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How Nigerian University of Technology and Management, AfDB are Pioneering Youth Skilling in Africa

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President of the African Development Bank Group Dr Akinwumi Adesina and the leadership of the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM) say equipping Africa’s youth with quality education and the skills needed to meet the challenges of the future is critical to ensure the development of the continent and the world.

“We are not doing well enough for Africa’s 477 million youths. We are not harnessing their skills, talent and creativity,” Dr Adesina told members of the university’s Board who called on him at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Launched in 2020 in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos as a not-for-profit academic institution, the university is building a strong brand with world class standards to produce technology and management leaders.

By 2050, one in every four people in the world will be African and therefore, “the quality of young Africans will be key to the development of Africa and the world,” said Dr Omobola Johnson, Dean, NUTM Scholars Program and Governing Board Member, who was accompanied by the president of the University Dr Babs Omotowa and Board member Demola Adeyemi Bero.

“The quality of young Africans will be key to the development of Africa and the world,” said Dr Omobola Johnson, Dean, NUTM Scholars Program

Adesina told the University’s Board members, “What you are doing is in line with what the Bank is doing.” He highlighted several initiatives the Bank is rolling out in various countries across Africa.

He gave the example of Nigeria which last November received $80 million from the African Development Bank, following approval by the Board of Directors, to develop a knowledge zone project in Ekiti State.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone is promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship, will generate 26,000 jobs, and contribute about $14 million annually in net economic benefits. The project also aims to attract businesses from Lagos to the zone.

Adesina told the management of the university to consider establishing knowledge zones in other parts of the country and continent. The Bank has financed similar projects in Cabo Verde and Senegal.

The Bank Group president also pointed to the launch a year ago of Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) program. The initiative, with investments of $618 million, is expected to create 6 million new jobs for young Nigerians and generate nearly $6.4 billion into the Nigeria’s economy.

Another African Development Bank-financed initiative is the Youth Entrepreneurship and Investment Bank (YEIBs) project which is providing financial and technical support for young entrepreneurs and their businesses. Last July the Bank’s Board of Directors approved $16 million for Liberia’s program. Nigeria could follow suit.

“We are making progress building a great institution in Africa, to solve Africa’s problems” said Dr Babs Omotowa, the president of the University.

“We must become the workforce of the world,” Adesina said, pledging more cooperation with NUTM and other African learning institutions. “We have a lot of work to do making sure they (Africa’s youth) have the right skills in the new world trajectory.”


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‘Fraudsters Have Cloned my Voice’- Akume

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George Akume, secretary to the Government of the Federation, has raised alarm over the activities of a criminal syndicate allegedly cloning his voice and using it to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of Federal Government appointments.

‘Fraudsters Have Cloned my Voice’ – Akume

George Akume, SGF

In a statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, his special adviser on Media and Publicity, on Thursday, Akume said the fraudsters have impersonated him in audio calls and text messages, targeting high-profile individuals and soliciting payments ranging from ₦5 million to ₦15 million in exchange for phantom political positions.

“From information available to the office, the fraudsters cloned the voice of the SGF, using it to solicit money in return for federal appointments,” the statement read.

The SGF further revealed that the scammers not only cloned his voice but also spoofed the phone numbers of other high-profile individuals to give credibility to their fraudulent scheme.

“These scammers attach bank account details to messages sent to victims and request them to send their CVs to cloned emails,” Odunuga added.

The statement noted that the fraudsters have been operating through both traditional bank accounts and fintech mobile wallets, complicating efforts to trace the financial trails.

Distancing himself from the illicit scheme, Akume stressed that appointments to Federal Government boards and parastatals are transparent and not for sale under any guise.

The statement noted, “Senator Akume emphasized that the appointment processes for Nigerians into boards and parastatals are transparent and verifiable, urging individuals not to pay any money in expectation of securing a position.”

The Office of the SGF confirmed that it has notified relevant security agencies, urging members of the public to report suspicious calls or messages to law enforcement.

“The Office of the SGF strongly advises Nigerians to report the activities of these fraudulent people to the authorities while taking all precautionary steps necessary to avoid being victims of th


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Olukoyede, EFCC Chair Denies Forcing Ojulari to Resign as NNPC Boss

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Ola Olukoyede, executive chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  has denied claims that he compelled Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to step down from his role.

Olukoyede, EFCC Chair Denies Forcing Ojulari to Resign as NNPC Boss

Bayo Ojulari,

The allegations stemmed from an August 2, 2025, online publication which alleged that Olukoyede and Adeola Ajayi, director general, Department of State Services (DSS),  pressured Ojulari into signing a resignation letter during a closed-door meeting in Abuja.

The report also suggested that Ojulari was interrogated over his purported links to Olatimbo Ayinde, British-Nigerian oil mogul, who is reportedly close to key figures in the present administration.

In a follow-up story, the news outlet further claimed Ojulari was later invited to the Presidential Villa, where First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu reportedly opposed his resignation.

Responding to the allegations, Dele Oyewale, spokesman, EFCC<  issued a statement on Wednesday on behalf of the Commission, noting that Olukoyede, through his legal counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), described the publications as defamatory and injurious to his integrity.

“The publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity,” the statement quoted.

Olukoyede denied any suggestion that he was acting at the behest of Ayinde or that his actions were influenced by external political figures.

A letter addressed to the editor of the publication, signed by Olumide-Fusika, reiterated the gravity of the claims and insisted on corrective measures.

“He, therefore, demanded that the medium acknowledge your wrongdoing, expressly admit that what you published and imputed against my client are false, apologise for it unreservedly and retract and pull down the stories from your newspaper website and social media handles,” the statement added.

Olukoyede said the story portrayed him as “someone that has betrayed and subverted public trust by submitting the authority of his public office and trust as Chairman of the EFCC to the dictates and directives of one Olatimbo Ayinde.”

Labelling the report as entirely fabricated, Olukoyede demanded an official apology and complete removal of the story from the outlet’s digital platforms within 48 hours.

 

 

 


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PalmPay Partners FG to Drive Data Protection Awareness

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PalmPay reinforced its commitment to data protection and youth empowerment with a ground-breaking partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to launch the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Program, which is targeted at equipping over 1,000,000 Nigerian youths digitally over 3 years.

The training program, commissioned last week at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre in Abuja, will focus on providing youths with the right knowledge and skills required to navigate the digital landscape safely. With over 70% of the Nigerian population consisting of youths, this is an important move to foster trust, security and youth-focused innovation.

Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, commended PalmPay’s partnership in the actualisation of the program and described YDPAT as a bold step toward building a digitally literate and security-conscious generation.

In his words, “This is about building a privacy-first generation, one that is inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive.” He also emphasised the low awareness of the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023 and the critical shortage of certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs), despite over 500,000 data controllers operating in the country.

This position was equally supported by PalmPay’s Managing Director, Mr Chika Nwosu, who stated how data protection is as important as innovation in tech. He noted that PalmPay integrates privacy into every stage of its product development, ensuring that user information is safe.

Beyond ensuring data protection, PalmPay is committed to empowering young Nigerians with real opportunities for growth, with mentorship and internship placements for top-performing participants. It has led several youth-oriented initiatives, including the Purple Woman campaign, and Passing the Baton CSR for thousands of youths and women in urban and rural communities.

With a drive to achieve nationwide digital literacy, PalmPay is championing campaigns in Northern Nigeria, with more activations planned across various states.

 


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