General News
National Traditional Council Benefits from NITDA’s Capacity Building
In recognition of the significant role of traditional institutions as custodians of cultural values in the country, the staff of the National Traditional Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria NTCRN were selected among the recent beneficiaries of NITDA’S capacity building on e- government.
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, said, “the exercise is being carried out with a view to ensuring successful implementation of the e-Government Master Plan as well as inculcating the use of Information Technology in all government activities.”
Kashifu who was represented by Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, director, Information Technology and Infrastructure Solutions of the Agency, noted that the training was aimed at ensuring application of Technology in running government businesses especially in the Post COVID-19 era.
With this engagement of traditional institutions in the country, the impact of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy NDEPS had recorded yet another breakthrough in it’s quest to ensure a Digital Nigeria.
This feat was attained when the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, resolved to strengthen the policy by engaging the administrators of traditional institutions in the country with digital technology as a platform for stimulating growth.
While highlighting the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy Policy’s components, the Director General explained that NITDA has a Strategic Road Map which it has been implementing. He added that in line with the National e-Government Master Plan for the country, a strategy to have institutional framework was designed to implement the NDEPS.
“As engine room for the implementation of government policies and programs, building the capabilities of government officials to deliver on your mandates should be a priority to any government”, he added.
He argued that as the apex body saddled with IT development and regulations, our ability to deliver on the Federal government Digital Economy mandate is our primary focus. “We recognize the fact that building your capabilities as traditional institution should be among our top priority.”
While further highlighting the benefits of the training to the staff of National Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria NTCRN, the Director General of NITDA described the role of Traditional institutions as critical to sustenance of any meaningful development in view of their closeness to the people at the grassroots.
“What the government is doing is to provide services to the people, and the best way to doing that is through the full engagement of traditional rulers,” he alluded.
He said the Participants, during the training, will be exposed to understanding how virtual platforms works and how to create Teams and Channels as well as how to set up Video Conferencing amongst many others.
Mallam Kashifu also hinted that the training will save participants from the vulnerabilities of online platforms as Nigeria is fast approaching the full attainment of Digital Economy, where the country must be on the Cyber Space with its associated myriads of challenges.
Declaring the training workshop open, Etsu Nupe and Chairman Coordinating Committee National Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar CFR, commended the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under the able leadership of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami for his resilience and commitment towards making Nigeria a digitally dependent country.
Alhaji Abubakar noted that the giant strides recorded in the sector demonstrates that the country will soon join the league of top economies of the world.
The Director, National Traditional Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Kasim Yawa, express gratitude to the management of NITDA for acquitting them with rudiments of ICT and benefits derivable from digital economy.
Federal government has launched Credit for Laptops, Internet, Connectivity and Knowledge Digital Devices (C.L.I.C.K.D.), a new consumer credit initiative, to provide affordable financing for locally assembled laptops and other digital devices.
L-R: Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, and Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, at the launch
The initiative by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is aimed at equipping Nigerians with the tools needed to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
During the launch, Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described access to credit as critical to improving productivity and driving economic growth.
Dr Tijani said no nation could achieve sustainable development without a strong credit system that enables individuals and businesses to access resources needed to become more productive.
He noted that in today’s digital age, technology has become indispensable for education, innovation and wealth creation.
The minister explained that many talented young Nigerians possess the skills required to succeed in the digital economy but remain constrained by their inability to own computers and other digital tools.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dr Tijani recalled how his first laptop as a student in the university opened doors to international opportunities and eventually inspired him to establish one of Nigeria’s pioneering technology hubs.
He said the new programme would ensure that more young Nigerians are not denied similar opportunities because of financial barriers.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by expanding access to technology, boosting productivity and supporting local manufacturing.
Mr Uzoma Nwagba, managing director and chief executive officer, CREDICORP, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future workforce and digital transformation.
Mr Nwagba said that while improvements in internet connectivity and digital skills training have positioned Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, access to devices remains a major challenge preventing many young people from fully participating in the digital economy.
He explained that C.L.I.C.K.D. would bridge that gap by providing affordable consumer credit that enables beneficiaries to acquire laptops and other internet-enabled devices while they develop in-demand digital skills
Federal Government has announced the disbursement of about N333 billion to eight electricity generation companies (GenCos) as part of measures to resolve outstanding debts in the power sector.
The government also disclosed the issuance of a second bond valued at N729 billion to settle verified legacy obligations and improve liquidity within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The disclosures were made on Tuesday at an investors’ forum organised by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc in Abuja.
Government representatives said the latest bond issuance marked the completion of the initial phase of the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, which was designed to address verified liabilities and attract private sector investment across the electricity value chain.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, said the implementation of the first series of the programme demonstrated the administration’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations and improving investor confidence.
Verheijen disclosed that the Federal Government in February 2026 allocated about N501 billion under the first tranche of the programme, comprising N300 billion in cash and N201 billion in non-cash bond instruments to offset verified debts owed to power producers.
She said N333 billion had so far been disbursed to eight participating GenCos operating 17 power plants.
According to her, the government also paid the first coupon of about N63.5 billion on the seven-year bond in full on July 14, 2026.
She explained that the payments had enabled generation companies to meet critical obligations to gas suppliers, lenders and operations and maintenance contractors, thereby improving their operational capacity.
“Markets do not reward promises; they reward performance. Capital follows credibility,” Verheijen said.
She added that the second bond series would further strengthen liquidity in the electricity market and create a more stable financial environment capable of attracting long-term private investment.
The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme is part of broader Federal Government efforts to address challenges affecting electricity generation, distribution and investment in Nigeria’s power sector.
Federal government has launched a N482.4 million investment fund to support 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups.
The initiative under the federal government of Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme was implemented by the Bank of Industry (BoI).
The initiative in a statement said applications have been opened for Growth Lab, a 12-week acceleration programme that will select the 12 tech-enabled Nigerian startups, from the six geopolitical zones, for intensive growth support, investment readiness training, and access to up to $350,000 in funding.
According to Ife Adebayo, national coordinator of the Programme, growth lab was designed to support startups that have achieved early traction and are seeking the expertise, networks, and investment required to scale following the implementation of Founders Lab.
“Growth Lab is the Startup Bridge accelerator programme, designed for startups that have developed an MVP and require structured support to scale. The programme focuses on strengthening venture fundamentals and preparing companies for external investment.
“The programme targets startup founders who are seeking the support, networks, expertise, and investment readiness required to accelerate growth and strengthen their position within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem,” he said.
He added that selected founders will gain access to structured growth support, investment readiness preparation, access to industry experts, market expansion pathways, a $100,000 cash investment (or Naira equivalent) for 7.5% equity upon entering the programme (terms and conditions apply), and up to $250,000 in potential follow-on investment should certain growth conditions be met.
“Eligible startups must be at the post-MVP stage, demonstrate evidence of market validation through users, customers, pilots, partnerships, waitlists or any other demand signals, and be willing to participate fully in the hybrid programme,” he said.
The programme will run as an intensive 12-week hybrid experience, including virtual engagements and two physical weeks in Lagos focused on collaboration, learning, and business growth.
The statement said applications opened on July 15, 2026, and will close on August 19, 2026.
According to him, female founders are strongly encouraged to apply. Selection will be conducted through a clearly defined, merit-based evaluation process aligned with published criteria.
iDICE is a $618 million federal government initiative backed by international lenders to boost the technology and creative sectors.
It provides young entrepreneurs with business skills training, mentorship, and access to capital through funds and accelerator programs like the iDICE Startup Bridge.
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