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By Edith Tsokar/Philomena Attah
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has entered into a strategic partnership with Greenlunar Nigeria (Kronos) Ltd. to digitalise classified advertising in Nigeria.
The partnership will deploy a digital platform enabling Nigerians to publish change-of-name and other classified advertisements online without visiting newspaper offices.
Speaking at the agreement signing on Wednesday in Abuja, NAN Managing Director, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, described the partnership as a “game changer”.
He said the initiative aligned with the agency’s vision of becoming a forward-looking, technology-driven organisation.
Ali commended the indigenous technology company for developing a homegrown solution capable of transforming the classified advertising business.
He said the initiative demonstrated the capacity of young Nigerians to provide solutions previously dominated by foreign technology firms.
“Anytime I see young Nigerians rising to the occasion, it gives me a lot of joy, especially when they take up challenges that some big foreign technology companies are handling.
“I think Greenlunar really is a game changer in this aspect, and here at the agency, we have always been forward-looking,” he said.
The NAN boss said the initiative presented a win-win opportunity for both organisations, stressing that digitalisation would save man-hours and improve operational efficiency.
He said it would also create new revenue opportunities for the agency.
“Everything is digitalised, and a lot of man-hours would be saved in these days of just clicking, and then you are home.
Greenlunar offers this on a platter, literally.
“We have the honour to support you to grow. In the final analysis, it is for the good of the country,” he added.
Ali said technological advancement had made it imperative for media organisations to embrace digital platforms as consumers increasingly demanded faster and more convenient services.
He noted that while some legal processes requiring court validation would remain, digital platforms would simplify subsequent publication and verification.
He directed relevant departments, particularly Marketing and Technical, to familiarise themselves with the technology to ensure seamless implementation.
He also said NAN would engage the Ministry of Interior, the judiciary and other stakeholders to explore how the technology could simplify processes associated with official notices.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenlunar, Mr Olaniyi Odina, said the company specialised in software development and digital solutions for various sectors.
Odina said the platform would provide Nigerians with a cheaper, reliable and convenient means of publishing change-of-name advertisements from their homes.
“What we are trying to do is to digitise the process of Nigerians advertising change of name.
“So, they will no longer need to chase after newspapers and then all those other companies that do that manually,” he said.
According to him, the initiative would position NAN as a technology-driven service provider while improving public understanding of the agency’s evolving role beyond news dissemination.
Odina disclosed that his firm had previously developed software for hospitals, schools and real estate.
He, however, described the partnership with NAN as a major breakthrough achieved less than one month after seven years of pursuing the idea.
“With NAN, this thing came to life in less than one month.
“So, it’s a miracle that something we have been chasing for seven years happened in less than one month,” he said.
He linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s broader policy on digitisation of public and administrative processes.
Odina expressed optimism that the platform would soon become operational for Nigerians.
He commended the NAN Managing Director and his management team for supporting the initiative.
(NAN)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
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