Kenyan MPS Propose Supplementary National Exams For Pregnant Students

By

-

September 1, 2023

The National Assembly Education Committee is advocating for an amendment to the Kenyan National Examination Council (KNEC) Act to allow pregnant candidates who give birth in hospitals to be exempted from sitting for their national exams.

According to the proposal, they would instead be granted the opportunity to take supplementary exams at a later date.

Following a meeting with officials from KNEC, the Committee led by Tinderet Member of Parliament, Julius Melly observed that the candidates are not in the optimal physical or emotional state to perform well in their national exams.

He said the committee discussed with KNEC that they need to come up with a better policy to ensure sick candidates and those young girls who have delivered will be offered supplementary exams when they miss their national exams.

He argued that such practices are inherently unjust to the candidates and should be officially eliminated.

In addition, the Committee cautioned school administrators at both the primary and secondary levels against withholding students’ examination certificates after they have completed their national exams.

College Launches App To Assist UTME Candidates

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

-

September 1, 2023

1

Higher learning institution and early career management platform, ProU Education, has launched an App to aid candidates’ preparation for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Founder, Piyush Jain said the app is aimed at empowering candidates to be successful in the UTME.

Jain said Digital solutions will aid in revamping traditional exam preparation, fostering personalised learning experiences, pinpointing areas for improvement and recommending learning strategies. With bite-sized video lessons and mock exams to ensure readiness, we are taking up the challenge to increase students’ success rate.

He said that whether browsing on the website or using an Android phone, ProU app equips candidates for JAMB 2024 with enough resources: over 300 hours of video lessons in the 10 most popular subjects and mock exams with questions from the last 15 years across 28 subjects. Designed by skilled educators in Nigeria and India, it is infused with top technological expertise and propelled by Swiss-accredited learning standards.

The ProU boss said the app offers the first five video lessons for each subject free, in addition to specialised career guidance.

According to him, the preparation modules can be accessed on the institution’s website or through the app, which could be downloaded on Android Play store starting from next month.

He said the ProU app consists of easy-to-grasp tutorial videos, explanations of UTME’s topics and questions. For extra clarity and comprehension of tricky topics, it allows engagement with seasoned tutors through interactive forums. Candidates can also test their level of preparation with mock exams tools to ensure real-world exam readiness.

Tinubu Optimistic We’ll Overcome Economic Challenges

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 1, 2023

0

President Bola Tinubu says the economic turbulence Nigeria finds itself is not without silver lining but strong adherence to accountability and transparency in every way possible will restore the prosperity of the country.

Tinubu said this while he hosted the members of the Board and Management of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group led by the Chairman Board of Directors, Olaniyi Yusuf.

“Nigeria has gone through the past and we don’t look back, my hope and racing are forward-looking. When you look at the country you see how blessed we are in human resources and capital resources.

“There are so many opportunities that we can turn into prosperity, we have mineral resources undeveloped to galvanize our economy, we have an agriculture sector that is God-given, we are not even exploiting our diversity for prosperity.”

The President said that looking backward in striving to reinstate the economy of the country is retrogressive.

“Looking backward is retrogressive for any reason Looking forward can leave you on a leap that will propel you in the right direction.

National AI Collaboration Will Bring Economic Development— Researchers

“It is important to note that Economic Reforms in Nigeria can only be driven by serious collaboration between the private sector and the public sector.”

He reiterated his commitment to building the path of greater future for Nigeria saying “The Renewed Hope Agenda is an obligation that he will not be reluctant to pursue

“To build the path of tomorrow for Nigeria, the Renewed Hope Agenda is a commitment that we will not shy away from. When hope is gone, every other thing is out, but as long as we have this hope, we believe in ourselves, and collaborate with others.”

On the vision of President Bola Tinubu and his Eight-point Agenda, the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun said that President Tinubu is committed to growing Nigeria’s economy by creating a conducive environment for the private sector investment that would increase productivity, create jobs and significantly eliminate debt by ultimately attempt elimination of poverty in Nigeria.

Edun emphasised that the key requirement for private sector investment in micro-economies includes microeconomy security.

The Minister of Finance added that the Nigerian President has already set the country on the path of economic stability.

Also at the meeting, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, stated that the current administration believes that the ingredients for a double-digit economy are ideas of President Bola Tinubu, despite the current challenges facing the country.

Bagudu called for more suggestions that would complement the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu, to expand the strategies of the administration of the President to achieve double-digit growth.

He thereafter offered the commitment of the Nigerian government to the Nigeria Economic Summit Group towards remarkable success.

The Chairman Board of Directors of NESG, Olaniyi Yusuf commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold steps.

He specifically applauded the reform in the Nigerian Oil sector saying “the removal of fuel subsidy will hopefully now allow the state and the Nigerian governments to invest in the critical sectors of the economy.”

Yusuf expressed satisfaction with the President’s reforms in harmonising the forex rate while also acknowledging the various steps of President Tinubu’s administration around food security and the distribution of palliatives across the states.

Vice President Kashim Shettima was also present at the meeting.

NBTE Approves Rectem HND Programmes

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

-

September 1, 2023

0

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM), to commence Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

Addressing journalists on the development, the Rector, Stella Mofunanya said the NBTE has approved nine programmes for the institution ahead of the 2023/2024 session.

She said the screening was thorough but since the institution has requisite facilities in place, the school able to cross the huddle without any compromise and secured NBTE’s approval for the HND programmes, which included Accountancy, Computer Science, Estate Management and valuation, Quality surveying, and Architectural Technology, among others, to commence in January 2024.

She said in addition to the schools robust IT programme, the institution also have a science laboratory, with either Microbiology, environmental, biology or chemistry options.

Mofunanya restated that the institution is open to qualified students, irrespective of religious background or where they obtained their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate, provided the due process was followed.

Computer Society Rewards College At National IT Competition

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

-

September 1, 2023

0

A student of Platform Schools, Ipaja, Lagos, Excel Chukwuemeke, has emerged winner of the 2023 National Information Technology Whizkids Competition and was rewarded by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) with a new HP laptop and cash prize of N500,000.

The wife of the Bauchi State governor, Aishatu Mohammed presented the award to him at the closing banquet of the international conference of the association.

Similarly, Chukwuemeke’s ICT teacher was rewarded with a sum of N50,000.

Executive Secretary of the society, Segun Adekunle, in a letter to the school, congratulated Chukwuemeke for winning the competition.

He said NCS, the umbrella body for all information technology professionals, interest groups and stakeholders, is pleased to inform you that your student, Excel Chukwuemeke, has emerged winner of this year’s National Information Technology Whizkids Competition.

The group noted that the intellectual prowess of Chukwuemeke showed the level of excellence the school is impacting and enjoined them not to derail.

Proprietor, Platform Schools, Bola Obe attributed the feat to hard work and commitment from his team to impact world-class knowledge in the students.

He advised parents to ensure that their wards take IT very seriously, pointing out that no one can survive in the 21st century without the knowledge of Information and Communication Technology.

Airport Expansion: FG To Demolish Private Jet Hangars

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 1, 2023

0

The Federal Government has said it will demolish two multibillion-naira private jet terminals/aircraft hangars to pave the way for the expansion of the newly inaugurated international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who made the disclosure during an inspection of facilities at the Lagos airport on Thursday, said the private jet terminals were obstructing the expansion of the apron size of the new Chinese-build terminal, which was opened in March 2022.

According to him, the apron size of the new international terminal is not adequate to accommodate jumbo planes operating international routes.

According to reports, over 22 private jets belonging to some prominent Nigerians and organisations are expected to be relocated from the two multibillion-naira private jet terminals/hangars ahead of the demolition of the facilities.

The Minister emphasised the need to provide a better travelling experience for Nigerian passengers passing through the airport.

As a result, he said the old international terminal would be shut by October 1, while over 25 foreign airlines operating from the facility would be relocated to the new terminal.

The aviation minister said, “we have to find a way to use the new terminal. Like in many other countries, we have to get emergency procurement to buy big buses and move passengers to where the big planes can stop for both arrivals and departures so that Nigerians can have some form of comfort.

Senate Can’t Halt Ongoing Demolition At Lagos Airport

“The long-term plan is that, we are going to find a way to build avio-bridges for the big aircraft coming in and that means some of those private hangars will have to go for public purpose, we have to relocate them so that we can have a beautiful, functional gateway to Nigeria. For now, I am giving them till October 1 to shut down the old terminal so that we can use the new terminal.”

Keyamo’s declaration comes barely four months after the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the two private jet terminals/hangars were obstructing the efficient use of the international wing of the airport.

As such, Sirika said the facilities would be demolished to pave the way for the expansion of the new international terminal.

He said, “those two hangars, Dominion and Evergreen, will have to go and give way for our airport to be more efficient. We are not operating the Lagos airport at full capacity and it is household knowledge now, we have some obstructions that would be removed within the next one or two weeks, so that we can expand the apron; so that Lagos can have the full airport in full use to 100 per cent.”

However, Sirika could not carry out his threat until the end of his tenure on May 29.

Last year, the Federal Government had demolished the headquarters of the Accident Investigation Bureau located behind the new international terminal.

NITDA Opens Application for AI Developers Group Training

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 1, 2023

0

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has opened the application for the group training of Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers in Abuja.

NITDA on Wednesday declared the application open in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) with the agency also saying that the group training is for the Cohort 11 AI developers.

“The free monthly programme at National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Abuja, aligns with NITDA’s goal to train one million Nigerian developers,” the statement read.

NITDA said that two tracks are available for different skill levels and these are the Beginner and Intermediary.

NITDA Charges Startups To Solve Local Problems With Technologies

It is open to Nigerian youths aged 15 and above, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, students, graduates and tech enthusiasts.

NITDA has also urged applicants to note that this opportunity is available to those residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, or have logistic arrangements.

For details and applications, applicants on the beginner’s level can register at https://bit.ly/3SvJ2Zy while is for those applying for the intermediary level.

JUST IN: NLC Threatens A two-day Warning Strike Next Week

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

September 1, 2023

0

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its 52 affiliate unions across the country have threatened to go on a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday, September 5 over hardship in the country.

The Congress threatened to go on an indefinite shutdown of the nation if the federal government fails to take steps to address the “excruciating mass suffering” being faced by Nigerians.

NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero addressed reporters at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress.

NLC President and Counterpart (TUC), Say President Tinubu Makes Fresh Commitments

He said: “The NLC NEC resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today until steps are taken by the government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

“To commence a 2-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday & Wednesday the 5th & 6th of September, 2023 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month and to also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo State within this month of September 2023 in preparation for a major shutdown of the state to compel the state government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state.”

Details soon…

Photo Speak: Full Moon In Cape Sounion, Near Athens, Greece

By

Angel Gimalo

-

September 1, 2023

2

The Super Blue Moon — one of the biggest and brightest moons of the year — rose on Aug. 30; inspiring skywatchers around the world to reach for their cameras and capture some incredible photographs.

The last Super Blue Moon for 14 years rose over the eastern horizon in the Aquarius constellation just after sunset tonight at around 7:10 p.m. EDT (2310 GMT). It then set just before sunrise on Thursday, Aug. 31 at around 06:46 EDT (1046 GMT).

The latest full moon is referred to as a Blue Moon, a term that can represent one of two things: Either the third full moon in a season that has four full moons; or, more commonly, the second of two full moons that fall in a calendar month.

And similar to the previous full moon on Aug. 1, this Blue Moon was a “supermoon,” a popular term for a full moon that occurs when our natural satellite is closer to Earth, making it appear just slightly larger and brighter in the sky.

Top 10 Most Funded Nigerian Startups As of August 2023

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 31, 2023

40

Across the globe, Nigerian startups have become a force to reckon with as they continue to churn out innovative solutions that attract the attention of investors who are seeking high returns.

And with each investment yielding as much as expected returns, doors are being opened for more funding for both the old and new innovators coming out of the country.

This was why even amidst the global economic headwinds that saw several big tech companies laying off workers in 2022, Nigerian startups still attracted over $1.2 billion in funding in the year.

Although this was slightly lower than the $1.5 billion recorded in 2021, the country still remained the preferred destination for global venture capital and angel investors seeking to invest in Africa.

From pre-series to series D, many Nigerian startups have crossed through all stages of fundraising and are now also investing in other startups.

Yet, the need for more funding keeps rising as more tech-savvy Nigerians keep coming up with innovations that require injection of funds to scale.

As of today, while several startups are still bootstrapping and hoping to land their first paycheque in the near future, many innovative companies are counting millions in funding and are still hoping for more to expand their businesses.

The surge in funding for Nigerian startups is, no doubt, having several positive impacts on the Nigerian economy. It creates jobs, drives innovation, and helps to attract foreign investment. Nigerian startups are also playing an increasingly important role in solving some of Nigeria’s most pressing problems, such as financial inclusion, poverty, unemployment, and healthcare.

Despite the slowdown this year, Nigerian startups are still raising funds. Looking at those who had raised in the past and even those who raised funds as recently as this month, Nairametrics looked at the top 10 most funded startups in Nigeria based on the amount they have raised so far:

MONIEPOINT ($55.5 million)

Just about a year ago, fintech startup, Moniepoint, which was formerly TeamApt, announced its biggest raise of $50 million plus to expand its credit offerings. While the company did not assign any letter to the round to determine its stage, industry watchers said it could be classified as a pre-Series C round because the company was still looking to raise a Series C in 2023.

The latest round, which was co-led by QED Investors and Novastar Ventures, brought the company’s total funding to $57.5 million, having raised $5.5 million raised $5.5 million in capital in a Series A round led by Quantum Capital Partners in February 2019. The company was reported to have bootstrapped its way to Series A.

THRIVEAGRIC ($65.4 million)

Nigeria’s technology-driven agric startup, ThriveAgric, is currently the most funded agritech startup in Nigeria and one of the top 10 leading startups by funding. The company’s latest round was a $56.4 million in debt funding from commercial banks and institutional investors, which was announced in March last year.

The latest raise brought its total funding to $65.4 million as the company had earlier 2020 secured another $9 million from investors.

KONGO ($79.5 million)

Konga is Nigeria’s pioneer e-commerce marketplace with verticals in payment, travel, health and logistics. The company, which was acquired by Zinox in 2018 had raised a total of $79.5 million before its acquisition. Its latest funding round was $41 million series C round led by Naspers in 2015.

In 2014, Konga raised $25 million in Series B, which came after a $10 million Series A in 2013 and a $3.5 million Seed round in 2012, all led by Kinnevik AB with participation from Naspers.

KUDA BANK ($91 million)

Nigeria’s digital bank, Kuda, is also among one of the most funded startups in Nigeria as of today. Kuda. The bank has raised a total of $91.6 million and the latest was a $55 million Series B round announced in August 2021.

Earlier in March of the same year, Kuda had raised $25 million in a Series A round led by Valar Ventures. In November 2020, the startup had announced a seed round of $10 million led by Target Global.

TRADEDEPOT ($123 million)

TradeDepot, Nigeria’s e-commerce startup, which connects international brands to small businesses in Africa, has raised a total of $123 million in funding. Its latest round was a $110 million series B announced in December 2021.

In July 2020, Trade Depot had raised $10 million to expand its business into financial services and credit offerings for retailers. Before that, the company’s first raise was a $3 million investment led by Partech back in 2018.

LUMOS GLOBAL ($125 million)

Nigerian Off-Grid Solar Company Lumos Global has raised a total of $125 million to date. Its latest raise was a $35 million financing from U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to expand its existing market for reliable, accessible and clean solar power in Nigeria.

In December 2016, Lumos Global had raised $90 Million, comprising $50 million debt and $40 million in equity. The investors included Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Sub-Saharan Africa-focused investment firm Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers, VLTCM and Israeli cleantech venture specialist ICV.

MOOVE ($335 million)

Nigerian-born mobility fintech company, Moove, has continued to secure funding from different investors, the latest being $76 million raised this August and led by Mubadala Investment Company. The financing consists of $28 million in equity, $10 million in venture debt from funds and accounts, and $38 million in previously undisclosed funds raised over the past year.

While the latest raise brought its total funding to $335 million, the company had in July 2023, announced its $8 million funding from Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) to significantly expand its existing fleet of Suzuki S-Presso vehicles assembled in Ghana.

In 2022, Moove raised a total of $183.3 million across five funding rounds. It raised $135 million between January and June, then an additional $30 million in December.

ANDELA ($381 million)

Andela, a fully remote company that helps tech companies build remote engineering teams is currently valued at $1.5 billion following a September 2021 $200 million Series E round led by SoftBank’s Softbank Vision Fund 2.

The Series E round brought Andela’s total raise to $381 million since being founded in Lagos in 2014. Before that, the company had raised $100 million in Series D in 2019.

Earlier in 2017, Andela raised $40 million in Series C funding led by pan-African venture firm CRE Venture Capital with participation from DBL Partners, Amplo, Salesforce Ventures, and Africa-focused TLcom Capital. The company had raised a total of $40 million before that time.

FLUTTERWAVE ($475 million)

Flutterwave, the fintech giant co-founded by Olugbenga Agboola has raised a total of $475 million. The company which is now working towards an Initial Public Offer (IPO) is one of the seven unicorns in Africa.

Flutterwave’s latest raise was in February 2022 when it raised $250 million in a Series D round led by investors including Facebook Inc co-founder Eduardo Saverin’s venture capital firm B Capital Group and Boston-based hedge fund Whale Rock Capital Management. Series D tripled the company’s valuation to over $3 billion in just twelve months.

In March 2021, the San Francisco-headquartered and Lagos-based startup raised $170 million in a Series C round from Tiger Global and Avenir at a valuation of $1 billion.

Flutterwave had raised a $35 million Series B in 2020 and a $20 million Series A in 2018.

OPAY ($570 million)

Chinese-backed and Africa-focused fintech company, OPay has raised a total of $570 million in three successive rounds. Its latest raise was announced in August 2021 when it secured $400 million in new financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2. The raise brought the company’s valuation to $2 billion.

Before that, Opay had announced two funding rounds in 2019, $50 million in June and a $120 million Series B in November. This Series C round was the largest on record in Africa’s tech scene on par with Jumia’s identical raise in 2016.