Telecom
NCC Spreads Digital Dividends to Varsities, Others via ADAPTI, DAP
AS part of its deliberate digital inclusion policy to address digital divides across a broad spectrum of the society generally and the school system in particular, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently took digital dividends to some institutions of higher learning in the country.
These schools included Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Benin, Government Junior Secondary School, Jabi, Abuja, Katsina State College, Katsina, Government Secondary School Dan Musa, Katsina State, among others.
The NCC acknowledged the gap in ICT services early enough and opted to cushion these needs by taking services, equipment and infrastructure to these centres of learning.
The Commission through the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) has been able to empower several of these higher institutions by donating digital centres, computer laboratories fitted with laptops and internet connectivity, generating sets as part of the digital dividends.
While secondary schools benefit through the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP). DAP ensures that teachers are empowered first to pass knowledge to the students.
DAP promotes hands-on digital empowerment by creating an environment where students have direct knowledge of usage of computers and ICTs in support of their studies.
Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive viice chairman (EVC) explained that this is one of the ways we can reach the unreached and serve the unserved and underserved members of the society.
Juwah further assured that many more institutions and schools will be covered especially now that the broadband revolution has begun. “Broadband will make a world of difference”.
Mr. Tony Ojobo, director, Public Affairs, in a statement explained that to continue the distribution of digital knowledge, and awareness in schools and support students in acquiring knowledge of computer in their studies, the Commission donated ICT/Telecommunications books to Ekiti State University, recently.
Juwah specifically said the Commission wants to put smiles on the faces of students and the school system.
The EVC who was represented by Ms. Josephine Amuwa (Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis), stated in Ekiti that one of the core functions of the NCC is the implementation of programmes and plans that promote the development of the communications industry and in order to achieve this, the NCC has implemented several capacity building initiatives to enhance the knowledge base of the participants in the telecoms industry in Nigeria.
Some of these initiatives include the establishment of the Digital Bridge Institute in 2004 in order to contribute to the creation of knowledge-based information society in Africa, through human resource capacity building in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
The EVC stated that the Commission in 2005 also established the NCC library for use of researchers and undergraduate students from various tertiary institutions across the country.
He further explained that higher institutions in Ekiti State, which fall within South West geo-political zone, have not benefitted from the National Books Donation Initiative of the Commission since inception of the project which is carried out in phases, Hence the need to begin from the Ekiti State University.
Eighty Seven ICT/Telecom engineering books on behalf of the EVC were donated by Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, commissioner of NCC, and received by Prof. Oladipo Aina, Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Commission for contributing ICT/ Telecommunications books to the University which will impact and add value to the lives of the students.
The Commission has also taken the ADAPTI project to The Polytechnic, Ibadan Oyo State, where 110 laptops were commissioned.
The Advanced Digital Awareness programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) is one of the programmes through which the NCC strives to bridge the digital divide through the provision of computers in order to equip lecturers and also to improve the skills of students.
The EVC who was represented by the NCC zonal coordinator in Ibadan, Mr. Banji Ojo in his speech stated that The Polytechnic, Ibadan was among the 52 beneficiaries of the ADAPTI project of the Commission in 2013, and that more than 222 institutions of higher learning across the country have so far benefitted from ADAPTI since it began in 2008.
Speaking at the event, Juwah stated that the key objectives of these programmes are to prepare the nation for a digital tomorrow and equip the youth with the necessary skills to tap into the potentials of the digital age and in the case of ADAPTI, it is aimed at improving the resource persons in the process of impacting knowledge. The EVC further explained that the Commission is committed to assisting the nation in the quest for ICT penetration through ADAPTI.
Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, chairman of the House Committee on Communications, urged the students to take advantage of the computers, which were commissioned, advising that the laptops are for the use of lecturers to improve their administrative skills.
He also advised the students of The Polytechnic to stay away from crimes such as cybercrime and focus on their education in order to contribute to the nation’s wellbeing.
The Digital Awareness Program (DAP) is a special intervention programme by the Commission to address the digital information knowledge gap in the country especially among the teeming youthful population.
The strategy in this programme is to expose schools and colleges to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) awareness, usage and application by facilitating access to ICT tools.
Under the project, selected institutions of learning spread across the country are equipped with computer laboratories fully installed with internet facilities and their teachers exposed to ICT training in order to equip them to teach their students, Ojobo further explained in the statement.
By the last count, the DAP Project has supported 229 secondary Schools across the six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory with the provision of twenty one (21) desktop computers, Local Area Network, printers, scanners, VSAT dish and deployment of one year bandwidth subscription for Internet access.
These facilities are complemented with standby generators and a special accommodation built for that purpose; thus aggregating everything into a fully kitted Computer Laboratory.
The programme also entails human capacity building and managerial training for key personnel in charge of the Centres from the beneficiary institutions.
As part of the Commission’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to facilitate ICT Awareness in secondary schools and support students in acquiring knowledge of computer in their studies, the Commission commissioned two projects in Katsina state recently.
One of the beneficiaries is Government Secondary School, Dan Musa, Katsina State
A newly constructed computer laboratory with 20 Desktop computers with internet access, Generator Set, Air conditioners, NCC branded window blinds, was commissioned at the school.
Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, executive governor of Katsina State, was represented by Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki, special adviser (Science and Tech) at the event.
The projects were facilitated by Alhaji Jamilu Mohammed Dan Musa, a former commissioner of Water Resources in the State. So many stakeholder graced the occasion.
Katsina College, Katsina State also benefitted
A new constructed Computer Laboratory, 20 Desktop Computers with internet access, Generator Set, Air-conditioners, NCC branded window blinds were commissioned at Katsina College, Katsina, a prestigious institution and an Alma Mata of so many prominent Nigerians.
In Imo State a constructed computer laboratory, installed generator, air conditioners and branded window blinds at Omuma Secondary Technical School in Oru East LGA was one of the DAP projects while ADAPTI projects with 110 laptops were supplied and installed at each of the following locations:
.Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo
. Skills Acquisition Centre, Orlu (a campus of Imo State Polytechnic)
.St. Damian School of Nursing, Okporo
.Federal Polytechnic Nekede
These are some of the initiatives by the Commission to spread digital awareness through digital inclusion, Ojobo added.
News
NITDA Communications Director Hadiza Umar Named in 2026 PR Power List, Graces Glazia Magazine Cover
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of the Corporate Communications and Media Relations Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has been officially recognised as one of Nigeria’s top public relations professionals in the prestigious 2026 PR Power List.
The definitive annual list, compiled by GLG Communications in partnership with The Guardian, was unveiled to commemorate World PR Day.
It celebrates 50 outstanding professionals within Nigeria and the diaspora whose strategic communication strategies have significantly shaped organisations, influenced public discourse, and advanced the profession over the past 12 months.
Adding to the momentous milestone, Mrs. Umar was hit with a major surprise at the exclusive PR Power List Soirée and Awards ceremony held at the Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she was unveiled as a front-cover personality for the Glazia Magazine PR Power List Special Issue.
The double recognition highlights her exceptional distinction and impact in public sector communications and narrative management.
Speaking on the dual achievement, Mrs. Umar expressed profound gratitude for the honours, describing the magazine cover appearance as a breathtaking surprise.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be recognized on the 2026 PR Power List and to feature on the cover of Glazia Magazine alongside other exceptional industry titans,” Umar said.
“This milestone is a testament to the enabling environment and visionary leadership of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, which has allowed us to strategically drive the narrative of Nigeria’s digital economy and technological innovation.”
Mrs. Umar, a highly respected corporate communications strategist, holds professional fellowships in the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (Chartered), the African Public Relations Association (APRA), and the Institute of Corporate Administration (CICA).
Under her supervisory role, NITDA’s media relations have consistently projected national information technology frameworks, start-up support frameworks, and digital literacy initiatives, to position Nigeria competitively on the global stage.
The 2026 PR Power List selection process involved a rigorous, independent evaluation led by a distinguished international jury.
The organisers noted that the class of 2026 represents professionals raising the standard of strategic communications and introducing new ideas to the industry.
The need for Nigeria to think outside the box in its need to drive towards global relevance with innovations and scientific developments will be on the front burner at the NITRA Innovative & Scientific Conference scheduled to hold on Thursday July 23, 2026 in Ikeja, Lagos.
NITRA
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will lead other delegates to discuss and take far-reaching decisions at the event, which has its theme as “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation”.
Other companies that have indicated interest in partnering with NITRA include mobile communications company, Tecno; Africa’s premier end-to-end AI solutions company, Hyperspace; and telecommunications data infrastructure company, Digital Realty.
Speaking on the proposed event, the Chairman, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the event will seek to create a platform for government and private organisations to deliberate on policies around scientific innovations in Nigeria, challenges, place of indigenous and foreign collaboration, roles of each stakeholder, and grassroots development in that regard, among others.
According to him: “The Federal government, with series of programmes and partnerships, has established the urgent need to create an ecosystem that thrives on scientific innovation, breeding institutions and individuals with a target of placing the country at the fore-front of Next-Gen development.
It is a known fact that digital and scientific innovations are crucial, not only to the survivability of a nation, but also to the sustainability of its growth and development, with significant effect on economic strength, global image, defense and security, government capabilities to function, and public health and safety, communication and digital footprint, among others.
The federal government is actively driving scientific innovation to foster economic diversification and build a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Efforts are heavily focused on commercializing research, establishing massive research funds, and funding strategic infrastructure, particularly in technology, biotechnology, and healthcare. Core government initiatives and policies include the newly instituted National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF), which aims to mobilize about $500 million annually to support research and the commercialization of scientific outputs; and the Nigeria Genomic City, a multi-ministerial initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria into a leading hub for genomics, precision medicine, and biotechnology. It is designed to protect indigenous data, stimulate artificial intelligence in health, and develop a highly skilled scientific workforce.
According to the General Secretary of NITRA, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the forum will also be a vehicle to propagating the views of decision makers to the public, thereby furthering the cause of public awareness and information dissemination on the topic.
The focus, he said will be on how Nigeria can sustain digital innovative growth and scientific development in Nigeria
The board of global payments company, PayPal, says a 53 billion dollars takeover offer from financial technology firm, Stripe, and private equity company, Advent International, does not adequately reflect the company’s long-term value.
PayPal
According to reports, the proposed acquisition, valued at 60.50 dollars per share, remains under consideration, with the board yet to formally respond to the offer.
The directors are said to be evaluating not only the financial value of the proposal but also the structure of the financing, the timeline for completing the transaction and the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approvals.
They are also considering the possibility of competing bids emerging.
Although the offer represents a premium of about 28 per cent above PayPal’s recent share price, the board believes the company could deliver greater value to shareholders if its ongoing turnaround strategy succeeds.
Following reports of the bid, PayPal shares gained about two per cent to close at 56.73 dollars.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Stripe and Advent have secured approximately 50 billion dollars in debt financing from JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, while both firms would jointly contribute 17 billion dollars in equity.
Under the proposal, the two companies would jointly own PayPal instead of dividing its operations.
PayPal, Stripe, Advent International, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley have all declined to comment on the proposed transaction.
The discussions come as PayPal seeks to strengthen its business after years of increasing competition from rivals including Apple Pay, Google Pay and emerging financial technology firms.
The company, which was valued at about 360 billion dollars in 2021, now has a market capitalisation of approximately 36 billion dollars.
Since assuming office as Chief Executive Officer in March 2026, Enrique Lores has embarked on a restructuring programme aimed at improving operational efficiency and restoring growth.
The restructuring includes the creation of three business divisions comprising Checkout, Venmo and Consumer Financial Services, and Payments and Crypto.
The company is also targeting 1.5 billion dollars in cost savings through the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies.
PayPal’s latest financial results indicated signs of recovery, with first-quarter revenue rising seven per cent year-on-year to 8.35 billion dollars, while total payment volume increased by eight per cent to 464 billion dollars.
If approved, the transaction would combine two of the world’s largest digital payments companies.
The combined business would process an estimated 3.7 trillion dollars in annual payment volume, significantly strengthening its position in the global online payments market.
However, analysts expect the proposed acquisition to face intense regulatory scrutiny because of the companies’ combined market share in merchant payment services.
To address possible antitrust concerns, the bidders have reportedly considered options, including separating PayPal’s Braintree business or other assets if required by regulators.
Sources said Stripe and Advent remain interested in pursuing the acquisition despite the board’s reservations, although negotiations are expected to continue.
Market observers are also awaiting PayPal’s earnings report scheduled for July 28 for further indications of the company’s financial recovery and future growth prospects.
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