Category: Science and Technology

By Milcah Tanimu

The number of **approved digital loan apps in Nigeria** has risen to 320 as of September 2024, up from 284 in May, reflecting a growing demand for quick loans due to the country’s economic challenges. This surge in digital lenders comes as more Nigerians turn to loan apps for financial relief, seeking instant credit for day-to-day expenses.

According to data from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), 264 of these loan apps have been granted full approval, while 42 are operating with conditional approval. Additionally, 14 companies have been licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), marking a significant expansion in the digital lending space.

Industry experts attribute this increase to the relatively easy registration process for digital lending platforms compared to traditional financial institutions. The Chairman of the Money Lenders Association, Gbemi Adelekan, noted that many companies are entering the space due to lower regulatory barriers and the high demand for credit.

Loan applications have quadrupled this year, with digital lenders like QuickPay reporting between 5,000 and 6,000 weekly applications, up from 1,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many applicants are rejected due to poor credit history, with around 90% failing to qualify after BVN verification.

Despite the rise in registered loan apps, unregulated lenders continue to operate, often harassing borrowers. The FCCPC has placed 88 such apps on a watchlist and delisted 47 from the Google Play Store to curb illegal activities. The Commission’s Interim Regulatory Framework aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the digital lending sector.

A London-based surgeon has expressed his immense joy after successfully completing the complex separation of one-year-old conjoined twin girls during a 14-hour operation.

Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, led the intricate surgery in Turkey, according to the *Evening Standard*.

The twins, Minal and Mirha, born in Pakistan and conjoined at the head (craniopagus twins), shared vital blood vessels and brain tissue, making the procedure especially delicate. They are now recovering well and expected to make full recoveries.

Jeelani, who performed the surgery through his charity, Gemini Untwined, described the experience as deeply fulfilling. “It was a really wonderful feeling,” he said, adding that seeing the joy on the parents’ faces as their daughters began a new chapter in life was immensely rewarding.

The complex procedure, conducted at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, spanned over three months and utilized cutting-edge mixed reality (MR) technology, which helped the surgical team precisely separate the twins’ shared brain tissue and blood vessels.

Jeelani explained the impact of the technology: “We used special goggles to view images of the brain and blood vessels superimposed onto the child’s head during surgery.” He credited MR technology for its precision, highlighting its potential to transform surgical planning.

The case was referred to Jeelani’s team in 2023, and with the support of Gemini Untwined and the Turkish government, the twins were transported from Pakistan for the life-saving operation. Reflecting on the success of the surgery, Jeelani remarked, “Against the odds, we managed to pull it off.”

**Rare and High-Risk Condition**

Conjoined twins are a rare occurrence, with just one in every 2.5 million births resulting in such a condition. The surgery’s success underscores Jeelani’s international reputation, having previously separated conjoined twins in countries like Brazil, Israel, and Pakistan.

Despite the operation taking place in Turkey, Jeelani emphasized the global standing of British medicine: “We are world leaders in delivering this kind of complex surgery.”

Minal and Mirha, born with a rare condition that caused their conjoined state, shared critical blood vessels, making the surgery exceptionally difficult. Speaking to *Sky News*, Jeelani shared positive news about their progress, stating, “They’re making an excellent recovery, really wonderful.”

He added that the twins should be able to return to Pakistan within a few weeks.

**Collaboration and Technology**

Jeelani’s charity, Gemini Untwined, focuses on improving surgical outcomes for children with craniopagus and other craniofacial conditions. Jeelani recounted how they sought assistance from the Turkish government after previously operating on Turkish boys in 2020. “It was logistically complex arranging the children to get to Turkey from Pakistan and to get our team over from the UK, but it went really well, and the Turkish team was fantastic,” he said.

The success of the operation was greatly enhanced by the use of MR technology, which merges 3D images with real-world environments to enhance surgical precision. “We used special goggles that gave us images of the brain, blood vessels, or any other anatomy, which could be superimposed onto the child’s head during surgery,” Jeelani explained.

He noted that MR technology not only assures that surgical planning is correct but sometimes reveals unexpected details. Jeelani believes this technology could become more common in routine surgeries within the next five years and hopes it will inspire young engineers and surgeons to further develop it.

**Conjoined Twins: A Rare Phenomenon**

Conjoined twins are an exceedingly rare occurrence, with only one in every 60,000 births affected, and only 5% of these are craniopagus twins. These twins result from the incomplete separation of a single fertilized egg during early development, with the degree of connection varying from twins joined at the chest or abdomen to those sharing more complex organs like the heart or liver.

According to Gemini Untwined, conjoined twins have a low life expectancy, with around 40% stillborn or dying during labor. However, those who survive often demonstrate remarkable resilience, forming a unique bond and adapting to shared experiences in life.

The successful separation of Minal and Mirha was completed in two surgical stages over three months, with the final 14-hour operation marking a significant medical achievement.

By  Milcah   Tanimu

Nigeria is emerging as a global leader in digital transformation. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy is driving this change with two major initiatives: the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme and the Broadband Alliance.

The 3MTT Programme aims to train three million technical experts by 2027. This initiative, one of the largest globally, focuses on key areas like software development and data analysis. It seeks to close the skills gap and promote innovation. The first phase trained 30,000 people, while the second phase expanded to 270,000.

The Broadband Alliance works to improve internet connectivity across Nigeria. Projects like Project 774 LG Connectivity aim to connect all local government offices to the internet. This effort promotes digital inclusion in remote areas. The initiative, supported by NigComSat and Galaxy Backbone Limited, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for better internet access and government services.

Additional programs like Build-a-Thon and Devs in Government are also in place. Build-a-Thon prepares young Nigerians for tech roles, while Devs in Government integrates technology into government services.

These efforts position Nigeria as a technological leader, advancing its digital economy and global standing.

In early 2022, a popular dive center at a flooded quarry near Bristol, UK, was abruptly closed, leaving local scuba divers confused. Nearly two years later, the reason became clear: the site had been acquired by DEEP, a UK-based ocean technology company, as a research hub. Last September, DEEP emerged from stealth mode, unveiling its ambitious goal to “make humans aquatic.”

At the heart of DEEP’s vision is the *Sentinel* system, an underwater habitat designed to support human life and work at depths of up to 200 meters (656 feet) for as long as a month. The *Sentinel* system consists of interconnected modules that can be configured to suit different purposes, from scientific research to underwater archaeology. Scalable and adaptable, the habitat can accommodate missions as small as six people or expand to support 50-person research stations.

DEEP hopes to establish a permanent human presence underwater, similar to the International Space Station (ISS), which has facilitated human activity in space since 2000. The company’s first step is a smaller version of the *Sentinel* system, known as *Vanguard*, a 12-meter (40-foot) by 7.5-meter (25-foot) habitat with enough space for three people to live underwater for a week. *Vanguard* is expected to be operational at DEEP’s UK campus by early 2025.

The *Vanguard* system could be vital in scenarios where fast deployment is critical. For instance, it could have aided the search for survivors of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily in August 2023. Divers had limited time underwater due to the depth of 50 meters (164 feet), but an underwater habitat nearby could have served as a base, extending their stay and improving their effectiveness.

Currently, the only operational underwater research lab in the world is run by Florida International University. If all goes according to plan, DEEP’s *Sentinel* system will be ready by 2027, and the company envisions deploying the habitats globally. However, DEEP acknowledges the challenges in reaching these ambitious goals.

**Innovative Design for Extreme Conditions**

The *Sentinel* habitat will be constructed using 3D-printing robots that produce modules from steel reinforced with Inconel, a nickel-based superalloy known for its durability in extreme environments. This material has been used in components for the Space Shuttle and SpaceX rockets. Depending on the depth and pressure, the habitat can be accessed by submarines or through a “moon pool” at its base.

The habitat will be connected to the surface via a buoy equipped with Starlink for internet connectivity and powered by renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. DEEP is already in advanced talks with organizations and governments worldwide to lease, purchase, or share space within these habitats.

DEEP’s vision extends beyond exploration. The habitats could pave the way for new ocean-related careers and investments, much like how the ISS reinvigorated interest in space exploration. Possible uses include monitoring underwater infrastructure, coral restoration, naval dive training, medical research, and even tourism.

**Growing Interest in Ocean Exploration**

DEEP’s work aligns with increasing global interest in utilizing ocean resources, from renewable energy to deep-sea mining. The habitats could also provide marine biologists with extended periods underwater to study ecosystems more thoroughly than short scuba dives or submersible missions allow.

Bill Dennison, a marine science professor who studied seagrasses aboard *Hydrolab*, an early underwater habitat, recalls the benefits of long-term underwater research. “I learned more about the ocean in that one week than in all my other dives combined,” Dennison said. However, he acknowledges the challenges: subsea habitats are expensive and risky, requiring advanced equipment and skilled personnel.

DEEP’s competitive edge comes from its financial backing, though the identity of its founder remains a mystery. Wolpert, DEEP’s president, hinted that the founder is a North American tech entrepreneur passionate about ocean conservation.

**Reviving Public Interest in Underwater Living**

Public fascination with undersea habitats dates back to the 1960s when French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau launched projects to determine whether “oceanauts” could live and work underwater. Although Cousteau’s “underwater villages” captured the public’s imagination, interest in the oceans faded over time.

More recently, private individuals have renewed focus on ocean exploration. Initiatives like DEEP and Proteus, a research station founded by Fabien Cousteau, grandson of Jacques Cousteau, are bringing underwater habitats back into the spotlight. DEEP aims to engage the next generation through educational programs and training courses for future habitat occupants.

Wolpert believes that DEEP’s work can bridge the gap between humanity and the oceans. “There’s a large disconnect between humans and the sea,” he said. “Our goal is to drive a generational shift and reconnect humanity with the ocean.”

As DEEP moves forward, it hopes its holistic approach will inspire lasting interest in ocean exploration, sparking a new wave of innovation and discovery beneath the waves.

By Milcah Tanimu

A research group, under the Pervasive and Mobile Computing Research Group (PMCRG) at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has formally requested the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to release a 2022 telecom competition report. The group, leveraging the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, is seeking transparency regarding the findings of a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The report, which focuses on collocation and infrastructure sharing (CIS) within Nigeria’s telecom industry, remains unpublished, prompting the group led by Professor Adeniran Oluwaranti to demand its release.

Professor Oluwaranti emphasized the importance of the report, noting that transparency in the telecom sector is essential for fostering competition and innovation. “The CIS segment ensures fair competition within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. Access to this report will provide critical insights, especially in areas like 5G/6G networks, cybersecurity, and rural connectivity,” he stated.

The findings could help regulators improve Nigeria’s ICT framework, positively impacting both consumers and businesses. It could also shed light on market dynamics, helping researchers develop strategies for emerging technologies.

For consumers, the report could reveal the level of competition in the telecom industry, ensuring fair pricing and service improvements. For businesses, it may highlight new opportunities for infrastructure sharing, promoting sector growth and innovation.

The PMCRG also noted that the report’s release aligns with the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, aiming to provide deeper insights into the telecom market.

Although the NCC has not yet responded to the FOI request, Professor Oluwaranti remains optimistic. “Transparency is key to fostering an innovative telecommunications sector. Access to this data will benefit the academic community and promote evidence-based policymaking,” he added.

The PMCRG operates under OAU’s Africa Centre of Excellence, a recognized leader in telecommunications research, continuing to drive ICT advancements across Nigeria and Africa.

– The FOI request aligns with the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
– PMCRG focuses on telecom policy, infrastructure sharing, and market behavior research.
– The group seeks the report to advance academic and industry innovation.