News
Senate Committee Backs Shittu on ICT University

Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications, has been commended by the Senate Committee on ICT & Cyber-Crime for his initiative on the proposed establishment of the ICT University of Nigeria.
The Committee gave kudos to the Minister for his ingenuity in proposing a specific training institution for manpower development in the ICT sector, which will be the first of its kind in Africa.
In a press statement by the Minister’s aide, the Committee Vice Chairman who led the delegation on an oversight visit to the Ministry of Communications said the idea of establishing the ICT University of Nigeria is one of the greatest achievements of Barr. Shittu in office as minister, adding that it is highly commendable.
He promised adequate support of the Committee in providing the necessary legislative framework for effective take off of the institution as soon as possible.
The Minister had earlier told the senators the need to upgrade the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), owned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) into a multiple ICT campus university to specifically provide manpower for the ICT sector.
Barr. Shittu said the Ministry has approached the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the necessary institutional framework for the establishment of the university while identified stakeholders have been approached to participate in the Public-Private-Partnership project.
Sen. Ogola said the visit is in the exercise of legislative oversight of the Senate as enshrined in Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, and that it is a follow-up to the presentation of the 2017 budget of the Ministry, which he said, is a prelude to the consideration of the budget.
He pointed out that the visit was aimed also at having first-hand information on details of performance of the 2015 budget, 2016 budget so far and detailed information on specific vehicle projects of the Ministry as well as costs and locations of certain projects.
The Senator used the occasion to inform the Minister of the Committee’s planned stakeholders’ conference meant to accelerate the penetration of ICT in Nigeria, with the attendant need to control cyber risks and other ICT-related challenges.
He added that ”the conference is ultimately expected to identify gaps inherent in the system and generate appropriate synergy in the relationships of stakeholders with a view to ensuring consistency and complementary and articulating a structured approach to resolving the challenges.
Other members of the team include Senator Abdullahi Gumel, member and Senator Abiodun Olujinmi, member, Mr.Ayoh Ogon, Clerk of the Committee and staff of the Committee.
News
Experts Urge MSMEs to Build Strong Partnerships in Solving Problems,

For a business to remain strong and relevant, experts have urged entrepreneurs to engage in solving problems in the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space and build strong partnerships.
The experts stated at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series with the theme, “Stronger Together: Building Powerful Business Partnerships for Progress.”
Four seasoned business owners including: Beauty Entrepreneur, Dabota Lawson; Real Estate Mogul and Entrepreneur, Wale Ayilara; Journalist and TV producer Peace Hyde and Fashion Entrepreneur, Mai Atafo, encouraged participants to solve problems, invent in products & service and, create value to remain stronger in business and thrive amid competitive business environment.
Ayilara expressed that an entrepreneur must be able to solve problems and build a strong partnership in order to remain relevant in a challenging business environment.
He stressed further that there are a lot of business opportunities in Nigeria and questioned where consumers money is directed into.
Lawson said the inability to find a suitable sensitive skincare that matches her skin tone forced her to start her company.
On her part, Hyde stated that she ventures into media on the backdrop of telling Africa’s stories to international audiences.
Atafo said passion made him venture into fashion, maintaining that being an entrepreneur in Nigeria is tough work.
Speaking earlier, UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in today’s dynamic business environment.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the power of collaboration cannot be overstated. At UBA, we recognise that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable business success.
“The ‘Stronger Together’ Business Series is designed to inspire entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to forge meaningful alliances that drive progress, unlock opportunities, and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation,” Shamsideen said.
News
FirstBank, NLNG, Shell back QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit

Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, First Bank of Nigeria, has joined forces with Mighty Media Plus Network Limited for the maiden edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
Also supporting the event are Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and Shell Nigeria, two major players in the country’s energy and development sectors.
Chief Executive Officer of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, Olumide Iyanda, announced the partnerships in a statement on Monday.
Mr Iyanda described FirstBank’s involvement as a strong statement of the bank’s belief in the power of Nigeria’s creative sector.
“FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to promoting the creative economy,” he said. “Through First@arts, the bank has become a reliable partner to talents, institutions, and organisations working to grow Nigeria’s cultural assets.”
First@arts is FirstBank’s platform for supporting the arts. It provides financing, advisory services, and exposure for creatives across the value chain. The bank has backed major cultural events and partnered with institutions such as British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park and Terra Kulture.
Among the projects FirstBank has supported are The Headies Awards, Lagos International Theatre Festival, The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq, Kurunmi, Eni Ogun, and Oke Langbodo.
Iyanda also praised NLNG for its role in promoting excellence in literature and science through The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Nigeria Prize for Science, and The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.
“NLNG has shown leadership by rewarding creativity and innovation in ways that impact both the literary and scientific communities,” he said.
The prizes, worth up to USD100,000, are among the most prestigious on the continent. They celebrate Nigerian authors, critics, and scientists whose work makes a real difference.
Shell’s support for the summit reflects its ongoing commitment to education and social development. The company focuses on sustainable, community-driven educational projects, ranging from scholarships to infrastructure development and ICT donations.
“Shell’s belief in education as a foundation for long-term progress aligns with our vision for the summit,” Iyanda added.
He further noted that more sponsors will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The venue is the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The summit will bring together creatives, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore solutions to the funding challenges facing Nigeria’s creative industries.
News
EFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied allegations of lack of integrity and transparency directed at its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by columnist Steve Osuji.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC. the commission described the claims as “worrisome and unjustifiable,” particularly criticizing the personal attacks on Olukoyede.
“More worrisome was his attack on Olukoyede for no justifiable reason. Allegations of lack of transparency, accountability and integrity deficit are wild and clearly off the mark,” Oyewale said.
He questioned the basis for the allegations and defended Olukoyede’s leadership since taking office.
“The question is: in what way has Olukoyede fallen short? Is it by insisting that the right things should always be done? By moving the nation’s anti-graft war forward radically and unprecedentedly?
“By bringing forth a preventive framework to tackle corruption and reaping bountiful gains for the nation?
“By recovering the globally-acclaimed 753 duplexes and other apartments, which are proceeds of fraudulent dealings for the nation?
“By launching the EFCC into a global map of accomplished anti-graft agencies? By handling 50,000 case files in one year?
“By embarking on a courageous internal cleansing system and other progressive initiatives to deepen and strengthen the anti-corruption fight?
“It is cowardly and uncharitable for any columnist to hide under vague and opaque cover to splash mud on Ola Olukoyede, arguably one of the finest breed of anti-graft czars around the world.”
Olukoyede, through the statement, reaffirmed that the EFCC has consistently submitted its annual reports to the National Assembly as required by law.
“Equally preposterous are claims of re-looting of assets by officers of the Commission. For the purpose of clarification, the Commission does not recover monetary assets into its covers and the non-monetary assets that are recovered are disposed of following clear pronouncements by court and proceeds paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account account in the Central Bank in line with provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
“The EFCC does not operate in secrecy. All its operations are regularly communicated to the public, including public auction of assets. To deliberately cast the Commission in the mould of fraudulent engagements or criminality is not only mischievous but also untenable,” the statement concluded.
- Broadcasting2 days ago
Nigeria Week Ahead: Inflation, Oil and Naira in focus
- News2 days ago
EFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading
- Telecom17 hours ago
MTN Nigeria Targets $1Bn Cloud Market with Largest Modular Data Centre
- General News17 hours ago
Woodhall Capital and Partners Launch ₦1.5Bn Fund
- E-Business17 hours ago
Firm Highlights Top Risks of Quantum Computing
- General News17 hours ago
AM Best Reaffirms Stable Outlook for Cyber Insurance Market
- Telecom17 hours ago
NCC Introduces N10m Licence Fee for Bulk SMS Service
- News17 hours ago
Experts Urge MSMEs to Build Strong Partnerships in Solving Problems,