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Human Capital Development Is Critical in Repositioning NASENI – Halilu
Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has stated that investing in human capital development and staff motivation remain the best ways of repositioning the Agency into a power-house of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) at the global scene.
In his keynote address, at the opening ceremony of a 5-Day training for Information, New Media and Protocol staff of the Agency, drawn from the Headquarters and Institutes, on New Media and Protocol Strategies for a Modern Government Agency in the 21st century, held on Monday at the Exclusive Serene Hotel, Wuye, Abuja, Mr. Halilu said that investing in staff training and development was vital for the success of any organization.
According to him, “We are building a new NASENI where one of the overarching goals is to have well trained employees with knowledge and requisite technical, vocational and management skills required for the Agency’s growth and technology advancement. He said this reorientation would equip us to bring to fruition the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed TinubuAdministration and also the Eight Priority Areas of the administration.”
Buttressing the mandate of the Agency, the NASENI boss noted that the Agency’s mission is to drive Nigeria’s rapid industrialization through the new three Cs of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization.
He added that in the past four months since he took over the leadership of NASENI, the Agency has embarked on new partnerships and collaborations aimed at turning NASENI’s over 150 scientific and technological prototypes, products and intellectual properties rights (IPR) into finished products.
“We have signed multibillion dollars new Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and revived old ones with international technical partners to establish coal-based fertilizer plant, Lithium processing and Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for Agric afforestation, smart solar irrigation, tractor repairs and crop traceability for food security,” he further explained.
He said that the 5-Day intensive training programme will enable information and Protocol staff of the Agency to catch-up with the current trends and international standards required for Mastering the Intricacies of New Media and Protocol Strategies that would take the Agency to greater heights.
“We have assembled about forty-one (41) staff responsible for information and protocol activities from ourHeadquarters and Institutes to benefit from this training. This training will upskill the crop of staffto communicate our new strategy and partnerships to different publics”, he stated.
He said that he was confident that by the end of the training, the staff of Information, Protocol and New Media Unit would be equipped with requisite skills to be at par with contemporaries in the public and private sectors as well as those in international sphere.
The Coordinating Director, Engineering Infrastructure, Prof. Bagudu Dansheu Gwadangaji who was ably represented by Engr. Dr. Olayode Olasupo urged the Information Staff to adapt to new media and protocol strategies to ensure the continued success and relevance of NASENI.
Encouraging the participants, he said, “Your presence at this training signifies not only personal and professional growth but also a collective effort to enhance our capabilities as a forward-thinking government agency.”
“I encourage you to actively engage in the sessions, collaborate with your peers, and absorb the wealth of knowledge that this training has to offer. The insights gained here will understandably contribute to your skills, allowing you to make valuable contributions to our ICT initiatives, he said.
Also, the Coordinating Director, Science Infrastructure, Prof Umar Ibrahim Gaya stated that the theme of the training was timely as it will equip participants with necessary skills and tools to combat fake news which can affect organizations negatively.
“When you talk about NASENI, so many things come to mind. As an Agency with first line charge from the Federation Account, there is likely to be fake news out there about us. Therefore, this training will help equip the participants to separate information from misinformation and misrepresentation. We hope your deliberations will help the EVC/CEO and Management to achieve the Agency’s mandate. Prof. Gaya added.
In his welcome address, the Director of Information, Protocol and New Media Unit, Mr. SegunAyeoyenikan commended the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu for making staff motivation, development and productivity top priorities in his agenda since he assumed the position as EVC/CEO barely four Months ago.
He said in an era defined by rapid advancement, the training was a crucial step towards navigating the complexities of digital age, adding that the new slogan in the media profession and business world is “You either communicate or you are easily forgotten, because of the complexities or sophistication of the society wherein we live today”
Throwing more light on the training, he said the training for the Communication and Media arm of the Agency, the first of its kind in 33 years, was indeed timely with the wave of reforms currently sweeping across the Agency with the coming on board of a Techpreneur, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu.
“The Information, New Media and Protocol Department play a critical role of projecting the image, products, mission and vision of the Agencyamongst its technology end-users and critical stakeholders”, he said.
“The EVC/CEO has committed to building a 21st century institution built on the 3 core principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization guided by a strategic corporate plan which ensures that NASENI’s human and material resources are optimally harnessed with a view to achieving the Federal Government’s Industrialization drive.
While welcoming the participants to the training, he pointed out that the training marked the beginning of a journey towards an enhanced popularization of digital skills communication and knowledge sharing within the NASENI Headquarters and Institutes’ Information and Protocol, more effectively.
Pointing out that the knowledge acquired from this training promised to reposition NASENI into one of the foremost agencies of the Federal Government, he called on all the participants to see the training as a call to duty and to ensure use of the opportunity and strive for excellence.
Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, yesterday unveiled its plans to directly improve the lives of 10 million people across the continent by 2030. The strategy will be delivered through targeted initiatives under four core pillars namely Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection and Digital Inclusion (FEED).
Outlining the ambitious target, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, stated, “Our 2030 vision is a transformed Africa where over 10 million lives are directly improved through our interventions. We are not just donating resources, we are building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind. This is a strategic, measurable commitment to unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend.”
The Foundation’s mission will be executed by creating a cycle of empowerment through targeted programmes. These include ‘Connecting Schools’, which provides free connectivity and devices, and the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship’, offering full undergraduate scholarships in tech and STEM fields, complemented by mentorship and internships.
A key early success underscoring the Foundation’s impact is its ongoing partnership with UNICEF. This collaboration has already connected more than 1,800 schools, benefitted over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across the Foundation’s 14 markets of operation.
In addition, the Foundation will leverage its dedicated Employee Volunteer Programme, channelling the skills and passion of its people directly into community initiatives. For the 2025/26 financial year, the Foundation has set specific expansion targets, with programmes now active across all its operating countries, from Nigeria to Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Commenting on the company’s support for the Foundation, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, said, “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born. It is our vehicle to catalyse transformation, by systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society.
“We have remained dedicated to transforming lives both as a business imperative as well as our overarching philosophy. For us, helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked and enabling businesses and economies to thrive are the three most significant objectives of our business.”
FXTM, a leading global online trading firm, has launched FXTM Edge, a mobile-first trading platform designed to make forex and commodity trading more accessible to Nigerian traders.
The platform, unveiled at a media roundtable in Lagos, aims to simplify trading by addressing common barriers such as high entry costs, technical complexity and lack of structured learning support.
Adaeze Uzochukwu, Specialist, Education and Media at FXTM, said FXTM Edge was developed with the Nigerian market in mind, combining affordability, accessibility and education in one package.
“Many Nigerians are interested in trading but are held back by complexity, high costs or lack of experience,” she said. “FXTM Edge was built to remove those barriers and give everyone a chance to participate in global markets confidently.”
With a minimum deposit requirement of $50, compared to the previous $200, the platform lowers the entry threshold for Nigerians looking to trade. It also allows micro-lot trading, enabling users to start small and manage risk effectively
Uzochukwu said the platform offers a user-friendly interface, built-in educational resources and trade inspiration to help beginners build confidence step by step.
For experienced traders, FXTM Edge delivers competitive spreads starting from 1.2, a reward system that covers both lots and units traded, and the option to test strategies at lower cost.
She added that the mobile-first design reflects the growing reliance on smartphones for financial activities in Nigeria, offering speed, convenience and flexibility to traders on the move.
“Trading should not be intimidating. With Edge, beginners can start small, learn with the right support and gradually grow at their own pace,” she said.
Backed by FXTM’s global reputation for reliability and expertise, the new platform is expected to encourage broader participation of Nigerians in global financial markets
Airtel Africa has extended its $100 million share buyback programme, first launched in December 2024, in partnership with Barclays Capital Securities Limited. The scheme, aimed at improving shareholder returns, has so far returned $34.7 million through the repurchase of 14.2 million shares, with $20.3 million still to be acquired.
The initiative, now running until March 2026, follows the completion of an initial $50 million phase in April 2025 and currently includes a $55 million tranche.
The telecommunications group, listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), is operating within regulations that restrict share buybacks to 15 percent of issued shares over two years. All repurchased shares will be cancelled, reducing the company’s share capital and potentially increasing earnings per share (EPS).
The buyback follows a strong performance in the first quarter of 2025, when Airtel Africa reported a 16-fold increase in EPS to 3.4 cents, supported by higher operating profits and lower foreign exchange losses. The company also raised capital expenditure by 27 percent, investing $737 million in 2024 to expand infrastructure and secure spectrum across its markets.
The extension of the scheme, according to Airtel Africa, also reflects its intention to provide consistent shareholder value while maintaining investment in its network. The partnership with Barclays ensures compliance with regulations during closed trading periods and seeks to limit market disruption.
Airtel Africa has in recent years considered a separate listing of its mobile money business but postponed the initial public offering in 2025, choosing instead to direct capital into shareholder-focused measures such as the buyback.
Industry observers point out that buybacks may improve financial ratios by reducing outstanding shares, but they can also indicate fewer reinvestment options. Airtel Africa has argued that its programme complements long-term growth priorities, pointing to a 29.5 percent increase in mobile money revenue and a 24 percent rise in its customer base.
The company continues to weigh shareholder rewards alongside reinvestment, citing foreign exchange volatility and other economic pressures in its largest market, Nigeria.
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