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Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge Rewards 3 Bright Young University-based Entrepreneurs 

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In a bid to build a supportive environment for innovation and create new pathways for a future where prosperity is inclusive, opportunities abound, and where the entrepreneurial spirit thrives, Group Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda has rewarded three University-based young Nigerian entrepreneurs through the inaugural edition of the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, an initiative of the Management Students Association, University of Lagos.

Winner of the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, Halimat Ajoke Ariyo, Founder, Craft by Leemart holding aloft dummy cheque during the prize presentation.

The winners emerged during the 4th Annual Students Entrepreneurship Program, a one-day session which featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to equip future business leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to foster SME growth and innovation. With the theme, “Bridging The Gap From Micro To Macro: Empowering SMEs To Drive Sustainable National Growth”, participants were challenged to explore simple but creative solutions to the challenges faced by SMEs while underscoring the necessity of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, and equipping emerging business leaders with the tools to innovate and solve problems effectively.

Speaking to the rationale for the Challenge, Tosin Eniolorunda who was represented at the event by Efemena Ogie, Head of Partnerships, noted that small businesses are vehicles for innovation and problem solving and that empowering them isn’t merely a strategic imperative but a moral obligation toward ensuring sustainable and inclusive prosperity for all.

He added that the initiative resonated strongly with him considering his own early beginnings as an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University where he was solving problems for his peers on campus.

“This initiative aligns with our vision of powering dreams and being critical enablers for the growth of the SMES across Nigeria.

“We have seen first hand the transformative power of innovation and problem solving as pivotal building blocks for unlocking value, considering that the world belongs to dreamers and doers.

“Our growth has been driven by our ability to listen to the customers as well as providing innovative solutions to the challenges they have faced. Dreams and passions are the fundamental instruments for entrepreneurial activities and the drive to provide financial happiness for all Nigerians has kept us going.

“This Innovation Challenge is a solid platform to help more dreamers move their innovative ideas into becoming tangible ventures that can increase their contribution to the broader economy,” he said.

Not limited to providing student entrepreneurs with seed funding or funds to upscale their ventures (for already existing businesses), the Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge, which showcased an impressive array of entrepreneurial talent and innovative ideas, also provided mentoring initiatives, workshops and training sessions to participants who are committed to identifying problems and proffering solutions as well as making great impact in their communities.

After a rigorous selection process, five finalists emerged to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, with the winners announced as follows:

1. Winner: Craft by Leemart

   Founder: Halimat Ajoke Ariyo

 A fashion leather brand creating high-quality, customized products – footwears, customized bracelets, wallets, belts, journals and other products with quality leather with a focus on customer satisfaction and personalized experiences.

2. 1st Runner-up: SafeMom

   Founding team: Michael Kolade Sunmoni and Saanumi Oluwaseun Joshua

A healthtech startup addressing maternal mortality by connecting expectant mothers with healthcare resources through an innovative digital platform. These include    24/7 access to healthcare experts, educational resources on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. and support groups.

3. 2nd Runner-up: UNISHOP

Founding team: Bukunmi Ransome-Kuti and Israel Olasupo

A retail-as-a-service platform empowering student entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses within the campus ecosystem. It offers basic listings and premium shop pages to drive visibility and marketing for student businesses to thrive in the campus marketplace.

These winners were selected after preliminary rounds by an expert panel of judges drawn from the business and technology ecosystem including industry leaders such as Gabriel Balogun, Head of Learning and Development, Moniepoint Inc, Katherine Adesomoju, CEO, Spectrum Holdings, Samuel Olatunde, CEO/Founder, Edala Homes, and Adeola Sanusi, CEO/Founder, XL Homes.

The evaluation was based on key metrics including market potential, understanding of financial management, growth plans, and business value/competitiveness of the proposed solution and the quality of the presentation and delivery.

An elated Halimat Ariyo who went home with 1 million naira in prize money said: “I’d like to thank Moniepoint and Mr Eniolorunda for this opportunity and the cash incentive. I am energized to take my business to the next level and the world would know my name.”

The Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge is identifying promising small businesses on campus and providing valuable training and exposure to them underscores the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering innovation for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement while validating Moniepoint’s commitment to support entrepreneurship, and position young Nigerians for global relevance.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Glo, Huawei, Communications Ministry Bring Digital Services to Abuja Village

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Telecommunications and digital services provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Huawei Nigerian Enterprises, to provide digital access to 7,000 remote communities in Nigeria with the commissioning of the pilot project in Isuanin Kura in Ibwa 2, Gwagwalada, on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday.

The project, which is championed by the Ministry, will deliver 2G/3G/4G services, free public Wi-Fi access, digital healthcare and remote learning capabilities to the over 12,000 residents of the community.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, was full of commendation to Globacom and Huawei for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the connectivity crisis affecting more than 20 million Nigerians who currently lack basic telecommunication access in the country.

 

Said he: “If you bring out your phone in many communities, there is no network at all. This is costing the country significantly because people cannot access financial services, medical care, or education”, adding that this also poses governance challenges as disconnected areas are difficult to administer.

“Where you live should not determine your access to opportunity. We are using innovation to ensure every Nigerian, regardless of location, can thrive in the digital age”, the Minister added.

Globacom’s Group Chief Technical Director, Mr. Sanjib Roy, who spoke on the project said the company worked with the Ministry and Huawei to bring up the site by providing the Microwave backhaul link and access to Globacom’s full core network resources and also manage the operation of the site to ensure uninterrupted voice and data services for the community.

“The Smart Education facility allows for young students within the community to receive education remotely, with the teachers being in Abuja or any other part of the world, while  Healthcare delivery has been revolutionised through connected medical equipment that enables remote consultations between patients in Ibwa and doctors and specialists in urban-locations”, Mr Roy explained. The site and all the equipment are powered by solar thereby ensuring clean environment and uninterrupted power supply.

During the inauguration, the system’s effectiveness was demonstrated with the leader of Isuanin Kura, Ibwa 2 Community, Chief Abubakar Bamaiyi, having a live consultation with a medical doctor in Abuja, while the Minister and other guests watched as the students in the local school were being taught via online video by a teacher in Lagos, using equipment provided by Huawei.

Mr Kazeem Kaka, Globacom’s Head of Division, North West, who also spoke at event, said, “For Globacom, this is a continuation of our long-standing mission to democratize access to communication. Since 2003, we have remained at the forefront of efforts to lower the barriers to connectivity—making telephony, internet, and data services more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

“Today’s launch reinforces that commitment. We are particularly excited about the impact this initiative will have on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment of Ibwa people”.

In his remarks, Mr Terrens Wu, Managing Director, Huawei Nigerian Enterprises, said his company was proud to be part of the initiative to provide connectivity, and promote learning and healthcare in rural communities through digital technology. His company later gave out 120 affordable smartphones to the community to help them have access to telephony.


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NIMC Targets 95% National ID Enrollment by December 2025

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National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to register at least 95% of Nigerians into the National Identity Database before the end of 2025, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital governance and inclusive development.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote outlined the agency’s strategy, which includes expanded registration centers, improved infrastructure, and intensified public sensitization campaigns.

“As part of our efforts, we are launching the Ward Enrollment Exercise to ensure that at least 95% of Nigerians are captured by December,” she stated.

NIMC reported that over 120 million Nigerians have already been enrolled, with the target set to register an additional 100 million before year-end. Coker-Odusote emphasized that the exercise would provide the government with accurate population data, enabling better planning and resource allocation.

Addressing concerns about data security and public trust, the NIMC boss assured Nigerians that robust measures have been put in place to safeguard personal information.

She highlighted initiatives such as the NIN Authentication system, which allows individuals to control access to their data through user consent management.

Additionally, NIMC is collaborating with security agencies to track and shut down fraudulent NIN websites while working alongside the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to ensure that enrollment officers receive proper certification in data handling.

“To foster trust, we are ensuring that all personnel handling data are certified experts through NDPC training programs,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Coker-Odusote revealed that NIMC is actively working to integrate all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to eliminate fragmented operations.

She also disclosed plans to launch a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) initiative, which will enhance trust in government transactions and digital interactions.

“In the near future, MDAs will be able to implement digital signing across platforms, seamlessly exchanging documents within and between various establishments, thereby advancing e-government and the digital economy,” she added.

The mass enrollment drive, coupled with the strengthening of cybersecurity frameworks, positions Nigeria for an inclusive and efficient national identity system that will serve as a foundation for digital transformation.


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Experts @ ABoICT 2025 Warn of Digital Disaster Risks in Nigeria Without AI Governance

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L-r: Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres, Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode, Amrish Singhal, chief operations officer, Spectranet, Engr. Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria and Rudman Muhammed, Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, at the 16th Africa's Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership awards held in Lagos recently.
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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the global digital landscape, two prominent technology leaders have issued urgent warnings and strategic calls for Nigeria and Africa to adopt a unified, governance-driven approach to AI development, emphasizing that trust, regulation, and cybersecurity are more important than ever.

L-r: Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres, Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode, Amrish Singhal, chief operations officer, Spectranet, Engr. Ike Nnamani, Managing Director, Digital Realty Nigeria and Rudman Muhammed, Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, at the 16th Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership awards held in Lagos recently.

At the 2025 Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit & Leadership Award (ABoICT 2025), held over the weekend in Lagos, Professor Adewale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode, and Amrich Singhal, Chief Operating Officer of Spectranet, independently but powerfully echoed the same sentiment: AI without governance is a ticking time bomb.

Delivering his keynote on “AI Governance, Standardization and Cybersecurity in the AI Era,” Prof. Obadare warned against the rising trend of “AI washing”—where companies label basic software or services as “AI” to capitalize on hype, often without the underlying technological integrity or oversight.

“People are calling everything AI today, from photography apps to basic automation, but no one is talking about AI governance,” he said.

Drawing comparisons to the early days of the internet, Obadare cautioned that failing to integrate security and governance into AI architecture could lead to far-reaching consequences. “We are repeating the same mistake we made with TCP/IP, which was not built with cybersecurity in mind. We cannot afford to make that error again.”

He emphasized that governance should not be seen as a hindrance but as an enabler of safe innovation. “Governance is not a brake to stop movement; it is a brake to make movement safe,” he said.

Citing international standards like ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 38507, Obadare called for responsible innovation grounded in clear ethical guidelines, stressing the importance of securing the core components of AI: data, models, and infrastructure.

Echoing similar concerns, Amrich Singhal, chief operating officer, Spectranet in his presentation themed “Responsible AI and Nigeria: Balancing Innovation, Regulation, and Cybersecurity,” stressed that “the countries that will benefit most from AI are not necessarily those with the most powerful models, but those with the most trusted systems.”

Singhal painted AI as a double-edged sword, capable of boosting national productivity while also enabling new forms of cyber manipulation—from deepfakes to identity theft and disinformation. “AI can clone voices, create fake personas, and even undermine democracy. It’s no longer a question of readiness, it’s a question of urgency,” he declared.

He acknowledged Nigeria’s potential due to its youthful, tech-savvy population and its expanding use of AI across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and oil exploration.

However, he criticized existing regulatory structures such as the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and NITDA’s 2023 draft AI framework as being “underdeveloped, underfunded, and poorly enforced.”

Both experts called for a multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance. Prof. Obadare warned of real-world failures, such as Microsoft’s racist chatbot Tay, Amazon’s gender-biased recruitment AI, and Uber’s fatal autonomous vehicle incident, not as tech failures, but as governance failures.

He also cited cybersecurity breaches, including the 2023 hacking of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the leak of DeepSeek’s API keys and user data on launch day, to stress that “the danger is not just in the algorithms, but in how we design and deploy them.”

Singhal proposed a three-tiered strategy to build Nigeria’s AI resilience: government must champion AI education, create safe innovation sandboxes, and enforce data laws; private companies must adopt ethical and secure design practices; and civil society must raise awareness of digital rights and AI risks—especially for vulnerable populations.

In a firm conclusion, Prof. Obadare urged that “governance must be embedded by design,” warning that irresponsible innovation has already proven costly and called on both developers and policymakers to act before Nigeria’s AI future becomes a liability rather than a strength.

Meanwhile, Singhal closed with a stark challenge: “AI is already here. The question is not whether to use it, but how. Nigeria must choose whether AI will be a great equalizer or its greatest vulnerability.”

As the nation moves deeper into the AI era, the message is clear: building trust, enforcing cybersecurity, and embedding responsible governance must be at the core of Nigeria’s AI journey, before it’s too late.


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