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Nigeria’s Flamingos will begin their campaign at the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship with a potentially decisive Group B encounter against Ghana’s Black Maidens in Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria and Ghana have been drawn alongside Togo and Niger in a competitive four-team group, with the tournament scheduled to begin on September 15.

Beyond regional honours, the competition carries added importance as teams battle for qualification for the 2027 U-17 Girls Africa Cup of Nations.

The Flamingos will head into the tournament hoping to build on Nigeria’s strong tradition in women’s youth football, but their opening fixture against Ghana is expected to provide an early test of their credentials.

Ghana have also traditionally been one of the region’s strongest teams at this level, making the opening encounter important for both sides.

Togo and Niger complete Group B and will also be looking to challenge the two traditional heavyweights for places in the next round.

A positive start against Ghana could put the Flamingos in a strong position as they pursue their immediate objective of progressing from the group and ultimately securing qualification for the continental championship.

Meanwhile, Edo Queens trio of Kemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku and Destiny Itobore have returned to the Flamingos camp after their triumph with their club in the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

No fewer than 4,000 Nigerians voluntarily departed India following amnesty granted to illegal residents by the Narendra Mordi-led government.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to India, Saidu Muhammad, who revealed this during an interactive session with reporters at the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, also said 198 Nigerians are behind bars in the country.

Muhammadu, who hailed the Indian authorities for the non-sanction policy, said those who left did so before he assumed duty in New Delhi on July 23 this year.

The High Commissioner revealed that Nigeria requested a three- to six-month extension of the amnesty to enable other Nigerians keen on regularising their stay to do so.

He explained that those who exited, those who are yet to have a visa, and other issues like overstaying and inability to foot their medical bills.

The envoy said: ‘Before my arrival, they (Indian government) had given six months’ amnesty for all Nigerians who are here(India) illegally to leave or to regularise their stay without any penalty.

‘The amnesty was extended by another three months. So, a period of nine months. And now we are further requesting at least another three to six months additional waiver.

”During that period, over 4,000 Nigerians exited and those still there illegally are decided whenever they want to come back if they fail to regularise their stay. But those that exited but want to come back can do so amicably and in a better way.’

Muhammad urged all Nigerians resident in India to obey Indian laws, uphold Nigeria’s image and pursue legitimate activities.

He highlighted progress made by Nigeria within his first month in office to include engagement with the Nigerian diaspora, discussions with Indian authorities on immigration issues, and deepening economic relations between both countries.

Muhammad added that during his recent visits to correctional facilities in India, he interacted with 198 Nigerians in detention who alleged maltreatment, racial discrimination, limited access to legal representation, delays in court proceedings and inadequate medical attention.

He said: ‘We realised that prison officials were generally cooperative, but many detainees are awaiting trial and the judicial process takes time.

‘Universal principles require that all human beings be treated fairly. Their fundamental rights must not be abused, distorted or violated in any way, and their welfare must be taken care of.’

He explained that the visits were a part of efforts to strengthen what he described as Nigeria’s citizen-centred diplomacy.

The envoy added that the mission has already submitted a detailed report to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining the concerns raised by the detainees and how to resolve them.

Muhammad said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that its citizens abroad remain connected to their country, even when facing legal challenges.

‘Nigeria remembers them. That is why we are going there. We have told them that this mission is open to them. They can come here with their concerns and activities.

”We used those opportunities to advise them, caution them where necessary and address legitimate complaints,’ he said.

Mohammad also said the mission lacks the resources to establish consular offices in some parts of India but remains committed to reaching Nigerians wherever they reside.

‘We should have the capacity to go out and reach our people, so they know that we are here for them,’ he said.

The Chairman of Folio Communications, Mr Fidelis Anosike, has urged Nigerians to take ownership of the country’s global image and tell their own story rather than allowing outsiders to define the nation.

Anosike spoke yesterday at a news conference to mark the centenary of Daily Times, where he outlined plans for what he described as ‘Daily Times 2.0’ and the company’s renewed commitment to using its media platforms to reshape perceptions about Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria has continued to struggle with negative perceptions despite its achievements in business, entertainment, finance, culture, technology and other sectors.

He said the challenge was not a lack of capable Nigerians but the failure to consolidate and project the country’s achievements as part of a coherent national story.

‘People love Nigerians. They don’t love Nigeria, and we’re not able to transition that love for Nigerians to love for the country,’ Anosike said.

He argued that Nigerians could no longer afford to allow other countries and foreign organisations to control the narrative about the country.

‘We can’t sit down and do things. People are writing our stories. That’s how companies can exploit our culture,’ he said.

Anosike cited the international popularity of Nigerian culture, music and entertainment as evidence of the country’s influence, noting that Nigerian music and Nollywood had achieved global recognition.

He, however, said Nigeria needed to go beyond producing talent and resources to retaining greater control over their value and narratives.

He cited Ankara fabric being manufactured outside Nigeria despite its association with African fashion, as well as the export of crude oil without sufficient local processing, as examples of areas where Nigeria had not fully harnessed its resources.

According to him, Nigeria has the human capacity to change this situation, but its people must work collectively to build systems capable of translating individual achievements into national development.

Anosike said the proposed Daily Times 2.0 would therefore seek to reconnect the newspaper’s century-old legacy with the wider media ecosystem and contribute to shaping the country’s future.

He said Folio Communications had spent years building towards the new phase, adding that the company had acquired a series of events and assets over the past two decades that would culminate in the relaunch of the Daily Times brand.

‘Daily Times 2.0 is the next century of Daily Times, because what we are closing is century one,’ he said.

Anosike explained that Daily Times, which began as a newspaper company, had historically expanded into other areas, including the capital market and nation-building initiatives, with more than 30 titles covering sectors such as education and health.

He said the company had gone through its archives to understand Nigeria’s past and identify ways the newspaper could contribute to the country’s future.

He said one of the flagship initiatives was a major national publication drawn from the Daily Times archives, which he described variously as a national souvenir, centenary book and a book of changemakers.

According to him, the publication is intended to consolidate Nigeria’s story through the contributions of its people and serve as a tool for improving the country’s global perception.

Anosike said the Daily Times archives would also be used to create products around history, education and knowledge.

He said every edition of the newspaper was being collected and preserved, stressing that the material would provide future generations with a record of Nigeria’s development.

‘History and education are now the core of our business,’ he said.

The Folio chairman also called for greater recognition of Nigerians who had made significant contributions to the country and the continent.

He cited Nigerian achievements in international finance, banking, media, entertainment and business, arguing that such accomplishments needed to be properly connected and amplified.

He said Nigerians had built strong institutions and businesses in sectors including banking, media, entertainment, oil and gas and technology, but the achievements were often viewed separately rather than as part of a broader national development story.

The challenge, he added, was how to consolidate these achievements and use them to create greater economic and national value.

‘How do we galvanise, first of all, our media ecosystem to then begin to amplify this and then structure this?’ he asked.

Anosike also stressed the importance of young Nigerians in changing the country’s trajectory, saying the purpose of Daily Times 2.0 was to demonstrate to the younger generation that Nigeria could work.

He said when Folio acquired Daily Times, he was 35 years old, adding that the experience was intended to demonstrate that young Nigerians could take responsibility for institutions and build them for the future.

He said development was a gradual process and warned against expecting immediate transformation without laying the necessary foundation.

According to him, Nigeria’s challenges should not be interpreted as evidence that the country had no future.

‘Nigeria can wake up any time,’ he said, adding that Nigerians must develop the capacity and determination to change their country.

He identified education and knowledge as critical to achieving the required transformation, arguing that the country’s digital platforms should also be viewed as tools for learning and development.

Anosike said Nigerians must develop a stronger sense of nationalism capable of demanding accountability from political leaders.

‘If you’re not interested in your house, you will abandon it. But if you’re interested in your house, you will build it,’ he said.

He said Nigerians should therefore focus less on what they could take from the country and more on what they could contribute to its development.

‘People are not remembered for what they take. The reason why we all remember Jesus Christ is because of what he gave. It’s not about what you take. It’s about what you give,’ he said.

The Folio chairman also stressed the need to reconnect Nigerians in the diaspora with the country’s development, saying Nigeria loses significant resources when young people leave the country permanently after receiving education abroad.

He said the country needed to create conditions that would make Nigerians abroad willing to return and contribute their knowledge and resources to national development.

Anosike said Daily Times would work with stakeholders across the media ecosystem to promote a more coherent Nigerian narrative.

He said the planned ‘Shaping the Future’ initiative would seek to bring together stakeholders from the media, entertainment, politics and other sectors to discuss and advance national development.

He maintained that media remained central to national development, noting that its role in shaping public discourse was recognised in the Nigerian Constitution.

Anosike criticised the weakening of the media industry over the years, saying the inability of media organisations to grow at the same pace as other sectors had affected the country’s development landscape.

He recalled that Folio spent N1.2 billion to acquire Daily Times about two decades ago and said the company had continued to invest in the institution despite the challenges.

He also disclosed that the company was creating an award structure to recognise Nigerians making significant contributions to national development.

He said the awards would encourage more people to become catalysts for positive change.

As Daily Times enters its second century, Anosike said the organisation would seek to honour the newspaper’s history while using its legacy to influence Nigeria’s future.

‘We want to honour the past, but we want to shape the future,’ he said.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has alleged that people enlisted in the ongoing recruitment exercise of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are not genuine indigenes of Ebonyi State.

Ogah urged the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to immediately review the list and enlist genuine indigenes of the state.

He described the development as unacceptable, a short-changing of Ebonyi in the recruitment exercise and a violation of the federal character principle.

He said the federal character principle stipulates that every state must be equitably and genuinely represented in recruitment exercises conducted by federal agencies, ministries, departments and parastatals.

The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, alleged that names contained in the list released by the FRSC as successful candidates under the Ebonyi quota were not indigenes of the state.

He further alleged that some of the candidates presented forged identification certificates to secure employment under the Ebonyi quota, thereby denying genuine indigenes the opportunity to benefit from the recruitment.

‘The Corps Marshal of FRSC should review the list for the Ebonyi quota in the ongoing recruitment exercise because the names in the Ebonyi list are not Ebonyi people.

‘If the Corps argues this, there should be a physical parade of those candidates they enlisted as Ebonyi people. Let us come and show them that those candidates are carrying fake identification certificates,’ Ogah said.

He urged the FRSC to immediately correct what he described as an anomaly by ensuring that genuine Ebonyi indigenes are enlisted under the state’s quota.

‘The Corps should immediately enlist real Ebonyi people into the ongoing recruitment exercise because the Ebonyi quota can’t be given to those who are not indigenes of the state.

‘They should obey the federal character rules which stipulate that every employment must be done equitably and genuinely.

‘They should not tag people they enlisted as Ebonyi people because they are not our people. Over 80 per cent of those people they enlisted for Ebonyi State are not indigenes of the state,’ he alleged.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Darma, has inaugurated a Ministerial Committee on the Implementation Framework.

This, he said, is for the Validated Stakeholder Resolutions on Housing Sector Reforms, tasking members with turning stakeholder recommendations into concrete action for Nigeria’s built environment sector.

The 14-member committee comprises of members drawn from the Ministry’s technical departments and its relevant agencies, and chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Part of the committee’s terms of reference is to drive and coordinate the implementation of the reform measures contained in the Implementation Framework.

Others are to develop a detailed work plan specifying priority actions, timelines and deliverables, and to monitor progress to ensure assigned actions are delivered within approved timelines, among others.

Speaking at the inauguration, Darma recalled that stakeholders across the housing industry had earlier converged for a validation conference to review the housing deficit data compiled by the Ministry and to set out a policy direction for transforming the sector.

He said the workshop produced recommendations now grouped into three categories which are: those the Ministry can implement immediately, those requiring the go-ahead of the Presidential Council, and those that will require legislative action.

The Minister said the Ministry’s core mandate remains housing Nigerians directly or creating the enabling environment for citizens to house themselves, describing this as a responsibility that the Ministry takes seriously.

He also stressed the need to strengthen regulation of the built environment so it can contribute more meaningfully to the national economy.

Citing 2025 data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Darma noted that the sector currently contributes about 17 percent to Nigeria’s economy, compared to between 22 and 27 percent in similar economies such as South Africa and Kenya.

He expressed confidence that with the right reforms, Nigeria’s housing sector could close that gap and become a leading driver of national economic growth.

Darma charged committee members to work diligently, noting they had been carefully selected to lead the sector’s transformation. He urged the team to deliver a robust implementation strategy within the six weeks given for the assignment.

Accordingly, he also charged members of the committee to develop a workable implementation strategy that will transform the entire built environment industry and position it as a major driver of Nigeria’s economy.

The Minister further described the committee as central to building a housing sector that accommodates every stakeholder while becoming a major contributor to the national economy.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Permanent Secretary Dr. Shuaib Belgore who is also the chairman of the committee, described the assignment as a privilege aimed at improving housing outcomes for Nigerians, standardising practice across the housing sector, and unlocking its potential contribution to the nation’s GDP.

He commended the Minister’s transformative leadership, noting that the housing sector had continued to attract national attention due to the pace of activities under his watch, including groundbreaking ceremonies, estate handovers, and stakeholder consultations, assuring him that the committee shared his urgency to deliver results.

The Permanent Secretary said the committee had already been handed a working document that would be reviewed thoroughly to identify gaps and refine it into an effective framework, pledging the committee’s full cooperation and loyalty to deliver its mandate within the six-week timeframe given.

Belgore noted that further stakeholder consultations would be held as the implementation framework takes shape, to ensure wide support, and thanked the Minister on behalf of the committee for the opportunity to serve in the effort to ensure Nigerian families are properly housed.

On their part, the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Shehu Usman Osidi commended the Minister for the reform initiative, noting that some proposals already align with steps the bank has taken.

Drawing on FMBN’s past experience, where attempts to push through the National Housing Fund (NHF) and FMBN Acts, and later a N500 billion recapitalisation bid, stalled due to stakeholder pushback, he stressed that effective stakeholder consultation would be critical to the reforms’ success this time.

Media mogul and filmmaker Mo Abudu turns 62 today, marking the milestone with gratitude and reflection.

In an Instagram post, Abudu thanked God for life, grace and mercy, describing her journey as 62 years of God’s faithfulness.

The EbonyLife Group chief executive added that her heart was full and expressed optimism about the future, saying she believes the best is yet to come.

She wrote, ‘Happy birthday to me. I turn 62 years old today. I am grateful. I am thankful. Lord, I give You all the praise. For the gift of life, for Your grace, Your mercy, Your favour, and every chapter You have written and continue to write. 62 years of God’s faithfulness. My heart is full, my spirit is thankful, and I know the best is yet to come.’

Abudu has received tributes from fans, colleagues and industry stakeholders celebrating her contributions to film and media in Africa.

The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports alleging structural defects on the Oju-Ore Bridge in Ota, Ogun State, saying the bridge passed required integrity tests and remains structurally sound.

The ministry gave the assurance following an inspection of the ongoing project by a delegation led by the Director of Bridges, Highways and Road Designs, Engr. Musa Saidu, on the directive of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.

The inspection followed concerns raised on social media over the quality and structural integrity of the bridge.

Addressing journalists after the inspection, Saidu said the assessment showed that the project complied with required engineering standards, describing reports of structural failure as unsubstantiated.

‘The bridge has undergone integrity tests and passed. It is structurally stable,’ he said.

He cautioned against relying on photographs or videos posted on social media to determine the structural integrity of major infrastructure projects, stressing that such assessments must be based on scientific and engineering tests.

‘Engineering decisions are based on scientific tests, not assumptions,’ Saidu said.

He said the ministry would not compromise the quality of federal infrastructure projects, adding that the Oju-Ore Bridge was being constructed in line with approved designs and specifications under the supervision of relevant authorities.

Saidu described the quality of work by the contractor, Laralek Construction Company, as satisfactory, noting that some minor finishing works identified during the inspection would be addressed before completion.

He said the movement of heavy-duty vehicles across the bridge was further evidence of its structural capacity, although construction was yet to be completed.

‘The structural stability of the bridge is guaranteed. Heavy trucks are already moving across it, even though construction has not been fully completed,’ he said.

The director urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of undermining confidence in public infrastructure.

He also warned traders and other members of the public against operating or loitering beneath the bridge while construction activities continued, describing the practice as unsafe.

‘Construction sites are restricted areas across the world. People should not be trading or loitering beneath an active bridge project. It poses serious safety risks,’ he said.

The ministry expressed confidence that the contractor had overcome earlier challenges affecting the pace of construction and would complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Representing Laralek Construction Company, Mr Tope Ojo said the bridge was being constructed in accordance with approved engineering designs, drawings and government specifications.

He said the major structural components, including the spans, bearings, beams and piers, had been executed according to the approved designs, with some components exceeding minimum design requirements.

‘There is absolutely no cause for alarm. Every integrity test required for the bridge has been conducted, and all results confirmed compliance with engineering standards,’ Ojo said.

He added that the integrity tests were conducted by independent consultants rather than the contractor, with the results subsequently submitted to the relevant authorities.

Ojo also disclosed that officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) had conducted an on-site technical assessment of the project.

According to him, the assessment covered the critical structural elements of the bridge and confirmed compliance with applicable engineering requirements.

A member of the Oju-Ore Stakeholders Council, Comrade Akomolafe Zubair, welcomed the ministry’s intervention, saying the technical assessment would help restore public confidence in the project.

Zubair said the inspection had reassured residents and motorists who had become concerned by reports circulating on social media.

He appealed to residents of Ota and motorists using the corridor to remain patient as the contractor completes the outstanding works.

He expressed optimism that the bridge would soon be completed and opened to full public use, easing movement along the busy Ota corridor.

The Oju-Ore Bridge project remains under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works, with the contractor expected to complete the remaining works in line with the approved project schedule.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has committed N6billion to the establishment of Information and Communication Technology Experience Centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen digital skills and human capital development in tertiary institutions.

The Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Aminu Masari, disclosed this during the commissioning of the Southeast Zonal ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

The facility was formally commissioned by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Masari said the TETFund Board had approved N1billion for each of the six geopolitical zones, with selected universities, polytechnics and colleges of education benefiting from the intervention.

He said the centres were designed to equip students and lecturers with practical digital skills in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, robotics and software development.

‘The Board of Trustees recognised the need to align Nigeria’s education system with emerging global technological and industry standards,’ Masari said.

He said the intervention would enhance graduate employability, foster innovation and position Nigeria to participate more effectively in the global technology-driven economy.

Masari urged the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to ensure proper maintenance and security of the facility and regularly upgrade its equipment to keep pace with technological developments.

The centre is expected to provide students, lecturers and other beneficiaries with practical skills in digital literacy, software development, data science, multimedia, online learning, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, including AI.

Inaugurating the facility, Sen Tinubu expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the project and prayed for its continued impact on the institution and future generations.

‘I’m really honoured to do this and I pray that God continues to bless this community and generations ongoing. Amen,’ she said.

The commissioning was held alongside the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the zone.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, described the ICT centre as an investment in people and the future of the country rather than merely physical infrastructure.

‘For us, the Centre represents much more than a physical facility. It is an investment in people; an investment in possibilities; and, ultimately, an investment in the future of Nigeria,’ he said.

Echono said greater access to digital learning, innovation and technology would enable young Nigerians to turn ideas into solutions, skills into livelihoods and aspirations into opportunities.

He said the intervention was consistent with TETFund’s commitment to human capital development and the development of a knowledge-driven economy.

‘We are therefore honoured to partner with the Renewed Hope Initiative in advancing an agenda that recognises our youth as not merely beneficiaries of development, but as principal actors in shaping Nigeria’s future,’ Echono said.

He added that TETFund would continue to ensure that the ICT Experience Centres achieved their objectives of expanding digital inclusion, nurturing talent and creating new opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Echono said the ICT initiative and the food bank programme reflected the central objective of the Renewed Hope Agenda of placing people at the centre of development.

He described the food bank programme as a response to the needs of vulnerable Nigerians facing economic pressures, while the ICT centre would help equip young people with the digital knowledge and skills required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world.

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Chioma Awuzie, described the commissioning as a landmark achievement for the institution and an affirmation of the First Lady’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through education, technology and innovation.

Awuzie said the ICT Experience Centre, alongside the Chemical Engineering Building and Students’ Examination Centre, demonstrated the impact of TETFund interventions at the polytechnic.

She said the centre would provide students with access to digital skills, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, educational resources, technology, innovation and networking.

According to her, the facility would also bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical technological experience by equipping students with competencies required to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

‘The world is increasingly driven by technology, artificial intelligence, digital skills, innovation and knowledge. Our youths must therefore be equipped not merely to participate, but to excel and lead,’ she said.

The search for the Next Afrobeats Star is moving to Abuja as the nationwide auditions enter another stage, following the emergence of new talents and strong contenders in Enugu and Benin.

The Enugu auditions, which was held on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, 2026, produced three Golden Mic recipients. 18-year-old Adriel Umoh, who earned a Golden Mic during Season 1, was among the standout contestants, while Bayelsa-born Michael Tamaradoubra Eyetuaghanwo and 23-year-old Alexandra Iwuchukwu also secured Golden Mics and advanced to the next round.

The search continued in Benin from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, where Destiny Irabor, a 22-year-old indigene of Edo State, and 20-year-old Onyenankeya Eloghosa earned Golden Mics. 26-year-old Adedina Mary also progressed to the next round, becoming the first female contestant at the Benin audition to advance to the next stage.

The auditions are part of MTN’s commitment to discovering and nurturing musical talent across Nigeria through Next Afrobeats Star. In partnership with Ultima Studios and ONErpm, the competition continues its search for emerging artists with the talent, ambition, and potential to make their mark in the music industry.

The next audition stop is Abuja, where aspiring artistes from the city and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to perform before the judges on Sunday, September 13 and Monday, September 14, 2026. The auditions will be held at Soul Lounge Resort, Jahi, Abuja.

Registration for Next Afrobeats Star Season 2 remains open until September 19, 2026.

MTN Nigeria has been recognised as the Digital Company of the Decade. The recognition, presented as part of Daily Times Nigeria’s centenary celebrations, acknowledges the company’s contribution to the growth of digital connectivity and its role in shaping how Nigerians communicate, work, transact and access services.

Receiving the award, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, Tobe Okigbo, expressed appreciation to the organisers and all those whose support made the award possible.

‘We are honoured to receive the Digital Company of the Decade Award, and grateful to all the stakeholders whose votes and confidence made this possible. ‘

The award is timely as it coincides with the commemoration of our 25 years of contributing to our nation’s socio-economic development. We consider it a privilege for MTN Nigeria to be featured among institutions shaping Nigeria’s development journey and remain committed to building our digital economy underpinned by innovation and the transformative power of technology,’ he said.

The award comes at a time when digital technology has become increasingly central to Nigeria’s economic and social life. Over the years, MTN Nigeria has expanded beyond traditional telecommunications, investing in connectivity and digital solutions that have helped bring more Nigerians, businesses and institutions into an increasingly connected economy.

That evolution has seen mobile connectivity become more than a means of making calls. It now serves as an important gateway to financial services, education, entertainment, commerce and enterprise, while digital platforms and solutions continue to create new ways for individuals and businesses to interact with the economy. MTN Nigeria’s expansion across these areas reflects the changing demands of a country experiencing rapid digital adoption.

The Digital Company of the Decade recognition therefore speaks to a broader transformation within both the telecommunications industry and Nigeria itself. As the country continues to build its digital economy, the infrastructure and services provided by telecommunications companies have become increasingly important to productivity, inclusion and access to opportunity.

As Daily Times marks 100 years of documenting Nigeria’s development, MTN Nigeria’s recognition captures the significance of the country’s digital transition over the past decade. Its inclusion among the DTN@100 honourees, and subsequent documentation in the Nigerian Grand Book, places the company’s digital journey within a wider record of institutions that have contributed to Nigeria’s development.