General
ICAN, BOI Partner to Drive Stakeholders Inclusion in Tech
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have strategically inaugurated an ICAN-BOI Tech Hub that will promote job creation, entrepreneurship and skill development in the technology space.
This was the central point of the tech hub inaugurated on Tuesday at the ICAN annexe office in Lagos which will ensure that members of the institute and the public can access the necessary skills and competencies required to become job creators and productive contributors in today’s tech-savvy world.
According to the Managing Director of BOI, Mr Olukayode Pitan, the project was necessary, given the increasing importance of technology to development and youth empowerment.
Mr Pitan said the dominant role of technology in many professions, including accountancy, had transformed the way businesses operated, resulting in improved efficiency, cost-saving, and simplified processes.
“The tech hub shall encourage development and testing of new ideas, products and business models as well as create an environment to prepare for start-ups and existing businesses for sustainability.
“It also aims at boosting business mentorship, market linkages and accelerated programmes to enable young entrepreneurs to scale up.
“Technology, innovation and entrepreneurship are key factors shaping global trends and there is a need to continually scale up on them for our national economic growth and development,” he said.
The BOI boss noted that young people were embracing an entrepreneurship mindset and technological skills, which had resulted in the provision of innovative solutions servicing millions of people in diverse sectors.
According to him, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector contributed 14.7 per cent to the gross domestic product in 2020 and increased to 15.21 per cent in 2021.
“We can see a perfect example of the value of tech hubs when we consider Silicon Valley, which is one of the earliest tech hubs in the world.
“It houses the headquarters of many of the world’s largest high tech operations as well as thousands of promising start-ups and we have started on that journey here in Nigeria.
“Nigerian Fintechs are fast gaining recognition globally. In 2021, Nigerian FinTech start-ups raised about $1.37 billion out of a total of $4 billion raised by African start-ups despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In Nigeria, we can boast of having technologically-driven products and services such as Flutterwave, Opay, Andela, Interswitch and Jumia.
“This shows the growing significance of ICT in driving the economy,” he added.
Mr Pitan also added that the BOI, through its corporate social responsibility programmes, would proactively continue to support the establishment of tech hubs across the country.
He said the ICAN-BOI tech hub collaboration brought the total tech hubs established by BOI to 10 in six states across the country.
“Structurally, the ICAN-BOI tech hub boasts of over 250 co-work desks, meeting rooms, private offices, a relaxation centre and a hybrid area for organising competitions and hackathons.
“In collaboration with ICAN, we have made provisions for all divider networks, IT equipment, power supply and all required to enable the hub function at optimal capacity.
“The bank is committed to making all its financing products and services available to bankable projects that emanate from users of the tech hub.
“We are confident that this hub will help users to innovate, incubate, collaborate and scale up as they become employers of labour and contributors to the economy of the nation,” he said.
The 57th ICAN President, Mrs Comfort Eyitayo, adding her input said the hub was positioned to empower users through different stages from idea generation to actualisation of products or services.
Mr Eyitayo expressed gratitude to the management of BOI for partnering with the institute to ensure members and youths were equipped with the necessary skills for economic growth and development.
On his part, the ICAN Registrar, Professor Ahmed Kumshe, commended Eyitayo, who through the ICAN Entrepreneurship Development Centre initiative brought about the partnership with BOI that resulted in the establishment of the tech hub.
He urged the institute to enlighten members and students to maximise the benefits of the hub since technology had taken over every aspect of life, especially in finance.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 16th Honours Nite of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State Branch, received the full backing of Stanbic IBTC Capital, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings.
The company sponsored the event, which brought together industry leaders, corporate partners, and public sector decision-makers in the real estate sector.
It was an avenue to recognise and celebrate exceptional achievements in the real estate and development ecosystem.
The chairman of NIESV in Lagos, Mr Gbenga Ismail, while addressing guests at the programme themed Inspiring Excellence, Shaping the Future, said, “Honours Nite gives us the chance to highlight the excellence and integrity inherent in our profession. While we celebrate today’s achievers, we set a precedent for a future that embraces innovation.”
The chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mr Oladele Sotubo, stated, “At Stanbic IBTC Capital, we believe that excellence in the real estate sector is necessary for sustainable growth and community development.
“By supporting events like the NIESV Honours Nite, we underscore our commitment to recognising and empowering the professionals who shape our built environment.
“Together, we can inspire innovation and uphold the highest standards, ensuring a future where quality housing and ethical practices thrive in Nigeria.”
Also, the Head of Real Estate Finance for West Africa at Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mr Tola Akinhanmi, expressed pride in supporting professionals and developers dedicated to providing high-quality housing solutions.
“These awards recognise projects that meet significant market demands and symbolise the progressive vision for the future of real estate in Nigeria,” he said.
At the ceremony, Stanbic IBTC Capital was announced as the winner of the Residential Development of the Period Award. This was for projects that demonstrated significant market influence and superior execution.
Biufort Homes Limited’s Greenwich Gardens (Ketu) won the Silver Award, while UPDC Plc’s The Hampshire earned the Gold Award for its outstanding design, execution, and strategic contribution to the premium residential landscape.
The collaboration between Stanbic IBTC Capital and the group highlights the importance of excellence in the real estate sector.
It sets a foundation for future innovations and advancements especially in underweight asset classes such as the residential sector which will help to catalyse developments and further bridge the housing supply gap in Nigeria.
This further underpins Stanbic IBTC’s value proposition and support to stimulate home ownership and acquisition via our end-to-end product offering including construction/development finance, insurance and various home loan packages which creates effective demand.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The third season of the YouTube series of Anzisha, The Journey, will focus on 30 very young entrepreneurs across Africa.
The documentary series will provide an uncensored glimpse into the grit of the small business owners, letting the viewers know the hurdles, strategic pivots, and moments of leadership that define their journeys.
With over 1.13 million YouTube views last season, The Journey S3 promises to be even more impactful.
This season culminates in a high-stakes pitch competition where four prizes totalling $40,000 will be awarded to the most promising entrepreneurs.
This intense pitch week in Johannesburg, South Africa, is where young founders refine their ideas, validate the work they’ve done over the last two years, and battle for prizes that can transform their ventures.
Viewers will see entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty when faced with unpredictability. These young leaders, aged 15 to 22, come from across Africa, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Madagascar, Benin, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Egypt, DR Congo, and Senegal.
Their ventures span across numerous sectors, from agriculture and food processing to technology, logistics, and personal care, clearly reflecting innovation across the continent.
The series showcases them building sustainable ecosystems that extend beyond financial returns and redefining leadership through inclusive and purpose-driven businesses.
The Managing Director of Anzisha, Didi Onwu, said, “The Journey season 3 is more than just a series; it’s a window into the future of African enterprise.
“It showcases the dedication, innovation, and resilience of young entrepreneurs who are not just building businesses but transforming their communities.”
The Journey’s season 3 offers a rich tapestry of experiences from a broad group of young African entrepreneurs.
Viewers will see the reality of their experiences, the balance of vision and execution, innovation and sustainability, and personal ambition driven by a desire to address gaps within their communities.
This season deepens understanding of the African entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing an honest look at the complexity of developing businesses in emerging markets.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government is already developing a robust Green Methanol Industrial Complex, the highest in Africa and is seeking Brazilian partnership in design, certification and feedstock optimisation for socio-economic development of the country.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji, during a visit of the Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria, Mr Carlos Gracete, to his office in Abuja, said under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry was driving reforms that will place innovation at the center of job creation, industrial growth and national competitiveness for economic development.
He emphasised that the efforts are being made to mechanize agro-processing and unlock the full potential of cassava, sugarcane and soybean value chain for the betterment of the citizens, reaffirming that the country is ready to work closely with Brazil to co-create inclusive, sustainable and high impact innovation projects.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Space Development Research Agency, NASRDA, Mr Matthew Adepoju while speaking, said that the agency is expanding Nigeria’s satellite capabilities and therefore seeks collaboration with Brazil’s national Institutes for Space Agencies on areas of Remote Sensing, Climate Monitoring, Land Use Analytics, Border Security and Disaster Response.
Also, the envoy said the purpose of the visit was to deepen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil in key areas through technology, innovation driven development and trade relationships.
Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines. It has chemical and physical fuel properties similar to ethanol and current research now focuses on the use as a sustainable marine fuel that will contribute to economic diversification of the country.
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