Economy
Nigeria Sets To Harness Youth’s Potential To Thrive In Digital Economy: Ministry
Nigeria Sets To Harness Youth’s Potential To Thrive In Digital Economy: Ministry
Nigeria Sets to harness youth’s potential to thrive in digital economy: Ministry. Technical Adviser to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Francis Sani, has said Nigeria is ready to thrive in the digital economy.
This he said was possible by leveraging its youth and global demand for digital skills.
Mr Sani, also Programme Director of 3MTT Nigeria, spoke at the launch of Darey.io and Xterns.ai, their new tech hub. The event, held Saturday in Lagos, had the theme: “Tech and Tea: Brewing Nigeria’s Technology Innovation Future.’’
Highlighting the role of digital skills, Mr Sani said they were crucial for economic growth, enabling Nigeria to tap into the global outsourcing market.
He stressed the ministry’s aim was to ensure every Nigerian could access technical training, regardless of financial or geographical barriers.
According to him, the partnership with Darey.io would provide practical, AI-driven, project-based learning to enhance training quality and effectiveness.
He explained that the ministry’s approach centres on five pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and trade, to spur national development.
Mr Sani also highlighted Nigeria’s large youth population as a major advantage in the global digital economy.
He said the ministry was creating an environment to attract tech companies to Nigeria, generating jobs for young people.
Discussing AI’s economic impact, he said it would transform work and value creation, urging Nigeria to position itself for the changes.
Founder and CEO of Darey.io, Dare Oluwafunmilayo, outlined plans to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s digital economy through partnerships and infrastructure development.
Mr Olufunmilayo said their tech hub aimed to create a collaborative space where young people could learn and develop essential digital skills.
He said, “Our aim is to offer young people a platform to gain skills, network with professionals, and build a pipeline of talent for the digital economy.’’
Speaking on their 3MTT partnership, he said the goal was to train three million technical talents using digital tools to track progress and provide career metrics.
Mr Olufunmilayo noted that over 5,000 people had been trained in four and a half years, with 100,000 more currently enrolled through the 3MTT programme.
He noted the education offered was free due to 3MTT support, underlining the importance of public-private collaboration for economic advancement.
He also emphasised soft skills, stating technical expertise alone does not ensure employment; communication and teamwork are equally vital.
Mr Olufunmilayo said the hub fosters collaboration and innovation, with professionals delivering training to enhance learning experiences.

Digital Economy, Ministry of communication
To further empower youth, he announced the launch of the Dare Olufunmilayo Human Capital Foundation.
“The foundation aims to partner with organisations to provide laptops and stipends, supporting talented individuals and encouraging economic growth,” he said.
Regarding certification, he said training would be recognised by platforms such as Microsoft, AWS, and Google.
He added that Darey.io would also issue its own in-house certifications for trainees.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
-
Crime9 months agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News10 months agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Crime12 months agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
News12 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom1 year agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News11 months agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy9 months agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?
