WAYBACK – HISTORY OF INTERNET IN NIGERIA

Obasanjo’s internet, as it is mostly called became a trend in Nigeria in 1996. But was not the beginning. Nigeria had its first ISP in 1990. An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides internet services to individuals and organisations. The first ISP was founded in 1991, and it was the Nigerian Centre for Communication Technologies (NCCT). Subsequently, ISPs like NITEL, Interswitch and Vee Network surfaced to dispense their services to already burgeoning market.

The main boom of internet usage in Nigeria was in the 2000’s. This technology was not relatively new at this time. Although, before then, the Nigerian Post and Telegraph was in charge of handling all forms of communications under the just independent Nigerian government. This commission regulated calls made between Lagos and London. The country had 116,000 fixed telephone lines across.

The main effort of NITEL (Nigeria Telecommunication Limited) was to structure and improve the coordination of telecommunication processes within and outside the country. However, the role of NITEL was not an easy assignment, and as a result, became operationally inefficient. The core drawbacks that affected NITEL’s efficiency were lack of maintenance, and inability to support cable network infrastructure across the country. This resulted in phone lines being congested, billing system was inefficient, and call completion rate for long distance calls was less than 50%. At this stage, it was clearer that NITEL lacked the capacity to cater for the increasing demand for their services.

History of internet in Nigeria - Early mobile phones

INTRODUCTION OF MOBILE PHONES

According to some reports, ECONET Wireless made the first live call using GSM in the country on June 8, 2001. Immediately following it was MTN, which entered the market on May 16, 2001, but began operations in August of the same year. Initially, GSM services were available in Lagos, followed by Abuja and then Port Harcourt. In the year 1992, the first cellphone touched down in Nigeria, and this network was known as Mobile Telecommunication Service (MTS).  Since it was the first of its kind, it garnered extreme monopoly and popularity overtime. The earliest cellphone had limited features, and above all, had unexciting games. You can mostly make calls, send text messages, and listen to monodical ringtones on these devices.

Since 2000, there was an upward rise in the number of people using the internet and mobile phones in Nigeria. This is due to the increasing availability of affordable mobile phones and internet access. The government has also invested in infrastructure that has improved internet connectivity, making it easier for people to access the internet.

In conclusion, bills payment with vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

ACHIEVING YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS.

Earning a salary isn’t enough in your journey to financial freedom. Every project needs a plan; your financial goals also needs a concrete plan. If you want to fully realise your vision for your financial plan, you need to map out a plan to make that happen. This includes setting goals that identify and establishes your priorities.

Your financial goals on an upward growth scale

In order to achieve financial independence, earning a salary isn’t enough. Every endeavor necessitates a strategy, and your financial plan is no exception. If you want to completely fulfill your financial goals, you’ll need to create a plan to get there. Setting goals that identify and establish your priorities is part of this process. After payday, it’s common for people to need to settle their bills. But how often have you sat down to thoroughly predict your future earnings long-term?

You have to set some financial goals if you want to take charge of your money and live a more financially secure life. Not only setting these goals, but you also have to put in measures to achieve them. Financial goals assist you in making sound financial decisions, directing your spending, and reducing resource waste.

Your financial objectives may be short-term, ranging from one month to two years; they are targets that you can reach in a short period of time. Long-term objectives are similar to short-term objectives in that they require 5 to 20 years to attain. They are the most important goals for you, and they will take the most time and commitment to achieve.

5 STEPS TO ACHIEVING YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

  1. Write it down: 

As Michael Korda wrote, ‘write it down. Written goals have a way of transforming wishes into wants; can’t into can, dreams into plans; and plans into reality. Don’t just think it- ink it’. 

You may have wished to save more money at the end of the year, but writing it down just adds another dynamic to your wish. Be specific with the details and action. If you want to have N1, 000,000 in savings at the end of the year. Be specific about your targets, and include the sub-metrics necessary for achieving that goal.
Putting your goals in writing causes you to be more focused and clearer. Those goals become tangible, and you also have a visual cue of them in your head. The first step to achieving any goal in life is to write it down. 

YOUR Goals must be SMART:

Your goals also have to be SMART; Instead of saying ‘I want to have plenty of money in my savings at the end of the year, write instead í will have saved N15,000,000 before 31st of December, 2022 by saving N2,000,000 every month through the end of the year’. The difference between the two statements is that the latter is SMART, while the former is not. The latter one is time-framed; there is a specific date that the goal must be attained, it is specific; the total amount to be saved each month, and also the total amount that must have been saved before the time was also stated. Likewise, your financial plan should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.  

Develop healthy financial habits:

As Jim Rohn wrote, ‘motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.’ It is therefore important that you create habits that help you consistently stick to your financial goals. Unhealthy habits can throw you off course. So the only way to remain true to your financial project is to develop habits that align with your target. Some of the financial habits that you can adopt may include: 

  • To guide your spending, make a daily or monthly budget and stick to it.
  • Distinguish between wants and needs, and prioritise them. 
  • Engage in more productive financial conversations with people around you.
  • Reinforce your financial mindset by changing how you think about money. 
  • Eat fewer junks and cook more. 

Most importantly, bills payment cannot be neglected in your budgeting and financial goals, Vtpass offers you a convenient and affordable means of paying cable subscription, electricity bills, insurance and educational payment.

Bye!

VTPASS CONVERSATIONS: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE BANKED AND UNBANKED

2023 have been a torrid year for Nigerians. Events hit an abyss when new notes were rolled out, and the federal government stopped the old naira notes from circulation. Wait, what?? Let us retrace our steps and examine where this declaration started from.

In October 2022, the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced the recall and redesign policy. This was to encourage a cashless economy, stave-off cash hoarding, and lower kidnapping rates and terrorism. The House of Assembly doubting the sanity of this decision, summoned the CBN governor to explain this policy. He was excused because he was away from the country on medical grounds and personal engagements. In his absence, Aisha Ahmed assured Nigerians that the naira redesign was not politically influenced. The implementation date was set for 31st January 2023.

Nigeria’s push to replace its paper money with newly designed currency notes has created a shortage of cash, leaving people unable to buy what they need and forcing businesses to close across the West African nation, experts and business groups said.

African News, 2023.

RESULT OF THE POLICY

This policy had negative results. Naira notes became scarce; the old ones were no longer legal tenders, while the new notes were not fully in circulation. A total mayhem ensued in society as a result. People couldn’t access cash and major businesses came to a standstill. This was due to the lack of preparation for the policy, and failure to put in place adequate measures to ensure that the transition was smooth. People and businesses were unable to access the cash they needed, leading to the chaos and disruption that occurred. Analysts accused authorities of poorly implementing the policy in Africa’s largest economy. where digital payment services are usually not reliable and only 45% of adults have a bank account, according to the World Bank.

Nigeria, like many developing nations, has a significant gap between the banked and unbanked population. According to a 2018 survey by the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA), only 36.8% of Nigerian adults have access to formal financial services. This means that the majority of the population operates on a cash basis, with no access to traditional banking services.

The recent cash scarcity in Nigeria highlights the need for bridging this gap between the banked and unbanked population. This has left many Nigerians stranded, with limited access to their funds. Without access to banking services, they are unable to access their funds, and this has caused them significant financial hardship. This highlights the need for financial inclusion initiatives that can bridge the gap between the banked and unbanked population.

FINTECH IS THE WAY FORWARD

However, technology can be a game-changer in this regard. Recently, financial technology companies have emerged in Nigeria, offering innovative solutions to address the gap between the banked and unbanked. These companies leverage mobile technology to provide financial services to the unbanked, allowing them to make payments, save money, and access credit.

One such company is Vtpass, which provides a mobile wallet that allows users to pay bills, and buy airtime. These fintech companies are disrupting the traditional banking industry by providing convenient, accessible, and affordable financial services to the unbanked population.

To bridge the gap between the banked and unbanked in Nigeria, there needs to be a concerted effort by the government, and fintech companies. The government can play a role by creating an enabling environment for fintech companies to operate. Further assistance could include providing regulatory oversight, and promoting financial education. Financial institutions can partner with fintech companies to offer digital financial services and expand their reach to the unbanked population.

In conclusion, the recent cash scarcity in Nigeria has highlighted the urgent need for bridging the gap between the banked and unbanked population. With the right partnerships and support from the government, fintech companies can help Nigeria move towards a more financially inclusive society where everyone has access to formal financial services.

Vtpass, as a fintech is ensuring that bills payment is simple, convenient and smart. Click here to pay electricity bills, recharge your cable TV, and buy educational pins.

WHY FINTECH IS THE KEY TO FINANCIAL INCLUSION

The World Bank Group considers financial inclusion a key enabler to reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. Fintech is key to financial inclusion which will open up banking services to all and sundry. Fintech has the potential to make banking services more accessible to those who would otherwise not have access to them. It can help to reduce the cost of financial transactions. It makes it easier to access credit, savings and other financial services.

The primary goal of financial inclusion is to ensure that unbanked and underserved individuals and communities have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs –payments, collections, credit, savings and insurance – delivered in a sustainable and responsible way.

A look at the opportunities for financial inclusion

Financial inclusion is essential to the community’s progress as access to monetary touchpoints facilitates day-to-day living, and helps families and businesses plan for everything from short-term goals to long-term goals and unexpected emergencies. As account holders, people are more likely to access other financial services, such as credit and insurance. This is to start and expand businesses, invest in education or health, manage business risk, and weather economic shocks. This can improve their lives.

In Nigeria, financial inclusion has spread across Nigeria over the past few years. This includes job creation, Foreign Direct Investment, private sector innovation, and a push to open low-cost accounts, including mobile wallets and digitally-enabled payments.

Impact of Financial Inclusion on the Nigerian Economy in the Last Five Years

Employment: The World Bank Group considers financial inclusion a key enabler to reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. This view can be deemed credible based on its effect on the Nigerian economy. According to the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) there are 1.4M number of financial access points/Agents nationwide. This translates into employment opportunities for over 300,000 Nigerians (excludes operators – MMOs and Super Agent employees). The employment opportunity covers a wide mix of agents, agent aggregators, agent shop handlers, licensed MMOs and their employees as well as licensed Super Agents and their employees.

Financial service touchpoints: To bridge the gap between unbanked citizens and financial services, financial service touchpoints are important. Financial Inclusion has brought to fruition the availability of financial services touchpoints in areas/locations previously unreached and deemed under-served communities. There has been growth in the number of agent touchpoints and volume of banking inclusion services such as POS cash out, G2P Disbursements and payments (e.g. Tradermoni, GEEP etc.), funds transfer and wallet creation in under-served or rural communities. These have improved these communities’ economic development.

As a result, investment in advertising and brand identity has increased. The huge investment in this area has created an avenue for state governments to earn internally generated revenue from operators and agents alike. However, this poses a disincentive for Super Agents & operators as it impacts startup capital and agents’ available trading capital respectively.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):

There is growing evidence that inclusive financial sector development can reduce poverty and inequality. When previously unbanked citizens save and

By mobilizing these savings for investments, banks and other financial institutions mobilize these savings for investments that, in turn, help grow the country’s productive sector and spur foreign businesses. In addition, Nigerian Fintechs in the digital financial services space have received multiple rounds of funding and seed capital through foreign direct investments. This has been done by donors and investors across the globe in the past five years.

International donor organisations e.g. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also drive Foreign Direct Investment through their partnership with EFInA to sponsor projects on raising financial inclusion rates across the country.

All these highlight the potential and need for a wider-scale promotion of financial inclusion for Nigerian society.

Financial inclusion is key to providing financial services to the unbanked.

Harnessing the Buying Power of the Financially Excluded

Financial inclusion has as much potential to help financial institutions lend to even poorer communities and reach rural clients. This is as they do to help commercial banks reach the lower middle class.

Only 40.1 million of the adult population have no access to formal or informal financial services. Mobile money uptake and awareness in Nigeria remain low at about 1% and 16% respectively. In addition, EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria 2018 Survey highlighted that out of the 100M bankable adult population in Nigeria, 39.7 have bank accounts, 8% have formal sector employment, 16.7% own business (non-farming), 11.2% own business (farming), 23.4% rely mainly on farming for income and about 53.4% save regularly.

Based on this data, we can broaden our understanding of the population of adults who do not have access to any financial service (formal or informal) in Nigeria, their savings and credit patterns, remittance behaviours, payment channels and their potential to use formal financial services to manage their finances.

We can say that the financially excluded have enormous buying power. Based on economic and social metrics, transactions from this segment are low value and high volume.

Harnessing buying power of the unbanked

Deployment of products & services that meet the lifestyle of the unbanked and rural dwellers: Despite limited access to banking services, Nigerians have long practised traditional

This unbanked sector also relies on micro-loan services from credit associations that serve their interests. By offering access to the financially excluded, they have additional access to a wider range of services. This can boost the collective standard of living in those rural communities. This can improve financial literacy and awareness.

Retail-based pricing considerations: Inefficient pricing isolates consumers who would otherwise sign up for a product or service. This is especially true for the financially disadvantaged who earn below minimum wage. By ensuring retail prices for financial services and other products are pocket-friendly, it would encourage customer loyalty and repeated use of the available services.

Deployment of Technology-driven Solutions:

As history has shown, technological innovations are one of the major drivers of economic adoption. For example, USSD is a mobile-based service that requires no onboarding for users and has gained widespread adoption. USSD offers the best available communications technology to deliver mobile financial services to low-income customers. This shows how technological adoption drives financial inclusion.

In addition, research from other countries where mobile money adoption is high has shown a positive correlation between increasing mobile money adoption and significant levels of formal financial inclusion. In Nigeria where the financially excluded population remains high at 40.1 million adults, an expansion of mobile money adoption and usage in the country presents a real opportunity to provide the poor with access to financial services as well as other social benefits and services.

Vtpass, as a fintech is ensuring that bills payment is simple, convenient and smart. Click here to pay electricity bills, recharge your cable TV, and buy educational pins.

VTPASS CUSTOMER CARE – BEST WAYS TO CONTACT VTPASS SUPPORT

The Vtpass brand prides itself on providing exceptional customer support and representation. In the event that you need assistance from a Vtpass Support Representative, you can be assured that you will get it immediately. Vtpass has one of the most active support teams and the team is always ready to answer all the questions you may have. Vtpass customer support is available to help you across all online and offline touchpoints; this article highlights all official platforms available to reach out to the Vtpass team. They are always willing to listen to feedback and take the extra mile to ensure that our customers are satisfied with the services they purchase.

Nonetheless, we have compiled an updated list of questions you might have about Vtpass’ services before reaching out to the support team. Click here to check it out, you’d be surprised that you may find answers to your questions within a few seconds. We encourage you to check out this article and reach out to us using the method that is most convenient for you if you have specific questions. You can always count on us for assistance. 🤗

Reach out to Vtpass on Instagram

Contact us via Twitter

Message Vtpass on LinkedIn

Reach on Facebook

Send a mail to Vtpass

Live chat on the Vtpass Website

Reach Out to Vtpass on Instagram

How much do you love Instagram? It’s the same for us. 😊 Our Instagram content aims to educate and entertain our customers at the same time, so we put effort into it every day. We post carousels, reels, regular posts, videos and update our stories with relevant content. You will definitely love it!

Our team is available around the clock to help resolve issues and complaints.. Simply send us a DM on Instagram. Our official handle is @vtpass. You will enjoy scrolling through the feed and moving towards your financial goals. Our team is always ready to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out – you’ll get a response quickly! Direct message us on Instagram @vtpass and start achieving your financial goals today.

Contact us via Twitter

On Twitter, we share relevant information about our products, give updates and even express our thoughts on relevant trends from time to time. And yes, our support team responds to all direct messages sent on Twitter within record time. This helps us build a strong connection with our customers, create an engaging community and ensure optimal customer satisfaction. By staying active on Twitter, we’re able to keep our customers informed about our products, services, and any changes that may be taking place. We also encourage conversations that help us learn more about our customers and their needs. This has enabled us to build trust and establish ourselves as a reliable source of information.

Our official Twitter handle is @vtpass. Click here to send us a message, follow and turn on notifications to ensure you do not miss out on upcoming updates and fun conversations with us. Additionally, like and share our posts to spread the word and help us grow our community!

Follow Vtpass on LinkedIn

We have established a professional backdrop on LinkedIn.

We share fabulous stories about our work culture on LinkedIn. You should follow us to confirm that we are not a regular company. Our stories and articles are written to show how our company is different from other companies in terms of values, transparency, and collaboration. We believe that if you follow us, you will get an insight into the unique culture we have created. 😉

On LinkedIn, you can’t send messages as the platform doesn’t provide an option to message a business. But you can hang around, and understand how we operate as a business.

Click here to check us out on Linkedin

Reach out to us on Facebook

Our commitment to you transcends borders and boundaries. We want you to find us easily, so we made it to Facebook as well. You’ll find helpful information on our Facebook page and also reach out to our support team ready to attend to your enquiries.

Visit @Vtpass on Facebook or click here to find us on Facebook right away.

Call or send a mail to Vtpass

Have enquires? Shoot us a mail at support@vtpass.com. Your complaint or enquiries will be resolved immediately, and a feedback promptly. And if you prefer to reach out to us via phone call. You can reach us on +2349087482377.

Live chat on the Vtpass website

If you log on to the Vtpass website, locate message icon at the bottom left of your screen. Click on that little icon, and a conversation box will pop up immediately.

Vtpass support via live chat on the website

Here, you have a chance to reach out to our customer support representative who are always online 24/7 to attend to you. Alternatively, you can check out the knowledge base where you can learn some reasons why you are having that issue.

CAUTION:

You may receive a call from a Vtpass customer service representative regarding a transaction. In cases such as this, we urge you to properly question the agents in order to confirm that they are indeed Vtpass representatives. Once again, your satisfaction is our utmost priority and we will never fail in ensuring that you get the highest quality customer service representation.

DATA AND AIRTIME USAGE: GEN Z VS MILLENNIALS

A gen Z using data and airtime

The first part of this blog post will look at the difference between Gen and a millennial. A millennial is someone born between 1981 and 1997, while a Gen Z is someone born between 1998 and 2005. You would be wrong to assume that age is the only difference between a Gen Z and a millennial. Other factors contribute to the difference between these two categories of people. And this post will zoom in on one of these factors – SPENDING HABITS. We will carefully examine how a Gen Z uses airtime and data as compared to how a millennial would.  

Note: This post may be slightly biased, because the author is Gen Z. Happy reading

INTERNET CULTURE OF BOTH GENERATIONS

This post will provide insight into the internet culture of both generations. The basic assertion is that Gen Z were born into the boom of the internet. They have been exposed to the internet, smart phones, and advanced technology systems from a very early stage. Gen Z are the first generation to grow up with the internet and its associated technologies, allowing them to better understand the internet culture of both generations. Millennials, on the other hand, grew up without the internet and had to learn the technology and its associated culture. They have a different relationship with technology and the internet. This has helped them understand it as something that can be used for both good and bad. This generational difference has created a unique culture when looking at internet usage between the two generations.

There are lots of internet cultures that would be attractive to Gen Z, rather than millennials. In light of the growing trend in video content on Instagram and TikTok. While some millennials may be more pragmatic in internet usage, Genz’s are known to be exorbitant on social media. Gen Z is known to be more creative and experimental with their internet usage, preferring to make their own content rather than just consuming what’s already out there. They’re also more likely to engage with new platforms and trends, such as video content on Instagram and TikTok, which have become hugely popular in recent years.

GEN Z VS MILLENNIALS INTERNET USAGE

It is also pertinent to note that Gen Z are creators, rather than consumers of internet content. Gen Z are often considered digital natives because they have grown up with technology and have the skills to produce content and use the internet more effectively. This is compared to their older counterparts. They are also more likely to be involved in creating and sharing content online, rather than just consuming it. On this end, Millennials are largely consumers of content on the internet. Millennials go to the internet to consume content created by their younger counterparts.

What a difference a few years makes. When we first started delving into the buying habits of Gen Z and Millennials, we found millennials to be pragmatic, focused on saving money, and wanting brands to constantly innovate. Gen Z, on the other hand, were idealistic, willing to pay more for experiences, and committed to their favorite brands. They are now more focused on sustainability and ethical companies and are more likely to purchase from brands that share their values.

A FRESHER PERSPECTIVE INTO GEN Z AND A MILLENNIAL INTERNET HABIT

Let’s examine this issue from a fresher perspective. A millennial is more likely to connect to friends and family via voice call.  They also generally prefer the convenience of making a quick call rather than typing out a long message. This is in direct contrast to the habit of Gen Z who would rather engage everyone through the internet. In essence, Gen X would consume more data, while millennials will use more airtime in  their communication process. 

Under the age of 25, Generation Z — or “digital natives” — grew up with smartphones and the internet. Gen Zers account for almost 40% of mobile users, and they’re the biggest consumers of video content. A report from Awesomeness found that up to 71% of Gen Zers go to YouTube for long-form content, while up to 75% use Snapchat to connect with their peers. ,

In another study, perhaps an opposing opinion, roughly 93% of Millennials used a mobile phone in 2012 and among that about 63% used smartphones. Millennials also have the highest penetration of Internet usage, with 93% of Millennials using the Internet. Millennials are more likely to own a smartphone and be connected to the Internet than any other generation. This could be because Millennials are more likely to be digitally savvy and have the financial means to invest in the latest technology. 

IN CONCLUSION;

This commentary does not intend to judge either generations on their internet behaviours. This seeks to provide insight into the behaviour of both millennials and Gen Z towards internet data and airtime usage. It is important to understand the differences between the two generations in order to understand how their behaviours may evolve over time, and how the internet and mobile technology may shape our lives in the future. By understanding their current behaviours, we can more accurately predict their future behaviours and how it may affect our lives.

It is important for fintechs like Vtpass to understand the spending habits of their customers. This provides insight into how frequently these customers spend. The rate at which each generation recharges their phones will automatically differ, and how they spend will be different also. Knowing this information helps fintechs to tailor their services to the needs of their customers. This will also help them target their advertising and promotions more effectively. It also allows them to better understand their customer base, so they can find ways to increase customer loyalty and engagement.

Meanwhile, Gen Z’s and Millennials use Vtpass to buy airtime and data for airtel, mtn, Glo and 9mobile. Use Vtpass to pay postpaid electricity bills and purchase prepaid metre tokens of all your  preferred distribution companies.  

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MOBILE DATA BETTER

Data is life, or so you have heard from the famous Airtel television adverts. I often wonder how people cope without internet access due to the lack of data plan or not being able to manage your mobile data. The internet has become an integral part of our lives. As it provides us with access to information that was previously inaccessible. It’s also a powerful tool for connecting with people, for entertainment and for sharing ideas. Without internet access, many feel like they are missing out on so much.

And they are, they are missing out on so much. The Super Bowl was yesterday. Champions League continues this week, China accused the U.S. of flying a balloon over its (China) airspace. A lot of events have happened and are happening around the world that one should be aware of.

This blogpost intend to emphasise the importance of having mobile data on your smartphone at all times. These days, mobile data is money. If you don’t optimise your phone to handle it intelligently, you’re throwing dollars down the drain.

So, here are some insightful ways that can help you manage your mobile data:

Understand your data usage: To solve a problem, you need to understand the origin of that problem. What happens here is totally dependent on the model and type of phone you currently use. Basically, whatever model of Android phone you use, you can check your data usage from the settings. When you click on settings, find mobile data usage or app data usage. When you click on the icon, you will get a detailed overview of what actions, applications have been consuming your mobile data.

In addition, you will see the rate of increase over the past 30 days. In most cases, apps that consume a large amount of data are apps that involve streaming audio and videos. Social media applications fall into this category. Make a mental note of these apps. You will know what to do with them soon. Look closely at the graph. It gives you a breakdown of the data usage of all applications installed on your smartphone. This includes those that run in the background without you needing to open the app.

Reviewing mobile data usage to manage your data usaga

Remove all auto-play and ‘auto-download’:

This is a notorious culprit in the data hoovering business. To curb this, open all your social media platforms, locate their settings, and turn off the ‘auto-play’ and ‘auto-download’ menus. Videos are among the most voracious consumers of data, and social media sites play them without your permission. But guess what? It doesn’t take much effort to change that.In the Facebook Android app, if you open the main menu, tap “Settings & Privacy,” then tap “Settings” followed by “Media,” you’ll find a series of controls that’ll reduce the size of images and videos and keep videos from playing on their own. On Twitter, you’ll find similar options in the “Data Usage” section of the app’s settings.Most social apps have similar settings, even if they require a bit of digging.

Compress your mobile web experience:

Next up is an easy fix: making your browser less of a data hog. It can save a significant amount of data — as much as 60%, according to Google’s estimates — and actually make your browsing noticeably faster as a result. (Note, however, that it doesn’t work with Chrome’s Incognito Mode). To try it out, go into Chrome’s settings and look for the line labeled “Lite Mode.” Tap it, then make sure the toggle there is activated.If you want even more data-saving tools, try Opera Mini. The browser offers its own form of remote page compression and provides a variety of settings to control how much optimisation occurs.

Optimise your music apps: You use Spotify or Youtube music? Turn down the audio quality to low. This will assist you manage your mobile data better. Make sure your music app consumes as little data as possible. Try setting it to “Low” and then see if the more data-friendly audio quality is good enough for your ears.While you’re in the settings, take a moment to confirm that the “Limit mobile data usage” and “Don’t play music videos” options are activated. Be sure to look through the settings of any such apps on your phone to make certain they’re configured in the most data-efficient manner possible.

Try the light versions of apps and websites:

A growing number of services now offer scaled-down versions of apps — apps designed explicitly to use less data while still delivering reasonably enjoyable experiences. Even if you aren’t overly worried about your mobile data usage, you might find some of them to be preferable to the regular alternatives.Google has an entire suite of “Go”-branded apps for this very purpose, and as of this writing, four of them are broadly available: Google Go, Google Maps Go, Navigation for Google Maps Go, and Gallery Go.

(The others — including Gmail Go, Google Assistant Go, and YouTube Go — are currently available only for Android Go devices.) Facebook also offers light versions of its main Facebook app and Facebook Messenger app. Instagram has launched Instagram Lite. These apps are specifically designed to take up less storage space and data than their full versions. This makes them more accessible to people with limited phone storage or data plans. This will help you manage your mobile data.

Put the Play Store on notice:

App updates are a breeze! They’re also, however, often large — and if you aren’t careful, they can use a lot of your mobile data allotment. Make sure that isn’t happening by opening up the Play Store on your phone, tapping your profile in the upper-right corner, then selecting “Settings” followed by “Network preferences”. There, you can ensure that the “Auto-update apps” option is set to “Over Wi-Fi only” and also that “Auto-play videos” is set to “Over Wi-Fi only.” If you really want to go all out, you can also change “App download preference” to either “Over Wi-Fi only” or “Ask me every time” and then avoid downloading any apps on mobile data unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Download media in advance: The most effective way to cut back on mobile data streaming is to avoid it — and many multimedia apps make that easy to do. The trick is simply to download the content you want in advance, while you’re connected to Wi-Fi. So it’ll be locally stored and available whenever you’re relying on mobile data. And don’t forget that if you subscribe to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium, you also have the ability to download videos from YouTube for on-the-go viewing (and that applies on your Chromebook, too, if you’re crafty).

Look in the “Background & downloads” section of the YouTube app’s settings to adjust your offline watching settings. Then tap the three-line menu icon next to any video on the YouTube home screen to find the download option (or open the video and then look for the Download button directly beneath its title). Spotify and other audio streaming services also offer similar options.

Optimise Account Sync Settings:

Your account sync settings are set to auto-sync by default. Keep auto-sync disabled for data-hungry apps like Facebook and Google+, which use sync services to sync files like photos and videos. Google constantly sync’s your data when a change is made. Most of these sync services might not be required. This background sync service affects both your data consumption and battery life.To adjust your sync setting, go to Settings>>Accounts. There you can fine-tune sync settings for different apps. To optimise Google sync, tap on Google, and turn off the options you don’t require.

If the steps are followed, it is believed that you will be able to manage your mobile data better. Meanwhile,  bills payment with vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

BUDGETING FOR BEGINNERS

a picture showing budgeting as a means to success

INTRODUCTION TO BUDGETING

Budgeting is the first step to financial success. Oftentimes, we’ve heard people talk about how a certain commodity isn’t in their budget, and so they can’t afford to buy it. This drives the quest to fully grasp the concept of this economic terminology. Every individual’s goal is to be able to afford whatever he wants. In understanding people’s attitudes toward financial goals, the following assumptions about humans are true. This general attitude guides their approach to making and spending money.

ASSUMPTIONS THAT AFFECTS BUDGETING

  1. That man is a rational and social being. This indicates that humans possess the mental capacity to reason and think, which enables us to perform a variety of cognitive tasks such as concept formulation, assessment of ideas, and reasoning. 
  2. A need is a requirement for functioning and existing. Wants are anything that enhances the quality of your life.
  3. A person’s income must be greater than his expenses. If the reverse is the case, it is highly detrimental to the financial well-being of the individual.   
  4. A person must instill healthy habits to get the best out of budgeting.

PERSONAL INCOME VS EXPENSES IN BUDGETING

This concept of personal income can be defined as all the earnings an individual makes over a period of time. Personal income comes from salaries, investments, and other assets the individual has acquired over time. Income generally refers to the value or sum an individual and business earn in exchange for their labor and goods.

There are basic expenses that an individual must pay at all times, and these are called cost of living expenses. The cost of living expenses might differ from person to person depending on lifestyle, choices, and family size. The common cost of living expenses includes feeding, rent, clothing, taxes, education, transportation, etc. 

To further break these two concepts into bits, income is money coming in, and expenses are money going out. Every individual’s goal should therefore be to maximize income while minimizing expenditure. Understanding these two concepts helps individuals project their financial standing and plan toward their goals.

WHY DO I NEED TO PLAN MY   FINANCE? 

Personal finance is mostly relative to the individual’s mindset, choices, and lifestyle. Certain individuals have no financial projections, nor do they have goals.  Having a financial plan is just like intending to have a fit body, and then taking steps to cut down on unnecessary junk food and registering at the local gym. In the same way, you plan for your social lifestyle, and physical body, this same energy should be directed toward your finances. 

Financial planning is a methodical process whereby a person makes the most of their financial resources by managing their money wisely to best meet their financial goals and objectives. We all know the health implications of eating too much, so we pay attention to what we eat and how we eat it. Likewise, you should also pay attention to the implications of spending more than you earn. A financial heart attack, including debt, bankruptcy, and a lifetime of bad credit, may result from continuously spending more than you make. A personal financial plan functions as a financial diet plan.

WHAT THEN IS BUDGETING?

A budget is an economic concept; governments, companies, and individuals use budgets to estimate their income and outlays for a given period. Budgets are essentially plans for a specific period and are known to increase the success of any financial endeavor significantly. 

The objective of a personal budget is to minimize expenses and maximize savings. You can use the additional money you save by reducing your less-needed expenditure and raising your savings rate toward significant long-term financial objectives. Budgeting is essential if you want to control your spending, be ready for unforeseen circumstances, and be able to afford your needs without falling into debt. It doesn’t have to be tedious, you don’t have to be brilliant at arithmetic, and keeping track of your income and expenses doesn’t mean you can’t buy items that you want. It simply means that you will be more aware of where your money is going and that you will be more in control of your finances. 

The concept of budgeting is not to make you feel bad after spending. The goal of budgeting is to ensure you can save some money each month, ideally at least 10% of your total income, or at the very least, to ensure you are not spending more than you bring in.

. To successfully create a personal budget, you must first meticulously track your income and expenses. Making a budget is simple once you keep track of your money. Your expenditure is far more difficult to identify or track. You may start the crucial process of classifying all your income and spending once you have a complete list of all your bank deposits, outgoing checks, and transfers.

Having the right attitude toward money is the backbone of having a budget. 

CREATING A BUDGET

The following steps will take you to a healthy financial budget   

  • FIGURE OUT YOUR NET INCOME:

Your net income serves as the cornerstone of an efficient budget. Your take-home pay is the sum of your income less tax, including other benefits. Focusing on your gross pay instead of your net pay may cause you to overspend because you will believe you have more money accessible than you have. Keep thorough records of your contracts, and compensations if you are a contractor or a freelancer to manage erratic revenue. 

  • ANALYSE YOUR SPENDINGS

Finding out where your money is going comes after determining how much money you make. This will help you cut costs by keeping track of and classifying your expenses. List your fixed expenses first. These are typical monthly expenses like utility bills, rent, and so forth. Next, make a list of your variable expenses, which include things like groceries, transportation, and feeding, among others, and could differ from month to month.

  • SET SENSIBLE OBJECTIVES: 

Make a list of short-term and long-term financial goals. Short-term goals which can be completed in one to three years might include actions like creating an emergency fund or reducing debts. Long-term goals take years to accomplish. Although your goals don’t have to be unchangeable, knowing what they are can inspire you to keep to your budget. For instance, if you know you are saving for a vacation, it might be simpler to reduce spending.    

Plan

The difference between what you spend and what you wish to spend is where everything comes together. To estimate your spending over the next few months, use the list of variable and fixed expenses that you have established. Contrast it with your net income.  Consider creating direct and clear spending limits on each category.

You could decide to further segment your spending by dividing it into wants and needs. For example, petrol is considered a need if you will commute to work in your car every day. On the other hand, an online movie subscription might be considered a want. When you’re looking for strategies to reroute money toward your financial goals. This distinction becomes crucial.   

  • REVIEW YOUR BUDGET FROM TIME TO TIME:

All items in your budget may not be certain. For example, your expenses might change, you might get a salary increment, and you might reach a goal and want to set a new goal. Whatever the reason is, establish the practice of routinely reviewing your budget by using the preceding procedures. 

Conclusion

Knowing your monthly income and expenses will help you to endure that your money is being used for the best. A budget can help people who have a good salary and enough money left over after paying all expenses to maximize their savings and investments.

Any budget should concentrate on identifying and categorizing all expenses that happen during the month, quarter, and year if one’s monthly expenses normally absorb the majority of net income.

To end this, bill payment with vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. Just a few clicks and you’re done. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

Paying Electricity Bills Online: Expectations vs. Reality.

Paying electricity bills online can be a convenient and cost-effective way to manage your bills. However, it can also be unreliable and difficult to navigate. Issues can arise with logging in, payments not going through, and not receiving confirmation emails.

Paying bills online has come to stay. Paying bills online is becoming increasingly popular as it is a convenient, time-saving way to manage your finances. It is a trend that is gaining more and more traction as technology advances. This is because more people are getting comfortable using internet services to make payments for various goods and services. With the added security features available, it is not surprising that paying bills online has now become the new normal. 

Paying electricity bills online on Vtpass just got more convenient.

For instance, many financial institutions offer their customers the ability to set up automatic payments. This allows their customers to ensure that bills are paid on time without having to manually submit payment every time.

EXPECTATIONS

Customers have come to expect fast and reliable online bill payment options that are easy to set up and use. These technologies have made it possible for consumers process payments quickly and securely. And they also have helped to build trust between financial institutions and their customers. 

Online billing platforms have made it much easier for customers to pay their bills on time and with confidence. Customers can get electricity tokens easily by going online, which eliminates the need to travel to a payment point. This has made it much more convenient for customers to pay their bills without any disruption.

The reality of paying electricity bills online is that it has made it much simpler and more secure. Customers can now pay their bills with just a few clicks, without having to worry about dealing with cash. Plus, they can be sure that their transactions are secure and their money is safe. Additionally, customers can take advantage of discounts, promotions, and other offers that are available for those paying their bills online.

FURTHER ADO,

The experience is similar to ordering groceries online. It’s a convenient and secure way to get the things you need without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Plus, customers can shop from anywhere, anytime, and have their order delivered within days – or sometimes even hours. It also eliminates the need to wait in line at a store or worry about parking or other hassles.

The advantage of paying electricity bills online is that it is quick, easy, and secure. Customers can view their bills and make payments from the comfort of their homes. Plus, the online payment process is often more secure as it uses encryption technology to protect customer data.

The disadvantage of paying electricity bills online is that not everyone has access to the internet. Which makes it difficult for some customers to pay their bills. Additionally, customers may not be comfortable making payments online due to security concerns. 

Security concerns about online payments include the risk of identity theft, the use of malicious software, and the possibility of hackers accessing financial information. These risks can deter customers from making payments online, especially if they are not familiar with the process.

They should also be able to verify the legitimacy of the website they are using before entering their financial information. Furthermore, customers should check for signs of security such as a lock icon and ‘https’ in the website address when paying for services online.

REALITY,

In Nigeria, paying electricity bills online is becoming a reality, with several websites offering customers the ability to buy their bills digitally. To help customers feel secure when paying their bills online, legitimate websites often feature encryption and other security measures.

To ensure customers feel safe, Vtpass has invested in a range of encryption and other security measures to ensure their payments are made securely. Not only this, but our customers can be sure to get value for whatever they pay for. Tokens are delivered immediately payment is confirmed, and can be reserved for up to 90 days. To top it all off, Vtpass provides a 24/7 customer service team on hand to answer any queries and provide a helping hand, so customers can be sure that their needs are taken care of.

As always, VTpass remains the number 1 bills payment platform that offers you seamless payment and swift delivery of the value for which you pay for. This is one of the tools we have built in place to aid you always get prompt value, irrespective of any irregularities that may arise.

In conclusion, bills payment with vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. Just a few clicks and you’re done. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

Why International day of Education?

The international day of education is celebrated today globally. It is a day to celebrate the importance of education. And also to acknowledge the efforts of educators around the world in providing quality education to all. It is also a day to recognise the power of education to transform lives and create a better future. We should thank all educators and recognise the great work they do to ensure that education is accessible to all.

Education not only provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the economy. It also teaches them the values and ethics essential for responsible citizenship. It help create a culture of innovation, and encourages citizens to take up roles as active members of community. Education also encourages citizens to think critically, develop problem-solving skills, and assume ownership of their own success. Ultimately, education is the foundation for all meaningful progress and positive change. Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL wrote: “Education is and will be the most powerful tool for individual and social change, and we must do all that it takes to facilitate it.” And to emphasise this point is why the international day of education is celebrated globally.

UN and International Day of Education

The United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to education. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, creating more opportunities, and improving the overall quality of life. It also helps to create a more informed,, and inclusive society that can better address global issues such as inequality. Around 90 percent of the world’s population had completed a primary education, whereas only 66 percent had attained secondary education.

This is due to a combination of factors such as violence, child, early, and forced marriages, lack of schools, inadequate infrastructure, unsafe environments, limitations in teacher training, and systemic gender biases. All of these factors have contributed to the instability of education in the country. Gender plays a major role in the educational system in Nigeria, as girls are often excluded from accessing quality education due to a variety of cultural and economic factors. It is clear that gender disparities in education are a major challenge in Nigeria. This issue needs to be addressed in order to promote equal access to education for all.

Education and people

This year’s theme for the international day of education is ‘to invest in people, prioritise education’. In order to ensure that all children in Nigeria, regardless of gender, have access to an education, there needs to be a concerted effort to invest in educational infrastructure and resources. This includes investing in teacher training, providing quality textbooks and materials, and strengthening educational policies. Such efforts will ensure that all children, regardless of gender, can access a quality education and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. This will lead to a more equitable education system in the country, where all children, regardless of gender, can access the same resources and opportunities. This will lead to a more equitable and just society, where all children can grow up with the same chances of success.

Education and society

One cannot undermine the role of education in a society. Children would realise their potential and develop skills that will be beneficial for the nation in the long run . This will also reduce income inequality and create a more level playing field for all citizens.

A robust society fosters strong families that uphold solid familial values, which lowers social evils and crime. 

For example, countries such as Japan and South Korea have a strong middle class, low crime rates, and a high level of educational attainment. This has contributed to their success. In particular, Japan’s high educational attainment levels have enabled it to develop cutting-edge technologies that have been critical in driving its economic growth. 

Conclusively,

It is similar to a student investing the time and effort to obtain a high-quality education. Because of the long-term payoffs in terms of higher wages and a better quality of life. Investing in people by prioritising education is a key way to ensure long-term success. Education helps to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the modern economy. Investing in education is an investment in the future. This is because it yields dividends in form of higher wages, increased job opportunities, and a better quality of education. Education also provide an understanding of the world, which can lead to greater empathy and better appreciation of different ideas. Investing in education can help society progress and become more productive, leading to greater economic success.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 24 January as the International Day of Education. This is in recognition of the vital role that education plays in peace and development. 

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