News
NITDA, Jigawa State Partner to Empower Youths on Digital Entrepreneurship
In a significant move to foster digital skills development and youth empowerment, the Jigawa State Government has partnered with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to empower youths with on-demand digital skills aimed at providing youths an enabling environment for their innovation to thrive in the digital economy.
Umar Namadi Danmodi, Governor of Jigawa State, who visited the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters, stated that exploring the partnership is part of Jigawa State Government’s efforts to create a more conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, believing that digital skills are essential for economic development and job creation.
The primary focus of the partnership is the integration of Jigawa State’s youth empowerment programmes with NITDA’s initiative of ongoing One Million Developers training being conducted by the Agency.
According to the both parties, this collaboration will create a favorable environment for youth empowerment and the development of digital skills in the State, which is in line with the Federal Government’s vision of digital economy agenda and the need to bridge the digital divide across all states.
Recognising the immense potential of digital technology in driving economic growth and job creation, the Governor emphasised the importance of equipping the youth with the requisite knowledge and skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities, and expressed his commitment to promoting digital literacy and equipping the youth of Jigawa State with the necessary skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Governor also informed that Jigawa has established Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Agency aims at equipping young individuals with essential digital skills, which will play a key role in bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth within the state and the nation at large.
He added that the Agency will provide youths with the skills and resources they need to succeed in the digital economy, through offers of programmes such as training on digital skills, business development support, and access to funding.
He expressed his gratitude to NITDA for the unwavering support, and reaffirmed his commitment to the success of the partnership. He highlighted the potential impact of the collaboration on job creation, economic growth, and overall development of digital economy in Jigawa State.
Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, welcomed the partnership with Jigawa government and commended Governor Danmodi’s proactive approach to youth empowerment.
He assured him of NITDA’s readiness to support the State in its quest to build a digital-savvy workforce and transform the state’s economy through emerging technology.
Inuwa commended the governor’s vision by establishing Youth’s Agency and assured him of NITDA’s support in achieving the shared goals of empowering youth and promoting digital inclusion.
While emphasising the importance of digital literacy and skills development, Inuwa stated that they were fundamental in harnessing the potential of the youth and enabling them to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation.
“As the technology continues to evolve, the Jigawa-NITDA collaboration will serve as a shining example of proactive measures taken by state governments to empower the youth and position communities for success in the digital era,” the DG added.
Under the collaboration, NITDA will provide technical assistance, training programmes, and capacity-building that encompass various domains, including software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, NITDA will facilitate access to its existing initiatives such as the Digital States Initiative, which aims to transform states into digitally innovative and inclusive ecosystems. Through this programme, Jigawa will be able to leverage NITDA’s expertise and experience in creating an enabling environment for digital entrepreneurship and innovation.
Both Governor Danmodi and Director General Inuwa believe that investing in the digital skills development of the youth will contribute significantly to reducing unemployment, poverty, and social vices in the State.
They expressed optimism that the collaboration between the state government and NITDA would yield fruitful results, as the youth are poised to become catalysts of digital transformation, paving the way for a brighter future.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm about a fake and unauthorized website falsely claiming to be an “INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment Portal 2026.”
The Commission raised the alarm in a statement published on its website late Tuesday.
It identified the fake recruitment website as okripeti.org/Inec-ADhoc-Sta…
The Commission affirmed that the website is fake and not affiliated with the it in any way.
“Members of the public are advised that any information, statistics, or application forms on this website are false, misleading, and intended to deceive unsuspecting applicants.”
It also advised anyone who has already registered on the fake portal to discontinue immediately and reapply only through the official INEC links provided above.
“INEC remains committed to transparency, credibility, and the protection of the public from fraudulent activities,” the Commission said.
The Commission also said it conducts Ad-hoc Staff recruitment ONLY through its official platform known as INECPRES.
It listed the only authentic links for the 2026 FCT Area Council Election Ad-hoc Staff recruitment as: •🌐 Web & iOS: pres.inecnigeria.org •📱 Android (Mobile App): presmobile.inecnigeria.org
It added that any other website or link outside the above is not authorized by INEC.
It thereforfore advised prospective applicants to verify all recruitment information using INEC’s official websites, not to click or register on suspicious or unofficial links
not to submit personal details (BVN, passwords, OTPs, or bank details) on non-INEC platforms and to always check that the URL ends with inecnigeria.org
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has allayed fears that the new tax reform framework could be weaponised by the Federal Government to target political opponents or individuals based on affiliation.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji
Adedeji, responding to concerns over potential selective enforcement or politically motivated tax scrutiny, insisted the reforms prioritise national interest, transparency, due process, and institutional accountability.
Addressing speculations on suppressing opposition voices ahead of elections, he said: “I think the question you will ask is that we need to commend the courage of Mr. President, that despite the fact that there is an election coming, he is courageous enough to continue on this path of statesmanship and not of politicians.”
The NRS boss explained that it would have been politically expedient to shelve the reforms during an election cycle, but President Bola Tinubu opted to strengthen the country’s fiscal foundation and economic governance.
He outlined that the agenda targets structural tax system weaknesses, enhances fairness, and fosters a simplified, predictable compliance environment to boost voluntary participation over coercion.
Adedeji attributed public scepticism to Nigeria’s history of perceived institutional misuse, but stressed the new framework minimises administrative discretion through rule-based processes, automation, accountability, and governance safeguards insulated from political influence.
According to him, the reforms emphasise taxpayer trust, linking taxes to visible public service improvements while expanding growth opportunities and sustainable public finances.
He reaffirmed the focus on economic stability, credible institutions, phased implementation, investment support, vulnerable group protection, and freedom from partisan interference.
An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced Olawale Faleti, a former Lagos State Education director, to two years and five months’ imprisonment for stealing ₦48.9 million from Access Bank Plc.
Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted Faleti, 64, on five counts of stealing after finding him guilty of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his judgment, Oshodi said the offence was deliberate and sustained, noting that Faleti carried out repeated withdrawals despite knowing he had no authorisation to access the funds.
The judge added that the convict failed to show genuine remorse or fully accept responsibility for his actions.
“Financial institutions are the lifeblood of our economy and public confidence in them must be preserved,” Oshodi said, adding that “Those who attempt to defraud or steal from banks must understand that severe consequences will follow.”
While acknowledging Faleti as a first-time offender, the court said a custodial sentence was unavoidable.
The judge applied a 20 per cent reduction from the three-year maximum sentence, citing minimal restitution efforts as a mitigating factor.
Faleti was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment on each of the five counts, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The court directed that the sentence take effect from January 5, 2026, and ordered that Faleti’s biometric details and name be entered into the Lagos State Judiciary offenders’ registry.
After deducting ₦3 million already restituted, the court ordered Faleti to pay an outstanding ₦45.9 million to Access Bank Plc, directing the bank to notify the court upon full recovery of the funds.
Earlier, Mr Ahmed Dambuwa, EFCC counsel, told the court that Faleti dishonestly converted ₦48.9 million belonging to the bank by exploiting unauthorised access to an Access Bank credit card.
He said the card permitted withdrawals of not less than ₦43,000 per transaction, but a system glitch enabled Faleti to withdraw about ₦48 million during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
One of the charges stated that between July 2 and July 10, 2020, Faleti converted ₦12.6 million for personal use, while another alleged that between May 22 and July 1, 2020, he converted ₦6.9 million, all property of Access Bank Plc.
The offences were said to contravene Section 287(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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