Telecommunications infrastructure provider, IHS has expressed commitment to advancement of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through the Global Educators Program.

Global Educators Program is one-year sponsored training on STEM and space education of secondary school teachers, hosted in the United States and partially in Nigeria.

The program is sponsored by IHS Nigeria in collaboration with Limitless Space Institute (LSI).

The ten beneficiaries, selected from various regions across Nigeria, were hosted at a roundtable event in Lagos recently organized by IHS Nigeria and LSI.

The program, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at providing professional development in STEM fields tied to space exploration, seeks to inspire both educators and students while enhancing STEM learning experiences.

Speaking on behalf of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, Chief Executive Officer commended the teachers for their commitment to advancing STEM education. He pledged IHS Nigeria’s ongoing support for initiatives that train more teachers and students in STEM and space science education.

In addition, Dapo Otunla, Chief Corporate Services Officer at IHS Nigeria, expressed his pride in the program’s success.

“For us, education and economic growth are key pillars of our sustainability program, with the mind as the foundation for all progress,” he said. “IHS has been deeply involved in educational initiatives, especially in STEM, as we are fundamentally a company of engineers. Partnering with LSI aligns perfectly with our Mission T program, which promotes STEM education.”

Otunla highlighted that IHS Nigeria, which started operations in 2001, has invested in technology innovation hubs, such as those in Alimosho, Lagos State, and Ogbomosho, Oyo State, to support education and technology advancement across Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, Kaci Heinz, LSI’s Executive Director, disclosed that over 200 teachers from public schools across Nigeria applied for the program, with only ten ultimately selected to join an additional ten teachers from Brazil for the year-long training.

“By connecting STEM education with the captivating subject of space, we aim to inspire both educators and students while simultaneously enhancing STEM learning experiences,” explained Heinz.

“These teachers are expected to return and impart the knowledge gained to their students, nurturing a new generation of interest in STEM education.”

Beneficiaries’ Share Experiences

The ten beneficiaries, who shared their experiences at the event, expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity provided by IHS Nigeria and LSI.

Maranatha Haa, a Chemistry teacher from Federal Government College, Jos, noted, “This program has introduced me to the exciting possibilities of space science and the importance of collaboration across borders. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with my students and fellow educators.”

Mr. Olayinka Adeoshun, from Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, Lagos, shared, “The training has exposed me to what I could never have imagined in space science. My students are now more motivated than ever in space technology education. We’ve even established a virtual knowledge exchange program with the Space Institute in Houston.”

Blessing Akila, from ECWA Secondary School, Makurdi, expressed her excitement about the program’s impact on her teaching approach. “One of the subjects we were taught was Geometric and Space, which has helped simplify mathematics for my students, many of whom previously had a phobia for the subject. I want to thank IHS and LSI for this life-changing opportunity.”

Other beneficiaries who shared their experiences included Oluwabanke Adewusi from Itire Community Senior Secondary School, Lagos; Joshua James from Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja; Soji Megbowon from Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School, Lagos; Ngobiri Abraham from Federal Government College, Enugu; Wahab Abubakar from Sango Senior Secondary School, Ilorin; Kayode Adewale from Odu’a Comprehensive High School, Ijebu Ode; and Rashidat Ademosu from Eva Adelaja Girls Junior Secondary School, Lagos.

KaiOS Technologies, a leading operating system that brings the best of the internet to affordable devices, today announced a collaboration with Mastercard to integrate a range of digital payments solutions.

Beginning in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies will deliver affordable payment acceptance devices and stimulate the growth of a more inclusive, connected global economy.

Beginning in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies will deliver affordable payment acceptance devices and stimulate the growth of a more inclusive, connected global economy.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) – especially in developing markets – still struggle to adopt digital payments, from the expenses linked to traditional payment acceptance terminals to technical implementation challenges.

This, in turn, makes it harder for these businesses to meaningfully participate in the digital economy and limits inclusive growth.

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KaiOS Technologies and Mastercard are collaborating to help millions of SMEs globally accept digital payments using KaiOS devices.

Even the smallest businesses will be able to use their low-cost devices to accept payments safely and easily via Mastercard QR, Mobile Point-of-Sale solutions and Tap & Go contactless payments technology.

Signing up is simple. Business owners can use their KaiOS-powered phone to enroll. After entering their registered credentials and authenticating via a one-time password, SMEs can then access and use a variety of digital payment options.

“Acceptance fuels a successful digital economy, so it’s critical that we meet people where they are today and move them forward together,” said Jorn Lambert, chief product officer at Mastercard.

“Whether it’s a micro-merchant in Cote d’Ivoire to an enterprise in Indonesia, our goal is to make it as easy for merchants to accept digital payments as it is for consumers to make them.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with KaiOS Technologies to bring the best of our technology, scale, and expertise together to drive growth for emerging markets around the world.”

“At KaiOS Technologies, our mission is to connect underserved communities with the digital world.

“By bringing Mastercard’s secure payment technology to affordable internet phones running KaiOS, we’re unlocking new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, allowing them to participate in modern commerce more fully.

“This innovation brings down the barriers and enables an affordable consumer device to become a powerful business tool,” said Sebastien Codeville, chief executive officer of KaiOS Technologies.

This announcement strengthens the alliance between Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies as the operating system continues to grow.

Today, KaiOS Technologies works with major carriers, mobile network operators, and mobile phone manufacturers in emerging regions, with plans to expand to include acquiring banks, payment facilitators, fintechs and more.

Previously, KaiOS Technologies joined Mastercard’s award-winning startup engagement program, Start Path, to embed a range of payment solutions to foster digital inclusion.

As part of this extended collaboration, Mastercard and KaiOS Technologies will focus on African markets first, collaborating with partners like Touch and Pay Technologies (TAP) and Wizzit to extend access to in-market merchants.

Hear from our partners:

“At TAP, we are always looking for innovative solutions that enhance the accessibility and convenience of financial services for underserved populations.

“Our partnership with KaiOS and Mastercard is a game-changer for our existing and new customers, particularly in emerging markets,” said Olamide Afolabi, chief executive officer of TAP.

“By integrating KaiOS into our platform, we’re enabling millions of users with feature phones to access seamless digital payment solutions and financial services that were previously out of reach.

“This partnership is a vital step in furthering our mission to drive financial inclusion and empower communities through technology.”

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“Wizzit is excited to join forces with KaiOS and Mastercard to expand secure payment acceptance solutions across Africa and beyond,” said Dirk Bruynse, chief operating officer of Wizzit.

“This partnership will enable us to scale our switching capabilities and deliver innovative payment solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses of all sizes.

“We are confident that this collaboration will set new benchmarks for efficiency and drive greater financial inclusion.”

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has decried the alarming rate of talent migration from Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and called for immediate action to prevent further loss of skilled professionals.

The NCC disclosed that over 500 software engineers and more than 2,000 trained telecom professionals fled the country in 2022 alone, posing a significant threat to the industry’s future.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman/CEO, NCC, who sated this while speaking at the fifth edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum, TSSF 5.0, themed “Mitigating the Effects of Talent Exodus and its Impact on the Growth of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry,” urged telecom companies to adopt flexible work policies, improve remuneration packages, and foster a culture of innovation.

Maida stressed the importance of creating an environment that values and nurtures talent, saying it is crucial to retaining skilled professionals and ensuring the sector’s continued growth.

Represented by Tunji Jimoh, Lagos zonal controller, NCC, Maida warned that the global demand for tech talent has driven many of Nigeria’s brightest minds to seek more lucrative opportunities abroad.

This trend, if left unchecked, could create a skills gap that threatens the sustainability of the nation’s telecom sector.

Maida, referencing a report by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), highlighted the exodus of telecom professionals as a major setback, adding that the loss of such talent directly impacts innovation and development in the industry.

To address this challenge, he called on telecom companies to offer more attractive working conditions.

“Remote work options, continuous learning opportunities, and collaborative spaces that encourage creativity will make the local telecom sector more appealing to professionals who might otherwise seek opportunities abroad,” he said.

He further urged telecom companies to partner with educational institutions to create programs tailored to industry needs, stressing that the partnership would help address the talent gap and build a pipeline of young professionals eager to contribute to the telecom sector.

He also underscored NCC’s role in mitigating talent migration through initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous content and improving the infrastructure necessary for digital growth.

“The Commission is actively participating in the 3 Million Technical Talent, 3MTT, a programme initiated by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which aims to train three million Nigerians in digital and technical skills by 2027,” he said.