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Uduikhue, Data-Point MD Bags Rotary Award
Mr. Lucky Uduikhue, managing director and chief executive officer, Data-Point Microsystems Limited, was at the weekend honoured by Rotary Club of FESTAC Central, District 9110, Lagos, in appreciation of his honest dedication for outstanding, professionalism in the field of information technology (IT), excellence love for charity and the courtesies extended to the Rotary Club.
Similarly, Uduikhue garnered the Nigerian Entrepreneurship of the year 2013 award, alongside Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Goodie Ibru, Arik air, UBA, Globacom and other reputable Nigerians during Nigerian Business Awards held also In Lagos at the weekend.
At the Rotary Club of FESTAC Central, Rotarian Modupe Ogunsanya, who was installed the 2nd president of the Club, presented the award to Uduikhue.
To Magistrate Wilberforce Meigbope, a Legal and Educational Consultant, Uduikhue has distinguished himself, working hard to better the worth of young people in the society.
“I thank God he got this award. We have known each other since 1992. His character is unassuming. He listens to advice, humble; and being the chairman, Board of Trustee of his companies, I would regard him as my first child. He has worked very hard these years to improve on the lives of young people around him. I am happy that Rotary Club of FESTAC Central recognized this virtue in him,” he said.
Speaking on the awardee, Rotarian Ogunsanya, said that as a successful entrepreneur, Lucky is well known as visionary, a technocrat, an innovative entrepreneur, a seasoned systems engineer, a professionally qualified ICT security consultant, and a distinguished industrialist.
“He is a successful business man; which he started at the age of 24 while studying at the University of Lagos, and has been running it for over thirteen years now. Lucky is an accomplished Philanthropist, and a successful Corporate Management Executive with more than Thirteen (13) years of experience in the ICT industry. He is a devoted Christian, God fearing, hardworking and honest. The award is in recognition of his selfless service to humanity which Rotary stands for,” The Club President said.
Lucky, is also the director of Studies, Data point ICT Institute; Founder and president of Nigerian Youth Initiative for Better World International; Executive Director Expert Edge Academy Ltd; Executive Director, First Sports Entertainment Ltd and the Publisher Contact Business Magazine.
In addition to his corporate social responsibilities (CSR), Lucky is the CEO of Global Network Africa (Gnet) in partnership with the Nigeria Youth for a Better World International (NIYOW International) based in Lagos, to provide professional supports to Nigerian Youths in area of ICT Entrepreneurship development.
Lucky Education qualifications are: Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Lagos, Master of Science in Information Security.
Professionally, he is a Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH), Certified Information Security Analyst (ECSA), Certified Cyber Hacking/Forensic Investigator (CHFI), License Penetration Tester (LPT) from EC Council University India and Certificate in Enterprise Development from Lagos Business School (Pan African University) and Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Fate Foundation.
Active Professional Membership of the Computer Society of Nigeria (MCSN); Member Chartered Nigeria Institute of Management (CNIM); Member, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME); Member, Fate Foundation; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship (FGME); African CEO Council (ACC) and Member, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).
He is the President and Founder, Nigeria Youth Initiative for Better World International; Information Security Experts; Member, Nigeria Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN); member of the Association of Esan Professionals of Nigeria and Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
In his acceptance speech, Lucky traced the genesis to the setting up of Data-Point Computer Training Institute in year 2000, while an undergraduate of Computer Science at University of Lagos.
He said: “Having seen what Nigerian graduates suffer to get jobs, I was determined to nurture the business, hoping to earn a living with it, after graduation. The business really assisted me in reaching my educational demands and other needs. Meanwhile, it was the knowledge I had as an undergraduate that I put into practice then, and it helped me to a larger extent.
“After my youth service in 2005, I did not look for any paid job, because I was convinced that with the knowledge I had, I can do it myself. Though, it was not easy, but I persisted, till I got to my present stage.
The journey to my success today started with my admission into the University of Lagos to study Computer Science. My computer training centre is not only born out of my quest for professionalism and stimulation of empirical thought. It is also a product of great effort inspired by the long absence of opportunities for the youths within the environment I found myself, to have knowledge of computer, for a total development in competing with their counterparts in other areas.
So, when I observed that about 65-75 percent of youths in areas like Apapa, Ikeja, Victoria Island and Surulere were acquiring knowledge in one computer centre or the other, as against 5 -10 percent of youths in Ajegunle, OlodiApapa, Kirikiri, Amukoko, Ijora- Badia, Orile and their environs who, were in Computer School, I was challenged to establish Data-Point Computer, in order to correct the imbalance.
Today, the difference is clear, as my five computer training outfits have trained thousands of youths and afforded job opportunities to graduates. More than 40 workers are under my payroll. Not only that, I am grateful to God that he provided means for me to survive, without waiting for a paid job.
“This is one honour that everybody would wish to have, because anything that is humanitarian brings joy. I am happy that I am one of those recognized today. Same time, I regard it as a call for more humanitarian gestures and a challenge that I must not relent in interest to see that people around me get improved life.
“I will also use this opportunity to encourage others such as philanthropists, politicians, academics, economists, in fact, everybody to add value to others’ lives. Of course, if the public can recognize and appreciate your works, how much more God, so we are encouraged to help others around us”.
Aside Uduikhue’s contributions in the computer literacy of the youths, his keen interest in sports made him to invest in the sports newspaper of national standard called Contact Sports. The newspaper is presently making waves in proper dissemination of sports news and information.
Africa’s leading neobank and foremost fintech platform, PalmPay, is celebrating six years of delivering value, impact, and reliable banking services to millions of users across Nigeria. With more than 35 million people now choosing PalmPay for their everyday financial needs, the company marks this milestone by reflecting on a journey shaped by its users.
Since its launch in 2019, PalmPay has transformed from facilitating its very first transaction into powering millions daily. Along the way, PalmPay has helped small and medium businesses scale, supported families in reaching their goals, and made everyday money management simpler, safer, and more rewarding. Its users’ trust has fueled PalmPay’s journey and continues to inspire the company’s commitment to making financial services smarter, simpler, and more inclusive.
“PalmPay was built on the belief that banking should be accessible to everyone, safe, easy, and rewarding,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director at PalmPay. “Over the last six years, we’ve earned the trust of our users, and their impact stories remind us that our solutions are not just about technology, but enabling smarter banking habits tailored to individual needs.”
To celebrate this milestone, PalmPay is launching the Lucky Wish Campaign, running from September 12 – 29th, 2025. The campaign will spotlight user stories, reward loyal customers with Apple AirPods, iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung A16, and highlight impact data, to showcase the trajectory of the brand’s impact since its launch in 2019.
In addition, the ongoing Hustle Grant Campaign continues to spotlight ambitious entrepreneurs leveraging PalmPay’s solutions. As part of the celebrations, 9 final winners will be announced in phases with the final announcement scheduled for September 26th. Each of these winners are set to receive N500,000 to support and grow their businesses, further amplifying the celebrations and reinforcing PalmPay’s user-centric approach to marking this milestone.
As PalmPay looks ahead, the company remains focused on powering the future of smarter banking and driving impact across its diverse user base.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blamed suspects involved in internet fraud and money laundering for subjecting Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions criteria abroad.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC, made his remark during an event organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Coker Oyegunle, chief superintendent of the EFCC, said fraudulent practices not only destroy the future of those involved but also tarnish Nigeria’s international image, resulting in stricter travel conditions for law-abiding citizens.
He urged young people in the South-South and across the country to channel their energy into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to intensify sensitisation, enforcement and collaboration with communities to combat fraud and related crimes.
“The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities.
“Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.
He was quoted as saying, “Fraud is not success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them, and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that more than 126 million Nigerians have been registered in the National Identity Database and issued National Identity Numbers (NIN), marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital identity drive. The announcement was made on September 16, 2025, at the 7th National Day of Identity event held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu praised the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for clearing a backlog of over 2.5 million records in two years and arresting more than 30 individuals running fraudulent registration centers. He also highlighted the success of the NIMC’s mobile and web self-service applications, which have processed over 500,000 record updates, and the deployment of over 800 mobile enrolment devices nationwide.
Under the theme “Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone to Digital Public Infrastructure,” Tinubu stressed that a secure identity system is essential for building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy. He explained that integrating identity management with digital services will enhance financial inclusion, improve governance, strengthen social protection programmes, and boost national security.
According to Tinubu, the impact of the NIN extends to workers claiming pensions securely, students accessing loans and scholarships, farmers receiving targeted incentives, and vulnerable groups obtaining proof of identity for humanitarian aid. Registration efforts have also expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders with over 200 diaspora centres, alongside the enrolment of refugees, internally displaced persons, and inmates. A disability inclusion policy has trained more than 5,000 enrolment agents to serve persons with disabilities effectively.
The national database capacity has increased from 100 million to 250 million records, with 1,500 enrolment devices now in operation nationwide. Additionally, 125 government agencies have been harmonized with NIMC to reduce duplication and improve efficiency in areas such as passport issuance, tax records, birth registration, healthcare, and education. The enforcement of the NIN-SIM linkage has helped curb fraud and strengthen national security.
President Tinubu also highlighted improvements to the Commission’s operations, including staff training, upgraded tools, the establishment of a world-class customer care center, and the renovation of enrolment facilities. Staff welfare has improved with salary adjustments and promotions for over 2,800 employees. Anti-extortion efforts and collaboration with security agencies have led to the closure of illegal centres and the arrest of fraudsters.
NIMC has maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification for data security and launched the High Availability Verification Service, ensuring 99.9 percent uptime for identity verification. Tinubu noted that the NIN facilitates seamless access to government services, enhances financial inclusion, supports national planning, and strengthens security architecture while eliminating ghost beneficiaries in social programs.
NIMC Director General, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed that 52 percent of Nigerians in the diaspora and 85 percent of inmates have been registered. She also noted that infrastructure upgrades have reduced enrolment time by 49 percent and eliminated extortion, dismissing claims about the database being compromised and affirming its global-standard security .
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