Telecom
Nigeria Must Play An Active Role In Shaping AI – Kashifu Abdullahi
Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has disclosed that the plan of the Nigerian Government as regards Artificial Intelligence, is to ensure that Nigerians take a leading role in shaping the global use of the AI technology, according to report by Channelstv.
Mr Abdullahi on Wednesday, said Nigeria will not just be a consuming participant of AI, but will contribute immensely to shaping the use of this technological advancement, even as it helps in birthing the nation’s desired future.
Speaking just after the official launch of the ‘Digital for all Challenge’, the NITDA CEO asserted that Nigeria needs to be ready for the future and as such, the nation is already investing and training citizens on not only the use of AI, but also in deeper research and studies that will yield to the building of new solutions that will positively impact the lives of all citizens.
“AI is the future, but the future is arriving faster than we expect it, we don’t want just to be a participant in AI, but we want to be an active shaper of the AI, therefore, we need to be ready for it.
“We are hugely investing in terms of training, providing grants in research for AI, as well as encouraging our people to build solutions. At NITDA also, we are building our AI assistant such that it can help us to augment our productivity and increase efficiency within service delivery,” the Director stated.
He also noted that NITDA and other government agencies have for a few years now, been working on policies that will guide the use of artificial intelligence within the country, as well as ensuring that a proper act is fashioned to see that AI is used to its most positive use for the good of the country.
Furthermore, the NITDA DG said the government through the Ministry of Communications has issued grants to at least 45 Nigerians, including – researchers, startups and academics who will study and come up with policy and strategy that will see to an easy implementation of AI across various sectors of the country.
Speaking on the ‘Digital for all Challenge’, Mr Abdullahi said that the project which is being executed in collaboration with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, will help millions of young Nigerians acquire new digital skills that will birth Nigeria’s tech future.
This digital skilling competition which returns for its second year, is open to 3 categories of participants across Nigeria and is designed to reward self-development and encourage the acquisition and use of digital skills through competitive incentives.
A total of one hundred and fifty million naira is to be won in this free digital skill-building competition and program which is aimed at increasing digital literacy in Nigeria and igniting interest in obtaining digital skills and certifications using online platforms.
According the program initiators, the challenge will run in two phases: the training phase and the competition phase. An official statement from the creators of the competition – Tech4Dev, states that after the training phase, beneficiaries will be required to take an assessment to qualify for the competition phase.
The competition phase will run in three stages: state, regional and national (grand finale).
With the introduction of Travel Saga, a premium, fast-paced gaming experience that is currently live and accessible to customers on its network, Globacom has lifted the bar for mobile entertainment in the country.
Travel Saga is a story-driven, intricately connected role-playing game designed to provide the thrill, complexity, and competitive intensity of some of the most well-known action games in the world.
The game, which has been painstakingly optimized for mobile devices, redefines mobile gaming as a full-fledged digital battlefield by translating a console-grade experience onto data-enabled handsets.
Fundamentally, Travel Saga takes users on quick virtual journeys against recognizable international landscapes. In a dynamic, ever-evolving gaming environment, players are thrown into furious missions, fierce fights, and ever-expanding tales where talent, strategy, and endurance determine who rises through the ranks to become a true war hero.
In addition to the excitement of fighting, users are encouraged to go to various locations, take part in thrilling challenges, and participate in intense competition for in-app rewards like points and victory badges. With each encounter and accomplishment, the immersion increases with each level, maintaining momentum and excitement.
Flexible subscription plans with one-time or auto-renewal choices are available to subscribers for the service, which costs ₦100 per day and ₦250 per week. By dialing *70021#, customers can quickly subscribe and gain instant access to the action.
With Travel Saga, Glo reaffirms its dedication to innovation and high-end digital experiences, making top-notch gaming easily accessible to its customers. The game offers uninterrupted action, adventure, and competition, all smoothly supported by the Glo network.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
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