General News
Microsoft Delivers Best Cloud Connected Services – Makwane
Kabelo Makwane, country manager, Microsoft Nigeria, holds BComm certificate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Prior to his present role as country manager, Makwane served as public sector director in the Microsoft South Africa subsidiary.
He had worked as the regional sales manager, Cisco Systems; portfolio sales executive, Unisys; product manager/account manager, Datacentrix and software and media product manager, Storgate Africa.
Makwane in this interview with peter ugwu, said it was a time when Microsoft can achieve real economic impact in the country based on its focus on unlocking the economic opportunities of Africa.
Microsoft’s Contribution to the Paradigm Shift in Operations of Organizations
In a mobile-first, cloud-first world, Microsoft is committed to delivering the best cloud connected services on every device.
For more than two decades, Microsoft Office has been the chosen productivity tool for consumers and businesses alike.
Our innovation in mobile and cloud scenarios ensure that Office will be the productivity service of choice for many years to come, alternatives don’t compare.
Microsoft’s Strategy
Our strategy is one that says: We want to be the do more Company that enables people to be more; which essentially means enabling high value activities irrespective of the sector, or whether people are at home, on the move or at work.
I can say that our niche is in human capacity or skills development, retail or services, because we are servicing the spectrum of the entire market.
Sectors like the public, private, consumer or enterprise, have our backing; our broad portfolio of products allows us to do that with comprehensive solution offerings in the experiences we can enable through our proportions.
BYOD Era and Helping CIOS Make It Happen
Microsoft helps enterprises address BYOD, so employees can use the devices and services they love and IT can protect company data.
Our approach is more than mobile device management. It starts with employee identity, trust, security and includes devices, apps and cloud services.
While Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) can bring potential benefits to organizations, and it also creates specific challenges, particularly regarding device management, the segregation of data and security.
There must be a balance of establishing clear policies and the right services: Companies in Nigeria need to put the proper device management systems and infrastructure in place to ensure that their company is not put at risk and at the same time benefit from a more engaged and motivated workforce by making devices and company services conveniently available.
Further, policies need to be implemented to ensure workers are using devices and services that will best enable them to do their jobs effectively.
How Has Microsoft Contributed to Skills Development in Africa
This is one of biggest focal areas, because it is typically the biggest challenge we see in unleashing and realizing the potential of the Nigerian and Africa’s ecosystem.
Broadening the skills pool is something very core to our strategy for Africa. One of the key pillars of our investing in Africa is creating 21st Century skills and those that are exportable, at par with any other skills globally.
What are we doing right now? We have launched an internship program; we have 17 interns in our Lagos office on a twelve month program.
We are planning to expand the program. These interns may not all end up only employed by Microsoft. We will make them available once they sort of on top of their program.
They will be available to our channel partners or customer who wants to employ them, because they would have become highly skilled.
We are partnering broadly with over 2000 partners in identifying strategies in which we can drive partner enablement to broaden the skills pool.
We will continue to build capacity for these partners to continue to deliver to clientele throughout the Nigerian market.
The other thing we look at is how do we tap into the academic institutions and partner with them. For example in Anambra State, we are setting up ICT Academics together with the Academic Institutions in conjunction with Anambra state.
These are ongoing projects. Essentially, we are looking at ways in which we can expand these projects to reach more youth.
In looking to reach as many people as possible the downstream economic impact could become more evident.
Various Programmes under 4afrika Initiative and their Impact
Microsoft and its partners work closely with organizations and people across Africa to fully harness the power of innovation to meet the needs of our countries and communities.
Through flexible solutions, programs and partnerships and a business model that puts people first.Our objective isn’t innovation for innovation sake, but innovation that make real impact for a better Africa.
A year after the launch of this initiative, in terms of collective African impact, we have not only laid much of the groundwork for what we will do in 2014 and beyond, but we have also successfully rolled out four White Spaces projects to provide low-cost, solar powered broadband to communities in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, not just that, we have signed cooperation agreements with four innovation hubs in Africa, including CcHUB in Nigeria, DTBi in Tanzania, iHub& m:lab in Kenya, and AfriLabs, the pan-African hub network. CcHUB is Nigeria’s first innovation lab and pre-incubation space designed to catalyze creative social technology ventures.
Also, we kicked off the 4Afrika Scholarship Program providing 1,000 scholarships to young African students through our partnerships with the University of the People (online university) and Regenesys Business School (South Africa).
Microsoft further introduced the 4Afrika Advisory Council to ensure the 4Afrika initiative does in fact help Africa become and remain globally competitive for the benefit of Africa’s people.
We also announced additional four youth members to address issues facing youth in Africa, one of which is from Nigeria (Chude Jideonwo).
Today, we have provided innovation grants (seed funding via Microsoft Ventures as well as technical support and mentorship via 4Afrika) for five African startups including access.mobile LLC, Africa 118, Gamsole, Kytabu and Save & Buy, two of which are Nigerian (Gamsole and Save &Buy) .
Through the 4Afrika Interns, we have engaged over 17 interns from Nigeria to work with the Microsoft setup locally. With the aim to give them exposure to world class skills and the opportunity to better equip themselves.
The Initiatives Will Spark Intellectual Property Developments, But The Issues Of Rights And Protection, How Is Microsoft Faring In This Regard?
As a corporate entity we are working with regulatory institutions locally to provide an enabling environment for innovations and protection of their rights on their inventions, we’ve also embarked on some awareness creation campaigns through our “Play It Safe” Campaign to further drive home our message of the need to protect the rights of Intellectual Property.
Nigeria’s Rebased Economy
Perhaps, the most imposing revelations emerging from the rebasing result is the fact that the structure of the Nigerian economy is changing.
The economy is now shown to be driven largely by the services sector, which accounts for 53 percent of the GDP (vs. 29% pre-rebasing).
For the ICT Industry we see a situation where Cloud adoption in Nigeria is expected to grow from 36% to 80% by end of 2014 and with a purported $50 B foreign investment into the ICT sector from International organizations, we would continue to see the IT industry in Nigeria soar in the months.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,
The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.
Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.
He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.
The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.
The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.
However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.
According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.
Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.
He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.
The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.
The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.
Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.
The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.
General News
Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants
About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).
NASENI
The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.
Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.
Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.
According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.
“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.
The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.
She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.
“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.
Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.
She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.
The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.
She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.
The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
General News
NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.
NITRA Conference
The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.
A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.
According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.
“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.
“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.
The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.
According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.
Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.
The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.
“We believe innovation begins from childhood.
“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.
“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.
On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.
The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.
“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.
“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.
“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.
A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.
According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.
“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.
“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.
The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.
Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.
According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.
“Regulation must come with dialogue.
“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.
“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.
On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.
The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.
“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.
“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.
Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.
One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.
“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.
“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.
Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.
“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.
“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.
Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.
He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.
Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.
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