Telecom
9mobile Advocates for Inclusion and Investment in Women for National Growth
9mobile, Nigeria’s customer-centric telco has advocated for more investments and inclusion of women in the fabric of national life on the occasion of the 2024 International Woman’s Day celebration.
The telco noted that a deliberate policy for the inclusion of women has the potential to spur national growth and development, noting that no society can thrive without the full engagement of women.
This was said during a webinar with the theme ‘INVESTING IN WOMEN: The power of diversity and Inclusion’. The 9mobile Webinar which was held on X Spaces (formerly Twitter) had an all-female panelist who shared their thoughts on the topic.
Speaking on the importance of community building, supportive networks, and mentorship relations in helping women break through barriers for desired goals, the Director of Marketing Communication at 9mobile, Saidat Lawal-Mohammed, highlighted the importance of job referrals and recommendations from friends, colleagues, and bosses as a significant part of a supportive network.
“In terms of leveraging relationships, I believe in the African adage; ‘if you want to go quick, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together’.
For me, opening ourselves up to help or support other people to achieve their desires and their goals can only make us richer. She further emphasized the need for women to support fellow team members to achieve their goals and objectives.
Also speaking at the webinar, 9mobile Brand Ambassador and former Miss Nigeria, Beauty Tukura, stressed the significance of investment in women to create inclusion and social acceptance.
“Investing in women means equipping them with resources, and opportunities to promote their personal and economic growth. We empower women by providing them with financial support and creating platforms where they can express themselves while maintaining their dignity”, she said.
Other panelists at the webinar were public health physician, Dr Zainab Kwaru Muhammad-Idris, seasoned digital expert, Bolu Essien; CEO, Bella Africana, Buki Asehinde; lifestyle fitness coach, Esta Richards; Head of Digital and Direct Marketing, FCMB, Tosin Adekoya; Head, of Risks and Compliance, 9mobile, Anthonia Attoh; and Co-founder, First Delivery, Seun Ayodele-Alley.
The conversation revealed that men were strong support pillars to women. Hence, in her summation, lifestyle fitness coach, Esta Richards listed gender inequality and insensitivity as one of the barriers against women.
She noted that there are things peculiar to being a woman like menstrual circle, menopause, pregnancy, and victimization at the workplace, arguing that these things need to be considered.
“Being a woman does not reduce the quality of our work just because we are going through a phase, one of which is nine months that leads to giving birth and life to one of the most incredible species called men who are doing great at work. These men are born of women. So, imagine if we didn’t have women”, Richards asks rhetorically.
Speakers at the Webinar all reemphasized that collaboration across the board, trust, self-belief, mentoring, education, work-life integration, gender-sensitive value status, responsibility, and being intentional are most important for women in this current global economic reality regardless of the barriers.
These, they added, are imperative for every woman to thrive and especially inspired to do great work.
Participants at the webinar were also in agreement that every woman has the potential to spark a sustainable change when given the opportunity and empowerment.
International Women’s Day is a global day set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, as well as to mitigate the challenges faced by women.
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.
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