General News
FG Supports MSMEs with 15% Discount on Logistics Services
The Federal Government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, has offered a 15 per cent discount on logistics to help small businesses cut their transportation expenses.
It said this was part of efforts to improve business conditions, expand sales, and lower operational costs for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.
This initiative, in partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service, aims to enhance business conditions, boost sales, and reduce operational costs and will commence on August 26.
Mr Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Postmaster-General of NIPOST, Mrs Tola Odeyemi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odii described the collaboration as a direct response to feedback from SMEs regarding the high cost of logistics and its negative impact on sales.
High transport costs severely impact MSMEs in Nigeria by escalating their operational expenses, which diminishes profitability and can limit their competitiveness in the market.
He said, “We are signing today an offer of 15 per cent discount on logistics for small businesses and maybe in another three months the postmaster can make it 50 per cent or review it better.
“This is the best time for this partnership, and in another three months, we are hoping that we can come back here and review what we have done.
“We will articulate clearly how much we helped small businesses in Nigeria save through our monitoring and evaluation department, and then we can continue to see how we can better this partnership.
He added, “The discount offer will commence on Monday, August 26, and will be available to SMEs registered with SMEDAN in two ways: online pickups and walk-ins,” Odii said.
According to him, the feedback received by the agency through its engagements with SMEs revealed that in some cases, the cost of delivery exceeds the cost of items, discouraging sales and limiting commercial opportunities for SMEs in their immediate environment.
The partnership will leverage NIPOST’s national presence and infrastructure, as well as its ongoing reform and modernization efforts under the leadership of Tola Odeyemi, the Postmaster General and CEO of the agency.
On her part, Odeyemi said the partnership was long overdue and would contribute to the achievement of inclusive economic growth, considering that MSMEs, which represent over 90 per cent of businesses in the country and contribute half of the GDP, serve as the backbone of the economy.
Through this partnership, both agencies will utilize their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries, ensuring that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“So, we are here to partner with you, to partner with your mandates for small and medium enterprises in Nigeria to come on board our platform, as it is a platform for inclusive economic growth.
“I know that this partnership is one for the ages, one that will spur Nigeria’s economic growth. Any MSME that is registered with SMEDAN gets access to a 15 per cent discount, and it runs as long as Nigeria runs.
“Although a 15 per cent discount might not look much, you have to realise that NIPOST prices are already socially oriented,” she said.
The postmaster said that through the partnership, both agencies would utilise their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries.
“It will ensure that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“To ensure a seamless and positive experience for SMEs, both agencies will maintain a dedicated customer support unit to respond to complaints and address any issues that may arise.
“This unit will provide prompt assistance, ensuring that SMEs can focus on growing their businesses without logistical hurdles.”
General News
Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday
The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF), in collaboration with TD Africa, Konga Group, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems, is set to officially launch its highly anticipated scholarship programme aimed at empowering 1,000 exceptional Nigerian indigent whiz-kids in the field of technology.
Leo Stan Ekeh
The dedicated application portal, initially scheduled to go live on April 22, will now launch on Monday, April 27, 2026, following final technical enhancements to ensure a seamless, secure, and transparent application experience for prospective candidates nationwide.
This landmark initiative, first announced by Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s foremost tech icon and chairman of Zinox Group, forms part of his unwavering commitment to national development and youth empowerment.
The programme was unveiled on February 22, 2026, when Ekeh marked his 70th birthday. Rather than host an elaborate celebration befitting a man of his stature, he chose to channel resources into a cause that would create long-term impact for an economy, offering university scholarships to indigent but brilliant Nigerian youths to study Computer Science in federal institutions.
Building on a legacy of over 6709 beneficiaries trained over four decades by him and his companies, Mr. Ekeh at the time said the goal is to nurture a new generation of highly skilled technology professionals capable of supporting both the private and public sectors, while positioning Nigeria for greater competitiveness in the global digital economy.
This vision reflects his decades-long commitment to building sustainable positive disruptive capacity within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem that shall alter the nation’s GDP.
The scholarship programme is designed to transcend mere financial support, offering beneficiaries access to a comprehensive ecosystem powered by the initiative’s distinguished partners. Beneficiaries will receive technical support, mentorship by very successful members of Nigeria Compute Society, and industry exposure to ensure that recipients are equipped with practical, market-relevant skills.
This multi-faceted approach ensures that scholarship beneficiaries gain not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience and professional networks that will propel their careers in technology.
By leveraging the combined expertise and infrastructure of these industry leaders, the initiative is poised to deliver a transformative learning experience that prepares young Nigerians to compete effectively on the global stage. Beneficiaries will emerge as future-ready innovators capable of driving digital transformation across sectors and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The initiative builds on the longstanding legacy of Leo Stan Ekeh, whose contributions to Nigeria’s technology landscape and by extension Africa have spanned decades and fundamentally reshaped the nation’s digital infrastructure. From pioneering indigenous computer manufacturing through Zinox Technologies to driving digital transformation across public and private sectors, Ekeh has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building sustainable technological capacity within Nigeria.
His investments in digital infrastructure, talent development, and indigenous innovation have positioned Nigeria as a formidable player in the global technology landscape.
This scholarship programme represents the latest chapter in that transformative journey, directly addressing the critical need for skilled technology professionals in an increasingly digital global economy.
As anticipation builds ahead of the April 27 launch, interested applicants are advised to visit the Konga.com website and click the Foundation banner on 1000 Tech Scholarships Awards where the application link and detailed participation guidelines will be published on the launch date. The organisers have assured that the selection process will be merit-driven, inclusive, and transparent, with a focus on identifying truly outstanding young talents from across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Westerville Public Library, a public library that serves the community of Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus in United States is in the news after its social account urged violence against Nigerian politicians.
Library staff said the inflammatory messages were not written by any employees and moved quickly to purge the feed and regain control of the account, rattling regulars who are used to the library’s usually low-traffic presence in Uptown Westerville.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that the library’s X account first posted a message calling for the death of Nigerian politicians, starting with the country’s president.
According to the paper, most of those posts were wiped from the feed within about half an hour.
The Dispatch also noted that the account had been sitting dormant since 2024 before the violent statements suddenly went live, and its full report includes the timeline and language that circulated on the platform.
After the posts appeared, the library issued a short note on X that read, “Please disregard any recent posts you may have seen from the Westerville Library on this platform today. Thank you for your understanding.” As reported by The Columbus Dispatch, communications director Tamara Murray told the paper the account was hacked shortly before the messages were published and that staff were working to recover passwords.
The library did not immediately say whether law enforcement had been notified.
Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known Seun Kuti, Nigerian musician, has claimed that IShowSpeed, American streamer’s African tour was was funded by Elon Musk, billionaire tech mogul.
Seun Kuti
According to the singer and the youngest son of Fela Kuti, Afrobeat pioneer, the tour aimed at testing the reach of Musk’s satellite across the African continent.
Seun Kuti also explained that the streamer’s tour was not just to see the beauty of Africa, but was a spy job for Elon Musk.
”They all have the agenda. All that was a spy job for Elon Musk. I hail him and we have our own people pursuing him with us“, he added.
IShowSpeed completed a landmark 28-day tour of Africa, visiting 20 countries between December 29, 2025, and January 27, 2026, aimed at experiencing local cultures and engaging with fans.
The trip, which featured live-streamed visits to nations including Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana, saw him surpass 50 million subscribers. He described the experience as life-changing.
Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation to Open Portal for 1,000 University Tech Scholarships on Monday
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