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Coderina Partners SAP, NLN to Launch INClusive STEAM Libraries Project
Addressing Africa’s skills gap in the age of technology would require bold steps to be taken in the area of capacity building.
Cross section of partners and students present at the event
As part of efforts to address these issues and more, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation in collaboration with SAP and National Library of Nigeria (NLN), has launched INClusive STEAM Libraries Project aimed at evolving libraries across Nigeria to become venues for informal Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) centers to provide the youth with lifelong learning skills and competencies
According to the World Economic Forum, “The root of unemployment is not only a lack of jobs; a key underlying issue is also the inadequately educated workforce. And this challenge is likely to be amplified in the coming years due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by fast-paced technological progress combined with other socio-economic and demographic changes, which will further transform labor markets.” Hence the time to start addressing skills shortages is now. Education must be aligned to the pace of change and expanding skill needs of Industry 4.0 be it formal or informal.
L-R: Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa; Ibukun Olufon, Account Executive in a chat with Mr. Femi Niyi, Chairman BOT, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation.
The goal of the Inclusive STEAM Libraries project is to create an enabling environment for every young learner including and out-of-school and unemployed youth, or those looking to gain job-readiness skills where they can visit to gain practical hands-on, minds-on learning experience in coding, robotics, 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Web & App Development and other 4IR skills and competencies while also being provided with information, opportunity and choices to prepare them for the future of work or entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the project launch in Lagos on Saturday, November 13, 2021, Mrs. Obianuju Onuorah, Deputy Director/Head of Branch National Library of Nigeria, Lagos State, expressed delight over the project which will boost hands-on experience among student community in the library.
She said that although for ages library is known as a ‘silence zone’, however NLN is moving along with trends in the world hence the creation of digital sections.
Onuorah who described the initiative as ‘very good initiative’, further said, “I believe strongly that the students and staff will benefit from it. Initially, the Library is seen as a very quiet place; where you come and read.
“However, as the reading culture changes, the library has become an inter-disciplinary community. We have to move along with trends in the world. So, in the library now you have the digital section.
“Also, we have discovered that students do not appreciate long reading. They prefer the hands-on experience and that is why the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has created the digital section where we catch them young. The only difference in the library is that the students are monitored to avoid abuses or misuse of the digital tools.
“So, I am very happy with this initiative because it will benefit our community, especially those that ‘do not like to read’, they will benefit more with the hands-on experience.
The Deputy Director noted that NLN is interested in promoting STEAM “because our mandate is to make sure the Nigerian society reads. So, how do we accomplish that? We organize readership promotion campaign through which we sensitize the general public, especially students and pupils on the need to read. We believe that when we catch them young they will grow with it”.
Titilayo Adewumi, Regional Sales Director – West Africa – SAP represented by Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa, said the INClusive STEAM Libraries Project falls within the core vision of the company.
According to her, SAP’s reason for the partnerships is to uplift the host communities, amongst other reasons.
Adewumi said, “At the core of SAP vision is to improve people’s lives and to help the world run better. We do that through technology and partnership. The reason for the partnerships is to uplift the communities in which SAP is present”.
Highlighting how the INClusive STEAM Libraries Project will impact on the students, she said “I believe that this is the beginning for these children who probably haven’t experienced this sort of skills building opportunities; seeing LEGO education kit sets and seeing robots for the first time.
I think that at this level it will impact their curiosity. A child is usually very curious; trying to find out more about a subject or an object particularly when it is colourfulcolorful. This is the first level to introduce these children to technology skills. The experience will be etchdged in their memory for a long time to come.
Regional Sales Director – West Africa – SAP further encouraged the participants, especially the girl-child, to take full advantage of the initiative.
“I think there is no limit with technology whether you are a man or woman. If there are no limits for the boys then there are no limits for you as a girl. So, whatever dreams you have never have doubts about them. Go for your dream; one step at a time”, she said.
L-R: Mr. Femi Niyi, Chairman BOT, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation; Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa; Mrs. Obianuju Onuorah, Deputy Director/Head of Branch National Library of Nigeria, Lagos State and Ibukun Olufon, Account Executive
On his part, the Chairman BOT, Coderina, Mr. Femi Niyi, described public libraries as good platform to connect school and out-of-school learning.
“Libraries are part of a STEM learning ecosystem that connects many communities with resources. A place where children and families can participate, engage in interactions and experiences that promote hands-on and minds-on learning and development. This would enable young learners and adults acquire a breadth of skills including cognitive, emotional, social, innovation and creativity”, he explained.
He emphasised that the Coderina’s partnership with the National Library of Nigeria is focused on evolving libraries across Nigeria to become venues for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education and centers that would provide youths with lifelong learning skills and competencies.
Femi added that access to technology tools and Internet access is scant, “however, with support of organisations like SAP, we will provide access by equipping a section of the library with robotics kits, laptops, 3D printers and other learning tools, to ensure that libraries become more inclusive and cater for different learning styles be it visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinesthetic.”
“This approach will also help children develop their creativity skills, innovative skills interpersonal skills as well as problem solving skills which in turn helps them to become employable and prepares them
Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria has defended recent tariff hikes by mobile network operators, stating they are essential for the “survival” of the telecoms industry in Nigeria, despite significant criticism.
Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted mobile network operators permission to raise tariffs by up to 50% last month, a change reportedly implemented on 11 February.
The increase has sparked public outrage, as mobile connectivity has become a vital necessity in daily life across the West African nation.
In an interview with Developing Telecoms, Toriola pushed back against criticism that the price surge was excessive, arguing that tariffs should have increased by approximately 300% to reflect the naira’s sharp devaluation and the country’s soaring inflation.
Addressing the impact of currency devaluation, Toriola emphasised that MTN purchases network equipment and software in US dollars, a process that has become significantly more expensive. With the naira’s decline, operators are now receiving three times fewer dollars than they did in 2023, making operations more challenging.
In February 2023, businesses could exchange 460 naira for one US dollar, but the currency has since devalued sharply. At the time of writing, a single dollar was worth 1,510 naira.
As Nigeria grapples with the sharp devaluation, MTN has been severely affected.
The company was technically bankrupt in 2023 as its liabilities surpassed its assets—a deeply concerning issue for the wider MTN Group, as Nigeria remains one of its highest revenue-generating markets.
“Because of these factors, we’ve seen our costs rise dramatically. The cost of leasing tower space and supplying energy to cell sites increased by 120% in the first three quarters of 2024. So, in comparison, a 50% tariff increase is not that high,” said Toriola.
The IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025, co-located with Power and Water Nigeria, is poised to play a crucial role in boosting Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach $180 billion by 2025 and contribute 5.2% to the continent’s GDP.
Organized by Vertex Next, the three-day event will take place from May 13th to 15th, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. It will convene government leaders, industry experts, investors, and innovators to explore the latest advancements in IoT, AI, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and energy solutions.
In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, Vertex Next Managing Director, Shitij Taneja, stated that this influential event will significantly contribute to the continent’s digital economic growth.
He assured that the expo will feature a comprehensive conference program focused on the transformative power of IoT, AI, and digital technologies across various African industries.
According to Taneja, discussions will center on how these technologies drive economic expansion, improve connectivity, and increase efficiency in key sectors like telecom, energy, finance, and e-commerce. Government officials and business leaders are also expected to collaborate on strategies for scaling digital infrastructure and leveraging data for innovation and sustainable development.
As demand for secure, efficient, and scalable digital infrastructure surges, Africa’s data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2030, reaching a valuation of over $5 billion.
The expo will feature high-level discussions on critical infrastructure development, investment opportunities, cybersecurity, and AI-driven data center expansion. Thought leaders from global cloud and data center giants will share insights into building future-ready facilities that power industries and drive economic progress.
With Africa’s power sector undergoing transformation, discussions will focus on smart grids, energy storage, and sustainable power solutions to support the continent’s growing digital economy.
The African Development Bank estimates that investment in energy and utilities must increase to $70 billion annually to meet rising demand. Industry leaders will explore the role of IoT and AI in optimizing utilities, managing resources efficiently, and developing smart, connected cities.
The rise of digital banking, fintech, and e-commerce is reshaping consumer experiences and financial transactions across Africa. The fintech sector alone attracted over $3 billion in investments in 2023, and e-commerce is projected to exceed $75 billion in value by 2028.
This expo will highlight how automation, AI, and IoT are creating secure, seamless, and scalable financial solutions, ensuring that businesses stay ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.
Taneja disclosed that the IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025 aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, both of which prioritize technological innovation, digital infrastructure, and economic diversification.
By bringing together policymakers and industry stakeholders, the event aims to support regulatory frameworks for digital transformation, foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in ICT and energy, and accelerate initiatives such as Smart Cities and e-Governance.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an innovative ecosystem that balances regulation with industry growth. The agency is investing in cloud infrastructure, data classification, and AI applications to establish Nigeria as a leading digital hub in Africa.
Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director General, emphasized this commitment while speaking at the Africa Hyperscalers Digital Infrastructure Outlook 2025. The event gathered industry experts to explore Africa’s role in the expanding global AI-driven infrastructure boom.
In his remarks, Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s dual regulatory framework: rule-based regulation, involving strict compliance guidelines, and non-rule-based regulation, which allows for industry-led innovation with established benchmarks.
“Before we regulate anything, we need to be aware of the landscape, we need to be intelligent, we need to have data and make sense out of that data, we need to be dynamic because technology is fast-changing and we need to develop that agility within the regulatory framework,” Inuwa stated.
He also discussed the Cloud First Policy, introduced in 2019 to discourage excessive reliance on physical data centres. This policy encourages government agencies and private businesses to leverage cloud computing and digital solutions. Initially, businesses were granted waivers to use public cloud infrastructure, but NITDA is now pushing for local data centres to enhance their capabilities.
A major milestone for NITDA was its successful engagement with global hyperscaler providers, including Google Cloud, which pledged to collaborate with local data centres to drive cloud adoption and establish a hyperscaler data centre in Nigeria. This follows a meeting between Google CEO Sundar Pichai and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Paris, where the President shared his transformative ambition for Nigeria.
To further drive cloud adoption, NITDA is finalizing a framework that will mandate data classification, ensuring that certain data categories remain within Nigeria. This move is expected to attract more cloud service providers and bolster the country’s digital sovereignty.
Emphasizing the importance of AI applications, Inuwa disclosed that NITDA is prioritizing AI to enhance governance, regulation, and service delivery. He asserted that AI can revolutionize governance and business operations by automating processes, enhancing regulatory efficiency, and developing knowledge management systems.
Dr. Nadu Denloye, Co-founder of Telnet Nigeria Limited, also spoke at the event, highlighting Africa’s remarkable digital transformation driven by connectivity advancements, cloud adoption, data centres, AI, and a growing digital-native population. She expressed confidence in crafting solutions to drive Africa’s digital growth.
Other notable panelists included Dr. Ayaotunde Coker, CEO Open Access Data Centres and Chairman of the Africa Data Centres Association; Johnson AgboGbua, CEO of Kasi Cloud; Obinna Isiadinso, Data Centres Global Sector Lead at International Finance Corporation; Kazeem Oladepo, Chief Operating Officer at IHS; and Abibat Kazeem, Commercial Director at Bayobab.
This commitment by NITDA underlines its dedication to advancing Nigeria’s position as a digital leader in Africa through innovative solutions and strategic regulations.
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