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TechDev 2016: First Software Academy Set To Open In Enugu
As part of take homes from the TechDev Summit 2016, states are encouraged to support the moves for the establishment of a Software Academy in Enugu by Q1 2017’ and in all state capitals of the south east within 12 months.
This was disclosed by organizers of the maiden TechDev Summit held in Enugu on Wednesday, convened to create awareness and technological disruptions in South East.
The Summit which had delegates from various stakeholder groups: academia, students, private sector and public sector, under the chairmanship of Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, chairman Open Media Group while other dignitaries included the Permanent Secretary and Director of Finance, Ministry of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Pius Okigbo Jr.
The Summit recognised that there is huge potential for regional clusters especially cities like Enugu that are ripe for Innovation Hubs and this should be prioritised.
According to the delegates, in line with global trends, State Governments should consider Universal Access and Service for its citizens as part of their SDG goals and as a fundamental human right.
They also said that stakeholders in the South East: academia, students, Industry, should collaborate to accelerate the emergence of the Digital Economy in the South East and the diversification from the dependency on oil.
‘The State Government through various incentives should encourage the private sector to invest in the state beginning with the commitment made at the Summit to establish a Software Academy in Enugu by Q1 2017’ and in all state capitals of the SE within 12 months.
“Thus, there is need to excite and raise awareness to the potentials of ICT as an accelerator to economic development, wealth creation and youth employment/entrepreneurship; there is need to revamp the educational curriculum from the primary to tertiary institutions in line with global reality to the skills required for the 21st century including critical thinking, problem-solving, research capability, collaborative work and effective communication.
“This Summit recognises that the teaching faculty across all tiers should be up skilled and trained to deliver 21st Century Education, so the State Governments should provide incentives for the rapid and pervasive expansion of broadband in currently under-served regions through the massive investment in fibre infrastructure required”.
The Summit which was organised by CommunicationsWeek Media and Techsmart.ng also emphasized that adoption of cloud Services should be encouraged across Nigeria to drive greater efficiencies and support the establishment of Smart Cities to create an attractive work and living environment with a concomitant impact on economic investment in the regions.
Earlier, Engineer Ndukwe said that there is need to enhance the capacity of the educational system to provide relevant R &D in synch with industry and government as well as attract funding for continuous and sustainable investment in educational infrastructure.
He extolled TechDev 2016 as a platform to accelerate technology development in the South East.
“The essence of this summit is to create disruption in the South East and change Ndigbo perception on ICT starting from Enugu that has a rich academia base. Technology is at the bedrock of any economy. If Nigeria must join the league of advanced Nations, she must ramp up investments in technology and support Tech start-ups to grow,” he said.
Thought Leadership presenters that included panel discussants during the summit were amongst others: Chris Uwaje, DG DS HUB, Delta State, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, CEO, Infographics. Others are the vice chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. DG WISG.
According to the conveners of TechDev, they hope to take the message to every nook and cranny of the Nigerian state in the months ahead because, Technology remains the only way we can leapfrog development in order to catch up with our peers in the rest of the world.
“We seek also that conversations will continue by Ndigbo after this summit for our South East tech development”, Mr. Ken Nwogbo said.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.
Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.
The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”
The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.
Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.
He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.
Lagos State has become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to establish a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Registry, a move aimed at strengthening climate governance, improving emissions accountability and accelerating the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Lagos State Greenhouse Gas Registry (LGHGR) was unveiled at the Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja, at a ceremony attended by Prof. Akin Abayomi, commissioner for Health, members of the State Executive Council, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, development partners, TPHG Technologies, the diplomatic and business communities, academics, civil society organisations and the media.
Describing the initiative as a landmark achievement in the state’s environmental sustainability drive, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, general manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), said the Registry marks a defining moment in Lagos’ climate action journey and reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to building a resilient, climate-smart and environmentally sustainable economy.
According to Ajayi, the digital platform will enable the state to accurately measure, monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors, providing credible data to guide environmental policies and climate interventions.
He said the Registry would strengthen evidence-based decision-making, improve transparency and accountability, support national and international climate reporting obligations, unlock carbon market opportunities and boost investor confidence in Lagos’ environmental initiatives.
Ajayi also commended TPHG Technologies for providing the technical expertise that made the pioneering project possible.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Abayomi described the Registry as a major milestone that positions Lagos at the forefront of climate governance and emissions accountability in both Nigeria and Africa.
He noted that climate change has evolved into a significant public health and governance challenge, stressing that access to reliable emissions data would enable the state to formulate evidence-based policies, attract climate financing, strengthen resilience and accelerate its transition to a low-carbon economy.
Providing insights into the technical framework of the project, Dr. Mofoluso Fagbeja, lead consultant and chief executive officer, TPHG Technologies, explained that the Registry was developed from the greenhouse gas inventory jointly undertaken by LASEPA and TPHG Technologies in 2022, using 2019 as the baseline year for emissions assessment.
He said the platform is designed to close critical emissions data gaps, particularly within the industrial sector, while supporting effective climate policy implementation, emissions management and sustainable development.
Fagbeja also disclosed that the greenhouse gas inventory estimated that poor air quality contributes to about 35,000 premature deaths annually in Lagos, underscoring the urgent need for stronger emissions control measures and cleaner environmental practices.
In a goodwill message, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, minister of Environment, represented by Mrs. Adenaike Olunimpe Oludunni, federal controller of Environment in Lagos, commended Lagos State for pioneering the initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s climate commitments.
He said the Registry aligns with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and supports the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to deeper collaboration with Lagos State on climate governance and environmental sustainability.
A recently released Henley Passport Index 2026, showed that Nigerian citizens can travel to at least 20 destinations outside the African continent where entry is allowed either visa-free, with a visa on arrival (VOA) at no extra cost, or via an e-visa.
This expanded access opens doors for Nigerian travellers to experience countries in the Caribbean, Asia, and beyond with greater ease.
Below is a comprehensive guide to countries outside Africa which Nigerian passport holders can visit without a traditional visa.
Visa-Free Countries outside Africa for Nigerian Passport Holders:
Barbados
Cambodia – Visa on arrival
Comoros Islands – Visa on arrival
Cook Islands
Dominica
Fiji
Haiti
Iran – Visa on arrival
Kiribati
Lebanon
Maldives – Visa on arrival
Micronesia
Montserrat
Niue – Visa on arrival
Palau Islands – Visa on arrival
Samoa – Visa on arrival
St. Kitts and Nevis
Timor-Leste – Visa on arrival
Tuvalu
Vanuatuul
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