Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State, on Tuesday signed into law the ?137 billion 2025 supplementary budget, following its approval by the State House of Assembly.

The supplementary budget, which allocates ?126.8 billion to capital expenditure and ?10.2 billion to recurrent expenditure, is designed to sustain the administration’s aggressive infrastructural development and complete ongoing projects across the state.

Speaking after signing the bill into law at Government House in Katsina, Radda expressed appreciation to the State House of Assembly for the expeditious consideration and passage of the supplementary estimates.

‘I commend the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, and all members of the Katsina State House of Assembly for their swift legislative action on this critical bill. Your commitment to the development of our state is truly commendable,’ the Governor stated.

Radda explained that the supplementary budget became necessary following requests from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies that have exhausted their capital allocations due to the pace and volume of projects being executed across the state.

The Governor emphasised that the bulk of the supplementary allocation would be channeled toward completing ongoing infrastructure projects, including roads, healthcare facilities, schools, water supply systems, and agricultural support programs. He assured citizens that the supplementary budget would be implemented with the same transparency and accountability that has characterised his administration’s financial management. Shamsuddeen Abubakar Dabai, the House Leader, had during plenary commended Governor Radda for distinguishing himself among the best-performing governors in Nigeria, noting that the supplementary estimates came at the right time considering the number of completed and ongoing projects across the state.

The State House of Assembly had earlier referred the supplementary budget to the committee on Appropriations, which presented its report and led to the bill’s passage.

The event was attended by Ibrahim Dikko Matazu, the House Chief Whip; Lawal Yaro, Chairman House committee on Appropriation.

In a continent where over 40 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still lack an online presence, language and technical complexity often stand in the way of digital adoption.

Founded by Timothy Dake, an artificial intelligence pioneer, and Uduma Glory, design strategist, Kofounda is aiming to change that by giving voice to entrepreneurs.

Kofounda, a Nigerian startup, is a voice-powered platform that allows users to create fully functional websites by speaking commands in local languages. The tool, which will be available in November 2025, supports English, Pidgin, Yoruba, and Hausa at launch. The platform leverages advanced AI to interpret voice commands in multiple Nigerian languages, automatically generating responsive websites complete with content, images, and e-commerce functionality. Users can say ‘Create a restaurant website with menu and online ordering’ and watch their site materialise within minutes.

In Africa, many entrepreneurs are more comfortable expressing themselves in their mother tongue than in English. By bridging that gap, Kofounda has the potential to bring entire communities into the digital economy who would otherwise be left behind. Kofounda was recently awarded $250,000 via Microsoft’s Generative AI Challenge, which is a critical endorsement of its inclusive mission.

With that backing, the founders intend to scale their voice-driven platform across West Africa by 2026, gradually adding more languages and refining the system for different sectors (from retail, services, and creative industries). The founders’ earlier work involved developing Jummai, the first GPT model trained in Hausa, which laid the foundation for culturally sensitive AI, not generic systems that fail to understand African speech patterns or idioms.

Kofounda is betting on inclusion as its competitive edge. Its founders see the tool not just as a business, but as part of a broader digital justice movement, which is a way to democratise web access in a multilingual, multi-layered society.

Build Africa, the leading digital marketplace for building materials, has partnered with fintech platform Oze to launch the Build Africa Credit Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) financing to builders, contractors, and developers across Nigeria. The scheme is set to deploy over ?2 Billion annually in credit, enabling faster access to construction materials and accelerating project timelines for thousands of builders.

The Build Africa Credit Scheme is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in the construction industry: access to affordable and timely financing. Through a seamless digital application process, customers procuring building materials on www.buildafrica.store can now apply for short-term credit, receive approval within 24 hours, and use their approved loan amount directly at checkout, no collateral required.

‘We’re excited to power this initiative with Build Africa,’ said Meghan McCormick, Co-founder of Oze. ‘Our goal is to make credit accessible to builders who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. This partnership brings together Oze’s data-driven lending model and Build Africa’s trusted supply chain to deliver real impact.’

Oze is a leading African fintech platform that empowers financial institutions to launch and scale digital lending to small businesses. Through its operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, and Oze has facilitated nearly $2 million in MSME loan disbursements.

The scheme is open to individuals, contractors, businesses, and diaspora customers funding construction projects in Nigeria. Approved applicants receive partial or full financing for their purchases, with flexible repayment terms of 30-45 days and interest rates starting as low as 5%.

‘Before this scheme, securing funds for materials could take weeks and delay our timelines. Now, with Build Africa Credit, we get approvals within 24 hours and move straight to procurement. It’s streamlined our operations and helped us deliver faster,’ said Tope Runsewe CEO Dutum Construction

Tayo Odunsi, CEO of Build Africa, added: ‘This is more than just a credit product, it’s a tool for empowerment. Builders across Nigeria deserve tools that match their ambition. With Oze, we’re making that possible,’

The Build Africa Credit Scheme is now live on www.buildafrica.store/bacs-info. Customers can apply by selecting the ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ option at checkout and completing a secure digital form. Oze reviews applications and communicates decisions within 24 hours.

To mark the launch of BACS, Build Africa, and Oze are hosting a virtual webinar on October 30, 2025.

Topic: Financing Your Building Project: Credit Options for Nigerian Developers

RSVP: luma.com/user/buildafrica

The session will feature expert insights from Oze, a live demo of the Buy Now Pay Later feature on and an interactive QandA.

Bafana Bafana of South Africa have sealed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010, after a commanding 3-0 victory over Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Coach Hugo Broos’ men went into the final Group C match needing a win, and results elsewhere to go their way. Their hopes were boosted early when Nigeria took the lead against Benin Republic in Uyo, creating the perfect scenario for South Africa to book their ticket to North America. Bafana made a flying start, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Thalente Mbatha, whose long-range strike left Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari stranded.

Oswin Appollis doubled the advantage midway through the first half, before Evidence Makgopa sealed the result with a header in the 72nd minute. South Africa’s qualification was confirmed after Nigeria thrashed Benin Republic 4-0, with Victor Osimhen netting a hat-trick.

The result saw Benin, who had led the group before kickoff, drop to third on goal difference, while Nigeria finished second with 17 points, one behind Bafana Bafana.

Broos’ men topped Group C with 18 points, completing an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them recover from a 3-0 forfeit defeat imposed by FIFA earlier this month for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March, a decision that had temporarily pushed them down to second place.

South Africa now join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, and Cape Verde as the seven African nations to have secured automatic qualification for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) is stepping up efforts to position Nigeria as a global hub for vehicle manufacturing, as it strengthens its partnership with Chinese automaker JAC Motors to advance local assembly and expand the country’s role in regional vehicle production.

Taiwo Shittu, managing director of LSM, said that with a vast population of over 200 million, a youthful workforce, and a strategic geographic location, Nigeria has all the ingredients to become a global automotive hub.

‘Nigeria stands on the brink of a major automotive industrial breakthrough, with Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) leading the charge to position the country as a global hub for vehicle manufacturing,’ Shittu stated this during a visit from Oscar Yu, general manager of Chinese automotive giant JAC Motors, to LSM’s flagship assembly plant in Lagos.

‘With the unwavering commitment from our partners at JAC and the right government policies, we can transform Lagos into a world-class manufacturing ecosystem. ‘The visit marked a reinvigoration of a decade-long partnership between LSM and JAC, signaling a decisive shift towards deeper industrial integration, increased local value addition, and regional expansion ambitions,’ he said.

Yu, impressed by LSM’s assembly capabilities, highlighted how Nigeria’s demographic and economic potential mirrors China’s earlier industrialisation challenges and opportunities.

‘China’s journey was not unlike Nigeria’s: initially reliant on used imports, we invested in local production and banned second-hand imports to build capacity. Today, China is a global leader in automotive manufacturing. Nigeria can follow this path with a unified strategy,’ he said.

Both executives emphasised the urgent need to curb the flood of unregulated used vehicle imports, which they identified as a major impediment to sustainable growth in Nigeria’s auto sector.

‘We are not asking for protectionism, but for fair competition that nurtures Nigerian manufacturing. Industrialisation anywhere in the world has required protecting the productive base until it achieves scale,’ Shittu said. LSM, positioned as a gateway to the West African market, plans an aggressive scale-up in production, workforce development, and expansion across the region in the next five years, backed by JAC’s technical support, training programs, and financing commitments.

However, Shittu underscored the vital role of government, saying, ‘the private sector and our international partners are ready. Now Nigeria must be ready with the right infrastructure, regulations, and incentives to unlock this industry’s transformative potential.’

As Nigeria works to shift from vehicle importation to local production, LSM’s renewed drive highlights the country’s growing potential to shape Africa’s automotive landscape and strengthen its position in global manufacturing.

Nigeria’s rail transport passenger revenue has hit a three-year high record of N1.95 billion in the first quarter of 2025, when compared to the same quarter in 2023, indicating a 153.8 percent increase.

Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that rail transport generated revenue of N768.4 million and N1.42 billion in 2023 and 2024, respectively, which reflects the growing number of passengers using the country’s rail system, ongoing investments in railway modernisation and expansion projects across key corridors. It showed that in Q1 2025, a total of 929,553 passengers travelled through the rail system, relative to 675,293 and 441,725 reported in the corresponding quarters of 2023 and 2024, respectively, representing a 110.4 percent increase over the period. It also showed that the volume of goods/cargoes transported stood at 181,520 tons, and generated N657 million from goods/cargoes conveyed via the rail system. ‘Similarly, N657.03 million was received from goods/cargoes conveyed, up by 8.19 perecent from N607.32 million in Q1 2024. In addition, Other receipts amounted to N115.68 million, indicating an increase of 355.39 percent in Q1 2025 from the N25.40 million received in Q1 2024,’ the data showed.

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has raised a red flag over the alarming rate at which the country’s industrial sector is shrinking, citing high interest rates, high energy costs and infrastructure deficits as major challenges.

Francis Meshioye, president of MAN, who raised the alarm over the continuous industrial base decline on Tuesday at the opening of the Made in Nigeria Exhibition (MiNE), said the situation is a major cause of concern for manufacturers.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Meshioye said that the manufacturing share of GDP declined from 27.6 percent in the 2010 base year to 21 percent in the rebased structure. He added that the sector’s average five-year performance remains negative at -0.76 percent between 2019 and 2024, while sectors like services and agriculture expanded.

The president noted that the rebased GDP figures signal a troubling shift from production to consumption, services and informal value creation, lamenting that this is not sustainable.

He said despite the numerous challenges’ manufacturers are made to endure in the country, they remain resilient; delivering high-quality, competitive and diverse goods, produced under extremely difficult conditions.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Nigeria First: Prioritising Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria,’ which formed part of activities marking the association’s 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), he stressed that patronage of made in Nigeria products is a rallying call and national policy proposition that speaks directly to the country’s economic survival and long-term transformation.

He said the recent developments in the economy lend credence to the urgency of this call.

According to him, to build a resilient, inclusive and forward-looking economy that investors will have confidence in, the country must re-industrialise, and that process must begin with deliberate support for local manufacturers.

‘The ‘Nigeria First’ agenda is not about closing our doors to the world; it is about opening the right doors to Nigerian-made solutions, Nigerian jobs and Nigerian ingenuity,’ he said.

‘Every industrialised country began its journey by nurturing local content and leveraging public and private procurement as an avenue for galvanising scale production and economic development. Nigeria must not go the opposite direction,’ he noted. He stressed that existing Executive Orders, 003 and 005, must be aligned with the Nigeria First Policy and fully implemented, enforced and monitored.

‘Quite importantly, there must be consequences for non-compliance. We should eliminate the prevalence of selective compliance.’

‘Now is the time to create the policy framework for transitioning the Nigeria First Policy from executive pronouncements to legislative imperative and ultimately to unfettered and bold implementation.’

‘We cannot continue to allow policy inertia to undermine our development potential.’

He went on to urge the establishment of a functional, independent compliance institution tasked with auditing patronage levels, recommending corrective action and publicly disclosing performance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. He further called on corporate Nigeria to align with the ‘Nigeria First’ policy by looking within for raw materials, packaging and inputs.

Calling for an annual ‘Proudly Nigeria Day,’ he noted that on this day, all citizens, especially public officials, must wear, use and consume only Made-in-Nigeria products.

He however noted that for ‘Nigeria First’ to succeed, supply must meet demand but for supply to be competitive, the operating environment must improve.

In his keynote address, Philbert Johnson, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) representative and director, Sub-Regional office in Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the theme as timely and visionary.

Johnson added that the theme also aligns with the global drive for resilient, inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.

He said the’ Nigeria First’ policy must go beyond rhetoric and patriotic sentiment and can only succeed with deliberate and coordinated action from all levels of the society.

In a bid to advance electricity supply across the country, the Rural Electrification Agency, state governments have signed renewable energy agreements worth $435 million with partners.

The agreements were signed at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF 2025) in Abuja on Tuesday. As the federal government seek to establish Nigeria as a hub for renewable energy manufacturing in Africa.

Giving his keynote address at the forum, Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria said that Nigeria’s energy transition presents an investment opportunity of over $410 billion between now and 2060. He explained that of this, more than $23 billion is required to expand energy access and connect the millions of Nigerians who still live in energy poverty.

Shettima however noted that beyond access lies the government’s ambition to deliver a power system capable of 277 gigawatts of total installed capacity by 2060.

He said that from solar panel assembly lines in Lagos to battery recycling hubs along our industrial corridors, Nigeria must not only participate in this revolution but lead it.

‘This demand more than investment, it demands innovation, local capacity, and commitment. That is why the theme of this year’s forum, is not only timely but indeed essential. Our commitment to a Nigeria-based industrial strategy calls on us to anchor the future of Africa’s renewable energy supply chains right here at home.

‘The federal ministry of power has demonstrated its readiness to steer Nigeria’s energy transition through progressive policies that lead the groundwork for a more decentralised, competitive, and inclusive electricity market. I must also commend the Rural Electrification Agency under the able leadership of the MD for translating these policies into tangible impact across our communities, illuminating homes, empowering small businesses, and transforming lives in areas once left behind,’ he said.

Shettima stressed the need for development partners and original equipment manufacturers to localise technologies, strengthen value chains, and invest in skills and knowledge transfer.

According to the VP, the success of Nigeria’s energy transition will not be measured by policies or projections, but by ability to transform ideas into practical solutions that guarantee availability, affordability, and sustainability for every Nigerian.

‘Over the next two days agreements will be signed, partnerships will be forged, and a national programme consolidated. I am pleased to announce that through the engagements facilitated under this forum, more than $400 million in new investment commitments have been mobilised into Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain. This includes solar panels, smart metres, battery storage, and recycling facilities,’ he added. Under the deal, Ogun State signed an agreement with Renew Power Limited and Tranos to deliver 500MW and 600MW respectively.

Lagos State signed with Auxano Solar- to deliver 150MW. The state also signed an agreement with Levene Photovoltaic Technologies Limited to deliver a world class recycling plant to deliver 2,484 tonnes per annum.

Akwa Ibom state government signed an agreement with Tricell Solar Solutions and IRS Green Energy to deliver 500MW and 600MW. Kano State also signed with Tricell Solar Solutions, and IRS Green Energy Limited to deliver 500MW and 600MW.

Also, the Bayelsa State government and Marine Logistics Limited, while the FCT and PVG Solar Limited is expected to deliver 500MW.

Rural Electrification Agency signed the agreement with Suntisolar Energy Africa Solar Limited and Tsat Tele communications Company Limited. Commenting on the deals, Shettima said, ‘these investments are projected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states and reflect growing global confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy industrialisation drive.’

He also reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to consolidating energy transition policies by enhancing incentives for local manufacturing, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and deepening collaboration with state governments, investors, and development partners.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency for advancing decentralised, inclusive and competitive energy policies that have brought electricity to underserved communities.

Every few years, a platform comes along that doesn’t just adapt to change, it predicts it, shaping how the entire industry will evolve. Spartans is one of those rare innovators. While most casinos retrofit outdated systems to keep up with modern demands, Spartans was built entirely from the ground up for the next generation of digital players. It’s not reacting to trends, it’s defining them.

From instant crypto payments that move at blockchain speed to long-term loyalty rewards powered by , Spartans combines performance, transparency, and innovation in one seamless ecosystem. It’s a glimpse into what betting looks like when technology leads, not lags, fast, fair, and future-proof.’

Innovation 1: Crypto-Native Foundation

Spartans isn’t a traditional casino that added crypto later; it was built for crypto from day one. That single design choice changes everything. Instead of routing payments through outdated processors and middlemen, transactions flow directly between players and the blockchain.

The result?

Instant deposits and withdrawals

No payment holds or declined cards

Immutable, secure transactions verified on-chain

Because crypto is at its core, Spartans isn’t bound by banking systems or currency restrictions. It’s ready for wherever digital finance goes next, whether that’s new tokens, Layer-2 networks, or Web3 identity wallets. The foundation is fast, secure, and unstoppable, built on the same decentralized principles driving the future of money itself.

Innovation 2: All-in-One Architecture

Online gamers have always faced the same problem-too many platforms, too many logins. One for slots, another for sports, a separate one for live dealers. Spartans solved that with a unified, all-in-one design. Every type of game-casino, sports, live tables, or crash-is available under a single account and dashboard.

This seamless structure means:

No switching between tabs or apps

Consistent bonuses and rewards across categories

A smoother, faster, and more reliable gaming flow

The interface adapts intelligently across devices, so whether you’re spinning a slot on a desktop or placing a live bet on mobile, the experience feels unified. This is what modern players expect: a single ecosystem that just works. Spartans delivers exactly that.

Innovation 3: Modern Game Integration

Spartans doesn’t rely on nostalgia; it embraces innovation. The platform’s 5,963+ games include forward-thinking titles that redefine entertainment. Crash Games, for instance, are built around strategy and timing, rewarding sharp decision-making instead of pure luck. Live Game Shows bring human energy into the mix, blending streaming, interactivity, and crypto-based play.

Here’s what sets Spartans apart:

Crash Games: Real-time risk, real-time reward. Cash out before the crash and multiply your earnings.

Live Game Shows: Games hosted by real presenters, complete with crypto payouts and immersive visuals.

Diverse Game Providers: Over 43 providers ensure constant variety and innovation.

By focusing on next-gen formats, Spartans appeals to gamers who crave engagement, not repetition. It’s not just about gambling, it’s about entertainment built on cutting-edge tech.

Innovation 4: The Ecosystem

Reward systems in gaming have always been one-sided: you play, they profit. Spartans flipped that logic with , a world-first innovation that combines 10% instant rakeback and cashback on every bet.

This isn’t a temporary promo, it’s a built-in reward model that scales with the player community. Every wager, win or lose, gives something back. The result is a more balanced ecosystem where loyalty is earned, not demanded.

Why it matters:

Encourages responsible, consistent play

Keeps users engaged long-term

Sets a new benchmark for fairness in online betting

It’s not just a bonus; it’s the framework for sustainable engagement in a digital economy where user value truly matters.

Innovation 5: Global, Borderless Access

Spartans isn’t built around one region, currency, or language-it’s designed for everyone. Supporting multiple cryptocurrencies and languages, the platform welcomes users from around the world without the usual geographic barriers. There’s no need to worry about exchange rates, card restrictions, or regional bans.

This global-first vision means:

Play anywhere, anytime: crypto makes it borderless

Universal access: expanding language support (English and more on the way)

Decentralized freedom: no middlemen controlling access or funds

Spartans reflects where entertainment is heading: a decentralized, global experience where users own their time, their data, and their winnings.

Summing Up

Technology moves fast, and most platforms spend their time chasing trends. Spartans does the opposite; it builds for what’s next. Every choice, from its crypto-native design to its reward-driven ecosystem, is made to stand the test of time. Players enjoy a faster, fairer, and more flexible experience that feels like tomorrow’s standard, today. This isn’t a short-term upgrade; it’s a long-term commitment to innovation, transparency, and player empowerment. Spartans Casino is a living system built to evolve alongside blockchain, global connectivity, and player expectations. While other sites are playing catch-up, Spartans is building the future. Bet on the platform that’s already ahead of the curve. Join the innovation at Spartans.

Future Forward: Your 5 Questions About Spartans’ Tech

What makes Spartans future-proof?

Its crypto-native architecture and modular platform allow instant updates and integration with emerging technologies.

How does Spartans ensure long-term security?

All transactions are blockchain-verified, and no personal banking data is stored on centralized servers.

Will Spartans support more currencies?

Yes, new cryptocurrencies and local currencies are planned for future rollout.

How does work in real-time?

Every bet instantly credits your account with rakeback and cashback, visible in your balance on the screen.

Can I play Spartans from any country?

Most regions are supported. Always check local gaming regulations before joining.

The Senate on Tuesday constituted a 12-member ad-hoc committee to advise the upper chamber on how to respond to growing international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The resolution followed a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States Government suggesting possible acts of genocide targeting Christians in parts of the country.

The move comes amid increasing diplomatic scrutiny and concerns over the potential impact of such allegations on Nigeria’s international image, security cooperation, and interfaith relations.

Members of the committee include Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong, among others.

The committee has been tasked with developing a comprehensive position paper to be presented to both the Executive and the Senate, outlining Nigeria’s official legislative stance on the issue and providing evidence-based counterpoints to the genocide allegations.

Declaring the composition of the committee, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the position paper must be ‘backed with verifiable facts and statistics’ to ensure that Nigeria’s engagement with international partners is informed and credible.

‘There are misconceptions that need to be corrected,’ Akpabio said. ‘We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the US understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.’

Earlier, the Senate had resolved to engage directly with the United States Congress to address and counter what lawmakers described as ‘misleading narratives’ portraying Nigeria’s internal security challenges as a form of Christian genocide. The resolution stemmed from a motion sponsored last week by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), which sparked a wider debate on how Nigeria is being portrayed internationally in discussions about religious persecution and insecurity.

During deliberations, senators expressed concern that such reports, though often driven by humanitarian motives, were ‘grossly misinforming international partners’ and ‘damaging Nigeria’s global reputation and economy.’ Akpabio proposed that a delegation of select lawmakers visit the United States to directly engage with American legislators and clarify the true nature of Nigeria’s security situation.

He suggested that the engagement be conducted through private diplomatic channels, emphasizing the need for accuracy and nuance in communicating the realities on the ground.

The ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its report within a short timeframe, providing a framework for both legislative and diplomatic engagement on the matter.