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UNN, Others Hail NCC’s Involvements in Tertiary Education

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By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been commended for its interventions in tertiary education in Nigeria.

This commendation was made the 46th Convocation Lecture of the University of Nigeria (UNN) held at the Princess Alexandra/Unity Hall of the University’s Main Campus in Nsukka.

At the occasion, chaired by the President of National Industrial Court (NIC), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the NCC was applauded for the great interventions it instituted to bridge the digital divide and to enhance national transformation

The entire university community led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, gathered to receive the lecture delivered the CEO of NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

Professor Danbatta recalled that the deployment of ICT infrastructure in the precinct of the Nigerian tertiary institutions nudged the establishment of the Nigerian Research and Education Networks (NgREN), which ensures that Universities communicate, collaborate, access and share resources. The overarching advantages in deploying ICT in education include the fact that through ICT, images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students; teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students’ comprehension; and teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration.

He outlined and explained in details several intervention initiatives, programmes and projects the NCC inaugurated, and also mention the remarkable and measurable impact they have had on the realities in the education sector in Nigeria.

He said these programmes, projects and initiatives include:

Broadband infrastructure and facilities to the universities and other institutions of learning in Nigeria; and access programmes which include twelve (12) ICT/CBT Centres that are on-going under Stakeholders Initiated Project (SIP); as well as additional 4 skills acquisition Centres which are also scheduled for completion soon.

There is also the Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centers (TIKC), an initiative of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a Department in NCC. The TIKCs are designed to promote the use of ICT tools in teaching and learning at tertiary institutions and their neighbouring communities.

In addition to the above are the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Learning Centres established with training facilities and equipped with modern ICT infrastructure for training engineers, ICT professionals, policy makers, and regulators in the relevant and related sectors of the economy. Currently there are five (5) DBI learning centres across the country – Yola, Enugu, Asaba, Oshodi and Kano.

Still there is the National Teacher’s Institute e-Learning Centres. The USPF recently handed over an e-Learning Centre to the Management of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna.

There are also Information Resource Centres (IRC), another USPF intervention project to create ICT-driven knowledge management (digital libraries) within the existing public libraries to enable e-libraries effective resource sharing and access to e-content. Beneficiary libraries are provided with desktop computers, server systems, UPS, printers, computer furniture, air conditioners, library software, scanner, 60 KVA generator and VSAT equipment with bandwidth. More than thirty (30) state libraries and twenty six (26) tertiary institutions across the geo-political zones of the country have benefited.

Another noble initiative is the University Inter-Campus Connectivity (UnICC) – The UnICC is a support project to the National Universities Commission’s Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) project. Its primary purpose is to deliver broadband infrastructure and access to facilitate research and learning using Optic Fibre Cable (OFC). A total of 381.7 km OFC has been deployed in fifteen (15) Universities linking them with their medical colleges. The UNN enjoyed a total of 26.3 km of OFC capacity linking the University with its College of Medical Sciences at Ituku-Ozalla.

At the moment deployment of OFC is ongoing in another nine (9) Universities. There is also the UnICC Electronics Project which involves interconnecting end-user Electronics within the University Campus. Currently, provision of connectivity is ongoing in five (5) Universities across the country.

The Commission has provided data sharing platforms for learning and health system in Nigerian Universities and Teaching Hospitals, as well as training facilities with modern ICT infrastructure to promote learning and teaching in our institutions. These include: Data Sharing, e-learning Platforms and ICT Infrastructure to selected Universities across the country. The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Bayero University Kano (BUK), The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Federal University of Technology Akure (FUA) and Federal University of Technology Yola (FUTY) have benefited.

In addition, the Data Sharing, e-Health Platforms and ICT Infrastructure to selected University teaching hospitals across the country has also been deployed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Bayero University Kano Teaching Hospital (BUKTH), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) and Usman Dan-Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH).

The Wireless Cloud, another companion project also provides the platform for supporting campus-wide wireless access to the Internet service for teaching, learning, research and development to faculty staff and students of the nation’s Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities. In this project, the NCC provides the necessary infrastructure, including masts, antennae, networking and twelve (12) months bandwidth supply and maintenance support. The Wireless Cloud project has benefitted numerous tertiary institutions in all the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

One of the central capacity building programmes of the NCC is the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) conceptualized to bridge the digital gaps that exists in academia by providing computers, other ICT equipment and the necessary facilities to provide lecturers, administrative staff and students with the requisite ICT skills essential for the 21st Century.

The Commission donates computers and other ICT equipment, which include scanners and printers to the beneficiary institutions. Yet, the provision of suites of e-Learning applications for academics and students in tertiary institutions across the country was instituted by the NCC to provide the tools that will enable familiarity and confidence in the utilization of ICT in teaching, research and learning. More than 300 institutions of higher learning are beneficiaries of the programme.

Percentage Distribution of NCC Training Programme in Tertiary Institutions

Type of Institution Percentage

Universities (Federal/State and Private) 46.88%

University Teaching Hospitals 6.25%

Polytechnics (Federal and State) 23.96%

Colleges of Education & Agriculture 22.92%

Total 100.00%

Professor Danbatta told the audience that the World Economic Forum ranked Nigeria 134th out of 144 countries evaluated with respect to infrastructure to justify NCC’s aggressive commitment to redressing the infrastructure deficit especially in the ICT sector which is within NCC’s purview.

In a very instructive analysis that captured the distinctive exponential capacity and the speed of multiplier effect of ICTs, Danbatta recalled that it took 100 years for the benefits of the printing press to reach 50 million people and it took 40 years for the radio to reach the same number of people, but it took just 4 years for modern ICT to reach 50 million people just 2 years for the mobile phone to reach the same number of people.

Conclusively, the EVC said the astonishing intervention of the NCC as narrated in the spectacular convocation lecture are important but more important is the optimization of the infrastructure through creativity and innovation to enhance growth and development of the nation – that, he emphasized will be the real digital transformation.

Justice Adejumo, Professor Joy Ezeilo, Dean Faculty of Law at UNN’s Enugu Campus (UNEC), scholars and many other stakeholders also made observations about the challenges in the sector that need to be addressed.

Professor Danbatta thanked them for all the kind words, comments and observations. He said there are a number of initiatives and directions NCC birthed to address the challenges of telecom consumers but people are not utilizing them adequately. He told the audience to use the Toll Free Line 112 for emergencies; and the equally Toll Free Number 622 for complaints about telecom service provision. The EVC bemoaned the low number of consumers who have activated the DO NOT DISTURB (DND) Code, 2442 and persuasively request the audience to amplify NCC’s voice by telling people to activate the Code in order to stop unwanted and unsolicited messages as well as calls from telemarketing companies riding on the crest of telecommunication infrastructure.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Education

Mine Bitcoin and Dogecoin for Free With DL Mining! UK Compliance Platform Officially Opened

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Mine Bitcoin and Dogecoin

Traditional cryptocurrency mining often requires huge capital investment, complex equipment configuration, and high electricity costs. However, DL Mining is subverting this industry, providing users with simple, low-cost BTC and DOGE cloud mining services. As a legal platform certified by the British authority, DL Mining makes mining no longer limited by expensive hardware and technical barriers, and truly enables everyone to participate. With top-level security protection, minimalist operation experience, and stable daily income guarantee, DL Mining has become one of the most promising cloud mining platforms in the encryption field.

Functions of DL Mining
DL Mining is committed to creating a safe, efficient and profitable mining experience for all users. The core advantages of the platform include:

✅ Top security protection

Using McAfee® and Cloudflare® dual encryption technology to fully protect user data and asset security

✅ Completely transparent and zero fees

No management fees are charged, no hidden costs are required, and 100% of the income belongs to the user

✅ Stable mining guarantee

The server runs 100% stably, and cooperates with a 24/7 professional customer service team to ensure continuous profitability

✅ Flexible mining in multiple currencies

Supports 6+ mainstream cryptocurrencies such as USDT,USDC,BTC, LTC, DOGE, XRPand free investment portfolio selection

✅ Newcomer exclusive benefits

Sign up and get a $15 investment package, enjoy $0.6 free income every day, and start mining at 0 cost

DL Mining

How to start cloud mining for free with DL Mining?
DL Mining provides an easy-to-use cloud mining getting started guide. Users can start mining in three simple steps:

Step 1: Register an account get $15 bones

The creation process is very smooth and only requires an email address. After registration, users can immediately access DL Mining’s mining dashboard to monitor their earnings in real time.

Step 2: Select a cloud mining service provider.

DL Mining offers a $15 free mining plan to simplify the mining process without expensive mining hardware. This free plan allows users to earn $0.6 in passive income per day for free without taking any financial risk.

Step 3: Choose a mining contract

DL Mining offers a variety of contract options to meet the needs of different investment levels. Each contract guarantees a fixed return and predictable daily returns, ensuring a transparent and profitable mining experience.

LTC [basic  contract]: investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8

LTC [basic  contract]: investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $8, expiration income: $500 + $37

BTC [classic contract]: investment amount: $1,000, contract period: 10 days, daily income of $16, expiration income: $1,000 + $160

BTC [classic contract]: investment amount: $3,000, contract period: 16 days, daily income of $51, expiration income: $3,000 + $816

BTC[Advanced  contract]: investment amount: $10,000,contract period: 35 days, daily income of $215, expiration income: $10,000 + $7525

BTC[Super  contract]: investment amount: $50,000,contract period: 45 days, daily income of $1250, expiration income: $52,000 + $67080

Why DL Mining stands out in the field of cloud mining

Easy to get started

DL Mining is designed for both new and experienced miners. The user-friendly interface ensures that even people who know nothing about cryptocurrency mining can seamlessly participate and earn rewards.

Profitability and flexibility:

Unlike traditional mining models that require long-term commitments and large investments, DL Mining offers flexible contract terms and guaranteed returns. Users can withdraw earnings daily, reinvest for higher returns, or exit at any time.

Worry-free experience

DL Mining handles all technical issues of mining, including equipment maintenance and energy costs. This allows users to focus on maximizing earnings without worrying about the complexity of operations.

DL Mining leads the new wave of cloud mining: a new choice for compliant, efficient and sustainable crypto income

The rise of the cloud mining platform DL Mining is completely changing the way people participate in cryptocurrency mining, and its innovative model may become a key force in promoting industry change:

Four core driving forces of industry change

Authoritative compliance guarantee

As an official British certification platform, DL Mining has established industry trust with perfect regulatory compliance, effectively solving the most concerned security and reliability issues in the field of cloud mining.

Green mining practice

With efficient and energy-saving cloud solutions, DL Mining significantly reduces the carbon footprint of traditional mining and provides a sustainable way of participation for environmentally conscious investors.

Broad market prospects

With the surge in demand for passive income, retail and institutional investors have flocked to the field of crypto mining, indicating that innovative platforms such as DL Mining will usher in explosive growth.

Disruptive cost advantage

Compared with traditional mining that requires the purchase of ASIC mining machines and high electricity bills, DL Mining has redefined industry standards with a nearly zero-threshold participation method and a stable income structure.

Future Outlook

DL Mining is driving the entire industry towards a more convenient, safer and more profitable direction through its innovative cloud mining model. The zero-cost entry, stable daily income and extremely simplified user experience provided by the platform make it an ideal choice for BTC and DOGE mining enthusiasts.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand, DL Mining is expected to grow into a leading platform in the cloud mining field, providing investors with a high-quality alternative to traditional mining. Whether you are a novice who is new to crypto mining or a veteran player pursuing stable returns, DL Mining deserves your attention.

Explore new opportunities in cloud mining now

Download APP or Official website: dlmining.net

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Prodigy Finance Unveils NovaGrad AI-enabled Planning Tool for Students

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prodigy finance

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform giving LATAM and African students a clearer path to global universities known as NovaGrad has been launched by Prodigy Finance.

This tool allows users to plan their study-abroad journeys with confidence. The goal is to give every ambitious student the clarity, guidance, and confidence they need regardless of their background.

Many students still face steep tuition fees, shifting visa rules, complex admissions processes and limited access to reliable information.

The initiative has been created to make those first steps clearer and easier to manage. As interest grows across LATAM and Africa, universities have also stepped into the mission, recognising that students who arrive prepared are far more likely to succeed.

The platform is an AI-enabled planning tool that supports students throughout their study-abroad journey. It helps them explore courses, compare universities, understand their financial options and prepare strong, clear applications.

Students can research programmes across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and many other countries, understand what each university expects and organise their plans in one place.

With visa policies evolving globally, students can also turn to the platform to make sense of timelines, documentation and opportunities in newer destinations.

The tool supports students as they prepare to apply for university and their student visa. The platform helps them understand each step of the process and gives them the confidence to submit a strong, well-planned application.

“2025 has been one of our strongest years yet. We launched several scholarship programmes globally, and the interest from students across Africa and LATAM was remarkable.

“Even though each cycle can only support a small number of winners, our recent Prodigy Finance Awards granted close to $40,000 to eight international students, including learners from Africa and Mexico. It became clear that we needed a broader solution for this region,” the Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, Ms Sonal Kapoor, said.

”After nearly a year of work, we have launched a platform where students can explore multiple scholarship options, receive guidance on choosing universities and prepare their statements of purpose with confidence. That is why we built this service.

“It gives learners clarity about their choices and helps them plan their journey with purpose. This isn’t the kind of AI that replaces talent, it’s the kind that helps students unlock it,” she added.

Also commenting, the Head of Acquisition Strategy at Prodigy Finance and spokesperson for NovaGrad, Ms Mariana Alcocer, said, “I grew up in Colombia, and I know what it feels like to want something bigger than the place you grew up in.

“Many students across LATAM and Africa carry that same determination. They are ambitious and ready to work hard, yet the path in front of them isn’t always clear. The platform gives students the kind of guidance I wish I had in the past, a place where your options make sense and you don’t feel lost or alone.”

“Students aren’t looking for shortcuts. They want clarity. They want to know which universities align with their goals and how to present a strong application.

“The service brings all of that into one space. When students have the right tools, they move from doubt to confidence. That shift is exactly what the platform is built for,” she noted.

Prodigy Finance, a popular brand known for funding international students, has helped more than 45,000 masters students from 150 countries and has disbursed over $2.3 billion in funding.

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Human Rights Watch Urges FG to Protect Schools from Attacks

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kebbi schoolgirls

By Adedapo Adesanya

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Nigerian government to secure the safe release of students and teachers recently kidnapped in the country’s northwest and take concrete steps to protect schools and communities from further attacks.

In a statement on Tuesday, the rights body said, “The groups responsible for the kidnappings should immediately release the students and teachers they are holding captive.”

On November 18, 2025, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state.

Just three days later, on November 21, about 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.

“These mass school kidnappings once again lay bare the deliberate targeting of students, teachers, and schools in Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment,” said Ms Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The deepening crisis underscores the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities.”

Human Rights Watch said it spoke with parents of two of the girls abducted in Kebbi state. Mrs Isa Nazifi, whose 13-year-old daughter Khadija Nazifi, a junior secondary school student, was among those abducted.

“I immediately took a motorbike and rushed to the school, where I found my second daughter, also a student at the school. She told me Khadija had been taken. We are extremely worried. My wife is in tears. I will stay here at the school until my daughter returns. If I go home without her, what will I tell my family?”

Also, Mr Sani Zimri, whose daughter, Salima Sani Zimri, is a senior secondary school student who was also abducted, said he had heard rumors from other parents of a possible attack by bandits the week before the incident.

“We developed confidence after seeing military operatives surveilling the area, only to realize that there were no security operatives on the premises for the entire three hours that the incident occurred,” he was quoted in a statement by HRW.

The rights group also noted that the development was not new and dates back as far as 2014 and has been occuring with successive governments.

Human Rights Watch said Nigerian authorities have failed to apply lessons from previous attacks to create early warning systems and other measures that could prevent these atrocities.

In response to the recent kidnappings, the government has promised to rescue the kidnapped students and hold those responsible accountable. President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to act swiftly to bring the girls back while also urging local communities to share intelligence.

The authorities have also shut down 47 federal secondary schools known as Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger have also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions.

The rights group lamented that while these measures are aimed at protecting students, they have disrupted learning for thousands of children, denying them access to education and the social and psychological support schools provide.

“Without concrete measures to provide alternative learning opportunities to ensure continuity in their education, the students are at risk of falling behind academically and facing long term setbacks in their development,” the statement added.

It explains that since Nigeria is a signatory to the Safe Schools Declaration, the government should move with urgency to advance a proposal to introduce legislation to implement the Safe Schools Declaration.

“Children in Nigeria have the right to go to school without fearing for their lives,” Ms Ewang said. “Nigerian authorities should prioritize the safe release of the kidnapped children and their teachers and bring those responsible for their abduction to justice.”

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