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QNET, Partners Award over N2m Prize to FinGreen Phase 2 Winners
QNET on Wednesday celebrated the graduation ceremony of the second phase of its FinGreen financial literacy program in Lagos, Nigeria.
This is an essential milestone in the firm’s commitment to empowering individuals and communities through the power of financial knowledge, the FinGreen graduation ceremony was a fitting tribute to the dedicated participants who completed the second phase of the program.
These individuals have gained invaluable financial knowledge and skills, propelling them toward a future where they can make informed financial decisions and manage their resources effectively.
Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET’s Sub-Saharan Africa region, expressed immense pride in the impact achieved by FinGreen Nigeria in just two short months. He highlighted the interactive workshops and the unique train-the-trainer approach that empowered 25 FinGreen Ambassadors to educate over 750 young individuals in essential financial principles through the peer-to-peer module.
“This initiative not only imparts practical insights into budgeting, savings, investment, and entrepreneurship but also cultivates informed decision-making. We firmly believe in promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing financial inclusion among youths to fuel economic growth and development, and the success of FinGreen Phase 2 stands as a testament to this commitment. Our heartfelt encouragement goes to the beneficiaries to become knowledge beacons, sharing their learnings within their communities,” he said.
FinGreen, QNET’s signature Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in Nigeria, aims to equip Nigerian youths and women with the financial literacy skills needed to achieve financial freedom. It seeks to train 6,000 young Nigerians in essential financial skills, including saving, budgeting, investment, entrepreneurial employability, and identifying financial opportunities.
Ajisafe Abiodun Hakeem, CEO and Managing Director of Transblue Nigeria Limited, shared his vision for FinGreen, which extends far beyond the initial goal of training 6,000 individuals. He emphasized that true economic impact in Nigeria can only be achieved by equipping citizens with the right financial knowledge. By doing so, people can make informed decisions, even in challenging economic times.
The execution of this training program, which aligns with the United Nations SDGs and the Addis Ababa Agenda to provide adequate skills and proper developmental training for all, particularly for youth, women and entrepreneurs, was made possible through invaluable partnerships.
Financial Literacy For All (FLFA), the program’s Content and Training partner, played a commendable role in developing all the training materials. They also conducted the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for the 25 alumni who would become FinGreen Ambassadors.
Another crucial partner, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), was responsible for recruiting, assessing, and tracking the participants’ performance. Their efforts were instrumental in monitoring learning outcomes and gauging development in various areas.
One of the standout features of FinGreen is its peer-to-peer training model. Young participants are trained to become FinGreen Ambassadors, who, in turn, train others within their communities. This ripple effect is at the heart of Fingreen’s mission to alleviate poverty in Nigeria.
FinGreen’s success is evident in its remarkable achievements. In its inaugural phase, 20 Ambassadors were trained, and they went on to train 572 participants. Now, in Phase 2, 25 Ambassadors have emerged, and over 700 participants have received training in their communities. In total, FinGreen has empowered around 1,500 young people across Lagos, Ogun State, Osun, and Oyo states.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director at CADEF, highlighted the importance of educating individuals not only in financial literacy but also in understanding that wealth encompasses physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual well-being. This holistic approach to wealth creation is what can drive lasting change.
“The reason a lot of us don’t understand what to do with what is in our hands is because most of us have not been taught. Being taught financial literacy, it’s very important for everybody.
“They say in Nigeria we have a lot of problems which means there’s a lot of solutions waiting to be developed. Every problem has a solution or more than one solution.
“So this is creating opportunities in people’s minds to see and focus on solutions, not problems. Starting here, it’s something that takes us way ahead into the future of Nigeria,” she noted.
Laja Shoniran, Executive Director of Financial Literacy for All, recognizes the dire need for financial literacy not only in Nigeria but across Africa. In contrast to countries like the United States, where financial literacy is highly promoted, there’s a lack of stability in financial education programs in Nigeria. The work being done by FinGreen is poised to change that narrative.
“Financial literacy is very key to every one of us no matter what level you are. Unfortunately, all across the world, it’s in dire need. In America, they have a whole month dedicated to financial literacy. That’s to tell you how important it is. But in Nigeria and Africa at large, we don’t have such, although some African countries such as Namibia, Ghana and Nigeria have tried it, but it’s not stable.”
FinGreen is Investing in the Future
Among the graduates of the program, three participants stood out for their exceptional performance during peer-to-peer training. They were awarded seed funding and e-learning vouchers for courses on QNET’s learning platform. The first runner-up received N500,000, the second runner-up received N750,000, and the winner received N1 million.
Temitope Glory Adesemowo, the program’s winner, is determined to pass on the legacy of wealth creation to the next generation. She recognizes that true wealth is not just about being rich; it’s about creating a lasting impact through wise investments and financial discipline.
On what made her standout, she said: “I was myself all through the program, not trying to impress. I had my mind set on doing this and doing this well, my priority was not about me doing it well, but making sure that my students understood what I was going there to do. Even when it wasn’t convenient for me, I had my mind set up on these people understanding what I was going there to do. I achieved that.”
She attributes her success to her mentors and supportive family who played an important role in her journey.
“The seed capital is not just about creating an initial boost; it’s about setting an example,” Ajisafe Abiodun Hakeem, CEO and Managing Director of Transblue Limited said. “QNET and Transblue recognize that entrepreneurship and self-reliance are key to economic growth. Therefore, they support participants through internships and mentorship until they can start their businesses.”
FinGreen’s second-phase graduation is not just a celebration of individual achievements but also a reiteration of the transformative power of financial literacy. QNET, Transblue, and partners are lighting the way toward a brighter and more financially empowered future for Nigeria’s youth. Through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, they are sowing the seeds of economic growth and sustainable development in the nation.
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has said that Federal Government is intensifying its use of digital-economy initiatives to curb corruption among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day held on Tuesday in Abuja, the AGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deliberately positioned technology, innovation training, and digital-skills development at the heart of its anti-corruption strategy for young people.
The event, organized by Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) domiciled at the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.
Fagbemi, who delivered the keynote address, said the government believes that empowered, skilled and economically engaged youths are less vulnerable to corrupt influences.
According to him, programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talents Programme (3MTT) and the recently launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) are already equipping millions of young Nigerians with ICT and digital-innovation skills, reducing their dependence on patronage systems that fuel corrupt practices.
“A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation,” Fagbemi said.
He explained that by investing in digital literacy, tech entrepreneurship and innovation-driven training, the Tinubu administration aims to create a generation of young Nigerians who are globally competitive and resistant to corruption.
Beyond digital skills, the AGF pointed at several government efforts to expand educational access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and support youth entrepreneurship via the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the iDICE programme, providing funding, training and mentorship for young innovators in tech, entertainment, agriculture and design.
Fagbemi added that the inclusion of young people in governance, through appointments and expanded civic-engagement platforms, was another strategic tool to strengthen integrity and transparency in public life.
He urged stakeholders to deepen efforts to integrate anti-corruption values into school curricula, establish integrity clubs, mentor young leaders, and leverage ICT tools to promote transparency, whistleblowing and public accountability.
Earlier, the Head of TUGAR, Mrs Jane Onwumere said the gathering was especially meaningful because it reflected a shared truth: that tomorrow’s integrity rests significantly in the hands of the youth.
“The theme therefore, is not just a slogan but a call to action and a reminder that young people are not only beneficiaries of good governance, they are co-architects of it.
“Corruption has affected lives and the economy negatively in many ways. One of such is the “japa wave” which has seen young Nigerians leave the country in droves in search of greener pastures. This syndrome has drained the country of resources and human capital. It has in many situations split the family unit, a critical foundation for anti-corruption efforts”, Onwumere, added.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar expressed the agency’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians not only as advocates for accountability but also as active partners in shaping the future of integrity in the extractive industries and beyond.
“At NEITI, we recognize that corruption undermines opportunities for growth, distorts resource governance, and deepens inequality. We also know that a united, informed, and courageous generation can dismantle these barriers.
“This is why NEITI will continue to expand civic education, strengthen our reporting mechanisms, support youth-led innovation, and create more platforms for constructive engagement with young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs”, he added.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal to order the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and 25 other defendants accused of defrauding Nigerians of about ₦1.3 trillion through an unlawful digital asset investment scheme.
CBEX
The request was made during the first sitting of the 6th Tribunal in case IST/OA/02/2025 between the SEC and CBEX with 25 others, presided over by tribunal chairman, Hon. Aminu Jinaidu.
The SEC urged the tribunal to compel commercial banks and financial institutions nationwide to freeze all accounts linked to the defendants.
It also sought orders for the seizure of houses and assets allegedly acquired with funds sourced from unsuspecting investors.
According to the commission, CBEX operated illegally by posing as a digital assets platform and capital market operator without registration.
“CBEX is an unregistered platform promising its users 100 percent return on investments within 30 days, which is unlawful and contrary to Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act 2025,” the SEC told the tribunal.
The regulator disclosed that international authorities had previously raised concerns about CBEX.
The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong issued an advisory on April 23, 2024, warning that the platform was a suspicious virtual asset entity.
The tribunal noted that CBEX and the other defendants failed to appear in court and were not represented by legal counsel.
Hon. Jinaidu therefore ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers.
CBEX reportedly entered the Nigerian market in July 2024, operating via a website and mobile application, while claiming to use advanced Artificial Intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading.
Investors were promised returns of up to 100 percent within a 40 to 45 day lock-in period.
The scheme later collapsed, triggering widespread losses. Investigations revealed that CBEX functioned as a Ponzi scheme that siphoned more than ₦1.3 trillion, estimated at about $800 million, before disappearing.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has launched TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, marking a groundbreaking milestone set to transform access to expert animal healthcare using mobile technology.
Speaking at the event held at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, described TELE-VET as a transformative initiative that strengthens animal health systems, improves food safety, and accelerates agricultural innovation across the state and beyond.
She stated that technology continues to redefine global food systems, and Lagos, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remains committed to deploying digital solutions that enhance efficiency, empower farmers, and safeguard public health. The Commissioner explained that TELE-VET addresses long-standing challenges faced by farmers and pet owners, especially limited access to timely and professional veterinary care.
Ms. Olusanya highlighted that TELE-VET builds on the existing mobile platforms, M-Agric and M-Health, available on MTN and Glo networks, which provide daily expert tips, mentorship, and animal-care guidance. By dialing *20791#, users can subscribe for ₦100/day, ₦300/week, or ₦500/month, gaining instant access to a variety of services, while all active subscribers can access the Call Centre free of charge.
She added that the Call Centre will deliver emergency support, first-aid guidance, disease-prevention information, and livestock and pet care assistance, noting that the platform helps farmers reduce costs, save time, and access expert care without traveling long distances. She emphasized that TELE-VET will also enhance surveillance and early detection of zoonotic diseases, aligning with the One World, One Health framework that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
The Commissioner further mentioned that TELE-VET sets the stage for future innovations, including livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for veterinary products, improved mobility for safe animal transport, and enhanced financing opportunities for farmers, positioning Lagos as a national leader in technology-driven agricultural transformation.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, commended the initiative as a groundbreaking intervention that will significantly improve service delivery within the State’s veterinary ecosystem. He stressed that TELE-VET responds to the evolving needs of farmers and pet owners who require swift and professional support to enhance productivity and ensure animal well-being.
Mr. Audu noted that the Ministry has invested extensively in strengthening the infrastructure, technical systems, and human resources needed to operate a world-class veterinary call centre. He stated that the service is a strategic investment in Lagos State’s food security architecture, enabling efficient livestock health management and timely response to potential disease outbreaks.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the Call Centre will minimize animal losses, improve farm management practices, and provide timely advisory services to farmers, aligning with the Ministry’s mandate to promote sustainable agricultural practices across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. He praised the collaboration among veterinary professionals, ICT partners, and technical teams that made the initiative possible.
Mr. Audu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuously upgrading the TELE-VET platform to accommodate innovations that improve efficiency and expand service offerings. He encouraged residents to adopt the platform fully, noting that its success depends on widespread participation.
In his remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay, stated that the launch of TELE-VET marks a new era in veterinary care delivery in Lagos State. He explained that the platform provides a practical solution to challenges such as limited manpower, delayed emergency response, and difficulties reaching farmers in remote areas by connecting residents directly to certified experts.
Dr. Macaulay added that TELE-VET will strengthen disease surveillance and reporting across the State, aiding early detection of animal diseases and preventing zoonotic infections. With real-time consultations, improved documentation, and faster escalation processes, the platform will support frontline veterinarians and promote safer, healthier food systems for all Lagos residents.
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