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AstraZeneca Sets New Industry Benchmark with Top Employer & Best Workplace Certifications Across Africa
AstraZeneca, a leading global pharmaceutical company, has secured the prestigious Top Employer and Best Place to Work certifications across key African markets, setting the standard for excellence in workplace practices.
The recognition marks the first Top Employer certification in Nigeria, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the country’s healthcare landscape.
In South Africa and Kenya, AstraZeneca also maintained the status as a Top Employer for the fourth consecutive year and has also been awarded the Best Places to Work certification in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Senegal, a testament to its unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Deepak Arora, Country President African Cluster at AstraZeneca indicates the feat is an acknowledgment of the company’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance efforts.
“Our recent certifications reaffirm our dedication to upholding the highest standards in people practices and fostering an inclusive, supportive, and innovative workplace culture and environment.
“We are particularly proud of our pioneering achievement in Nigeria, where we continue to lead the way in setting industry benchmarks for workplace excellence. These developments reflect our social commitment to a sustainable workplace environment for growth”.
AstraZeneca’s success in achieving the Top Employer Certification is a result of its continuous commitment to excellence across six key HR domains consisting of 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more.
The Best Place to Work programme’s proprietary assessment analyses organisations’ attractiveness through a two-step process, focusing on eight workplace factors: culture, leadership, opportunities for growth, and people practices. Besides the employee survey, there is an HR assessment that focuses on evaluating the organisation’s HR practices against the best standards.
“We are honoured to receive these recognitions, especially as they reflect our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in working conditions across different regions.
“Our unwavering focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment, where our diverse teams thrive is further enhanced by this award.
“We will continue to tailor our practices to the unique needs of each region, ensuring that every member of the AstraZeneca family experiences a workplace that not only meets but exceeds their expectations”- Shelleny Govender, Human Resource Director African Cluster at AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca has been at the forefront of medical innovation for decades with a commitment to advancing healthcare interventions focused on research and development. With diverse portfolios of life-changing drugs across therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases, the company has played a pivotal role in addressing global health challenges, collaborating on initiatives to improve global health outcomes through cutting-edge science and technology.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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