General News
Lagos Commences Integration of NIN with State Single Social Register
Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that the Lagos State Single Social Register is updated and integrated with individuals’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) to enhance the effectiveness of social protection programmes in the state and in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.
This was stated by Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Lagos state.
Ojo disclosed this at a forum tagged: “Unified for Impact,” organised by the Ministry, through the Social Protection Coordinating Department, to sensitize stakeholders from various sectors, including selected Heads of Departments and Community Development Council Chairmen from the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the state, to provide them with a deeper understanding of the numerous benefits associated with enhancing the Single Social Register through seamless integration.
According to Ojo, “The Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) has become the cornerstone for our social intervention programmes, helping to ensure that support reaches those who need it the most.
However, we recognize that the full potential of LASSR can only be unlocked when it is linked with the National Identification Number (NIN).”
She added, “We need your support today; let us reflect on our collective progress, share ideas, identify gaps, and build synergy that will strengthen our coordination and level of impact in Lagos State, ensuring that nobody is left behind.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised the importance of leveraging data-driven innovation to build a more equitable and responsive system for all residents of Lagos.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Funmilola Olotu, national coordinator, National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, noted that as part of its efforts to cater to the needs of the citizenry, the Presidency recognizes that linking the National Social Register with NIN would be of great impact and has cascaded it to every state in the Federation.
Olotu reiterated the President’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy, saying, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about integrating NIN with the National Social Register to strengthen credibility and accountability, as well as ensure that all vulnerable individuals in the nation are well-catered for.”
Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, and Mrs. ‘Jibike Onigbanjo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, commended the department’s work so far and emphasised the importance of the Social Register in the planning and execution of government intervention. T
hey encouraged stakeholders to cascade the importance to their various communities as a matter of urgency.
In the same vein, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, director of Social Protection Coordinating Department, in her presentation, explained how the data collated from the Lagos State Single Social Register serves as the bedrock of the social intervention architecture of the state.
The Director expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their role in reaching the grassroots level and encouraged them to continuously ensure everyone in need is covered.
She said, “We appreciate the stakeholders’ efforts in reaching the grassroots level and urge them to work more closely with us to ensure that no one is left behind, according to the developmental pillars of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, THEMES Plus.”
She added, “This Social Register helps the right intervention get to the right people, ensuring social justice, equity, and protection for citizens of Lagos State”.
Garbadeen-Adedeji appealed to the stakeholders present to ensure that the provisions made for vulnerable people by the government make an impact so that everyone can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
The Director appealed that beyond the stakeholder’s forum, each member of the community should spread the word about the benefits inherent in updating the Lagos State Single social register.
“This is a call to action for the entire community to ensure that no one is left behind, as Lagos residents we can contribute to the success of the register update initiative by sensitizing our community members on the benefit, let us ensure this is a case of all for one and one for all,” she emphasised.
Following the event, the department’s team visited the Kosofe Local Government, where they conducted sensitization, addressed field officers’ challenges, and engaged with residents to encourage their participation in the update process. They also visited the palace of the Traditional Ruler of the Area, Chief Surajudeen Lasisi, where they canvassed for support.
The Traditional Ruler promised to use his influence to ensure that the people in his constituency are sensitized and embrace the update of the register.
One of the stakeholders present at the forum, Mr. Balogun Tejumade, chairman of Olubori Community Development Association (CDA), commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative, saying, “We commend the Lagos State Government for this initiative, which will enhance social protection programmes and improve the lives of our residents.
The Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) is a database of Heads and Members of Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHS).
The Lagos State Single Social Register update and Integration with the National Identification Number (NIN) kicked off on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, in the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Galaxy Space, Chinese LEO satellite player, to deploy direct‑to‑device (D2D) satellite services nationwide by the end of this year.
According to media reports, Galaxy Space will integrate its LEO satellite constellation into Nigeria’s telecom grid, which will allow existing smartphones and laptops to link directly to the satellites.
The MoU also covers technology‑transfer programmes, joint R&D labs and the co‑production of a CubeSat by Nigerian engineers.
Apart from the benefit of enabling mobile coverage outside of terrestrial network range, Dr Matthew Adepoju, director- general, NASRDA, said the deal with GalaxySpace would enable Nigeria to build up its domestic space technology sector.
“It is no longer acceptable that we must import every single device we need,” he told the News Agency of Nigera. “The time has come for us to produce our own technologies here at home.”
GalaxySpace, which designs and manufactures its own LEO satellites, currently has a test constellation of seven LEO satellites in orbit, and has said its “Mini-Spider” constellation will eventually comprise up to 1,000 satellites.
GalaxySpace said it has also signed multi-tier partnerships in Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Last year, it also signed a deal with Hong Kong carrier PCCW Global to integrate its LEOsat connectivity with PCCW’s worldwide network, giving it access to over 3,000 cities across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
General News
IHS Nigeria, United Nations Global Compact Host High-Level Dialogue on Sustainability and Greener Business Practices in Nigeria
IHS Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, hosted a high-level private sector dialogue themed “Collaborative Strategies for Greener Business Practices, Innovation and Sustainable Development”.
The event, held in Lagos, brought together key players from different sectors including finance, law, telecommunications, biodiversity, and corporate sustainability to explore actionable pathways to achieve meaningful environmental stewardship in Nigeria.
The panel session offered bold perspectives on integrating sustainability into business frameworks across different sectors, whilst dispelling myths, and highlighting opportunities for organizations, and calling for collective action from all players within the business value chain.
Delivering a keynote address, Titilope Oguntuga, Director, Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, emphasized the urgency of environmental consciousness: “Sustainability is not a destination — it’s a collective journey.
“It requires courage to transform, vision to lead, and collaboration to scale. Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can either be overwhelmed by the risks or rise to become a beacon of green innovation and inclusive growth in Africa. The choice is ours — and the time is now.”
Sylvie Josel, Lead, Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions at the United Nations Global Compact, joined virtually from New York and spotlighted nature as a strategic asset:
“Nature must no longer be treated as an afterthought. It underpins everything, from human rights to supply chains. Embedding biodiversity into a company’s core strategy isn’t just a risk mitigation measure; it’s a smart, future-forward business imperative”.
Lanre Babalola, Group Head, Climate Finance and Sustainability at the Bank of Industry (BOI), provided insights into how BOI is funding sustainable ventures and driving innovation: “We look beyond profitability; we look at environmental and social impact. Whether it’s plastic roads, biogas, or solar transitions, we support businesses that are not only bankable but capable of reshaping the future.”
From the legal perspective, Oyeronke Oyetunde, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Group, drew attention to the regulatory challenges hindering sustainability adoption: “Our legal frameworks are trailing behind today’s sustainability realities. We need forward-thinking laws, reduced regulatory silos, and incentives that reward the right behavior. Sustainability can’t thrive where enforcement is weak, and taxation is excessive.”
Abimbola Agbejule, Head, Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility at Wema bank, spoke passionately about inclusiveness in sustainable development: “You don’t need to start big to make impact. MSMEs make up a huge part of our economy. Sustainability should be embedded in their day-to-day activities, and we must democratize access to knowledge, tools, and partnerships.”
The session was moderated by Gloria Okorie, Head of Programs at the United Nations Global Impact Center.
The event closed with a resounding call to action for stronger legal frameworks, deeper collaborations, and inclusive capacity building across sectors. The event further reinforces IHS Nigeria’s position as a leader in corporate sustainability and innovation in Nigeria.
“At IHS Nigeria, we recognize that true progress happens when sustainability is not an obligation, but a culture, lived every day, across every unit,” Titilope Oguntuga added.
Through initiatives like this dialogue, IHS Nigeria and its partners continue to champion solutions that protect the planet, empower people, and ensure long-term business viability.
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading digital rights and inclusion nonprofit, has revealed in its 2024 Annual Impact Report that over 707 young individuals across 11 African countries have been empowered through its flagship LIFE Legacy Programme.
The initiative delivers training in life skills, ICT, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship—transforming underserved communities across the continent.
In 2024, the LIFE Legacy Programme ran 25 training cohorts across Cameroon, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Sudan, Liberia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Senegal, 60 laptops were distributed to local partners, while digital literacy programmes were launched in schools in Cameroon and Tanzania through the LIFE@School initiative.
PIN advanced its advocacy by supporting 29 legal cases in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. A notable success was the landmark judgment in Molehin v. UBA, where the bank was found guilty of violating data privacy laws.
PIN’s research and media efforts made powerful waves. The Londa digital rights report, covering 26 countries, was downloaded 8,457 times. Its fourth short film, Undersight, recorded nearly one million views on YouTube. PIN also developed an AI strategy report with TrustLaw and collaborated with the Centre for Democratic Technology to assess content moderation policies for Kiswahili across Kenya and Tanzania. A separate report highlighted the troubling deployment of surveillance technologies across Africa, which was referenced in direct advocacy engagements with a telecom operator.
The organisation’s advocacy also contributed to the adoption of the African Commission’s Resolution 580, which urges governments to avoid Internet shutdowns during elections—strengthening digital freedom across the continent.
Meanwhile, the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) convened in Accra attracted 1,004 delegates from 61 countries, strengthening regional collaboration and amplifying the voice of civil society. PIN’s strategic communications pushed its media reach to 1.43 billion and social media engagement to 8.8 million.
Alongside training and policy efforts, the organisation inspired young changemakers through youth-focused campaigns and hosted seven fellows under the Digital Rights and Inclusion Learning Lab (DRILL) fellowship.
Crowning a year of impact, PIN earned the maiden PrivCon Privacy Award in Nigeria and was recognised in the Social Innovation Category at the Nigeria Innovation Awards for its work connecting African youth to digital opportunity.
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