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Shittu Backs NITDA’s Graduates Internship Scheme on Software

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Mr. Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communications
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Barrister Adebayo Shittu, minister of Communication, has reiterated the need to simulate the creative ability of youths and unleash them for the sustainable economic transformation of the country.

Shittu made the call on Friday at the formal flagging off of the first batch of the 2016 National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)/Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) youth empowerment and job creation training programme in Lagos.

According to the Minister the programme represents a visible demonstration of President Mohammadu Buhari’s concern and commitment to youth empowerment, job creation.

He said that it was also an attempt towards developing requisite human capacity in the core areas of information technology for sustainable livelihood and national development.

“This is a well thought out and articulated programme on IT youth empowerment and entrepreneurship targeted towards developing and empowering graduate youth with IT employable skills.

“They will be assisted and monitored for them to become successful entrepreneurs thereby guaranteeing the well-being of the Nigerian youth,” he said.

The communications Minister added that the service industry contributed about 53per cent to the Gross Domestic Product and as such government needed to develop local competencies, skills to support this section of economic growth.

Shittu said that Information and Communications Technology capacity building was one of the strategic pillars of the ICT Road Map that the ministry of communications and its parastatals was developing.

He said that the strategic pillars of the ICT road map were aimed at developing a smart globally competitive workforce that would become major players in smart digital Nigeria.

He added that the partnership of the ministry of finance and communications was expected to enhance further collaboration among government agencies and stimulate creativity among the participants in the scheme.

Shittu urged the beneficiaries to make the most effective use of opportunities provided through the training and internship to sharpen their skills and target specific section of the economy that would benefit their innovation.

He charged the organisers to put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation platform to ensure the scheme delivers on its objectives with adequate feedback for future improvement.

In his own contribution, the Acting Director General NITDA, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said that the scheme was a major attempt of solving the problem of unemployment and youth empowerment.

“These are promising, ambitious and ready to go at anytime people, if they are not empowered, there will be crisis,” he said.

Olatunji said that the challenges in the IT sector with the diversification programme of the economy had made it imperative for human capital empowerment.

He employed the beneficiaries of the scheme to be completely diligent and focus on the training so that they can have a future for themselves.

Also Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Minister of Finance said that the scheme serves as a bridge where graduates could prepare themselves for self employment.

Adeosun who was represented by Mr Dennis Chukwu, Project Director GIS added that 41,451 graduates had already benefited from the scheme since its inception.

She said that the scheme was targeting 600 graduates across the six geopolitical zones of the country of which 100 persons would come from Lagos.

She listed the role of GIS as; making sure graduates are available to be trained, making sure their stipends are paid monthly, have a life and accident insurance scheme.

Others she listed as; having a template for monitoring the performance of the training and others.

 


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E-Business

NDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has joined sixty (60) other Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in endorsing the “Joint Statement on Al-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy.”

NDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al

NDPC

The Joint Statement was coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG) of the Global Privacy Assembly.

This underscores the growing concerns regarding the privacy risks posed by Artificial Intelligence tools capable of generating realistic images and videos of identifiable individuals.

The Joint Statement highlights concerns over the misuse of Al-powered tools to create non-consensual imagery, defamatory content, and other harmful materials, particularly affecting children and vulnerable groups.

It calls on organisations to implement strong safeguards, ensure transparency, provide effective content removal mechanisms, and comply fully with applicable data protection laws.

The current effort forms part of a continuum of steps being taken by Nigeria to ensure the responsible use of Al. It will be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, led the initiative for the development of the National Al Strategy.

The NDPC also issued the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), which, amongst others, mandates privacy by design and privacy by default in the development and deployment of Al tools.

The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed that the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) by data controllers and processors of major importance will serve as a yardstick for monitoring and evaluating responsible use of Al for data processing in Nigeria.


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Jumia Tech Week 2026 Begins with Tech Deals on Smartphones, Electronics, and Everyday Technology

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Jumia Nigeria has announced the launch of Jumia Tech Week 2026, a two-week campaign offering customers access to discounted technology products across key categories, including smartphones, computing, home entertainment, and wearable devices.

Starting from March 2 to March 15, Jumia Nigeria’s Tech Week 2026 is themed ‘Tech Products for Less’ – a deliberate commitment by the e-commerce giant to drive down the cost of technology products for Nigerian consumers. The campaign offers significant price reductions across key product categories, enabling more Nigerians to access the devices they need at prices that reflect the company’s dedication to affordability and consumer value.

Jumia Tech Week will feature deals across a wide range of product categories, including mobile phones, computer systems and accessories, televisions and audio equipment, gaming products, home appliances, portable power solutions, health technology,, and wearable devices.

Customers will also have access to curated recommendations, including top smartphone deals, must-have accessories, gaming essentials, and home technology upgrades.

According to Temidayo Ojo, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, the campaign reflects Jumia’s broader commitment to making everyday technology more accessible to Nigerians.

“Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and access to the right devices enables more people to participate fully in the digital economy,” said Ojo. “At Jumia, we remain focused on expanding access and improving the shopping experience as we continue to build Nigeria’s everyday retail destination.”

The campaign will include a range of customer engagement initiatives such as flash sales, brand days, anchor deals and interactive activities designed to enhance the online shopping experience.

Special highlight periods, described as Explosion Days, will take place on March 6 and March 13, featuring limited-time offers across selected technology categories. Customers will also be able to participate in interactive activities, including product-based games, treasure hunts,, and live shopping sessions during the campaign period.

The campaign will feature participation from leading brands including Oraimo, Silver Crest, Samsung, Ecoflow, Nivea and Aeon, offering customers a wide selection of technology, household and lifestyle products. Early access promotions already begun during the teaser period from February 16 to March 1, allowing customers to preview selected deals ahead of the official launch.

Jumia Tech Week forms part of the company’s broader strategy to expand e-commerce adoption by improving access to essential products and enhancing the customer experience across its platform. As Nigeria’s e-commerce market continues to grow, Jumia remains focused on strengthening its product assortment, logistics capabilities, and digital experience to serve customers better nationwide.

Customers can participate in the campaign by using the Jumia mobile app or visiting the Jumia website and following the conversation online using #JumiaTechWeek.

 


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House Queries NDIC: ₦5m Max Payout for Failed Bank Depositors

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Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) pays between ₦2 million and ₦5 million as deposit insurance to customers of liquidated banks, Managing Director Thompson Oludare Sunday told the House Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters during 2026 budget defence.

House Queries NDIC: ₦5m Max Payout for Failed Bank Depositors

NDIC

House Spokesperson Akin Rotimi Jr sought details on depositor entitlements, citing Heritage Bank’s June 2024 collapse and public concerns over financial confidence.

Sunday explained NDIC’s mandate: banks pay risk-based premiums (now under 1%, down from 15/16 of 1%) to guarantee deposits. Coverage is ₦5 million for deposit money banks, primary mortgage banks (PMBs), and microfinance banks (MMOs); ₦2 million for other financial institutions.

Using BVN, NDIC auto-pays guaranteed sums without visits for amounts up to the limit. For Heritage, post-revocation, NDIC liquidated assets—selling buildings, recovering loans, realizing investments—and paid a second ₦24.63 billion dividend on January 6.

“Anything above ₦5 million or ₦2 million depends on recoveries,” Sunday said, noting ongoing asset sales and debt chases.

Committee Chairman Ahmed Jaha Babawo commended the clarity, noting the limit rose from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million recently. Over 90% of Heritage depositors got insured sums in under four days, meeting International Resolution Deposit (IRD) standards.

Babawo added liquidation dividends would be discussed in executive session.


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