New Horizons, an ICT training and solution provider, has positioned technology skills as a tool for social stability with the launch of a ₦50 million ($35,000) empowerment programme targeting Almajiri children, a vulnerable group often associated with street begging and social exclusion in northern Nigeria. The initiative, designed to curb unemployment while contributing to national security and economic inclusion, will equip participants with practical ICT and electronics skills that can translate directly into sustainable livelihoods, according to a report by ITWeb. Known as “Almajiris-to-Tech,” the 90-day intensive training programme is scheduled to begin on January 19, 2026, at the New…
Author: Gbenga OWOYEMI
Global investment in media content production is projected to reach $255 billion in 2026, representing a 2 percent year-on-year increase, according to new forecasts by Ampere Analysis. The growth, though modest, continues to be underpinned by sustained spending from global streaming platforms, which are steadily expanding their share of total content investment. Ampere Analysis notes that while overall expansion remains moderate, the continued shift toward streaming is widening the gap between global platforms and traditional broadcasters. Persistent advertising pressures are limiting the capacity of broadcasters to increase spending, further entrenching the structural imbalance within the content ecosystem. The report indicates…
The Federal Government has commissioned a state-of-the-art Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Monitoring Centre on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, marking a major upgrade in safety, security and infrastructure management on one of the country’s most critical transport corridors. Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to rehabilitate and secure key federal bridges nationwide. He described the facility as a strategic intervention aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure and ensuring efficient traffic management on the bridge. The newly inaugurated centre is equipped with high-definition CCTV cameras covering both…
In a major operation underscoring the nexus between border security and public health, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted a cache of contraband goods, including 10,000 bags of expired flour from Egypt and illicit drugs, valued at N1.99 billion, along the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor between September 1 and October 9, 2025. The Customs Area Controller, Wale Adenuga, disclosed this on Thursday during his maiden press briefing at the command headquarters in Seme, Badagry, Lagos State, where he explained that the expired flour, concealed in five trucks and valued at N1.2 billion, could have posed grave public health…
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has unveiled a new policy framework aimed at achieving a minimum of 30% value addition on all exports of local raw materials. The initiative is designed to boost the competitiveness of Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the nation’s industrial base. Deputy Director, Process Equipment Maintenance Division of RMRDC, Engr. Obassi Ettu, disclosed this at the Business Session of the pre-9th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) held in Lagos, on Wednesday. According to him, the policy became necessary because many of Nigeria’s raw materials have…
Veteran politician and elder statesman, Chief Bode George, has urged members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to champion the restoration of credibility and ethical standards in Nigeria’s media landscape. Speaking at the 9th Annual GOCOP Conference held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, George stressed the urgent need for the Guild to confront the twin challenges of fake news and the infiltration of untrained individuals posing as journalists. The conference, themed “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects,” brought together media professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to examine the role of journalism in strengthening…
Nigeria has successfully collected more than ₦600 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) from global digital service providers, including Facebook, Amazon, and Netflix, following amendments to the VAT Act that brought such companies into the tax net. The Special Adviser on Tax Policy to the Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Mathew Osanekwu, disclosed this during a workshop for media practitioners in Abuja on Wednesday. “These are not Nigerian entities, but they are now paying VAT under Section 10 of the VAT Act. They are registered in Nigeria and are also appointed as agents of collection,” Osanekwu explained. He…
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that the state attracted over $6 billion in direct foreign investment into its tech startup sector between 2019 and 2024, cementing its place as Africa’s leading innovation hub. Speaking at the GITEX Nigeria technology exhibition in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos now accounts for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s tech inflows, while more than 70 per cent of Africa’s unicorns have emerged from the city. “We’re not just an economic powerhouse, we are Africa’s innovation capital,” he declared. The governor attributed this transformation to visionary leadership and long-term planning, recalling how Lagos…
In a major stride towards expanding access to education and empowering African youth, the Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has announced the selection of two Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, as recipients of the Airtel Africa Fellowship. The scholars will pursue undergraduate studies in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, at Plaksha University in Mohali, India, an institution globally recognized for reimagining engineering education for the 21st century. Launched in September 2024, the Airtel Africa Fellowship is the flagship educational initiative of the Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, a leading telecom and mobile money…
Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, has unveiled its highly anticipated campaign tagged “All in All, Everything ×2 – Category Month.” The month-long shopping festival, running from September 1 to 30, will deliver unmatched discounts across a wide array of products. Strategically crafted to empower households and businesses, the campaign offers shoppers a golden opportunity to unlock massive savings on premium items from globally renowned brands across diverse product categories. The core of the “Category Month” campaign lies in its dynamic, week-by-week approach. Each week, Konga will spotlight a specific category, delivering targeted discounts that excite and engage shoppers. For…