General News
Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria Others Express Optimism About the Future of Nigerian Startups
Adia Sowho, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria has expressed optimism about the future of the Nigerian startups while discussing the Nigerian Startup Bill at the Nigerian Economic Pre-Summit event.
The virtual event which featured addresses from the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami; Chairman, House Committee on ICT, Abubakar Lado, Partner, Aelex, Davidson Oturu, Co-Founder and Managing Director, i4Policy Foundation, Jon Stever, among others, was organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s (NESG) Digital Economy Policy Commission.
Speaking about tech ecosystem, Sowho highlighted the potential of the Nigerian startup space. According to her, “The Q3 2020 GDP report released by the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the non-oil sector was primarily driven by information communication technology and the financial institutions.
“These two industries largely house most of the technology startups we are hoping to support with this Bill.
“Nigerian startups such as Flutterwave, Andela, O’Pay and Interswitch are some Nigerian startups that have exceeded a million dollars in value.
“These are just a few of the many tech companies operating in this country and I expect that we will see more of this happening more frequently.”
She, however, noted that the success of the space was dependent on the availability of an enabling environment, “With this figure in mind, imagine how much more the Nigerian economy can benefit from these current and future positive activities, given the global trends in technology as long as there is an enabling environment.”
Oturu spoke on the key provisions of the Nigerian Startup Bill and mechanisms included to ensure efficient implementation. ”There is a provision for the establishment of a “National Council” with members from both the private and public sectors.
“This will ensure that policies to be proposed will not restrict but enable startups and guarantee regulatory certainty,” he said.
Also commenting on the nature and importance of the startup bill, Sowho further stated that, “This Startup Bill, among the many positives, aims to create laws that provide startups with a clear and consistent regulatory framework.
“This will ensure regulatory certainty, which will encourage local founders and investor confidence, and hopefully lead to a rise in FDI inflows.”
Sowho called on the private sector to show support for the government’s efforts in growing the economy through contributions in the startup space.
“The growth of our economy and its health is not solely dependent on the government alone.
“There’s a lot the private sector can do to ensure it supports the government’s efforts. One of such efforts is what we’re working on today,” she concluded.
Pantami assured stakeholders of his support for the Bill saying, “Startups are key to economic development. The Nigerian Startup Bill came up as a result of a joint effort between all stakeholders, including startups.
The Bill is now almost ready. I have conveyed the progress we have made so far to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice so they can support what we have been doing with the Bill.
I have also personally engaged the Attorney General to discuss the facilitation of the Bill by the executive arm in order to ensure that it gets a favourable consideration by the National Assembly.”
In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.
Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
General News
DBI Unveils Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Report Highlights Strategic Trends, Risks
DigitalSENSE Business Intelligence (DBI), powered by ITREALMS Media, has launched the Nigeria Digital Economy Outlook 2026: Q1 Intelligence Report (Executive Edition), delivering vital insights for navigating Nigeria’s fast-paced digital landscape.
This executive summary spotlights trends, risks, and opportunities in telecommunications, fintech, digital infrastructure, policy shifts, and investment flows. It underscores digital transformation’s pivotal role in boosting economic growth, financial inclusion, and nationwide innovation.
DBI Publisher, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, emphasized its value for leaders: “This Executive Edition offers a sharp, strategic view of Nigeria’s digital economy during a pivotal moment. As the sector surges ahead, reliable intelligence is key to seizing opportunities and tackling risks.”
Key highlights include:
Broadband infrastructure expansion.
Surge in digital payments adoption.
Evolving regulations.
Investor pivot to sustainable, profitable ventures.
The report urges action on digital financial inclusion, infrastructure funding, skills training, and public sector digitization.
Freely accessible, the Executive Edition complements the premium Full Edition with in-depth analysis for executives and institutions. Stakeholders can request full access or briefings.
Media & Access Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.itrealms.com.ng
The on-going construction works at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State is gathering momentum as the project is envisioned to address the country’s energy needs.
NASENI’s Renewable Energy Industrial Park, Gora, Nasarawa State
The project occupying a 40-hectare park designed as a multi-energy hub will help curb capital flight and save foreign exchange expenditure by enabling local production of key renewable energy components such as solar panels, mounting racks, wind systems and biomass technologies.
Speaking during an inspection visit on the project site on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman on Renewable Energy, Engr. Suyud Abdullahi Muhammad, who also serves as the Gora Project Manager, disclosed that the initiative is designed to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported renewable energy equipment.
“There will be a wind assembly plant, small hydro power equipment production, and solar panel manufacturing; Renewable energy goes beyond just solar, and this park reflects that broader vision,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the project aligns with NASENI’s goal of reducing energy poverty in Nigeria, where over 80 million citizens remain off-grid, while many connected to the national grid continue to experience inadequate power supply.
The Special Adviser also emphasised on the project’s industrialisation potential, highlighting its role in job creation and value chain development. The park is expected to generate 2,000 direct jobs, with an additional 50,000 indirect employment opportunities across supporting industries when completed.
“This initiative will localise the renewable energy value chain. Instead of relying on imports, Nigeria will begin to produce and eventually export these technologies, starting with the West African market and scaling up to the rest of the continent,” he added.
On sustainability and long-term viability, he revealed that the project is being executed in collaboration with private sector players, academia and other stakeholders, in line with NASENI’s “3Cs” principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation.
The ongoing construction is being handled by about 35 contracting firms, each handling specific components at varying levels of execution such as Multipurpose Halls for industrial productions, Research and Development (R&D) Centre, Knowledge Park, Energy Centre, Workshops, Researchers Lodge, Studio Apartments, Clinic, Restaurant, Wellness Centre, Solar Farm, Drivers Lounge, Gate House, Internal roads and drainage system and Fencing.
The Gora Renewable Energy Industrial Energy Park is considered a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing energy security and positioning Nigeria as a renewable energy hub in Africa.
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