Huawei has launched its Agentic AI Cloud and related artificial intelligence solutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities and accelerate the adoption of AI agents across key sectors.
The solutions were unveiled at the Huawei Nigeria AI & Cloud Summit held in Lagos on August 27, where government officials, industry stakeholders and technology partners discussed opportunities for advancing Nigeria’s digital and intelligent transformation.
Huawei said its local cloud infrastructure, supported by data residency, security, compliance and low-latency capabilities, will enable organisations to develop and deploy AI agents more efficiently across sectors including finance, telecommunications, internet services, government and enterprises.
Speaking at the summit, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat said AI readiness requires more than advanced models and algorithms, highlighting the importance of reliable connectivity, cloud and digital infrastructure, secure data, digital talent and collaboration.
“Lagos is not a city waiting for the AI future to arrive. We are building the digital foundations and real-world conditions in which that future can take root.”
– Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State
He said Lagos aims not only to become a market for emerging technologies but also to serve as a platform for technological innovation, solution validation and large-scale deployment.
NITDA Director-General and CEO Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi also stressed the importance of infrastructure, data, talent, funding, governance and partnerships in determining Nigeria’s AI future.
He said the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative is intended to create a secure, resilient and competitive ecosystem capable of attracting investment and helping Nigeria transition from a technology-consuming country into a leading African hub for AI and cloud innovation.
Huawei Nigeria CEO Austin You, in a keynote titled Advancing Nigeria’s AI Future, Together, said the country has the necessary foundation to take a leading position in Africa’s AI development.
“Nigeria has the foundation to lead Africa’s AI era. Huawei’s commitment is to turn that foundation into intelligent productivity through All Intelligence, deep local capabilities, an open ecosystem and build the next chapter of Nigeria’s growth, together.”
– Austin You, CEO, Huawei Nigeria
Huawei said it has operated in Nigeria for 27 years, expanding its presence from network connectivity and digital infrastructure into cloud computing and AI technologies.
The company said Huawei Cloud launched its first hyperscale local cloud in Nigeria in 2024, enabling local data storage and computing while supporting data residency requirements.
In 2025, Huawei Cloud expanded its local data and cloud services with industry-focused capabilities for the finance, internet, government and enterprise sectors, with emphasis on data security, compliance and digitalisation.
The launch of Agentic AI Cloud in 2026 represents the latest stage of that development, with Huawei positioning its local cloud infrastructure as a platform for delivering intelligent services rather than primarily hosting data.
Roc Bai, Managing Director of Huawei Cloud Nigeria, said the technology could help organisations convert local data, industry expertise and business requirements into practical AI applications.
“With Huawei Cloud as a trusted local foundation, AI can turn local data, industry knowledge, and business needs into real intelligence and lasting value.”
– Roc Bai, Managing Director, Huawei Cloud Nigeria
At the summit, Huawei Cloud also showcased AI-native technologies covering big data, artificial intelligence and AI agents, while holding discussions with Nigerian ecosystem partners on joint innovation and industry applications.
Huawei said it will continue working with the Nigerian government, customers, partners and developers to strengthen local cloud and AI capabilities, accelerate the integration of cloud and AI technologies, and support the growth of intelligent industries in Nigeria.
By Jennifer Onyeagoro, Tech Africa News
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2026
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Nigeria launches national cloud taskforce
Nigeria has moved from sovereign-cloud policy to implementation with the inauguration of the country's National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Implementation Taskforce (NSCI-ITF).
This initiative is aimed at bringing greater control over critical data, computing infrastructure and a growing digital economy.
The National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Implementation Taskforce will align regulators, government institutions and private-sector operators, while driving the implementation of technical standards, cloud governance, infrastructure assurance and investment frameworks, according to the National Information Technology Development Agency.
It went on to say that the body will also monitor progress and tackle regulatory and operational bottlenecks that could slow adoption.
The timing is significant. Nigerian organisations are estimated to spend about $850 million annually on foreign cloud infrastructure, money that leaves the country as businesses pay international providers for computing, storage and other digital services.
The dependence also exposes companies to foreign-exchange pressures, external infrastructure disruptions and limited domestic control over where critical workloads are hosted.
Nigeria is now attempting to turn that vulnerability into an investment opportunity.
The Federal Government’s National Digital Cloud Policy targets $750 million in private investment in cloud and data-centre infrastructure over the next 24 months, potentially creating a larger domestic market for data centres, fibre connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud engineering and artificial intelligence computing.
The broader African market shows why the stakes are rising. Kenya has attracted investment in sovereign public-cloud infrastructure in Nairobi, while South Africa has developed a more mature hyperscale and local-cloud ecosystem.
Nigeria’s advantage is its enormous domestic technology market; its challenge is converting that demand into reliable local capacity.
For the NSCI-ITF to succeed, policy alone will not be enough. Nigeria must address electricity reliability, connectivity, data-centre capacity, cybersecurity and the shortage of specialised cloud talent.
If it does, the sovereign cloud could become more than a data-localisation exercise; it could form the infrastructure layer for Nigeria’s next phase of digital and AI growth.
This initiative is aimed at bringing greater control over critical data, computing infrastructure and a growing digital economy.
The National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Implementation Taskforce will align regulators, government institutions and private-sector operators, while driving the implementation of technical standards, cloud governance, infrastructure assurance and investment frameworks, according to the National Information Technology Development Agency.
It went on to say that the body will also monitor progress and tackle regulatory and operational bottlenecks that could slow adoption.
The timing is significant. Nigerian organisations are estimated to spend about $850 million annually on foreign cloud infrastructure, money that leaves the country as businesses pay international providers for computing, storage and other digital services.
The dependence also exposes companies to foreign-exchange pressures, external infrastructure disruptions and limited domestic control over where critical workloads are hosted.
Nigeria is now attempting to turn that vulnerability into an investment opportunity.
The Federal Government’s National Digital Cloud Policy targets $750 million in private investment in cloud and data-centre infrastructure over the next 24 months, potentially creating a larger domestic market for data centres, fibre connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud engineering and artificial intelligence computing.
The broader African market shows why the stakes are rising. Kenya has attracted investment in sovereign public-cloud infrastructure in Nairobi, while South Africa has developed a more mature hyperscale and local-cloud ecosystem.
Nigeria’s advantage is its enormous domestic technology market; its challenge is converting that demand into reliable local capacity.
For the NSCI-ITF to succeed, policy alone will not be enough. Nigeria must address electricity reliability, connectivity, data-centre capacity, cybersecurity and the shortage of specialised cloud talent.
If it does, the sovereign cloud could become more than a data-localisation exercise; it could form the infrastructure layer for Nigeria’s next phase of digital and AI growth.
By Samuel Olomu, ITWeb
Monday, August 24, 2026
Nigeria approves two new satellites to cut foreign satellite dependence
Nigeria is moving to strengthen its homegrown satellite infrastructure after the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition and deployment of two new high-throughput communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B. The approval, disclosed on August 22, 2026, moves the project into its next implementation phase and is expected to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity while reducing its reliance on foreign infrastructure. The satellites are being positioned as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and make more communications capacity available locally.
The bigger issue here is that Nigeria’s digital economy is increasingly dependent on infrastructure it does not own. Satellite connectivity has become particularly visible since Starlink entered the Nigerian market, with the service growing into one of the country’s largest ISPs. That has been useful for connecting places where fibre and terrestrial networks struggle, but it also highlights the gap between Nigeria’s demand for connectivity and the capacity of its own satellite infrastructure. The government now wants NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B to help close some of that gap rather than leaving the country increasingly dependent on overseas satellite operators.
Nigeria’s existing NIGCOMSAT-1R was launched in December 2011 and has been providing communications services for more than a decade. But its original design life was about 15 years, meaning the country has been approaching the point where replacement capacity becomes increasingly important. The planned 2A and 2B satellites therefore aren’t simply about adding more bandwidth; they are also about giving Nigeria a next-generation replacement and additional capacity as demand for broadband, broadcasting, government communications and other digital services continues to grow.
And this comes at an interesting time for Nigeria’s broader digital-infrastructure push. The government says it has invested more than ₦3.8 trillion in IT infrastructure since 2023, while policies around data localisation are also pushing more digital infrastructure and services into Nigeria. At the same time, satellite operators such as Starlink are demonstrating how quickly private companies can deploy alternative connectivity infrastructure when terrestrial networks fall short. The challenge for NIGCOMSAT will therefore be less about simply putting two satellites into orbit and more about whether Nigeria can turn them into commercially useful infrastructure that attracts customers, generates revenue and competes effectively.
That is ultimately what will determine whether this becomes a meaningful sovereignty story or just another government infrastructure project. Owning satellites gives Nigeria more control over critical communications capacity, but the satellites still need to be well managed, commercially viable and connected to the rest of the country’s broadband ecosystem. If NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B can provide reliable, affordable capacity to telecom operators, government agencies, businesses and underserved communities, they could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign infrastructure while creating a stronger domestic space and communications industry. But the real test begins after approval: getting the satellites built, launched, operational and, crucially, used at scale.
By Victoria Fakiya, Techpoint
The bigger issue here is that Nigeria’s digital economy is increasingly dependent on infrastructure it does not own. Satellite connectivity has become particularly visible since Starlink entered the Nigerian market, with the service growing into one of the country’s largest ISPs. That has been useful for connecting places where fibre and terrestrial networks struggle, but it also highlights the gap between Nigeria’s demand for connectivity and the capacity of its own satellite infrastructure. The government now wants NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B to help close some of that gap rather than leaving the country increasingly dependent on overseas satellite operators.
Nigeria’s existing NIGCOMSAT-1R was launched in December 2011 and has been providing communications services for more than a decade. But its original design life was about 15 years, meaning the country has been approaching the point where replacement capacity becomes increasingly important. The planned 2A and 2B satellites therefore aren’t simply about adding more bandwidth; they are also about giving Nigeria a next-generation replacement and additional capacity as demand for broadband, broadcasting, government communications and other digital services continues to grow.
And this comes at an interesting time for Nigeria’s broader digital-infrastructure push. The government says it has invested more than ₦3.8 trillion in IT infrastructure since 2023, while policies around data localisation are also pushing more digital infrastructure and services into Nigeria. At the same time, satellite operators such as Starlink are demonstrating how quickly private companies can deploy alternative connectivity infrastructure when terrestrial networks fall short. The challenge for NIGCOMSAT will therefore be less about simply putting two satellites into orbit and more about whether Nigeria can turn them into commercially useful infrastructure that attracts customers, generates revenue and competes effectively.
That is ultimately what will determine whether this becomes a meaningful sovereignty story or just another government infrastructure project. Owning satellites gives Nigeria more control over critical communications capacity, but the satellites still need to be well managed, commercially viable and connected to the rest of the country’s broadband ecosystem. If NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B can provide reliable, affordable capacity to telecom operators, government agencies, businesses and underserved communities, they could reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign infrastructure while creating a stronger domestic space and communications industry. But the real test begins after approval: getting the satellites built, launched, operational and, crucially, used at scale.
Google raises cloud storage subscription price by 51.72% in Nigeria
Multinational technology corporation Google has increased its cloud storage subscription for the Standard plan by approximately 51.72 per cent, with the new price range effective 22 September.
Google One, a cloud storage service offered by Google LLC, provides users with additional cloud storage that is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
The company disclosed the price increase in an email sent to customers on Sunday, stating that the monthly subscription for Google One’s 200 GB plan will rise from N2,900 to N4,400.
The subscription enables customers to maintain access to its range of services through a centralised platform.
“Your price may change again as described in the Google Play Terms of Service. You can choose to stop your subscription from renewing at any time and see upcoming charges in Subscriptions on Google Play,” the technology giant stated.
Google said the price increase would not affect customers’ data, adding that subscribers would retain their existing storage capacity and all membership benefits.
It added that customers will be automatically charged the new subscription price, plus any applicable taxes, using their selected payment method at their next billing date, unless they cancel the subscription.
The current prices of other Google One plans listed on the technology company’s website include Google AI Plus at N7,700 per month for 400 GB of storage, Google AI Pro at N28,500 per month for 5 TB, and Google AI Ultra at N89,000 per month, offering 20 TB of storage.
For non-AI plans, Google lists Lite at N1,300 per month for 30 GB of storage, Basic at N2,950 per month for 100 GB, and Standard at N4,400 per month for 200 GB.
Meanwhile, in a July announcement, Nigeria was listed among the countries where Google said prices for Google One plan purchases would increase, alongside Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, with new members in these markets subscribing at the revised rates.
Every Google account comes with 15GB of free storage by default, and a paid plan extends that to 100GB or beyond, depending on subscribers’ preferences.
This also allows subscribers to get access to AI features, Google support experts, and certain benefits that can be shared with family members.
The price hike comes amid complaints from Nigerians over rising costs of digital products and services, including telecoms data and airtime.
The complaints have also prompted telecom operators such as Airtel to launch campaigns highlighting how customers consume data, with cloud services and storage backups accounting for a major share of their data usage.
Google One, a cloud storage service offered by Google LLC, provides users with additional cloud storage that is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
The company disclosed the price increase in an email sent to customers on Sunday, stating that the monthly subscription for Google One’s 200 GB plan will rise from N2,900 to N4,400.
The subscription enables customers to maintain access to its range of services through a centralised platform.
“Your price may change again as described in the Google Play Terms of Service. You can choose to stop your subscription from renewing at any time and see upcoming charges in Subscriptions on Google Play,” the technology giant stated.
Google said the price increase would not affect customers’ data, adding that subscribers would retain their existing storage capacity and all membership benefits.
It added that customers will be automatically charged the new subscription price, plus any applicable taxes, using their selected payment method at their next billing date, unless they cancel the subscription.
The current prices of other Google One plans listed on the technology company’s website include Google AI Plus at N7,700 per month for 400 GB of storage, Google AI Pro at N28,500 per month for 5 TB, and Google AI Ultra at N89,000 per month, offering 20 TB of storage.
For non-AI plans, Google lists Lite at N1,300 per month for 30 GB of storage, Basic at N2,950 per month for 100 GB, and Standard at N4,400 per month for 200 GB.
Meanwhile, in a July announcement, Nigeria was listed among the countries where Google said prices for Google One plan purchases would increase, alongside Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, with new members in these markets subscribing at the revised rates.
Every Google account comes with 15GB of free storage by default, and a paid plan extends that to 100GB or beyond, depending on subscribers’ preferences.
This also allows subscribers to get access to AI features, Google support experts, and certain benefits that can be shared with family members.
The price hike comes amid complaints from Nigerians over rising costs of digital products and services, including telecoms data and airtime.
The complaints have also prompted telecom operators such as Airtel to launch campaigns highlighting how customers consume data, with cloud services and storage backups accounting for a major share of their data usage.
By Omotoyosi Idowu, Premium Times
Nigeria SEC toughens crypto rules
Digital asset exchanges and custodians operating in Nigeria will require a minimum capital of N2bn ($1.41m) under a proposed regulatory framework aimed at tightening oversight of the crypto industry.
The draft rules issued by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prescribe a N30m ($21,200) registration fee and set a minimum capital of N500m ($353,000) for digital asset platform operators and real-world asset tokenisation platforms.
Virtual asset service providers will need a minimum capital of N200m ($141,000) under the proposal, according to the SEC.
Regulated entities will also be required to maintain a fidelity insurance bond covering at least 25 per cent of their minimum paid-up capital.
The proposed framework requires all crypto operators serving Nigerian residents to be locally incorporated, maintain a registered office, and have their top executive resident in the country.
No digital asset business may operate in Nigeria or target local users without SEC approval, says the commission.
Applicants face additional processing and application fees, while businesses entering the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme will pay N200,000 ($141) for an initial assessment and N2m ($1,410) to apply.
SEC director-general Emomotimi Agama has previously stressed the importance of taking the market seriously,
He says more than 33 per cent of Nigeria’s population was engaged in digital assets, highlighting both the opportunity and risks created by rapid adoption.
The latest proposal comes as Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency markets.
Chainalysis ranked the country sixth globally in crypto adoption in 2025, while the International Monetary Fund reported that Nigeria received about $59bn in crypto-asset value between July 2023 and June 2024.
The stricter compliance requirements are expected to favour larger financial institutions while raising operating costs for smaller firms.
By Samuel Olomu, itweb
The draft rules issued by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prescribe a N30m ($21,200) registration fee and set a minimum capital of N500m ($353,000) for digital asset platform operators and real-world asset tokenisation platforms.
Virtual asset service providers will need a minimum capital of N200m ($141,000) under the proposal, according to the SEC.
Regulated entities will also be required to maintain a fidelity insurance bond covering at least 25 per cent of their minimum paid-up capital.
The proposed framework requires all crypto operators serving Nigerian residents to be locally incorporated, maintain a registered office, and have their top executive resident in the country.
No digital asset business may operate in Nigeria or target local users without SEC approval, says the commission.
Applicants face additional processing and application fees, while businesses entering the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme will pay N200,000 ($141) for an initial assessment and N2m ($1,410) to apply.
SEC director-general Emomotimi Agama has previously stressed the importance of taking the market seriously,
He says more than 33 per cent of Nigeria’s population was engaged in digital assets, highlighting both the opportunity and risks created by rapid adoption.
The latest proposal comes as Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency markets.
Chainalysis ranked the country sixth globally in crypto adoption in 2025, while the International Monetary Fund reported that Nigeria received about $59bn in crypto-asset value between July 2023 and June 2024.
The stricter compliance requirements are expected to favour larger financial institutions while raising operating costs for smaller firms.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Meta Unveils AI Academy Nigeria with $10,000 Funding for Two Startups
Meta has launched the Meta AI Academy Nigeria, a national initiative aimed at supporting Nigerian startups developing artificial intelligence-powered solutions.
The programme is being delivered in collaboration with Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN).
As part of the initiative, Nigerian startups building with AI are being invited to submit their solutions for consideration and pitching.
The top 10 submissions will be selected to pitch their solutions live at GITEX Nigeria on September 3, 2026.
Following the pitch competition, two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding, Meta advertising credits and an all-expenses-paid opportunity to compete against startups from Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at the AI Summit by Meta in Istanbul in November 2026.
The initiative is positioned to provide Nigerian AI startups with funding, visibility and opportunities to connect with a wider regional and international innovation ecosystem.
The programme is being delivered in collaboration with Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN).
As part of the initiative, Nigerian startups building with AI are being invited to submit their solutions for consideration and pitching.
The top 10 submissions will be selected to pitch their solutions live at GITEX Nigeria on September 3, 2026.
Following the pitch competition, two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding, Meta advertising credits and an all-expenses-paid opportunity to compete against startups from Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at the AI Summit by Meta in Istanbul in November 2026.
The initiative is positioned to provide Nigerian AI startups with funding, visibility and opportunities to connect with a wider regional and international innovation ecosystem.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Nigerian drone maker raises $52 million as Ghana factory prepares to become Africa’s largest
The company said the latest funding will support manufacturing, engineering, operations and business-development teams, as well as deployments across Africa and other markets in the Global South.
Terra’s Pax-2 factory in Ghana is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter. The 34,000-square-foot facility is expected to become Africa’s largest drone factory once operational, according to the company.
It is a significant next step after Terra’s funding reached $34 million in February, when the startup said it was scaling production of drones, surveillance towers and unmanned ground vehicles.
The Ghana facility is a more defined version of the company’s earlier plan to expand its manufacturing base beyond Nigeria. It will follow Terra’s 15,000-square-foot flagship factory in Abuja.
Terra says its systems are already used to help protect power plants, mines and other critical infrastructure assets valued at about $11 billion across multiple African countries.
The latest raise also comes as African governments and infrastructure operators look for locally built alternatives in a sector where the continent still receives a small share of global defence-technology funding.
From Abuja to Accra and London
Terra was founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka. It develops autonomous aerial, land and maritime systems, including drones, interceptor drones, surveillance towers and unmanned ground vehicles.
The additional capital was provided by existing investors 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel. Norleo Space Investments and Grant Gordon also joined the round, Terra said in its funding announcement.
The company will open an office in London while keeping manufacturing in Africa. It plans further expansion across the Gulf, South America and South Asia.
The factory timetable
Pax-2 is expected to produce up to 50,000 systems a year by 2028. That figure is a company target, not current output.
The new factory is designed to produce Terra’s aerial-systems portfolio. Its planned capacity is more than three times the size of the company’s existing Abuja factory by floor area.
The project gives Ghana a direct role in the company’s next production phase, while Nigeria remains home to its original factory and founding team.
The funding does not mean the factory is already operational. Terra has said Pax-2 is due to open in the fourth quarter, and the planned annual capacity is tied to its 2028 target.
By Victor Oluwole, Business Insider Africa
Related stories: US tech billionaire Joe Lonsdale invests $11.8m in Nigerian drone firm to tackle Africa’s insecurity
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Nigeria and Burkina Faso Explore Project BRIDGE to Cut Internet Costs by 50%
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative was discussed during his visit to Ouagadougou, where he met Burkina Faso’s Minister for Digital Transition, Posts and Communication, Dr Aminata Zerbo-Sabané.
At the centre of the discussions was Project BRIDGE, Nigeria’s connectivity initiative aimed at expanding access to faster, more affordable and resilient internet infrastructure.
Under the proposed collaboration, technical teams from both countries will assess connectivity routes linking Nigeria to Burkina Faso through Nigeria-Niger-Burkina Faso and Nigeria-Benin-Burkina Faso corridors. The assessment is expected to identify a viable pathway for lowering Burkina Faso’s internet connectivity costs by up to half.
The two countries also agreed to establish a Technical Working Committee to develop an implementation framework for the partnership.
The cooperation will extend beyond fibre infrastructure to other areas of the digital economy. Nigeria and Burkina Faso plan to explore collaboration on digital skills and talent development, including the potential sharing of Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) model.
The countries will also seek to strengthen ties between their startup ecosystems, support Burkina Faso’s Innovation Campus and collaborate on artificial intelligence, local-language technologies, shared computing infrastructure, cybersecurity and research.
Tijani said the engagement forms part of Nigeria’s broader outreach to neighbouring countries, following a recent visit to Benin Republic, with planned engagements in Niger and Chad.
The Nigerian government said the broader objective is to leverage the country’s expanding digital infrastructure and capabilities to support shared economic opportunities across borders, strengthen regional digital integration and position Nigeria as a digital gateway connecting West Africa and the Sahel.
By Akim Benamara, Tech Africa News
Monday, August 3, 2026
Video - Nigeria turns to technology to modernize livestock industry
New online platforms are connecting producers, traders, processors and buyers to improve efficiency and unlock more value across one of Africa's largest livestock industries. The platforms aim to create a more structured supply chain by providing verified information that helps buyers and sellers make better-informed decisions.
Monday, July 20, 2026
Video - Nigerian artist uses AI to preserve Africa's oral histories
Nigerian artist Malika Afegbua is using artificial intelligence to preserve Africa's oral histories, languages and traditions through his Legacy Link project. The initiative captures the voices and memories of elders to ensure their stories live on for future generations. It builds on his earlier Elders Series, which celebrated Africa's elderly through AI-generated art.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Video - Nigeria’s AI pioneer builds a university for the future
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world, from agriculture to healthcare, driving innovation and economic growth. In Nigeria, one young entrepreneur is embracing that future by founding a university dedicated entirely to AI, aiming to equip the next generation with the skills to lead the digital revolution.
Monday, June 29, 2026
Nigerians turning to stablecoins to move money across borders
A growing number of Nigerians are using stablecoins to send and receive cross-border payments faster and at lower cost than traditional banking systems. Businesses say the digital assets, pegged to the US dollar, help cut delays, reduce fees, and simplify international transactions.
Monday, June 22, 2026
How Nigerian terrorists use TikTok, exploit country’s digital governance gap
A week after the Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction killed and abducted more than 170 women and children from Woro in Kaiama, Kwara State, the terror group released a video on TikTok mocking the government and accusing it of “deceit and infidelity” for downplaying the number of kidnapped victims.
The 90-second video was shared on the Chinese-owned social media platform by a handler identified as Abu Muhammad Abba, a coinage that could be genuine but is more likely a pseudonym, as is common within jihadist circles.
Shortly after the clip went viral in February, both the video and the account disappeared from the platform, suggesting that the account may have been deactivated or the content removed. A recent check, however, showed that the account, likely created in 2025, has resumed disseminating propaganda messages and sermons by jihadi ideologues, including late Boko Haram founder Muhammad Yusuf.
The message was not merely propaganda. It reflected a growing global challenge in which extremist groups exploit digital platforms and weaknesses in digital governance systems to communicate, spread propaganda, recruit followers and project power far beyond the physical battlefield.
At the centre of this challenge is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the foundational systems that enable governments and citizens to interact securely and efficiently through digital identity, payments, data exchange and trusted communications. While DPI is often discussed in the context of financial inclusion, service delivery and economic development, security experts increasingly argue that it is also becoming a critical component of national security.
As governments digitise public services and expand connectivity, extremist groups have become more adept at exploiting the same digital ecosystem to influence audiences, spread narratives and evade traditional security responses.
The TikTok video showing the abducted victims from Woro, however, represented more than a propaganda stunt. It highlighted how terrorism itself is evolving in the digital age.
The 90-second video was shared on the Chinese-owned social media platform by a handler identified as Abu Muhammad Abba, a coinage that could be genuine but is more likely a pseudonym, as is common within jihadist circles.
Shortly after the clip went viral in February, both the video and the account disappeared from the platform, suggesting that the account may have been deactivated or the content removed. A recent check, however, showed that the account, likely created in 2025, has resumed disseminating propaganda messages and sermons by jihadi ideologues, including late Boko Haram founder Muhammad Yusuf.
The message was not merely propaganda. It reflected a growing global challenge in which extremist groups exploit digital platforms and weaknesses in digital governance systems to communicate, spread propaganda, recruit followers and project power far beyond the physical battlefield.
At the centre of this challenge is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the foundational systems that enable governments and citizens to interact securely and efficiently through digital identity, payments, data exchange and trusted communications. While DPI is often discussed in the context of financial inclusion, service delivery and economic development, security experts increasingly argue that it is also becoming a critical component of national security.
As governments digitise public services and expand connectivity, extremist groups have become more adept at exploiting the same digital ecosystem to influence audiences, spread narratives and evade traditional security responses.
The TikTok video showing the abducted victims from Woro, however, represented more than a propaganda stunt. It highlighted how terrorism itself is evolving in the digital age.
A global digital battlefield
The exploitation of social media by extremist groups is not unique to Nigeria.
From the Islamic State’s sophisticated media machinery to al-Qaeda channels on Telegram and violent far-right networks operating across Europe and North America, terrorist organisations have transformed digital platforms into strategic assets, according to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).
What were originally communication tools have become part of the infrastructure through which extremist groups recruit followers, disseminate propaganda, coordinate activities, raise funds and shape public perception.
“The war is not [only] about guns and bullets again,” said Malik Samuel, a security analyst and senior researcher at Good Governance Africa (GGA). “It is now more of an information warfare.”
Governments around the world have spent years trying to adapt to this reality.
In West Africa, where Islamic State and al-Qaeda franchises wreak havoc in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, regional efforts such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Counter-Terrorism Coordination Unit have largely focused on intelligence sharing, military cooperation and counterterrorism operations on the ground.
In Europe and North America, security agencies increasingly view online propaganda not merely as harmful content but as part of a broader ecosystem capable of facilitating recruitment, radicalisation and operational coordination.
One of the most notable examples emerged in Europe, where coordinated Europol-led operations dismantled key elements of the Islamic State’s online propaganda infrastructure. Rather than focusing solely on individual posts or accounts, investigators targeted the servers, websites, applications and communication systems that enabled extremist content to circulate globally.
These efforts pushed many extremist organisations away from mainstream platforms and into more obscure digital spaces, particularly encrypted Telegram channels, where propaganda networks sustained by automated accounts and sympathisers continue to operate.
Yet the rise of TikTok created new opportunities.
Since TikTok’s rapid global expansion, researchers and law enforcement agencies have documented how extremist actors exploit the platform’s recommendation-driven ecosystem to amplify propaganda and expand their reach.
An Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) report titled ‘CaliphateTok’ identified an active network of at least 20 Islamic State-supporting TikTok accounts that collectively amassed more than one million views. Europol has similarly documented the presence of terrorist and violent extremist content on the platform.
In September 2023, Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) and TikTok coordinated a multinational operation involving 11 countries that identified more than 2,100 pieces of suspected terrorist and violent extremist content, including material linked to jihadist and violent far-right networks.
What distinguishes many Western responses is not the absence of extremist content but the existence of dedicated institutions designed to continuously monitor, analyse and disrupt terrorist online ecosystems.
For example, Europol’s EU Internet Referral Unit (IRU), established in 2015, operates as a permanent capability that tracks extremist propaganda, supports online investigations, works with technology companies to facilitate content removals and maintains databases used in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
In June 2024, Europol, in collaboration with Eurojust and US authorities, dismantled online infrastructure supporting multiple Islamic State media outlets, taking down servers used to distribute propaganda and operational messages in at least 30 languages.
The operation demonstrated how modern counterterrorism increasingly focuses not only on content moderation but on disrupting the digital infrastructure that sustains extremist networks.
The exploitation of social media by extremist groups is not unique to Nigeria.
From the Islamic State’s sophisticated media machinery to al-Qaeda channels on Telegram and violent far-right networks operating across Europe and North America, terrorist organisations have transformed digital platforms into strategic assets, according to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP).
What were originally communication tools have become part of the infrastructure through which extremist groups recruit followers, disseminate propaganda, coordinate activities, raise funds and shape public perception.
“The war is not [only] about guns and bullets again,” said Malik Samuel, a security analyst and senior researcher at Good Governance Africa (GGA). “It is now more of an information warfare.”
Governments around the world have spent years trying to adapt to this reality.
In West Africa, where Islamic State and al-Qaeda franchises wreak havoc in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, regional efforts such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Counter-Terrorism Coordination Unit have largely focused on intelligence sharing, military cooperation and counterterrorism operations on the ground.
In Europe and North America, security agencies increasingly view online propaganda not merely as harmful content but as part of a broader ecosystem capable of facilitating recruitment, radicalisation and operational coordination.
One of the most notable examples emerged in Europe, where coordinated Europol-led operations dismantled key elements of the Islamic State’s online propaganda infrastructure. Rather than focusing solely on individual posts or accounts, investigators targeted the servers, websites, applications and communication systems that enabled extremist content to circulate globally.
These efforts pushed many extremist organisations away from mainstream platforms and into more obscure digital spaces, particularly encrypted Telegram channels, where propaganda networks sustained by automated accounts and sympathisers continue to operate.
Yet the rise of TikTok created new opportunities.
Since TikTok’s rapid global expansion, researchers and law enforcement agencies have documented how extremist actors exploit the platform’s recommendation-driven ecosystem to amplify propaganda and expand their reach.
An Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) report titled ‘CaliphateTok’ identified an active network of at least 20 Islamic State-supporting TikTok accounts that collectively amassed more than one million views. Europol has similarly documented the presence of terrorist and violent extremist content on the platform.
In September 2023, Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) and TikTok coordinated a multinational operation involving 11 countries that identified more than 2,100 pieces of suspected terrorist and violent extremist content, including material linked to jihadist and violent far-right networks.
What distinguishes many Western responses is not the absence of extremist content but the existence of dedicated institutions designed to continuously monitor, analyse and disrupt terrorist online ecosystems.
For example, Europol’s EU Internet Referral Unit (IRU), established in 2015, operates as a permanent capability that tracks extremist propaganda, supports online investigations, works with technology companies to facilitate content removals and maintains databases used in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
In June 2024, Europol, in collaboration with Eurojust and US authorities, dismantled online infrastructure supporting multiple Islamic State media outlets, taking down servers used to distribute propaganda and operational messages in at least 30 languages.
The operation demonstrated how modern counterterrorism increasingly focuses not only on content moderation but on disrupting the digital infrastructure that sustains extremist networks.
Nigeria’s emerging digital challenge
Nigeria is not isolated from these global trends.
Over the past decade, the country has made significant investments in DPI. The National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), mobile telecommunications networks, and expanding digital government services have laid the foundations for a rapidly digitising society.
Yet, while Nigeria’s digital infrastructure has expanded, questions remain about whether equivalent investments have been made in the systems required to secure that ecosystem against emerging threats.
The growing presence of extremist actors on TikTok and other social media platforms illustrates the challenge.
For years, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), relied on intermediaries, clandestine websites and tightly controlled channels to disseminate messages about battlefield activities and ideological positions.
That model is changing. Platforms such as TikTok allow armed groups to bypass traditional gatekeepers and communicate directly with followers, potential recruits, local communities, victims and even the state itself.
As the platform becomes increasingly embedded in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, experts say its misuse by extremist actors raises broader questions about how DPI intersects with national security.
Joseph Ekong, a researcher and security analyst at Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), said while the use of technology in counterterrorism is important, the willingness of the Nigerian government to treat “early-warning and early-response systems as public infrastructure rather than ad-hoc, donor-driven projects” is also vital.
Nigeria is not isolated from these global trends.
Over the past decade, the country has made significant investments in DPI. The National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), mobile telecommunications networks, and expanding digital government services have laid the foundations for a rapidly digitising society.
Yet, while Nigeria’s digital infrastructure has expanded, questions remain about whether equivalent investments have been made in the systems required to secure that ecosystem against emerging threats.
The growing presence of extremist actors on TikTok and other social media platforms illustrates the challenge.
For years, insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), relied on intermediaries, clandestine websites and tightly controlled channels to disseminate messages about battlefield activities and ideological positions.
That model is changing. Platforms such as TikTok allow armed groups to bypass traditional gatekeepers and communicate directly with followers, potential recruits, local communities, victims and even the state itself.
As the platform becomes increasingly embedded in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, experts say its misuse by extremist actors raises broader questions about how DPI intersects with national security.
Joseph Ekong, a researcher and security analyst at Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), said while the use of technology in counterterrorism is important, the willingness of the Nigerian government to treat “early-warning and early-response systems as public infrastructure rather than ad-hoc, donor-driven projects” is also vital.
The algorithm advantage
TikTok’s design—fast-paced, algorithm-driven and highly engaging—makes it particularly susceptible to misuse.
Like many major social media platforms, it relies heavily on recommendation systems to surface content to users. However, the platform’s short-form video format and highly responsive recommendation engine can rapidly amplify content beyond an account’s existing followers, exposing videos to large audiences quickly. This amplification effect allows propaganda to travel far beyond its intended audience.
A single video, even if removed within hours, can be downloaded, reshared and repackaged across multiple accounts, creating a ripple effect that is difficult to contain. The video of the abducted Woro victims offers an example. While the clip disappeared from the main suspected insurgent account, copies remain accessible on several associated handles.
In this way, content moderation often becomes reactive while dissemination remains proactive.
For experts, this illustrates a broader challenge. As social media platforms become embedded within national information ecosystems, security institutions must contend not only with physical threats but also with algorithmically amplified influence operations.
Suggesting a response, Mr Samuel said the Nigerian government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, could “work with social media companies” to shut down extremist or terrorist accounts. He, however, believes that the approach alone will not solve the problem, as groups can easily migrate to alternative platforms or create replacement accounts.
TikTok’s design—fast-paced, algorithm-driven and highly engaging—makes it particularly susceptible to misuse.
Like many major social media platforms, it relies heavily on recommendation systems to surface content to users. However, the platform’s short-form video format and highly responsive recommendation engine can rapidly amplify content beyond an account’s existing followers, exposing videos to large audiences quickly. This amplification effect allows propaganda to travel far beyond its intended audience.
A single video, even if removed within hours, can be downloaded, reshared and repackaged across multiple accounts, creating a ripple effect that is difficult to contain. The video of the abducted Woro victims offers an example. While the clip disappeared from the main suspected insurgent account, copies remain accessible on several associated handles.
In this way, content moderation often becomes reactive while dissemination remains proactive.
For experts, this illustrates a broader challenge. As social media platforms become embedded within national information ecosystems, security institutions must contend not only with physical threats but also with algorithmically amplified influence operations.
Suggesting a response, Mr Samuel said the Nigerian government, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, could “work with social media companies” to shut down extremist or terrorist accounts. He, however, believes that the approach alone will not solve the problem, as groups can easily migrate to alternative platforms or create replacement accounts.
A shifting paradigm
The use of TikTok was initially more common among terror groups with no clear political motive, locally known as bandits.
During the course of this report, PREMIUM TIMES monitored and profiled more than 20 accounts, including some allegedly operated by bandits associated with the camp of notorious kingpin Ado Alieru.
More recently, however, Boko Haram factions appear to have adopted similar tactics.
This newspaper identified at least two accounts associated with Boko Haram factions. An independent researcher, who requested anonymity because of security concerns, linked one of the accounts to a faction led by Bakura Doro in the Lake Chad region.
“It started with bandits,” Bulama Bukarti, a lawyer and security analyst, said in an X post. “Now, Boko Haram members are hosting live TikTok shows—spreading propaganda, justifying their violence, and threatening anyone who dares speak against them.”
Mr Bukarti said the insurgents engage with viewers in real time, fielding questions, responding to comments and cultivating a disturbing sense of virtual community.
“Some of their pre-recorded videos have hundreds of thousands of views,” he added. “At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before they start livestreaming attacks.”
Noting that Nigerian intelligence agencies cannot track every terrorist, the lawyer advised that authorities work with TikTok to “shut down terrorist and bandit accounts.”
The use of TikTok was initially more common among terror groups with no clear political motive, locally known as bandits.
During the course of this report, PREMIUM TIMES monitored and profiled more than 20 accounts, including some allegedly operated by bandits associated with the camp of notorious kingpin Ado Alieru.
More recently, however, Boko Haram factions appear to have adopted similar tactics.
This newspaper identified at least two accounts associated with Boko Haram factions. An independent researcher, who requested anonymity because of security concerns, linked one of the accounts to a faction led by Bakura Doro in the Lake Chad region.
“It started with bandits,” Bulama Bukarti, a lawyer and security analyst, said in an X post. “Now, Boko Haram members are hosting live TikTok shows—spreading propaganda, justifying their violence, and threatening anyone who dares speak against them.”
Mr Bukarti said the insurgents engage with viewers in real time, fielding questions, responding to comments and cultivating a disturbing sense of virtual community.
“Some of their pre-recorded videos have hundreds of thousands of views,” he added. “At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before they start livestreaming attacks.”
Noting that Nigerian intelligence agencies cannot track every terrorist, the lawyer advised that authorities work with TikTok to “shut down terrorist and bandit accounts.”
A system struggling to respond
Nigeria’s response to this evolving threat has been uneven.
Responsibility for digital security is spread across multiple institutions, including law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and communications regulators. While several coordination mechanisms already exist, researchers and policymakers have repeatedly identified challenges relating to information sharing, overlapping mandates and inter-agency cooperation.
While several agencies monitor aspects of cybercrime, terrorism and online activity, there is no public information about a dedicated, integrated framework for tracking extremist content across platforms in real time or for systematically analysing digital threat patterns across institutions.
This fragmentation mirrors broader challenges within Nigeria’s security architecture, where intelligence is often siloed, and institutional coordination can be slow.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) did not respond to requests for comment sent by PREMIUM TIMES. However, during a press briefing last year, Adamu Laka, the centre’s Director-General, disclosed that the government was partnering with social media platforms to identify and remove terrorist-linked accounts.
The disclosure suggests that authorities recognise the growing digital dimension of terrorism. Data obtained from TikTok’s transparency portal showed that the platform received 33 takedown requests from the Nigerian government between January 2023 and the first two quarters of 2025. This included 24 content posted by 55 accounts, among which 30 were “actioned” upon for violating community guidelines and local laws.
However, experts argue that account removals alone cannot address the wider challenge.
Mr Samuel believes that simply taking down accounts may offer only temporary relief. Instead, he said the government should engage knowledgeable clerics and credible community voices to provide alternative narratives through the same platforms terrorists are using.
Automated moderation tools often struggle with local languages and dialects. Human moderation capacity for African content also remains limited, creating gaps that can be exploited by violent actors.
To address this challenge, Mr Samuel recommended greater collaboration with indigenous technology companies that possess a stronger linguistic and cultural understanding of local contexts.
Nigeria’s response to this evolving threat has been uneven.
Responsibility for digital security is spread across multiple institutions, including law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and communications regulators. While several coordination mechanisms already exist, researchers and policymakers have repeatedly identified challenges relating to information sharing, overlapping mandates and inter-agency cooperation.
While several agencies monitor aspects of cybercrime, terrorism and online activity, there is no public information about a dedicated, integrated framework for tracking extremist content across platforms in real time or for systematically analysing digital threat patterns across institutions.
This fragmentation mirrors broader challenges within Nigeria’s security architecture, where intelligence is often siloed, and institutional coordination can be slow.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) did not respond to requests for comment sent by PREMIUM TIMES. However, during a press briefing last year, Adamu Laka, the centre’s Director-General, disclosed that the government was partnering with social media platforms to identify and remove terrorist-linked accounts.
The disclosure suggests that authorities recognise the growing digital dimension of terrorism. Data obtained from TikTok’s transparency portal showed that the platform received 33 takedown requests from the Nigerian government between January 2023 and the first two quarters of 2025. This included 24 content posted by 55 accounts, among which 30 were “actioned” upon for violating community guidelines and local laws.
However, experts argue that account removals alone cannot address the wider challenge.
Mr Samuel believes that simply taking down accounts may offer only temporary relief. Instead, he said the government should engage knowledgeable clerics and credible community voices to provide alternative narratives through the same platforms terrorists are using.
Automated moderation tools often struggle with local languages and dialects. Human moderation capacity for African content also remains limited, creating gaps that can be exploited by violent actors.
To address this challenge, Mr Samuel recommended greater collaboration with indigenous technology companies that possess a stronger linguistic and cultural understanding of local contexts.
Influence, recruitment and radicalisation
The use of TikTok is not only about broadcasting attacks, but it also raises concerns about influence and recruitment.
Short-form videos are easy to consume and share, making them effective tools for shaping narratives. Over time, repeated exposure to such content, even in diluted or coded forms, can normalise extremist ideas or desensitise audiences to violence.
For younger users, who make up a significant portion of TikTok’s audience in Nigeria, this presents a subtle but serious risk.
Delusional and subtle messages posted by the terrorists could drive frustrated, jobless young people into their ranks, according to Mr Samuel.
Unlike traditional recruitment, which often required physical networks, digital pathways are diffuse and harder to detect. A user may encounter a video, follow a handle, and gradually be drawn into more private or encrypted spaces where deeper engagement occurs.
However, the issue of identity is also key. Nigeria has invested heavily in NIN as the country’s foundational identity system. But how does that translate into digital platform accountability? Can terrorist-linked digital accounts be traced through stronger identity verification systems? Can social platforms work with governments without violating privacy rights? Can digital identity systems support lawful, rights-based security monitoring?
These are difficult but necessary questions, as analysts believe that without trusted identity layers across the digital ecosystem, anonymity becomes a weapon for violent actors.
The use of TikTok is not only about broadcasting attacks, but it also raises concerns about influence and recruitment.
Short-form videos are easy to consume and share, making them effective tools for shaping narratives. Over time, repeated exposure to such content, even in diluted or coded forms, can normalise extremist ideas or desensitise audiences to violence.
For younger users, who make up a significant portion of TikTok’s audience in Nigeria, this presents a subtle but serious risk.
Delusional and subtle messages posted by the terrorists could drive frustrated, jobless young people into their ranks, according to Mr Samuel.
Unlike traditional recruitment, which often required physical networks, digital pathways are diffuse and harder to detect. A user may encounter a video, follow a handle, and gradually be drawn into more private or encrypted spaces where deeper engagement occurs.
However, the issue of identity is also key. Nigeria has invested heavily in NIN as the country’s foundational identity system. But how does that translate into digital platform accountability? Can terrorist-linked digital accounts be traced through stronger identity verification systems? Can social platforms work with governments without violating privacy rights? Can digital identity systems support lawful, rights-based security monitoring?
These are difficult but necessary questions, as analysts believe that without trusted identity layers across the digital ecosystem, anonymity becomes a weapon for violent actors.
The governance gap
At the heart of the issue is a digital governance gap.
Nigeria has yet to fully align its security strategy with the realities of a digitised threat environment. Policies exist—notably the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, which criminalise [online] terrorist activity, including propaganda, recruitment, and coordination. However, these frameworks are not specifically designed for the speed, scale, and algorithmic nature of platforms like TikTok.
Implementation remains fragmented. Institutional coordination is weak, and technical capacity is limited. Existing laws provide a basis for enforcement, but there is no dedicated, integrated policy framework focused on real-time monitoring, platform accountability, and cross-agency digital intelligence operations.
This gap is not just about regulation, it is about readiness, Mr Ekong said.
Without systems to monitor, analyse, and respond to online threats in a coordinated manner, the state remains a step behind actors who are increasingly agile and adaptive, exploiting both policy blind spots and enforcement delays.
At the heart of the issue is a digital governance gap.
Nigeria has yet to fully align its security strategy with the realities of a digitised threat environment. Policies exist—notably the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, which criminalise [online] terrorist activity, including propaganda, recruitment, and coordination. However, these frameworks are not specifically designed for the speed, scale, and algorithmic nature of platforms like TikTok.
Implementation remains fragmented. Institutional coordination is weak, and technical capacity is limited. Existing laws provide a basis for enforcement, but there is no dedicated, integrated policy framework focused on real-time monitoring, platform accountability, and cross-agency digital intelligence operations.
This gap is not just about regulation, it is about readiness, Mr Ekong said.
Without systems to monitor, analyse, and respond to online threats in a coordinated manner, the state remains a step behind actors who are increasingly agile and adaptive, exploiting both policy blind spots and enforcement delays.
By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Stablecoins gain in Nigeria for cross-border transfers
Nigerians are increasingly turning to U.S. dollar-pegged digital tokens, or stablecoins, to move money across borders, as households and small businesses seek cheaper and faster alternatives to traditional channels, the IMF said on Tuesday.
The Fund said what began as a niche crypto use has grown into a significant payments route, with Nigeria receiving about $59 billion in crypto inflows between July 2023 and June 2024 and accounting for roughly 60% of stablecoin inflows in sub-Saharan Africa.
Stablecoins - cryptocurrencies pegged to assets and designed to hold a stable value - have gained global traction, backed in part by support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Their price stability, combined with fast transfers via smartphones and digital wallets, has driven rapid adoption in Nigeria, the IMF said.
For users, they offer near-instant cross-border payments and a way to store value outside a volatile naira currency, effectively bridging crypto markets and traditional finance.
They can also undercut conventional remittance channels, where sending $200 to sub-Saharan Africa costs on average about 9% of transaction value, compared with a global average of 6%, said the IMF, citing World Bank data.
However, their rise poses policy challenges.
Widespread use of dollar-linked tokens could weaken monetary policy by reducing demand for the naira, while shifting transactions to digital wallets complicates oversight and raises the risk of illicit flows, the IMF said.
The Fund said what began as a niche crypto use has grown into a significant payments route, with Nigeria receiving about $59 billion in crypto inflows between July 2023 and June 2024 and accounting for roughly 60% of stablecoin inflows in sub-Saharan Africa.
Stablecoins - cryptocurrencies pegged to assets and designed to hold a stable value - have gained global traction, backed in part by support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Their price stability, combined with fast transfers via smartphones and digital wallets, has driven rapid adoption in Nigeria, the IMF said.
For users, they offer near-instant cross-border payments and a way to store value outside a volatile naira currency, effectively bridging crypto markets and traditional finance.
They can also undercut conventional remittance channels, where sending $200 to sub-Saharan Africa costs on average about 9% of transaction value, compared with a global average of 6%, said the IMF, citing World Bank data.
However, their rise poses policy challenges.
Widespread use of dollar-linked tokens could weaken monetary policy by reducing demand for the naira, while shifting transactions to digital wallets complicates oversight and raises the risk of illicit flows, the IMF said.
By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
From Pipelines to Data Centers: Nigeria Positions Natural Gas as the Ultimate AI Baseload
The global artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is fast becoming an energy efficiency race. As hyperscale data centres multiply across the United States, Europe and other regions, electricity has emerged as the single biggest constraint.
Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Oracle are no longer just building servers; they are signing long-term power deals, financing generation assets and partnering directly with energy companies to secure supply.
That same model could soon transform Nigeria’s gas industry.
Today, AI-focused data centres consume staggering amounts of electricity. In March 2026, Google committed 2.7GW of power capacity for a U.S. project, which is equal to the demand of two million homes. Microsoft has already teamed up with Chevron to build 2.5GW of gas-fired generation in Texas. It can be deduced that without reliable energy, AI cannot scale.
Currently, Nigeria holds the trump card. With more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa, and a digital economy racing ahead, the country is uniquely positioned to anchor the next wave of AI infrastructure. Its population is set to exceed 400 million by 2050, internet penetration is rising, and cloud adoption is accelerating.
According to the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, “Big Tech changes the financing equation for African gas. For the first time, projects can be underwritten by companies whose energy demand rivals entire industrial sectors.”
The opportunity is immense. Africa accounts for just 0.6 per cent of global data centre capacity despite housing nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population. Nigeria is moving to close that gap, with 21 operational data centres and nearly $1 billion in AI-ready facilities under development. Many are converging around gas-powered models.
However, the sector faces two major bottlenecks: severe geographic concentration in Lagos and heavy reliance on private, gas- and diesel-powered energy due to an unstable national grid.
The market is dominated by major operators such as Equinix (formerly MainOne/MDXi), Rack Centre, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Africa Data Centres, Dabengwa Data Centre, Galaxy Backbone, among others.
In March, Tetracore Energy Group announced a $400 million gas-powered data centre in Ogun State, backed by Huawei and Inspirive Technologies, with its own 100MW gas plant to guarantee uptime.
For decades, financing domestic gas infrastructure in Nigeria was hampered by payment risks and inconsistent demand. Hyperscale technology firms change that equation. Long-term supply agreements backed by investment-grade companies could unlock pipelines, processing plants, and embedded generation projects, creating privately financed gas-to-power corridors anchored by data centres and industrial parks.
The ripple effects go beyond energy. Hyperscale investment would accelerate fibre rollout, strengthen cloud sovereignty, fuel fintech growth, and reduce reliance on overseas hosting. It could position Nigeria as West Africa’s AI and digital hub at a time when global tech firms are searching for new growth markets.
Gas offers what renewables alone cannot yet guarantee in emerging markets: stable baseload power. For mission-critical AI workloads, uptime and latency demand dispatchable solutions.
As African Energy Week 2026 approaches, one message is clear: the future of African gas may not lie solely in industrialisation or LNG exports. It may lie in powering the global AI economy. And in that future, Big Tech could become Nigeria’s most strategic energy partner yet.
By Adeyemi Adepetun, The Guardian
Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Oracle are no longer just building servers; they are signing long-term power deals, financing generation assets and partnering directly with energy companies to secure supply.
That same model could soon transform Nigeria’s gas industry.
Today, AI-focused data centres consume staggering amounts of electricity. In March 2026, Google committed 2.7GW of power capacity for a U.S. project, which is equal to the demand of two million homes. Microsoft has already teamed up with Chevron to build 2.5GW of gas-fired generation in Texas. It can be deduced that without reliable energy, AI cannot scale.
Currently, Nigeria holds the trump card. With more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa, and a digital economy racing ahead, the country is uniquely positioned to anchor the next wave of AI infrastructure. Its population is set to exceed 400 million by 2050, internet penetration is rising, and cloud adoption is accelerating.
According to the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, “Big Tech changes the financing equation for African gas. For the first time, projects can be underwritten by companies whose energy demand rivals entire industrial sectors.”
The opportunity is immense. Africa accounts for just 0.6 per cent of global data centre capacity despite housing nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population. Nigeria is moving to close that gap, with 21 operational data centres and nearly $1 billion in AI-ready facilities under development. Many are converging around gas-powered models.
However, the sector faces two major bottlenecks: severe geographic concentration in Lagos and heavy reliance on private, gas- and diesel-powered energy due to an unstable national grid.
The market is dominated by major operators such as Equinix (formerly MainOne/MDXi), Rack Centre, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Africa Data Centres, Dabengwa Data Centre, Galaxy Backbone, among others.
In March, Tetracore Energy Group announced a $400 million gas-powered data centre in Ogun State, backed by Huawei and Inspirive Technologies, with its own 100MW gas plant to guarantee uptime.
For decades, financing domestic gas infrastructure in Nigeria was hampered by payment risks and inconsistent demand. Hyperscale technology firms change that equation. Long-term supply agreements backed by investment-grade companies could unlock pipelines, processing plants, and embedded generation projects, creating privately financed gas-to-power corridors anchored by data centres and industrial parks.
The ripple effects go beyond energy. Hyperscale investment would accelerate fibre rollout, strengthen cloud sovereignty, fuel fintech growth, and reduce reliance on overseas hosting. It could position Nigeria as West Africa’s AI and digital hub at a time when global tech firms are searching for new growth markets.
Gas offers what renewables alone cannot yet guarantee in emerging markets: stable baseload power. For mission-critical AI workloads, uptime and latency demand dispatchable solutions.
As African Energy Week 2026 approaches, one message is clear: the future of African gas may not lie solely in industrialisation or LNG exports. It may lie in powering the global AI economy. And in that future, Big Tech could become Nigeria’s most strategic energy partner yet.
By Adeyemi Adepetun, The Guardian
Related story: Nigeria launches AI-driven education platform
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Nigeria becoming Africa’s largest fintech hub
Professor of Economics and Vice Chancellor of James Hope University (JHU), Olu Akinkugbe, has said Nigeria is rapidly emerging as Africa’s largest and most dynamic fintech hub.
Recall that Nigeria has the highest volume of venture capital funding on the continent and houses a booming ecosystem of over 430 startups. The sector is valued at over $10.6 billion and is anchored in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.
Speaking when members of the National University Commission (NUC) visited the Lagos campus of the institution, the don observed that Nigeria was leading with innovations in payments, lending, and blockchain, thereby transforming the economy.
He also revealed that the institution’s Fintech programme was strategically designed to produce graduates who would not only understand financial systems but could harness big data, machine learning, and predictive analytics to drive inclusion, efficiency, and security in financial services.
Noting that the institution was in advanced talks with the nation’s Fintech ecosystem, he added it was also having conversations with the University of Texas in Dallas, and two other universities in Canada and East Asia to collaborate on technological solutions that would contribute to digital innovation on the continent.
According to him, the NUC is a vital regulatory body to nearly 310 universities across our nation that plays an indispensable role in maintaining standards, ensuring relevance, and fostering global competitiveness.
He told the guests: “Your (NUC’s) consistent engagement with tertiary institutions strengthens our sector and guarantees that the degrees we award remain symbols of genuine scholarship and integrity. For this noble mandate, we express our profound respect and gratitude.”
By Sunday Aikulola, The Guardian
Recall that Nigeria has the highest volume of venture capital funding on the continent and houses a booming ecosystem of over 430 startups. The sector is valued at over $10.6 billion and is anchored in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.
Speaking when members of the National University Commission (NUC) visited the Lagos campus of the institution, the don observed that Nigeria was leading with innovations in payments, lending, and blockchain, thereby transforming the economy.
He also revealed that the institution’s Fintech programme was strategically designed to produce graduates who would not only understand financial systems but could harness big data, machine learning, and predictive analytics to drive inclusion, efficiency, and security in financial services.
Noting that the institution was in advanced talks with the nation’s Fintech ecosystem, he added it was also having conversations with the University of Texas in Dallas, and two other universities in Canada and East Asia to collaborate on technological solutions that would contribute to digital innovation on the continent.
According to him, the NUC is a vital regulatory body to nearly 310 universities across our nation that plays an indispensable role in maintaining standards, ensuring relevance, and fostering global competitiveness.
He told the guests: “Your (NUC’s) consistent engagement with tertiary institutions strengthens our sector and guarantees that the degrees we award remain symbols of genuine scholarship and integrity. For this noble mandate, we express our profound respect and gratitude.”
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Nigeria launches AI-driven education platform
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI), a centralised AI-powered platform designed to consolidate the country's fragmented education data systems into a single national registry covering more than 240,000 schools.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders' Workshop in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa described NEDI as the government's "single source of truth" for the education sector, enabling real-time, evidence-based planning and governance across the country's sprawling and historically underserved school system.
The platform has already captured records for over 32 million learners and 220,000 schools across 21 states.
The launch is partly a response to a damaging pattern the Ministry says persisted for years undetected. According to Ministry data, nearly 80% of development bank and partner investments over the last decade were concentrated in just two geopolitical zones - yet those same regions continue to record Nigeria's lowest literacy and numeracy rates.
"If we had used data before, we would have known where the investment needed to go," Alausa said. He added that future funding models would shift to results-based allocations tracked directly through the system, cutting off the possibility of capital flowing to areas without demonstrated need or impact.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders' Workshop in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa described NEDI as the government's "single source of truth" for the education sector, enabling real-time, evidence-based planning and governance across the country's sprawling and historically underserved school system.
The platform has already captured records for over 32 million learners and 220,000 schools across 21 states.
The launch is partly a response to a damaging pattern the Ministry says persisted for years undetected. According to Ministry data, nearly 80% of development bank and partner investments over the last decade were concentrated in just two geopolitical zones - yet those same regions continue to record Nigeria's lowest literacy and numeracy rates.
"If we had used data before, we would have known where the investment needed to go," Alausa said. He added that future funding models would shift to results-based allocations tracked directly through the system, cutting off the possibility of capital flowing to areas without demonstrated need or impact.
What the platform does
At the core of NEDI is the Nationwide Learner Identification Number (NLIN), a unique student identifier aligned with Nigeria's existing National Identification Number framework that will track each learner's complete academic journey from basic education through to tertiary level.
The system unifies previously siloed datasets from the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund into a single dashboard. School administrators and policymakers can monitor enrolment figures, infrastructure deficits, teacher qualifications, and facility availability, including water and computer access, from one interface.
AI and data analytics tools embedded in the platform will automate real-time tracking of educational gaps and flag localised system vulnerabilities as they emerge. The government also intends to integrate labour market demand data, enabling the system to actively guide students toward courses aligned with current workforce requirements.
"With this platform, we can know the number of students, teachers' qualifications, available classrooms, computers, and even water facilities in any school from one dashboard," Alausa said.
The initiative represents one of the most ambitious education data overhauls on the African continent, targeting full coverage of Nigeria's estimated 240,000-plus schools once deployment extends beyond the current 21-state footprint. By ensuring no child or vulnerable household remains invisible within Nigeria's development planning, the government says NEDI will directly inform budgeting, donor coordination, and policy prioritisation going forward.
At the core of NEDI is the Nationwide Learner Identification Number (NLIN), a unique student identifier aligned with Nigeria's existing National Identification Number framework that will track each learner's complete academic journey from basic education through to tertiary level.
The system unifies previously siloed datasets from the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund into a single dashboard. School administrators and policymakers can monitor enrolment figures, infrastructure deficits, teacher qualifications, and facility availability, including water and computer access, from one interface.
AI and data analytics tools embedded in the platform will automate real-time tracking of educational gaps and flag localised system vulnerabilities as they emerge. The government also intends to integrate labour market demand data, enabling the system to actively guide students toward courses aligned with current workforce requirements.
"With this platform, we can know the number of students, teachers' qualifications, available classrooms, computers, and even water facilities in any school from one dashboard," Alausa said.
The initiative represents one of the most ambitious education data overhauls on the African continent, targeting full coverage of Nigeria's estimated 240,000-plus schools once deployment extends beyond the current 21-state footprint. By ensuring no child or vulnerable household remains invisible within Nigeria's development planning, the government says NEDI will directly inform budgeting, donor coordination, and policy prioritisation going forward.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Adobe targets Nigeria’s booming creator economy with strategic Redington partnership
Magalie Meuris, Senior Channel Leader, South-West EMEA at Adobe, says the company is ramping up its Africa expansion, positioning Nigeria at the centre of a fast-growing global creative and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven economy.
Meuris said this during a media parley organised to announce Adobe’s partnership with Redington on Thursday night in Lagos.
“We are especially excited because this is not just another event, it reflects a clear ambition from Adobe to invest and grow in Africa,” Meuris said.
She highlighted that Africa’s creator economy, valued at over three billion dollars in 2023, was projected to grow to nearly 18 billion dollars by 2030, driven by rising digital adoption and mobile-first content creation.
She noted that Nigeria was a key part of this growth, with its creator ecosystem expanding rapidly as design, video and social content become essential tools for businesses and individuals.
“The creative economy is real, it is growing, and Nigeria is very much part of that,” she said.
Speaking on technology trends, she noted that Nigeria was emerging as one of the fastest adopters of AI globally, with strong usage across education, work and entrepreneurship.
She highlighted that about 88 per cent of Nigerian adults had used AI chatbots, placing the country about 26 per cent above the global average of 62 per cent.
Meuris said that the trend underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in the global digital economy and the increasing importance of local partners in shaping AI adoption strategies.
Speaking on Adobe’s strategy, she noted that the company was focused on strengthening its existing customer base, expanding into new markets and accelerating growth through AI-powered solutions.
She added that the partnership model remained critical to delivering innovation, enabling market access and ensuring long-term value for customers.
Also speaking, Ifeoma Anie, Head of Sales, Nigeria at Redington, said the partnership was aimed at unlocking access to world-class creative tools and bridging gaps in the local ecosystem.
“We are in a digital acceleration moment, where businesses are evolving, consumers are more connected and creativity is now at the centre of how brands communicate and compete,” Anie said.
Anie, who was represented by Olarotimi Faniyi, Systems Engineer at Redington, noted that although many Nigerian businesses and creators were ready to scale, they often lacked the right tools, support systems and platforms.
She said that the collaboration would combine Adobe’s global leadership in creativity and digital experience with Redington’s strong distribution network and market expertise.
Speaking on the impact, she noted that the partnership would enable partners to expand offerings, enter new markets and build recurring revenue streams, while empowering SMEs and creators to operate at global standards.
In his remarks, Mark Humphrey, Inside Channel Account Manager at Adobe, introduced new AI-powered solutions designed to improve productivity and content creation.
“We are really passionate about bringing new products to the Nigerian market and empowering everyone to create,” Humphrey said.
He highlighted that one of the flagship products, Acrobat Studio, was built as an all-in-one platform to help users comprehend, collaborate and create within a single application.
He noted that modern workplaces were facing increasing pressure from fragmented tools and information overload, leading to significant productivity losses.
Speaking on the solution, he noted that Acrobat Studio integrated AI capabilities to streamline document workflows, enhance collaboration and enable faster content creation.
He added that the platform would help businesses reduce the time spent on creating presentations and analysing documents, while improving efficiency and output quality.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership is expected to deepen Adobe’s footprint in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s position in the global digital and creative
Meuris said this during a media parley organised to announce Adobe’s partnership with Redington on Thursday night in Lagos.
“We are especially excited because this is not just another event, it reflects a clear ambition from Adobe to invest and grow in Africa,” Meuris said.
She highlighted that Africa’s creator economy, valued at over three billion dollars in 2023, was projected to grow to nearly 18 billion dollars by 2030, driven by rising digital adoption and mobile-first content creation.
She noted that Nigeria was a key part of this growth, with its creator ecosystem expanding rapidly as design, video and social content become essential tools for businesses and individuals.
“The creative economy is real, it is growing, and Nigeria is very much part of that,” she said.
Speaking on technology trends, she noted that Nigeria was emerging as one of the fastest adopters of AI globally, with strong usage across education, work and entrepreneurship.
She highlighted that about 88 per cent of Nigerian adults had used AI chatbots, placing the country about 26 per cent above the global average of 62 per cent.
Meuris said that the trend underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in the global digital economy and the increasing importance of local partners in shaping AI adoption strategies.
Speaking on Adobe’s strategy, she noted that the company was focused on strengthening its existing customer base, expanding into new markets and accelerating growth through AI-powered solutions.
She added that the partnership model remained critical to delivering innovation, enabling market access and ensuring long-term value for customers.
Also speaking, Ifeoma Anie, Head of Sales, Nigeria at Redington, said the partnership was aimed at unlocking access to world-class creative tools and bridging gaps in the local ecosystem.
“We are in a digital acceleration moment, where businesses are evolving, consumers are more connected and creativity is now at the centre of how brands communicate and compete,” Anie said.
Anie, who was represented by Olarotimi Faniyi, Systems Engineer at Redington, noted that although many Nigerian businesses and creators were ready to scale, they often lacked the right tools, support systems and platforms.
She said that the collaboration would combine Adobe’s global leadership in creativity and digital experience with Redington’s strong distribution network and market expertise.
Speaking on the impact, she noted that the partnership would enable partners to expand offerings, enter new markets and build recurring revenue streams, while empowering SMEs and creators to operate at global standards.
In his remarks, Mark Humphrey, Inside Channel Account Manager at Adobe, introduced new AI-powered solutions designed to improve productivity and content creation.
“We are really passionate about bringing new products to the Nigerian market and empowering everyone to create,” Humphrey said.
He highlighted that one of the flagship products, Acrobat Studio, was built as an all-in-one platform to help users comprehend, collaborate and create within a single application.
He noted that modern workplaces were facing increasing pressure from fragmented tools and information overload, leading to significant productivity losses.
Speaking on the solution, he noted that Acrobat Studio integrated AI capabilities to streamline document workflows, enhance collaboration and enable faster content creation.
He added that the platform would help businesses reduce the time spent on creating presentations and analysing documents, while improving efficiency and output quality.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership is expected to deepen Adobe’s footprint in Nigeria while strengthening the country’s position in the global digital and creative
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
UK launches fund to boost production in Nigeria’s creative sector
The UK-Nigeria Technology Hub has launched its Creative Fund, a first-phase grants initiative designed to address critical technical capacity gaps across Nigeria’s film, fashion, and music industries.
The fund will support the development of local digital production capacity, encourage the adoption of modern creative technologies, and promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain.
The initiative, announced yesterday, directly supports the priorities of the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creative Working Group launched in March 2025 and delivers on commitments made during President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to the UK in March 2026. It is designed to ensure that high-potential creative projects can access the technical talent, tools, and resources required to produce, scale and complete their work locally.
Funded by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme and implemented by Tech4Dev, the Creative Fund responds directly to evidence gathered through the State of the Creative Innovation Ecosystem in Nigeria, a study in 2024. Drawing on over 1,700 survey responses and fieldwork across seven states, the research showed that Nigeria’s creative economy employs approximately 4.2 million people and contributes around $3 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) yearly.
Despite this scale, the sector continues to face structural constraints, as over 80 per cent of practitioners are self-taught, fewer than 10 per cent have access to formal financing, and high-value technical work is routinely outsourced outside the country. The Creative Fund is a direct response to these gaps and is central to the work of the ETIP Creative Working Group.
Director of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, said: “Nigeria’s creative sector already delivers real economic value, and both governments have committed under the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership to supporting its growth.
Through the ETIP Creatives Working Group, we are moving from ambition to action. The Creative Fund is a practical first-phase intervention that addresses critical gaps in skills, infrastructure, and access to advanced tools, enabling Nigerian creatives to produce and scale high-quality work locally.”
The Fund will support high-potential creative projects covering three industries: Film, Fashion, and Music and will focus on initiatives that demonstrate strong potential for impact, scalability, and job creation. It will subsidise projects that need to close technical gaps, including critical specialists like VFX artists, sound engineers, post-production editors, and design professionals, or the digital tools and resources that make professional-quality work possible locally, for example, digital asset management systems, content delivery tools, Digital Rights Management solutions, and AI-driven production technologies. The aim is straightforward: Nigeria’s best creative work should be made in Nigeria.
By Adeyemi Adepetun, The Guardian
The fund will support the development of local digital production capacity, encourage the adoption of modern creative technologies, and promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain.
The initiative, announced yesterday, directly supports the priorities of the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creative Working Group launched in March 2025 and delivers on commitments made during President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to the UK in March 2026. It is designed to ensure that high-potential creative projects can access the technical talent, tools, and resources required to produce, scale and complete their work locally.
Funded by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme and implemented by Tech4Dev, the Creative Fund responds directly to evidence gathered through the State of the Creative Innovation Ecosystem in Nigeria, a study in 2024. Drawing on over 1,700 survey responses and fieldwork across seven states, the research showed that Nigeria’s creative economy employs approximately 4.2 million people and contributes around $3 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) yearly.
Despite this scale, the sector continues to face structural constraints, as over 80 per cent of practitioners are self-taught, fewer than 10 per cent have access to formal financing, and high-value technical work is routinely outsourced outside the country. The Creative Fund is a direct response to these gaps and is central to the work of the ETIP Creative Working Group.
Director of the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, said: “Nigeria’s creative sector already delivers real economic value, and both governments have committed under the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership to supporting its growth.
Through the ETIP Creatives Working Group, we are moving from ambition to action. The Creative Fund is a practical first-phase intervention that addresses critical gaps in skills, infrastructure, and access to advanced tools, enabling Nigerian creatives to produce and scale high-quality work locally.”
The Fund will support high-potential creative projects covering three industries: Film, Fashion, and Music and will focus on initiatives that demonstrate strong potential for impact, scalability, and job creation. It will subsidise projects that need to close technical gaps, including critical specialists like VFX artists, sound engineers, post-production editors, and design professionals, or the digital tools and resources that make professional-quality work possible locally, for example, digital asset management systems, content delivery tools, Digital Rights Management solutions, and AI-driven production technologies. The aim is straightforward: Nigeria’s best creative work should be made in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s military backs local defense technology startup
Nigerian defense-tech startup Terra Industries unveiled its latest autonomous defense systems including interceptor drones, mine-detection vehicles and battlefield intelligence software.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)