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6 Nigerians to Represent Africa @ Huawei ICT Global Competition
Nigeria, at the heart of development, is playing a key role in representing Africa on the global scale of ICT knowledge and capacity building.
With a growing youth population and rapid advancement in innovation and technology, Nigeria scales high and is noticeably growing in building technology hubs. The Yabacon Valley which attracts global presence is a typical example of how far Nigeria has come in its understanding of ICT and innovation.
This March, a team of Nigerian students emerged first place alongside Tanzania, Kenya and Angola to represent Africa at the global stage to compete for the world ICT title in Huawei Technologies’ flagship ICT development program set to hold in China, May 2019.
The Nigerian team of students ranked number one leading with a dominant score of 790.4, followed by Tanzania with 745.6, then Kenya with 737 and Angola with 700.8. The regional competition finals consisted of 14 teams (with 42 students) from 11 countries in Africa which participated in theory and practical examinations on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mobile networks and big data.
The Nigerian students, Abdulqadir Babagana Musa, Muhammad Mustafa Maihaja, Fahad Danladi, Shuaibu Abbas Usman, Kamaludeen Umar, Abdulqudus Adebayo Temidayo all from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) first emerged winners of the Huawei ICT national competition which involved a participation of 13, 600 students from 30 universities across Nigeria before proceeding to represent Nigeria at the just-concluded Sub-Saharan regional finals held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The regional finals consisting of 42 African students divided into 14 teams participated in theory and practical examinations on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mobile networks and big data.
Together with second prize winners, Angola and Kenya, the four teams will travel to China for the global finals which will see 40 teams from around the world compete for the championship title. The 6 Nigerian students have also been offered job opportunities in Huawei Technologies Co. Nigeria Limited to further improve their skills and experience.
This ICT competition developed by Huawei Technologies comprising of a national preliminary contest, regional semi-final and Global final was first launched in 2015.
It will be recalled that in October 2018, Huawei launched the ICT competition in Nigeria in partnership with local universities aiming at cultivating local ICT talents, promoting a greater understanding of and interest in ICT, and developing a healthy ecosystem for the sustainable growth of ICT sector.
The launch ceremony was graced with the presence of the Honorable Minister of Communications, Dr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu who commended Huawei Technologies for partnering with the Nigerian government to achieve a great feat in the history of the country’s ICT sector.
The Chairman of the Nigerian University Management Committee, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; presidents of participating universities, and the representative of Ministry of Education also attended that ceremony.
Through this competition, Huawei Technologies seeks to improve comprehensive capabilities of students, transfer cutting-edge technologies information and explore the business requirement of the industry. Participating students cut across nationalities such as China, U.K, Spain, Italy, Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya, Singapore, Mexico, India, etc.
In a press interview with the representative of the Nigerian students’ team, Muhammad Mustafa Maihaja said “We owe our commitment to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Huawei Technologies. This has been a great opportunity to learn new cutting-edge technology and to prove ourselves as capable to represent Africa.
“The exposure is great and this is a dream come true for us. We have worked really hard and are glad on how far we have come. We are aiming to use this opportunity to announce the prominence of our institution, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), and Nigeria at large and to prove that we are a hard stone to conquer.”
“We look forward to using this knowledge to further improve ICT development in Nigeria. We also plan to pass this knowledge on to our colleagues in school and to the upcoming generation. We will try to put the icing on the cake on our blissful achievement and try to put Nigeria at the forefront.
Our team believes we can bring the global award to Nigeria from at the ICT competition in China. We have heard so much about China and cannot wait to visit while we meet new friends from all over the world.”
Speaking at the final award giving presentation, Mr. Xue Man, Vice President of Huawei Technologies, said “Huawei understands the value of a good talent ecosystem which is the foundation for a smart future.
“This ICT Competition is part of our innovative initiatives to support that and promote ICT skills. We believe that this event will inspire more students’ interest in ICT learning in Africa; it provides them with a world-class stage to showcase themselves and consolidate the vital ICT needed for Africa’s development”
Huawei’s vision is to build a healthy ICT talent ecosystem and its Huawei ICT Academy program is one of the important fundamental parts.
Until now, there are more than 400 universities and colleges around the world, which have joined the Huawei ICT Academy. Huawei trains more than 12,000 students per year, bringing the latest technology to its campus and transferring talents to the ICT industry.
Huawei hopes to achieve three objectives through the competition: to facilitate learning through Connection, to celebrate Glory and achievement, and most importantly, to foster talents that can shape our Future.
The 2018/19 event has attracted 80,000 students from over 1,000 universities in more than 50 countries around the world under the slogan “Connection, Glory and Future”.
As the world marks International Youth Day, attention once again turns to the opportunities and challenges facing young people as they prepare for work, financial independence, and adulthood.
In Nigeria, the urgency is clear. According to UNICEF, about 7% of young people aged 15–24 possess basic ICT skills, highlighting a wider gap in the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
At the same time, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, continues to prioritize skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
For PalmPay, youth empowerment goes beyond corporate social responsibility. It is an investment in the people who will shape Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and economy.
This belief is reflected in initiatives focused on financial literacy, employability, digital skills and access to opportunities.
Through its Graduate Trainee Programme, PalmPay provides young graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build careers in a fast-evolving industry.
The investment also extends to financial education. Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, PalmPay brings practical financial education to young Nigerians at an important transition point, helping Corps members develop better habits around saving, spending, budgeting and protecting their money.
For young women, Purple Woman provides another pathway to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for internships, learning and professional development while supporting greater female participation in the technology sector.
Speaking on the importance of youth empowerment, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s young population is one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.”
These initiatives reflect a broader belief that youth empowerment is most meaningful when young people are given the knowledge, exposure and opportunities to apply what they learn.
A graduate given workplace exposure today can become tomorrow’s business leader. A Corps member who develops sound financial habits can carry those lessons into their career and personal life. A young woman given access to professional opportunities can gain the confidence, experience, and networks to create opportunities for others.
Investing in young people is a great strategy for building a stronger, more productive, and more inclusive economy.
This International Youth Day, PalmPay reaffirms its commitment to investing in young Nigerians and contributing to a broader national ambition where the young population is not just counted, but equipped, employed, empowered, and positioned to lead.
Mobility technology company, Moove has raised $250 million in a Series C funding round at a valuation of $2.1 billion, reaching unicorn status.
The startup will deploy the fresh capital to build out autonomous vehicle infrastructure, expand fleet ownership, construct robotics-focused “Nests” for charging and maintenance, and grow its autonomous workforce from 150 to 500 by year-end.
The company plans to enter additional global markets, reflecting a strategy to build the operational infrastructure required for large-scale autonomous transportation rather than simply supplying vehicles.
Led by Mubadala Investment Company and co-led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s Growth Fund, and Ion Pacific, the round also included new investors BlueCrest Capital Management, Sona Asset Management and The Raptor Group, alongside existing backers BlackRock, MUFG, Franklin Templeton and Uber.
“Autonomous mobility is becoming an infrastructure race requiring fleets, charging systems, maintenance, data infrastructure and continuous city-level operations,” said Ladi Delano, co-founder, co-CEO and advisory board chairman of Moove.
Founded in Lagos in 2020, Moove has grown into a global mobility platform employing about 3,300 people across 29 cities in 13 countries, operating approximately 42,000 vehicles and reaching $420 million in annualised recurring revenue.
It has expanded organically and through acquisitions, including Kovi in Brazil and Tokyo Taxi in Japan. Moove also operates autonomous vehicle fleets in partnership with Waymo in Phoenix and Miami, with London expected to join its footprint.
The $2.1 billion valuation places Moove among Africa’s small group of tech unicorns, alongside Flutterwave, OPay, Moniepoint, Andela, Chipper Cash, Wave, Tyme, MNT-Halan and Interswitch.
The $250 million round is the largest single funding deal announced by an African startup this year, though EV mobility firm Spiro raised $270 million cumulatively across two separate rounds.
Heirs Life Assurance, the specialist life insurance company of Heirs Insurance Group, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
L – R: Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance; Pastor Jerry Eze, incoming director, Heirs Life Assurance
The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s insurance penetration remains below one percent – among the lowest globally – highlighting the need to expand financial protection and build greater public trust in insurance.
As Heirs Life continues to pursue its mission of making insurance accessible to every Nigerian, Eze’s appointment brings a unique perspective on community engagement, value-based leadership, and broad societal impact.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America.
He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he has become one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond ministry, Eze is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
In 2026, he announced N1billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities.
“As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians.
“We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience.
“I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
Heirs Life Assurance has become one of Nigeria’s leading specialist life insurance companies, ranking 7th on the Financial Times list of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
It is one of the three insurance businesses of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents.
Combining an omni-channel digital presence with physical branches spread across the country, Heirs Life continues to redefine life insurance through innovation, customer-centric solutions, and a commitment to making financial protection accessible to every Nigerian.
Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs Life Assurance, Heirs General Insurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, collectively serves over 3 million people directly and indirectly.
The Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.
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