General News
Nigeria’s IT Literacy is Poor –Olufuye
Dr. Jimson Olufuye, IT Specialist/Consultant with over 20years experience is a man of a man of integrity and honour. He has undying love for ICT.Olufuye, president, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (Itan) and MD/CEO, Kontemporary Komputers Limited rings a bell in the ICT sector.Olufuye spoke to john ikpea in Abuja on a wide range of issues.
About Itan and Olufeye’s Presidency
Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (Itan) is the umbrella body of all other associations of IT companies in Nigeria. We are major stakeholder in the Nigeria computer society and also in the computer professional registration council of Nigeria. Our vision is a actually to engender a new Nigeria driven by information and technology and our mission is to use every means possible to ensure that these things are championed to its conclusion.
As the president of ITAN my responsibilities include over seeing day to day activities of the association and to protect members’ interest where necessary and also to ensure that the objective of the constitution is not only implemented but committed to drive it to its conclusion
Challenges
The challenges we face are not different from the conventional ones other corporate Nigerian companies are facing. It is the issue of leadership with clear vision and appropriate strategy to implement set objectives. So far, with the privilege I have as the ITAN president and knowing what to do as well and in the right time, we have been able to put our vision in the right perspective and with appropriate mission objective to drive it. The goal is clear, that is, we want to see a Nigeria that is powered by IT and we are working very hard to mobilize all stakeholders to be involved.
In my opinion, Nigerians are looking for leader and when they see a good one they follow and I am happy that many of our members have good level of trust in my leadership and they give all the cooperation I need. So, I want to use this opportunity to encourage all those IT companies sitting on the fence to come down and lets together move this nation to the next plateau.
Kontemporary Komputers
It is an IT solution and consulting company based in Abuja. The company started operation in 1995 and since then we have been into training and rendering capacity reports. We give oral IT solution to corporations for software and design for networking and of late we started rendering IP services through the provision of middle conferencing solution.
We also consult on electronic document management to high profile companies, and our cliente include ECOWAS, EU, World Bank, federal government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Science and Technology and office of the auditor-general of the federation.
We are cutting edge IT solution company and we have in Lagos, Kano, Dubai, US, Malaysia, UK and Canada. As a matter of fact, we have technical partners around the world. This is to ensure that we provide cutting edge services in the West Coast of Africa.
R&D in the ICT in Nigeria
Thanks so much for that question. It is a critical one. There is a provision in the NITDA Act to have an IT development fund and I believe if this fund is well appropriated towards the promotion of R&D in the ICT field in the country, in our research institutions, institutions of higher learning and in other sectors of the economy that are cut from R&D like Itan where we are taking the issue very seriously, it will be well for all of us.
It is a general knowledge that without R&D no nation can grow economically and otherwise and one can always see the result of R&D only if both are available. On the local perspective, if you don’t do as much as cutting edge product, that shows that our level of R&D and innovation is very low.
R&D requires a lot of funding. It is not something individual or low capital corporation can do alone without government intervention. There has to be specific grant to ensure that this is done and done well. A graphic example is our university system, if you look at the products of our universities it does not measure up sufficiently which is as a result of very low of R&D because if there is sound R&D it will be seen in the products that comes from the universities.
Telecoms & Investment
Well, if there is any success story that the last administration would readily jubilate over, it is the issue of success in the Telecoms sector. Without any doubt, there has been sufficient foreign director investments, though we cannot see it around but the challenges are enormous, yet I can see something outstanding happening in the sector and that is a lesson for us; that based on the right policy investors were able to come in and invested their money despite the infrastructural problem such as the challenges of power, the players were also able to do their utmost best and today we have Telecom ratio climbing so high in the country.
In my opinion, I think there is a lesson for the other sectors from Telecoms sector where level of investments is quite high and that is encouraging, but government has to do more to ensure that sound infrastructure are put in place such as energy which is very important too. Government should solve these problems so that within the next seven years Nigerians can, at least, see the penetration of good Telecoms services with the poor infrastructure we have on ground and we if we are able to put in place sound infrastructure within same period that means we will be able to short-tackle the development circle, with that achieved, then we can then start talking about realization of Vision 2020, which I doubt will ever see the light of the day in the absence of IT.
Nitel
This is my personal opinion. Actually it was a costly mistake trying to do police somersault. Any government which share the view that there is nothing called continuity of policy no investor will take such government seriously.
If actually there as flaw in the negotiation, it is unfortunate. As it is sold let it be, because in the era of Nitel we never achieved anything significant in Telecom. We never did. So, lets take it as bad investment. Let it go off. Let private people, private managers, investors that can turn it round let them do it. But it is high time government should steer of Nitel and allow those who bought it to do their work.
1-Gov.net
It is a right step in the right direction. That is the way it should be done if you are actually serious about fast-tracking development, that is, government supporting a single network for e-government.
What I will want to counsel against in this circumstance, is the driver sleeping. We are always in a process of when we start a project like the one we are talking about, we go to sleep. We don’t make provision for the energy, intellectual and well withal required and the resources needed to ensure that it worked.
However, the initiative is good and if the project is supported financially and with excellent strategy, with great technical backing it has the potentials of fast-tracking e-government and e-business and ensuring that we get services from government at a faster rate.
IT Literacy
The federal government has not done enough. It has not taken the bull by the horn as it should as regards to IT in the grassroots and empowering the youths. IT literacy in Nigeria is still very low even in the civil service. But the process has just begun with the presence of 1-Gov.net in place. With regard to the youths, we have to back to the basis, primary and secondary schools should be computerized and not just having one computer but computer in education for teaching, for studying and is the way to go.When people are exposed to IT they are equally exposed to its infrastructure and tools and the facilities like the Internet, they will be able to acquire a lot of information and with the information so acquired there would be knowledge which will eventually bring about knowledge economy.
Majority of Nigerian youth are still devoid of IT knowledge and it’s a serious matter. Let me give you another illustration. We have NYSC scheme in this country but there is no ground design to ensure that part of the period of that camping is used to train the youth in IT.
General News
Moonshot Returns with a Defining Third Edition, Charting Africa’s Next Phase of Innovation
Moonshot, Africa’s flagship tech and innovation gathering, officially announces its third edition. Scheduled to take place from October 15 –16, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, the future-shaping conference will convene over 4,000 participants and more than 120 speakers from over 15 countries, all focused on accelerating the trajectory of Africa’s tech-driven future.
This year’s theme, “Building Momentum: Africa’s Tech Ecosystem Positions Itself for Its Next Big Leap,” captures a critical moment for the continent’s tech landscape.
Following years of resilience through economic downturns and funding contractions, the ecosystem is maturing rapidly and sensibly redirecting focus toward sustainable, scalable growth. Moonshot 2025 will serve as a platform to consolidate these hard-won gains and align stakeholders around the next era of opportunity, across key tech verticals.
Headline sponsored by Sabi, a global trade and supply chain enabler, the agenda-setting conference has evolved into a continental platform for catalysing connections, unlocking capital, and amplifying bold ideas. Now in its third year, Moonshot serves as a dynamic hub, and a living museum, of Africa’s innovation journey, actively bridging past achievements with future ambitions.
Speaking about the event, Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media, said: “The last few years truly tested the resilience of Africa’s tech ecosystem, but they also undeniably sharpened it. The ups and downs in funding have given way to something far more intentional, with founders now building smarter and with clearer purpose.
Despite the challenges, African founders have persevered and thrived. Crucially, regulations have also matured, providing much-needed direction. What we’re witnessing now is genuine momentum, firmly grounded in strong fundamentals, propelled by clarity, and intensely focused on scale.
“Moonshot 2025 offers a vital space to reflect on our journey and to channel this momentum into meaningful progress for founders, investors, and the entire ecosystem”
This year’s edition will welcome a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Andrew Alli, Non-Executive Director, British International Investment (BII), Maxime Bayen, Operating Partner, Catalyst Fund, and Lexi Novitske, General Partner, Norrsken22, among others.
The event will also showcase its nine signature content tracks, now enhanced with refreshed programming designed to foster deeper, more impactful conversations. This include:
- FUEL: The Investor Conference: This track is significantly upgraded to improve deal-making and investment opportunities, with a stronger focus on attracting Limited Partners (LPs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and first-time investors in Africa. It will feature structured deal rooms, curated pitch sessions, an investor’s guide to Africa, and dedicated spaces for peer exchange across the investor landscape.
- Startup Festival: Tailored for both early- and growth-stage founders, this festival will offer intensive workshops, operator-led sessions, and live startup showcases, including the TC Battlefield – it’s flagship pitch competition.
- Emerging Tech (AI): A dedicated space to explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence across various sectors on the continent, featuring product demos and insights from leading builders and researchers.
- Government & Policy Conference: This vital track will convene policymakers from across Africa to engage in discussions on crucial digital policy reforms and work towards tangible commitments to support innovation and scale across the continent.
Additional tracks, including Creative Economy, Climate Tech, Future of Commerce, Big Tech & Enterprise, and Entering Tech, will feature compelling conversations on critical topics such as financing infrastructure, workforce development, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Also speaking about the event, Anu Adedoyin, CEO and co-founder of Sabi said “This marks our third year as a proud partner of Moonshot, and the evolution of this conference mirrors the incredible growth and ambition of African tech.
“We believe in building robust foundations for digital commerce, and Moonshot is crucial for fostering the connections and clarity needed for founders to build smart, scalable solutions. We’re excited to see the tangible momentum this year’s event will generate for Africa’s next big leap.”
Proudly supported by platinum sponsors Flutterwave, Luno, Fincra, Raenest, Cardtonic, Roqqu, Opay, and Busha, the conference will build on the outcomes of previous editions, including a $120,000 ecosystem pledge at last year’s Tech Ecosystem Alliance roundtable.
Moonshot is powered by the leading tech publication in Africa, TechCabal, providing reporting, data and context that help investors and professionals globally understand where African tech is and where it is going.
FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held recently in London. This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, affirming its leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking across Nigeria.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.
The Bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives. In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.
Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria. This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.
FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over ₦43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over ₦9 trillion.
The Bank prioritises ESG/sustainability capacity building, evidenced by the training of over 9000 employees, and its webinars and workshops reaching over 2,000 SMEs and corporates. The bank’s investment in leadership for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network has demonstrated a dedicated structural commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and diverse workforce catering to the dynamic ESG landscape.
Commenting on the award, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank as well as the Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives”
He added: “We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
The continued success in ESG and sustainability is driven by FirstBank’s vision to be Africa’s bank of first choice, leading with purpose, responsibility, and innovation.
Federal Government is increasing collaborations with China to digitalise Nigeria Customs Service operations. This past weekend, NCS strengthened its cooperation efforts through a high-level engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
The meeting, held in Beijing, China, brought together senior officers of the customs service and top officials from the GACC to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.
Abdullahi Maiwada, NCS Assistant Comptroller of Customs said that discussions were held with officials from the GACC International Cooperation Division, the Training and Education Centre and representatives of the Shanghai Customs College.
“The engagement focused on deepening cooperation in customs training methodologies, modernisation models and technology-driven solutions, especially as China plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s international trade network,” said Maiwada.
He added that during the meeting, the Chinese customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches. In 2024, GACC conducted over 8 000 physical training sessions and developed 360 online courses.
Discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers, including 89 from Nigeria, having received training since 2023 across various areas, such as trade facilitation, anti-smuggling enforcement, food safety supervision and digital port operations.
The bilateral dialogue between the two customs agencies also heralded new areas of collaboration, including Nigeria’s participation in upcoming Customs Modernisation Courses and officer development training at the Shanghai Customs College.
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