Huawei has provided capacity building and information and communication technology (ICT) training to 70,000 people in the past five years, according to Eric Chen, Huawei’s Strategy director in Nigeria.

This announcement was made during a women-focused programme hosted by Huawei in Abuja, ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations.

The event, themed “Cultivating Talent Through ICT Training for a Prosperous Nigeria,” coincides with the 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” which focuses on fostering progress toward gender equity.

Chen highlighted Huawei’s contributions to the government-led Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, facilitated through its ICT Academy, and reiterated the company’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy in alignment with the President’s renewed hope agenda.

“We celebrate the achievements of female participants in our ICT Academy and Women in Tech initiative, in collaboration with the First Lady’s office,” Chen stated.

“We must remain committed to empowering women in ICT and leveraging their potential to boost Nigeria’s digital growth.”

Comfort Kabirwa, director of Policy, Research, and Strategy at the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, stressed the importance of gender equality in technology, identifying it as both a moral obligation and a strategic imperative.

She encouraged women to actively participate in ICT to accelerate the nation’s digital economy.

Kabirwa noted that, globally, women constitute only 26% of the tech workforce—a figure that underscores the need for greater inclusion.

She urged stakeholders to dismantle barriers hindering women’s participation in the field, including limited access to education, mentorship, and equitable recruitment practices.

The programme also showcased success stories like that of Victoria Essoe, a cybersecurity student at Igbinedion University, who shared how Huawei’s ICT Academy significantly impacted her career by providing valuable certifications at no cost.

Similarly, Dr. Oyin Abiola, Huawei’s Senior Public Relations Manager, highlighted the company’s efforts in not only offering ICT training but also creating practical opportunities for exceptional students to gain experience through employment and internships.

By celebrating women who excel in ICT, Huawei aims to inspire others to explore opportunities in the field and remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse digital society.

Fidelity Bank Plc has emphasized its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s creative economy with the launch of the Creativerse.

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director/chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank,

Located in a dedicated wing at the recently unveiled Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos, the Creativerse boasts of fully equipped music recording, podcast, content production and photography studios as well as co-working spaces designed to foster innovation, collaboration and capacity development amongst operators in the Creative industry.

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director/chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank, while speaking during a tour with a select group of dignitaries and creative entrepreneurs of the facility recently, said, “We thought it is very important to have touchpoints for people who don’t have the capacity to do what they dream about. That is what this hub is about.

“We believe that everybody has a God-given skill- all we want you to do is to develop it and we are here to support you. And once you have developed the skill into a bankable transaction, you can rest assured that Fidelity will be there to help you take it to the next level.

“This is an incubator, we expect you to incubate your skills. The people on the finance side will help you with your accounting and all of that. And then it becomes bankable and you will become the next Burna Boy, the next Davido, the next Wizkid, Tems or Flavour,” she said.

The Fidelity SME Hub is a comprehensive resource center offering training programs, capacity-building workshops, business mentorship, industry networking opportunities, and business advisory services to small business owners.

Explaining the vision of the Creativerse and what the bank wants to achieve with the facility, Onyeali-Ikpe said, “We want the next Dangote to come out of here, the next BUA, the next Nestoil.

“We want you to grow and the most we can do is to support you. And most of this is pro bono. We want a situation that you can come and you are not scared of anything. Fidelity will take care of it,” she added.

On his part Comrade Ayodele Olawande, minister of Youth Development, lauded the bank saying, “I want to see a bank that truly supports young people, and Fidelity Bank is doing just that. This initiative reflects a commitment to equipping Nigerian youth with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to turn their business ambitions into profitable ventures”.

Similarly, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, who was represented by Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, secretary to the State Government (SSG), lauded the initiative as a game-changer for Lagos’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, noting that “SMEs contribute about 84 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and in Lagos, our dynamic business environment thrives on initiatives like this.

“This hub is a world-class package that moves businesses from survival to sustainability and from growth to greatness,” he said.

The Creativerse currently hosts a range of masterclasses, trainings and networking events; and can be accessed at www.fidelitybank.ng/smehub.

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has urged local insurance companies to prioritise the development and rollout of cyber insurance products to address growing digital risks.

The call was made by Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, head of NAICOM’s publicity sub-committee, during a recent NAICOM meeting held in Lagos.

She highlighted the urgency of the initiative, citing the global shift toward digitalisation and the increasing prevalence of cyber threats.

“In light of the ongoing digital transformation, NAICOM recognises the critical need for cyber insurance products. We urge operators to begin engagements to roll out these products promptly,” said Nwachukwu.

She also revealed that NAICOM is collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to drive the initiative forward.

Citing the need for insurers to comply with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulations, she also encouraged insurance practitioners to undergo specialised training on data protection measures.

In addition to cyber insurance, NAICOM addressed other pressing issues within the industry, such as the need for insurers to settle resolved claims promptly, aiming to enhance policyholder confidence and reduce complaints.

NAICOM also called for industry-wide support for its innovation lab, which aims to drive technological advancements and improve service delivery within the sector.