E-Business
Edo Partners Microsoft, Siemens, Others to Launch Innovation Hub

In an effort to equip youths with skills and expertise to drive inclusive growth and development, the Edo state government, through its skills development arm, Edojobs, is set for the launch of the first ever state-backed innovation hub to activate and drive the state’s fledgling technology ecosystem.
Set for launch on June 14, the hub would be run in partnership with Nigeria’s leading technology-based organisations, such as Siemens, Tech4Dev, Microsoft, Impact Hub, Curators University (an American University), HotelsNg, among others.
It will train over 1,000 youths will be trained based on their interest in data management, programming, basic digital skills, and artificial intelligence.
The hub, to be known as Edo Innovation Hub, is to be located at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) in Benin City, which is currently being renovated.
Governor Obaseki said “the innovation hub would serve as a facility for training youths in the state and it would also serve as a center for follow-up training for youths who are participating in similar training programmes organized by the state government through its skills development arm popularly known as EdoJobs.
“Services on offer by the firms include an incubation and pre-incubation programme, acceleration programme, business clinics and co-working facilities.”
He added that the “Innovation Hub would be equipped with thousands of computers supported with high-speed connectivity.”
The innovation hub is expected to play a major role in facilitating the realization of Obaseki’s campaign promise to put an end to unemployment in Edo State by providing 200,000 jobs.
Mrs, Ukinebo Dare, head, EdoJobs, and Senior Special Asistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, said that the innovation hub would open up the space for the development of critical manpower for Edo’s burgeoning investment climate.
She noted that efforts are being made to ensure that the state integrates and benefits from the gains of a digital economy, which is why digital literacy features prominently in the offerings of the different programmes at the cluster.
According to her, “There is a focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Small and Medium Enterprises development is key for us as they have the potentials to engage a higher number of people.”
She noted that the hub has a number of programmes that are designed to help small businesses scale up and plug into the digital economy.
According to her, “We have several programmes in place to work with SMEs to incubate start-ups and develop them and assist them to grow.
All of these form the strategy in place to create jobs.” She said the Pan Atlantic University is also expected to come in and with an SME tool kit boot camp for entrepreneurs to better prepare them for wealth creation.
Other programmes on the lineup are those of Prof. Laura Kinnard of Drake University, United States of America (USA), who would train executives on leadership, organisational behavior, management and marketing.
Impact Hub will create a co-working space and incubation center where individuals can interact with other start-ups; Curators University, will teach Edo youths the rudiments of data science and artificial intelligence,
E-Business
INEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
E-Business
CAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
E-Business
FG Launches Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
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