Telecom
Silicon Valley-based Founder Institute Launches Newest Chapter in Abuja
The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed accelerator, has announced that it is officially launching its newest chapter in Abuja, Nigeria. With plans to run two semesters annually, the Founder Institute aims to launch over 20 meaningful and enduring technology companies per year in Abuja.
Applications to the program are open now, and anyone interested in working with Abuja’s top startup mentors to launch a technology company is welcome to apply to the Abuja Founder Institute.
In order to celebrate the launch, the Abuja Founder Institute will host a series of free startup events for the general public, where attendees can learn how to build a company and learn more about the program.
For aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs up to the challenge, the Founder Institute’s step-by-step program provides the structure, mentor support, and global network of entrepreneurs needed to start an enduring company.
The Founder Institute is the only program of its kind that focuses on people versus ideas, accepts founders with day jobs, and shares equity with all participants.
Founder Institute Graduate companies include fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, Zowasel, Limestart, Rentit, Athlst and many more.
In addition, the Abuja 2020 program will include the Founder Institute’s newest company-building curriculum suitable to address the needs of advanced founders (MVP stage) as well as aspiring new entrepreneurs at the idea-stage – a project just released this year in collaboration with hundreds of startup leaders across the globe.
The Abuja Chapter will once again be led by local startup leaders Abdulrazaq Ahmed (Founder, Work and connect Hub), Christian Ndubisi. (Co-founder, 42 NG), Fisayo Olabisi (CEO, TukioKonsults), Mohammed Ibrahim Jega,(Founder, StartupArewa).
According to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. Regional Director, Founder Institute, “Startups in Abuja now have the unique opportunity of joining other startups in various other cities across the globe to benefit from FI’s hard-core, time tested curriculum and global network.”
Mentors who have expressed interest in helping Abuja Founder Institute participants include:
● Abdul Hakeem Ajijola: Chairman, Consultancy Support Services (CS2) Ltd
● Afolabi Imoukhede: CEO, MCS Consulting Limited
● Aituaz Kola Oladejo: Executive Director, Financial Services Innovators (FSI)
● AkindayoAkindolani: Founder, McAnderson Institute of Technology
● Anna Ekeledo: Executive Director , AfriLabs
● Ayodeji Abitogun: Lead Consultant, Management Edge
● Bankole Oloruntoba: CEO, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center
● Basil Udotai Esq.: Managing Partner , Technology Advisors
● ChiomaAgwuegbo: Founder, TechHer
● Collins Nwosu: Executive Director, P.R.I. global ventures limited
● DoyinAdewola: CEO, Box Office Hub
● Ife Adebayo: Special Assistant on Innovation & Entrepreneurship to the Nigerian Vice President, Vice President Office, Federal Republic of Nigeria
● Ifeoma Malo: CEO, Clean Technology Hub
● Kadir Salami: CEO, Techspecialist Consulting, Procurease
● Kola Aina: Founder, Ventures Platform
● Lanre Philips: CEO, Elpee Consults
● Lawrence Olawale Roberts: CEO , MicroBoss Technologies
● Louisa Ogwuru: Co-founder, Insiteful Solutions, Alfret.Ng
● Mercy Olorunfemi: Program Manager, Work and Connect
● Michael Oluwagbemi, Executive Partner, LoftyInc Allied Partners Limited
● Mohammed B. Hussaini: CEO, Cupious Energy
● Musa Ali Baba: CEO, Teasy Mobile
● Nkechi Oguchi: CEO, Ventures Park
● NkoyoEfretei: CEO, Insiteful Solutions and Talented Space
● Noel Akpata: CEO, Stratex Pro
● OsasenagaEnogieru: National Program Manager, Wennovation Hub
● OyajeIdoko: CEO, Layer3 Tech
● Philip Agbese Jnr.: Founder, CAVIC.
● Raji Mohammed: Co-Founder, MyLearningAcademy
● Saidu Abdullahi: Head of Partnerships, Next Billion Users, Google
● Simiola Olusola: Founder, Aspilos Foundation
● And many more to be announced.
Abuja being the capital city isn’t just a civil servants’ city anymore. The city is characterized by a constant influx of fresh young entrepreneurs looking to launch new businesses and to collaborate with the government and its parastatals.
With the launch of government-funded projects like StartUp Fridays (A platform that enables young entrepreneurs to pitch their startups, receive feedback and network with potential investors), it is obvious that the government is always ready to provide support for tech entrepreneurs and established businesses in Abuja.
Startups need more than just money in Abuja. They need a framework and a community to support their ideas and to help them build a valuable network.
The city’s unique combination of entrepreneurial energy, quality of life and a supportive government makes it a perfect place for entrepreneurs trying to build a more liveable future.
Anybody who is interested can apply to the Abuja Founder Institute. Anyone who applies by the Early Application Deadline (2020-03-29) is eligible for a variety of scholarships – including the Female Founder Fellowship, which is offered to the best overall female applicant.
Telecom
Celebrating African Creativity: Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ Returns for Its Fifth Year
The “Made by Africa, Loved by the World” campaign is back for its fifth year, celebrating African creativity and global influence. This year’s theme, “Where Culture Meets Connection,” highlights how social media fosters conversations around cultural moments worldwide.
The campaign features three cinematic films premiering on the Meta Africa page, showcasing the groundbreaking work and personal stories of six dynamic African creatives.
These artists, from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, represent diverse disciplines, including rap, animation, dance, photography, fashion, and videography.
Here are some of the featured talents:
- Ladipoe (Nigeria) – A BET-nominated rapper known for blending global hip-hop with African rhythms.
- Fatboy Animations (Kenya) – An animation studio founded by Michael Muthiga, recognized by Forbes for its original African storytelling.
- Lisa Quama (Ghana) – A dancer who gained fame after appearing in Beyoncé’s “Already” music video.
- Gilbert Asante (Ghana) – A photographer and creative director featured in GQ and Glam Africa.
- David Tlale (South Africa) – A fashion designer whose bold designs have been showcased at major fashion events, including the Met Gala.
- Ofentse Mwase (South Africa) – A filmmaker with over 24 international awards for his unique visual storytelling.
Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, emphasized that the campaign not only celebrates individual success stories but also showcases how culture and social media drive meaningful connections and inspiration.
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has raised the alarm over a diesel supply crisis caused by an ongoing strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Mr Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON in a statement said that the fuel supply disruption is critically affecting telecom base stations, pushing them to the brink of a shutdown and threatening millions of mobile and internet users in the region.
“This strike, which stems from the persistent harassment of tanker and petroleum product drivers by police officers in Lagos State, has effectively halted all truck loading operations and fuel movements,” Emoekpere stated.
He explained that diesel supply to telecom infrastructure has been severely impacted, leaving critical sites with dangerously low fuel levels.
According to him, if urgent measures are not taken, the situation could escalate into a full-blown network blackout, disrupting essential services, including mobile and internet access, business operations, emergency response systems, and daily communications.
ATCON has called on the governors of Lagos and Ogun states to intervene immediately by facilitating the release of diesel from depots to telecom operators to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“This is not just a telecom issue—it is a national emergency that could cripple economic activities and compromise public safety,” Emoekpere stressed.
The association also appealed to security agencies and petroleum unions to resolve the crisis swiftly to safeguard Nigeria’s connectivity and economic stability.
ATCON emphasised that a prolonged disruption in fuel supply to telecom infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and individuals who rely on stable communication networks for daily operations.
In 2023, Nigerians spent a total of about ₦5.3 trillion on telecommunications services, which includes calls, data, SMS, and other telecom services, according to the Leadership.
Specifically for voice calls, Nigerians made approximately 408.5 billion minutes of local calls, generating around ₦3.28 trillion from outgoing calls and ₦3.23 trillion from incoming calls, totaling about ₦6.51 trillion in call-related revenue according to projections based on 2023 call volumes and tariff data.
However, the ₦5.3 trillion figure represents the overall telecom sector revenue, with voice calls being a major component but also including data and other services.
For individual spending, MTN subscribers spent an average of ₦2,508 monthly on voice calls in 2023, showing a 14.4% increase from 2022, while Airtel customers spent about ₦1,694 monthly on voice calls.
Total telecom spending (calls, data, SMS, etc.): ₦5.3 trillion in 2023
Estimated revenue from voice calls alone: around ₦6.5 trillion based on call minutes and tariffs
Average monthly spending on calls per subscriber: ₦1,694 to ₦2,508 depending on the network
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