News
FG Formulates National Policy on Artificial Intelligence, Commends Volunteer Expert Group

Owing to the immense potentials of Artificial Intelligence in revolutionizing technology and innovation, the Nigerian Government through National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has completed the first draft of the National Policy on Artificial Intelligence which would soon be ready for transmission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The draft copy which was co-created by a team from NITDA and 63 industry experts drawn from 351 volunteers’ applications received from Nigeria and abroad after the expression of interest was published in October 2022.
Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the NITDA’s Director General, during the final virtual meeting of the volunteer group commended the group for the “exceptional work in developing the Policy for Nigeria.
He said NITDA initiated the process of co-creating the Policy because the Agency strongly believes that there are things it can do as the government’s establishment which the ecosystem cannot do, and there are things the ecosystem can do which government cannot do, “but together we can achieve greater things.”
While stressing the potential of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize the world, transform industries, and save lives by curing terminal diseases and reversing genetic disorders, Inuwa maintained that it also poses a significant risk such as bias, privacy violation and job displacement hence the imperative to have a policy in place to guide the development and deployment of AI in Nigeria.
He said an implementation strategic plan would be drafted to ensure that the policy achieve the purpose of which it is formulated, adding that the Agency would socialise with its various stakeholders and thereafter send it to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for onward passage to FEC for approval.
“The NITDA Secretariat will now take over and continue working on the document’s design to get it ready for publication,” he stated.
He observed that what the volunteers had achieved with the policy is commendable and it is a result-oriented approach to engage them because most of the time that consultants are engaged to draft policies, it always end up as haphazard because they lack the technical know-how of the subject matter but the procurement processes always give them edge over the industry experts.
Describing the draft as robust, the NITDA boss outlined seven major areas cover by the policy to include Education and Research; Finance; Health; Media and Telecommunications; Labour and Productivity; General and Special Issues (such as building safe and responsible AI, ensuring Nigerian culture and values are digitally visible); and Security.
While congratulating the volunteers for “a job well done” by ensuring that the national assignment comes to fruition, he said the policy would position the nation to create and derive values from it and avoid the pitfalls and perils that could be associated with it.
Inuwa assured them that letter of commendation would be sent to them as no amount of money could assuage the commitment they put into drafting the policy.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the head of NITDA Legal Unit, Barrister Emmanuel Edet noted that NITDA adopted the model of co-creation in developing the policy because it would put “us in the right direction and create a policy that is effective and functional in promoting the digital economy sector.”
He expressed the appreciation of the Agency to the volunteer experts and requested for their response when they are call upon again.
News
Airtel Smartcash Set to Power Stress-Free Easter with Seamless Cashflow

As Nigerians prepare to celebrate Easter with loved ones across the country, leading mobile money operator Smartcash Payment Service Bank (PSB) has announced an easier system by which customers may upgrade their wallets from Tier 1 to Tier 3 for a smooth, cashless, and stress-free holiday experience.
Offering improved security, access, and reliability, the Smartcash app now enables instant verification with customers’ NIN or BVN, secure facial recognition with a selfie, and simplified address confirmation.
Upgrading from Tier 1 wallet provides higher transaction limits and access to more features and benefits as well as security.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Smartcash PSB, Tunde Kuponiyi, Smartcash is concerned with ensuring a stress-free experience for customers.
“As the Easter season approaches, we recognize the financial pressure and logistical challenges that often come with holiday spending and mobility. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring that our users can carry out essential transactions from bank transfers to merchant payments quickly, safely, and conveniently.
“Our goal is to eliminate the stress of cash handling, long queues, and bank branch visits, so that Nigerians can truly focus on the spirit of the season connection, community, and celebration,” he said.
Smartcash PSB is providing a reliable, cashless alternative that meets the financial needs of users wherever they are. Whether it’s sending money to loved ones, paying at local markets and stores, or topping up airtime and data, Smartcash users can look forward to uninterrupted and efficient services throughout the holiday season.
Airtel Smartcash PSB, which launched as part of Airtel’s commitment to deepen financial inclusion, has rapidly expanded its network of agents and digital wallet users, bridging access between underserved communities and the financial system.
With services available through mobile phones and human agents across Nigeria, Smartcash offers a simple and accessible entry point into the digital economy particularly for small-scale traders, artisans, rural dwellers, and other players in the informal sector.
News
OOUTH Commends IHS Nigeria, UNICEF for Life-Saving Oxygen Plant Donation

IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, recently visited the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, to evaluate the operational status and impact of the oxygen plant donated by IHS Nigeria in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Canadian Government in 2023 as part of a collaborative health infrastructure intervention initiative.
The oxygen plant which was donated as part of IHS Nigeria’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system through sustainable, impactful initiatives is designed to serve not only the teaching hospital, but also other health facilities in the region.
The oxygen plant is equipped with 50 units of 6-cubic-meter cylinders and 150 units of 3 cubic meter cylinders that currently supplies critical departments across the teaching hospital including Anesthesia, the ICU, Pediatrics, Accident and Emergency, Labour, and Surgery departments. The hospital management acknowledged the difference the plant has made in ensuring prompt availability of oxygen even for patients who are unable to pay and in improving the medical outcomes for many patients who need oxygen as part of their management.
Accompanying the team on the visit was the Honorable Commissioner for Environment in Ogun State, Ola Oresanya, who was invited to witness the outcome of the partnership and its alignment with the state’s public health and environmental objectives.
He lauded the initiative for its timeliness and noted that the impact of the donation could not be easily quantified in terms of its relevance to healthcare delivery and its sustainable energy and environmental management which supports the state government’s vision for a healthier and more resilient Ogun State.
Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, commented “As a responsible organization, we find ways to impact communities in the markets we serve. In demonstrating our commitment, we also ensure that our investments are running smoothly, which is why we visited OOUTH. This is the first institution we donated an oxygen plant to and is also the first we are visiting to assess its impact and operational status.
“We are humbled by the acknowledgment and testimonies from the OOUTH management. This increases our resolve to continue to create meaningful and sustainable impact through infrastructure that saves lives and strengthens communities.”
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, commented “We cannot overemphasise the power of partnerships in achieving health equity. This is what building resilience in health systems entails: combining expertise, funding, and a shared goal.”
Dr. Oluseun Adeko, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (representing the Chief Medical Director of OOUTH), commented “This oxygen plant has not only enhanced our ability to manage emergencies and respiratory cases, but it has also saved lives beyond our hospital, as it serves as a source of oxygen for other hospitals. We deeply appreciate IHS Nigeria and UNICEF for their foresight and generosity.”
News
DG NITDA Urges Foreign Investors to Tap into Nigeria’s Digital Future

In a spirited and visionary appeal, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has issued a compelling invitation to global investors to explore Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy, describing it as a land of opportunity powered by a youthful, tech-savvy, and highly innovative population.
The DG made this known when he engaged with global key players in the IT sector, including startups and investors during a GITEX Breakfast meeting at the GITEX Africa 2025 which is currently being held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Speaking ahead of GITEX Nigeria 2025, a major technology and investment conference set to take place from September 1 to 4 in Abuja and Lagos, Inuwa painted a vibrant picture of Nigeria’s digital landscape where according to him, innovation meets opportunity, and where government commitment aligns with grassroots entrepreneurial drive.
“Nigeria is a country with a large, youthful, innovative, creative, and highly competent workforce, where startups and scale-ups can continuously thrive, and where entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancement shape and create the landscape,” he stated.
He emphasised that Nigeria, with over 70% of its population under the age of 25, holds one of the youngest populations globally, positioning it as a talent hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The NITDA boss further noted that the government’s vision aims to elevate Nigeria into an emerging global digital economy through comprehensive reforms, infrastructure investment, and an aggressive digital literacy agenda.
“The president is also bullish about building our digital infrastructure and wants to establish our digital sovereignty, providing a platform for our citizens to develop digital offerings that Nigeria can take to the world,” he said.
While outlining initiatives aimed at embedding digital skills across the formal education system and enhancing national digital capabilities, he noted that the nation is not just teaching young people to consume technology but empowering them to create it.
Recognising the importance of digital sovereignty, Inuwa added “We are also promoting cloud adoption because you cannot succeed today with on-prem infrastructure, but you need to be on the cloud, and you need to have agility.”
Underscoring the significance of Nigeria and Africa’s digital native population and boundless talent, Inuwa mentioned that the continent should not just participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but should lead.
He disclosed that the GITEX Nigeria conference is set to be a milestone moment with Abuja which is the nation’s policy capital, hosting discussions on investor-friendly reforms and policy frameworks, and Lagos, the home to Africa’s most vibrant startup ecosystem, showcasing the energy, innovation, and investment potentials.
“We have the talent and we have the digital native population and we are nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem because we need to challenge the status quo, we need to use technology to disrupt the way we do things and we need to create a collective intelligence where people work with technology to make lives better and that is the Nigeria we are creating,” he concluded.
In his remark, the sales director of ZOHO, Mr Vijayaragavan Venugopal stated that Zoho has been predominantly focusing on the African market for the last 7 years and has witnessed tremendous growth in the African market, with Nigeria leading at the forefront.
“We are happy that we are going to be there in Nigeria along with GITEX and the event will not only empower the Nigeria market but the whole of Africa and it is going to be an opportunity to gather amongst each other, talk about tech, and grow together in the entire African market,” he said.
While giving her remark, the CEO of Alami Capital, Olu Olufemi White, highlighted the importance of investing in startups that center people in their solutions and challenged traditional investment approaches that ignore the human element.
Expressing her commitment to transforming communities through thoughtful and strategic innovation, she emphasised the need for impactful, innovative, and scalable ventures while however, noting that technology can only thrive with reliable energy and sustainable finance.
Appealing to everyone for active participation at the forthcoming GITEX Nigeria while making reference to the market activity from Google, Cisco, and Flutterwave, White said “You can start to see what happens when you support us. Please don’t wait till we become big and the rest of the world begins to tell our stories, we want you to tell it for us and we want to walk and work hand in hand with you to build the nation of our dreams.”
- Telecom2 days ago
Salesforce Revolutionizes Business Intelligence with AI-Powered Tableau Next
- Broadcasting2 days ago
MultiChoice Brings Easter Home with Dedicated Pop-Up Channel
- News2 days ago
Airtel Smartcash Set to Power Stress-Free Easter with Seamless Cashflow
- E-Business2 days ago
DG NITDA Tasks Africa to Lead the AI Revolution Through Strategic Leadership, Inclusive Innovation
- E-Financial2 days ago
How CBEX Operators ‘Enticed’ Victims –SEC
- E-Business2 days ago
Google Blocks 5.1Bn Harmful Ads in 2024, Suspends 39m Accounts
- Telecom2 days ago
Temu and Shein Raise U.S. Prices Amid Trump-Era Tariffs
- E-Financial2 days ago
CBN Warns Banks, Fintechs on Compliance with Sanctions