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Pantami says Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre will Fast-track the Implementation of Start-up Bill

Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has expressed optimism that the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre once completed would fast-track the implementation of the Nigeria Start-up Bill, as he described the ongoing construction project as satisfactorily on course.
Prof. Pantami made this known after an-on-spot inspection of the site.
While noting that the project which is being executed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is the hallmark of remarkable partnership between the visionary administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and a wholly indigenous yet forward looking company – Cosgrove Investment Limited, the Minister averred that the Centre which sits on 1,596sqm of built-up space within the FCT City Centre and comprises of two towers connected across one floor will be the hub for incubating and executing NITDA’s mandate.
“I have visited most of the floors of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre; there are two buildings that are interconnected, one of them will serve as the actual National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre as approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after my presentation at the 11th of November, 2020 while the second one will serve as the Headquarters of the National Information Technology Development Agency to manage the other centre”.
“I’m very comfortable with what I have seen here and I came to the facility because it is our responsibility to ensure that any approval by FEC under our supervision is being implemented according to agreement.
“I can confirm to you that all the specifications of the project are in alignment with what the Council had approved twice, in November, 2020 and April, 202”, Pantami assured.
The Minister who was accompanied by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE during the inspection at different times engaged the engineers on site and company officials in talks relating to the execution, as he commended the DG, Board and management of NITDA for the progress achieved with emphasis on the quality of the job done so far.
Pantami who later briefed journalists on the Pros and Cons of the facility, informed the press that Twelve Billion Naira (12BN) inclusive of VAT and other taxes is the total sum allotted to the project.
“The project was first approved in Nov, 2020 at the price of around 9.56BN and the augmentation which is an extension of the project was approved in April 2021 with additional N2.5B”.
“To be honest, I applaud the judicious way and manner NITDA has been handling the execution of the task, because if it were another institution, the total sum would have been double of it before it would have been executed”, Pantami maintained.
Although the completion date as approved by FEC is thirty-six months, spanning from November 2020 to 2023, Prof. Pantami however said haven taken into cognisance the fact that it is a legacy project of the present administration, the ministry was able to engage the project managers and contractors to speed up the completion timeline in order ensure that Mr President Inaugurates it before the expiration of his tenure.
The Communications and Digital Economy Boss took time to elucidate the benefits of the centre which he said was an idea he conceptualized when he was the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA and is pleased to see it gradually coming to a reality.
He highlighted the fact that the building will play a significant role in implementing the Nigeria Start-up Bill which was recently passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The floors of the building will be dedicated to trainings, particularly hands-on-training, which will enable our young innovators to harness their skills and hatch their ideas from conception to impact”.
“This is going to be the centre where we will coordinate the issue of tax holiday for the innovators, pioneer status, intellectual property among many other benefits.
“More so, we are looking at consolidating on the diversification drive of the Federal Government; by implication, the regulator of Information Technology (IT) has a critical role towards the consolidation of the economic diversification that we have unarguably attained”, Pantami stressed.
NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director-General of who was full of appreciation to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami for his leadership and support to the Agency from inception of the project, getting approvals to where it is, recalled that the project was conceptualized in 2020 to strengthen the Abuja ecosystem.
Inuwa said the edifice will draw in start-ups, investors, multinationals, and government to be in the one space where discussions to move the digital economy forward will be sustained.
“We are hoping to finish this project within two years. Though it is not am easy task but we are working day and night to ensure we meet the expected quality and early delivery of the facility by March 2023 as partial completion will not be accepted”, Inuwa noted.
The DG also expressed gratitude to the Minister for okaying the involvement of an indigenous company in executing the job.
The 4,000 sqm plot for the Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation Centre, located at plot 1409, CBD Cadastral zone sits the 2-tower edifice; an office complex and a mixed-use building going up to seven and eight suspended floors, respectively
The two towers are linked at all levels, for an overall area of 1,500 sqm and a total of 9 levels (from basement to roof terraces is to be the digital and innovation hub for the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
The building accommodates offices and meeting rooms (front tower), parking, auditorium, server rooms, a fab-lab and studio apartments (back tower)
The offices are designed for 9 departments and can accommodate over 360 staff
It is hoped that the ICT sector which as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), played a pivotal role in lifting the Nigerian economy out of recession, recording the highest growth rate in the 4 Quarter of 2020 (14.70%), and recorded 15.9% growth in the telecommunications sub-sector (the highest growth rate over the last decade) as well as unprecedented generation of over N1Trillion revenue in less than 2 years by the Ministry and its parastatals will be continue to grow exponentially especially as the centre upon completion is expected to offer increased digital trainings to Nigerians.
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NIPOST to Crack Down on Criminal Courier Operators

Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has vowed to clamp down on courier companies found to be aiding the trafficking of drugs and other illicit items through the country’s logistics network.
In a statement issued on by Franklin Alao, director of Corporate Communications, NIPOST expressed outrage over a recent report in some newspapers with the headline: “Nigerian courier services easily transporting hard drugs since Tinubu became president – NIPOST.”
The agency described the headline as false, misleading, and damaging to national security efforts. According to NIPOST, the article falsely attributes the claim to the postal regulator, thereby creating the impression that the agency had endorsed or confirmed such allegations.
“This is categorically FALSE,” the statement said. “At no point has NIPOST made such a statement or associated these activities with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
NIPOST maintained that while it respects the role of the media in promoting accountability and transparency, the publication in question was reckless and sensational.
It warned that inaccurate reporting on sensitive national issues like drug trafficking not only misinforms the public but also undermines the collaborative work being done to sanitise the courier and logistics sector.
Restating its position, the agency said it strongly condemns the use of courier services for criminal purposes, including drug trafficking.
It reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward the misuse of Nigeria’s postal infrastructure and said it remained committed to regulating the sector with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
NIPOST noted that it had embarked on a range of interventions aimed at improving surveillance and enforcement across the logistics industry.
It stated that all courier operators are currently undergoing a revalidation process and that Know-Your-Customer protocols and compliance audits are being enforced to tighten controls and prevent abuse of the system.
The postal regulator said it is also working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Customs Service, and other relevant security institutions to investigate and deter the use of logistics channels for the transportation of narcotics and other contraband items.
In addition, NIPOST said it had intensified engagement with courier operators, transport unions, and logistics associations to promote sector-wide vigilance and encourage the reporting of suspicious packages.
It also revealed that a new Digital Postcode and Parcel Identification System is being deployed nationwide to enhance traceability, eliminate anonymity, and improve parcel screening from the point of dispatch to final delivery.
“The Nigerian Postal Service is fully committed to restoring the integrity of Nigeria’s courier and logistics industry,” the statement said. “Any operator found to be involved in criminal activity will face immediate regulatory sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, and be reported to appropriate authorities for prosecution.”
The agency urged members of the public to use only licensed courier companies and to report any suspicious activity either to NIPOST or relevant security agencies.
It also called on journalists and civil society groups to approach issues in the sector with accuracy, caution, and a shared sense of responsibility.
News
DICON, Saudi Firm to Produce Drones, Satellites in Nigeria

Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Homeland Protectors and Supplies Limited, a Saudi Arabia-based security company, to begin local manufacturing of drones, satellite systems, and advanced communication equipment.
The agreement, which was signed at DICON headquarters in Kaduna, will see Homeland Protectors bring in production lines and technology to Nigeria to manufacture satellite systems, laser equipment, border security drones, and sophisticated communications solutions.
Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, director general of DICON, shortly after signing the MoU, described the deal as a “major milestone” in Nigeria’s drive for defence self-sufficiency.
He said the collaboration would not only meet local demands but also position Nigeria as an exporter of security technology to other African countries.
According to him: “Today is another milestone for DICON. What Homeland Protectors is bringing on board is expertise and experience in the field of satellite, laser systems, communications, and border security drones.
The agreement we have just signed is for them to bring the production line to Nigeria and start producing here, so we can satisfy the defence industry requirements, other security agencies, and export the excess capacity to other African countries.”
He expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called his “constant support and firm belief in DICON,” especially for signing the DICON Act 2023, which has now paved the way for international partnerships of this magnitude.
Alaya also thanked the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for their unwavering backing, stressing that their support made the joint venture possible.
Mr. Ali Hussain A. Aldayhani, managing director and chief executive officer, Homeland Protectors and Supplies, who led the Saudi delegation to Nigeria, hailed the partnership as a game-changer for Nigeria’s security architecture.
“I am in support of this amazing job today in collaboration with Homeland and DICON. This is in support of the Nigerian President and the Minister of Defence to bring security satellite communication technology to Nigeria,” he said.
He disclosed that the venture was designed not only to meet Nigeria’s internal needs but also to open up export opportunities to other markets, stressing: “We are going to have a huge joint venture and also for export outside Nigeria with regard to technology communication.”
The Homeland CEO thanked the DICON Director General for what he called “the support of the huge success in signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).”
He assured that this would not be the last of such engagements, promising more frequent visits and deeper collaborations in the near future.
With this move, Nigeria joins a select group of countries on the continent working to domesticate critical security manufacturing — a step expected to save foreign exchange, create jobs, and bolster national security.
News
FG Says No Going Back to Nuclear Testing

Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed Nigeria’s unwavering stance against nuclear weapons testing.
He made this known during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), led by Dr Robert Floyd, executive secretary.
According to Shettima, Nigeria, like many other African nations, is grappling with numerous socio-economic challenges, including widespread poverty and the adverse impacts of climate change.
He stressed that Africa’s immediate priority is to confront these existential threats, not to engage in the pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.
“The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite. We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” he said.
The Vice President also commended CTBTO for its broader civilian contributions, such as detecting tsunamis and seismic volcanic activity, and for supporting global ecological stability.
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