Nigeria’s Presidential Office of Digital Engagement and Strategy (PODES) has forged a pioneering alliance with Cyberpedia Internet Governance, AI powerhouse  an African Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Cybersecurity corporation, to deploy cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools and grassroots networks in redefining civic participation.

This is in a strategic counterstrike against the global infodemic.

The collaboration, spearheaded by Otega Ogra, senior special assistant to the President, seeks to “reimagine civic communication in Nigeria,” according to official statements.

The announcement precedes Cyberpedia President Abiodun Sowemimo’s keynote address at the global CloudFest conference in Frankfurt, Germany.

The core objective of the partnership is to “strengthen the government’s digital resilience by equipping citizens with innovative tools to identify and counter misinformation in real-time.”

This initiative directly addresses the challenges posed by “disinformation, misinformation, and fractured digital attention,” as outlined in the official release.

The partnership rests on two key pillars: Mapping Public Sentiment, which involves “utilising artificial intelligence to capture real-time insights across Nigeria’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape,” acknowledging the complexities introduced by the nation’s over 400 languages; and Grassroots Empowerment, which focuses on “collaborating with local influencers, content creators, community leaders, and cultural ambassadors to co-develop relatable, engaging content that promotes clarity and national values, combats misinformation, and fosters constructive dialogue among citizens.”

“This initiative is not about controlling the narrative. It is about equipping Nigerians with the tools to lead their own informed conversations,” stated Otega Ogra.

“In an age of digital disruption, trust is the ultimate currency. Our goal is to build transparency by empowering Nigerians directly, meeting them on platforms where they already engage, debate, and form opinions,” he explained.

Abiodun Sowemimo, president of Cyberpedia Internet Governance, emphasised the broader implications of the partnership, describing it as “an innovative model for governance in a disrupted digital era.”

He further stated, “This initiative goes beyond Nigeria. It is about demonstrating how democracies can harness technology ethically, ensuring greater citizen participation without compromising democratic principles.”

The partnership, currently in its early stages, will prioritise “digital literacy initiatives designed to equip citizens with tools to identify and counter disinformation proactively.”

Plans include the development of “interactive mobile applications and gamified educational experiences to help citizens recognise manipulated content, fake news, and deepfake technology.”

This initiative arrives at a crucial juncture as democracies worldwide grapple with the spread of misinformation amplified by emerging technologies.

Nigeria, with its “vibrant digital landscape and one of the continent’s youngest populations,” is poised to “pioneer scalable solutions and set new standards for digital engagement and public trust globally.”

Further details of the partnership’s initiatives will be unveiled in the coming months.

Sowemimo will formally introduce the initiative at CloudFest in Frankfurt, Germany, highlighting “Nigeria’s commitment to innovation-driven civic engagement on the global stage.”

By Oluwole Alao

In total alignment with the presidential priority area of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation and Digitisation, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has announced the nationwide expansion of the Hub Managers training programme in harnessing technological innovation to improve the lives of Nigerians, create jobs and foster economic diversification.

The DG made this known at the iHatch Cohort 4 -Onsite Training for Hub Managers, which was organised by the agency in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) at the Hotel De Horizon, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The on-site training programme, which had 37 hub managers from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, will empower hubs to build robust incubation systems to support startups locally, develop strong regional ecosystems through partnerships and engagement, enhance their operational and mentorship capacity and provide access to international exchange programmes towards the adoption of best global practices.

While emphasising the current administration’s commitment to reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth, Inuwa highlighted that the key to achieving this goal lies in leveraging digital technology at the grassroots level to solve local problems across various sectors, including agriculture and small-scale trade.

“We don’t want technological innovation to be concentrated only in Lagos and Abuja. We want to take it to the grassroots and use it to solve real-life problems. That is why we designed the iHatch initiative,” he noted.

Inuwa disclosed that the pilot phase of the iHatch, which was conducted in Abuja, successfully trained 50 startups, which led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs, Inuwa stated that the expansion of the initiative to accommodate all the 37 states will create 740 direct jobs and 7,400 indirect jobs before the end of the year.

He said, “this initiative will domesticate innovation in states and enable start-ups solve real-life problems in areas of agriculture, healthcare, transportation and other sectors, that are peculiar to their different states”.

While stressing that innovation thrives in clusters where critical stakeholders can exchange ideas and incubate solutions, the NITDA DG underscored the importance of collaboration, networking and ecosystem development in driving innovation.

“To sustain this initiative, we must build a strong community where startups, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders can continuously share ideas and collaborate. We don’t want startups to just pass through the programme; we want them to remain within the iHatch ecosystem because we want this initiative to expand to all the 774 local governments of the country.” Inuwa explained.

He noted that in addition to job creation and ecosystem building, the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act, which aims to provide legal backing and incentives for startups.

Inuwa therefore urged the participants in the iHatch programme to act as champions in their respective states, spreading awareness about the Act and encouraging other startups to register and benefit from its provisions.

“In line with the president’s mandate, our ultimate goal is to see every Nigerian digitally literate, using technology to access government and private sector services. We also want our market women to leverage technology to expand their businesses,” he added.

He stated that the iHatch model ensures investment in local capacity where national potentials can be unleashed, he said “we at NITDA are proud to walk this journey with you. Let’s keep building, let’s keep innovating, and let’s continue to shape the future of Nigeria, one innovation at a time.”

“MyLagos App,” which was launched with fanfare by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with MTN Nigeria has remained  unavailable for download on app stores, raising questions about its immediate accessibility.

Hours after its official introduction on March 13, a search on Google PlayStore for the app returned the message, “No results for MyLagos App.”

Similarly, attempts to locate it on the Apple Store yielded no results, prompting concerns over the rollout’s status.

The digital platform was introduced as a comprehensive solution to enhance city navigation and improve the overall experience for Lagos residents.

It was touted to provide essential features, including real-time traffic updates, personalized navigation, emergency services, utility payments, business listings, and tourism information.

This reporter’s attempt to download the app proved unsuccessful. Furthermore, tests by Lagos-based individuals mirrored these findings, suggesting the app may not yet be publicly accessible.

The absence of the app has sparked speculation: could it be a work in progress, or was its availability restricted post-launch for undisclosed reasons?

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, described the app as a revolutionary tool aimed at improving governance and service delivery.

“Technology has evolved from being a luxury to a necessity. In our fast-paced world, effectively utilising technology can significantly enhance governance, improve service delivery, and simplify the lives of every resident in this vibrant state.

“With the launch of the MyLagos App, Lagos State is poised to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” he said.

Abdulhakeem Giwa, manager of Digital Channel Management, MTN Nigeria, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the app’s potential to transform urban living and enhance navigation for residents.

While the app’s unavailability casts doubt on its immediate implementation, stakeholders remain optimistic about its promised benefits once fully operational. Whether technical challenges or strategic decisions have delayed its rollout remains unclear.