By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ordered a resit of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for nearly 380,000 candidates following a critical technical error that affected several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country. The rescheduled examination is set to commence on Friday, May 16, 2025.

In what is being described as one of the most extensive exam disruptions in recent years, a total of 157 CBT centres out of the 882 accredited nationwide have been identified as affected by an “unpatched error”—a term pointing to unresolved software glitches that compromised the integrity of the examination process in those centres.

According to verified data released by independent data analytics platform, Statisense, two zones were significantly impacted: Lagos Zone and Owerri Zone.

Breakdown of Affected Zones:

  • Lagos Zone:
    • 65 centres were affected.
    • A total of 206,610 candidates will be retaking the exam.
  • Owerri Zone:
    • 92 centres recorded the error.
    • 173,387 candidates from the zone will participate in the resit.
    • It is important to note that the Owerri Zone includes Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

In total, 379,997 candidates have been slated to retake the examination—a development that has sparked concerns from parents, candidates, and educational stakeholders across the country.

A senior official within the board who spoke under anonymity said the error was “systemic but localized,” and blamed poor maintenance and delayed software updates at some centres as the root cause of the disruption. “We had issued several directives for CBT centres to patch and update their systems, but unfortunately, some failed to comply, resulting in system crashes, submission failures, and candidate log-in issues,” the source explained.

The board has assured that it is working round the clock to ensure that the affected candidates face no further hitches during the rescheduled examinations. JAMB further confirmed that each affected candidate would be notified through official channels, including their registered emails, SMS, and personal JAMB profiles.

The UTME is a high-stakes examination required for admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions. Any disruption in its conduct not only affects the academic calendar but also places an emotional toll on candidates who have spent months preparing for the test.

Observers and educational advocates have called for a more robust monitoring system and stricter compliance audits for CBT centres. They warn that repeated technical failures could erode public trust in JAMB’s ability to deliver fair and credible assessments in the digital age.

As the resit begins this Friday, the spotlight is now on JAMB’s ability to redeem itself and restore confidence in its examination process.

 

In a renewed effort to curb corruption and reduce public sector wastage, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has paid a solidarity visit to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), deepening institutional collaboration on digital governance.

The Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, while receiving the NITDA delegation at his office in Abuja, described the visit as “historic and strategic,” noting that it will further standardize and ensure compliance in the procurement of IT-related projects across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Dr. Adedokun emphasized the importance of digitalizing procurement processes, stressing that it not only shortens project turn-around time but also plays a critical role in combating corruption and eliminating duplication of IT initiatives. He charged both BPP and NITDA with the responsibility of upholding the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by promoting efficiency and transparency in governance.

Highlighting the need for cross-agency cooperation, Dr. Adedokun called for the inclusion of key institutions such as the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Auditor General for the Federation, and anti-corruption agencies to monitor and audit procurement implementations. He proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BPP and NITDA to strengthen their existing collaboration in areas such as capacity building, ICT competency, procurement standardization, and IT price intelligence.

In response, NITDA Director-General/CEO, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to reforms that enhance service delivery and governance. He disclosed that NITDA is reviewing its IT Clearance Guidelines to promote transparency and ensure accountability in the execution of government digital projects.

Dr. Abdullahi also revealed NITDA’s plans to build a National E-Government Master Plan and a Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture — IT frameworks designed to deliver integrated and seamless services to citizens. He outlined a three-stage approach to IT project compliance: Solution Design certification, Implementation with a focus on cybersecurity and network security, and a Quality Assurance phase to validate outcomes before payment.

Dr. Adedokun further recommended integrating BPP into NITDA’s procurement portal for better information sharing and suggested that legal experts from MDAs be trained in IT-related legal processes to strengthen contract frameworks.

Both agencies agreed to set up a joint task force to finalize the MoU and drive the collaborative agenda forward, marking a significant step toward more transparent, accountable, and technology-driven governance in Nigeria.

 

From the bustling streets of London to the heart of Lagos, from mentoring inner-city teens in Atlanta to crafting training blueprints for global institutions, Ngozi Okafor’s journey has been one of purpose, passion, and people. A woman of many hats—organizational psychologist, trainer, mentor, author, mother—Ngozi has spent over two decades empowering young people and shaping lives, one conversation, one opportunity, and one program at a time.

With more than 23 years of experience in instructional design and corporate training, Ngozi is not just a trainer or strategist—she’s a storyteller, a guide, and a believer in human potential. Her work cuts across sectors and continents, but her mission has always remained constant: to equip young people with the tools, confidence, and mindset to lead meaningful lives.

“I’ve always believed that young people don’t just need information—they need belief. They need someone to see them, to invest in them, and to walk beside them,” she once said. And that belief has taken her to 56 countries, living on four continents, and working with youth and organizations around the world.

Early Roots in the UK: Hope for the Hopeless

Her story begins in the United Kingdom, where she volunteered with Hope Worldwide International. There, she worked with vulnerable youth—many on the brink of homelessness or already living on the streets. Ngozi helped them navigate their way back into education and employment, guiding them gently but firmly toward stability and success. She didn’t just talk to them; she walked with them—sometimes organizing food drives, sometimes helping them launch charitable initiatives of their own.

A Voice in Atlanta’s Classrooms and Communities

When she moved to the United States, Ngozi took that same energy to Junior Achievers of Atlanta, facilitating business simulation programs that didn’t just teach numbers, but gave students the confidence to dream of building something of their own. Her influence extended beyond the classroom. She mobilized young people to serve their communities—visiting the elderly through Meals on Wheels, delivering not just food but companionship and care.

Returning Home to Inspire Nigeria’s Youth

Back in Nigeria, Ngozi didn’t slow down. She launched Youth Arena, a popular radio show on Armed Forces Radio 107.7 FM that became a lifeline for many young Nigerians searching for answers, guidance, and mentorship. With her warm voice and relatable stories, she connected with thousands. The show’s success led to a partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Financial Inclusion Committee, enabling her to produce a groundbreaking radio series on financial literacy.

But she didn’t stop at broadcasting. Ngozi created a practical financial workbook that was distributed across the country, demystifying savings, budgeting, and financial planning for young people who had never been taught these skills before.

Backing Words with Action

For Ngozi, empowerment isn’t just about ideas—it’s about action. She has personally financed the startup dreams of more than 50 young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, providing essential tools like sewing machines, baking ovens, and more. “Sometimes all they need is that one push—a show of faith that says, ‘I believe in you,’” she reflects.

More Than a Resume—A Mission

Ngozi Okafor’s life isn’t just a collection of impressive roles or accolades. It’s a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. She’s worked with global public institutions, spoken at conferences, published books, and trained leaders. Yet, what defines her most is her unwavering commitment to young people—their stories, their struggles, and their potential.

A mother, mentor, and motivator, Ngozi continues to inspire across generations and geographies. Her story is still being written, one life at a time.

And in a world that desperately needs hope, her message is simple yet profound: *Every young person deserves a chance to thrive—and someone to believe

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The fourth plenary session of the 2025 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting took centre stage with an engaging discourse on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa: Privacy Paradox.” The session, which drew leading minds in AI policy and data protection, was chaired by Tahir Latif, Vice President and Data Privacy and AI Governance Officer at the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Dr ’Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bunmi Ajala—Senior Special Adviser on AI, Data & Research—highlighted the urgent need for African nations to strike a delicate balance between technological advancement and the protection of citizens’ privacy rights.

The session unpacked the growing tension between rapid AI adoption across the continent and the imperative to enforce data privacy regulations. Discussions revolved around practical strategies to ensure that innovation in AI does not trample on human rights, with emphasis on the pivotal role African regulators must play in shaping the ethical framework of AI development.

A distinguished panel lent diverse perspectives to the conversation. Speakers included Dr Ololade Shyllon, Director of Privacy Policy for Africa, Middle East and Turkey at Meta; Dr Thuweba Diwani, Head of Project at GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria; Teki Akuetteh, Senior Partner at Nsiah Akuetteh & Co and Executive Director of the Africa Digital Rights Hub; and Adewole Adene, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google.

The session served as a clarion call for stronger, harmonised regulatory frameworks to guide AI deployment on the continent, while championing individual privacy rights.

#ChampioningPrivacyRights #NADPA2025 #PrivacyInAction #BalancingInnovation

 

In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at bolstering effective governance and service delivery, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified efforts to ensure transparency and efficiency in federal IT projects.

As part of its mandate to act as the clearing house for all government IT initiatives, NITDA on Thursday paid strategic visits to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF). The visits focused on presenting the newly reviewed IT Project Clearance Guideline Document for feedback and collaboration.

The document, which is central to preventing corruption and duplication in government IT procurement, is also designed to foster accountability and value delivery in public sector technology investments.

Speaking during the engagements, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, noting that no single institution can drive digital economic transformation in isolation. “We must work together to ensure IT projects truly serve the public interest and propel national development,” Inuwa said.

At the Bureau of Public Procurement, Director General Dr. Adebowale Adedokun welcomed the initiative and emphasised the need to standardise IT Project Bidding Documents. He pledged the Bureau’s readiness to collaborate closely with NITDA.

Similarly, the Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, commended NITDA’s proactive approach. He assured that once the new guidelines are adopted, his office would undertake a performance audit to evaluate their impact on national development.

The joint effort signals a renewed commitment to transparency, digital innovation, and effective governance across Nigeria’s public sector.

 

 

 

CyberDome, West Africa’s leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), has announced a collaboration with Cato Networks, the SASE leader ,to deliver Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) across the region.

The collaboration has been described as a game changer for organizations in West Africa, delivering the Cato SASE Cloud Platform —which converges networking and security in a single, cloud-native platform through CyberDome’s always-on, locally managed Security operations Center (SOC). The result: a modern,secure-by-design infrastructure built for today’s cloud-first world.

“We’re blowing past the limitations of traditional IT,” said Eyal Titinger, Co-founder of CyberDome. “This collaboration brings together global technology and local expertise to deliver seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity—exactly what West Africa’s fastest-growing enterprises need.”

Goodbye Boxes. Hello Cloud Power.

This collaboration empowers organizations to eliminate legacy hardware and embrace agile, software-defined infrastructure. Benefits

include:

● Real-time, secure connection of users, offices, and cloud

resources across geographies.

● Built-in zero trust and SASE security to protect every edge.

● Simplified IT management and fast, uncompromised scalability.

As West African enterprises accelerate digital transformation and hybrid work models, CyberDome and Cato Networks are uniquely positioned to support their journey—providing a platform that combines agility, security, and simplicity at scale.Built for the Realities of West Africa From major financial institutions and government agencies to telcos and critical infrastructure providers, this collaboration addresses the region’s unique challenges with a bold, unified approach.

“This is about unleashing innovation and growth without the fear of cyber risk,”said Eyal. “It’s security and performance in one bold move.

CyberDome is West Africa’s leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), delivering real-time cyber defense, threat intelligence, compliance support, and 24/7 monitoring from its cutting- edge SOC in Nigeria. With deep local roots and global reach,CyberDome is redefining how African enterprises stay secure in a digital world.

 

 

 The Southeast region of Nigeria is fast emerging as a hub for technological innovation and investment, according to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, who participated in the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Speaking at the festival themed “From Code to Code”, Agbata described the event as timely and transformative, capturing the momentum and aspirations of Nigeria’s tech-driven future.

“The theme aptly captures the essence of our transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Agbata said. “Technology’s permanence is no longer debatable; what remains uncertain is the level of passion Nigerians will bring to its adoption.”

He emphasized that both Enugu and Anambra States are strategically positioned to lead in digital transformation across the Southeast, thanks to ongoing policy support, talent development, and a growing ecosystem of innovators.

“I can confidently attest that Enugu and Anambra State are primed to fully leverage technology’s potential,” he added.

Agbata further encouraged local and international investors to take a closer look at the Southeast region, citing its untapped market, rising tech-savvy youth population, and progressive government initiatives.

“The Southeast region is experiencing unprecedented growth, and those who haven’t invested yet are missing out. This is the perfect time to tap into the region’s vast opportunities,” he noted.

He also commended Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Enugu State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology, as well as the organizers of the festival, for curating an impactful event that brought together stakeholders, innovators, and policymakers.

The Enugu Tech Festival served as a convergence point for tech enthusiasts, startups, investors, and government officials to discuss emerging technologies, forge partnerships, and inspire a new wave of digital transformation across Nigeria’s southeastern states.

In a major recognition of African leadership in the global digital economy, Dr. Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres (OADC), has been named to the prestigious 2025 Power 100 list by Capacity Media, a leading global publication under the Techoraco brand.

The Power 100 is an annual list that recognises the most influential executives and thought leaders driving innovation, growth, and transformation in the global digital infrastructure landscape. Curated by Capacity Media’s editorial board and informed by peer nominations from across the industry, the list celebrates individuals who are setting new benchmarks in data centre development, cloud technologies, network services, and cross-border digital connectivity.

OADC, in an official statement, expressed immense pride in Dr. Coker’s inclusion, highlighting it as a testament to both his visionary leadership and Africa’s rising influence in global tech.

“We are proud to announce that OADC CEO, Dr. Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker, has been recognised in Capacity Media’s prestigious Power 100 list. Nominated by industry peers and curated by the Capacity editorial team, the Power 100 celebrates the trailblazers, innovators, and leaders shaping the global digital infrastructure landscape,” the company said.

With a track record that spans over three decades across finance, telecommunications, and enterprise IT, Dr. Coker is widely regarded as a pioneer in Africa’s data centre and digital infrastructure ecosystem. Since assuming leadership at OADC—a subsidiary of WIOCC Group—he has overseen the company’s strategic expansion across multiple African markets, delivering world-class, carrier-neutral data centres and edge infrastructure to support digital transformation at scale.

Under his stewardship, OADC has become instrumental in bridging Africa’s infrastructure gap, enabling high-capacity, low-latency connectivity and supporting the growth of cloud services, content delivery, fintech, and smart government services across the continent.

Dr. Coker’s recognition further positions OADC as a cornerstone in the emerging narrative of Africa as a future digital powerhouse, with infrastructure playing a critical role in unlocking innovation, investment, and inclusion.

This year’s Power 100 list includes global CEOs, CTOs, policymakers, and investors whose work is redefining the future of global connectivity—from North America to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and now, increasingly, Africa.

 The 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) was held in Abuja, drawing participation from 20 member nations across the continent.

The high-level event, hosted by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), brought together heads of Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) to deliberate on strategies for advancing data protection and privacy in Africa.

Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation among member countries. He commended their contributions to the success of the conference, which took place at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

“We are honoured to host this year’s AGM and deeply appreciate the shared commitment of member nations to foster a culture of data protection across the continent,” Dr. Olatunji said.

Throughout the multi-day gathering, extensive deliberations highlighted the collective resolve of African nations to entrench data privacy as a cultural and institutional norm. Delegates discussed cross-border collaboration, legal frameworks, and capacity building, among other key issues in the digital governance space.

Countries represented at the AGM included Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Morocco, The Gambia, Cape Verde, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Eswatini, Mali, Mauritania, Benin, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda, Chad, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In a significant development, Côte d’Ivoire was announced as the next host for the 2026 edition of the NADPA-RAPDP Conference and AGM, a testament to its growing leadership in the continent’s data governance landscape.

The Network of African Data Protection Authorities continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s digital future through shared values, policies, and strategic engagement.

 In a move to boost innovation within the Blue Economy, Start Innovation Hub Nigeria has announced the launch of the Business Catalyst 2025 Incubation Program, a 12-week intensive initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of early-stage startups operating in water-based industries.

The announcement was made by Hanson Johnson, Founder and CEO of Start Innovation Hub, who described the program as a strategic effort to empower ambitious entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to build scalable, impactful solutions.

“Start Innovation Hub Nigeria is excited to announce the launch of the Business Catalyst 2025 Incubation Program,” Johnson said. “This program offers ambitious entrepreneurs the opportunity to refine their innovative ideas, develop scalable products, and gain access to valuable mentorship and resources. We are looking for groundbreaking ventures that will shape the future of our oceans and water-based economies.”

The Business Catalyst 2025 program is specially designed for startups operating in sectors such as marine technology, sustainable fisheries, ocean conservation, aquaculture, and other aspects of the Blue Economy. Participating startups will go through structured training, hands-on workshops, and receive access to expert mentors and industry stakeholders.

Applications for the program are expected to open soon, with successful participants receiving not just training, but also networking opportunities and potential funding pathways to scale their ventures.

Start Innovation Hub, based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is renowned for driving technology and entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s South-South region, with a strong track record of nurturing early-stage innovators.