Telecom
Lagos FI Chapter Graduates 21, Changes to Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos

Founder Institute, Lagos Chapter, in its maiden edition of Velocity, graduated its first cohort of entrepreneurs, after a rigorous 14-week class.
The graduation ceremony which took place, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Victoria Island, Lagos, saw a huge the turn out stakeholders in the industry event.
The atmosphere at the Commerce House, where the graduation took place, was lit, as the graduates, (founders), start-up mentors, entrepreneurs, captains of industries, top bank executives and potential start-up founders all graced the occasion.

Delivering the welcome address of the day, Demola Sogunle, deputy managing director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, who was represented by Wole Adeniyi, executive director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised the role of technology, in enhancing business.
“Technology is about enabling business, making it easier and convenient, to make progress and just like what we are set to do daily, making progress with our customers is part of the alignment in several fonts”, Sogunle observed.

A cross-section of Mentors and FI Directors
The DMD expressed his delight, at being part of the Founder Institute project. “There are many other projects that can be done going forward; so many opportunities for growth and most important is, in adding value, but we take it a step at a time”, he emphasized.
“We are confident that, the start-ups have been empowered to deliver value. We are very proud to be part of the story and we believe that, you will do well”, added Demola, as he congratulated the graduates and the management of Founder Institute.
Delivering the keynote speech, John Obaro, founder, SystemSpecs and developer of Remita, the payment platform, titled his keynote address; “My 27 pence”. Obaro noted that, problems are opportunities, waiting to be unraveled, emphasising the need to fail forward, in pursuit of success. “According to Stanbic IBTC, over 80% of Nigerian start-ups fail, within their first five years”, he noted.
John Obaro, Founder, SystemSpecs, delivering the keynote address
Obaro expressed some valuable points in his keynote speech. Some of these include the following:
- The need to get hungry, to provide a working solution and make an impact
- The need to build a strong team
- The power of focus, (identifying a clear problem and having a solution)
“There are too many “technologies” and “solutions” out there, looking for a problem to solve.”
- The need for quality products and services
- The need for brainstorming and balanced thinking
- Building a good business policy, with values
“Be aware of trends and adapt your business models and practices, to suite the same. Relevance is the currency of the digital age. Consistently seek it – through innovation!”, stressed Obaro.
Obaro concluded by emphasising the need for the graduates, to collaborate as the partnership formed with others, will be used to harness strengths and extend the opportunity window.

There was, also, a panel session that had a discussion on start-ups and the Nigerian market.
Present among the panelists were, Onyema Akumah, Founder and CEO, Farmcrowdy, Peter Obadare, co-founder, Digital Encode, Tosin Faniro-Dada , Head, Lagos Innovate, LSETF and other guests.
Highlights from the panel discussion include:
- The importance of business networking
- Startu-ps collaboration with others
- Creating platforms that would foster online and offline presence
- The need for founders, to continue learning
21 Founders out of the initial 46 that started the class, graduated, in the first cohort of the Lagos Founder Institute Chapter.
They are Colord tees, Corrents, DiGita, Eazycheck, EscroWallet, Osteena Organics, LaborHack, Baller Zone, LaserPay, Lime start, Scrapays, Agenpo, Athlst, Cargo-L,Padimi, Paperloops, Rentit, Sabiteach,Tokeeto,Tres Melanin and Zowasel.
A cross-section of the founders, Mentors and FI Directors
They all presented their pitch, in the course of the event and got presented with certificates, at the end of the graduation ceremony.
It was announced by the Directors, that Founder Institute, Lagos, has been renamed, Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos.
Telecom
Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria

Nigeria’s fast-rising youth culture and innovation community, The Gathering on 100, is heading to Enugu, with registration now open for gamers, performers, DJs, creatives, and culture enthusiasts.

MTN
The Enugu edition will take place on June 19, 2026, at ICC Hall, Okpara Square, and will bring together a new audience for the platform’s signature blend of music, gaming, live performance, community engagement, and youth-driven entertainment.
The Gathering on 100 first gained national attention in Lagos, where it transformed the National Stadium, Surulere, into a continuous 100-hour ecosystem of activity from April 22–26, 2026.
The event combined culture, commerce, entrepreneurship, gaming, fashion, and live entertainment, attracting thousands of young participants and creating opportunities for emerging talent and businesses.
The movement most recently arrived in Aba, where thousands of young people gathered for a weekend of culture, commerce and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the platform’s growing appeal across different communities and audiences.
The move to Enugu is being framed by organisers as a deliberate expansion into one of Nigeria’s largest student and youth populations. Home to major institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Godfrey Okoye University and Coal City University, Enugu attracts thousands of young people from across the country each year, creating a vibrant community shaped by education, creativity, entertainment and entrepreneurship.
This concentration of young talent has helped fuel a growing ecosystem of creators, performers, gamers, digital entrepreneurs and small business owners.
In recent years, the city has hosted an increasing number of technology, entertainment and youth-focused events, reflecting the growing demand for platforms that bring together creativity, opportunity and community.
These dynamics make Enugu a natural next stop for The Gathering on 100, a platform built around showcasing talent, fostering connections and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
Registration for the Enugu edition is now open through The Gathering’s official website, with participation available across multiple categories including gaming, rap battles, DJ competitions, dance, live performances and entrepreneurship.
A key highlight of the event will be the Pitchathon, where emerging founders and business owners will have the opportunity to present their ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to secure grant funding and support for business growth.
The gaming segment will feature competitive tournaments and interactive experiences designed for both casual and serious players, while rap battles and DJ showdowns will spotlight rising talent from Enugu and neighbouring states.
Attendees can also expect a large scale rave experience, live entertainment and community driven activities designed to bring together different corners of the region’s youth culture under one roof.
Beyond the entertainment, organisers say The Gathering on 100 is designed to create real opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and gain visibility for their talents, ideas and businesses.
As the movement continues its expansion across Nigeria, the Enugu edition is expected to showcase the city’s unique blend of creativity, ambition and cultural influence while providing a platform for the next generation of innovators, performers and entrepreneurs.
Telecom
Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), has said that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.

Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, President of Accra Institute of Technology (AIT).
Professor Dzidonu noted that universities exist not merely to award degrees but to develop capable human beings who can think critically, solve problems creatively, adapt to changing circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to society.
He reiterated AIT’s commitment to producing graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, intellectually curious, and globally competitive.
The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially welcomed newly admitted students into its academic community at a colourful matriculation ceremony held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the university’s Knowledge City Campus-Kokomlemle in Accra.
Speaking on the theme, “Preparing the Sovereign Learner for a World of Opportunity, Possibility and Difference,” the President encouraged students to adopt the Opportunity–Possibility–Difference (OPD) Perspective by recognizing opportunities, exploring possibilities, and creating meaningful differences in their lives and communities. He urged them to see beyond examinations and certificates and focus on building capability, character, and courage.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the lives of the new students as they formally became members of the AIT scholarly community, joining a university renowned for excellence in technology-driven education, innovation, research, and professional development.
The matriculating class comprises students pursuing programmes in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Project Management, and doctoral studies.
Addressing the matriculating class, the President of AIT, Professor Clement K. Dzidonu, congratulated the students on their admission and challenged them to embrace what he termed “The Age of the Sovereign Learner.” He emphasized that the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation demands graduates who are capable of independent thinking, continuous learning, innovation, and responsible leadership.
Professor Dzidonu further challenged the students to make the most of the opportunities available to them at AIT by attending lectures consistently, acting ethically, managing their time wisely, and committing themselves to lifelong learning.
He reminded them that success at the university would depend not only on the resources and support systems provided by AIT but also on their personal commitment to excellence and self-development.
On behalf of the newly admitted students, Mr. Samuel Peace Kamara delivered the matriculants’ acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the university’s leadership, faculty, and staff for the warm reception extended to the new students.
He pledged, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would uphold the values of the university, work diligently in their studies, and strive to become responsible professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.
The ceremony concluded with a formal declaration admitting the students into membership of the university community and a call on them to embrace the opportunities before them, pursue excellence, and contribute positively to national and global development.
Telecom
FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

Federal government has dismissed reports suggesting it plans to introduce new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by Mrs Maryann Duke, Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
According to the ministry, reports linking the alleged taxes to recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation on Nigeria do not reflect the position of the government.
It explained that recommendations contained in IMF consultation reports are advisory in nature and do not constitute policy decisions or binding obligations on the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government is not considering the introduction of any new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products,” the statement said.
The ministry also clarified that existing tax arrangements relating to petroleum products remain unchanged.
It stated that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on fuel remains in force and has not been removed.
According to the statement, any fuel surcharge can only be introduced through a ministerial order published in the Official Gazette, noting that no such action is currently under consideration.
The ministry added that the current policy framework has helped cushion the impact of fluctuations in global fuel prices on households and businesses across the country.
On telecommunications services, the government said the excise duty introduced before 2023 had already been repealed under the country’s new tax laws.
It stressed that the duty is no longer in effect.
The ministry urged Nigerians, businesses and media organisations to disregard reports suggesting that new taxes would be imposed on telecommunications services and petroleum products.
It reiterated that Nigeria’s tax reform agenda remains focused on improving revenue administration, promoting economic growth and attracting investments rather than increasing the tax burden on citizens.
The ministry further assured that any future tax policy changes would be communicated through official channels and implemented in accordance with due process and existing legal provisions.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible economic management aimed at supporting sustainable growth and protecting the welfare of Nigerians.
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