Jobs/Appointments
COVID-19: FG, NITDA to Provide One Million ICT Jobs
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through the support of the federal government, is planning to provide one million jobs in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
Director-General of the agency, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, said this during the virtual meeting on the submission of report from the agency’s Advisory Committee, mandated to access the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem, also known as Tech4Covid19.
He said the team was put in place because his agency knew before hand that the impact of the virus on the economy was unprecedented and that there would be job loss.
Business Post had reported that the advisory committee was constituted in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria last month as one the measures put forward by Mr Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, to cushion the impact of the pandemic on information technology ecosystem.
The team was made up of 10 members and were each tasked with sustainable strategies to help maintain technological progress in the face of the slowdown brought about by the pandemic.
Each were tasked on different areas from provision of affordable internet access to individuals and businesses; develop a framework to facilitate access to financing for tech and tech-enabled ventures; devising modalities for encouraging the development and adoption of digital technology, as well as support policies in line with the Work from Home directive of the federal government.
At the meeting, Mr Kashifu maintained that based on the discussion he had with the Minister, government is targeting to create or retain one million jobs in the ICT sector this year.
He said the FG was looking at many different areas in terms of startups doing agricultural value chains, empowering hubs, developing and implementing the framework of business process outsourcing and other areas, to see how thousands of jobs can be created directly or indirectly.
“I urge the committee to develop a business plan; stating facts and figures on how the IT sector will create and protect jobs.
“What I want from the committee are two things: one for example, you state that we have a 100,000 work force and if the government does not do anything to intervene during this pandemic we are going to lose the 100,000 jobs or if government intervenes by doing some certain things we are going to retain all the 100,000 jobs and create additional 30,000 jobs,” he said.
He called on businesses to approach the agency with facts and figures, stressing that government was open to intervene quickly as job creation is one of its top priorities.
“We all believe that a lot of things will change after this pandemic. As some believe that the Fourth Industrial Revolution will take place. As such, we need to unlock this hidden opportunities or identify the silver lining which are the Digital First and keep businesses up and running,” he added.
He further said, “A lot of technologies will come on board and people will embrace them. A lot of things are going to change and a lot of businesses are going to be powered by technologies.”
Concerning the recommendations, Mr Kashifu assured the committee that NITDA and federal government will do everything possible in their capacity to see that all the highlighted recommendations in the four critical areas are tackled accordingly.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
British-born Nigerian journalist, Ms Adefemi Akinsanya, has been hired by CNN International to host its new multiplatform feature series known as Africa Inc, sponsored by Dangote Industries Limited.
Ms Akinsanya joins CNN from Arise News, where she is an International Correspondent and Anchor based in Lagos. She has previously worked at Al Jazeera, Reuters, Sky News, and TRT World.
Africa Inc will showcase how African companies are competing and thriving on the global stage, from technology and hospitality to manufacturing and entertainment.
The series positions the continent not as an emerging player, but as a growing force shaping global commerce, innovation, and consumer trends.
The half-hour show will premiere in August, with four more episodes throughout 2026 and into 2027.
Bespoke Africa Inc segments will also run bi-monthly across CNN International, with digital and social content across CNN.com.
“I’m thrilled to be joining CNN to launch Africa Inc at such an exciting time for Africa’s international story. Across the continent, we’re seeing innovation, resilience, and ambition transforming industries and creating opportunities with global impact. I’m looking forward to bringing these stories to CNN’s audience,” Ms Akinsanya commented.
Also commenting, CNN International Group Senior Vice President and Global Head of Productions, Ellana Lee, said, “We are delighted to welcome Adefemi to CNN. As Africa continues to play an increasingly influential role in the global economy, Adefemi’s impactful storytelling will ensure that Africa Inc provides insightful coverage across CNN’s TV, digital, and social platforms.”
Ms Akinsanya is a 2023 Fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and holds a BA in International Politics from King’s College London.
She has reported from the frontline of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, covering the refugee crisis and the role of race in the early war evacuation effort. She has also reported on the #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests in Nigeria, the 2024 US Presidential election, and from the World Economic Forum in Davos and the 2026 G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan has been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday disclosed that Mr Enitan replaces Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who will retire soon from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
Mr Tinubu thanked Mrs Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation and for the reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the civil service during her tenure.
He also wished her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.
As for Mr Enitan, the President charged him to consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive civil service.
He further urged him to lead a civil service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.
Mr Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.
He brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.
Mr Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife. He later attended the University of Lagos and graduated in 1988 with a BSc in Finance and Banking. In 2015, he obtained an MSc in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The board of FTN Cocoa Processors Plc has appointed Mr Wale Jubril as its interim chairman following the death of the former occupier of the position, Mr S.O. Oguntimehin, in March 2026.
The appointment of Mr Jubril was decided at the company’s board meeting held in July 2026, a statement from the organisation disclosed.
He will pilot the affairs of the organisation pending the appointment of a substantive chairman, a part of the notice submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited stated.
The interim chairman of FTN Cocoa is a seasoned banker, chartered stockbroker and corporate executive with over three decades of professional experience spanning banking, capital markets, finance and corporate governance.
The Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State-born financial expert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Lagos, obtained in 1988, and three Master’s Degrees from the same institution in Marketing (1993), International Law and Diplomacy (1998), and Economics (1999).
He qualified as an Authorised Dealing Clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1992 and became a chartered stockbroker in the same year. He subsequently built a career in banking and the capital market before joining Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria Plc in 2009 as Executive Director, Finance. In that capacity, he provided leadership in financial planning, project appraisal, pricing and negotiations, particularly in relation to major oil and gas projects and engagements involving Chevron, NLNG, Total and other industry participants.
Mr Jubril also contributed to the development of the company’s financial sustainability through strategic planning, policy development, departmental restructuring and financial management, and served on the company’s Planning and Policy-Making Committee of the Board.
In 2021, he joined Float Securities Limited, where he currently serves as the chief executive. He has also served as a non-executive director of FTN Cocoa since 2015.
In recognition of his extensive experience in the private and public sectors, he was appointed an independent non-executive director of Gateway Mortgage Bank, a mortgage bank wholly owned by the Ogun State Government, in November 2022.
