that logistic companies must pay in order to run their businesses legally. The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) is a unit under the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. NIPOST has offices in almost every city in the country and is where locals usually go to send mail and receive parcels. According to the memo, international courier services like DHL, FEDEX and UPS are required to pay a fee of 20m Naira for a new license and 8m annually for renewal. The next category…

Nigeria's leading mobile network provider MTN, experienced a huge rise in data sales for the first quarter of 2020. Compared to the same period in 2019 when the telecom giant recorded 46.6bn Naira, in Q1 2020 the figure is 74bn Naira. MTN data sales have been on a steady increase from quarter to quarter. However, the difference between 2 direct quarters in recent time hasn't been over +10bn. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many countries to a partial or total lockdown, people are staying at home and the need to connect from home more than usual. People work from home, attend meetings and conferences from home via video…

In a world where Information technology has led to creative ideas, increase in inventions and innovations. Inventions are created by people who have creative mind with an intention to create products and services that will help to provide solutions to an existing problem through the use of technology. During the outbreak of the pandemic which started in the city of Wuhan in China, which later spread to other countries of the world. The coronavirus has led to the shutdown of the world economy in order to contain the spread of the virus. In these hard times, medical personnel who are in the front line sacrifice their life in order to…

Today the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to open up a plot of spectrum in 6GHz band for unlicensed use. Current WiFi broadcasts at 2.4GHz and 5GHz. With WiFi 6E, devices will broadcast at 6GHz and that will translate to more speed and reliability. 6E is expected to start rolling out by the end of 2020. When there is a very long list of available WiFi connections in your location, on the current standards, that could lead to less speed and reliability in connection as devices compete for signal. Getting a new 6E router will give you an advantage as your device will not be competing for the current 2.4GHz…

Joseph Orya, Joshua Ichor and Jude Iorfa built a solar-powered ventilator from their room in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Their mission is to design a ventilator that can be built with common components and materials that can be easily sourced in communities where high-tech equipment like 3D printers are not present. Ventilators help COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms breathe. It pumps oxygen into the lungs and removes carbon dioxide. A ventilator is a major equipment for managing COVID-19 cases. The S-Vent ventilator made in Benue could help prevent a shortage of ventilators in the state and other places. Being solar powered means it can be used in places without…

Just as the title says, the 2020 (6th edition) Tony Elumelu Foundation grant, TEF 2020 has been cancelled. The cancellation is not unrelated to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. TEF grant provides 1000 African entrepreneurs with a non-refundable seed capital of $5,000. The 2020 edition of the grant has been placed on hold. according to a mail sent out by the TEF team, this year's grant has been moved to 2021 and instead of the usual 1000 entrepreneurs, they will be supporting 2000 businesses next year. TEF applicants who registered and were notified about moving to the next stage don't need to re-register next year (according to the mail). Here is…

Cases of the Coronal Virus (COVID-19) has been reported in over 20 African countries including Nigeria and South Africa. The outbreak started in Wuham, China a few months ago and the disease has spread to many countries. One very good thing the internet and modern technology brings is an easy, cheap and fast channel for people to send/receive information. However, there is a lot of fake information out there. From fake news about new cases of COVID-19 to people claiming local African acholic drinks cure COVID-19. It is important that people get the right info and stay safe. And that is why we at TownCryer are sharing these very simple…