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NITDA Collaborates with PAN Africa Female Youth Initiative on Digital Literacy
National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, is expanding its collaboration tentacles to strengthen digital inclusiveness through a partnership with the Pan African Female Youth Initiative (PANFYL) focused on upscaling digital literacy among women.
This pact was reached during the visit of the founder of PANFYL and some of her executive members to the NITDA corporate head office in Abuja.
PANAFYL is a coalition of young female progressives across the African continent, aiming to end the digital gender gap by championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education among girls and women.
The Director General of NITDA could not agree less with the vision of the PANFYL, he clearly affirms that the agency is constantly ensuring the inclusiveness of all genders, including persons with special abilities, in its implementation processes of the mandates enshrined in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and the NITDA Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP, 2021-2024).
Inuwa emphasised that NITDA has several educational programmes at all levels/demography, irrespective of gender or physical abilities, leveraging both physical and online platforms.
He mentioned the NITDA Academy and the ongoing partnership with Coursera, CISCO, and a host of others, which are open to all and sundry online.
He elaborated on the need for continued collaborations with industry stakeholders in providing diverse platforms to enable digital capabilities to aid the attainment of the 95% digital literacy goal by 2030.
The NITDA Boss acknowledges that the IT development and regulatory government agency is assiduously working towards enabling opportunities for collaboration with international, local, private, and non-governmental organisations such as the World Bank and some indigenous NGOs, Nat View, the Gina Mata Initiative, and a few others.
“Digital literacy is essential in finding, evaluating, creating, and communication through cognitive technical skills through the application of Information Communication Technology,” Inuwa explained the necessity to equip the Nigerian populace with the benefits of technology especially with the potential embedded in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Although the NITDA boss revealed that there have been challenges in getting a good number of women to attend these programmes, he hopes that the collaboration with PANFYL will improve the sensitization campaign for more women to become digitally literate.
Inferring from the Rockefeller Foundation, he said that, “there are issues of socio-cultural norms and income disparities; based on statistics, we have also seen that 42 percent of women are earning way less compared to men in terms of what they are supposed to earn because of their limited abilities within the digital space”.
He further disclosed, “with the aim to close the gap that exists between men and women in terms of use and access to digital technologies, we have come up with a national gender digital inclusion strategy in a draft format for now.”
He added that the vision of the strategy is to enhance women’s participation, positioning them among the drivers of economic growth and development.
The strategy should also address issues like a safe online experience, protection against online harassment or threats, and equal opportunities for men and women.
“We believe that leadership is about inclusivity. That’s why at NITDA, we delegate, empower people, and encourage them to make decisions,” he added.
Mr Inuwa proceeded to discuss game theory, stating that there are two types of games, finite and infinite games. A finite game has known rules and known players, while in an infinite game, there are no established rules.
He said to succeed in an infinite game, there are five principles; first, a just cause, second, a trusting team that would support the leadership. Third, a worthy rival, fourth, the need to have existential flexibility, and lastly, the courage to lead.
He assured the team that the training proposal would be reviewed to capture where both organisations’ objectives align for collaboration, and hopefully, looks forward to jointly hosting the summit before the end of the year to have the summit and training.
“I believe that with this kind of initiative, we can be able to bring our women to parity with their male counterparts, and we look forward to having a productive partnership with you,” said Inuwa.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of African technology, few figures bridge the gap between high-level research and grassroots digital execution as effectively as Nnaemeka Ani.
Nnaemeka Ani
As the Founder of MGX Research Center and the visionary behind MexyGabriel, Ani has emerged as a leading protagonist in the narrative of Nigeria’s technological self-reliance.
The Visionary: Founding MGX Research
At the heart of Ani’s philosophy is MGX Research, a center dedicated to “first-principles thinking.” Under his leadership, the center has become a beacon for data-driven innovation, moving beyond the “hype” of the tech world to focus on persistent, localized solutions.
Through MGX Research Center, he is building a multidisciplinary ecosystem that cuts across artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital identity, e-governance, EdTech, HealthTech, robotics, and automation
Ani’s mantra – “Africa’s rise begins with its own innovation” – is not just a slogan; it is a call to arms for African builders to stop seeking international validation and start authoring their own digital destiny.
As Founder and CEO of MexyGabriel Tech Company, Nnaemeka has driven multiple large-scale technology projects across Nigeria, focusing on digital infrastructure, enterprise solutions, identity and payment platforms, and youth-centered innovation programs. MGX Research Center functions as the research and development arm of this broader ecosystem, providing the thinking laboratory, prototypes, and strategic insights that inform products, policies, and investment decisions.
Nnaemeka is passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, and Africa’s digital future. His work through MGX Research Center aims to position Nigeria not just as a consumer of technology but as a creator of solutions, producing world-class research, thought leadership, and practical tools that can be deployed across states, universities, and private organizations.
He frequently collaborates with universities, government ministries, tech hubs, and global partners, championing a model where research is not locked up in theory but translated into deployable systems, smart policies, and scalable ventures.
Ani has demonstrated a unique ability to turn complex code into commercial and social value. His work has focused on:
- Infrastructure for Good: Developing platforms that bridge the divide between urban tech hubs and rural communities.
- Sovereign Technology: Championing the idea that African data should be managed by African-built systems.
The Public Servant: Digitizing Enugu State
Ani’s influence extends into the corridors of power. Serving as the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on ICT, he has been instrumental in transforming the state into a burgeoning digital ecosystem.
His work in Enugu serves as a blueprint for “Governance-Tech Synergy,” proving that when political will meets technical expertise, public service delivery can be revolutionized.
“We are no longer just ’emerging’; we are competing. Africa will rise by code, by courage, and by us,” said Nnaemeka Ani.
Quick Facts: Nnaemeka Ani
Category | Detail |
Current Roles | Founder, MGX Research; Founder, MexyGabriel; SA on ICT to Enugu State Governor. |
Core Philosophy | “First-Principles Thinking” – Breaking problems down to their core truths. |
Key Advocacy | Digital Sovereignty, Sovereign AI, and localized STEM education. |
Notable Mantra | “By Code and By Courage.” |
Why He Matters in 2026
As Nigeria enters a transformative year marked by the January 1, 2026 Tax Reforms and the push toward 70% Broadband Penetration, Ani represents the “New Guard” of leadership. He is one of the few voices consistently advocating for the Tripod Method, balancing technology, local policing, and traditional authority, to ensure that Nigeria’s digital growth is matched by national security.
Nnaemeka Ani is not just as a “tech guy,” but as a Strategic Reformer. He is a “Leader to Watch” because he understands that for technology to thrive in Nigeria, it must be supported by sound policy and cultural relevance.
MTN Nigeria has hosted the Prestige Experience, a refined evening of culture, connection and celebration, as part of its ongoing Y’ellotide initiative marking the Yuletide season.
MTN Nigeria
The event, held on Friday at The Royal Box, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together customers, partners, stakeholders, and dignitaries in an atmosphere of appreciation and festivity.
The Prestige Experience showcased Nigerian creativity and elegance through a curated blend of fine dining, fashion, and music. Guests were treated to Michelin-inspired cuisine prepared by renowned Chef Stone, fashion showcases highlighting African heritage, and soulful performances by acclaimed singer Asa.
The evening was anchored by popular hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Michelle Dede, with comedic interludes from veteran comedian Alibaba.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), Chairman of MTN Nigeria, described the gathering as an expression of gratitude and partnership. He said the Prestige Experience reflected MTN’s appreciation for the trust Nigerians continue to place in the brand.
“The MTN Prestige Experience is a cornerstone of our commitment to you, our valued partners. Your trust and continued patronage are the bedrock of our success, and this gathering reflects our appreciation for that trust.
“We are not just a service provider but are committed to being a trusted partner in Nigeria’s progress,” Ndukwe said.
In his remarks, Dr Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of genuine connection during the festive season.
“We recognise the immense value of the relationships we have built together, and we are committed to ensuring that your experience remains unparalleled.
“You are essential partners in our journey, and we look forward to many more years of shared success and collaboration,” Toriola said.
Distinguished guests at the event included members of MTN’s Board and Executive Management, industry leaders, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from the creative sector, reflecting the diversity and richness of the MTN ecosystem.
The Prestige Experience forms part of MTN’s broader Y’ellotide celebrations, which reaffirm the company’s belief that meaningful connections and shared experiences remain central to its relationship with Nigerians.
Google has unveiled a new feature that allows Gmail users to change their existing email addresses without losing data or access to services, marking a major shift in the company’s long-standing policy.
Gmail
According to an update on Google’s account help page, the new option enables account holders to replace their current @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining all associated data, including emails, photos, and integrations with services such as Google Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
The guidance, however, was first spotted on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that the rollout may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets before expanding globally.
The English-language support page still carries the older advisory that Gmail addresses “usually cannot be changed.”
Google explained that under the new policy, users who update their Gmail address will automatically keep their original address as an alias.
This means emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will remain valid for signing in to Google services.
Previously, users seeking a new Gmail address had to create an entirely new account and manually transfer their data, a process that often disrupted third-party app integrations. The new feature eliminates that inconvenience, ensuring continuity for users.
The company further clarified that while users can reuse their old Gmail address at any time, accounts that change their address will face certain restrictions.
These include a 12-month waiting period before another new Gmail address can be created, and the inability to delete the newly chosen address once it has been set.
Google assured users that all existing data would remain intact after an address update, including stored photos, messages, and emails.
The gradual rollout of the feature indicates that full global adoption is expected in the coming months, a move likely to be welcomed by millions of users who have long requested the ability to update their Gmail identities without starting afresh.
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