GRTech
How Governor’s purchases encouraged 5 UNN students building solar energy inverters


Five students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) have disclosed how they were encouraged to continue building solar energy inverters, in spite all odds.
With 75 planning applications; 39 trained professionals and two offices, Business Manager, Nwangele Godwin Chukwuemeka; Quality Control officer, Okereke Kingsley; Production officer, Esumeh Aaron; Field Operations officer, Udeh Isaac Nnaemeka and Product Logistics officer, Ogechukwu Uchechukwu Emmanuel, have already completed 38 projects.
The Students shared how Enugu State Governor, RT. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s patronage at recent Enugu International Trade Fair enabled them to have some resources to invest on the project locally developed.
Read their inspiring story as represented by Ogechukwu Uchechukwu Emmanuel.
How was the idea conceived?
It all started with some boys who had big dreams of making solar energy available for people to use at home since it is already in existence in overseas. We started looking for knowledge, ideas and how to make it come by. Thanks to Industrial training and Engineer Precious Chijioke. He blessed us with knowledge during our industrial training.
Five of us: three in Electrical Engineering class, one Electrical Electronics and one Geography Students; found a need for this project. Four of us are finals and one penultimate when we started.
How long did it take from ideation, R&D to real construction and sales?
It took us like seven months to complete the circle and have a finished product. Remember, we are students, so we are putting to test the knowledge we have gathered from classes and personal studies.
You guys must have conducted some research on electricity challenges in Nigeria, can you share with us some of the findings?
The truth is that energy is not cheap anywhere but one peculiar thing with Nigeria is that our people waste energy that they can’t even pay for. An example is, most poor homes use 200watts bulb everywhere while such energy consumption is equal to some fridges used by rich men. Also, the pressure on the national grid by home deprives the industries of this energy, so we thought if homes could key into green energy and leave out the noise and air polluting generators, the industries may gain little life. Another one is that some homes use our grid light to cook instead of using gas as the white men do. You can add yours too.
Where was the idea incubated?
It all started at social science quadrangle, in UNN. When we decided to do what the whites do and have a product no matter what stress and energy it will take.
When do you intend moving to mass production?
We have already started with 20 sets of 2.5kva and 1.5kva.
How much funding are you looking at?
We need about N100 million to flood the market with these products.
You said everything was developed in Nsukka, can you expatiate on that?
We designed our circuit board, more like the thing people call mother board, although we print it in China currently. We make our transformers ourselves here, get iron pan and bend it to our desired shape in Enugu. We then do other things ourselves except painting which we outsource.
How are you sourcing the raw material?
All the things we need are in the local market here. Although we now import resistors, inductors and micro processors via an agent in Ali express which makes them cheap.
What have been the greatest challenges?
At first, it was fund, next was people’s doubt on what we do. Now, it is expansion.
What can you guys take in exchange for this project?
We can take the project for itself. It is now our life.
What are the limitations of the products? Benefits too?
For now, we can boast of systems that are hybrid (uses both solar and disco grid) with in built automatic transfer switch, has load detection sensor as well as LCD for the user. It has a short-circuit detection mechanism inside for stubborn users like Nigerians with automatic shut down both in overload and short-circuit. For battery life extension, it has four stage charge modes with trickle charge effect. It is one of the best power machines anybody in Nigeria can use because we understand the Nigerian user more than any foreign company. With respect to the limitations, we believe that our designs are not as beautiful as we want it to be but we will soon get over that.
How affordable are the products compared to imported ones?
We have the competitive power here, because our product is very affordable compared to any foreign system of same specification. Our prices are approximately 40% less than any one in the market.
Have you received any grant?
No, but will be happy to get
Patented?
We have submitted documents for patency, but this is technology, only those with spiritual eyes can imitate it.
How did you raise the initial funding?
We started with N45,000 and were adding N5,000 each until we got things set. As I said early, it was like seven months. And then one day at a trade fair, Gov. Ugwuanyi Ifeanyi of Enugu state bought our product alongside Mr. John Busco. That was our first return. We reinvested all. And we kept saving and adding, hunger was on all our faces, but we kept smiling. One thing I must add, all our friends showed us love even when our first test system blew up. They still clapped for us.
What are the sizes and functionality?
Yes it is in sizes, from 1500 watts to 20,000 watts. You use it like other imported system. We have a manual too. It serves as a replacement for your generators and some decide to remove their disco grid entirely because it is reliable. You keep solar panels outside which traps sun rays as ultraviolet and sends it to your batteries as DC current. This DC is sapped by the inverter and sent out as AC for your home use.
Source: techeconomy.ng
GRTech
Identity Management Day: Sophos Warns Against Data Breaches Linked to Identity Theft
REPORTER: Sandra Ani


79% of data breaches are linked to identity theft and cost businesses an average of $4.5 million, according to reports from the Identity Defined Security Alliance (IDSA) and the Ponemon Institute.
Additionally, the 2025 edition of the Sophos Active Adversary Report reveals that the average time between the start of an attack and data exfiltration is only 72.98 hours (3.04 days), while the average time between exfiltration and attack detection is just 2.7 hours.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly fast, and the longer a compromised identity remains active, the greater the potential damage.
In light of this, Sophos, one of the world’s leading providers of innovative security solutions designed to neutralize cyberattacks, is taking advantage of Identity Management Day, which takes place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, to remind businesses of the best practices they should follow to manage and secure digital identities.
Cybercriminals can use a compromised identity to access confidential information, steal data, move laterally within the organization, and launch further attacks.
It is therefore crucial to take immediate action to contain breaches and minimize their consequences.
In this context, automation plays a key role by enabling organizations to respond quickly and effectively to identity-related threats.
Five Automated Measures to Protect Against Identity Theft
1. Disable the User
When an identity breach is detected, one of the first steps is to disable the compromised user account. By preventing the attacker from using the stolen identity to access company systems and data, this measure outpaces the hacker and helps contain the breach.
Automation significantly speeds up this process. With automated response tools, businesses can quickly identify compromised accounts and disable them in real-time. This reduces the attack window and minimizes potential damage.
2. Force Password Reset
Passwords are often the first line of defense against unauthorized access attempts. In the event of an identity breach, it is essential to immediately force a password reset for the compromised account to prevent hackers from using stolen credentials.
Automated rules can be set up to trigger an instant password reset as soon as a breach is detected. This saves time and ensures that the reset process is initiated without delay, reducing the risk of further unauthorized access attempts.
3. Force Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Reset
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to enter a verification code in addition to their password. If an identity breach occurs, it is crucial to reset MFA for the compromised account. This means that the user will have to re-authenticate using their MFA tool, which automatically invalidates any stolen authentication tokens the attacker may have acquired.
Automated rules can trigger the refresh of MFA tokens, ensuring that compromised accounts are quickly reauthenticated. This prevents cybercriminals from using stolen authentication tokens to access company systems.
4. Lock the Account
Locking a compromised account prevents hackers from attempting to use it until the issue is resolved. This also gives the organization time to investigate the breach and apply the necessary corrective measures.
Automation streamlines the account locking process, allowing businesses to lock compromised accounts as soon as a breach is detected. This immediate response helps contain the breach and blocks further unauthorized access attempts.
5. Revoke Active Sessions
In addition to disabling the user account and forcing a password reset, it is essential to revoke all active sessions associated with the compromised identity. This ensures that the attacker is immediately logged out of all systems they accessed using stolen credentials.
Automated actions can be configured to revoke active sessions in real-time, instantly disrupting any unauthorized access. This is a critical measure to neutralize the breach and prevent further malicious activity.
For more information, please visit: https://www.secureworks.com/blog/5-critical-response-actions-for-an-identity-breach
GRTech
Samsung Expands Accessibility with Local Language Integration on Galaxy S25, A56, A36, and A26 Devices
By SANDRA ANI


Samsung Electronics has taken a bold step in enhancing user experience and inclusivity by introducing Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba as official language options on selected Samsung Galaxy devices.
The feature, which is now available on the Galaxy S25, A56, A36, and A26 devices, reaffirms Samsung’s commitment to delivering innovative technology that speaks the language of its users.
With this groundbreaking update, Samsung users across Nigeria can now navigate their smartphones in their preferred local language, making technology more accessible, while also upholding our cultural heritage.
A Celebration of Culture and Technology
To mark the launch, Samsung hosted a cultural-themed press briefing featuring traditional music, local cuisine, and a showcase of the new language feature. Employees and guests attended in traditional Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa attires, celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
Samsung also announced plans to expand local language support to more devices in the near future, reinforcing its dedication to making technology more inclusive for African users.
Empowering Users Through Language
The integration of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba on Samsung devices reflects the brand’s mission to bridge the digital gap and enhance user engagement. Speaking at the press conference, Oge Maduagwu, Head of Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said, “At Samsung, we understand that technology is most powerful when it is accessible to all. By incorporating our local Nigerian languages, we are making our devices more intuitive and relatable, ensuring that millions of Nigerians can interact with their smartphones in the language they love and understand best”.
Seamless Language Transition on Galaxy Devices
Stephen Okwara, Head of Product Management, Samsung Electronics West Africa added, “The new local language feature is designed to deliver a seamless user experience, allowing customers to easily switch between languages. Users can activate Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba on the Galaxy S25, A26, A36, and A56 by navigating to:
Settings > Language & Input > Select Language
“This update enhances smartphone usability, particularly for those who prefer their native language over English, ensuring greater digital inclusivity, enhancing digital literacy and encouraging more users to engage with technology in their native tongues”, he concluded.
Availability
Customers can visit all Samsung Experience Stores or authorized retailers in Nigeria to learn more and experience the feature firsthand.
TechNews
NITDA DG Inaugurates National Technical Working Group on Cloud Infrastructure
REPORTER: Sandra Ani


In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) on National Cloud Infrastructure.
This initiative aims to enhance local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, emphasised the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support these initiatives, necessary for Nigeria to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future noting that,
“Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyper-scalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”
While identifying lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure as significant challenge, Inuwa noted that while Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, it hosts less than 1% of global data centres.
“This disparity, coupled with limited insights into Nigeria’s existing IT capacity, hampers investment efforts and without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes challenging,” he said.
The NITDA boss maintained that, to address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape which findings have highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that subsequently upon this, NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development.
As the TWG embarks on its mission, NITDA urges industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources. “With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa concluded.
While corroborating the Director General’s point of views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.
“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy, he said.”
He also highlights the necessity of capacity building, stating that, “Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.” Barrister Edet called on all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
“Collaboratively, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests, and it should be widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena, he observed.
The TWG will help in the drive to attract hyperscale investments and enhance local cloud capabilities by proffering measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance to enabling policies.
Members of the TWG which includes Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, HUAWEI Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, several other data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission expressed support and readiness to volunteer and contribute resources.
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