Telecom
Inuwa Tasks Tech Innovators, Youths on Technological Disruption
The Nigeria’s tech innovators have been charged to employ the use of technology as a source of inspiration in their quest to disrupt businesses as the three capabilities they needed to achieve the feats are now readily available.
Kashifu Inuwa, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), handed down this advice today in Lagos where he delivered a keynote speech at the 19th edition of ICTEL Expo organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the theme “Tech Disruption: Transforming Industries with Innovation”.
He said, the combination of ubiquitous data, unlimited connectivity and the massive processing power could give tech innovators the leverage to disrupt anything they can think of.
While making the distinction between innovation and invention, the NITDA’s boss explained that innovation is a process from ideation to impact but invention is all about research that which may not necessarily being commercialised.
He said, “You spend money for research. You spend money to come up with new things while innovation makes money. So innovation is invention and commercialisation.”
“As start-ups, you need to be able to pitch your product for a new company; for people to use it to solve problems. That’s why we have you, the startups; we have you with ideas. You need to come and disrupt. You need to use technology as a source of inspiration to disrupt businesses,” he reiterated.
While citing the success story of the Flutterwave, a FinTech company that now has a bigger capital base than some commercial banks; Inuwa maintained that the company saw a big gap and decided to fill with using technological solutions that connect business-to-business transactions.
“So, you too can see the power of technology; is not happening only in the developed western countries. Even in Nigeria, you can start your business, use technology to grow it.”
He stated that, “so looking at all these and how you can transform it, what we normally encourage startup to do is focus about the solution. It is not about the money. If you have solutions, the money will come. So don’t focus about the money. Don’t follow the money. Follow the solutions. The money will follow you. So, look at what kind of problem you want to solve.”
While encouraging them to think big as they think about the solution they want to provide, the Director General affirmed that with the mindset they have to solve local problem, it can be expanded to solve a global issues.
“That is the difference between just normal Small and Medium Enterprises and you. We call you startups because you use the power of technology to build your business and become Innovation-Driven Enterprises, (IDEs).
“This implies that you start small; how can you solve a local problem but with the mindset of taking it to the global stage. Technology can help you to do that. You don’t need to have a physical space to do that.
Inuwa disclosed that the startups could leverage on the several initiatives of the government to attain greater height in their exploits.
“We have so many initiatives that can help you to achieve that. When the government formulated the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, (NDEPS) at NITDA, we crafted our Strategic Roadmap Action Plan, (SRAP) with seven strategic pillars that could spur technological innovation development in Nigeria.
He advised the participants to get ready for future of work as there is going to be talent deficits because of the aging population the western world is witnessing which Nigeria can fill because of the abundant talent and youthful population the country is blessed with, adding that “we have abundant talent; it’s just for us to harness that talent.“
According to Inuwa, the Federal Government through NITDA is embarking on several initiatives to bridge the skill gap in the country noting that the government has conducted a skill gap analysis to determine the kind of competencies required to build the country. It is also working on the Digital Literacy Framework which would soon be signed, and Talent Hunt Strategy.
The event is attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Williams Allo, The Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammed Abubakar, some members of the National Communications Commission management board and the executive of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI),
EMOSIM, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has partnered with Tata Communications to power its entry into the Nigerian telecommunications market.
This collaboration will help EMOSIM launch a MVNO and Nigeria’s first travel eSIM for outbound travellers and provide seamless connectivity and telecom services across the region.
according to the companies, leveraging the industry leading MVNE platform with key features like Integrated KYC, Digital onboarding, interoperability and more by Tata Communications MOVE™, EMOSIM aims to deliver unmatched network reliability, seamless user experiences and fast-track digital adoption in Nigeria.
“Our collaboration with EMOSIM underscores a shared vision for digital inclusion and technological advancement, aligning with Nigeria’s commitment to innovation in telecommunications”
In a continued effort to empower young Nigerians as active participants in the nation’s development, Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T) brought together 1,200 young Nigerians for a Civic Participation Workshop, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to take on active roles in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Founded in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic transformation, YP4T continues to establish itself as a mobilizing force for young professionals committed to driving national progress.
The workshop featured dynamic and interactive sessions on policy making and advocacy, digital citizenship and social media activism, leadership and public speaking, and understanding government and the constitution.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with experienced facilitators, ask critical questions about how to better integrate into political and civic spaces at both local and national levels, and receive practical guidance on how to make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s development.
A resounding theme that emerged throughout the event was the growing number of young Nigerians approaching voting age, with speakers and facilitators emphasizing the urgent need for them to ensure they are registered to vote.
The discussions reinforced the principle that active civic engagement begins with exercising the fundamental right to vote, ensuring that young voices are represented in shaping the country’s future.
The workshop concluded with a compelling panel discussion led by YP4T Regional Director, Mr. Alex Oware, who engaged Mr. Wale Fadare, Personal Assistant to the President on General Duties, in a conversation about what true nation-building requires from young Nigerians.
Speaking on the importance of participation, Mr. Fadare stressed: “True transformation is a collective effort. Young Nigerians have the energy and vision to drive change, and it is vital that we all work together to build a stronger, more resilient nation. A crucial part of this is making sure that more young people take their civic responsibilities seriously, from understanding governance to ensuring they are registered to vote.”
The event marks a significant moment for YP4T, which recently surpassed 3,000 registered young professionals dedicated to supporting and advancing the policies of President Tinubu. This growing community reflects a shared commitment to ensuring young people are not just beneficiaries of development, but key architects of Nigeria’s progress.
Further reinforcing this commitment, YP4T announced an upcoming Educational Grant Program that will support 100 final-year secondary school students across Nigeria with funds for their final certificate examinations.
This initiative seeks to remove financial barriers for promising students, ensuring they have the opportunity to complete their education and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s growth.
Speaking on the significance of the program, Alex Oware, Regional Director for YP4T, stated:
“Education is the foundation upon which strong nations are built. By supporting 100 young Nigerians in their final year of secondary school, we are not only investing in their future but in the future of the country itself.
“This grant represents an opportunity for these students to complete a critical stage of their education, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s progress.
“We believe that empowering young minds today will yield leaders who drive innovation, governance, and prosperity tomorrow.”
By fostering leadership, civic responsibility, and policy engagement, YP4T is strengthening the economic, technological, and entrepreneurial landscape of Nigeria.
This workshop and the forthcoming grant program reaffirm the organization’s mission: to empower young professionals not just to envision change, but to actively shape it.
Telecom
Google Launches Hustle Academy 2025: Empowering SMBs in Africa with AI-Powered Training and Mentorship
Google on Thursday announced the opening of applications for the 2025 edition of its Hustle Academy program, designed to empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Building on the success of previous years, the program will continue to emphasize AI-powered business training, alongside the launch of a new season of the popular “Hustle Academy Brings You” speaker series.
Despite their critical role in driving Africa’s economic growth, SMBs across the continent often face significant hurdles. Limited access to funding, inadequate business resources, and a lack of specialized skills hinder their ability to scale and thrive. Google’s Hustle Academy directly addresses these challenges by providing practical training, expert mentorship, and a robust entrepreneurial network, enabling SMBs to overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential.
Since 2022, Google’s Hustle Academy has provided critical support to over 15,000 SMBs who have completed the bootcamp. The 2025 program will further equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to scale their businesses in today’s digital landscape.
“We are thrilled to launch the 2025 Hustle Academy, continuing our commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs,” said Kristy Grant, Head of B2B Marketing, SSA at Google. “This year, we are reinforcing our focus on AI-powered business training, enabling SMBs to leverage cutting-edge technology for growth. We are also excited to bring back ‘Hustle Academy Brings You’, featuring inspiring stories from successful African business leaders.”
The free, virtual Hustle Academy 2025 bootcamp will provide participants with in-depth training on:
AI Integration: Learning how to incorporate AI into operations, marketing, and customer engagement.
Core Business Fundamentals: Covering business strategy, financial management, digital marketing, and leadership development.
To be eligible, SMBs must have been operating for at least one year in Kenya, Nigeria, or South Africa and be seeking to expand their business. Participants will benefit from expert mentorship, practical case studies, and networking opportunities.
Complementing the bootcamp, the new season of “Hustle Academy Brings You” will feature candid conversations with prominent African entrepreneurs, including:
Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble
Brian Jura, Founder & CEO, Home 254 Apparel
Foluso Ogunwale, Founder of i-Fitness Gym and Wellness Center
Nobukhosi Mukwevho, Founder and CEO of Khosi Nkhosi Fashion House
Yolanda Odida, Founder of Pure Purple
These episodes, available on the Google Africa YouTube channel, will offer valuable insights into the challenges and successes of building businesses in Africa.
“By combining practical training with inspiring stories, we aim to provide SMBs with the tools and motivation they need to succeed,” added Grant.
Applications for Hustle Academy 2025 are now open at g.co/hustleacademy.
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