Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) which is focused on strengthening early-stage Nigerian businesses, has disbursed N50.5 million in direct grants to successful entrepreneurs over the past four years, with a similar amount spent on contingencies.

It has also given grants to 60 small and medium-scale business owners, who have so far emerged beneficiaries of its non-repayable grants.

The latest development came as GET opened applications for the fifth edition of its grant programme, with more than 7,000 entrepreneurs already submitting applications ahead of the August 20 deadline.

Chief Operations Associate of GET Compass, Chike Ugwu, at a briefing in Lagos, explained that the initiative was established to help promising entrepreneurs overcome one of the major obstacles confronting small businesses-access to finance.

Ugwu said the beneficiaries cut across five key areas: education, healthcare, enterprise and community development, humanitarian services and social entrepreneurship.

He said the initiative, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programme of Grooming Centre, a microfinance institution, was designed to promote businesses providing products and services capable of improving community welfare while contributing to economic development.

According to him, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and have operated for less than three years.

Applicants are also required to provide detailed records of their business operations and undergo a compulsory intensive two-week training programme in Lagos.

Ugwu said the growing number of applications reflected the increasing demand for support among Nigeria’s emerging entrepreneurs.

‘Over 7,000 entrepreneurs have already applied nationwide ahead of the August 20 deadline for this year,’ he said.

He added that the selection process would be rigorous, with all business proposals subjected to multi-stage screening by a technical team comprising industry experts.

From the applicants, 100 entrepreneurs would be longlisted, while 15 finalists would eventually emerge.

Of the finalists, Ugwu said five would receive N2 million each, while the remaining 10 would receive N300,000 each, bringing the total cash prizes for the 2026 edition to N13 million.

Beyond the financial grants, he said all finalists would benefit from an exclusive mentorship programme designed to equip them with the skills and guidance required to build sustainable businesses.

Ugwu stressed that the programme was not merely about handing out money but about identifying entrepreneurs with viable ideas and helping them build businesses capable of surviving and scaling.

He said the Trust’s interventions were targeted at entrepreneurs who possess viable business ideas but lack the financial capacity to take their enterprises to the next level.

Also speaking, Chief Operating Officer of Creme Consulting, the firm managing the grant, Clifford Onyeike, said evidence from previous beneficiaries showed that the intervention was producing measurable results.

Onyeike said beneficiaries had demonstrated strong business acumen and recorded significant progress after receiving the grants and mentorship.

He said the ultimate objective was to ensure that supported businesses did not merely survive the grant cycle but achieved sustained growth and became capable of contributing meaningfully to the economy.

Describing SMEs as ‘the soul of Nigeria’s economy,’ Onyeike said strengthening small businesses remained critical to job creation, innovation and broader economic development.

The successful applicants for the 2026 cohort are expected to be unveiled and presented with their cheques at an event scheduled for October 30 in Lagos.

Former South-East spokesperson of President Bola Tinubu, Denge. Josef Onoh, has commended Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for what he described as a deliberate and results-driven transformation of the state, particularly in the areas of security, healthcare, industrial revival and job creation.

Onoh said the direction of the Mbah administration was increasingly aligning with the broader policy vision of President Bola Tinubu, especially in the areas of strengthening security, expanding access to healthcare and repositioning Nigeria for production, investment and industrial growth.

According to him, the significance of Mbah’s administration lies not only in the scale of its projects but also in its focus on building systems capable of producing sustainable economic and social outcomes for the people.

‘From what I’ve seen in Enugu state under Governor Mbah administration, I will report to Mr. President about Governor’s alliance to his vision and I urge every citizen of Enugu State to vote for President Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah in the 2027 elections to continue the good works they have just started,’ Onoh said.

On Security, Onoh said that Governor Mbah has excelled exceedingly in the deployment of technology, intelligence and public safety.

He praised the Mbah administration for establishing a modern Security Command and Control Centre designed to support real-time surveillance, intelligence gathering and emergency response.

He also highlighted the deployment of 150 artificial intelligence-enabled patrol vehicles equipped with cameras to support security agencies and the state’s Distress Response Squad.

‘The vehicles, according to the state government, form part of a technology-driven security architecture aimed at improving surveillance, response time and crime prevention,’ Onoh said.

Onoh further commended the establishment of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund as a sustainable financing mechanism for security operations, noting that the fund had reportedly raised over ?3 billion, noting that the approach was consistent with President Tinubu’s broader emphasis on strengthening the operational capacity of Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies through improved funding, equipment, intelligence and inter-agency coordination.

The former South-East spokesperson of the President also cited the Mbah administration’s campaign to end the illegal Monday sit-at-home order as a major security and economic intervention.

‘The restoration of Mondays as normal working and commercial days in Enugu state had helped to revive economic activities and restore confidence across the state. Violent crimes have declined by more than 80 per cent following the deployment of surveillance technology and intensified enforcement,’ Onoh stated.

On Healthcare, Onoh, the Chairman of Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly, noted particularly the construction of 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 260 wards and described the initiative as a strategic investment in grassroots healthcare.

He said that the centres are designed to provide modern medical equipment, staff accommodation, renewable-energy systems and water infrastructure.

‘The administration’s healthcare programme also includes the upgrading of 51 secondary healthcare facilities and the completion of the 300-bed Enugu International Hospital, which is now ready to provide specialised referral medical services that make medical tourism uninteresting for the entire country.

‘This approach mirrors President Tinubu’s emphasis on strengthening primary healthcare and expanding access to essential health services at the grassroots.

The Tinubu’s health policy places significant emphasis on revitalising primary healthcare facilities, improving the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and ensuring wider access to functional healthcare infrastructure,’ he emphasized.

According to Onoh, the convergence between Enugu’s 260-ward healthcare strategy and the Federal Government’s objective of expanding functional primary healthcare facilities nationwide demonstrates the importance of investing in healthcare from the grassroots upward.

On industrial development, Onoh described Mbah’s efforts to revive dormant state-owned industries as one of the most significant components of the administration’s economic strategy of turning abandoned assets to productive enterprises.

He singled out the revival of Nigergas Company Limited in Emene, a facility that had remained dormant for more than three decades.

The revived plant has a production capacity of approximately 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour, supplying medical oxygen to hospitals and industrial gases to manufacturers, welders and agro-processors.

Onoh said that the plant has already created more than 100 direct jobs, with thousands of additional indirect employment opportunities expected across transportation, distribution, fabrication and other parts of the supply chain.

He further cited the ongoing efforts to revive Sunrise Flour Mills and United Palm Products Limited through private-sector partnerships, noting that the strategy demonstrates that government could turn abandoned public assets into productive enterprises capable of generating employment, supporting local production and strengthening value chains.

He further pointed to the administration’s land-bank and farm-estate initiatives across the state’s 260 wards, describing them as part of an emerging agro-industrial model designed to connect agriculture with processing and manufacturing.

‘The industrial direction of Enugu State is particularly consistent with President Tinubu’s economic philosophy of moving Nigeria from a predominantly consumption-driven economy to one based on production, value addition, manufacturing and exports.

‘The Federal Government places emphasis on productivity, competitiveness, local value addition, infrastructure, skills development, standards and regulatory stability. Therefore, the revival of industries such as Nigergas and the planned revitalisation of other moribund enterprises in Enugu reflect the same philosophy at the state level.

‘You cannot successfully industrialise Nigeria if the cost of producing in Nigeria is substantially higher than the cost of importing. Industrialisation must therefore go beyond announcing incentives; it requires deliberate investment in infrastructure, skills, production capacity and value chains.’

‘Governor Mbah’s approach clearly shows how state governments could complement the Federal Government’s economic reforms by creating an environment where industries can reopen, businesses can expand and young people can find employment and that is a Complementary vision elucidating the synergy between Enugu’s development agenda and the Federal Government’s policy direction which should be encouraged rather than politicised.

‘Security, healthcare and industrialization are not isolated sectors, but interconnected pillars of development. A secured environment encourages investment; a healthy population provides the human capital required for productivity; while functional industries create jobs, generate wealth and strengthen the tax base needed to finance public services.

‘I therefore urge other states in Nigeria to study the Enugu’s emerging model of combining security investment, grassroots healthcare delivery and industrial revival with private-sector participation. The ultimate test of governance should be measurable improvement in the lives of citizens, and the achievements recorded in Enugu state under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah demonstrate how state-level initiatives can complement the national vision being pursued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which the greatest beneficiaries are Nigerians.’

Muslim scholars, Imams, and members of the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) community have declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of Saturday’s election.

The endorsement was made at the Osogbo House of Asiwaju Musulumi, where stakeholders said their decision was based on Oyebamiji’s commitment to Islam and his longstanding relationship with Muslim communities.

The meeting drew Muslim leaders and representatives from across the Southwest, as well as Edo and Delta States. It was attended by members of the Qadiriyyah movement and a large number of PWDs.

Speaking at the gathering, Chairman of Zumuratul Muhmineenah, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Olaoye, said the event was convened to thank God for Oyebamiji’s emergence as APC candidate and to rally support for his victory.

‘We are all endorsing Oyebamiji because he is a dedicated Muslim who has consistently supported Islam. We are confident that he will be victorious,’ Olaoye said.

The Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, also addressed the gathering, urging Muslim communities to give ‘unshaken support’ to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC.

Badmus, who has held the title of Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland for nearly four decades, said he had reached out to Muslim leaders in Osun to emphasise the need for unity ahead of the election.

‘The party of Mr President, APC, is the party to support. All Muslim societies here have endorsed the candidate, and that is the direction I ask them to go,’ he said.

He disclosed that about 500 deaf and hard-of-hearing persons attended the meeting with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that they were determined to vote for Oyebamiji and would not sell their votes.

The Qadiriyyah movement of Nigeria, led by Khaleefah Abdulqodri, also formally endorsed Oyebamiji’s candidacy, following consultations with Muslim leadership.

Badmus expressed optimism that Oyebamiji would emerge as the next governor of Osun State and offered prayers for his victory at the polls.

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has given Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chris Nkwonta 14 days to publicly apologise over comments the party considers anti-party, or face possible disciplinary action.

The State Working Committee (SWC), led by chairman Chijioke Chukwu, took the decision at a meeting in Umuahia after Kalu claimed on national television that Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) would win re-election in 2027, while Nkwonta, at a reception for the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Ukwa East, said he would vote for Otti.

According to a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the SWC unanimously described both statements as unstatesmanlike, embarrassing and inimical to the party’s cohesion and electoral prospects ahead of 2027. The committee said the conduct violated Article 21.2(11) of the APC Constitution, which allows disciplinary action against members whose conduct undermines the party.

The SWC demanded that both lawmakers tender unreserved public apologies demonstrating commitment to the party and its 2027 candidates within the stipulated period, warning that failure to comply would result in a disciplinary committee being constituted to recommend sanctions. It further resolved that political support and privileges could be withdrawn from either lawmaker if their conduct was established to be inimical to the party’s interest.

The APC in Abia said it remained committed to party unity and to winning the governorship and all legislative seats in the state in 2027.

The Federal Government has directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, to immediately deploy a dedicated team to the United Kingdom to ease the issuance of passports to Nigerians.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, issued the directive as part of ongoing efforts to further ease and streamline passport applications for Nigerians in the diaspora.

The Minister, in a statement from the NIS Public Relations Department in Abuja, said the team should be selected from the Service’s headquarters.

‘The Intervention Team is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom on 10th August, 2026, and will work in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new and renewal passport applications.

‘As part of the exercise, the intervention team will visit designated cities across the United Kingdom to conduct passport enrolment and processing, thereby enabling eligible applicants in different parts of the country to access the exercise.

‘This intervention is open to applicants with pending passport applications, new applicants, and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wish to apply for renewal.

‘Applicants are to present their completed application forms and proof of payment during enrolment,’ the NIS said.

It added that the detailed schedule for the intervention, including the designated cities, dates, venues, enrolment times and other arrangements, will be announced separately.

It advised applicants not to attend any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated, and to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for further details.

‘For enquiries or complaints, please contact [email protected] or via the WhatsApp-only line: +234 916 087 8000.

‘All NIS digital passport application channels, including the Contactless Passport Application System, remain fully operational during the intervention exercise. The home delivery service also remains available to applicants.

‘The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to efficient, transparent and responsive passport service delivery to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora,’ the Service said.

In today’s interconnected world, every online bank transfer, e-commerce purchase, hospital record, government portal login and video conference relies on an unseen yet indispensable foundation: cloud infrastructure. While billions of people interact with digital services every day, few stop to consider the complex technological ecosystem that powers these experiences.

Quietly operating behind the scenes, cloud infrastructure has become the backbone of the modern digital economy, supporting everything from smartphones and social media platforms to artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology (fintech) and critical national security systems. As countries race to build resilient digital economies, cloud infrastructure is no longer viewed merely as a technological necessity; it has become a strategic national asset.

At its core, cloud infrastructure comprises interconnected data centres, servers, storage systems, networking equipment, software and virtualisation technologies that deliver computing services over the internet. Rather than relying on individual computers or on-premises servers, organisations can securely access computing resources remotely, enabling greater flexibility, scalability and efficiency.

This transformation has fundamentally changed how governments and businesses operate. Organisations can now scale computing resources on demand, reduce infrastructure costs, improve operational efficiency and deploy digital services faster than ever before. Whether streaming a movie, attending an online class, booking a flight or processing millions of financial transactions, cloud infrastructure ensures these services remain secure, reliable and accessible around the clock. And beyond convenience, it has become a cornerstone of economic competitiveness.

Countries with robust cloud ecosystems attract technology investments, stimulate innovation, create high-skilled jobs and strengthen their digital economies. Cloud services facilitate digital trade, enable seamless cross-border business operations and provide the computing power required for emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). They also enhance business continuity by distributing data across multiple locations, reducing the risks posed by hardware failures, cyberattacks and natural disasters while ensuring that essential services remain operational.

Nigeria’s expanding digital economy has heightened the urgency of developing resilient cloud infrastructure. With millions of citizens relying on digital banking, e-commerce, online education, healthcare technologies and e-government services, the country requires secure, reliable and scalable digital systems capable of supporting future growth.

Recognising this imperative, policymakers have intensified efforts to strengthen local cloud capacity, improve data governance, encourage investment in data centres and establish standards that inspire confidence among businesses and international investors. These initiatives are expected to stimulate indigenous innovation, create employment opportunities, enhance public service delivery and position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading digital economies.

For decades, nations measured sovereignty through the strength of their borders, military capabilities and economic resilience. Today, however, a new frontier has emerged: digital sovereignty. In an era where government services, financial transactions, AI, and national security increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a country’s ability to control, secure and govern its own data has become a defining measure of national development.

It was against this backdrop that government officials, private sector leaders, development partners, academics and technology experts gathered to witness what many described as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. At the centre of the event was the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which formally commenced the implementation phase of the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI).

Through the unveiling of a comprehensive regulatory framework, the agency signalled Nigeria’s determination to reshape its digital landscape. More than the signing of regulatory documents, the event represented a bold declaration of intent to build a trusted digital ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, safeguarding national interests and attracting global investment.

The highlight was the signing of three foundational regulatory instruments by NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. These included the National Cloud Computing Guideline, the National Cloud Technical Guideline and the National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework (NDIAF). Alongside the National Cloud Investment Strategy, the instruments establish the policy, governance and technical architecture required to guide cloud adoption, strengthen digital infrastructure assurance and stimulate long-term investment in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The milestone marked the culmination of years of consultation involving government institutions, indigenous cloud providers, international hyperscale cloud companies, data centre operators and development partners. It also builds upon the Federal Government’s Cloud First Policy, ensuring that Nigeria develops cloud infrastructure that aligns with global best practices while protecting national interests.

Beyond policy formulation, NITDA plans to establish the Sovereign Cloud Governance Committee to provide strategic oversight of the initiative. Before October 2026, the agency also intends to operationalise a national digital regulatory platform that will streamline the registration, assessment, certification and compliance processes for cloud service providers and digital infrastructure operators.

The certification programme is expected to become one of the most significant confidence-building mechanisms within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. By certifying cloud providers, data centre operators, managed service providers, AI infrastructure providers and sovereign compute operators, the framework seeks to assure government institutions, financial organisations and businesses that certified providers meet nationally approved standards for security, resilience and operational excellence.

Ultimately, the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s digital evolution-one in which sovereignty extends beyond physical borders into cyberspace, where data is recognised as a strategic national asset and trusted digital infrastructure serves as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth and regional leadership.

If effectively implemented through sustained collaboration among government, regulators, industry and development partners, the initiative could become one of the defining milestones in Nigeria’s journey towards a resilient, secure and globally competitive digital future. In an increasingly digital world, the nations that control and protect their digital infrastructure will be best positioned to shape the future. Nigeria has now taken a decisive step in that direction.

…Gyem, co-author of ‘Building a Safer Digital Economy in Nigeria,’ writes from Abuja.

The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for the continued creation of spaces and an enabling environment for Nigerian youths to learn, build, lead and thrive.

In a message marking International Youth Day on Wednesday, Soludo said every youth deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and turn their dreams into meaningful impact.

Describing youths as not merely leaders of tomorrow but real changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs, the governor’s wife urged them to believe in themselves and never underestimate the difference they could make.

She said, ‘Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the real changemakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, creators and problem-solvers shaping our world today.

‘As we celebrate International Youth Day, let’s continue to create spaces where our young people can learn, build, lead and thrive.

‘Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and turn their dreams into meaningful impact. The world owes them that.

‘To every young person in Anambra and beyond, believe in yourself, keep learning, stay healthy, and never underestimate the difference you can make.

‘Your ideas, energy and courage are needed in building the future we all truly desire. Happy International Youth Day!’

Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has formally recognised the faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The commission has also accepted the party’s list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates ahead of the forthcoming local government election.

This comes months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) took a similar position in the ongoing processes for the 2027 general election by dealing with the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee as the authentic leadership of PDP at the national level.

OYSIEC, which was constituted by Governor Seyi Makinde, received the list of candidates of the PDP submitted through a letter dated July 30, 2026, duly received by Oyo State Electoral Commission.

A copy of the letter was made available to reporters in Ibadan, Oyo State by the Directorate of Media of the State Chapter.

In the letter addressed to ‘The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission’, and signed by the state Chairman, Professor Rahman Akinoso, the party notified the electoral umpire of its participation in the December 29 council polls and submitted the full list of its nominated candidates.

The letter said: ‘Find the attached list of our candidates for the forthcoming Oyo State Local Government Election.

‘The primaries to elect the candidates were peacefully conducted in line with rules and regulations guiding the exercise.’

With the decision, OYSIEC has aligned with the position of INEC on the PDP crisis, and as a significant shift from recognition of the rival group loyal to Governor Makinde and led by Tanimu Turaki.

Political observers say the decision by OYSIEC to accept the Wike-backed PDP candidates may not be unconnected with recent court judgments that affirmed the legitimacy of the Muhammed Abdulrahman-led structure and warned against disenfranchising any political party ahead of elections.

‘With INEC already recognising the Abdulrahman-led NWC in the 2027 process, it would have been untenable for OYSIEC to act differently in a state election,’ a party chieftain said on condition of anonymity.

With the receipt of the candidates’ list, the coast is now clear for the Wike-backed PDP to participate fully in the local government elections across the 33 local government areas in Oyo State.

Efforts to get reaction from the Makinde-backed group and OYSIEC at press time were unsuccessful.

The Nation reports that the local government election is scheduled to hold on December 29.

Ahead of Saturday governorship election, Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared Friday, August 14, as work free, to allow public service workers to participate in the in the poll.

Adeleke through the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, in a circular said the decision is to enable workers to embark on travelling where required and to prepare to exercise their voting rights on Saturday.

The circular was confirmed in a statement by the Spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed noted that the directive covered all categories of workers except those on emergency and essential duties.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has tasked Osun workers, their relatives and friends to vote massively on Saturday and defend their votes to ensure continuity of good governance across the state sectors.

He said, ‘In a pre-election message to the workers, the governor commended the steadfastness of the labour leadership and workers in support of his administration, lauding the mutually beneficial relationship between his administration and Osun workers.

‘The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies. We must remain strong in defence of our constitutional rights to vote and be voted for.

‘We must defend the gains of the last three and half years plus. Ours is a workers friendly government which has delivered across board to labour and Osun people. We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days’, the governor noted in his message.

One of the pioneer members/founding members of the Lagos Island Zone of the Newspapers/Magazines Distributors’ Association (NDAN) Elder Babatunde Olabisi is dead, the association has announced.

The late Olabisi, popularly known among colleagues as J.O. Bamishe, who was a dedicated member and secretary of the association’s Elders Forum, died on July 31 in a Lagos hospital after a brief illness. He was 69.

In a statement announcing his death, the association described the deceased as a committed member whose contributions to the association would be greatly remembered.

The late Olabisi hailed from Esie in Kwara State, where he would be laid to rest after funeral activities in Lagos.

A service of songs was held yesterday at his church, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, St. Joseph, located at 47D Moshalasi Lane, behind 50/52 Moshalasi Street, Bale Bus Stop, Sari-Iganmu, Lagos to kick-start the activities.

Another service of songs has been scheduled for today August 12, at his residence at No. 6 Ayo Afolabi Street, Aboru, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

The deceased’s remains will leave Lagos for his hometown, Esie, Kwara State, tomorrow August 13, while the funeral service and interment will take place at his family compound on August 14.

NDAN Chairman Musibau Oloyede and the Secretary Eminmadu Blessing signed the condolence register. They expressed grief over the loss and prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.