Nigerian-Born Entrepreneur’s Alerte Universal Wins 2026 African Emergency Technology Award

Alerte Universal Limited, the Cardiff-based emergency response and personal safety technology company founded by Nigerian-born entrepreneur James Useghan, has been named the Best African-Focused Emergency Response Technology Company 2026.

The award puts the company among the notable technology ventures working to improve emergency response and public safety, recognising its use of digital tools to connect people in distress with assistance when it is needed.

Alerte Universal’s flagship product is the Alerte Universal App, which brings individuals, families, businesses, community organisations and emergency responders onto a digital safety platform. It is designed for medical emergencies, security incidents, accidents and other situations in which getting the right message to the right people quickly can be decisive.

The thinking behind the platform is straightforward: access to emergency assistance should not be dictated by geography or social standing. Alerte Universal has built its technology around that principle, seeking to close communication gaps and improve coordination between people seeking help and those responding to an incident.

For Useghan, the award is another notable chapter in a career that has moved across entrepreneurship, innovation, youth development and public service.

He has received an honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Honoris Causa) from Eagleversity Royal Professional University, USA, and was appointed a UN Ambassador of Peace by the Global Peace and Community Advancement (GCPA), USA.

His academic and professional record includes two master’s degrees and completion of the John Maxwell Team’s 13-week programme based on The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. He is associated with FML and The Competent Youth and has been recognised as an Icon of Hope by the National Assembly.

Useghan has also ventured into public life. In 2019, he contested for a seat in the Nigerian Senate representing Ondo State.

That range of experience informs the direction of Alerte Universal, where technology is treated as a means of addressing tangible safety problems rather than an end in itself.

The company has paid particular attention to the differing emergency and security realities across African communities. Its solutions are intended to work across varied populations and environments, giving the platform scope beyond a single market.

The 2026 recognition acknowledges the work of Alerte Universal’s leadership, employees, strategic partners and users. It also comes at a time when digital technology is taking on a larger role in the way emergency information is communicated and managed.

The company’s next plans include expanding the capabilities of the Alerte Universal App, developing stronger relationships with public and private institutions and promoting greater awareness of emergency preparedness in Africa and other parts of the world.

Alerte Universal also intends to collaborate with organisations working on technology-led safety initiatives and community resilience.

Useghan said the company’s central objective remains ensuring that people are not left without a means of seeking timely assistance during an emergency.

“As Alerte Universal continues to expand its reach, it remains dedicated to harnessing innovation to create a safer society where help is always within reach and every second counts during an emergency,” he said.

From Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Useghan’s entrepreneurial journey has now brought a Nigerian-founded technology venture into international focus, with Alerte Universal’s latest award recognising its work at the intersection of technology, emergency response and public safety.

Nigeria’s 30% Capital Gains Tax Rewrites the Rules for Foreign Company Deals

A foreign company can now become the route through which Nigeria taxes gains linked to assets in the country, even when the transaction itself takes place thousands of kilometres away.

This follows the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026 and raised the corporate Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate to 30 per cent, bringing it in line with the corporate income tax rate. The law also introduced provisions for taxing specified indirect transfers involving foreign entities.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria examined the implications in its report, “Nigeria’s Capital Gains Tax reforms: What the new 30% rate and indirect transfer rules mean for investors,” with particular attention to private equity funds, multinational companies and cross-border investors.

A sale in London, Dubai, Amsterdam or Johannesburg could attract Nigerian CGT where the foreign company derives more than 50 per cent of its value, directly or indirectly, from Nigerian assets.

Section 17(2) of the Nigeria Tax Act provides that gains earned by a non-resident from the disposal of chargeable assets are taxable in Nigeria where the asset is located, or deemed to be located, in Nigeria.

Under Section 46(f), shares or similar interests in a foreign entity are treated as located in Nigeria if, at any time during the 365 days preceding their disposal, more than 50 per cent of their value is derived, directly or indirectly, from Nigerian assets.

Section 47 provides another basis for taxation, stating that gains from a non-resident’s disposal of shares are chargeable where the transaction changes the ownership structure of a Nigerian company or the ownership of an asset located in Nigeria.

The position differs sharply from what was obtainable previously, under which gains from share disposals were generally exempt. Direct disposals of shares in Nigerian companies became subject to CGT at 10 per cent from 2022, subject to specified exemptions.

PwC has identified an important question over how the 50 per cent threshold interacts with the change-of-ownership provision.

One interpretation is that the threshold must be met before CGT can arise. Another is that the change-of-ownership provision operates independently and can create a tax charge without the threshold being satisfied.

The narrower interpretation would favour taxpayers, although PwC said there is a strong argument that the change-of-ownership provision was deliberately designed as an independent charging rule.

Nigeria’s 30 per cent rate is higher than the comparable rates cited by PwC for South Africa at 21.60 per cent, Morocco at 20 per cent, Kenya at 15 per cent and Ghana at 25 per cent.

The scope of the Nigerian rules is also significant. Many jurisdictions confine indirect transfer provisions largely to interests deriving value from mineral assets or immovable property. Nigeria has paired a 30 per cent CGT rate with indirect transfer provisions.

For investors, that puts tax due diligence, valuation and exit planning firmly within the transaction process. PwC advised private equity funds, multinational companies and cross-border investors to examine the Nigerian assets underpinning a foreign company before completing a deal and account for possible CGT liabilities when structuring transactions and setting completion timelines.

Several technical matters remain open, including whether capital gains will form part of profits subject to the Development Levy, the treatment of capital losses, the interaction between trading losses and capital gains, filing requirements where a disposal produces a capital loss, share identification rules and valuation guidance.

PwC also questioned whether a step-up in cost basis will apply to investments acquired before 2026.

Currency depreciation presents another issue. A foreign investor could record a gain in naira terms while suffering a real loss in dollar terms. PwC has flagged the possible taxation of such nominal naira gains for further consideration.

The consultancy has separately asked the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to clarify the implementation of new tax rules covering digital asset transactions.

Its requests include a formal commencement notice, approved price aggregators, a list of supported tokens and a clear process for crediting the one per cent withholding tax deducted against taxpayers’ final income tax liabilities.

PwC also wants guidance on the N10 million stamp-duty threshold, transfers between corporate-owned wallets, unsupported tokens, refunds and the respective collection responsibilities of federal and state tax authorities.

It has proposed a joint implementation protocol between the NRS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to align tax reporting, licensing, anti-money laundering controls and investor-protection obligations.

Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) have been advised to conduct legal-gap and systems-readiness assessments before activating tax deductions. Taxpayers should also obtain Tax Identification Numbers, adopt a consistent cost-base methodology and retain wallet records, exchange-rate information and transaction evidence for at least six years.

PwC described the framework as a workable baseline but said material legal and implementation gaps still require clarification to provide certainty and consistency for taxpayers and investors.

The wider tax regime also offers potential benefits, including more input VAT claims, the economic development incentive, exemptions for smaller investors and reinvestment relief.

For businesses involved in cross-border transactions, the central issue is no longer simply where a deal is signed. Where the value sits, how ownership is arranged and whether control of Nigerian assets changes hands can determine whether Nigeria has a claim on the resulting gain.

Imo Brings Robotic Surgery to the South-East in Major Healthcare Breakthrough

A new chapter in specialist healthcare has opened in Imo State as surgeons at the Imo State Robotic and Oncology Centre in Owerri successfully completed the first robotic-assisted precision surgery in the South-East.

The procedure, performed on Friday on a patient diagnosed with prostate cancer, was led by Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a United Kingdom-based Consultant Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon. Specialists from the United Kingdom, United States and Belgium were part of the team.

Beyond marking a regional first, the operation demonstrates the growing capacity to deliver highly specialised medical procedures within Nigeria rather than requiring patients to travel outside the country for treatment.

Ekwueme said the operation was completed without blood loss, nerve damage or the kind of extensive cutting associated with conventional open surgery. He attributed the precision to the capabilities of the robotic system installed at the centre.

The robot uses artificial intelligence and can magnify tissues up to 10 times. That level of magnification, he explained, enables the surgeon to distinguish very small structures and remove the tissue requiring treatment while avoiding surrounding organs and nerves.

“If you see a tiny grain of sand, it will be like you are seeing a rock,” Ekwueme said, explaining how the magnification improves visibility during an operation.

The system is also designed with multiple safety checks intended to prevent errors by both the machine and the surgeon.

From Lagos to Owerri

Ekwueme said the development of robotic surgery in West Africa began several years ago, with an earlier facility developed in Lagos. The initiative later expanded to Imo after Governor Hope Uzodimma invited him to partner with the state in establishing a robotic surgery centre.

He said the governor's objective was to transform healthcare delivery in Imo through investment in modern technology and specialist services.

An Oncology and Treatment Centre is being developed next to the robotic facility, with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment intended to support the treatment of all forms of cancer. Ekwueme described the combination of advanced robotic surgery and oncology services within the same location as a distinctive model.

Ekwueme said the man operated on for prostate cancer would not need to leave Imo or Nigeria to undergo the procedure. He also said the preservation of the patient's nerves and urinary function could allow him to retain sexual function and normal control of his urine.

The surgeon said the patient was expected to wake up after the operation, eat pounded yam and ofe Owerri, and return home the following day.

For Ekwueme, bringing the technology back to Nigeria has a significance beyond medicine.

“I feel emotional because, you can do this anywhere in the world but to come back and do it for your people, it’s what I don’t take for granted,” he said.

Why the technology matters

One of the defining advantages of the robotic system is its range of movement.

Ekwueme said the robot has seven degrees of freedom, similar to the movement of a human hand, but with a level of control that conventional open surgery cannot provide. It can rotate through 360 degrees, while the surgeon's movements during open surgery remain constrained by the physical limitations of the human hand.

The robot can also remember the exact point where one surgical instrument stops and ensure that the next instrument reaches the same position.

Another feature is an in-built simulation system that can be used to assess surgeons. According to Ekwueme, a surgeon can undertake a simulated task and later receive an assessment of how the procedure was performed.

He stressed that robotic surgery should not be treated as a single category because different systems have different capabilities.

Ekwueme identified the da Vinci Robot as the gold standard in robotic surgery, stating that more than three million systems have been installed worldwide and more than 20 million surgeries have been performed using the technology.

He said the United Kingdom has moved so far toward robotic procedures that open surgery is no longer taught to graduating surgeons in the way it was previously.

The advanced da Vinci system installed in Imo also incorporates artificial intelligence and several safety mechanisms, which Ekwueme said further strengthen the precision and reliability of the procedures.

A healthcare investment with a wider goal

Governor Hope Uzodimma said the project forms part of his administration's deliberate investment in modern healthcare infrastructure, specialist services and medical technology.

The state government's partnership with the centre is also intended to expose Nigerian medical personnel in Imo to advanced surgical techniques, creating an opportunity for knowledge transfer alongside the introduction of new equipment.

Uzodimma said another major objective is to reduce the financial and emotional burden faced by residents who previously had to seek specialised treatment outside the state.

The Imo State Health Insurance Scheme is also being used to expand access to quality healthcare, with the government seeking to ensure that residents can obtain treatment without being overwhelmed by medical costs.

The governor commended Professor Ekwueme, the management and staff of the Imo Robotic and Oncology Centre for the successful procedure.

The achievement gives Imo a new position on Nigeria's specialist healthcare map. With robotic surgery, advanced cancer diagnostics and treatment being developed within the same healthcare environment, Owerri is emerging as a centre where technology that once required international travel can increasingly be accessed at home.

Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector Moves to Close Skills Gap with New HCD Pact

Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is moving to strengthen the skills of its workforce as regulators, operators, training providers, academia and industry trainers commit to a new framework for human capital development.

The commitment was formalised through a Human Capacity Development (HCD) manifesto signed by the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) and key industry stakeholders at the closing plenary of the OGTAN HCD Conference 2026 in Warri, Delta State, on Friday.

The agreement is designed to produce measurable and time-bound actions that can improve the competence and productivity of workers while preparing the industry for technological and structural changes.

Chris Osarunmwense, president of OGTAN, said the decision to issue a manifesto instead of a conventional conference communiqué was intentional.

“Rather than turning this conference into another regular talk shop, one of these jamborees where we just tick the boxes, we decided to make this different,” he said.

He explained that the document provides a practical roadmap for ensuring that companies have people equipped with the knowledge, skills and right attitude required to meet their business and operational needs.

The manifesto emerged from the keynote presentations and panel sessions held during the conference and reflects what Osarunmwense described as a collective pledge by participating stakeholders.

Its eight areas of action cover regulatory compliance, workforce planning, technical competence, emerging energy skills, training standards, funding, indigenous training capacity and opportunities for young professionals and host communities.

The first pillar focuses on regulatory compliance and Nigerian participation. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will support Nigerian content development and indigenous participation, while operators and OGTAN will strengthen human capital development and training standards.

Workforce needs form the second pillar. Regulators, operators and training providers will work towards clearer identification of the competencies required across the industry and align training programmes with those requirements.

The third pillar targets critical technical skills. Stakeholders will identify priority competencies, preserve institutional knowledge and introduce measures for assessing workers’ competence.

The industry’s changing energy landscape is addressed in the fourth pillar. The framework includes skills development in renewables, gas-to-power, methane management, artificial intelligence and energy economics, alongside support for Nigeria’s expanding compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure.

Training providers themselves are covered under the fifth pillar, which focuses on trainer standards, certification and the Accredited Training Service Provider (ATSP) framework. It includes training-of-trainers programmes, grading and third-party audits.

The sixth pillar deals with financing. The federal government has committed to better utilisation of Human Capacity Development funding, while stakeholders will seek stronger investment from government, industry, academia and technology partners.

The seventh pillar is directed at building the strength of Nigeria’s indigenous training sector. It aims to enable local training providers to improve their capabilities and meet international standards.

Young professionals, host communities and inclusion complete the framework under the eighth pillar. Proposed measures include apprenticeships, graduate development programmes, mentorship and broader participation in human capacity development initiatives.

The initiative comes as the oil and gas industry faces rapid changes linked to digitisation, artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, gas development and the energy transition.

OGTAN said the goal is for human capacity development to produce outcomes that can be seen in workplace competence, performance and productivity, rather than being treated simply as compliance or participation in training programmes.

For Nigeria, the framework places local expertise at the centre of the industry’s future. By connecting training to emerging technologies, gas opportunities, indigenous participation and workforce development, the initiative seeks to strengthen the people and institutions that will drive the next phase of the country’s oil and gas sector.

Nigeria Secures Next-Generation Satellites to Strengthen Digital Infrastructure

Nigeria is set to expand its space and communications infrastructure after the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition of two next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B.

NIGCOMSAT’s Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Stephen Kwande, announced the approval on Saturday, marking a major step in the country’s plan to increase domestic satellite capacity and lessen reliance on foreign infrastructure.

Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries will deliver the satellites, while NIGCOMSAT will implement the programme in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

NIGCOMSAT Managing Director, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the new spacecraft would strengthen national communications, extend broadband access and enable the company to deliver greater value to Nigerians while building a stronger position in the global satellite and digital economy.

Their reach will be particularly important in communities where conventional telecommunications infrastructure is difficult or costly to establish. The satellites are expected to support broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services and emerging digital applications, while also providing capacity for national security and defence communications.

Satellite-enabled services could further support education, healthcare, agriculture and financial services, bringing connectivity to locations that remain difficult to serve through terrestrial networks.

The programme is also expected to open opportunities for Nigerian companies and professionals in telecommunications, broadcasting, ground infrastructure, systems integration, technical support and other satellite-related services. NIGCOMSAT expects knowledge transfer, professional development, local manufacturing and specialised expertise in satellite engineering, network operations and cybersecurity to form part of the wider benefits.

The decision follows years of preparation for the next phase of Nigeria’s satellite programme. NIGCOMSAT-1R, launched in 2011, was approaching the end of its 15-year operational lifespan when NIGCOMSAT began seeking global investors in July 2024 for its replacement.

In January 2025, NIGCOMSAT partnered with Eutelsat to deploy low-Earth-orbit satellite services in Nigeria. The company was also working to increase commercial use of its existing capacity and, in August 2025, set a three-year revenue target of ₦8 billion through broadband expansion after reporting that only about 7% of its broadband capacity was being utilised.

By March 2026, NIGCOMSAT reported that revenue had risen from N650 million in 2023 to more than N2 billion in 2025. It also confirmed the planned NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B satellites, then scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2029.

Following the FEC approval, NIGCOMSAT will move into formal engagement with its technology partners, contract finalisation and technical planning ahead of manufacturing, launch and deployment.

The programme arrives as Nigeria is also expanding its digital broadcasting infrastructure. In June 2026, the Federal Government nationally launched the Digital Switch-Over Free TV Project, built around a combination of digital terrestrial television, direct-to-home satellite delivery and digital application-based platforms.

At the launch, Communications Minister Bosun Tijani said President Bola Tinubu had approved two additional satellites to strengthen Nigeria’s communications capacity.

NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B therefore represent a significant addition to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, with implications for connectivity, broadcasting, public services, national security and the development of specialised Nigerian expertise in satellite technology.

Nigeria Earns First Olympic Beach Volleyball Ticket as Mbah and Bawa End 16-Year Wait

Nigeria will compete in Olympic beach volleyball for the first time after Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa defeated Morocco 2-0 in the women’s final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Nations Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, on Saturday, August 22.

The result secured Nigeria’s place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and gave the country Africa’s only ticket to the beach volleyball event.

For the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), the qualification settles a long-running continental campaign that had produced three runners-up finishes. Nigeria had reached the championship final on three previous occasions, only to leave without the title and the Olympic berth.

NVBF President Musa Nimrod recalled those setbacks while celebrating the victory.

“I wish to congratulate Nigerians and thank God. This is the fourth time we are going into the finals; we finished in second place on three occasions,” Nimrod said.

“God has done it for us on our fourth trial and given us victory. It is not the Nigeria Volleyball Federation’s success alone but the entire nation.”

Nimrod also credited the National Sports Commission and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, for their support during the federation’s 16-year pursuit of Olympic qualification.

The National Sports Commission has welcomed the result as evidence of the progress being made in Nigerian volleyball.

Its Director-General, Bukola Olopade, congratulated the volleyball federation and pointed to the cooperation between both bodies as an important factor behind the achievement.

“Congratulations to the Volleyball Federation. This is true Federation leadership in true collaboration with the NSC,” Olopade said.

He has also identified beach volleyball as one of the sports with growing prospects in Nigeria, expressing the view that Mbah and Bawa have the ability to contend for an Olympic podium place.

“The fast growth of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball is something I have been talking about for months. And they are a potential podium team at the Olympics,” he said.

The Alexandria victory therefore  ends Nigeria’s repeated wait at the final hurdle and places the country on the Olympic beach volleyball roster for the first time.

Mbah and Bawa will now take Nigeria’s campaign to Los Angeles in 2028, with the distinction of having secured the country’s maiden Olympic qualification in the discipline.

Nigerian Engineer Takes Voice-First AI From Idea to Reality With Theresa

Nigeria's expanding technology ecosystem has gained another locally developed artificial intelligence platform, with a new solution placing spoken interaction at the centre of how people access knowledge and solve problems.

Software engineer Kingsley Udoma, alongside co-founders Jide Loye and Israel Akpan, has launched Theresa AI, a voice-first system designed to help users explore subjects, work through difficult questions and get personalised assistance through natural conversation.

The project builds on Udoma's experience in education technology. He previously created NounPaddi, an EdTech platform that now serves more than 1,600 students at the National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos.

His experience with learners helped shape a different approach to AI. Udoma had repeatedly encountered people who could read the same explanation several times without fully grasping what it meant. To him, the challenge was not a shortage of information but the absence of an interactive guide capable of responding to a person's specific difficulty.

That thinking became the foundation for Theresa AI. Instead of requiring users to search through pages of material, the platform allows them to speak directly to the system and receive spoken responses. Typing is also available for users who prefer it.

Theresa is designed to handle practical and academic challenges, including complex areas such as calculus and financial modelling. As it works through a problem, it can generate diagrams and flowcharts on screen, creating an experience closer to having someone explain a difficult concept on a whiteboard.

The system can also adjust its approach when a user is struggling. Rather than simply repeating an answer, it is designed to slow down and explain the subject from another angle when it detects confusion in the interaction.

Its language capabilities further widens the platform's reach. Loye said Theresa can understand and respond in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French and Spanish.

“Beyond English, Theresa understands and responds in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, and Spanish, so help is not locked behind a single language,” Loye said.

Akpan said the platform is already live and undergoing testing, while the team works towards a rollout across Nigeria.

The ambition, he explained, is closely tied to accessibility. Udoma wants people to have access to personalised assistance whenever they need it, particularly in situations where one-on-one support may be difficult to obtain.

Theresa AI is entering a Nigerian AI market that has expanded considerably in recent years. Over the past two years, around half a dozen prominent independent creators, alongside more than 120 AI ventures, have introduced conversational or localised large language models and AI agents inspired by ChatGPT.

With Theresa, Udoma, Loye and Akpan are bringing another Nigerian-built product into that expanding field, with an emphasis on conversation, multilingual access and guided problem-solving.

For the team, the proposition is straightforward: technology should not only provide information; it should make it easier for people to understand and use it.

Gombe Student Maryam Dan-Azumi Wins N120m in Historic Saudi Qur’anic Competition

Maryam Ibrahim Dan-Azumi has emerged as the winner of the second category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, giving Nigeria a notable success at one of the world’s major Qur’anic competitions.

The Gombe State student recorded 97.70 marks in the category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an with Tafsir. The category also assessed recitation and Tajweed. Her first-place finish came with a prize reportedly valued at N120m.

There was an added dimension to Maryam’s victory especially as the 2026 edition was the first in the competition’s 46-year history to admit female contestants. She not only became part of that first female cohort but finished at the top of her category while representing Nigeria.

Maryam’s record did not begin in Makkah as her Qur’anic training was developed at the Abubakar Siddiq Community School for Qur’an Memorisation in Herwagana Quarters, Gombe, and she had established a strong competitive record in Nigeria before her international appearance.

In February 2024, she won the National Qur’an Recitation Competition of Nana Asma’u. She subsequently took first place in the female category at the 40th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Maiduguri, Borno State, where she scored 97.70 marks in the memorisation of the entire Qur’an with Tafsir. The prizes from that competition included a brand-new Toyota Corolla and an Umrah seat, among others.

Her rise through the competition circuit followed a steady path, beginning at the local government level, advancing through Gombe State and national competitions, and culminating in her representation of Nigeria in Makkah.

Maryam is also pursuing a university degree as a final-year student of Physics Education at Gombe State University, placing her Qur’anic scholarship alongside formal academic training.

Her family has its own record of international Qur’anic distinction. Her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan-Azumi, won the 18th Hashemite Jordan International Qur’anic Competition for Females in Jordan in 2024.

Hajara’s victory was followed by a reported gesture from Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, who gifted her a car and paid her university scholarship fees in full. She studied Botany and has completed her university education.

Maryam’s victory has now put both sisters among the winners of major international Qur’anic competitions, with Hajara succeeding in Jordan and Maryam following in Saudi Arabia.

President Bola Tinubu congratulated Maryam on Friday, describing her performance as a source of pride for Nigeria. He praised her commitment to Qur’anic scholarship and noted the connection between her achievement and Hajara’s earlier international victory.

The President described the sisters as an inspiration to young Nigerians and said their accomplishments had brought honour to the country.

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya also congratulated Maryam, her family, teachers and the Muslim community. He described the result as a source of pride for Gombe State and Nigeria.

“I am deeply proud of our daughter’s exceptional achievement on the global stage. Maryam’s triumph exemplifies the excellence and rich educational heritage of Gombe State,” Yahaya said.

Yahaya said he expected to receive and personally honour Maryam when she returns to Nigeria.

Maryam’s achievement now stands on its own remarkable record: a 97.70 score, a first-place finish, a N120m prize and a place in the history of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Recitation Competition at the moment female contestants were admitted for the first time in 46 years.

From a Qur’anic school in Herwagana Quarters to the winner’s podium in Makkah, Maryam’s journey has put a Nigerian name at the centre of a historic chapter.

In Makkah, Maryam did not simply compete for Nigeria, she won for Nigeria.

Victoria Oluwakotanmi: The Former US Navy Officer Now Wearing the Miss Grand USA Crown

Victoria Oluwakotanmi has added an international pageant title to a remarkable journey that has taken her from a Nigerian-American upbringing in Texas to the United States Navy Reserve, higher education, youth mentorship and now the Miss Grand USA crown.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Oluwakotanmi is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. She has spoken publicly about growing up in a Nigerian-American family and the influence of her heritage on her identity.

Her rise to the title took an unexpected turn. At the Miss Grand USA final on August 10, 2026, Oluwakotanmi finished as first runner-up while Mekayla Li was crowned winner. The Miss Grand USA organisation later terminated Li’s reign and released her from the title and its associated duties. Oluwakotanmi was subsequently elevated to Miss Grand USA 2026. She will represent the United States at the Miss Grand International pageant.

However, the woman now wearing the crown had already built a distinctive record before entering the pageant spotlight. In March 2019, Oluwakotanmi enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve as a Logistics Specialist. She has been associated with the Naval Operational Support Center San Antonio at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Her military service became a notable part of her public profile as a young Black woman who served in the US armed forces.

Alongside her Navy career, she pursued chemical engineering at Northwest Vista College. Her commitment to education also has a personal dimension. In 2018, she and her family established the Oluwakotanmi Promise in honour of her late grandmother. According to Oluwakotanmi’s public accounts, her grandmother was denied the opportunity to attend college because of her gender.

The scholarship and mentorship programme was created to help young people access education, guidance and other opportunities. Oluwakotanmi has continued to share the progress of its beneficiaries, including members of its first cohort who graduated from high school in 2026.

Her entry into pageantry came in February 2020, when she competed in Miss Black San Antonio. It was her first pageant, and she entered without the extensive preparation commonly associated with beauty competitions.

The experience opened a new path as she later held the Miss Grand Illinois title and competed in Miss Texas USA as an at-large contestant before reaching the Miss Grand USA stage.

The crown may have arrived through an unexpected change in circumstances, but Oluwakotanmi’s story extends well beyond the pageant result. Her journey brings together Nigerian heritage, military service, academic pursuit, community development and a growing presence in international pageantry.

Now, as Miss Grand USA 2026, she moves onto the global stage carrying a background shaped by service, education and a commitment to creating opportunities for others.

Nigeria’s New Digital Postcode Set to Transform Addressing From October 1

From October 1, 2026, Nigeria will begin deploying a National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System designed to give individual buildings unique digital location identities.

The move replaces the limitations of the existing six-digit postcode system, which generally identifies areas rather than specific buildings. Each addressable building will receive an 11-character code covering five levels: State, LGA, District, Area and Building. NIPOST’s example is FC 02 A09 DB 09, with FC representing the Federal Capital Territory.

The GIS-enabled system links each code to a mapped location and is intended to support far more than mail delivery. E-commerce, banking, identity verification, emergency response, policing, social intervention programmes and government services could all use the same location reference.

NIPOST estimates that weaknesses in Nigeria’s current addressing system contribute between N50 billion and N80 billion in annual losses through missed first deliveries and failed shipments. For Nigerians, the change would mean replacing directions such as “opposite the filling station” or “after the second junction” with a code that identifies the exact building.

Postmaster General Tola Odeyemi said the system will account for Nigeria’s diverse geography. Mapping models will differ between states because of variations in terrain, population distribution and building density, while postcode areas will follow existing administrative boundaries and remain within individual Local Government Areas.

The service is expected to be accessible through digital platforms, mobile apps and USSD. NIPOST is also developing an AI-powered routing feature to help logistics companies estimate delivery costs and timelines.

The financial sector could benefit through stronger address verification. Odeyemi has identified know-your-customer checks as a key application, with verified postcodes potentially linked to National Identification Numbers. Emergency services, policing and social programmes could similarly use more precise location information.

The project follows years of attempts to modernise Nigeria’s addressing infrastructure. The digital addressing push began in 2009 under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. NIPOST later partnered with what3words in 2017, launched the Address Verification System and Digital Addressing System in 2018, collaborated with the Nigerian Communications Commission on SIM-related address verification in 2020, and signed an MoU with the National Population Commission in 2022 to digitise the postcode system.

A promised full digital postcode system for June 2023 did not materialise, although NIPOST conducted an Abuja pilot that helped refine the model now being deployed.

This time, the agency is building on existing national mapping data rather than starting from scratch. Information from the Office of the Surveyor General, the National Population Commission and the National Space Research and Development Agency is being incorporated, including the NPC’s Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise conducted between 2014 and 2022.

That exercise digitally mapped buildings, roads, footpaths and waterways across Nigeria, providing an important foundation for the new system.

Data protection remains a consideration as precise building locations become part of a national database. Odeyemi has said ownership rests with the Federal Republic of Nigeria through NIPOST, while access will operate under a tiered framework developed with the National Data Protection Commission. Some information will be public, some restricted, and sensitive data available to authorised institutions through appropriate agreements.

October 1 will mark the start of the major rollout, not an instant nationwide activation. Large population centres will be prioritised, with Odeyemi saying in July that more than 90% of the country was expected to have been captured by launch day. NIPOST is targeting completion across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory by December 2026, with eventual coverage of all 774 Local Government Areas.

Field teams are currently validating aerial mapping against conditions on the ground. Nigerians can already search for postcodes through postcode.gov.ng, while NIPOST is finalising a developer portal for businesses, logistics companies and technology platforms. Startups, enterprises and government agencies can submit expressions of interest for integration.

If successfully implemented, the system could fundamentally change how Nigerians identify their locations. A building that once required landmarks, verbal directions or a phone call to find would have a standard digital identity recognised by banks, businesses, emergency services and government agencies.

Nigeria is therefore not simply changing its postcode format but building a digital location infrastructure that would make it easier to locate people, deliver services and connect physical addresses to the country's growing digital economy.

Dr. Gideon Christian’s Research Helps Modernize Canada’s 130-Year-Old Evidence Law

A Nigerian-born legal scholar at the University of Calgary has achieved a significant academic and judicial milestone after research on digital evidence was cited by Canada’s highest court in a landmark ruling.

Dr. Gideon Christian, an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, contributed scholarship that the Supreme Court of Canada relied upon as it reconsidered one of the country’s longstanding rules governing the destruction and concealment of evidence.

The development is particularly significant because the legal doctrine at the centre of the case had remained largely untouched for approximately 130 years.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue in its July 31 judgment in SS&C Technologies Canada Corp. v. Bank of New York Mellon Corp., using the case to establish a uniform four-part test for determining when spoliation has occurred and to clarify what can happen when a party intentionally destroys or conceals evidence relevant to a legal dispute.

Christian’s contribution came from research that anticipated a problem created by the transformation of record-keeping itself.

His 2022 paper in the Alberta Law Review, titled “A ‘Century’ Overdue: Revisiting the Doctrine of Spoliation in the Age of Electronic Documents,” examined how a legal principle developed in an era of physical records could function in a world where evidence is increasingly digital.

Today, information can be distributed across computers, mobile phones, servers and other systems. Records may also disappear through automated deletion or routine data-retention procedures, creating circumstances that could scarcely have been contemplated when the doctrine was developed in the 19th century.

That technological shift was central to the Supreme Court’s consideration of how Canadian spoliation law should operate.

The Court drew on Christian’s scholarship while examining the need to update the doctrine for electronic evidence. His research also featured in the Court’s discussion of the preservation obligation underlying its new test and the application of remedies that can be tailored and proportionate to individual circumstances.

His scholarship had already entered the judicial record before reaching Canada’s highest court, having been cited by the Ontario Court of Appeal as the case moved through the appellate process.

The Supreme Court’s decision now gives greater consistency to an area of law in which lower courts had previously adopted different formulations of the applicable test and varied approaches to remedies.

Yet the judgment deliberately leaves some questions for future consideration which include whether negligent destruction of evidence can amount to spoliation and whether spoliation should be recognized under Canadian law as an independent tort.

For Christian, the ruling extends beyond the technical development of evidence law. Its central lesson, he argues, is that a litigant should not be allowed to benefit from an absence of evidence that the party deliberately created.

He also sees the decision as a reminder that evidence preservation can no longer be treated as an issue that begins only after litigation has commenced.

Organizations, lawyers and litigants increasingly operate in environments containing vast and complex digital records. How those records are managed, retained and protected can ultimately affect the integrity of legal proceedings.

Christian’s research therefore speaks to a greater transformation in the justice system: laws built around physical documents must increasingly account for the realities of digital information.

For the scholar himself, the Supreme Court’s reliance on his work represents an extraordinary professional achievement.

“For any legal scholar, seeing your work cited by the courts is a great honour; but to have that work cited by the country’s highest court is one of the most significant forms of scholarly recognition. It is both humbling and, for me, a career-defining moment,” Christian said.

The journey of his research from an academic paper to consideration by Canada’s highest court illustrates the practical influence that rigorous scholarship can have on the development of law.

In this case, research examining how evidence survives and disappears in the digital age has helped inform a major judicial effort to bring a centuries-old legal principle into the realities of modern record-keeping.

Nigeria’s Single Window Processes N11.27bn in Five Months

Nigeria’s National Single Window has processed 114,122 licences and permits and facilitated N11.27bn in payments since the platform’s Phase One rollout began on March 27, 2026.

The figures, covering the period through August 17, point to a substantial volume of trade-related regulatory activity moving onto the digital platform, which is designed to bring traders, government agencies and other players in the import and export chain onto one system.

A total of 10,818 importers and agents have registered, while more than 8,000 users have been trained. Five Ministries, Departments and Agencies are fully onboarded.

The strongest transaction activity has come from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. SON has completed its readiness requirements and recorded 100 per cent platform usage compliance. Its licences, permits, certificates and other regulatory documents component accounted for 78,957 processed documents and N9.02bn in payments.

NAFDAC recorded the next highest volume, with 34,815 documents processed and N2.20bn in payments. The National Agricultural Quarantine Service handled 38 documents and received N30m, while the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency processed 311 documents and recorded N10m in payments.

The aviation sector has also moved rapidly into the system. Twenty-four of the 27 airlines have been onboarded, with 2,139 air cargo manifests transmitted through the platform. Compliance for air cargo manifests stands at 89 per cent.

Shipping lines present a different pictur as only 23 of 88 shipping lines have been onboarded, and 43 manifests have been transmitted, leaving shipping-line cargo manifest compliance at 26 per cent.

The Nigeria Customs Service, importers, freight forwarders and clearing agents have attained full readiness for the relevant National Single Window processes. The platform recorded 100 per cent compliance for NCS licences, permits, certificates and other regulatory documents, although the reporting framework marked the number of documents and payments processed under that category as not applicable.

Two major maritime institutions have also completed their readiness requirements. The Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency are prepared for the system, with their operational integration still being worked through.

The rollout comes as Nigeria prepares to enter Phase Two of the National Single Window programme. The next stage is intended to cut paperwork, improve transparency, reduce cargo clearance times and tighten the connection between traders, regulators and other participants in the country’s trade processes.

The early numbers give the programme a sizeable base to build on: 114,122 licences and permits processed, N11.27bn in payments facilitated, 10,818 importers and agents registered and more than 8,000 users trained within the first five months.

The remaining task is broader adoption, particularly across the maritime sector, and the completion of operational integration for agencies that have already met the platform’s readiness requirements. If that expansion keeps pace, the Single Window could become a central point for handling the regulatory transactions that underpin Nigeria’s trade with the rest of the world.

Osun’s Green Transition Wins Adeleke Top Leadership Award

Osun State’s push into renewable energy, sustainable transport, recycling and climate-focused development has earned Governor Ademola Adeleke a Green Leadership Award at the 1st International and 3rd National Women Green Summit and Exhibition 2026 (WIGSE-26) in Lagos.

The honour, presented by the Women in Renewable Energy Association (WIRE-A), recognises the state’s efforts to advance climate action, environmental sustainability and a green economy.

At the centre of Osun’s strategy are four major policy frameworks: the Osun State Climate Action Plan, Renewable Energy Policy, Circular Economy Action Plan and Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio.

The state has backed these policies with practical interventions, including the operationalisation of a recycling hub, recycling and waste-to-wealth programmes, ecosystem restoration projects and initiatives to promote cleaner transportation.

Its renewable-energy drive also includes the IMOLE solar lantern initiative, designed to improve access to clean and reliable lighting for students, while electric-motorbike initiatives form part of the state’s sustainable transportation agenda.

Adeleke was represented at WIGSE-26 by the Director-General and Special Envoy on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Professor Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, who received the award and delivered the Governor’s goodwill message.

She said Osun’s approach connects environmental responsibility with economic opportunity, arguing that climate policies should produce tangible benefits for citizens.

“Climate action must translate into opportunities for our people. It must create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, expand energy access, encourage innovation and build a more resilient economy,” she said.

Obuaku-Igwe also highlighted the importance of women and young people in Africa’s transition to a green economy. She identified access to finance, technology, skills, markets and supportive public policies as essential to helping women-led green enterprises grow.

The state welcomed the summit’s emphasis on policy reform and capital mobilisation for women’s participation in the sector, noting that the agenda aligns with Osun’s efforts to attract green investment and expand renewable energy and circular economy initiatives.

Obuaku-Igwe reaffirmed the government’s readiness to work with investors, development institutions, private-sector organisations, researchers and other stakeholders to scale climate-smart projects and create additional opportunities for women and young people.

She commended WIRE-A for bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to advance discussions around Africa’s green economy.

“Women are not merely beneficiaries but critical drivers of Africa’s green transition,” she said.

The award provides fresh recognition for Osun’s effort to make sustainability part of its wider development agenda, linking cleaner energy and environmental protection with employment, innovation, investment and improved livelihoods.

University of Ibadan Rises as Nigeria’s Top-Ranked University in July 2026 Global Ranking

The University of Ibadan has taken the lead among Nigerian universities in the latest Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, placing the institution ahead of the University of Lagos and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The July 2026 edition ranks UI 1,291st in the world, making it Nigeria’s highest-ranked university out of 32,148 universities and higher education institutions assessed globally.

The result puts one of Nigeria’s oldest universities at the front of the country’s higher-education landscape, with its performance measured against institutions across the world.

The University of Lagos secured second place nationally, ranking 1,355th globally, while the University of Nigeria, Nsukka came third among Nigerian institutions and 1,397th worldwide.

Covenant University, Ota, maintained a strong position in the national ranking, coming fourth in Nigeria and 1,522nd globally. Landmark University followed at 1,659th, while the University of Ilorin occupied the sixth position nationally with a global ranking of 1,883rd.

Nigeria’s top 10 also included Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The Webometrics ranking, published twice each year, looks beyond conventional academic measures. Its assessment considers indicators connected to an institution’s online visibility, openness and research excellence, including the accessibility of academic resources, digital presence and the reach and influence of research.

For Nigerian universities, the latest standings offer another indication of the growing importance of digital visibility and the global accessibility of research and academic resources.

At the international level, Harvard University retained the number-one position. Stanford University came second, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford and the University of Washington.

While UI’s 1,291st global position leaves Nigeria’s leading institution outside the global top 1,000, its rise to the top of the national table represents a notable showing for Nigerian higher education on an assessment covering more than 32,000 institutions worldwide.

The July 2026 ranking therefore places the University of Ibadan at the head of Nigeria’s university system, with UNILAG and UNN completing the country’s top three.

United Nigeria Airlines Pledges N20m to Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction

United Nigeria Airlines has pledged N20 million to the Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction, committing N2 million each year to the Association of Nigerian Authors for the next 10 years.

The commitment was announced on Tuesday by the airline's Executive Chairman, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, after discussions with ANA President, Dr Usman Akanbi.

The prize, established in 2021 by the Anambra State Government in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Authors, bears the name of a writer whose work changed the place of African literature in the world.

For Okonkwo, that alone makes its preservation worth the commitment.

“Prof Achebe is too precious in our consciousness for the award to continue to suffer the current epileptic funding,” he said.

He said Achebe's influence extended well beyond his novels and essays, pointing to his lectures, speeches, intellectual activism, ethical conduct and interventions in public affairs.

“Very few men and women of letters and culture in recent history have brought as much attention and honour to the black race and the African world as the great Achebe through his writings, lectures, speeches, intellectual activism, ethical conduct, and intermittent interventions in political affairs which has made him an authentic conscience of the Nigerian people,” Okonkwo said.

Akanbi described the airline's intervention as patriotic and said it would help protect an important part of Nigeria's literary heritage.

“We are immensely grateful to Prof. Okonkwo and his airline for their patriotic intervention,” he said.

Achebe's place in the history of ANA is equally significant. He founded the Association of Nigerian Authors in 1981 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and became its first president.

Akanbi recalled that the late writer was not only a world-class raconteur and essayist but also the person who gave the association its early institutional foundation.

“Prof was not just a world-class raconteur and essayist, but also the ANA founder who started our association in 1981 at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka and accepted to serve as its first president, thus giving it the credibility and platform that has made the association highly respected beyond Nigeria's shores,” he said.

The sponsorship is not UNA's first gesture in honour of Achebe. In June, the airline named one of its newly acquired Boeing 737-800NG aircraft after the literary icon. The other aircraft was named after the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe.

The new 10-year commitment brings the airline's support for the Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction into a long-term arrangement, ensuring that the award can continue to recognise writers under the name of a Nigerian whose work remains a defining part of African literature.

Nigerian Technologist Joins 30 Global Rising Stars Shaping the Future of Learning

A career that has taken him from visual art and science to classroom teaching, digital learning and artificial intelligence has earned Nigerian learning technologist and independent learning consultant Mustapha Salaudeen a place among 30 young professionals recognised globally for advancing the future of learning.

Salaudeen is the only Nigerian and African selected for The Learning Guild’s 2026 Thirty Under 30 programme, which highlights emerging professionals making significant contributions to learning and development.

His recognition comes as artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape how organisations train employees, how educators deliver knowledge and how people acquire new skills.

Salaudeen's professional journey began in visual art and design before he trained as a scientist and later worked as a classroom teacher. He eventually moved into learning experience design, developing multimedia-based learning solutions that combine technology, behavioural science and design.

His experience includes working with multinational organisation Sky on workplace learning initiatives, as well as contributing to projects involving Google-powered learning campaigns.

Through Upskill Universe, he worked on the redesign of a Google-powered training campaign for policymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The wider programme has trained more than 18,000 small and medium-sized enterprises since its inception.

He has also pursued independent initiatives, including Listening Trivia, a personal project designed to improve learning engagement and assessment.

Artificial intelligence has become another important part of his work. At AI for Global Education, a UK-based non-profit organisation, Salaudeen leads the development of an AI literacy curriculum for higher education. The course series currently reaches 58 institutions across 14 countries.

His broad experience across design, science, education and technology has shaped an approach that connects the technical possibilities of AI and digital platforms with the way people learn and develop skills.

The Learning Guild created the Thirty Under 30 programme to recognise young professionals contributing to the learning and development industry. Salaudeen's selection places his work alongside that of emerging specialists from around the world at a time when the sector is undergoing rapid technological change.

For him, the honour carries a significance that goes beyond professional recognition.

“It is a validation I’d long waited for; validation that I can do it too, that certain positions are not barricaded against me, and that I can inspire the next person to keep at what they believe in,” he said.

He hopes the achievement will also encourage young Nigerians and Africans pursuing emerging careers to build their skills and consider opportunities outside conventional professional paths.

“To be recognised as one of only 30 people under the age of 30 making giant strides in learning design and technology is not just an achievement for me,” he said.

As organisations and educational institutions continue adapting to artificial intelligence, the ability to combine technology with effective learning strategies is becoming increasingly valuable. Salaudeen's work reflects that emerging demand, particularly through his efforts to advance AI literacy in higher education and technology-driven learning in the workplace.

The 2026 Thirty Under 30 programme will culminate at DevLearn in November in Las Vegas, where Salaudeen will join the other honourees to celebrate emerging professionals in learning and development.

His selection as the only Nigerian and African in the cohort offers a fresh international spotlight on Nigerian expertise in fields that are helping define the future of education, workforce development and technology.

From design and science to teaching, learning technology and AI, Salaudeen's journey demonstrates how diverse skills can converge into a career with global relevance.

Dangote Refinery Draws $1bn Institutional Backing Ahead of IPO

The planned Initial Public Offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has received a $1bn underwriting programme, creating a substantial institutional funding base around one of Nigeria’s biggest industrial investments.

The arrangement consists of a $600m private placement that has been completed and funded, alongside a $400m underwriting commitment for the proposed IPO. Marob Strategies and Consulting DIFC Ltd and Lilium Capital Group structured the programme.

Pan-African Refinery Investment SPV, a subsidiary of Lilium Capital Group, underwrote and funded the $600m private placement and provided the additional $400m commitment.

The focus has now shifted to investor distribution. Marob Strategies and Lilium Capital are engaging sovereign wealth funds, governments, institutional investors and other eligible investors across Global Africa, including African and Caribbean institutions.

The advisers said the response has been strong, reflecting institutional interest in large-scale African assets with the capacity to generate long-term economic value.

By directing institutional funds towards a major Nigerian industrial asset, the programme is expected to stimulate intra-African capital flows and contribute to a more integrated African capital market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, said the transaction represented an important milestone for both the refinery and African capital markets.

“This is an important milestone for DPRP and for African capital markets,” Dangote said.

He said the completed placement and underwriting commitment demonstrate confidence in the refinery’s strategic role, while creating room for participation by African and Caribbean sovereign wealth funds, governments and institutional investors across Global Africa.

Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, Chairman of Marob Strategies, said the deal demonstrates the potential for African-led capital-market transactions to connect institutional investors with transformative assets on the continent.

He said Marob Strategies is pursuing disciplined distribution across Global Africa and engaging the investor groups targeted by the programme.

“The level of interest confirms the appetite for African-led capital markets transactions that provide investors with access to transformative assets on the continent,” Oramah said.

He added that the transaction could help open the way for more deals of a similar nature.

For Simon Tiemtoré, Chairman of Lilium Capital Group, the refinery transaction forms part of the firm’s effort to connect major African opportunities with institutional investors in Global Africa and international markets.

“This mandate reflects Lilium Capital’s commitment to connecting world-class African opportunities with institutional investors across Global Africa and international markets,” Tiemtoré said.

He said mobilising long-term funding for strategic projects such as the Dangote refinery supports industrialisation, strengthens capital markets and contributes to sustainable economic growth across Africa.

The $1bn programme therefore combines immediate financing already secured with additional backing for the refinery’s proposed market debut. As distribution continues, the transaction is set to bring a wider pool of institutional capital into a major Nigerian industrial project while testing the depth of investor demand for African-led assets.

Three Civil Servants Honoured for Transforming Public Service

Excellence within Nigeria’s public service has received fresh recognition as three civil servants whose work spans education, institutional reform and public-sector accountability have been honoured by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.

The recognition was presented on Saturday at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, through the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund, which was established to celebrate public servants whose dedication, professionalism and contributions are helping to improve the delivery of government services.

This year’s honourees include Abumoye Ayo Emmanuel, Anthony Okechukwu Ogwo and Ochoche Emmanuel Peter, with each recognised for a distinct contribution to strengthening public administration in Nigeria.

Emmanuel, a senior education officer at the Federal Ministry of Education, received the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award for his contribution to education reform, innovation and youth development. He was also presented with a cash award of N500,000.

Ogwo, an assistant chief education officer at the Federal Ministry of Education, was recognised with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation EPIC Award. His recognition was linked to his role in advancing initiatives designed to improve efficiency, accountability and citizen-centred service delivery within the ministry.

The same award went to Peter, an assistant director at the Ministry of Regional Development, for his pioneering contribution to the development and implementation of Nigeria’s federal civil service reform frameworks. Ogwo and Peter each received N250,000.

Beyond the financial rewards, the recognition places attention on the often technical and sustained work required to make Nigeria’s public institutions more effective. From education reform and youth development to administrative restructuring and accountability, the achievements of the three officials demonstrate how individual contributions can influence the functioning of government.

The awards are part of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s effort to promote a culture in which professionalism and measurable contributions to public service are acknowledged and encouraged.

Chioma Njoku, director of programmes at the foundation, said the Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Endowment Fund reflects the organisation’s conviction that celebrating excellence can contribute to stronger public institutions.

“Public servants play a vital role in shaping the quality of governance and improving outcomes for citizens,” Njoku said.

She said the fund celebrates public servants whose commitment to excellence, integrity and service provides a standard for others while reinforcing the principles required to build an effective and citizen-centred public service.

The recognition of Emmanuel, Ogwo and Peter highlights the importance of capable professionals working within Nigeria’s public institutions and the role their expertise, initiative and commitment can play in advancing reforms that ultimately affect citizens.

By placing these contributions in the spotlight, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is reinforcing a significant message: stronger public institutions are built not only through policies and reforms, but also through the people who consistently turn those reforms into results.

LASU’s Best Graduating Student Finishes With 4.97 CGPA in Aerospace Engineering

Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide has emerged as Lagos State University’s overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session, capping his university education with a 4.97 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and First-Class Honours in Aerospace Engineering.

Oluolamide’s result placed him at the top of the graduating class as LASU celebrated its 29th and 30th combined convocation on Monday at the Olatunji Bello Auditorium, Epe Campus.

His academic record is particularly notable given the demands of Aerospace Engineering, a discipline that combines advanced mathematics, science and engineering principles. Finishing with a 4.97 CGPA marks him out as the university’s leading graduate for the session and places his achievement among the academic highlights of the convocation.

The distinction also came with financial recognition as the Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Programme (SEPP) awarded Oluolamide N10 million in recognition of his outstanding academic performance.

The cash award was presented as part of SEPP’s commitment to recognising academic excellence and encourage innovation among LASU students through partnerships with corporate organisations.

However, the defining figure in Oluolamide’s story is not the N10 million prize but the 4.97 CGPA that earned him the university’s highest graduating honour after years of study in one of its technically demanding programmes.

His achievement offers a compelling reflection of the calibre of talent being developed within Nigeria’s higher education system. Aerospace Engineering is closely connected to areas such as aviation, advanced manufacturing, technology and other specialised fields, making strong academic preparation in the discipline particularly significant.

For Oluolamide, the distinction opens a new chapter providing a strong foundation for what comes next.

Nigeria Targets $750m Investment in National Cloud Infrastructure

Nigeria is setting its sights on a bigger role in Africa’s digital infrastructure market, with the Federal Government targeting $750 million in private investment for cloud and data infrastructure within 24 months.

The National Digital Cloud Policy, unveiled on Monday, August 17, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is designed to increase local cloud and data-centre capacity, generate jobs, deepen indigenous digital expertise and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a base for digital services across the continent.

The investment programme has an initial target of $250 million in private capital during the first year, rising to $750 million by the end of the second year.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria needed to move beyond its role as a major consumer of cloud infrastructure and develop into a competitive destination for infrastructure, investment, talent and digital services.

He said the framework would remain open to Nigerian and international providers, giving them room to invest, expand capacity, develop skills and serve customers in Nigeria and other African markets.

The policy also establishes a distinction between ordinary commercial information and data requiring national protection. Commercial data will not be subject to a blanket localisation requirement. Sovereignty provisions will apply to defined categories of government and regulated data where national control is considered necessary.

Government demand is expected to play an important role in making the market attractive to investors. Cloud requirements from multiple registered providers will be aggregated, while shared government cloud services will help reduce duplicated expenditure and improve purchasing terms.

A National Digital Marketplace will coordinate public procurement of cloud and digital infrastructure services. The framework also provides for dedicated cloud budget arrangements and an anchor-capacity mechanism intended to create dependable demand for private-sector investment.

Implementation responsibilities have been distributed among key government institutions. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will handle regulatory oversight, standards and assurance. Galaxy Backbone (GBB) will lead operational delivery, shared infrastructure and aggregation, while the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) will ensure compliance with public procurement requirements.

The first six months of the 24-month roadmap will focus on activating the policy, conducting baseline assessments and establishing the necessary institutional arrangements.

From months six to 12, the government plans to operationalise the National Digital Marketplace, commence priority migration of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and onboard registered providers.

The remaining 12 months will be devoted to scaling migration, increasing capacity, bringing participating states into the programme and pushing the export of digital services.

The regional market is a significant part of the plan. Through cross-border data flows, regional interconnection and alignment with international standards, Nigeria intends to enable cloud and data services hosted locally to reach customers across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the wider African market.

The cloud policy also connects with two major national initiatives. Project BRIDGE is expected to deploy at least 90,000 kilometres of additional fibre-optic infrastructure, while the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme is developing expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering.

With connectivity, skills and computing infrastructure being developed alongside a policy aimed at attracting capital, Nigeria is seeking to strengthen the foundations on which its digital economy can expand.

The immediate goal is $750 million in private investment. The larger opportunity is to build enough capacity for Nigerian businesses, public institutions and technology companies to rely more heavily on infrastructure within the country, while enabling locally hosted digital services to reach markets across Africa.

Meta, Federal Government Launch AI Academy for Nigerian Startups

Nigeria’s artificial intelligence ambitions are moving into a more practical phase, with a new initiative offering developers, entrepreneurs and young technology professionals a route from acquiring AI skills to building products, competing for funding and taking Nigerian solutions to international platforms.

At the centre of the new opportunity is AI Academy Nigeria, launched through a partnership involving Meta, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), the ministry’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN).

The academy is designed as a national capacity-building initiative, combining practical AI training, technical learning and startup support for developers, startups, students and early-career professionals.

For Nigerian startups already building with artificial intelligence, one of the immediate opportunities is the AI Startup Pitchathon. Early-stage Nigerian companies using Meta’s AI technologies will have the chance to present solutions developed around real-world problems and compete for financial and technical support.

Applications close on August 21, 2026. Ten startups will subsequently be selected to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3, putting their ideas before a wider technology and business audience.

The two startups that emerge as winners will each receive $5,000 in cash funding and $2,000 in Meta advertising credits.

Both winners will receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to represent the country and pitch at the AI Summit by Meta in Istanbul, Türkiye, on November 23 and 24, 2026.

AI Academy Nigeria will also feature AI Skills Development and a six-week Developer Bootcamp, giving participants a pathway that extends from learning and technical development to building functional solutions.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said the partnership is intended to equip developers, entrepreneurs and young professionals with practical AI capabilities while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups.

He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s AI ecosystem through public-private partnerships and strengthening the country’s place in Africa’s digital economy.

Meta’s Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, said Nigeria already possesses significant AI talent but needs wider access to practical training, funding and platforms that can help founders and developers turn their capabilities into impactful solutions.

Dada said the academy would expand AI skills among Nigerians while creating opportunities for promising startups to move from the local market towards regional platforms.

For RAIN, whose Founder and CEO Dr. Olushola Ayoola described the collaboration as an example of coordinated action between government, technology companies and local innovation organisations, the partnership represents an opportunity to broaden Nigeria’s AI capabilities.

The initiative comes as evidence of Nigeria’s growing engagement with artificial intelligence continues to accumulate.

A Google report developed with Ipsos, Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, identified Nigeria as an emerging global leader in AI adoption, particularly across learning, work and entrepreneurship. The report highlighted the rapid embrace of AI tools by Nigerians and the optimism surrounding their use.

The shift is also being reflected among formal businesses. The World Bank’s World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence reported that AI adoption among Nigerian formal businesses has surged over the past three years, placing the country on par with the United States in business AI usage.

Nigeria and Kenya were identified in the report as two African countries that have experienced a sharp increase in AI adoption among businesses.

The growth of AI also brings questions about how the technology should be governed as its economic influence expands.

Debola Ibiyode, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CarbonAI, has warned that Nigeria could weaken the economic potential of artificial intelligence without strong regulatory guardrails.

According to Ibiyode, AI offers enormous opportunities for economic growth, but sustaining those gains will depend on public trust, responsible regulation and what she described as “AI Diplomacy.”

She said Nigeria’s expanding adoption of AI could unlock new economic value if governments, businesses and technology providers work together to establish responsible governance frameworks.

Against that backdrop, for AI Academy Nigeria and with its combination of skills development, a developer bootcamp, startup competition, direct funding, advertising support and international exposure gives Nigerian innovators a pathway to move from learning about artificial intelligence to building with it.

For a country whose AI adoption is already accelerating, the bigger opportunity lies in converting that growing appetite into Nigerian-built technologies, stronger startups and solutions capable of competing beyond the domestic market.

Terra Industries Takes African Defence Technology Global With $52 Million Seed Round

A Nigerian-founded defence technology company is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Africa and establishing its first international office in London after securing an additional $18 million, bringing its seed funding to $52 million.

Terra Industries, founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, is using the latest capital to scale autonomous security technology designed to protect critical infrastructure across Africa and the wider Global South.

The funding round includes continued participation from 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel, alongside new investor Norleo Space Investments and angel investor Grant Gordon. Terra plans to direct the funds towards expanding production, accelerating deployments across the Global South and strengthening its engineering, operations and business development teams.

The London office will give Terra closer access to institutions that influence global defence and infrastructure markets, while also opening a pathway to international operations and artificial intelligence talent. The company, however, intends to keep manufacturing rooted in Africa as it expands into additional international markets, with plans reaching into the Gulf, South America and South Asia.

That African manufacturing base is set to grow substantially. Terra's Pax-2 facility in Ghana is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, following the company's 15,000-square-foot Pax-1 flagship facility in Abuja, Nigeria.

At 34,000 square feet, Pax-2 is expected to become the largest drone factory on the African continent once fully operational. Terra projects that it will reach an annual production capacity of 50,000 units across the company's aerial systems portfolio by 2028.

The expansion comes as governments and infrastructure operators across Africa and the wider Global South confront persistent threats including infrastructure sabotage, illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism.

For decades, many of these security challenges have been addressed with imported systems. Terra argues that technology developed for different operating conditions can be expensive to maintain and may not adequately reflect local terrain and operational realities. Dependence on external suppliers can also create geopolitical and supply-chain exposure while limiting local control over software and data.

The company is therefore building its systems around a different proposition: security technology developed for the environments in which it will operate and manufactured, increasingly, within the regions it is designed to protect.

Terra's technology is already deployed around power plants, mines and other nationally critical assets valued at approximately $11 billion across multiple African countries.

Its portfolio spans long-range and mid-range autonomous drones, interceptor drones, sentry towers and unmanned ground vehicles, with the systems connected through ArtemisOS, Terra's proprietary software platform. ArtemisOS supports real-time threat detection, autonomous mission planning and coordinated responses across large and difficult environments.

The company's strategy reflects its view that security operations will increasingly move beyond troop-heavy and reactive approaches towards predictive and autonomous systems capable of responding across varied terrains.

Data sovereignty forms another important part of that approach. By controlling the systems and information used to monitor critical assets, governments and infrastructure operators can strengthen their ability to identify, deter and respond to threats without being as dependent on external technology providers.

Terra is applying this model across air, land and maritime environments, serving sectors that include energy, mineral resources, urban infrastructure, maritime assets, border security and counterterrorism operations.

Nwachuku, co-founder and chief executive officer of Terra Industries, said the company's expansion is rooted in building security capabilities around the realities of the regions they are intended to serve.

“Critical infrastructure across the Global South is best protected by systems designed for these environments and built in the regions they protect. This funding lets us scale that work and deepen our manufacturing base. It also puts us in the rooms where global defense decisions are made.”

Terra describes itself as a multi-domain systems and data intelligence company building a defence prime for Africa and the Global South. Its integrated air, land and maritime systems are powered by ArtemisOS, with the company seeking to give countries across the Global South greater technological capacity to secure critical assets and infrastructure.

The company's product portfolio includes ArtemisOS, Archer VTOL, Iroko UAV, Duma UGV and Kallon. Terra works with governments, infrastructure operators and strategic partners across Africa and internationally.

With $52 million now secured at seed stage, a 34,000-square-foot facility advancing in Ghana, an established manufacturing base in Abuja and a new London presence, Terra Industries is positioning an African-built defence technology business for a wider international role while keeping the continent at the centre of its production strategy.