Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced plans to digitise the private library of the late former governor Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, while also renaming The Polytechnic Ibadan after him, a move that has sparked strong reactions from students and alumni. At an executive session held in Ibadan to honour the late governor, Makinde said the digitalisation project aims to preserve Olunloyo’s valuable contributions to education. The governor described the late elder statesman as a key figure in advancing education in the state and said the move recognises his legacy. However, the renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic has been met with mixed feelings. Many alumni and students have expressed disappointment and concern over the change. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), alumni questioned the decision, saying the original name carries a rich history and strong reputation that should be preserved. Students of the Polytechnic have been particularly vocal. The Student Union Government (SUG), led by President Comrade Oladipupo Olamide, issued a statement calling the renaming “unjustifiable and degrading.” The SUG emphasized that The Polytechnic Ibadan has been a symbol of academic excellence for over 50 years and that changing its name risks erasing its identity and legacy. “We strongly believe this decision disregards the rich heritage of our school,” the statement read. “The name ‘The Polytechnic Ibadan’ is respected nationwide and linked to quality education.” The government’s plan to digitise Olunloyo’s library aims to create a lasting tribute to the late governor’s work, but the renaming of the polytechnic shows the challenges of balancing respect for individuals with preserving institutional history. What happens next will depend on how the state government addresses the concerns of students and alumni.
Selar founder, Douglas Kendyson, reflects on growth and teases new product launch after G.R.O.W conference
At the recent G.R.O.W Conference, Douglas Kendyson, founder of Selar, shared how the platform’s growth surpassed his early expectations. Selar started with slow traction, and in 2020, Kendyson considered lowering transaction fees to boost growth. However, advice from his team helped him keep fees stable, ensuring healthy unit economics. Today, Selar processes daily transactions worth up to ₦20 million, far beyond the ₦2 million monthly volume he once dreamed of. Daily Tech Nigeria gathered from Kendyson’s LinkedIn post today, “At the beginning, I thought reducing our fees would help us grow faster. But thanks to Yinka Omole, who stopped me, we kept our pricing because the commissions were already very small compared to international platforms. That decision made all the difference.” He added, “I’m deeply grateful to all the amazing creators that trust us with their business today. This work means a lot to me and the whole team, and we will never let you down.” Kendyson also hinted at exciting developments ahead: “We might be having a Selar Product Day soon. We’ve been working on many new things this year, and we want to share them all at once. So, stay tuned!” Selar is Africa’s largest creator platform, helping users sell digital products, event tickets, and receive international payments. The company’s steady growth reflects the rising creator economy across Nigeria and beyond. With ongoing innovation and community support, Selar aims to keep empowering creators to monetize their ideas effectively.
Nigerians to access subsidised solar appliances in $6.1m clean energy boost
Nigerians will soon benefit from cheaper solar-powered appliances thanks to a new $6.1 million initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable, energy-efficient tools for homes and businesses. The program, led by CLASP and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), will distribute 10,000 solar-powered refrigerators, water pumps, milling machines, and other equipment across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. This effort builds on a successful two-year pilot that brought 16,000 appliances to market and helped over 58,000 households, with nearly half of the buyers being women. The initiative offers grants, subsidies, and technical support to suppliers to lower prices and promote green job creation, aiming to empower small businesses, farmers, and low-income communities. Emmanuel Aziebor, CLASP’s Senior Director for Africa, said, “Access to energy is foundational for economic growth. Efficient appliances turn energy into opportunity and should be considered essential infrastructure.” Nigerian shopkeeper Abibat Akinwale shared her experience, saying the solar fridge she acquired through the program has boosted her sales by allowing her to sell cold drinks without debt from buying ice blocks. With rising fuel prices and unreliable electricity, solar solutions are becoming more attractive to Nigerians, offering a stable and cost-effective alternative. This program is also expected to create over 3,000 green jobs and support economic growth by making clean energy tools more affordable and accessible. This subsidy scheme marks a significant step toward wider adoption of solar technology in Nigeria, helping reduce dependence on costly fuel imports and improving livelihoods in rural and urban communities.
Air India deadly crash – black box data retrieved, investigation enters crucial phase
Investigators have successfully downloaded data from the black boxes of the Air India plane that crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12, promising new clues about the tragedy. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) began extracting data from the flight’s black boxes on June 24, nearly two weeks after the crash that killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. The black boxes include the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), both recovered from the crash site and transported securely to the AAIB lab in Delhi. Despite damage to the devices, the AAIB managed to retrieve the Crash Protection Module and memory module, successfully downloading the data. Analysis of the recordings is ongoing to reconstruct the events leading to the crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick. Early investigations suggest the pilots activated the emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system shortly before the crash, indicating possible engine or electrical failure during takeoff. Experts say dual engine failure is rare but remains a focus of the probe. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, with surveillance footage showing the plane abruptly descending and hitting a medical college hostel. The tragedy is one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history. Relatives of victims are demanding answers. Imtiyaz Ali, whose brother was on the flight, said, “For now, all we know is the plane took off and then fell. How? Why? Nobody knows. And we want to know. We deserve to know”. With black box data now in hand, investigators hope to pinpoint the cause of the deadly plane crash soon.
Music import feature coming to Spotify, Apple Music already has it
Reports suggest Spotify is working on a new feature to let users import music from other streaming apps, joining Apple Music which recently launched a similar tool. Spotify is developing a feature that will allow users to import playlists and tracks directly into its app from other streaming services. This comes shortly after Apple Music unveiled its own music import tool, which is already available in some regions like Australia and New Zealand. It works on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and the web. Apple Music’s feature uses a third-party app called SongShift to help users transfer their playlists and saved songs from services like Spotify. This makes switching between streaming platforms easier and less time-consuming. Currently, Spotify users can only add local music files from their devices, but these files stay on the device and don’t upload to Spotify’s servers. The upcoming import feature would be a big step forward, letting users transfer music more easily without manual copying. This news comes from recent app code discoveries and reports from June 2025, showing that Spotify is testing this feature but hasn’t officially launched it yet. Details on which services will be supported or how the import will work are still under wraps. Spotify’s new import tool is still in development, with no official details released so far. But it shows how streaming giants are responding to user demand for smoother ways to move their music libraries without losing their favorite playlists. For Nigerian music fans, especially young professionals and students who often try different streaming apps, these features mean less hassle when switching platforms.
China unveils mosquito-sized drone for secret military missions
China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) has introduced a tiny drone that looks and flies like a mosquito. This small drone, just 1.3 centimeters long, is made for secret spying and military surveillance. Demonstrated on China’s military TV channel CCTV 7, the drone has two leaf-shaped wings and a slim body with tiny legs. It carries small cameras and microphones that can capture pictures, sounds, and electronic signals. It can be controlled using a smartphone, making it easy to send on missions where bigger drones cannot go. Experts say this drone is hard to spot and can sneak into places like secure buildings or crowded areas without being detected. But its small size means it can only work for a short time before needing a recharge. This new drone is part of China’s broader military modernization efforts focusing on micro-robotics and intelligent warfare, joining global advancements in micro-UAV technology seen in countries like Norway and the United States. As these tiny drones become more common, they could change how spying and warfare are done. But they also raise worries about privacy and safety since they can be used to secretly listen or watch people. For now, this mosquito drone shows how technology is shrinking and getting smarter, whilst opening new possibilities for the future of military tech.