Layer3 Limited, One of Nigeria’s foremost ICT solutions providers, has once again solidified its place as a trailblazer in Africa’s technology landscape, emerging as the Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year and Leadership Award in Cloud Services at the prestigious African Beacon of ICT Leadership and Awards held on May 24, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.

This year’s event brought together leading tech innovators, policymakers, and thought leaders to recognize organizations making extraordinary contributions to Africa’s digital transformation.

Among the many luminaries in attendance, Layer3 stood out for its 19+ years of consistent innovation, technical excellence, and client-centered service delivery.

Speaking at the event, the organizers praised Layer3’s pioneering work in delivering robust enterprise solutions across sectors, as well as its bold leadership in advancing cloud infrastructure and services across Nigeria and beyond.

“These awards are more than recognitions, they are a reminder of the fulfilment to our mission to deliver peace of mind to our customers,” said David Ita, the Head of Strategy and Business Development of Layer3.

 “They speak to the impact we’ve made and the promise we hold for the future of the cloud and enterprise technology business in Africa. We dedicate this honor to our clients, partners, and the hardworking Layer3 team who continue to redefine excellence every day.”

Since its founding, Layer3 has championed a future-forward approach to ICT services offering cutting-edge solutions in enterprise networking, cybersecurity, broadband, cloud computing, managed services, and IT advisory. The company’s Layer3Cloud platform and managed service offerings continue to power the digital ambitions of Nigeria’s leading businesses.

These accolades underscore Layer3’s unwavering commitment to driving transformation and supporting digital economies through smart, secure, and scalable technology.

After 13 years of organizing the Girls in ICT Day celebration, a campaign that seeks to mentor young girls to develop interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); and seek careers in information and Communications Technology (ICT), stakeholders that gathered for the 13th edition which recently held in Lagos, has applauded the successes recorded in Nigeria.

The stakeholders, who also noted that more work need to be put in, further disclosed the need to have young girls ascribing for roles in ICT as a means of guarding their future and contributing to the growth of all sectors in the economy.

Speaking in her opening remark, Convener and CEO of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, organisers of the campaign, which had girls from 10 different schools in and around Lagos State and corporates from the ICT industry in attendance, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro noted that calls and letters from participating students from past editions of the event are testaments to the impact the campaign is having on Nigerian girls.

“From this very platform, we have been able to raise a lot of girls. Some of them are already working. I have received a good number of mails from them thanking me for how that helped them change their perceptions, and they are now studying ICT-related causes. The numbers are getting better and it will continue to get better. We will continue to do this campaign to see it getting better,” Mrs. Daro disclosed.

“We cannot gather all the girls in Nigeria in one room, but there is a need to spread the news, even as we are streaming this activity live on YouTube and Instagram.”

Reeling out the figures, she quoted an ITU statistics that showed the progress made, disclosing that since its inception in 2011, there has been 377,000 girls and young women taking up careers in ICT and 11,400 celebrations in over 171 countries. It is not just in Nigeria, but all over the world.

While encouraging the girls to change the stereotype that bequeaths ICT careers to boys, she noted the abysmal statistics that need to change. “While women make up about 47% of the global workforce, they are underrepresented in STEM. Just 3% of students joining ICT courses globally are women.”

This year, the theme, ‘Girls in ICTs: Bridging ALL Divides for an Inclusive Digital Transformation’, underscores the need not just to participate, but to lead the world in digital transformation.

Mrs. Emuophedaro called on corporate bodies, governments and other stakeholders to create a conducive environment and an inclusive tech space for girls everywhere.

She also charged the girls to believe in themselves and take up the challenge.

“Do girls use technology? Yes! But that is not all we want. Apart from using, we want them to create technology. Also no matter what sector you are in, you need to have some in-depth knowledge of technology. “

In her global message Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that ITU is committed to empowering 100 million girls with digital stills and called on partnerships to achieve this.

She stated: “We celebrate the power and potentials of girls and young women as leaders, creators and change-makers in the digital age. 189 fewer women than men are using the internet in 2024. That is too many missed opportunities to learn.”

She encouraged governments and corporate organisations to support the campaign to build a crop of girls of the future.

Also speaking at the event, Vertical Head, High Net-worth Individuals, Globacom, Adeboye Adeniji, noted that Globacom that believes in the power of Nigeria’s talents, especially the amazing potentials in young, vibrant, brilliant and beautiful girls.

“We live in a world powered by technology, from the phones we use, to the Apps we love, to the networks that connect us, for example, Globacom. ICT is everywhere. You belong in that world, you are the future, not just as users, but as leaders, creators and innovators,” she encouraged the girls.

She further noted that when girls have the tools, the training and the confidence, there is no limit to what they can achieve. “Whether you dream of becoming a Software Engineer, a Robotic Expert, a cyber-security Analyst, or even the next big tech CEO, everything is possible. Don’t let anyone tell you tech is only for boys. That is simply not true.

You are smart and smart enough to work in tech, to build your own tech company. You are strong enough, and you have every right to dream as big as you want. So, keep learning, stay curious, ask questions, and never be afraid to try. Because the future of technology isn’t just built in Labs and Boardrooms, it is being built here in classrooms like yours. From all of us in Globacom, we believe in you, we support you, and we can’t wait to see how you change the world.”

In her presentation, Head, Cybersecurity & Compliance Advisory, Digital Encode, Bisola Oladejo, encouraged the girls to stay on top of any career path they may choose, and to research the available options in the field of ICT, as there are so many career paths in ICT.

Speaking on why girls matter in ICT, she said they bring uniqueness and colour, making Apps interesting.

She also noted that ICT is important to girls because it affords and empowers them with skills, opportunities and confidence to thrive in a digital world, breaking gender barriers and unlocking social and economic potentials.

Oladejo however noted the root causes of low female participation in ICT to include, limited STEM education in schools; social media distraction; low funding, lack of adequate access to internet and ICT gadgets; gender bias from families; cyber-bullying, among others.

She called on governments to formulate deliberate initiatives that target female inclusivity in ICT, and to partner with NGOs and ease private sector initiatives.

The event saw the girls compete in STEM Quiz competition, Robot programming competition and Students’ Roundtable, winning prices and receiving gifts from the organisers.

Also, Awards were also giving to two deserving women in ICT – Funmilola Victoria Omojola (ICT Touch Holder Award) and Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore (ICT Advocacy Award).

The International Girls in ICT Day is an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that seeks to bridge the gender divide in ICT related careers by encouraging girls to build a foundation that will position them in tech-related jobs of the future.

MTN Group has been inducted into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame “in recognition of its transformational impact on African consumers and its role in shaping a positive African narrative”. MTN was also recognised as the #1 Most Admired African Brand Contributing to a Better Africa; the #1 Most Admired African Brand (spontaneous recall); the #1 Most Admired Brand Doing Good for Society and the Environment; and #1 Most Admired Telecommunications Brand.

The Hall of Fame honour, introduced this year by Brand Africa, acknowledges brands that have demonstrated sustained excellence and influence on the continent over the past decade. MTN’s induction reflects its ongoing commitment to enabling digital access, expanding financial inclusion, and contributing meaningfully to Africa’s development.

The announcement was made alongside the release of the 2025 edition of the Brand Africa 100 rankings – an annual, independently conducted survey spanning more than 30 African countries and representing more than 85% of the continent’s population and GDP.

“It is an honour to be inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame and to be named the most admired African brand contributing to a better Africa, the most admired African brand by spontaneous recall, as well as the brand most admired for doing good for society and the environment,” said Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President and CEO.

“That this recognition comes during Africa Month gives it added significance. It reflects the progress we continue to make as a continent and the role trusted brands must play in advancing inclusive, digitally enabled growth. We are grateful for the confidence placed in MTN by the people we serve and remain committed to delivering meaningful impact.”

Mupita also acknowledged the collective effort behind the brand’s success, thanking MTNers, partners, and other stakeholders across the continent for their role in making this recognition possible.

MTN operates mobile networks in 16 countries. Since 2021, the company has been guided by its Ambition 2025 strategic intent of Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. This underscores MTN’s commitment to driving digital and financial inclusion and fostering innovation across the continent.

Further validating its brand leadership, MTN was recently ranked once again as South Africa’s most valuable brand. The accolade was made in the 2025 Brand Finance Top 100 Report, which accorded MTN a brand valuation of R50.7 billion. MTN has held this position every year since the survey’s inception in 2012.