Telecom
Silicon Valley-based Founder Institute Launches Newest Chapter in Abuja

The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator, has announced that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Abuja, Nigeria. With plans to run two semesters annually, the Founder Institute aims to launch over 20 meaningful and enduring technology companies per year in Abuja.
Applications to the program are open now, and anyone interested in working with Abuja’s top startup mentors to launch a technology company is welcome to apply to the Abuja Founder Institute.
In order to celebrate the launch, the Abuja Founder Institute will host a series of free startup events for the general public, where attendees can learn how to build a company and learn more about the program.
For aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs up to the challenge, the Founder Institute’s step-by-step program provides the structure, mentor support, and global network of entrepreneurs needed to start an enduring company.
The Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.
Founder Institute Graduate companies include fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, Zowasel, Limestart, Rentit, Athlst and many more.
In addition, the Abuja 2020 program will include the Founder Institute’s newest company-building curriculum suitable to address the needs of advanced founders (MVP stage) as well as aspiring new entrepreneurs at the idea-stage – a project just released this year in collaboration with hundreds of startup leaders across the globe.
The Abuja Chapter will once again be led by local startup leaders Abdulrazaq Ahmed (Founder, Work and connect Hub), Christian Ndubisi. (Co-founder, 42 NG), Fisayo Olabisi (CEO, TukioKonsults), Mohammed Ibrahim Jega,(Founder, StartupArewa).
According to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. Regional Director, Founder Institute, “Startups in Abuja now have the unique opportunity of joining other startups in various other cities across the globe to benefit from FI’s hard-core, time tested curriculum and global network.”
Mentors who have expressed interest in helping Abuja Founder Institute participants include:
● Abdul Hakeem Ajijola: Chairman, Consultancy Support Services (CS2) Ltd
● Afolabi Imoukhede: CEO, MCS Consulting Limited
● Aituaz Kola Oladejo: Executive Director, Financial Services Innovators (FSI)
● AkindayoAkindolani: Founder, McAnderson Institute of Technology
● Anna Ekeledo: Executive Director , AfriLabs
● Ayodeji Abitogun: Lead Consultant, Management Edge
● Bankole Oloruntoba: CEO, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center
● Basil Udotai Esq.: Managing Partner , Technology Advisors
● ChiomaAgwuegbo: Founder, TechHer
● Collins Nwosu: Executive Director, P.R.I. global ventures limited
● DoyinAdewola: CEO, Box Office Hub
● Ife Adebayo: Special Assistant on Innovation & Entrepreneurship to the Nigerian Vice President, Vice President Office, Federal Republic of Nigeria
● Ifeoma Malo: CEO, Clean Technology Hub
● Kadir Salami: CEO, Techspecialist Consulting, Procurease
● Kola Aina: Founder, Ventures Platform
● Lanre Philips: CEO, Elpee Consults
● Lawrence Olawale Roberts: CEO , MicroBoss Technologies
● Louisa Ogwuru: Co-founder, Insiteful Solutions, Alfret.Ng
● Mercy Olorunfemi: Program Manager, Work and Connect
● Michael Oluwagbemi, Executive Partner, LoftyInc Allied Partners Limited
● Mohammed B. Hussaini: CEO, Cupious Energy
● Musa Ali Baba: CEO, Teasy Mobile
● Nkechi Oguchi: CEO, Ventures Park
● NkoyoEfretei: CEO, Insiteful Solutions and Talented Space
● Noel Akpata: CEO, Stratex Pro
● OsasenagaEnogieru: National Program Manager, Wennovation Hub
● OyajeIdoko: CEO, Layer3 Tech
● Philip Agbese Jnr.: Founder, CAVIC.
● Raji Mohammed: Co-Founder, MyLearningAcademy
● Saidu Abdullahi: Head of Partnerships, Next Billion Users, Google
● Simiola Olusola: Founder, Aspilos Foundation
● And many more to be announced.
Abuja being the capital city isn’t just a civil servants’ city anymore. The city is characterized by a constant influx of fresh young entrepreneurs looking to launch new businesses and to collaborate with the government and its parastatals.
With the launch of government-funded projects like StartUp Fridays (A platform that enables young entrepreneurs to pitch their startups, receive feedback and network with potential investors), it is obvious that the government is always ready to provide support for tech entrepreneurs and established businesses in Abuja.
Startups need more than just money in Abuja. They need a framework and a community to support their ideas and to help them build a valuable network.
The city’s unique combination of entrepreneurial energy, quality of life and a supportive government makes it a perfect place for entrepreneurs trying to build a more liveable future.
Anybody who is interested can apply to the Abuja Founder Institute. Anyone who applies by the Early Application Deadline (2020-03-29) is eligible for a variety of scholarships – including the Female Founder Fellowship, which is offered to the best overall female applicant.
Telecom
MTN Mulls AI Tech to Protect Infrastructure as Cable Cuts Hit 13,000 in 18 Months

MTN Nigeria has said that there are plans to deploy an artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor and protect its fibre optic cables across the country.
Yahaya Ibrahim, chief technical officer (CTO), MTN, said the technology will detect vibrations, identify the cause, and alert relevant personnels.
According to Ibrahim who spoke during a session for the ongoing MTN Media Innovation Progamme, the proposed innovation comes amid concerns over the growing spate of telecoms infrastructure vandalism, which have led to multiple cable cuts, and the destruction of towers.
This, he said, would enable the company to promptly deploy agents to the site.
The system is being developed in collaboration with Huawei Technologies.
Providing data on fibre cut incidents in an email correspondence, the CTO said MTN recorded over 9,000 cable cuts in 2024.
He said 4,700 cables were destroyed as at the end of June 2025 alone, bringing the total to about 13,700 incidents in 18 months.
A breakdown of the incidents by zone showed that about 2,500 cuts occurred in northern Nigeria, 2,800 in south-west, while 3,500 were recorded in the south-east and south-south regions combined.
“If we look at the cuts per region, the Southeastern and South South states have more cuts and this is where we have the most hotspots for Fibre and site vandalism,” Ibrahim said.
“Akwa Ibom, Abia and Rivers stand out in states. While in specific locations Omoku and Egbema stand out for fibre vandalization.”
The MTN official said vandalism and road construction account for 69 percent of total cable cuts across the country.
Ibrahim said the incidents often disrupt services, with an average downtime of 15 hours recorded per month.
“Some regions are higher than others,” he said.
“All services will be down, that means no one will be able to use any services.
“We spent N17.6b in 2024 and budget for 2025 based on PO issued for maintenance and relocation is N26.3b.”
In addition to the expenditure, MTN is said to also conduct route patrol, route monitoring, and construction bypass — which involves the creation an alternative route that allows for the temporary or permanent relocation of essential resources around a construction site.
Ibrahim said the telco also invests in having a diverse route for resilience, relocation of fibre, holding stakeholder engagement, and working with communities for policing.
The technical officer confirmed that there are collaborations in place with state and federal authorities to secure fibre routes.
Telecom
NASENI and BPP Forge Nigeria First Alliance to Champion Local Goods and Services

National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) on Monday, 28th July 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of “Nigeria First” Policy on Procurement, projects and other related matters.
The Nigeria First Policy is an initiative of the Federal Government, aimed at promoting Nigerian-made goods, services and utilization of Local content, infrastructures and other value chain.
As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda initiative of the Government, the policy seeks to encourage local production and consumption of Nigerian goods or services, also to support Nigerian business and entrepreneurs, foster economic growth and development, reduce dependency on imported goods and to promote Nigerian culture and identity. Also, by prioritizing local content, the policy aimed to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and increase Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony which took place at the Headquarters of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) office in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said, with the signing of MoU and implementation of the Nigeria First Policy, 80% of challenges faced while trying to convince investors and foreign partners would have been solved, as Nigeria will cease to be dumping ground for foreign goods, while focusing on promotion of Nigerian products, goods and services.
Halilu said that with support now coming from BPP, the over 50 market ready NASENI products will be off the shelves and gain patronage of Nigerians, adding that NASENI has gained for the country over 2 billion dollars from its recent partnership activities with China alone.
“One thing that is clear when I took over the leadership of NASENI was the determination to move the Agency from just producing prototypes to commercialization of its technologies and products, this was complemented by the turn around which we did in rebranding the Agency.
“We have 50 market-ready Nigeria branded products. NASENI is building the biggest renewable energy park in Nasarawa and has entered into partnership with Abuja Technology Village to boost Technology Transfer and innovation, enhance local manufacturing capacity, transform NASENI’s research-focused installation into full production facilities, promote national brands and local production”, he further explained.
Buttressing the partnership between NASENI and BPP, he said that it is expected that the policy would have transformative impacts on Nigeria’s economy and human capital development, aligning with national goals for industrialization, youth employment, and economic diversification. “This also shows that our efforts are not in vain:”
Earlier in his speech, the Director-General of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Dr. Adebowale Adedokun said that the MoU between BPP and NASENI offers a structured bridge between production and procurement and how to take locally made solutions off the shelves and to place them at the center of public service delivery, which aimed at aligning Government policies with national priorities as well as giving practical force to the Nigeria First Policy.
According to him, “NASENI’s innovations, from tractors to tablets, from surveillance drones to solar backup systems, will now be actively prioritized in the procurement plans by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. We are institutionalizing a framework that makes local options not just preferable, but the default option before all others.
Specifically, he said further that with the signing of the MoU, the “BPP will now integrate NASENI’s Product catalogue into the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal, NOCOPO, and therefore encouraging other MDAs to follow suit”
He noted that the “Nigeria First Policy is not an act of protectionism, but an act of patriotism grounded in performance, and it is targeted at fastracking Nigeria’s industrial revolution”. He remarked that “NASENI has invested in quality assurance. Its products are certified by national institutions such as SON and NAFDAC. This means NASENI’s offerings will now be visible, verifiable, and measurable across all MDAs. First, we are integrating NASENI’s catalogue into the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal, NOCOPO. Between January and June this year alone, NOCOPO’s enhanced price intelligence has helped Nigeria save over 173 billion naira, 155 million dollars, and 1.7 million euros.”
While calling on all MDAs to follow NASEN’s footprint in promoting Made in Nigeria products, he said that the BPP’s revised threshold is now five billion naira for goods and ten billion for works, meaning that MDAs can act faster, while they continue to strengthen post-review and audit mechanisms.
He emphasized that the role of BPP is to ensure that these standards are rewarded with access, and that MDAs no longer look outside when the best is being made inside. “For the avoidance of doubt, let me say here that we will be backing this commitment with reform actions”.
Telecom
Treepz Launches in Canada, Secures University of Toronto-Supported Program as First Corporate Travel Client

Treepz, Africa’s fast-growing corporate mobility technology company, has expanded its operations into Canada, marking a significant milestone in its global strategy. The announcement was made at Brampton City Hall, Ontario, with full support from the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown.
The event, which featured key stakeholders and dignitaries, included the official announcement of Treepz’s partnership with the African Impact Initiative, a University of Toronto-sponsored program. Under the agreement, Treepz will provide comprehensive travel logistics—including flights, accommodation, experiences, and ground transportation—for program participants visiting four African countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor Brown described the expansion as “a proud moment for Brampton,” lauding Treepz’s founders for creating a brand that has served over six million customers since its inception in Nigeria in 2019. He added that Treepz’s ability to manage mobility in Lagos, one of Africa’s busiest cities, is a testament to the strength of its operational capacity.
Onyeka Akumah, Treepz Founder and CEO, expressed gratitude to city officials and program partners, noting that the move solidifies Treepz’s role as a globally recognized African brand.
“This launch is a strong statement of intent, not just for Treepz, but for all African startups. We are proud to be serving clients in both Africa and North America,” he said.
Treepz’s entry into Canada was supported by several Canadian organisations, including the World Trade Center’s TAP program, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, and the BHive Program.
It follows Treepz’s participation in the Techstars Toronto Accelerator in 2021, which played a pivotal role in its expansion roadmap.
The launch signals a new era for Treepz’s operations and marks a historic moment for African-led innovation in the global travel technology space.
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