Telecom
Coderina Partners SAP, NLN to Launch INClusive STEAM Libraries Project
Addressing Africa’s skills gap in the age of technology would require bold steps to be taken in the area of capacity building.
Cross section of partners and students present at the event
As part of efforts to address these issues and more, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation in collaboration with SAP and National Library of Nigeria (NLN), has launched INClusive STEAM Libraries Project aimed at evolving libraries across Nigeria to become venues for informal Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) centers to provide the youth with lifelong learning skills and competencies
According to the World Economic Forum, “The root of unemployment is not only a lack of jobs; a key underlying issue is also the inadequately educated workforce. And this challenge is likely to be amplified in the coming years due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by fast-paced technological progress combined with other socio-economic and demographic changes, which will further transform labor markets.” Hence the time to start addressing skills shortages is now. Education must be aligned to the pace of change and expanding skill needs of Industry 4.0 be it formal or informal.
L-R: Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa; Ibukun Olufon, Account Executive in a chat with Mr. Femi Niyi, Chairman BOT, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation.
The goal of the Inclusive STEAM Libraries project is to create an enabling environment for every young learner including and out-of-school and unemployed youth, or those looking to gain job-readiness skills where they can visit to gain practical hands-on, minds-on learning experience in coding, robotics, 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Web & App Development and other 4IR skills and competencies while also being provided with information, opportunity and choices to prepare them for the future of work or entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the project launch in Lagos on Saturday, November 13, 2021, Mrs. Obianuju Onuorah, Deputy Director/Head of Branch National Library of Nigeria, Lagos State, expressed delight over the project which will boost hands-on experience among student community in the library.
She said that although for ages library is known as a ‘silence zone’, however NLN is moving along with trends in the world hence the creation of digital sections.
Onuorah who described the initiative as ‘very good initiative’, further said, “I believe strongly that the students and staff will benefit from it. Initially, the Library is seen as a very quiet place; where you come and read.
“However, as the reading culture changes, the library has become an inter-disciplinary community. We have to move along with trends in the world. So, in the library now you have the digital section.
“Also, we have discovered that students do not appreciate long reading. They prefer the hands-on experience and that is why the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has created the digital section where we catch them young. The only difference in the library is that the students are monitored to avoid abuses or misuse of the digital tools.
“So, I am very happy with this initiative because it will benefit our community, especially those that ‘do not like to read’, they will benefit more with the hands-on experience.
The Deputy Director noted that NLN is interested in promoting STEAM “because our mandate is to make sure the Nigerian society reads. So, how do we accomplish that? We organize readership promotion campaign through which we sensitize the general public, especially students and pupils on the need to read. We believe that when we catch them young they will grow with it”.
Titilayo Adewumi, Regional Sales Director – West Africa – SAP represented by Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa, said the INClusive STEAM Libraries Project falls within the core vision of the company.
According to her, SAP’s reason for the partnerships is to uplift the host communities, amongst other reasons.
Adewumi said, “At the core of SAP vision is to improve people’s lives and to help the world run better. We do that through technology and partnership. The reason for the partnerships is to uplift the communities in which SAP is present”.
Highlighting how the INClusive STEAM Libraries Project will impact on the students, she said “I believe that this is the beginning for these children who probably haven’t experienced this sort of skills building opportunities; seeing LEGO education kit sets and seeing robots for the first time.
I think that at this level it will impact their curiosity. A child is usually very curious; trying to find out more about a subject or an object particularly when it is colourfulcolorful. This is the first level to introduce these children to technology skills. The experience will be etchdged in their memory for a long time to come.
Regional Sales Director – West Africa – SAP further encouraged the participants, especially the girl-child, to take full advantage of the initiative.
“I think there is no limit with technology whether you are a man or woman. If there are no limits for the boys then there are no limits for you as a girl. So, whatever dreams you have never have doubts about them. Go for your dream; one step at a time”, she said.
L-R: Mr. Femi Niyi, Chairman BOT, Coderina Education and Technology Foundation; Folusho Ade-Ogunrinde, Technology Head, SAP Africa; Mrs. Obianuju Onuorah, Deputy Director/Head of Branch National Library of Nigeria, Lagos State and Ibukun Olufon, Account Executive
On his part, the Chairman BOT, Coderina, Mr. Femi Niyi, described public libraries as good platform to connect school and out-of-school learning.
“Libraries are part of a STEM learning ecosystem that connects many communities with resources. A place where children and families can participate, engage in interactions and experiences that promote hands-on and minds-on learning and development. This would enable young learners and adults acquire a breadth of skills including cognitive, emotional, social, innovation and creativity”, he explained.
He emphasised that the Coderina’s partnership with the National Library of Nigeria is focused on evolving libraries across Nigeria to become venues for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education and centers that would provide youths with lifelong learning skills and competencies.
Femi added that access to technology tools and Internet access is scant, “however, with support of organisations like SAP, we will provide access by equipping a section of the library with robotics kits, laptops, 3D printers and other learning tools, to ensure that libraries become more inclusive and cater for different learning styles be it visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinesthetic.”
“This approach will also help children develop their creativity skills, innovative skills interpersonal skills as well as problem solving skills which in turn helps them to become employable and prepares them
Jane Idehen, director-general of Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NigComSat), has said that the organisation is projecting an average annual revenue of three billion dollars as it expands its scope of operations.
disclosed this in Abuja at the July edition of DevsInGovernment MDA workshop series organised by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, with a focus on NigComSat.
The programme supported by Galaxy Backbone and World Bank was tagged: “Driving Operational Excellence through Technology at NigComSat.”
DevsInGovernment is a community that aims to create a group of technologists and tech enthusiasts within the civil service who are actively contributing to digital transformation across all government agencies.
The DG said that for NigComSat to grow, it had to explore new ideas and increase product life, which can lead to significant revenue increases.
“Currently we are projecting to average about three billion dollars in revenue year.
“If we can think about ideas, we can do more than that because if you can increase your product life, you can provide more solutions to problems,” she said.
She said that there were other revenue streams beyond broadcasting, which could double or triple the existing broadcasting revenues.
According to her, creating awareness about the programme’s services and solutions was crucial for its success.
Abiodun Attah, executive director of Technical Services at NigComSat, said the agency was charting a new course in its operations with a view to increasing its revenue earnings and serving the country better.
Attah said that one of the things the agency had done with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) was to carry 2G, 3G, and 4G traffic in rural areas where there was no connectivity.
“In the past, NigComSat was shying away from going into enterprises; it was shying away from doing business outside the government sector.
“Now we have gone beyond that,” he added.
As the world commemorates World Hepatitis Day, Airtel Nigeria is taking bold steps to combat the global health challenge by equipping its employees with knowledge and access.
Reinforcing its ongoing commitment to employee wellness and public health advocacy, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider hosted a companywide Health Talk and announced a free hepatitis vaccination rollout across its offices across the country.
This year’s health and wellness theme at Airtel, “Stay Aware, Get Tested, Vaccinated & Seek Treatment,” aligns with global efforts to eliminate hepatitis and underscores the company’s belief that well-informed, healthy employees are the foundation of a thriving organisation.
In collaboration with its healthcare partner, Leadway Health, Airtel Nigeria brought together staff from across the country for an educational session titled: “Healthy Habits, Healthy Liver: Ending Hepatitis Starts with You!” Led by esteemed medical consultant Dr. Obioma Anomneze-Chima, the session offered critical insights into the causes, symptoms, and prevention of hepatitis, along with practical lifestyle habits to safeguard liver health.
In his remarks at the programme, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, highlighted the company’s holistic wellbeing philosophy.
He said, “Our people are the heart of our organisation, and when they are healthy, they bring their best selves to work. We’re not just investing in employee performance; we’re investing in their complete wellbeing. From mental wellness to preventive healthcare, our programmes are designed to offer real, meaningful support.”
Speaking during the session, Dr. Anomneze-Chima emphasised the importance of proactive prevention and early testing, “Hepatitis doesn’t always announce itself; it creeps in quietly and can cause lifelong complications. Conversations like this help us catch it before it catches us. I applaud Airtel for giving its employees not just facts, but tools and access to protect their health.”
Director, Human Resources and Administration, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, noted that events such as the Hepatitis education and vaccination activity are a firm part of the company’s corporate mission. “This hepatitis campaign is a reminder that corporate responsibility goes beyond business metrics; it’s about actively participating in global health conversations and making a difference where it counts: among our people,” she added.
To sustain the impact of the educational talk, Airtel Nigeria is launching a free hepatitis vaccination programme across its premises, allowing employees nationwide to get vaccinated on-site with ease. This initiative reflects the company’s human-first approach to workforce wellness—prioritising both immediate care and long-term health security.
With this initiative, Airtel Nigeria once again demonstrates its leadership in advancing workplace wellness and health advocacy in the corporate sector. From supporting mental health through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to promoting physical wellbeing with preventive screenings and vaccinations, Airtel is setting the standard for what it means to truly care for its workforce.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has reported robust financial and operational results for the first half of 2025, signaling a promising turnaround for the telecom giant amid improving economic conditions and strategic initiatives.
Karl Toriola, ceo MTN Nigeria, said the company’s performance reflected the successful execution of earlier strategies and a more stable business environment. “We are excited by the progress made in the first half of 2025,” he said, highlighting a 54.6 percent growth in service revenue and a remarkable recovery in profits.
MTN’s subscriber base grew to 84.7 million, adding nearly 4 million users despite regulatory changes limiting SIM registrations by third-party agents. Active data users reached 51 million, fueling a surge in data revenue, which rose by an impressive 69.2 percent.
The operator has been investing heavily to meet rising demand and improve service quality. Among its major projects is the $240 million Dabengwa Tier 3 Data Centre—West Africa’s largest—which was launched in July and promises to drive digital transformation for businesses across the region.
On the fintech front, MTN made solid strides by adding over half a million new digital wallets in Q2 alone. Customer deposits grew fivefold since December 2024, pointing to renewed confidence and expanding usage of MTN’s mobile money services.
Economically, Nigeria showed signs of recovery during the period, with the naira exchange rate remaining stable and inflation easing to 22.2 percent. These factors helped strengthen MTN’s financial position and allowed the company to renegotiate tower leases, resulting in significant cost savings.
As a result, MTN swung from a loss after tax of N519 billion in the first half of 2024 to a profit after tax of N415 billion this year. Free cash flow also improved, hitting N409.8 billion, which the company plans to leverage for further network investments.
Looking ahead, MTN Nigeria has raised its full-year guidance, targeting service revenue growth at least in the low 50 percent range and an EBITDA margin above 50 percent. The firm anticipates positive retained earnings and shareholders’ equity returning by the end of Q3.
The company also remains committed to nurturing tech talent and innovation in Nigeria, pledging over N3 billion to support skills development. An accelerator programme offering funding and mentorship aims to empower African startups and drive future digital growth.
Despite some regulatory and macroeconomic uncertainties, MTN Nigeria’s leadership expressed confidence in the company’s ability to adapt and deliver sustained value to shareholders and customers alike.
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