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FG Rolls Out 30-Year National Integrated Infrastructure Blueprint

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Federal Government said it has mapped out a 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) for the country, in  realisation of the enormous need for infrastructure improvement in all the sectors of the economy, the

Paramount issues to be addressed through the master plan include broadband availability and penetration, power generation and distribution, among others.

Dr. Shamsudden Usman, minister, National Planning, made the remark at Nigeria Internet Group Annual Conference and Exhibition which commenced in Lagos on Thursday, noting that the plan will be implemented over a period of thirty years from 2014 – 2043. 

“The NIIMP adopts a coordinated approach to its development and will among others, address lack of linkages in the infrastructure sector,” he said.

According to the minister who was represented by Jimmy Adeyemi-Offor, assistant director, ICT (NPC), NIIMP is in line with global trends in infrastructure development. He said, “Various countries including Malaysia, India, Singapore and China have adopted NIIMP. 

Apart from generally supporting the growth of the national economy, the adoption of NIIMP in those countries has been accompanied by a remarkable private sector inflow of investment for infrastructure development.

“The NIIMP also enhances competitiveness of the countries, and as part of expected benefits, a prioritized projects and programmes whose implementation will address the current deficit in infrastructure in the country would emerge from the plan, hence, Broadband will definitely feature prominently in the plan.

Usman disclosed that the Commission in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has developed a Framework for the NIIMP and currently consulting with the key stakeholders in the infrastructure sector with a view to harvesting ideas to enrich the framework.

“Working groups on various thematic areas of infrastructure including ICT was inaugurated by Namadi Sambo, vice president, on January 31, and has since commenced activities. The preparation of the NIIMP is to be finalized by July.

Highlighting how the strategy will help develop broadband development in the country, he said, “it has been a focus of attention for quite a while and the Government having realised the relevance of broadband in Nigeria economic development deemed it fit to inaugurate the National Broadband Committee to develop a National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap by Mr. President to bring expanded broadband initiatives to one national initiative.

“The committee is making considerable progress in fashioning out a roadmap for broadband. Therefore, this is an opportune theme for deliberation. It is hoped that the resolutions at this conference will be very instructive for the committee as well. NIG is well advised to transmit such to the Committee for consideration.

Research shows “that broadband is a key element to the economic development to creating positive social, micro-economic and macro-economic impacts. The social impact makes possible an improvement in social links, creation of social capital and empowerment. The micro-economic impacts include improved market information flow, increase in business productivity and job creation. At the macro-economic level, it can boost GDP.”

It has been established that the number of submarine cables landing on the shores of the country carries a huge capacity of broadband but “we cannot fully optimize the benefits of such Internet availability because the country lacks the requisite infrastructure with which to transport the Broadband Internet from the shore to the hinterland for the end-users.”

He said, all hands are on deck in government endeavor to improve infrastructure of which Telecommunication is key.


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FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.

Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.

He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.

President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.

In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.

The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.


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FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

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Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

FG Rolls Out N12bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.

He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.

“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.

The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.

The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.

The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.

For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.


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Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

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In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.

According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.

“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.

Key Insights from the White Paper:

  • Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
  • Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
  • Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes

Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative

As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.

The package provides access to:

  • Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
  • Urinalysis
  • Electrolytes
  • Urea
  • Creatinine
  • Pap Smear Submitted slides
  • HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
  • Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
  • Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
  • Ongoing support via the Myitura platform

Access:

Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.

 


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