News
Gamsole Boss Attributes Success Story to Microsoft Mentorship Programme
Abiola Olaniran is my name and I am the Chief Executive Officer of Gamsole, a mobile game apps development company that currently develops games for Windows phone mobile and Windows 8 PC. Our games has over 9 million downloads around the world.
My success story will not be complete without acknowledging the support and mentorship of Microsoft Nigeria and I am amazed what the right support and mentorship given to the younger generation can do.
I started coding at age 15 and later went to the University to study Computer Science.
With my mentorship by one of Microsoft’s finest developer platform evangelists as one of Microsoft Student Partners, in 2010 together with my team, we won the Imagine Cup national finals in Nigeria and went on to represent Nigeria at the Microsoft Imagine Cup Finals in Poland.
From then, I have been able to develop myself to become an entrepreneur to reckon with in the technology space.
Growing up in Nigeria, I was always going to the Microsoft office to get support from the evangelist.
This is something you don’t see on other platforms. I got involved with Microsoft when a couple of technology evangelists came to my school, and the interaction with them led me into taking technology and software programming seriously.
First of all, Microsoft developer tools have the best support and online developer community. Hence, learning any of these tools is very easy compared to other platforms.
As a student, I was very surprised at how fast I was able to learn frameworks like XNA game studio and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).
In this age of rapid innovations, a developer must go with a technology that is not just fantastic but also easy to learn in order to move ahead of competition.
Upon graduation from the university, I founded Gamsole and I have been developing games solely for the Windows Phone store since April, 2013.
Recently, Gamsole added 19 games from creativity to casual games to its inventions and has on its stable, 36 apps.
Gamsole is a leading gaming company in Africa. We create fun mobile games for smartphones and distribute them to users all over the world. Our goal is to make games that are fun to play, plain and simple.
Each game offers a wildly imaginative and irresistibly fun game-play experience that appeals to gamers of all age groups.
The company also develops feature phones and has in its employ close to 20 employees.
Today, he is an inspiring story of a young entrepreneur of African descent from Nigeria to the rest world.
His company has been able to reach a milestone of over one million downloads on their games, barely three months after launch.
Abiola has won several recognitions, with some of them being the 2010 winner of the Microsoft Imagine Cup software competition in Nigeria.
Kabelo Makwane, managing director, Microsoft Nigeria elated by this celebrated Nigerian entrepreneur enthused that “In Abiola’s case, if we can inspire, if we can enable, if we can support more of this kind, I see we can begin to make meaningful impact.”
His mentor at Microsoft Nigeria, Shina Oyetosho, now Director, Developer Platform who is passionate about start-ups has this to said: “I discovered Abiola and his innovation at a very early stage and I figured that this is someone I can help grow. With good mentorship, I imagined what he would be in two years. The two years is now.”
Dele Akinsade, Server & Tool BG Lead, Microsoft WECA, Microsoft Nigeria explained that “the fact that a story like this could come out very quickly from a student to a business owner is something that we are proud of collectively as a company. I am also very proud of the fact that he is now seen as a mentor to others as well.”
Ali Faramawy, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft MEA said: “Abiola is an amazing example of the Africa that we want the world to know about. He is young, he is creative, he is ambitious and he is very, very hardworking. Abiola is Africa.”
Abiola has this to say to upcoming developers: “Have a good understanding of what gaming is about. Master the code properly, master data sketching, then everything will be in place because as soon as you imagine a particular scenario, it makes it very easy for you to tackle the problem and then solve it.”
News
Cabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and president of Dangote Refinery, has insisted that the ‘cabal’ in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is still fighting against the success of his 650,000 barrels per day plant.

Aliko Dangote
Dangote disclosed this, according to Semafor, a global news platform, at an investor forum in Lagos at the weekend.
He said, “For a very, very long time, those that have made a lot of money from government-subsidised oil imports into Nigeria were the ones trying to sabotage the $20 billion worth of refinery situated in Lekki, Lagos.”
He further stressed that “those groups have funded resistance to the Bola Tinubu government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating easily in the country.”
However, Dangote was confident that the battle between him and the groups would be won, priding himself on being a long-time fighter.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 percent sure I will win at the end of the day,” he was quoted.
Recall that Dangote Refinery kicked off the sale of petrol in September 2024, which had led to a significant drop in fuel imports into Nigeria.
In May 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy during his inauguration speech.
News
NPAN Hails Tribunal’s Ruling on FCCPC’s $220M Fine Against Meta

Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has welcomed the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCT) upholding the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement signed by its President, Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, and General Secretary, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, NPAN described the ruling as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enforce digital accountability and protect the rights of its citizens.
“The decision affirms the importance of compelling global digital platforms to adhere to Nigeria’s laws and respect the rights of users,” the association said.
NPAN noted that the fine, resulting from a 30-month investigation spanning 2021 to 2023, was imposed due to Meta’s alleged unauthorized data sharing and discriminatory practices affecting Nigerian users.
The association also emphasized that Nigeria’s regulatory action aligns with global trends, citing similar penalties imposed on Meta in Europe, as well as actions against other tech giants such as Amazon, TikTok, Google, and Apple.
As an advocate for media freedom and fair digital practices, NPAN reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring fair remuneration for publishers in the evolving digital landscape.
It further urged sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and industry players to strengthen Nigeria’s digital regulatory environment.
News
NITDA, RHI, Commission IT Community Centre in Ibadan

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art IT Community Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower youth and women across the state.
The centre, which was donated to Oladipo Alayande School of Science in Oke-Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, was named in honour of Mrs. Onikepo Akande, a distinguished daughter of Oyo State, and is aimed at providing digital skills training, particularly for women and young people. It is expected to offer participants a competitive edge in the evolving global tech industry.
Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON OON, delivered special remarks at the event, emphasising the centre’s role in achieving one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s key priority areas which is to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, industrialisation, innovation, and the creative arts.
She disclosed that the commissioning of the centre is a step forward in the collective mission to empower Nigerians, especially women and youth, with the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.
“We are not stopping here. I am pleased to announce that ten more IT Centres will soon be commissioned across various states,” she added.
While noting that other digital economy centres have been fully equipped with computers and ICT materials in 5 other states, she urged members of the community to take full ownership of the centre.
She said, “The success of this centre depends on your active participation and utilisation of available resources.”
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, who delivered a goodwill message during the event, praised NITDA and RHI for bringing the initiative to the state.
He highlighted the high standards of the facility and pledged the state government’s support to ensure its sustainability and maximum impact on the people of Oyo State.
“Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, that is the road to the future, and I am glad that under the Renewed Hope Initiative, you’ve brought this to Oyo State, and I can give you the assurance that we will take full advantage of it,” he promised.
In his remark, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani stated that the centre will serve as an avenue for youths to acquire globally relevant digital skills, build startups and create solutions that can compete on the global stage.
While giving his welcome remarks earlier, the DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, described the collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative as a strategic intervention to boost Nigeria’s digital talent pool.
He explained that the Ibadan IT Community Centre is equipped with cutting-edge technologies designed to provide a smart and personalised learning experience and lauded Senator Tinubu for her leadership and passion for empowering underrepresented groups.
“Your Excellency’s vision and commitment have been instrumental in actualising this initiative. You are giving Nigerians the tools to unlock their potential in the digital economy,” he said.
Noting that the newly commissioned centre is part of a broader national agenda to enhance digital literacy, reduce unemployment, and foster innovation-driven development across the country, Inuwa disclosed that the agency has worked with the Ministry of Education to develop digital literacy and skills curriculum that will be infused as part of the formal education in schools.
While encouraging the school administrators and community leaders to ensure its accessibility and sustainability, the NITDA DG said, “The centre is open to all, and we want to see a cross-pollination between the school and the community.”
- Telecom2 days ago
Fines: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook, Instagram in Nigeria
- General News2 days ago
How Investments in Reskilling and Trust Help Businesses Succeed in the Agentic AI Era
- Telecom2 days ago
Premier League Fever Builds as MTN Nigeria Stages Dual-City Watch Parties This Weekend
- E-Business2 days ago
Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees
- E-Financial2 days ago
FMITI, NGX Group Partner to Achieve $6Bn Investment Target
- E-Business2 days ago
PwC says AI Adoption by African Businesses will Unlock Growth
- News2 days ago
NITDA, RHI, Commission IT Community Centre in Ibadan
- Broadcasting2 days ago
History as TVC News Unveils Nigeria’s First AI-Powered News Anchors