News
Innovators Battle for Prizes in USPF “Changemaker Challenge”

Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday in Lagso threw the floor open to 30 innovations to compete for prizes in this year’s Changemaker Challenge 2017.
Joke Atte, pricncipal manager, strategy and corporare performance monitoring said “USPF is challenging Nigerian youth to engage their ingenuity to solve relevant problems and bring about change through creativity and innovation”.
Innovators, software developers, UX designers, students, and other ICT enthusiasts across Nigeria are gunning for the prizes.
Atte added that “The aim is to tackle a selection of identified problems based on the sustainable development goals (SDG) as they apply to Nigeria and offer working solutions to them.”
The areas being explored in the competition are:
Agriculture and Creation of Mass Employment: In the production, storage or distribution of food
Environment: Oil & Gas, Flood, Erosion/Climate ChangeNational e-data on Poverty, Disease, Security
National e-data on Poverty, Disease, SecurityHealth/Lifestyle: Medical Doctors Information Exchange Tool; Health Insurance etc
Health/Lifestyle: Medical Doctors Information Exchange Tool; Health Insurance etc Epidemic Mobility Tracking Solutions: e.g. Ebola, Lassa fever
Epidemic Mobility Tracking Solutions: e.g. Ebola, Lassa feverDisease Destroyer Games: Educational games on disease eradication e.g. Malaria, Polio, and HIV
Disease Destroyer Games: Educational games on disease eradication e.g. Malaria, Polio, and HIV Education: Virtual Education, E-Library & E-Learning Systems
Education: Virtual Education, E-Library & E-Learning Systems Intelligent Technologies for Scientists, Science Teachers, Engineers, etc
Intelligent Technologies for Scientists, Science Teachers, Engineers, etcGirls4Tech: Interactive solutions aimed at getting young girls interested technology and innovation
Girls4Tech: Interactive solutions aimed at getting young girls interested technology and innovation Fraud whistle-Blowers: Enabling or assistive technology
Fraud whistle-Blowers: Enabling or assistive technology Information Technology: Communications Quality of Service.
Information Technology: Communications Quality of Service.National Security: Cybercrime and Cyber security Solutions, etc.
National Security: Cybercrime and Cyber security Solutions, etc.E-Government: Government Automation Processes.
E-Government: Government Automation Processes.E-Commerce: e-Transactions, Payment Systems, etc.
E-Commerce: e-Transactions, Payment Systems, etc.
The organisers said the entry is open to teams – minimum of two and maximum of four members.
“Teams with female members will have definite added advantage as USPF seeks to encourage more gender diversity in technology innovation,” the statement read.
“Thirty teams will be shortlisted (consisting of the top five entries from each geopolitical zone). They will be invited for the national finals.”
Registration for the challenge opened on July 4 and would close on August 14. The finals will hold on October 28 and October 29.
News
ABoICT Lecture 2025 to Focus on Governance, Standardization in Artificial Intelligence Era

This year’s Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership lecture will focus on Governance, Standardization and cybersecurity in artificial intelligence era.
The lecture which will herald Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Awards (ABoICT Lecture 2025) hold on May 24, 2025 at Four Points by Sheraton and will be delivered by Prof. Adewale Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode – Cybersecurity and GRC Expert.
The sixteenth edition of the award ceremony according Ken Nwogbo, editor-in-chief of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek the organizers of the event, “is a special edition to recognise and celebrate organizations and individuals in the ICT industry that have contributed to the growth of the sector.
“Most of these organizations and individuals have consistently being voted by our readers as leaders in their areas of operations and we have decided to reward them in this special edition, tag: ‘ICT Growth Edition 2025’ he said,”.
He added that, an AI governance framework outlines policies, principles, and practices to guide the ethical and responsible development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness.
“In the AI era, cybersecurity faces both new threats and opportunities, as AI’s capabilities are used by both defenders and attackers to launch sophisticated attacks and defenses.
“This requires a proactive approach, including AI-powered security tools, robust data security, and ethical AI development, emphasizing real-time monitoring, threat intelligence, and collaboration among cybersecurity professionals and AI researchers.
“Artificial intelligence transforms cybersecurity by automating responses to risks, detecting unusual activity, and even foreseeing possible dangers before they occur.
“While AI has various perks, such as better efficiency and faster risk identification, it also has challenges. Without proper oversight, these systems can be misused or make errors. Strong governance and ethical frameworks ensure AI technologies are used responsibly and effectively.,” he said.
The Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished (ABoICT Lecture 2024) is designed to explore efforts to put Nigeria on the global Information and Communications Technologies map.
The lecture series however is reserved for distinguished achievers in the ICT sector.
Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, founder, Hyperspace & NeuraL AI and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; among others.
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.
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