News
THE FUTURE IS HERE – USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018 Begins
Innovative ICT Solutions and Entrepreneurship development project provides an avenue for self expression and creativity through technology.
This is a Hackathon and Incubation event where people with technology backgrounds and business vision come together, form teams around a problem or idea, and collaboratively code a unique solution from the scratch.
These solutions are usually in the form of websites, mobile apps, IOT, robotics andmore.
Therefore, instead of meeting at the local bars,coffee shops or social media groups to discuss and ponder on social problems every weekend, you actually have a chance to meet diverse but like-minded fellows to tackle these problems head-on.
It is considering this that the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) initiated thethird season of the Changemaker Challenge.
This is an innovative competition for persons who have ideas on how to apply technology in solving problems.
The theme for the Changemaker Challenge 2018 is “THE FUTURE IS HERE: Disrupting Legacy Ecosystem with Technology”.
Apply now at www.uspfchangemaker18.ng and stand a chance to develop your idea.
This Hackathon is scheduled for the 25thto 27th of January 2019 and open to all Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45 (well interested persons below the age of 18 would require their parents/guardians to fill out a permission slip and accompany their ward to the event).
Eligible persons can participate in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018 as individuals or as a team (each team consisting of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 5 members).
So what’s in it for you?
Should you decide to participate in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2018, there are lots of benefits outside the fame and cash prize. Some of which include:
- You get to make new connections and network: This Hackathon will be a great opportunity to get to know people who have the same interests as you and care about the same technologies. Plus you get the chance to actually work and collaborate on projects with like-minded people and pitch your ideas to potential investors.
- Awesome Collaborative Experience: Working intenselywith the new people you meet for many consecutive hours over a short period of time lets you create strong bonds, learn from others strengths and learn how to work with a team that you don’t already know and with who you’ve never worked before.
- Great for your CV: while you will be getting some real tech experience and you can win cash prizes, people in the field know that during a Hackathon you increase your knowledge and gain team work experience.
- Prize Money: There is a total prize money of over N3.5m to be won! While mentors and investors are seated to guide and launch your idea for business success or social good, you will also be winning some money for your effort.
Apply now at http://uspfchangemaker18.ng/apply-now/and stand a chance to develop your idea.
Other perks include theopportunity to: innovate and develop a product; free food; free swag; meet industry leaders; increase your chances of getting a job offer and most importantly, you get to LEARN (all these for free) and eventually pitch your ideas to potential investors.
So what are you waiting for?
The USPF Changemaker Challenge event is the perfect place to network and connect with brilliant, software developers, UX Designers, Data Scientists, ICT Experts, Budding Entrepreneurs, Strategists, Angel Investors, Idea Funders, Public Policy Experts, Incubation Experts and Technology Enthusiasts.
It will be a weekend of freedom to create a new product, learn new techniques for your future development, and be part of a community of new ideas and ventures thus Ideas Festival, Investors Delight!
The total cash prize is over N3,500,000 and there will also be transportation subsidies for applicants that apply early. It is the much-awaited ideas festival, investors delight!
For more information, visit www.uspfchangemaker18.ng
News
OAU Taps Aderounmu, Tech Advocate as DVC Academics

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has appointed Professor Adesola Aderounmu, renowned computer scientist and technology advocate, as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).

Professor Adesola Aderounmu
The decision, made by the university’s Senate, marks a strategic step towards aligning OAU’s academic vision with technological innovation and global best practices.
A distinguished scholar and leader in Computer Science and Engineering, Professor Aderounmu brings decades of experience to this pivotal role.
He has served as the Centre Lead for the African Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering and the Obafemi Awolowo University Knowledge Park (OAK-Park), where he has driven initiatives that advance technological innovation and academic excellence.
His leadership journey includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Head of the Department of Computer Science, as well as President of the Nigeria Computer Society from 2015 to 2019. Under his stewardship, the Africa Centre of Excellence in ICT (OAK-Park) was established and has flourished, positioning OAU as a hub for digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This is an opportunity to shape the future of education at OAU,” Professor Aderounmu stated. “I am committed to fostering an environment where ideas thrive.”
Professor Aderounmu’s appointment as DVC Academics carries significant implications for the information technology profession and industry in Nigeria and Africa.
His leadership is expected to further bridge the gap between academia and industry, aligning curriculum with emerging technological trends, and fostering research that directly addresses the needs of Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
His commitment to developing high-level ICT talent will contribute to strengthening the nation’s capacity in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and digital entrepreneurship.
As Nigeria and Africa continue to embrace digital transformation, this appointment signals a continued push for collaboration between universities and the technology industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with globally relevant skills while advancing innovative research that supports the tech ecosystem.
This appointment recognises Professor Aderounmu’s unwavering commitment to research, excellence in education, and visionary leadership, and marks a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing mission to deliver impactful education and innovation for national and continental development.
News
IviTrybe Hearts Takes Kindness Drive to Little Saints Home

In a heartwarming demonstration of corporate social responsibility and community impact, IviTrybe Hearts, a key initiative driven by members of IviTrybe – a vibrant group of budding marketing communications specialists – visited the Little Saints Orphanage, Akowonjo branch.
The visit, part of IviTrybe’s ongoing commitment to societal betterment, was significantly supported by Pladis Foods Nigeria, which generously donated gift items and products.
IviTrybe is a social responsibility initiative of IVI PR, a dynamic public relations agency dedicated to not only elevating brands but also fostering positive societal impact. This initiative provides focused practical training covering brand strategy and public relations, directly addressing the critical issue of insufficiently skilled manpower within Nigeria’s Public Relations industry. Through the #IviTrybeHearts program, the group channels its growing expertise into meaningful community engagement.
During the visit, the IviTrybe Hearts team dedicated the day to creating a memorable and impactful experience for the children. Activities included extensive bonding and interaction sessions, where members engaged in games and companionship, fostering an atmosphere of joy and connection. Essential items were donated to support the orphanage’s daily needs, and motivational talks were delivered, inspiring the children with words of encouragement and hope for their futures.
Busari Toheeb Dolapo, IviTrybe Coordinator and spokesperson for the project, underscored the essence of the visit, stating, “For whom much is given, much is expected. We have been empowered through knowledge and mentorship at IVI PR, and it’s only right that we channel that privilege into making a difference. The smiles on the children’s faces today reminded us why giving back is non-negotiable.”
The management of Little Saints Orphanage expressed profound gratitude for the support and the tangible impact of the donations, emphasising how such gestures significantly improve the lives and spirits of the children under their care.
Through impactful initiatives like IviTrybe Hearts, IviTrybe continues to exemplify how youth-led action, empowered by practical training and a strong sense of responsibility, can effectively shape communities and enrich lives for the better.
News
INTERPOL Report Shows Cybercrime is West, East African Most Dominant Security Concern

Cybercrime has emerged as a dominant security concern across Africa, with more than 30 percent of all reported crimes in Western and Eastern regions linked to cyber activity, according to the newly released 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report by INTERPOL.
The report, based on data from African member states and private sector partners, reveals that two-thirds of surveyed countries describe cybercrime as constituting a medium to high share of total criminal cases.
This highlights how cyber-enabled criminal activity is evolving rapidly across the continent. The report identified alarming spikes in scam attempts, with some countries witnessing a 3,000 percent increase in suspected scam notifications in the past year.
Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cyber Crime Director, warned that the threat landscape is evolving faster than enforcement responses.
“This fourth edition of the INTERPOL African Cyber Threat Assessment provides a vital snapshot of the current situation, informed by operational intelligence, extensive law enforcement engagement, and strategic private-sector collaboration.
“It paints a clear picture of a threat landscape in flux, with emerging dangers like AI-driven fraud that demand urgent attention. No single agency or country can face these challenges alone,” Jetton stated.
In the past year, suspected scam notifications rose by up to 3,000 per cent in some African countries, according to data from Kaspersky, one of several private sector partners that work with INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate
Online scams, particularly through phishing, are the most frequently reported cybercrimes across the continent. Ransomware attacks and Business Email Compromise (BEC) incidents are also increasing, particularly in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
“Ransomware detections in Africa also rose in 2024, with South Africa and Egypt suffering the highest number, at 17,849 and 12,281 detections respectively, according to data from Trend Micro, followed by other highly digitised economies such as Nigeria (3,459) and Kenya (3,030),” it stated.
Incidents included attacks on critical infrastructure, such as a breach at Kenya’s Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and on government databases, such as hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the report stated.
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