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Five Nigerians Listed among 2nd Cohort of Rise Global Winners

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Schmidt Futures, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust, announced the second cohort of 100 Rise Global Winners. Rise finds brilliant people who need opportunity and supports them for life as they work to serve others. It is the flagship program of Schmidt Futures and the anchor of a broader $1 billion philanthropic commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to talent development across their initiatives.

Our 2022 Rise Global Winners include youth aiming to promote literacy among underprivileged children; predict the effect of Alzheimer’s drugs using bioinformatics; create a sustainable gummy vitamin that combats anemia; educate communities on mental health stigmas and many more. With over 22 new countries represented this year, the global program continues to further expand its network with a broader range of talented young leaders from diverse backgrounds, including applicants from over 170 countries.

Schmidt Futures’ mission is to bet early on exceptional people making the world better. Betting on young people between the ages of 15-17 and potentially staying with them for life, Rise is both the earliest and the longest bet on talent in Schmidt Futures’ portfolio.

This year, Rise is proud to have five Global Winners hailing from Nigeria and is honored to collaborate with organizations such as NBA Africa, the African Leadership Academy, HALI Network, and BUILD Nigeria.

Their efforts to promote Rise, support youth in applying and provide exciting programming opportunities, contributed to the second year of success across the country.

“We are looking for extraordinarily bright people everywhere because genius can have an outsized impact on improving the world when applied to its hardest problems,” said Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures.

“Building a network of brilliant young people who want to make the world better is a key goal of Rise. Development in today’s world depends on people working together.”

“Today’s announcement of the Rise Winners is not the conclusion of a process, but rather the starting point for the young people in the program. They will have continuing opportunities to change the world for the better as they continue their education and find ways to collaborate,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures and president of The Schmidt Family Foundation.

“We are counting on them to become future leaders, using their collective gifts to help solve the world’s most challenging problems.”

Rise remains intentionally broad both in the selection of talent and in their projects to help unveil hidden brilliance, in whatever form it takes, wherever it is in the world.

The program further prides itself in recognizing brilliance with unique perspectives and across various focus areas, skills, and issues. Since its inception, Rise has welcomed over 150,000 people from over 170 countries to its community, and has selected 200 winners from 69 countries of origin.

From over 120,000 registrants, the 2022 Winners were selected after a rigorous application process which included peer and expert review of service projects, formal assessments of talent, and group interviews.

The 2022 Global Winners stood out not only for their impactful projects spanning from medical innovation to mental health and education but also for their strength in overcoming adversity.

As a result of global program growth in year 2, Schmidt Futures and The Rhodes Trust are proud to welcome the program’s first Winners from Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Vietnam. In 2021, Nigeria had six impressive Winners, and this year, Rise is proud to announce five additional Global Winners including:

  • Asher Segun-Olasanmi from Ile Ife, Nigeria: Asher is a mental health advocate and ardently promotes female participation in STEM. For her project, Asher researched the stigmatization of young mental health patients in Southwestern Nigeria.
  • Emmanuela Ilok from Lagos, Nigeria: Emmanuela developed a program called ‘CodEd’ which offered teacher training programs, a student-centered curriculum as well as internship opportunities for students to receive quality computer science education in public and private schools.
  • Ikenna Charles Nwafor from Abeokuta, Nigeria: Ikenna’s Rise project aimed to create awareness about the importance of cybersecurity in the lives of teenagers in Nigeria as cases of cyber-attacks continue to grow in the country with the onset of the COVID pandemic. He developed and set up a website (Cybersecurity & You), performed a skit with friends on the dangers of Cyber Ignorance, and set up awareness posters within his community to raise awareness among Nigerian teens.
  • Mokwe Uche David from Aba, Nigeria: Uche created a nonprofit called PCS, which fosters effective waste management by leveraging the combined effort of youth volunteers. His project initiated the first Zero Waste Day in his community, which was a program that challenged and encouraged everyone in his community to go an entire day without littering the environment.
  • Naomi Ifunanya Marizu Obinwa from Lekki, Nigeria: Ifunanya is dedicated to reducing inequalities and discrimination through education and created a website featuring blogs and videos from medical professionals explaining why healthcare should be important to her fellow Nigerians.

“We believe that the answers to the world’s toughest problems lie in the imagination of the world’s brightest minds,” said Eric Braverman, CEO of Schmidt Futures.

“Rise is an integral part of our mission to create the best, largest, and most enduring pipeline of exceptional talent globally and match it to opportunities to serve others for life.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with Rise to further our shared goal of providing more opportunities for high-performing youth from across the continent to make an impact in their communities and communities around the world,” said Gbemisola Abudu, NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head for Nigeria.

“We congratulate the Nigerian Rise Global Winners and the Winners from across Africa, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they develop their talents, activate their passions, and make positive and long-lasting contributions to society.”

“Selecting 100 Global Winners from such a deep pool of brilliant young people was quite a challenge, and we are very grateful to all of our partners who helped in the selection process,” said Dr Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House in Oxford and Chief Executive of the Rhodes Trust.

“Our newest Rise winners come from every corner of the globe, and we can’t wait to bring them together – and then invest in their lifelong journeys to serve their communities and build a better world.

Everyone who applies to Rise joins a global community and gains access to opportunities from partners in at least 40 countries across the world.

The latest Rise Global Winners receive additional personalized support including need-based scholarships, mentorship, career development opportunities, potential funding for future ventures, technology packages, and more, to empower them to achieve their goals as they work to serve others.

 


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HCSF Describes Galaxy Backbone as a Strategic Partner in Civil Service Digitalization Reforms

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In a significant move towards accelerating the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, paid a strategic working visit to Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited, Nigeria’s foremost ICT infrastructure and shared services provider.

The visit, which took place at GBB’s National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) and Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, forms part of the HCSF’s efforts to deepen collaboration and assess the technological infrastructure supporting the government’s ongoing digitalisation reforms across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), Mr. Adeladan Rafi’u Olarinre, and a delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Directors from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the visit featured an extensive tour of GBB’s cutting-edge Digital Infrastructure facilities. These included its Network Operations Centre (NOC), Security Operations Centre (SOC), and Uptime Institute Certified Tier III Data Centre; all built to ensure a secure, scalable, and sovereign digital infrastructure for Nigeria’s public sector.

In his welcome address, Mr. Adeladan Rafi’u Olarinre described Galaxy Backbone as a critical institution under the supervision of FMCIDE, tasked with providing the nation’s core digital infrastructure and shared ICT services. “Today’s visit is an important opportunity to showcase the significant progress GBB has made in building the infrastructure necessary for a truly digital government,” he said.

“I believe this engagement will foster stronger alignment and collaboration between MDAs and GBB as we move towards a more connected and efficient public service.”

The Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, expressed appreciation for the visit, noting its alignment with GBB’s mandate to support Nigeria’s digital transformation goals.

“A visit of this nature by the Head of the Civil Service is highly symbolic,” he remarked. “It reinforces the central role that the Civil Service plays in national development and highlights the importance of strategic ICT infrastructure in driving effective governance.”

He went on to emphasize that GBB’s mission to design, build, and manage Nigeria’s digital infrastructure aligns seamlessly with the Civil Service’s digital reform agenda.

“Our platforms; including the 1Government Cloud, GovMail, and our extensive fibre optic network present in 28 states, are designed to support a digitally enabled, secure, and efficient government,” Prof. Adeyanju added.

He also called for greater collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service to drive the adoption of GBB’s infrastructure, particularly the fibre optic connectivity already terminated at Federal Secretariat buildings across 28 states of the country. He further appealed for support in expanding Local Area Networks (LANs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) secretariat buildings to integrate more MDAs into the digital ecosystem.

In her remarks, Mrs. Walson-Jack commended the world-class infrastructure and strategic digital solutions developed by Galaxy Backbone, stating that her perception of the agency had been greatly enhanced following the tour.

“This visit has opened my eyes to the enormous potential and capacity that Galaxy Backbone brings to Nigeria’s digital journey,” she said. “I now see GBB not just as an ICT agency, but as a strategic partner in the realisation of our dream to build a modern, agile, and paperless civil service.”

She specifically praised GBB’s support for the “War Room” initiative, the widespread deployment of GovMail — currently serving over 34,000 civil servants, and the agency’s high-speed fibre connectivity provided during the 2025 International Civil Service Week hosted by her office.

Reaffirming her office’s commitment to achieving a fully paperless civil service by December 31, 2025, the Head of Service expressed optimism that this goal is attainable with stronger collaboration and technical support from GBB.

She also highlighted several strategic areas where partnership with GBB is critical, including:

  • Full implementation of the 1Government Cloud to host and manage MDA operations.
  • Adoption of an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to streamline records and workflow automation across MDAs.
  • Synergy between the 1Government Cloud Academy and the Civil Service Academy to enhance capacity development.
  • Training and onboarding of civil servants on innovative tools such as Service-Wise GPT – Nigeria’s AI-powered platform designed to transform public service delivery.

Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Sani, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at GBB, in his vote of thanks, expressed deep gratitude to the Head of Service and her delegation for taking the time to visit and engage with the team. He reiterated GBB’s unwavering commitment to partnering with all stakeholders to deliver inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking digital solutions for the Federal Government.

 


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Festive Seasons Trigger 400% Spike in Livestock Prices Across Nigeria’s North East — Moniepoint Study

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A new study by Moniepoint Inc., Africa’s leading financial technology company, has revealed that livestock prices in Nigeria’s North East markets surge by up to 400% during festive seasons, driven by high demand from cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Onitsha.

The report, which focuses on informal market dynamics in Borno State, shows that traders at Kasuwan Shanu in Gamboru dispatch an average of 50 trucks daily during peak periods such as Eid al-Adha and Christmas, with goat prices rising by 400–470% and rams by over 230%.

Beyond seasonal spikes, the study highlights a shift toward investment-minded trading, where livestock is raised in advance to boost resale value. This approach is helping traders build more stable and profitable businesses, despite the region’s history of conflict and economic volatility.

Key findings include:

  • 51.2% of traders source goods from Maiduguri, reinforcing its role in Nigeria’s food supply chain
  • 45% of traders now accept digital payments, with mobile transfers and POS usage rising sharply since the 2023 cash crunch
  • Informal credit and trust-based transactions remain dominant, often conducted via phone calls and voice notes, without formal contracts

Moniepoint CEO Tosin Eniolorunda said the company’s tools are helping bridge long-standing gaps in access to finance: “This shift isn’t just tech-enabled — it’s structurally impactful. We’re helping build an economy where everyone can participate.”

The study joins Moniepoint’s growing portfolio of thought leadership on Nigeria’s informal economy, following previous reports on Onitsha Market, community pharmacies, and women-owned businesses.


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FG Eyes 8,000MW Power Boost in 18 Months with Grid Overhaul

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Federal Government has expressed optimism that improved management of the national power grid by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) could increase electricity supply to 8,000 megawatts within the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking at a leadership retreat to onboard NISO’s top management in Abuja, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, noted that although Nigeria’s installed generation capacity exceeds 14,000MW, actual daily output has hovered around 5,500MW.

Gbeleyi emphasized that with more efficient grid operations and increased investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure, the power sector is poised for substantial improvement.

“As an independent entity, NISO now carries the critical responsibility of managing the national grid with impartiality and integrity. It must ensure non-discriminatory access, efficient dispatch coordination, and fair market settlements—free from undue influence or conflicts of interest.

“Currently, about 5,500MW of power is being wheeled daily, compared to a nameplate generation capacity of over 14,000MW. With the right investments and enhanced grid resilience, it is realistic to project a 50% increase in supply within 12 to 18 months,” he said.

Gbeleyi also revealed that the Federal Government has secured a $500 million loan from the World Bank to support the upgrade of the distribution infrastructure. Under this initiative, 3.2 million electricity meters will be deployed across Nigeria, with an additional 2 to 3 million meters to be provided through a separate presidential initiative.

Chairman of the NISO Board, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, stressed the significance of NISO’s independence following its unbundling from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“NISO is not just a new institution; it represents a new approach—an independent system operator, a neutral market coordinator, and a strategic planning authority. Our responsibilities span real-time grid operations, long-term system planning, and the development of the electricity market.

“These are not peripheral tasks—they are core to national stability. When power fails, everything else suffers: industry, healthcare, education, even security,” he said.

Also speaking, NISO Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Abdu Bello, affirmed that the 8,000MW target is achievable within the projected timeframe.

“We must stay focused, get our internal structures right, and attract private sector investment. This retreat is part of the strategic planning process. With a clear direction and commitment, the goal is within reach,” Bello stated.


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