General News
National Traditional Council Benefits from NITDA’s Capacity Building
In recognition of the significant role of traditional institutions as custodians of cultural values in the country, the staff of the National Traditional Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria NTCRN were selected among the recent beneficiaries of NITDA’S capacity building on e- government.
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, said, “the exercise is being carried out with a view to ensuring successful implementation of the e-Government Master Plan as well as inculcating the use of Information Technology in all government activities.”
Kashifu who was represented by Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, director, Information Technology and Infrastructure Solutions of the Agency, noted that the training was aimed at ensuring application of Technology in running government businesses especially in the Post COVID-19 era.
With this engagement of traditional institutions in the country, the impact of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy NDEPS had recorded yet another breakthrough in it’s quest to ensure a Digital Nigeria.
This feat was attained when the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, resolved to strengthen the policy by engaging the administrators of traditional institutions in the country with digital technology as a platform for stimulating growth.
While highlighting the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy Policy’s components, the Director General explained that NITDA has a Strategic Road Map which it has been implementing. He added that in line with the National e-Government Master Plan for the country, a strategy to have institutional framework was designed to implement the NDEPS.
“As engine room for the implementation of government policies and programs, building the capabilities of government officials to deliver on your mandates should be a priority to any government”, he added.
He argued that as the apex body saddled with IT development and regulations, our ability to deliver on the Federal government Digital Economy mandate is our primary focus. “We recognize the fact that building your capabilities as traditional institution should be among our top priority.”
While further highlighting the benefits of the training to the staff of National Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria NTCRN, the Director General of NITDA described the role of Traditional institutions as critical to sustenance of any meaningful development in view of their closeness to the people at the grassroots.
“What the government is doing is to provide services to the people, and the best way to doing that is through the full engagement of traditional rulers,” he alluded.
He said the Participants, during the training, will be exposed to understanding how virtual platforms works and how to create Teams and Channels as well as how to set up Video Conferencing amongst many others.
Mallam Kashifu also hinted that the training will save participants from the vulnerabilities of online platforms as Nigeria is fast approaching the full attainment of Digital Economy, where the country must be on the Cyber Space with its associated myriads of challenges.
Declaring the training workshop open, Etsu Nupe and Chairman Coordinating Committee National Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar CFR, commended the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under the able leadership of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami for his resilience and commitment towards making Nigeria a digitally dependent country.
Alhaji Abubakar noted that the giant strides recorded in the sector demonstrates that the country will soon join the league of top economies of the world.
The Director, National Traditional Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Kasim Yawa, express gratitude to the management of NITDA for acquitting them with rudiments of ICT and benefits derivable from digital economy.
A new MasterCard report has predicted that Africa’s AI economy will more than triple in five years, reaching $16.5 billion by 2030 from $4.5 billion in 2025.
The whitepaper by the global payments technology company, with a presence in over 50 African countries, identifies responsible adoption, stronger data infrastructure, and aggressive skills development as the three pillars that will determine who benefits.
Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at MasterCard, emphasised that Africa stands at an inflection point, where smart technologies have the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.
He likened AI’s potential to the continent’s leap into mobile money, which bypassed traditional banking infrastructure and brought millions into the financial system.
“Digital innovation, particularly AI, can drive real change on the ground by empowering communities and building a future where everyone participates in the new economy,” Elliott said.
The in-depth study flags several African frontrunners in AI adoption. South Africa tops the list, blending advanced infrastructure with strong research capabilities. It points out that Kenya is making strides with practical AI solutions, from credit scoring to healthcare services in local languages.
Nigeria’s vibrant start-up scene also gets a strong mention for attracting significant venture capital, while Morocco’s strong push in healthcare, agriculture, and energy, underpinned by bold national digital strategies, is another key driver.
Elliott stressed that success depends on powering electricity access, digitisation, and ensuring AI is fuelled by diverse, high-quality local data.
He added that inclusive transformation needs everyone involved, from small businesses to large corporations, policymakers, and communities. “The only good AI is responsible AI,” said Elliot.
Greg Ulrich, MasterCard’s chief AI and data officer, said Africa’s relationship with technology is one of active innovation, pointing to mobile payments as a homegrown success.
“AI is accelerating this transformation, reshaping how people live, work, and connect,” he said. Ulrich described MasterCard’s fraud detection systems, trained in cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, as proof that global expertise and local talent can combine to deliver secure, real-time services.
He also cautioned that with scale comes responsibility. “Trust is earned, one transaction at a time,” Ulrich said.
He believes that with one of the world’s youngest populations, Africa’s next challenge is turning strategy into delivery, building infrastructure, nurturing talent, and ensuring AI lifts all communities.
The fellows of MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) Cohort 4 recently embarked on an immersive tour of Huawei’s Innovation Center, Cloud Service Centre, and Network Support Centre in Lagos, as part of their ongoing industry exposure sessions.
L-R: Isaac Ogugua-Ezechukwu, Programs Administrator, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University; Blessings Mosugu, Vice President, MTN Media Innovation Programme Cohort 4; Gavin Geng Xiaoyan, Director of Solution Sales\Chief Technical Officer, Huawei; Vanessa Ukamaka Richard, Secretary, MTN MIP Cohort 4 and Dr Chike Mgbeadichie, Programs Director, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, during the July session of the MTN Media Innovation Program held at the Huawei office in Victoria Island, recently.
At the Huawei Innovation Center, the fellows were introduced to a wide array of next-generation technologies. Demonstrations covered Huawei’s smart city solutions, advanced power technologies, cloud systems, and upgraded router and antenna designs. These solutions represent the core of Huawei’s contributions as a strategic partner in MTN’s journey from a connectivity provider to a digital enabler.
One of the highlights of the tour was a live demo of an AI-powered video generator, which transformed selfies into high-definition 30-second avatar-based videos. The videos, created and delivered within seconds via Bluetooth, showcased the real-time capabilities of 5G.
Speaking on how 5G is transforming digital lifestyle globally, the Deputy Managing Director, Marketing and Solutions at Huawei Nigeria, Gavin Geng, noted that “Huawei’s goal is to bridge the gap between global innovation and local demand by tailoring technology to meet Nigeria’s specific challenges. From delivering Nigeria’s first digital village alongside our partners, to launching Nigeria’s first local cloud service, we are committed to working with our customers to build infrastructure that serve both urban and underserved communities.”
He emphasised Huawei’s commitment to security and cutting-edge innovation, adding that “as an employee-owned company adhering to strict global security standards, we ensure that customers’ data and connectivity remain secure while they benefit from next-gen solutions such as 5G, AI, smart city technologies.”
The session underscored MTN’s readiness to meet the increasing demands of Nigeria’s data-driven population and support the country’s digital transformation goals.
Afterwards, the fellows received certificates to commemorate the visit and proceeded to the Huawei Service Centre. Spanning 4,000 square metres, the facility supports operations in telecoms, finance, transportation, power, and public service.
With a dedicated DevOps team, the centre customises its monitoring systems for different clients. It is ISO27001 certified, and all employees hold security certifications, reflecting its emphasis on data protection and operational excellence.
To wrap up the day, the MIP cohort was hosted to a dinner attended by MTN’s Chief Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo. He encouraged the delegates to maximise the opportunity the programme offers and shared personal insights during an experience-sharing moment.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has given its Diaspora Front-End Partners (FEPs) 48 hours to obtain and activate their National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment licences on its newly upgraded diaspora enrolment platform.
The commission said the deadline followed the successful completion of a major upgrade aimed at improving the security, efficiency and reliability of NIN registration for Nigerians living abroad.
According to NIMC, the upgraded platform will offer a more seamless and robust service to diaspora applicants, ensuring faster processing and better data protection. To prepare for the transition, all FEPs have been onboarded onto the new system and taken through intensive training to equip them with the knowledge needed for effective management of the platform.
Once compliant partners activate their licences, Nigerians abroad will be able to access NIN enrolment services through them without disruption.
“The Commission apologises for any inconvenience the upgrade process might have caused and has set up a dedicated service team to resolve all issues related to diaspora enrolment,” NIMC said in a statement signed by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, its head of corporate communications.
Diaspora applicants experiencing difficulties have been advised to contact the commission for prompt assistance.
While the new system rolls out overseas, NIN enrolment continues across all centres in Nigeria, with applicants able to locate their nearest centres on the NIMC website. Nigerians at home or abroad can also modify their NIN data via the online self-service portal.
NIMC further encouraged NIN holders to download the NIMC NINAuth App on iOS or Google Play to instantly verify their NIN, control who can access their information, and enjoy secure authentication services.
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