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i4ITCB partners Oracle Academy, NCS to hold Seminar for STEM lecturers in South East
The Initiative for Information Technology Capacity Building (i4itcb) has called for improved pedagogy among Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) tutors in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.
The Non-Governmental Organization, made this emphasies at a one-day Academia’s & Technology Seminar for STEM lecturers held at Universal Hotel, Indepedence Layout, Enugu in collaboration with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Oracle Academy which demonstrated educational curriculum resources to aid the educators impart their students.
Speaking at the seminar themed: Teaching for Industry Relevant STEM Skills’, Prof. Hettie Abimbola Soriyan, Lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, said that STEM teachers need a change in their mindset to be able to win-back students to the classrooms.
She said, “They are working with a generation that does not show as much interest in class room lectures as it was in times gone by, because their interest in technology, especially social media has increased in leaps, almost as a disadvantage.
“So, lecturers need to leave our comfort zones to train ourselves to use that technology to reach out to the students. Engage the students; give them some things to think about, analyse and present their thoughts.
“From the exercise we did here, the participants now have a better understanding of areas that need improvement on their part.
“If teachers transpose skills learnt from the exercise into system development analysis, it is clear, more work is required on the part of the Lecturers.
“I recommend that programs like this should be spread over two to three days; as there are still lots to discuss about how to win-back the students”.
Cross section of Speakers and participants at the seminar.
Prof. Soriyan, emphasised need to transform the same technology students are using to their advantages.
“When you want to give assignment link it to social media and recent topics. They like watching videos like cartoons. Let’s test them based on those areas.
“We have to appreciate the fact that their’s is a generation that is tech-savvy only for use and consumption and are not interested in developing technology parse. So, teachers need to change the dynamics”, she added.
Engr Iyiola Ayoola, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said that from the theme it is obvious that participants have been exposed to the need to teach computer science or IT courses in the relevant way; that is, to galvanize the economy into fourth industrial revolution.
“When we refer to the fourth industrial revolution, it implies that IT has penetrated every facet of human endeavour. As a result, we are seeing technological disruptions today.
“So, we are talking about lecturers and teachers of Computer Science courses; they should be able to stay ahead of the class and the result is graduates who are ready to conquer in this technological dispensation.
“We have many IT courses now in Big Data, Robotics, Mobile Internet, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Virtual Reality; these are disruptions in the IT industry that should be taught with the relevant tools and revamped curriculum.
“Definitely, there is no dull student; when taught in the right manner, each student will find one area as relevant to him or her”, Engr. Ayoola reechoed.
During her presentation, the Country Programs Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, Oracle Academy, Sefunmi Fadahunsi, reiterated the global IT giant’s determination to impact next generation of professionals through free educational resources around STEM that teachers and schools can leverage on to deliver quality teaching and learning experience.
In her words: “It means that students need to be engaged practically to be able to learn STEM so that they can have skills relevant in the industry.
“All the resources Oracle Academy has for them is free. The resources are industry relevant. In other words, what the students will learn through Oracle Academy is the same as our customers are subscribing to, to drive their businesses; Java, Database, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning resources, curriculum and software resources – all free for both the teachers and the students.
“That is what we have brought to the South Eastern States and we hope to continue working with them for the advancement of Computer Science Education”.
Meanwhile, the Founder, Initiative for Information Technology Capacity Building, i4itcb, Dele Bayo-Osibo, explained the rationale behind the seminar.
“What informed our coming to the South East is that, we have a vision to improve the footprints of Information Technology professionals in the polity.
“What we have decided to do is to move from region to region and carry out this impartation of knowledge.
“The Idea is that we will, overtime, close the gap between the industry and the academia. We believe in moving from ‘Knowledge to Impact’; which is our slogan.
“And as such, we want to impart knowledge in the academia because we believe they are critical stakeholders in this move to improve IT technicians, professionals in the polity”, Bayo-Osibo said.
Highpoint of the seminar was a debate on the positive and negative impacts of Artificial intelligence in human society with two lecturers emerging winners; and took home new laptop each presented by i4itcb.
Assessing the debaters, the Chief Customer Architect, ECEMA, Oracle Africa, Dr. Olufemi Oyenuga, said: “I can feel the energy among the Teachers in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.
“The energy is really positive. There is also the DNA of South Eastern part of Nigeria wanting to learn. I have never seen quite an astonishing debate on AI as these University professors and doctors did.
“They actually connected the knowledge, application and future of AI to some basic things about our life and culture.
“I think the convener of the programme has done a fantastic job because she had planted a seed, let’s watch out it grows and bears much fruits.
“Secondly, I think it is going to connect and open up tributes of knowledge on fourth industrial revolution in Nigeria looking at things like 5G, AI, IoT, Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, as the fulcrum to the next technological advancement we are in; not necessarily looking at the entire gambit rather taking it in bits.
“So, the learning methodology must change for a transmission and transformation of knowledge into fourth industrial revolution”.
Nodding in agreement, Mayowa Ajiboye of TechX Innovation Hub located in Enugu State, said, “I believe that there should be synergy between the universities and technology innovation hubs in the South East, because universities possess the brain-power for innovation.
“But I noticed that over the years, it has never been so with regards this part of the country. That is why hubs are springing up.
“Nevertheless, the bulk of the ideas are still in the universities, so they need to synergise with all the hubs around as fast as possible to translate the energy and ideas into valuable products. With the hubs, they can easily get their models very correctly”.
Globacom is rolling out extensive network improvements to deliver a significantly better experience for its customers. These proactive measures are designed to ensure subscribers continue to get excellent value, particularly following recent tariff adjustments.
The ongoing upgrade involves a widespread deployment of new base stations, expanding coverage to previously underserved areas, and strengthening existing coverage in growing population centres. This strategic densification will guarantee superior network quality for both voice and data services across the entire country.
In a significant investment, Globacom is also re-routing its fibre infrastructure in several locations where road construction has compromised the fibre, including vital routes like Auchi-Okene and Benin-Ekpoma, Lafia-Akwanga, Minna-Abuja, and Funtua-Gusau.
“We decided, at a huge cost, to relocate the fibres, many of which had been vandalized in several places by uncoordinated road construction activities, in order to bring best-in-class services to customers”, the company disclosed.
Customers can look forward to brighter days ahead as Glo completes the deployment of hundreds of new sites nationwide. This year alone, thousands of 4G LTE sites have been activated in key cities, with additional hundreds of new sites are currently being deployed to further boost connectivity. These efforts are supported by massive upgrades of backhaul capacity (microwave and fibre) and a seamless improvement in the core network.
Globacom assured its subscribers that these ongoing initiatives will translate to enhanced service delivery, expanded coverage, faster data speeds, and overall improved network performance. The company plans to add over a thousand new sites in the next year, prioritizing LTE expansion to deepen its reliable data reach and extending fibre to more hub sites for greater service robustness.
Furthermore, Glo is committed to minimizing its carbon footprint by expanding hybrid power solutions and relying more on battery power across its sites, representing another substantial investment.
Despite these positive developments, Globacom continues to highlight the challenge of deliberate sabotage of network equipment, even with its designation as critical national infrastructure, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures.
Nigeria’s corporate landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, with women increasingly occupying leadership positions and reshaping the narrative at the highest levels. A striking example of this shift unfolded recently as Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS, Company Secretary of MTN Nigeria, was inaugurated as the 30th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).
L-R: Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Uto Ukpanah, President, ICSAN and Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, and Aniekan Ukpanah, Managing Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie at the Investiture Ceremony of Uto Ukpanah as ICSAN 30th President, held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 23, 2o25.
Historically, ICSAN was led exclusively by men for nearly 57 years. However, the trend began to change in 2023 when Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo broke barriers as the Institute’s first female president. In 2025, her successor and former vice president, Mrs. Ukpanah, has now become only the second woman to assume the presidency, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s governance sector.
This development aligns with the broader momentum for women’s leadership across Nigeria’s business ecosystem. MTN Nigeria stands out as a champion of gender diversity. The company’s 2024 Annual Report reveals that women now constitute 41.4% of the workforce, a marked increase by 3% compared to 2023.
Among executive management, women hold 34.7% of positions, while female board representation stands at 21.4%. MTN’s deliberate drive, bolstered by initiatives such as the Women in Tech programme and the Y’ello Mums Internship, is fostering a pipeline of female talent across all tiers.
Female leaders at MTN are shaping strategy and impact on multiple fronts: Dr. Mosun Olusoga chairs the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya serves as the Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Dr. Omobola Johnson contributes as a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors; and a host of others including Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Esther Akinnukawe, Ugonwa Nwoye, among others, lead critical business functions.
MTN’s policy of inclusion is reflected not just in numbers, but in recent recognitions. In 2024, Odunayo Sanya was named CSI Personality of the Year at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards, and Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria (subsidiary of MTN), received the Woman in Telecoms Award in London.
Mrs. Ukpanah herself was honoured as the first-ever African recipient of the Global Corporate Secretary of the Year Award by the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA), a testament to her pioneering leadership.
Ukpanah’s investiture as ICSAN President was held on July 23, 2025, in Lagos, attracting an array of dignitaries, government officials, and business leaders. Chaired by Prof. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, with a keynote delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, the event saw the full support of MTN Nigeria’s top brass, including CEO Karl Toriola and Board Chairman Dr. Ernest Ndukwe. In his goodwill message, Dr. Ndukwe remarked:
“This honour is a fitting recognition for Uto’s distinguished career, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to the principles of good governance. Uto has consistently exemplified the values that I believe ICSAN upholds, and we are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Institute’s aspirations towards promoting excellence in governance.
“At MTN Nigeria, we are proud of her achievements and reaffirm our full support as she embarks on this important assignment. We look forward to the positive impact her tenure will bring to ICSAN.”
Also, her husband, Aniekan Ukpanah, Senior Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, described her as “a passionate steward, rooted in family, bound by purpose, and committed to legacy.” Outgoing ICSAN President Mrs. Ekundayo added that Ukpanah is “astute, visionary, and principled.”
Mrs. Ukpanah’s ascendancy to ICSAN’s top office, and MTN’s visible support, do more than celebrate personal or organisational victories; they signal a new era, one in which women are not just present, but are key architects of governance and future prosperity for Nigeria.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the illegal sale of personal data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), amid reports of a growing underground market targeting unsuspecting citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Commission expressed deep concern following revelations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that young Nigerians are offering between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to individuals in exchange for their NIN and other sensitive details. These details are then allegedly resold to certain fintech platforms for as much as ₦5,000.
“This is not just a case of minor fraud, it’s a threat to national security and personal safety,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC. “When you hand over your data to unknown agents, you are essentially handing over control of your identity.”
The Commission reiterated that it will not be held liable for any misuse of personal data shared voluntarily by individuals or through third parties for financial gain or inducement.
NIMC further cautioned service providers to ensure that every NIN presented for services is properly verified using approved channels before access is granted.
To safeguard personal identity, Nigerians are encouraged to download the NINAuth App, available on Apple iOS and Google Play Store. The app enables users to manage, secure, and control access to their NIN data.
“The story of your identity should be written by you, not sold for a quick payout,” the Commission stated.
NAN reports that the NIMC’s advisory comes amid rising concerns over digital identity theft and the misuse of personal data in Nigeria’s expanding fintech ecosystem.
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