Telecom
5 SMEs Emerge Winners at W.A.S.H Innovation Fair 2.0 with N3.5m Each
Five Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Hackathon Innovation fair 2.0 on Thursday won N3.5 million each with Four months incubation and mentorship programme.
The five innovators pitched their innovative idea that addresses challenges in Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) sector. These innovators that emerged winners were SCHRODINGER TECH, RETREASURE, JUNKYARD, GREEN CYCLE and SPARKLES.
The programme, which was organised through the partnership of the Financial Centre for Sustainability, Lagos (FC4S LAGOS) and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), was sponsored by IHS, one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communication infrastructure in the world.
Speaking at the event, Engr Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, said that WASH provides excellent platform for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas
He noted that innovations designed to address challenges of open defecation and enhance access to safe Water, Sanitation and hygiene was salutary.
‘’It is my hope that these ideas, initiatives are brought to fruition so that the startups can contribute to plug into identified gaps for more effective intervention in the sector.
‘’The theme for this year’s fair, innovation for sustainable growth in the sector is timely, I mean against the backdrop of certain concerns about the shortfalls in the issue to access to safe water.
‘’It is also an important condition and a critical role in the development of the nation’s economy,’’ he said.
According to him, it is a critical component of our nation’s economy, it is essential to exploit globally available opportunities for the resolution of the challenges of the sector.
He said that the water sanitation sector offers immense opportunities for investment, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Adamu said that despite the substantial investments in the sector much more still needs to be done to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene for our citizens.
According to him, “the sector is also beset with myriad of challenges mainly medical infrastructure, capacity, as well as poor service delivery at various levels”.
He said that in 2022, stakeholders had to find investment opportunities, estimated at about 3.8 billion US dollars in the WASH sectors.
According to him, this represents a significant opportunity that drive innovations and investment and allow opportunities to integrate creative solutions that would contribute to the resolution of identified challenges.
Adamu said that this initiative would further strengthen governance, improving access to safe water, sanitation and services to all Nigerians.
Through this initiative, the country is poised to be among those countries that have developed local innovative solutions, addressing challenges in the WASH sector.
According to him, hopefully these solutions would help strengthen the national action plan for W.A.S.H and help complement other national initiatives, such as partnership to expand the water supply, sanitation and hygiene which was launched in 2016.
The minister said that it was launched as a national collaborative instrument, to mobilise resources and harness efforts towards improving access to water sanitation and hygiene.
Earlier, Dapo Otunla, Chief Corporate Service Officer, IHS Nigeria, said that the organisation is committed to federal government’s plan to end open defecation by 2025.
He further noted that the firm has donated over 3000 books on open defecation to communities across Nigeria as well as installed 13 mechanised solar boreholes across communities.
According to him, about 138 communities have been impacted and over 18000 lives touched all in the effort to achieve the objectives of the WASH initiative.
Dr Jane Bevan, Chief WASH, Unicef Nigeria in her technical presentation highlighted the challenges of the WASH initiative in Nigeria.
She noted that poor investment in WASH both at the national and sub-national levels were some of the issues affecting the sector in Nigeria.
MTN Nigeria has alerted the public to a fraudulent 25GB anniversary data offer currently circulating across social media and messaging platforms.
In an official advisory published on its support handle on X at the weekend, the telco warned customers against interacting with unverified links, sharing private credentials, or making payments to access the supposed anniversary promotion.
According to MTN, the official 25GB anniversary freebie is only accessible via the MTN eShop and the MyMTN NG App.
In the post, the company said, “Please beware of fake MTN 25th Anniversary 25GB giveaway offers circulating online.
“The official MTN 25GB Anniversary Giveaway is available ONLY via the MyMTN NG App and MTN eShop.
“Do not click on links, share your personal information or make payments on any other platform claiming to offer the giveaway.
“Only trust official MTN channels.”
In a different post, the provider explained how eligible subscribers could access the legitimate MTN data giveaway.
The company said, “Log in to the MyMTN App and tap ‘Redeem Now’ on the anniversary banner or via the MTN eShop.
“To access the 25GB offer, kindly visit the MyMTN App or the MTN E-Shop and follow the prompts to activate the bundle, if you are eligible for the offer.
“You may also click on the link contained in the SMS notification you received regarding the offer.”
To safely claim the reward, the telecom operator advised subscribers to rely strictly on details published through its official communication channels.
MTN added that the complimentary 25GB data allocation remains valid until 11:59 p.m. on the designated expiration date, urging eligible customers to redeem the package before it expires.
The warning follows a wave of viral posts and link-sharing schemes falsely offering free data under the guise of the company’s 25th-anniversary celebration.
Consequently, users are strongly cautioned against engaging with unauthorized platforms or providing sensitive personal information and fees to third-party sites claiming to offer the promotional data.
Nigeria is strengthening its position as a leading digital economy in Africa as it prepares to host the second edition of GITEX Nigeria, against projections that the continent’s artificial intelligence (AI) economy could generate up to $1 trillion in economic value by 2035.
GITEX Nigeria
GITEX Nigeria, described as West Africa’s largest technology, AI and startup event, is scheduled to hold in Abuja and Lagos from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, under the patronage of President Bola Tinubu.
The event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), endorsed by the Lagos State Government and organised by KAOUN International.
With the theme, “Beyond Connectivity: The Bridge to Sovereign Innovation,” the 2026 edition is expected to bring together global technology companies, investors, policymakers, regulators, startups and other stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the organisers, the event will focus on strengthening digital resilience, scaling AI infrastructure, attracting strategic investments and building partnerships to support digital sovereignty across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigeria’s progress in digital skills development is expected to feature prominently at the event, with the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme highlighted as a major intervention.
The programme has recorded 1.87 million registrations across all 774 local government areas, while more than 135,000 Nigerians have been trained through three cohorts.
The programme has also extended learning opportunities to more than 300,000 people through community resources and created 15,000 job and opportunity pathways, according to figures released by the organisers.
Another key initiative, Project BRIDGE, is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s national ICT backbone and improving connectivity in underserved communities.
The project is expected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, train 5,000 Nigerian youths, raise internet penetration above 70 per cent and extend high-speed connectivity to millions of households, businesses, schools and hospitality establishments.
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria’s objective was to build the foundations for digital sovereignty and a globally competitive AI-powered economy.
“Building on the momentum forged through the implementation of Project BRIDGE, our national blueprint for expanding digital infrastructure and connecting communities across Nigeria, our aspiration ahead of this year’s edition is clear: to solidify the foundations Africa needs for digital sovereignty, technological self-determination, and a globally competitive AI-powered economy,” Tijani said.
He said Nigeria was seeking to promote equitable access, accelerate cross-continental progress and position the country as a producer and exporter of digital technologies and AI solutions.
The GITEX Nigeria Government Leadership and AI Summit will open in Abuja on Aug. 31, bringing together ministers, governors and regulators to discuss digital public infrastructure and other issues shaping West Africa’s digital economy.
The GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, as well as the Startup Festival, will also return for the second consecutive year.
A new component, FDX Nigeria by GITEX, will focus on finance and digital asset exchange, with the organisers describing it as a platform designed to promote financial inclusion and connect emerging technology with global capital.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the state remained central to Africa’s digital transformation, noting its role in attracting talent, capital and innovation.
He said hosting GITEX Nigeria would further support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a smarter, more connected and globally competitive economy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, said Nigeria’s digital future would depend not only on technology adoption but also on resilience, trust and effective governance frameworks.
“GITEX NIGERIA seamlessly complements this mandate, creating a unique environment for the dialogue needed to accelerate responsible AI adoption, develop a secure digital economy, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” Abdullahi said.
He said the expertise, investment and partnerships generated through the event would contribute to building an AI ecosystem that was secure, inclusive and capable of supporting Nigeria and West Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
The organisers said Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, 3MTT programme and Project BRIDGE were among initiatives strengthening the country’s capacity in talent development, digital infrastructure, investment attraction and responsible AI adoption.
They said GITEX Nigeria would provide an avenue for global stakeholders to establish partnerships and develop solutions capable of accelerating the region’s digital transformation.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, said the event was intended to demonstrate that West Africa was ready to convert technological ambition into economic growth, resilience and global competitiveness.
She said GITEX Nigeria would facilitate strategic conversations and partnerships aimed at strengthening regional competitiveness and unlocking scalable growth across Nigeria and West Africa.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Enugu State Government have signed an agreement for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.
The agreement was witnessed by Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, alongside members of the Commission’s Board and Management.
The development is expected to strengthen digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven opportunities in the state.
As part of the engagement, the NCC delegation also visited the Enugu Smart School Initiative, where technology is being integrated into teaching and learning.
The initiative is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills and preparing them for future opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The NCC said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that expand digital inclusion, strengthen innovation and develop the talent required to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The Commission said partnerships with state governments and other stakeholders were critical to creating an enabling environment for digital skills development and technology adoption across the country.
Fake Agency: ICPC Indicts NITDA, Others over Inadequate Due Diligence
Tax Reform Built on Taxing Prosperity, Not Poverty– Adedeji
UNESCO Taps Oguamanam,Nigerian Scholar to Advisory Body on Science, Tech Ethics
MTN Alerts Subscribers over Fake 25GB Anniversary MTN Data Giveaway
X Replaces Revenue Sharing wit New Creator Rewards Programme
EFCC Busts NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Uncovers N700m in an Account
Fact-Check: Elon Musk’s “Tesla Pi Phone” is Internet Rumor
NBC Tasks Broadcasting Stations over 2028 DSO Global Deadline
NBC Scraps Annual Digital Access Fee on DSO
Glo Sponsored African Voices to Feature Netflix’s “The Polygamist” Stars
General News3 days agoGuinness Rewards Consumers with ₦17 Million in First Week of ‘Open for More’ Promo Draw
News3 days agoWorld Bank Debars United Aviation Services, Owner over Fraudulent Activities
E-Business3 days agoNITDA Introduces Cloud Certification Boost Data Localisation Compliance
Telecom3 days agoNCC, Enugu Sign Deal to Operate Digital Industrial Park, Learning Centre
E-Financial3 days agoBOI Opens N250Bn Bond Offer to Fund Businesses
News3 days agoEnugu State Approves Land for ITF’s Digital Fabrication Centre
Telecom3 days agoGITEX Nigeria to spotlight Africa’s $1trn AI economic potential
General News3 days agoMeta Hit With $567m US Court Order Over Alleged Harm to Children