NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Science & Tech

Benue govt receives 20 electric cars for taxi

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By Dorathy Aninge

The Benue Investment and Property Ltd (BIPC) has received 20 electric/solar cars to launch its modern taxi service in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo towns.

The Managing Director of BIPC, Mr Raymond Asemakaha, while receiving the cars, said the development would reduce costs and allow citizens of the state to have value for their money as well as create jobs for youths.

He said that the company is targeting about 100 of the cars for taxi services.

“This initiative aims to provide efficient and cost-effective transportation, create jobs for local youth, and offer citizens better value for their money by reducing emissions contributing to a cleaner environment.

“The cars are zero-emission cars and are eco-friendly, have a control system and a geofencing technology that can show the location and an in-built CCTV to track movement, monitor and ensure security of passengers.

“We are going to have an assembling and charging plant at our BIPC mergemax (CNG/Petrol Station) beside the head office.

“All the parts are going to be there for regular and routine maintenance, and a single charge is going to cover 500 kilometres,” Asemakaha said.

According to him, a mobile app is being developed to allow commuters to book online and ensure seamless services 24 hours.

He lamented the increasing cost of transportation in Makurdi, noting that the initiative is part of the government’s deliberate efforts to crash prices of transportation.

Asemakaha said the Benue Green Wheels initiative marks a vital step forward in promoting sustainable transport solutions and improving the quality of life for Benue residents to foster inclusive governance policy of the government. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Science & Tech

NITDA warns against fake Google play store

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued a public advisory warning Nigerians about a fraudulent website impersonating the Google Play Store.

Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, made this known on Friday in Abuja.

Umar stated that the fake website was distributing a new malware strain known as the Play Praetor Trojan.

“Cybercriminals are using fraudulent websites designed to mimic the Google Play Store to lure victims into downloading malicious applications,” she said.

She explained that the fake Play Store links were being circulated through various social engineering tactics, including phishing emails, malicious advertisements, and SMS messages.

According to Umar, once the fake application is installed, the Play Praetor Trojan gives attackers unauthorised access to the victim’s device.

“This access can lead to data theft, credential harvesting, financial fraud, remote control of the device, and further malware deployment,” she warned.

She urged the public to download apps only from the official Google Play Store or other trusted sources.

Umar also advised users to verify app developers, read reviews before installation, regularly update their devices and apps to patch vulnerabilities, and use reputable mobile security solutions to detect and block threats.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Science & Tech

SHESTCO urged to embrace emerging technologies

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has urged staff of Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) to show greater commitment to acquiring innovative skills in line with international best practices.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Asanye Esuabana, made the call during a courtesy visit to SHESTCO in Abuja.

She stated that for the Complex to remain relevant in the scheme of things, staff must improve their knowledge of recent emerging technologies.

“Like the genetics, DNA, chromosome, amongst others. For now this genome editing, that is a burden.

“I don’t wish people from India, China, South Africa, to come and do it for us. We should be the ones.

“But if you do the research yourself and come up with those things that can make us also to get these things institutionalised in Nigeria, we can also now trade it to other African countries,” she said.

Esuabana emphasised the need to embrace emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, robotics, and others.

Earlier, the Director General of SHESTCO, Prof. Paul Onyenekwe, said their mandate was to develop facilities for the effective practice of science and technology in the country at no cost.

He noted that their research and development activities cover all areas of science and the environment, including agriculture, medicine, and basic sciences.

“We also expected to operate international relationship between Nigeria scientists and also foreign scientists. One other very important mandate is also for us to carry structured manpower training.

“Structured manpower training in the sense that science is dynamic, is always evolving, new ideas, new techniques are always coming up, and therefore it is expected that scientists here are supposed to be ahead of others,” he said.

Onyenekwe added that in Feb., some scientists from SHESTCO represented the country at the 15th International Invention Fair held in Kuwait.

“Out of 29 inventions in the natural science category, SHESTCO ERA’s Anti-Epilepsy Herbal Tea won bronze.

“Out of 26 inventions, SHESTCO’s Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Hemoparasites Detection (AIEHD) Model won silver in the AI category. Nigeria emerged third in natural science and second in AI”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SHESTCO is a parastatal under the Ministry of Science and Technology. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Science & Tech

Technical education crucial to Nigeria’s industrialisation-Association

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By Sylvester Thompson

The Association of Private Polytechnics in Nigeria (APPN) says technical education is crucial to Nigeria’s industrialisation, as Polytechnics address labour market needs and provide diverse pathways for students.

Dr Benjamin Achiatar, President of the association, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Achiatar urged the Federal Government to pay attention to all technical and technology education in Nigeria, adding that interest in technical and technology education has declined in the last few years.

“We are getting an increasingly lower number of students applying to polytechnics and monotechnics through JAMB, and this is affecting the economy as a whole,’’ he said.

Achiatar called on President Bola Tinubu to sponsor a bill for an Act to abolish the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and bachelor degrees.

“China has chosen to maintain its polytechnic system, also called higher vocational education, to have theory, academics and knowledge alongside practical solutions.

“These polytechnics also support the country’s economic development goals, and key policy initiatives including the Made in China 2025 initiative,’’ he said.

Achiatar, who is the Proprietor of Gboko Polytechnic, said that the association was made up of 56 approved private polytechnics and about 50 approved monotechnics and almost 100 independent innovation centres.

He said that polytechnics are different from universities basically because they train both theory and emphasise practice.

Also speaking, Mr Olusola Alalade, General Secretary of APPN and representative of the proprietors, Igbajo polytechnic, recalled that the United Kingdom established polytechnics in the 1960s.

He said that it was part of a broader effort to expand higher education, provide vocational and technical education, focusing on practical skills and knowledge to produce manpower for the middle level.

Alalade explained that it was also to address specific economic and social needs towards industrialisation with key policy initiatives.

“This helped the country to become an industrialised nation as the available technical manpower was the engine of the industrialisation,’’ he said.

He stated that the continued policy initiatives and changes in 1992 led to the conversion of polytechnics into universities.

Alalade said that it was to expand the mandate and establish greater autonomy, flexibility, and freedom to determine their own academic programmes and research agenda.

“The distinction between universities and polytechnics has diminished, as many institutions now offer a range of academic and vocational programmes, and this trend is global,” he said.

According to him, polytechnics are established to play a vital role in providing technical and vocational education, entrepreneurship, workforce development and applied research and innovation.

He said that they were also established to promote accessibility, affordability, and community engagement. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Joseph Edeh

Science & Tech

FG to generate over $200 bn annually from space regulation, licensing

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja said it could generate over 200 billion dollars annually from space regulation and licensing.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said this at a one-day sensitisation and stakeholders’ engagement on the commencement of space regulation, spectrum management and licensing in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
Nnaji said the workshop was a bold step towards building a fair competitive space industry that could contribute directly to Nigeria’s economic development and technological leadership.
“With this space regulation and licensing, companies such as Starlink, including DSTV who pay peanuts for using space products and short-changing Nigerians will be regulated and licenced.
“You can be assured that yearly, following the laid down strategies, we will be looking at realising over 200 billion dollars annually with increment yearly of 18 to 20 per cent,” Nnaji said.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had also approved the mainstreaming of space technology in revenue generation, especially in the oil and gas sector.
“This will ensure that any ship coming into this country, even when they switch off their ignition and glide-in without paying bunker fees and other payments, and then head out, space technology can detect their entry for necessary payments.
“So, we are looking at over 20 billion dollars yearly income through that and that is part of the many reforms that is coming under this regulation,” the minister said.
He added that space was no longer an exclusive domain of dreamers but for innovation and national security through satellites for communications, remote sensing, navigation and data systems.
According to him, space is now central to modern economies.
“Our task is to ensure a clear regulated ecosystem where both public and private players can thrive and a space sector that drives innovation, attracts investments and delivers real impact for our people,” he said.
Nnaji said the Federal Government, through the National Space Council, consisting of 15 members, was working and pushing the National Space Policy to include relevant areas as obtainable in modern space operations.
Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of NASRDA, said the workshop was designed to find ways for the implementation of the 2015 regulations on licensing and supervision of space as enshrined in the agency’s Act of 2010.
Adepoju said that with the recent growth of the space sector that had seen increased number of satellites and more space-based assets, it was important for the sector to be regulated, commercialised to boost the economy.
“These regulations provide a comprehensive framework, ensures compliance with national and international space laws, promotes transparency in licensing processes, enhances security and safety in space operations.
“Space licensing and regulation can serve as a revenue-generating avenue for the Nigerian government,” Adepoju said.
He also said that by implementing a structured licensing system, the agency would ensure proper fees and charges for satellite launches, spectrum management, and data services in the country.
According to him, it will promote the commercialisation of space-related services and attract local and foreign investments into Nigeria’s space industry.
Mr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while speaking on Space Regulation and Spectrum Management, said there was need to review the National Space Policy that was produced in 2000.
Agbakoba also said Nigeria needed to domesticate the key international space treaties that were ratified but were yet to be incorporated into the policy.
He recalled that global space economy had been projected to be one trillion dollars by 2030, adding that was paramount that Nigeria was left out of the windfall.
“We can capture a huge chunk of the market, but we need to have the right regulatory, legal and institutional frameworks in place right now.
“There are four or five important treaties that we need to domesticate because you may ratify, but if it is not passed by the National Assembly, it is not law.
“There is the Outer Space Treaty 1967 and we ratified it in 1967, Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention of 1974 and the Moon Agreement,” he said.
The legal practitioner also called for the strengthening of the National Space Council, adding that implementation of the policy could be difficult without a viable council.
Dr Umar Bindir, Secretary to Adamawa State Government, while speaking on the imperative of space regulation in Nigeria, called for harmonised translation of scientific knowledge to practical solutions.
Bindir also said that regulatory frameworks should align with national development agendas thereby promoting innovation.
“We need to analyse all the historical and overlapping groups, particularly ministries, agencies and also the database of universities, polytechnic, college of educations.
“This will enable for filtering of their mandates for space related activities to co-ordinate efforts.
“You need to have a strategy for intense, proper promotion of space technology like having exhibitions every six months,” he said.
The highlights of the event were the unveiling of NASRDA’s new logo by Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
There was also the delivery of studio equipment for Nigerian Science Technology and Innovation Television, domiciled in NASRDA. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Uche Anunne
Science & Tech

Mobile money exceeds 2bn accounts, 500m monthly active users globally in 2024 – Report

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By Funmilola Gboteku

The GSM Association (GSMA) has indicated that globally, mobile money reached two significant milestones in 2024, one of which was surpassing two billion registered accounts.

The GSMA, which made this known in its recently released State of Industry Report for Mobile Money 2025 on Tuesday, added the second milestone was exceeding half a billion monthly active users.

The GSM Association (GSMA) is a non-profit trade association that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

According to the GSMA report: “The mobile money industry took 18 years, from 2001, to reach one billion registered accounts and 250 million active users.

“Remarkably, it doubled its size in the subsequent five years.”

The latest report highlighted a robust double-digit growth in both the volume and value of transactions conducted through mobile money accounts in 2024.

It noted that approximately 108 billion transactions, totalling over 1.68 trillion dollars were processed through mobile money accounts in 2024.

It said that year-on-year, transaction volumes increased by 20 per cent while transaction values grew by 16 per cent, a notable increase from the 13 per cent growth recorded in 2023.

The report, however, noted that in spite of the significant progress achieved in mobile money globally, several barriers to its wider adoption persisted.

According to the GSMA report, a notable barrier to wider adoption is the gender gap in mobile money ownership.

“Among 12 countries surveyed, eight continue to exhibit a gender gap, with little improvement observed since 2023.

“Limited awareness of mobile money services and low digital financial literacy are identified as significant barriers, particularly affecting women,” the association said.

However, the report also highlighted a positive trend, noting that women who do hold mobile money accounts are nearly as likely as men to have actively used them in the past 30 days.

To address these persistent challenges and promote greater financial inclusion, the GSMA reported that nearly 60 per cent of mobile money providers had launched digital financial literacy initiatives.

According to the GSMA, these initiatives aim at improving financial skills among the population and driving the long-term adoption of mobile money services.

Commenting, Vivek Badrinath, the Director-General of GSMA, further highlighted the importance of supporting financial literacy programmes.

“These programmes empower underserved populations and create new opportunities for informed financial decision-making,” he said.

Badrinath stressed that mobile money had emerged as a powerful driver of financial inclusion and economic growth.

“However, its continued success depends on supportive regulatory environments that promote innovation, accessibility and help unlock the full socio-economic potential,” he said.

The director-general stressed the critical role of collaboration between governments, regulators, and financial service providers.

He said that collaboration was essential to ensure that mobile money remained accessible, affordable and safe for all users.

The report said that mobile money continued to play a pivotal role in global economic development.

It said that mobile money providers were increasingly offering adjacent financial services beyond basic transactions.

It noted that these included credit, savings and insurance products, indicating a maturation of the mobile money ecosystem.

The report said that as of June 2024, 44 per cent of mobile money providers offered credit services, making it the most commonly provided adjacent financial product.

It noted that savings services on the other hand, were offered by approximately one-third of providers.

The report said that Insurance remained the least common adjacent service, with around 28 per cent of providers offering it.

It noted further that Sub-Saharan Africa remained the world’s most active mobile money region, driven by new registered accounts and rising monthly activity in East and West Africa.

The report said further that East Africa was the leading driver of monthly active account growth in 2024, followed by Southeast Asia and West Africa.

It noted that while Sub-Saharan Africa maintained its position as the most active mobile money region globally, the East Asia-Pacific region was also demonstrating significant progress.

“East Asia-Pacific recorded the second-fastest growth rate for active monthly accounts, only surpassed by the Middle East and North Africa.

“Its growth rate is supported by enabling regulatory environments in key markets such as Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, and Vietnam,” the report explained. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Science & Tech

Food Security: Research firm tasks Nigeria on technology, agro-credit

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

A research and advisory firm, Veriv Africa, has urged Nigeria to embrace new farming technologies, overhaul its agricultural credit system and address farmer-herder clashes to boost its food security aspirations.

This is contained in Veriv Africa, a data-driven and intelligence analysis firm’s food price baseline survey report, 2025.

The document analysed price dynamics in six key crop value chains across the country and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The crops and their areas of abundance are cocoa in Ondo State, Sesame and beans, Kano, rice and corn, Niger, tomato, Kaduna and yam, in Benue.

The study, which was conducted in February, engaged 543 smallholder farmers.

The firm highlighted the importance of technology in farming and post-farming activities.

It said private sector investment demonstrated the potential of modern processing techniques to boost yields and incomes and recommended the revival of Staple Crop Processing Zones.

The zones are the initiative of the African Development Bank.

They seek to transform agriculture by establishing processing hubs in areas where crops are produced, focusing on value addition and reducing reliance on imports.

Some of them are located in Akwa Ibom, Edo and Osun.

The findings also offered critical insights into farmer demographics, sentiments, challenges, and priorities, laying the groundwork for data-driven decision-making and policy formulation.

“The survey on farmer demographics and challenges revealed that 84 per cent of surveyed farmers operate on small landholdings of one to four acres, predominantly relying on family labour.

“Access to finance remains a significant hurdle, with 60 per cent funding their farming activities through personal savings and only 12 per cent accessing formal credit.

“The most pressing challenges identified by farmers are lack of finance 54 per cent, insecurity 21 per cent and post-harvest losses 12 per cent,” it said.

The survey also documented a baseline for crop prices across the surveyed regions, providing a snapshot of market conditions at the time of data collection.

“The recorded prices are cocoa at ₦110,000 per 50kg bag, sesame at ₦102,305.19 per 50kg bag, farm-priced un-milled rice at ₦43,750 per 50kg bag.

“Yam at ₦39,423.08 per 50-tuber group, corn at ₦36,309.52 per 50kg bag, and tomato at ₦12,500 per 50kg basket and the figures offer insight into the challenges and concerns raised by the farmers,’’ it said.

It recommended immediate and decisive action to address farmer-herder conflicts and rural kidnappings, which posed a significant threat to farming activities and livelihoods.

“There is a need to prioritise investments in essential rural infrastructure such as roads, irrigation systems, electricity supply and storage facilities through public-private partnerships to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.

“A comprehensive overhaul of the agricultural credit system is necessary to dismantle barriers related to collateral and residency, enabling smallholder farmers to access much-needed financial resources,’’ it said.

The report also highlighted the success of private-sector investments in produce such as tomatoes.  (NAN) 

Edited by Uche Anunne

Science & Tech

Lawmaker, firm empower 300 women with ICT training

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By Funmilola Gboteku

 

A federal lawmaker, Mrs Kafilat Ogbara, on Saturday empowered 300 women from her constituency and other parts of Lagos with comprehensive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training programme, Ogbara, Member, House of Representatives, Kosofe Federal Constituency, said that the empowerment initiative was driven by her commitment to uplift women.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was done in partnership with New Horizons, an ICT Training Institution.

 

Ogbara said that the ICT training would equip the women with relevant skills for a modern economy.

 

“The recruitment process for beneficiaries was transparent, and all applicants were given equal opportunities to apply. The participants were selected based on their potential for ICT knowledge.

 

“This initiative emphasises the significance of women’s empowerment, aligning it with the global Sustainable Development Goal number five on gender equality,” the lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on Women’s Affairs and Social Development, said.

 

Ogbara noted that empowering women would have ripple effects and positively impact families, communities and the nation at large.

 

She said that the training would also provide the women with a lifeline and lifetime empowerment, enabling them to become independent, innovative and contribute meaningfully to society.

 

Ogbara urged the women to believe in themselves, be confident, and understand that character was as important as knowledge and qualifications for sustained success.

 

“As women, we need to be resolute, hardworking, and view challenges as opportunities for growth. We need to dismiss any notion of limitations based on our gender,” she said.

 

Ogbara pledged her commitment to monitoring the beneficiaries’ progress, exploring possibilities for further support and providing necessary tools for them.

 

Mr Tim Akano, the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons Nigeria, said that the training was designed to expose the women to the vast IT ecosystem.

 

“It will help them identify suitable skills based on their individual interests and aptitudes,” he said.

 

He noted that the curriculum would cover various aspects of IT, including coding, graphics design and cybersecurity, thereby, providing a foundational knowledge upon which the beneficiaries could build future expertise.

 

Akano underscored the potential economic impact of the initiative, citing the dominance of IT in the global economy and among the world’s wealthiest individuals.

 

He emphasised that equipping youths and women with IT skills was a direct investment in building a robust economy, as it required minimal initial capital to start an online business.

 

Akano recalled Ogbara’s previous contribution to establishing a well-equipped IT lab, indicating her past commitment to providing necessary resources.

 

Akano said that the 300 women were divided into six batches, with each batch undergoing a one-week intensive training programme.

 

He reiterated that the selection process ensured that participants had an existing interest and foundational knowledge in IT, and were all graduates, signifying a high potential for success in the field.

 

Akano underscored New Horizons’ pride in partnering with Ogbara on the impactful initiative, recognising her consistent dedication to empowering her constituents.

 

He also highlighted the institution’s commitment to providing top-notch training and a conducive learning environment.

 

Two of the beneficiaries, Fauzia Salako-Sani and Damilola Obiriko, who are class representatives for the different batches, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity and their determination to maximise the training.

 

Salako-Sani, a content provider and broadcast journalist, stated her intention to leverage the IT skills to enhance her profession and contribute more in the technology space.

 

“I promise to encourage my classmates to be attentive, committed and practical in their learning, because this is a golden opportunity,” Salako-Sani said.

 

Similarly Obiriko, a Brand Analyst and an alumnae of New Horizons, lauded the institution’s excellent delivery and learning environment.

 

She highlighted her interest in data analysis and cyber security, saying that the training would significantly upgrade her skills and make her a more sought-after professional. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Yinka Fadare

Gender , Science & Tech

Maryam Balla inaugurated as first female chair of NICE, Kano Chapter

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By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Mrs Maryam Balla has been inaugurated as the first female Chairperson of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Kano Chapter.

Balla, elected in December 2024 alongside eight other executives, takes over from Mr Murtala Garba to serve a two-year term.

Speaking at the inauguration in Kano, Garba described Balla’s emergence as a significant milestone in the advancement of women in the engineering profession in Nigeria.

He acknowledged her wealth of experience and exceptional leadership qualities, stating they made her an ideal choice for the role.

“I have no doubt that she is equal to the task. I urge her to continue fostering collaboration among members, encourage research, and empower younger engineers to excel.

“I also pledge my full support in the discharge of her duties,” he said.

Garba highlighted his own achievements during his two-year tenure, including the registration of 60 new engineers, organisation of numerous capacity-building workshops, and conducting professional training sessions to enhance the skills of engineers.

“Additionally, the chapter engaged in community outreach initiatives, promoting the role of civil engineering in local development.

“I am proud of the progress we have made as a chapter, and it has been an honour to serve.

“We have made great strides in advancing civil engineering in Kano. I believe our efforts will have a lasting impact,” Garba said.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of NICE, Mr Ajanaku Antoni, commended the Kano Chapter for their dedication and hard work.

Represented by the National Vice Chairman, Prof. Hashim Alhassan, he congratulated the chapter on the successful election of the new executive members and urged them to build on the achievements of their predecessors.

“I congratulate you on the election of the new executives and the achievements made under the leadership of Murtala Garba.

“I urge you to continue working hard and remain steadfast in your commitment to advancing civil engineering in Nigeria,” he said.

In her acceptance speech, Balla pledged to foster innovation, enhance the welfare of civil engineers, and ensure the institution contributed to national infrastructure development.

“I am honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility. My vision is to support the continued advancement of civil engineering in the state,” she said.

Balla emphasised the importance of greater inclusivity and diversity in the engineering field and encouraged young women to consider careers in the profession.

She also stressed the need for inter-agency collaboration to advance the sector and pledged to work with similar professional organisations.

She called on members, stakeholders, and relevant agencies to support her in fulfilling her responsibilities.

The event was attended by senior government officials, engineers, and key stakeholders from the construction and infrastructure sectors. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Martha Agas/Abiemwense Moru

Science & Tech

FG urges investors to tap into Nigeria’s economic potential

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By Stellamaris  Ashinze

The Federal Government on Thursday called on investors, both foreign and local, to take advantage of Nigeria’s economic potential to invest in the country.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, made the call at the third edition of the Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence (DICE) gathering in Lagos.

DICE is a tech ecosystem mixer organised by Beyond Limits, a pan-African organisation at the forefront of driving digital transformation, excellence, and growth in individuals and organisations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 Edition of DICE had the theme: “Scaling Right: From Market Entry to Market Leadership”.

Oduwole said that Nigeria offered a wide range of investment opportunities, including digital trade, mining, solid minerals, manufacturing, agribusiness and clean energy.

She said that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, including providing support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

“We are focused on making Nigeria an attractive destination for investors, and we are working tirelessly to remove any bottlenecks that may hinder investment,” the minister said.

She also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, which Nigeria signed in 2019.

Oduwole said the agreement aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states.

“Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the AfCFTA agreement, and we are working to ensure that our businesses are competitive and ready to take advantage of the opportunities the agreement presents.

“The government has inaugurated several initiatives aimed at promoting investment and economic growth.

“These initiatives include the National Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).

“These initiatives are designed to provide support for investors, including providing information on investment opportunities, facilitating business registration and licensing, and offering incentives for investment,’’ she said.

Oduwole urged investors to take advantage of these initiatives and to explore the many investment opportunities available in Nigeria.

“We are committed to creating a business-friendly environment that supports investment and economic growth, and we look forward to working with investors to achieve this goal,” the minister stressed.

In a welcome address, the convener of DICE, Dr Juliet Ehimuan, said that Africa’s technology sector held immense potential for national and continental growth.

Ehimuan said that, however, the sector faced significant challenges, including high operational costs, infrastructure deficits and fragmented regulations.

She highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, citing the need for policymakers to develop supportive regulations and infrastructure that facilitated growth and expansion.

According to her, the DICE Business Series is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the African technology ecosystem to share knowledge, build partnerships and drive growth.

The convener said that the conversations and insights shared during the event would be compiled into a report and made available to stakeholders, with the aim of driving innovation and policy development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Christiana Fadare

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