EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela. 

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways:  for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector. 

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria. 

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa. 

 
Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector. 

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Major Boost For Education Sector As VP Shettima Launches Dangote Foundation Scholarship Initiative

*Seeks more investment in education to reverse West Africa’s low human capital index

*Applauds Dangote’s ₦100bn annual education support scheme, visionary philanthropy

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has flagged off the Aliko Dangote Foundation Education Scholarship Initiative, with a call for stakeholders to recommit to building a future where every Nigerian child can become the best version of themselves.

This is just as the President of the Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, unveiled a ₦100 billion annual education support programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s educational sector and expanding access to quality learning for young people nationwide.

The programme, projected to cost ₦1 trillion over the next ten years, will support students across multiple levels through a range of targeted schemes.

Speaking on Thursday in Lagos during the launch of the education scholarship scheme, the Vice President extolled Dangote’s philanthropic stride, saying education is a burden carried by those with the knowledge of its power to transform.

“Now is the time to recommit to building a future in which every Nigerian child has a fair shot at becoming the best version of themselves. Let us live our lives so that posterity will remember us not for the offices we held or the titles we bore. Posterity must remember us for the doors we opened and the lives we transformed,” he stated.

Senator Shettima implored the private sector and corporate entities to invest in education, insisting that they must consider themselves as stakeholders in the survival of Nigeria’s education system.

Noting that there was no better time than now to confront the “consequences of demographic acceleration,” VP Shettima said, “A youthful population is a global asset only when it is educated. Without education, it becomes a threat to itself and to the nation that houses it.

“We come from a difficult history. Formal education was once treated as an intrusion. It was seen as an affliction. It was seen as a scheme to estrange children from their heritage. The residue of that suspicion, the gap that misunderstanding created, still weighs heavily upon our national progress.”

The VP pointed out that, rather than expecting a miracle or mere rhetoric to close and erase the gap created by such misunderstanding, deliberate effort must be made “to end a needless cycle of failure that has persisted for far too long.”

This, he said, inspired President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to roll out bold and far-reaching reforms, including the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, to create equitable access to education for all under his watch.

“We strengthened UBEC to deepen basic education infrastructure and accountability. We expanded TETFUND’s intervention footprint to revitalise tertiary institutions. We accelerated our Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes to reflect the needs of a new economy. We also mainstreamed digital learning as a core national priority,” he added.

The Vice President decried what he described as the “reality of West Africa as the region that now carries the burden of having the lowest Human Capital Index in the world,” stating that Nigeria must invest in education to reverse the trend.

“We must treat education as a survival strategy. This is why our administration treats the National Human Capital Development Programme as a national emergency. We are bringing states, development partners, the private sector and civil society together to reclaim our destiny,” he said

The VP described the Founder and President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Dangote, as standing apart, saying “in a nation that has produced giants, he remains a colossus.

Applauding the 100 billion annual education support scheme, he said, “His (Dangote’s) philanthropy is not episodic. His philanthropy is structural. His philanthropy is generational. His philanthropy is visionary. He is not only the largest private employer of labour in Nigeria. He has also become the most consequential private investor in the rescue of our most critical sector, education,” he said.

Earlier, President of the Foundation, Alhaji Dangote, said the Foundation’s ₦100 billion annual education support programme will strengthen Nigeria’s educational sector and expand access to quality learning for young people nationwide, assuring that all beneficiaries will be selected through a transparent, merit-based process.

He further announced partnerships with NELFUND, NECO, WAEC, and other government agencies to ensure accountability and fairness in programme delivery, revealing that he has dedicated 25 percent of his personal wealth to the foundation, a commitment that will extend beyond his lifetime.

Also, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as one of the most comprehensive human capital development programmes in Nigeria’s history, which aligns with the Federal Government’s education reform agenda.

Dr. Alausa also noted that 25 percent of the scholarship slots will be reserved for persons living with disabilities, calling the gesture a “humane and inclusive approach.”

In her goodwill message, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, commended the foundation’s investment in education, saying the expanded scholarship opportunities—particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)—would create new pathways for Nigerian children.

She described investment in girls’ education as one of the most powerful tools for societal progress.

Speaking on behalf of state governors, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu applauded Dangote’s commitment to the future of Nigerian youth.

He acknowledged that the Dangote Foundation has redefined philanthropy in Nigeria, just as he said state governments will work to ensure the success of the initiative, beginning with Lagos State, which has allocated 10 percent of its annual budget to education.

For his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, commended Dangote for the initiative, even as he encouraged him to continue championing efforts that improve the lives of Nigerians.

On his part, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), pledged the committee’s dedication to ensuring the initiative’s success.

He noted that the long-term multiplier effect of the foundation’s education interventions would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s human capital over the next decade and beyond.

The high point of the event was the unveiling of the vision 2030 100 billion dollar logo of the Dangote Foundation.

Major Boost For Education Sector As VP Shettima Launches Dangote Foundation Scholarship Initiative

CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GAMBO IYERE ALIYU WHO REJECTED $50,000 BRIBE TAKES HELM AT FOU ZONE A

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has witnessed a major transition as outgoing Comptroller , now Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu, formally handed over leadership to the new Customs Area Comptroller , Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu. The handover ceremony, held on December 10, 2025, marked a notable moment for the Service’s anti-smuggling architecture as both senior officers outlined their visions for stronger enforcement and national economic protection.

In his valedictory remarks, ACG Shuaibu expressed deep gratitude to God and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, dsm, fnipr,psc+ for the trust and support that enabled him to lead the Zone effectively. He described his seven-month tenure as both challenging and rewarding, noting that his mandate upon assumption of office on April 23, 2025 was to strengthen intelligence-driven operations within the Zone.

He reported remarkable achievements during his stewardship, driven by the resilience and professionalism of officers under his command. According to him, the Unit recorded 476 interceptions comprising 761 seizures valued at ₦10,051,812,208, including 23,000 bags of smuggled rice, 98 used vehicles, 2,350 kg of cannabis sativa, 1,820 jerry cans of PMS, 15 rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two industrial drones, 25 kg of methamphetamine, and four 50kg cylinders of explosives of Russian origin.He added that the Unit also transferred $20,000 in intercepted currencies to the EFCC, arrested 38 suspects, and handed over eight containers of expired pharmaceuticals valued at ₦7.5 billion. Beyond enforcement, the Unit recovered ₦419,202,458.85 from underpaid import duties through meticulous document checks and demand notices.

ACG Shuaibu called on officers to remain committed and extend full cooperation to his successor, expressing confidence that the structures he leaves behind will continue to thrive. He thanked his principal officers, patrol leaders, and the media for their support, describing his time at FOU Zone A as fulfilling and impactful.

In his response, Comptroller Gambo Iyere Aliyu expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller-General and the NCS management team for the confidence reposed in him. He commended ACG Shuaibu for his exemplary leadership, pledging to consolidate the gains already recorded by the outgoing administration.

Comptroller Aliyu assured that he would uphold the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, focusing on enhanced intelligence-driven enforcement, strict discipline, strong stakeholder collaboration, and improved welfare for officers. Specifically, he will align with the Comptroller-General’s goals of modernizing customs processes, strengthening anti-smuggling efforts, improving trade facilitation, and building capacity.

He highlighted the strategic importance of FOU Zone A as a frontline enforcement formation responsible for suppressing smuggling and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests. He emphasised that professionalism, accountability, and ethics would remain non-negotiable under his command, urging officers to uphold the core values of the Service.

According to him, operational activities will revolve around change management, compliance management, and reputational management—three pillars he considers essential for sustainable progress. Comptroller Aliyu also acknowledged the vital role of the media and pledged open, responsible engagement to ensure accurate dissemination of information.

The new Comptroller brings to the Unit an impressive record of service. Born in the United Kingdom over five decades ago, he has served the Nigeria Customs Service since 1991, rising meritoriously to the rank of Comptroller in 2024. His academic and professional development spans institutions in the UK and multiple international training bodies.

He is a Fellow of the Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (USA), a Certified Threat Analyst, and a Physical Security Manager with extensive experience in enforcement, crisis management, and trade compliance. He has served across various Customs formations, including as Deputy Comptroller of Enforcement at Tin Can Island Port, where his team intercepted arms, drugs, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. His unit earned the CGC’s commendation for rejecting a $50,000 bribe offer an incident that further cemented his reputation for integrity. His last posting was Area Comptroller Oyo/ Osun State Command. Comptroller Aliyu is happily married , plays golf and enjoys music, and adventure.

CUSTOMS COMPTROLLER GAMBO IYERE ALIYU WHO REJECTED $50,000 BRIBE TAKES HELM AT FOU ZONE A