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Lagos FI Chapter Graduates 21, Changes to Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos

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Founder Institute, Lagos Chapter, in its maiden edition of Velocity, graduated its first cohort of entrepreneurs, after a rigorous 14-week class.

The graduation ceremony which took place, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Victoria Island, Lagos, saw a huge the turn out stakeholders in the industry event.

The atmosphere at the Commerce House, where the graduation took place, was lit, as the graduates, (founders), start-up mentors, entrepreneurs, captains of industries, top bank executives and potential start-up founders all graced the occasion.

Delivering the welcome address of the day, Demola Sogunle, deputy managing director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, who was represented by Wole Adeniyi, executive director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised the role of technology, in enhancing business.

“Technology is about enabling business, making it easier and convenient, to make progress and just like what we are set to do daily, making progress with our customers is part of the alignment in several fonts”, Sogunle observed.

A cross-section of Mentors and FI Directors

The DMD expressed his delight, at being part of the Founder Institute project. “There are many other projects that can be done going forward; so many opportunities for growth and most important is, in adding value, but we take it a step at a time”, he emphasized.

“We are confident that, the start-ups have been empowered to deliver value. We are very proud to be part of the story and we believe that, you will do well”, added Demola, as he congratulated the graduates and the management of Founder Institute.

Delivering the keynote speech, John Obaro, founder, SystemSpecs and developer of Remita, the payment platform, titled his keynote address; “My 27 pence”. Obaro noted that, problems are opportunities, waiting to be unraveled, emphasising the need to fail forward, in pursuit of success. “According to Stanbic IBTC, over 80% of Nigerian start-ups fail, within their first five years”, he noted.

John Obaro, Founder, SystemSpecs, delivering the keynote address

 

Obaro expressed some valuable points in his keynote speech. Some of these include the following:

  • The need to get hungry, to provide a working solution and make an impact
  • The need to build a strong team
  • The power of focus, (identifying a clear problem and having a solution)

“There are too many “technologies” and “solutions” out there, looking for a problem to solve.”

  • The need for quality products and services
  • The need for brainstorming and balanced thinking
  • Building a good business policy, with values

“Be aware of trends and adapt your business models and practices, to suite the same. Relevance is the currency of the digital age. Consistently seek it – through innovation!”, stressed Obaro.

Obaro concluded by emphasising the need for the graduates, to collaborate as the partnership formed with others, will be used to harness strengths and extend the opportunity window.

There was, also, a panel session that had a discussion on start-ups and the Nigerian market.

Present among the panelists were, Onyema Akumah, Founder and CEO, Farmcrowdy, Peter Obadare, co-founder, Digital Encode, Tosin Faniro-Dada , Head, Lagos Innovate, LSETF and other guests.

Highlights from the panel discussion include:

  • The importance of business networking
  • Startu-ps collaboration with others
  • Creating platforms that would foster online and offline presence
  • The need for founders, to continue learning

21 Founders out of the initial 46 that started the class, graduated, in the first cohort of the Lagos Founder Institute Chapter.

They are Colord tees, Corrents, DiGita, Eazycheck, EscroWallet, Osteena Organics, LaborHack, Baller Zone, LaserPay, Lime start, Scrapays, Agenpo, Athlst, Cargo-L,Padimi, Paperloops, Rentit, Sabiteach,Tokeeto,Tres Melanin and Zowasel.

A cross-section of the founders, Mentors and FI Directors

They all presented their pitch, in the course of the event and got presented with certificates, at the end of the graduation ceremony.

It was announced by the Directors, that Founder Institute, Lagos, has been renamed, Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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T2 Commits to Innovation, Resilience as Customer-centric Ethos Form New Focus

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L-r: Michael Ikpoki, Ibrahim Puri, both Members of the T2 Board (formerly 9mobile); Thomas Etuh, Chairman of T2; Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Gloria Danjuma, Member of the T2 Board; Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of T2; Femi Edun and Emmanuel Etuh, also Members of the T2 Board, at the official unveiling of T2 at Eko Convention Centre Victoria Island, Lagos over the weekend.
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The rebranding of 9mobile to T2 is a key milestone within the company’s comprehensive four-phase recovery roadmap—Stabilisation, Modernisation, Transformation, and Growth—launched following the landmark 2023 acquisition of 9mobile by Lighthouse Telecoms, led by business leader and investor, Mr. Thomas Etuh.

Since the takeover, the company has made sweeping changes, including the constitution of a revitalized board, appointment of new executive leadership, and execution of a strategic infrastructure-sharing agreement with MTN Nigeria. This agreement, the first of its kind at scale in the country, has already led to the company significantly expanding its network coverage, capacity, and resilience nationwide.

Now entering the “Transformation” phase, the brand is embracing a new name, T2, and a new ambition: to lead in innovation, customer experience, and digital lifestyle enablement. The T2 identity reflects a forward-thinking, technology-driven, and customer-centric ethos designed to resonate with Nigeria’s increasingly digital and mobile-first population.

“This is not just a logo change, it’s a total evolution of who we are, why we exist, and how we deliver value,” said Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile. “T2 represents our next chapter. It is a symbol of our renewed commitment to innovation, resilience, and a deepened focus on customer experience. We are building a brand that is ready to thrive in the digital economy.”

Thomas Etuh, Chairman, Emerging Markets Telecommunications Ltd, echoed similar sentiments, describing the occasion as one that is significant in many respects for the 9mobile brand, as it represents the start of a new phase of life, a fresh start, rebirth, change or transformation, growth, reawakening, and a new order.

“Today marks a new beginning for the 9mobile business. The march has been tedious. The journey has been exhausting. It was faith and love for country that prompted my foray into the acquisition of the 9mobile business. I knew it was a tough call,” Etuh said, and thanked stakeholders like the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and 9mobile customers for standing by the brand through all its trials and challenges, including multiple litigations.

“To our amazing customers, please accept my profound gratitude for believing in us. I know our challenges have impacted you in one way or the other. But there is a resilient spirit we share with you. We are rising together again. Together, with you, we are reclaiming all lost grounds,” Etuh said.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, commended T2 for its bold move and vision to invest in the Nigerian economy and counselled that the rebranding should go beyond a change of name.

“My message to T2 (formerly 9mobile) is simple – let this rebrand be more than a change of colours or new logo, but let it be a renewed commitment to innovation, to service excellence and to the millions of Nigerians whose lives and businesses depend on your network every single day. Our government will continue to work with ecosystem players like T2 who are bold enough to invest, agile enough to adapt and visionary enough to see that the future belongs to those who embrace change before it’s forced upon them,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, affirmed the alignment between T2’s mission and the state’s digital goals.

“T2 has come at the right time. Its focus on digital innovation aligns seamlessly with the Lagos State Government’s vision for a robust digital economy that empowers citizens, businesses, and communities. We welcome partners like T2 who are committed to driving inclusive and transformative growth in our state,” she said.

The transition will be rolled out in deliberate phases, ensuring continuity and seamless service for existing customers while gradually introducing the market to the T2 narrative. At its core, T2 will focus on four key pillars: Speed, Smart Living, Digital Lifestyle, and Trust.

With customer expectations evolving rapidly and technology redefining the rules of engagement, the T2 brand aims to serve as a bridge between connectivity and culture, telecommunications and lifestyle, infrastructure and impact.

As the Nigerian telecoms sector moves into a new decade of transformation, T2 is poised to not just participate, but to lead.


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I see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others – Primate Ayodele

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Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has released fresh prophecies regarding Nigeria’s telecommunication companies, including MTN, Airtel, and the newly reformed T2, formerly known as 9mobile.

I see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others - Primate Ayodele

Primate Elijah Ayodele

In a statement signed by Osho Oluwatosin, media aide to Primate Ayodele made it known that MTN will have challenges and run into a shortage.

He stated that he sees resignations from top officials in the company while warning of a potential network crisis that will affect the company negatively.

“MTN: They will have challenges that will disorganize them and make them run into a shortage. They will want to carry out expansion, but some of their major cables will be damaged, and I see some of their officials resigning due to unexpected things that will be happening. MTN needs to be careful not to see situations of customers leaving the company. They will have serious network issues in September that people will be complaining about bitterly.”

For Airtel, Primate Ayodele warned the company to be careful of the board crisis, while revealing that they will face marketing issues at the grassroots level.

“Airtel: they must be careful so there won’t be any board crisis. They will want to step up in many ways, but there will be problems in the grassroots. The company’s marketing will have lots of issues in communicating to people at the grassroots level. Airtel will also have terrible network problems in November.”

For T2, Primate Ayodele stated that the company will start on a good ground, but they will not be able to achieve what was set out to be achieved.

He urged the company to look into some issues spiritually as he foresees a struggle to meet up with other telecommunication companies.

“T2: The company will start on a good footing, but there will be a lot of things they will want to do but will face problems. The crisis of the company isn’t yet over, it will be up and down, and the organization will struggle to surpass other telecommunication company. The new devices the company will introduce will still have problems, it’s an issue to be looked to spiritually. The company is ready to improve, but attaining improvement will create problems.”

Furthermore, the cleric stated that there will be more telecommunication companies in the country, stating that there will be a form of recapitalization and a new procedure that will disqualify some of the telcos.

“Generally, there will be more telecommunication companies that will come to challenge the existing ones. I am seeing the government introducing new codes and a form of recapitalization that will disqualify some companies. I am seeing a telecommunication procedure that will also disqualify some telcom companies.”


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MTN Nigeria’s Mega Billion Promo Turns Airtime into Fortune for Thousands Amid Economic Strain

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MTN Nigeria is offering a refreshing dose of optimism through its Mega Billion Promo—a nationwide campaign designed to reward customer loyalty with real cash prizes.

Launched on June 23, the 90-day promo aims to create 195 millionaires and distribute over ₦1 billion in cash via MTN’s MoMo Payment Service Bank.

So far, more than 1,500 subscribers have won a combined ₦290 million, including three jackpot winners and 20 recipients of ₦5 million each.

“In the last couple of years, it’s been a very tough time for Nigerians,” said Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“This Mega Billion promo is one of the ways we’re showing appreciation and making life better for our customers.”

MTN subscribers aged 18 and above can participate by dialing *900#, using the MyMTN app, or texting ‘MEGA’ to 900.

Every ₦100 recharge earns one point toward daily and Saturday draws. Recharges can be made via bank apps, VTU, MoMo, or USSD channels.

Prizes range from ₦25,000 to ₦5 million on weekdays, with a ₦10 million top prize available during Saturday’s Mega Draw.

Customers can win multiple times, and all winnings are paid directly into the winner’s MoMo wallet, which can be activated by dialing *671#.

Independent partners manage the promo to ensure transparency and fairness. Daily draws are broadcast live on MTN’s Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube pages, and winners are contacted directly via the MTN Call Center on 300.

MTN describes the initiative as part of its ongoing effort to appreciate customers and strengthen relationships.


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