The ongoing transformation at Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) is gradually positioning the corporation as one of the strongest examples of institutional reform and modern public service delivery in Enugu State.

With the recent launch of its digitized land transaction and documentation system, ESHDC has taken a major step toward improving transparency, operational efficiency, accountability, and investor confidence within the housing and land administration sector.

The reform initiative, introduced as part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader governance modernization agenda, is expected to significantly improve land documentation processes, digital payments, workflow coordination, property verification, and the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O), while reducing delays and inefficiencies previously associated with manual systems.

Beyond technology, however, the transformation reflects a deeper institutional shift focused on building systems that work more efficiently for the people while strengthening public trust in government operations.

One of the personalities increasingly associated with this evolving reform culture is Adenike Okebu, whose involvement in key accountability, audit, and operational restructuring processes within the corporation continues to attract attention.

Her professional background spans EY Nigeria, Deloitte, BUA Group, Platform Capital, and Pinnacle Oil and Gas, giving her a rare combination of Big Four audit rigour, corporate financial governance experience, and frontline public sector reform capability.

Her growing public profile is increasingly associated with helping governments and organizations improve revenue governance systems, strengthen financial transparency, optimize revenue collection structures, detect and remediate revenue leakages, and produce credible financial reporting capable of supporting both domestic accountability and international investor engagement.

Industry observers note that her contribution to audit-driven reforms and operational restructuring within ESHDC helped create a more organized and transparent institutional framework capable of supporting the corporation’s digital migration and modernization goals.

The impact of the reforms is already becoming visible through improved workflow systems, better records management, increased operational coordination, and stronger confidence in the corporation’s administrative structure.

For many stakeholders, ESHDC is now becoming more than a housing institution. It is emerging as a model of institutional modernization; a platform demonstrating results; a reflection of transparent governance, and a symbol of operational reform and accountability.

At the same time, Adenike Okebu’s increasing visibility within the transformation narrative is positioning her as a modern governance advocate and a public-sector personality associated with institutional reform, measurable impact, and people-centered leadership.

As Enugu State continues to push its broader reform agenda, the ESHDC transformation story is gradually reinforcing a growing perception that sustainable governance is built not only on policies, but on accountability, transparency, operational efficiency, and institutions capable of delivering measurable results.

Nigeria’s mySMEville platform is becoming a key driver for Africa’s digital economy by closing the financial and skills gaps holding back the country’s nearly 40 million MSMEs. This was highlighted on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, during a visit hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to the MTN head office by Angola’s INAPEM, the National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The delegation was led by its Chairman, Mr. Bráulio Augusto.

L-R: Njideka Jack, General Manager Enterprise Marketing, MTN Nigeria; Dr. Charles Odii, Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Nigeria; Bráulio Augusto, Chairman of The Board of Directors for National Institute for the Support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM) and Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head, SME Segment, MTN Nigeria, at the mySMEville Angola INAPEM visit to MTN and SMEDAN, at MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

The delegation was focused on studying the success of the MTN and SMEDAN mySMEville partnership. The initiative targets four core areas: information, funding, infrastructure, and markets, to support a sector that contributes 48% of Nigeria’s GDP but remains largely underserved.

mySMEville moved quickly from a strategic idea (the MOU was signed in November 2025) to a continental success. After a pilot in Lagos onboarded 200 businesses in December, the platform rapidly grew to include over 2,600 businesses nationwide by May 2026.

This rapid expansion is essential given that 80% of Nigerian SMEs are currently informal and only 3.9% access formal credit, leaving a staggering $158 billion annual financing gap.

Emphasising the strategic necessity of this collaboration, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, stated: “At MTN Business, our ambition is clear: to serve as the leading technology partner enabling Africa’s enterprises to scale, compete, and create sustainable impact. We are intentionally building platforms that matter, solutions that scale, and ecosystems that accelerate inclusive economic growth across the continent.  

“This is why initiatives such as mySMEVille are strategically important to us. SMEs remain the backbone of our economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening national competitiveness. Through our partnership with SMEDAN, we are focused on unlocking the full potential of these businesses by providing access to guidance, digital tools, market opportunities, financing ecosystems, and workforce support.” Supporting this view, Dr Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, said that the initiative represents the future of business on the continent, asserting that “What we are witnessing here is a formidable force for economic progress. Through this deliberate Public-Private Partnership, Nigeria is aligning its public and private sectors to lead the way for Africa.”

Olatunbosun Agosu, Senior Specialist, ICT Segment Management, MTN Business demonstrated with a live demo, how the mySMEville platform, a joint effort by MTN and SMEDAN, is the “one-stop orchestrator” for Nigeria’s 40 million small businesses.

The platform is an intuitive, centralised platform that bridges the $158 billion funding gap and digital divide. By aggregating diverse partners, it gives entrepreneurs direct access to funding, infrastructure (like solar power), e-commerce tools, and essential growth information.

INAPEM’s Chairman, Mr. Bráulio Augusto, confirmed that Angola intends to adapt the framework to its own economic reality. Reflecting on the visit, the Chairman stated during his remarks, “The key thing I learned here is the strength of the public and private sector partnership. mySMEville clearly shows what’s possible, and we will absolutely use these insights as we adapt this model back home in Angola.”

Looking ahead, the partnership aims to reach a monumental target of 5 million MSMEs through the mySMEville Academy, e-commerce integrations, and national policy advocacy. As the platform continues to grow into a “one-stop shop” for resources, it’s clear that Africa’s future depends not on luck, but on the smart, collaborative work of partners like MTN and SMEDAN.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned Nigerians against relying on bitter kola, salt water, herbs, seasoning cubes, and other unverified substances as remedies for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

NCDC, in a public health advisory, cautioned that the spread of false claims and homemade remedies could worsen panic and undermine public health response efforts amid renewed concerns over Ebola outbreaks in parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

The advisory, titled ‘Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Myths vs Facts’, was issued to counter growing misinformation circulating online following recent cases recorded in countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

Although Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case, the agency said the country remains on alert because of increased cross-border movement and international travel linked to affected regions.

Responding to claims on social media suggesting that substances such as salt water, bitter kola, herbs and seasoning cubes can prevent or cure Ebola, the NCDC noted that such remedies have no scientific basis.

“There is currently no approved home remedy for Ebola virus disease. Early reporting, supportive medical care, and strict infection prevention and control measures are critical. Avoid self-medication and seek care promptly if symptoms develop,” the agency said.

The NCDC also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified health claims, noting that misinformation could trigger confusion and weaken public trust during disease outbreaks.

“Sharing unverified information can create panic and confusion. Members of the public are advised to rely only on updates from official public health authorities and credible sources,” the advisory added.

The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, insisting that preventive awareness and responsible public behaviour remain essential despite the absence of any confirmed Ebola case in the country.

“Although no case has been confirmed in Nigeria, outbreaks in the region require vigilance, preparedness, and responsible public health behaviour to reduce the risk of importation and transmission,” the agency said.

The warning comes days after the NCDC raised concerns over the possibility of Ebola importation into Nigeria due to the continuing outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa.

Jide Idris, director-general of the NCDC, said the agency’s latest assessment showed that Nigeria faces a high risk of exposure because of population movement and the difficulty of detecting Ebola symptoms in the early stages.

“This assessment estimated the risk of Ebola importation into Nigeria as high due to the ongoing transmission in the DRC and Uganda, international travel and population movement, uncertainty regarding the full magnitude of the outbreak, and the potential for delayed recognition because symptoms may overlap with endemic diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever,” Idris said.