Author: Edupreneur Editorial Team

MTN Group has reported an annual pre-tax loss of 4.4 billion rand ($243 million), citing the impact of Nigeria’s naira devaluation as a major factor. Despite this, its Nigerian subsidiary remains highly profitable, drawing criticism for recent steep increases in data tariffs that many believe exploit its dominant position in the market. In February 2025, MTN Nigeria raised the cost of its 15GB data bundle from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000, a 200% increase leading to public outrage. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had approved a tariff adjustment allowing a maximum 50% increase, but MTN’s hike far exceeded this limit. This has fueled accusations that the company is prioritizing profit at the expense of Nigerian consumers, who already face economic hardships. Public frustration is heightened by the fact that Nigeria is MTN’s largest market, contributing a significant share of its revenue. Critics argue that while the company attributes its losses to currency devaluation, its long-term success remains heavily tied to Nigerian consumers, making fair pricing essential. Following backlash, MTN Nigeria issued an apology, admitting that the price hike was a mistake. However, the company has not announced a reversal of the new tariffs, leaving millions of subscribers struggling with higher internet costs. As MTN seeks to recover financially, industry analysts suggest that its approach to pricing in Nigeria will be critical. Ensuring affordable data access while maintaining profitability could determine whether the telecom giant sustains its market dominance without alienating consumers. Speaking on the company’s outlook, MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita reassured stakeholders that the worst of the financial strain should be over, as its Nigeria unit begins to stabilize. Nigeria remains a crucial market for MTN, contributing a substantial portion of the group’s revenue. However, the naira’s devaluation in 2023 put immense pressure on the company’s earnings, affecting profitability across the board. Despite these setbacks, Mupita emphasized that MTN’s strategic focus on operational efficiency and recent tariff adjustments in Nigeria would help drive recovery. The company remains committed to strengthening its position in Africa’s telecom sector, with plans to enhance digital services, expand network coverage, and optimize costs to offset currency-related impacts.

Scottish universities are facing a deepening financial crisis, with the University of Dundee announcing plans to cut 635 jobs, around 20% of its workforce to address a £35 million budget shortfall. Interim Principal Professor Shane O’Neill attributed the crisis to several factors, including a decline in international student enrollments, structural underfunding, and rising operational costs. To mitigate the financial strain, the university is implementing significant restructuring measures, including asset sales and cost reductions. The crisis at Dundee has sparked wider concerns about the sustainability of Scotland’s higher education funding model. Critics argue that prolonged underfunding and reliance on international student fees have made universities financially vulnerable. Alison Payne, research director at Reform Scotland, warned that a Scottish university could face insolvency, stating, “The reputation of Scotland is on the line here.” Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has denied that government funding cuts are responsible for Dundee’s financial troubles, arguing that the university’s issues are unique and unrelated to tuition fees. However, university officials and political figures have criticized this stance, calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further decline in the sector. The situation at Dundee is seen as part of a broader crisis affecting Scottish universities, raising urgent discussions about the need for a more sustainable and equitable funding model to secure the future of higher education in Scotland.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is set to introduce specialized software to ensure that students with disabilities in higher institutions can fully access its loan scheme. Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement on student loans in Benin City, Edo State. He emphasized that the initiative is aimed at promoting inclusivity, particularly for students with visual impairments and other disabilities, by making the loan application process more accessible. “We want to see how we can make it easier for those who are visually impaired so that they can apply for the loan without challenges. We are working on specific software that will support this goal,” Sawyerr stated. NELFUND is also collaborating with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure that the loan scheme is accessible to all eligible students, regardless of physical limitations. Additionally, Sawyerr clarified concerns about loan repayment, stating that if a beneficiary passes away, the loan will not be transferred to their family or next of kin but will instead be completely written off. The initiative aligns with the federal government’s commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable for all Nigerian students, including those with disabilities.

Durham University has launched the Inspiring Excellence 5K Postgraduate Scholarship for the 2025 academic session, offering 200 scholarships to outstanding international students. Each recipient will receive a £5,000 tuition fee reduction for a full-time, one-year taught master’s program beginning in September 2025. Scholarship Details The Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship is designed to support talented students pursuing taught postgraduate degrees across various disciplines at Durham University. However, MBA programs are not included in this funding opportunity. Successful applicants will receive a tuition fee discount of £5,000, which will be directly deducted from their total tuition cost. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions: Program Application: Apply for a full-time, one-year taught master’s degree at Durham University (excluding MBA programs). The program must commence in September 2025. Admission Offer: Secure an offer of admission (conditional or unconditional) before the scholarship deadlines. Two selection rounds are available: Round 1: Offer must be obtained by May 4, 2025. Round 2: Offer must be obtained by June 8, 2025. International Student Status: Applicants must be classified as overseas students for tuition fee purposes. Self-Funded Students: Candidates must be self-funded and not receiving other Durham University scholarships, except for the Durham International Scholarship. Academic Requirements: Meet or exceed the specific entry requirements for the chosen postgraduate program. Additional Scholarship Opportunity Students from Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Vietnam may be eligible for an additional £5,000 scholarship through the Durham International Scholarship. If awarded both scholarships, a student could receive a total of £10,000 in tuition fee discounts. Application Process To apply for the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship, candidates must: Apply for Admission: Submit an application for a taught master’s program at Durham University through the university’s official Applicant Portal. Obtain a unique Student ID, which will be used for the scholarship application. Submit the Scholarship Application: Complete the online scholarship application form before the specified deadlines. Selection Rounds and Deadlines Round 1: Application Deadline: April 30, 2025 Results Announcement: May 12, 2025 Acceptance Confirmation: Selected students must confirm their award by paying the required deposit within two weeks. Round 2: Application Deadline: June 8, 2025 Results Announcement: June 16, 2025 Acceptance Confirmation: Scholarship recipients must confirm by paying the deposit within two weeks. Waiting List (if applicable): Final announcements will be made on July 7, 2025. Key Considerations The £5,000 award is a tuition fee waiver and cannot be transferred to another academic year or converted into cash. Students must meet all eligibility criteria and apply before deadlines to be considered. For more information and access to the official application, visit Durham University’s website:Durham University Scholarships

China’s tech giant Baidu has introduced two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, including one designed specifically for advanced reasoning, as the company intensifies its efforts to compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The announcement was made on Sunday, March 17, 2025. Introducing ERNIE X1 and ERNIE 4.5 The newly launched models; ERNIE X1 and ERNIE 4.5 are part of Baidu’s continued development in AI, aimed at enhancing reasoning, understanding, and efficiency in AI-powered applications. ERNIE X1: A cutting-edge AI model designed to excel in reasoning and logical processing. Baidu claims that ERNIE X1 performs at the same level as DeepSeek’s R1 model while being twice as cost-efficient. This positions it as a strong contender against other advanced AI models in the global market. ERNIE 4.5: Baidu’s latest foundation model, which showcases significant improvements in multimodal understanding, language processing, logic, and memory. It also emphasizes a higher emotional quotient (EQ), making it more adaptable for human-like interactions and varied real-world applications. Both models are integrated into ERNIE Bot, Baidu’s AI chatbot, which has been updated to incorporate the latest advancements. The models are freely accessible, enabling developers and businesses to integrate them into their own AI-powered applications. Competing in the Global AI Race Baidu’s latest AI developments come amid increasing competition in the artificial intelligence space, particularly from companies like DeepSeek, which has been gaining recognition for its high-performance, cost-effective AI solutions. DeepSeek, founded by Liang Wenfeng, has been disrupting the AI market with its innovative models, including DeepSeek R1, which is seen as a direct competitor to Baidu’s ERNIE X1. By positioning ERNIE X1 as a cost-efficient alternative to DeepSeek’s model, Baidu aims to attract more developers and businesses looking for high-performance AI at a lower price point. The Future of AI in China and Beyond Baidu’s AI advancements reflect China’s broader ambitions to lead global AI development and reduce reliance on foreign AI technologies. By enhancing reasoning, language, and multimodal capabilities, these models are expected to play a significant role in AI-driven industries, including customer service, content creation, automation, and enterprise applications. With ongoing innovation from major AI companies, the battle for AI supremacy continues to intensify, shaping the future of artificial intelligence and its real-world applications.

Retinnad, an AI-driven AdTech company, has introduced a suite of Artificial Intelligence solutions designed to monitor billboard content, provide real-time data analytics, and enhance advertising campaign integrity. The innovative technology aims to improve transparency, audience targeting, and return on investment (ROI) for brands leveraging outdoor advertising. AI-Powered Features Enhancing Outdoor Advertising Retinnad’s AI solutions focus on several key areas to optimize the effectiveness of billboard advertising: Real-Time Monitoring & Audience InsightsThe system continuously tracks billboard displays, capturing real-time data on ad exposure, audience engagement, and demographic insights. By analyzing factors such as gaze-through rates which measure how many people actually look at an advertisement advertisers can fine-tune their campaigns for maximum impact. Performance Analytics & Campaign OptimizationThe AI tools generate detailed performance reports covering metrics like ad frequency, duration, and effectiveness. This enables advertisers to measure how well their campaigns resonate with target audiences and make informed adjustments to improve reach and engagement. Compliance & Transparency in AdvertisingA major challenge in billboard advertising is ensuring that ads are displayed as intended. Retinnad’s AI-driven compliance auditing system verifies ad placements, schedules, and overall execution, helping brands prevent unauthorized alterations, incorrect display times, or mismanaged campaigns. The Future of AI in Outdoor Advertising By integrating AI into outdoor advertising, Retinnad aims to bridge the gap between traditional billboard marketing and data-driven digital advertising. These AI tools offer brands greater control, accountability, and actionable insights, allowing them to optimize advertising budgets and improve customer engagement. With the increasing demand for precision marketing and measurable ad performance, AI-powered solutions like Retinnad’s are expected to redefine how businesses plan, execute, and evaluate outdoor advertising campaigns. For further details, visit Retinnad’s website

The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating a sweeping expansion of travel restrictions that could affect citizens from over 40 countries, according to sources and an internal government memo reviewed by Reuters. The proposed measures would introduce visa limitations and outright suspensions for nations deemed non-compliant with U.S. security and information-sharing standards. Countries Affected and Proposed Restrictions The internal memo categorizes the affected nations into three groups based on security assessments: Full Visa Suspensions:The most severe restrictions would apply to Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen. Citizens from these countries could face a complete ban on U.S. visa issuances, effectively barring travel to the United States. Partial Visa Suspensions:Five nations—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—may experience targeted visa restrictions, affecting specific visa categories such as tourist, student, and certain immigrant visas. Conditional Measures:A third category includes 26 countries, such as Angola, Belarus, and Pakistan, which could be subject to partial visa restrictions if they do not address U.S. security concerns within 60 days. If these countries fail to comply, they could face stricter travel limitations. A Continuation of Trump’s Immigration Policies This potential expansion builds upon the Trump administration’s past travel bans, including the controversial 2017 executive order that restricted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries. That order faced significant legal challenges before being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Officials familiar with the policy discussions indicate that the administration’s goal is to tighten border security and address security loopholes in the immigration system. However, critics argue that such measures may disproportionately affect nations with already strained relations with the U.S. and could provoke diplomatic tensions. The proposal is still under review, and final decisions on implementation are expected in the coming weeks. If enacted, the new travel restrictions would mark one of the most extensive visa bans in U.S. history. For further details, you can read the full report on Reuters.

The United States has reached out to Denmark and other European nations, seeking egg imports as Americans face surging prices due to supply shortages. The move comes amid a severe bird flu outbreak that has significantly affected U.S. egg production. In January, the average price for a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities soared to $4.95, surpassing previous records. More recently, prices have climbed as high as $7.22 per dozen, just below the all-time peak of $8.17. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been in discussions with European countries to assess their ability to export eggs to the U.S. However, Europe is also dealing with its own egg supply challenges due to increased demand and bird flu outbreaks. Despite these constraints, Turkey has managed to export approximately 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the U.S. This import initiative is part of a broader $1 billion plan by the USDA to stabilize the egg market and address the bird flu crisis. The situation remains uncertain, with consumers and industry stakeholders closely monitoring potential relief from international imports.

More than one million people in Myanmar will be cut off from life-saving food assistance provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) starting in April due to a critical funding shortfall. The decision comes as the country grapples with worsening conflict, displacement, and severe food insecurity. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a military coup in 2021, leading to a humanitarian crisis where nearly 20 million people require aid, with 15.2 million facing acute food shortages. The upcoming cuts will significantly impact internally displaced persons, including thousands of Rohingya refugees living in camps who are entirely dependent on WFP support. Michael Dunford, WFP’s Representative in Myanmar, warned of devastating consequences, stating, “The impending cuts will have a severe impact on the most vulnerable communities, many of whom depend entirely on WFP’s support to survive.” Without immediate funding, WFP will be able to assist only 35,000 of the most at-risk individuals, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with disabilities. The organization urgently needs $60 million to maintain food assistance in the country this year. The situation is expected to worsen during the lean season from July to September, when food shortages are typically most severe. With international support dwindling, the fate of millions now hinges on immediate funding and intervention to prevent a deepening humanitarian disaster in Myanmar.