Broadcasting
British High Commission, Others Harps on Women’s Role in Advancing Economic Development
The need to empower Nigerian women with the skills set required to assume leadership positions within the business ecosystem across the country served as the focal point of the speakers at Nigeria Info’s 2022 Glass Ceiling Conference.
The speakers – the British High Commission’s Political Counsellor, Jonathan Bacon; Co-founder, ImpactHER, Efe Ukala; Co-founder and General Partner, FirstCheck Africa, Eloho Omame; Policy Programmes Manager for Africa, Meta, Simbo Olatoregun; Chief Economist, Coronation Merchant Bank, Chinwe Egwim; Chief Executive Officer, Herconomy, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti; and Founder, Chef Obubu, Christine Obute Otigba – noted that there is a critical need to identify the obstacles hindering women from owning successful and scalable business enterprises within the Nigerian-economic landscape.
The Glass Ceiling conference, which is a brainchild of the Glass Ceiling Show on Nigeria Info, is a platform designed to support the global celebration of International Women’s Day while also x-traying the issues of female inclusion within the Nigerian socio-economic and political ecosystem.
Commenting on the need for organisations to support female inclusions. Jonathan Bacon, the British High Commission’s Political Counsellor, noted that women play an integral role in driving essential changes.
“This is made evident when he said, “Employers should strive to create a culture where people, especially women, can flourish while also ensuring that a support system is developed within the structure of the workplace.
“This is considered to be necessary because the British Government has recognised that women and girls play a critical in promoting economic growth which will invariably lift millions of people out of poverty on a global scale.”
He further noted that the British Government’s desire to champion conversations around the inclusion of women is hinged on the fact that women’s rights are human rights.
“This could be seen when he said, “Our action for women inclusion is guarded by three E’s – educating the girl child; empowering women socio-economically and politically; ending violence against women and girls.
“These three E’s underpin the developmental works the British Government is carrying out across Nigeria.”
To support the entrepreneurial activities of Nigerian women, Jonathan Bacon noted that 74 million pounds have been dedicated by the British Government to aid the upscaling of women-owned businesses across the country.
This is made evident when he said, “During the recent visit of Vicky Ford, the UK Minister for Africa, to Nigeria in February 2022, she announced a new £74 million (41.6 billion naira) financial package to support women entrepreneurs across Nigeria who are facing disproportionate barriers to business.
This aims to upscale the business operations of female entrepreneurs, as well as improve the Nigerian economy.”
Urging women to break the bias within the Nigerian business landscape, Efe Ukala, the Founder of ImpactHER, advised women to have a structured plan in order to surmount the challenges they might encounter.
“This is reflected when she said, “Breaking the bias in the boardroom requires you as a woman to rise to the top irrespective of the challenges on the way. This will need you to have a strong purpose as it is a critical factor in helping you to know what you want to achieve.
“This will help you to engage in frequent self-assessment so as to discover how you can make remarkable contributions within the corporate world.”
The Glass Ceiling Convention is a social-driven intervention of Nigeria Info that aims to champion advocacies around women empowerment through striking strategic partnerships with globally-recognised organisations.
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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