General News
Smart Farming: NITDA Implements NAVSA Project with 50 Corp Members as Pilot Beneficiaries
With the mandate of ensuring all sectors of the Nation’s economy are supported and driven by technology, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Abuja Technology Village (ATV) and the National Centre for Artificial intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) has kicked off the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture NAVSA Pilot Training Programme for 50 Nigerian Youth Corps Members.
At the opening Ceremony of the training programme, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Agency’s Acting Director, Digital Economy Development Department, Engr Salisu Kaka while congratulating the participants who were selected from a pool of many applicants, challenged them to seize the laudable opportunity and be intentionally interested in Agricpreneurship so as to effectively utilise the knowledge and skills gained from the training to create jobs and contribute their quota in ensuring increased productivity, profitability, food security and Agriculture efficiency.
The DG who remarked that being selected to participate is one thing, but showing commitment to the programme is of utmost importance, emphasised the fact that the training which is for a period of six months is transformational and is packaged to make them become self sufficient and job providers.
He advised that creativity and innovative thinking must be applied to developing better ways of solving economic issues in the country, especially in the Agricultural sector.
Inuwa also noted that the initiative is part of the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP-2021-2024) and expressed the belief that NITDA alongside it’s partners will scale up the initiative to accommodate more beneficiaries.
On his part, the National Coordinator of National Centre for Artificial intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Engr Garba Ya’u was of the opinion that to propel the Country towards the prosperity of Agriculture, their intrinsic intention to become Smart Farmers should translate to tangible innovative ideas in order to move the sector forward.
He revealed that as part of the pilot, Precision Agriculture will be introduced to the trainees.
“In the long run, we want to make sure you would not just be Agriculturalists but Tech Agriculturalists” he said.
Ya’u further said, irrespective of their fields of study, the programme is open to all and sundry and encouraged them to be open-minded to the possibilities that await them.
The representative of the Abuja Technology Village, Sarah Obayojie reiterated the company’s resolve to tackle the lingering challenges bedeviling the Agricultural sector through indigenous innovations and the application of technology.
“I therefore charge you to use this opportunity to make a difference by participating in all the segments of the programme and be assured that this project will positively transform your lives”.
The beneficiaries who took turns to ask questions and got some clarity on the prospects of the training, expressed gratitude to NITDA for the project and affirmed their respective commitments to the cause which they described as timely.
They were hopeful that after their service year, apart from looking for white collar jobs, they would already have something lucrative to hold on to as SMART FARMERS.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned Lagos traders against enforcing the unlawful “no return, no refund” policy, declaring it illegal under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
FCCPC
Dr Olubunmi Otti, FCCPC Southwest Zonal Coordinator, issued the directive during the inauguration of new executives of the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDA) on Wednesday, stressing consumer education as the strongest defence against market exploitation.
“There is no such thing as ‘no return, no refund’. If a product does not fulfil its intended purpose, the consumer has the right to return it,” Otti declared, adding the commission mediates complaints for refunds, replacements, or exchanges.
Non-compliant businesses face fines, product withdrawals, seizures, prosecutions, or shutdowns. Otti noted thousands of monthly complaints via the FCCPC portal in the Southwest alone, with sensitisation expanding to Alaba Market and Trade Fair Complex.
She urged consumers: “When your rights are violated, do not just say, ‘You give it to God.’ Bring your complaints to the FCCPC. The law empowers us to protect you,” while calling for traders’ collective responsibility to ensure quality products and services.
African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a €6.5 million investment in the Saviu II venture capital fund to boost technology start-ups across Francophone West and Central Africa.
The Bank Group will contribute €4.5 million as equity investment and an additional €2 million as a first-loss hedging tranche on behalf of the European Commission under the Boost Africa Programme.
The investment is expected to strengthen early-stage financing for innovative businesses with strong technological and digital components, particularly in French-speaking countries.
Saviu II, the second investment vehicle managed by Saviu Partners, plans to invest between €500,000 and €3 million in about 20 seed-stage or early institutional fundraising start-ups. The fund will primarily target B2B technology-oriented companies with scalable models.
At least 60 per cent of the fund’s commitments will focus on French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The fund may also co-invest in promising East African technology firms seeking expansion into Francophone markets.
In addition, Saviu II will dedicate a special funding envelope for pre-seed investments, mainly through minority equity stakes, often in collaboration with incubators, venture studios and other ecosystem partners.
Industry observers say the AfDB’s backing is expected to de-risk early-stage investment and crowd in more private capital into Africa’s growing digital economy.
Saviu Partners previously launched Saviu I in 2018 with a capitalization of €10 million.
The first fund invested in 12 start-ups, mainly based in French-speaking West Africa, offering not just funding but hands-on support in business development, recruitment, international expansion and fundraising.
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ruled in favor of electricity consumers, directing distribution companies (DisCos) to refund ₦20.33 billion in outstanding costs for meters bought under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework.
NERC
Signed on February 27, 2026, by Musiliu Oseni, chairman,NERC and Dafe Akpeneye, commissioner Order No. NERC/2026/025 amends a 2023 directive.
It requires DisCos to disburse the funds via energy credits over 12 months starting March 1, 2026, addressing years of slow refunds.
As of December 31, 2025, DisCos owed this amount due to delays in reimbursing prepaid customers who funded their own meters.
DisCos must automate credits for the full MAP meter cost upon activation, disbursed monthly over 120 months based on the customer’s tariff—credits cannot offset legacy debts.
Prepaid customers will receive a monthly token by the 4th day equivalent to the reimbursement value; for arrears, they’ll get two tokens per month.
Postpaid customers will see a distinct credit line on bills subtracted from totals, with two line items monthly for arrears.
NERC mandates monthly reports on reimbursement values using an approved template, plus dedicated email channels for complaints with resolution status included.
The order aims to end delays, improve notifications, and boost sector trust. DisCos must accelerate arrears recovery over 12 months without further excuses.
This follows NERC’s February 2026 compliance review, amid ongoing power sector challenges highlighted by Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu.
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