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NITDA DG Calls for Collaboration, Innovation to Build AI-Ready Africa

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Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has called for stronger collaboration, practical innovation, and inclusive policymaking to position Africa as a globally competitive, AI-ready continent.

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He made the call while speaking at the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2025 in Lagos, themed “Fostering a Digital Africa: Connectivities, Convergence and Innovation.”

During a panel session titled “From Mobile First to AI-Ready: Will Africa Deliver on Innovation?” Inuwa emphasized that Africa’s youthful population is its greatest asset, but must be equipped with the right digital skills to avoid becoming a demographic burden.

“We have a generation that is energetic, curious, and ready to embrace any digital technology available to them. This is a major asset — but only if we equip them with the right skills,” he said.

He highlighted the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as a key initiative to build digital capacity and transform Africa’s human capital into a digital dividend.

On infrastructure, Inuwa cited the newly approved PPP Policy on Mediation and the Project Bridge initiative as mechanisms to mobilize public and private resources for digital infrastructure development.

He also disclosed that the government is building a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework to integrate identity, payments, and data systems—critical foundations for AI-powered services.

Inuwa stressed the importance of leveraging local data and nurturing domestic talent to build AI systems that reflect African realities, warning against overreliance on foreign models that may not align with the continent’s context.

“During the industrial revolutions, Africa supplied raw materials but gained little technological benefit. As we enter this new era, we must ensure unity, build capacity, and collaborate to lead, not follow,” he said.

In another session titled “Shaping Africa’s Digital Future: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for Accelerated Growth,” Inuwa advocated for a “dream big, but build small” approach, urging scalable innovations that address local needs while aligning with continental and global visions.

He called for a reinvention of Africa’s social contract through inclusive, data-driven policymaking, emphasizing that effective policies must be co-created with industry stakeholders and grounded in real-world insights.

“At NITDA, we are working to change the narrative through our Intelligent Regulatory Framework. It ensures policymaking is inclusive, evidence-based, and adaptable,” he said.

He cited the development of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy as a model for collaborative policy design, involving experts from civil society, academia, and the private sector.

 


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EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over “419”

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) has declared Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, a women leader of the City Boys Movement, wanted.

EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over "419"

Halimat Adenike Tejuosho,

A notice issued by the EFCC on Monday via X said Tejuosho has been declared wanted over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence.

The notice was signed by Dele Oyewale, head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.

The Commission also urged the members of the public to reach out via its official phone lines or email, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Recall that the City Boy Movement recently appointed Tejuosho as the South-West Zonal Women Leader.

According to a statement signed by the Movement, Tejuosho is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for women-focused activities in the zone, driving political mobilization, civic engagement, and advocacy.

 


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Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disclosed plans to finance three additional refineries in Nigeria as part of a broader push to reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products and strengthen local refining capacity.

 Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

Denys Denya, senior executive vice president of the bank, made the disclosure on Monday during a virtual media briefing focused on the institution’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and long-term industrialisation strategy.

“We are also financing refining on the continent, which will alleviate the importation of refined products. We are not only supporting Dangote; we’re supporting three other refineries in Nigeria,” Denya said.

The briefing, which focused on the bank’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and industrialisation strategy, also featured a question-and-answer session with journalists across Africa.

Denya explained that the push into refining is driven by recent disruptions in global supply chains, particularly linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have raised the cost and complexity of fuel imports for African economies.

According to him, Afreximbank has adopted a dual approach of supporting immediate trade finance needs while investing in long-term productive capacity to reduce structural import dependence.

He said, “For import-dependent economies, the cost of import is very high… so we have taken a proactive approach of engaging with financial institutions on the continent to increase their facilities so they can issue high-value letters of credit.”

The bank’s intervention is backed by a $10bn Gulf Crisis Response Programme, designed to stabilise access to essential imports such as fuel, food, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals, while also supporting sectors exposed to global shocks.

Denya noted that the facility is already seeing uptake from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, warning that demand could accelerate if geopolitical tensions persist.

Beyond short-term interventions, the Afreximbank executive stressed that financing refining projects across Nigeria and other African countries remains central to the bank’s long-term strategy of industrialisation and export development.

He said the bank’s support for large-scale industrial projects, including the Dangote Group refinery, reflects its commitment to reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined products and strengthening regional value chains.

“Our support for industrialists who are making a difference on the continent is testimony to this approach. We will continue to champion projects that reduce Africa’s reliance on imported refined products,” he added.

Denya further disclosed that the bank is financing similar refining projects in Angola as part of a continent-wide push to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

The shift towards local refining, he explained, is also expected to improve macroeconomic stability by reducing foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel imports.

 


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MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

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The Gathering on 100 has officially concluded its pilot edition, closing out 100 continuous hours of culture, creativity, and community engagement at the National Stadium, Surulere. At the climax of the five-day immersive youth experience, MTN Nigeria and the gatherers of the event unveiled the defining message of the movement: “Live It 100.”

MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

The event brought together thousands of young Nigerians in a massive convergence of music, sports, gaming, and creative sessions. From watching the sunrise for four consecutive mornings to actively shaping culture in real-time, attendees experienced a shared journey rooted in endurance and expression.

Operating under a partnership model rather than a traditional corporate sponsorship, MTN stepped back to let the youth lead. The techo embraced the primary narrative that “The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen”.

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said: “The energy we have witnessed here in Surulere over the past 100 hours is proof of the unstoppable spirit of the Nigerian youth. Our strategic intent was to position MTN as the critical engine behind this vibrant youth movement, ensuring the brand is seen as an enabler, not an intruder. The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen. ‘Live It 100’ is our commitment to powering the platform where the conversation happens. We are giving them the autonomy to lead, while we listen.”

A focal point of the event was the high-stakes Pitchathon segment, which provided a structured arena for startups to showcase working products. Rather than a traditional, heavily branded corporate event, the space felt authentic, unscripted, and transparent, allowing founders to interact directly with expert judges, potential investors, and a live audience.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, shared: “The ideas and partnerships formed over these 100 hours show exactly what happens when corporate Nigeria is finally listening to young Nigerians. We recognise that traditional business engagement doesn’t always work for this generation, which is why we empowered the youth to lead. By supporting The Gathering, we are not just celebrating culture; we are fueling the young Nigerian through youth-led innovation and actively investing in their economic potential.”

Beyond business activity, the event recorded consistent engagement across its programming, providing deep insight into the evolving role of youth within Nigeria’s economy. The sustained 100-hour activity highlighted a growing, resilient base of digitally engaged participants who own their lanes and actively create their own opportunities.

As the event closed, MTN reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the platform, ensuring that The Gathering on 100 will continue to evolve as a vital space for both cultural expression and youth-led economic opportunity.


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