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Sidmach Graduates First Set of its AppFactory Graduate Interns
It was a joyous moment as the famous indigenous software company, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, graduated the first set of graduate interns under its Sidmach AppFactory Program which runs like a software academy.
The Sidmach AppFactory shares same objective and value with the Microsoft AppFactory, which is to improve the state of software development in Africa.
The aim of this initiative is to improve software development through an internship program meant to take talented and passionate young people and give them the chance to harness and develop excellent software development skills.
A total of 12 fresh university graduates participated in the six months programmes; an offshoot of Microsoft App Factory initiative.
Speaking at the ceremony held at its head office in Lagos, the Managing Director of Sidmach, Mr. Peter Arogundade, said although they embraced the Microsoft initiative as part of a measure to assist young graduates to become better equipped to face the world of entrepreneurship.
Mr. Arogundade described App Factory as a wonderful platform to learn, unlearn and relearn; garner knowledge, skills and become competitive.
“Sidmach is always looking out for opportunities to add value in the lives of young Nigerians and startups.
“That is why we keyed-in to the Microsoft App Factory initiative. It is true that most Nigerian graduates lack the prerequisite practical knowledge, skills and agility to face their counterparts in other part of the world, however, it is high time, as a country, we stopped blaming them, rather provide platforms for them to get equipped to succeed.
“On the other hand, the gap between the industry and the academia is so wide, but with programmes like this it can be addressed.
“Today, the 12 interns are tested and certified in software development and other softskills that will help them succeed and they are not leaving the doors of Sidmach; they will stay back and work with us in developing solutions for different sectors like education, health, finance, agriculture, amongst others”.
Mr. Chijioke Eke, Co-founder and Chairman, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, Expatiating on Sidmach’s interest in the App Factory programme, regretted that most universities (in Nigeria) are still trapped in the old theories and practical apparatuses thereby denying the students adequate knowledge for 21stCentury application development.
“Sidmach ventured into this internship that is practical oriented to assist the fresh graduates to overcome some constraints”, he said.
He urged the interns to make the best use of the knowledge they garnered during the six-months training. “As you match on to the future of development of solutions, professionalism and value additions lie on your shoulders.
“There must be something different between you who are now practical-oriented and those still trapped in the web of theories.
“The future of our country, the citizens and indeed the world depends on you as app developers.
“I want to re-echo the MD’s statement that you are not leaving the doors of Sidmach.
We are retaining you and will strengthen the Academy to assist more graduates,” Mr. Eke said.
The Chairman who showered encomiums on Microsoft for initiating the programme, also called for further investments in youth development as a panacea to unemployment and restiveness.
Ade Ajayi, Director Marketing and Operations, Microsoft Nigeria, Commenting about the Academy, said that Microsoft exists because it believes in the relevance of developers to impact the world economy. “We believe developers can change the world with the keyboard and their ten fingers.
“Microsoft recently acquired GitHub which is in the developer platform.
“The point is that developers will continue to change the world. So, every intern who passes through the App Factory internship programme should take it very serious,” he said.
“Sidmach bought into the idea and Microsoft is happy to have partners like Sidmach which is among the top one thousand partners we have in Nigeria”.
He hinted on Microsoft’s plans to double the commitments to App Factory.
Meta may shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in protest against the substantial fines imposed by multiple government agencies.
The tech giant has been ordered to pay nearly $300 million in fines in Africa’s most populous nation, following regulatory demands which Meta described as “unrealistic.”
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The commission stated that Meta had failed to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and had not submitted a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Similarly, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), demanded $37.5 million over unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), announced a $32.8 million fine for an alleged data privacy breach.
Meta challenged the decisions at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful, as the court upheld the fines in a ruling delivered last week.
The court directed the company to comply with payment by the end of June, but Meta has indicated it may not do so, according to the BBC.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company stated in court documents.
Responding to the NDPC’s assertion that Meta’s data processing could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks, the company said the agency had failed to “properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, MTN Nigeria is set to stage simultaneous watch parties in Abuja and Uyo on Sunday, May 4, giving football fans a shared space to experience the highs and lows of matchday.
The events, scheduled for Farm City in Wuse and Pyramid Lounge & Grill in Uyo, are expected to attract large turnouts as MTN continues to deepen its connection with football audiences nationwide.
The line-up for the day includes four Premier League fixtures, culminating in a marquee showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Earlier games such as Brentford vs Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle, and West Ham vs Tottenham will round out a packed viewing schedule. With top four ambitions, title races, and European dreams on the line, the fixtures promise high-stakes drama and entertainment.
MTN’s EPL watch parties have grown into a recurring highlight for fans who want more than just a screen, they want atmosphere. This weekend’s events will feature expansive screen setups, branded fan zones, and side attractions including live trivia and merchandise giveaways.
For MTN, the activations represent an opportunity to tap into the communal spirit of football, a sport that unites Nigerians across regions and loyalties. The brand’s involvement in football has steadily evolved from sponsorship to full-scale experiences, allowing it to build affinity with youth audiences and sports lovers alike.
In recent years, MTN has emerged as a key driver of fan engagement through its partnership with SuperSport and broader investment in Nigeria’s football ecosystem. These dual-city events reflect that strategy in motion, bringing the Premier League closer to the streets and ensuring fans are not just spectators, but participants in the global game.
With anticipation running high and bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s watch parties are shaping up to be a celebration of sport, identity, and the power of community on and off the pitch.
Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State have resumed following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, told TVC News that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
TVC News earlier reported that businessmen and women were counting their losses as they suffered the impact of a shut down of telecommunication service in Kogi State
Over the past two weeks, telecoms connectivity had been erratic, with competing brands experiencing glitches, particularly in the Lokoja metropolis.
The State government suspended the operations of some telecom services citing unpaid taxes and fibre-related dues.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
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