Nigeria News Digest: September 4, 2025

The historic Awolowo House in Ikeja has been demolished to make way for the Awolowo Technology Mall, a modern facility that will more than double the original 4,800 sqm of commercial space to over 9,000 sqm. Managed by Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company, the mall aims to attract global ICT firms and reinforce Lagos’s status as a leading technology hub.

PodFest Naija, Nigeria’s inaugural podcast and storytelling festival, will be held on 10 October 2025 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, exploring how narratives shape culture, inspire innovation and foster collaboration. Backed by sponsors such as Coca‑Cola and Sterling Bank and supported by multiple media partners, the one‑day event is positioned to become a landmark cultural gathering.

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has introduced the Digital, Electronic, Online or Non‑Traditional Consumer Lending Regulation 2025, targeting all unsecured digital loans. The rules impose strict registration, transparency, data‑privacy and fair‑interest requirements and authorize penalties of up to N100 million for abusive practices such as harassment and anti‑competitive behaviour.

Nigeria’s ICT sector is projected to overtake oil as the country’s top revenue earner by 2027, rising from its current 16‑18 % share of GDP to about 21 % within two years, according to the Minister of Communications. Growth is driven by initiatives like the 90,000 km Project Bridge fibre backbone, the world‑largest 3MTT digital‑skills programme, and a forthcoming Digital Economy Bill, while Lagos alone has attracted over US$6 billion in tech investment between 2019 and 2024.

T2 Mobile has signed a multi‑million‑dollar agreement with India’s Knot Solutions to upgrade its Business and Operations Support Systems, a key step in the carrier’s four‑phase transformation from traditional telecom to a broader platform offering voice, data, digital financial services, cloud and lifestyle products. The partnership aims to restore competitiveness and drive customer‑focused innovation in Nigeria’s telecom market.

The Nigerian Institute of Management has partnered with Leadership newspaper to promote technology‑driven innovation, aligning with its upcoming national conference in Abuja (7‑9 September) themed “Leveraging Technology for Innovation, Creativity and Productivity.” The collaboration will provide extensive media coverage and support the Institute’s goal of enhancing management through digital tools.

At the 17th Lagos Makeup Fair, skincare brand Nuban Cares unveiled Nigeria’s first AI‑powered Skin Decoder, a user‑friendly tool that delivers instant, personalized skin analyses and product suggestions, marking a significant step toward data‑driven beauty experiences for both professionals and consumers.

The Kwara State government has teamed up with the nonprofit Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative to establish Code Clubs in schools, targeting learners aged 8 to 16 and offering training in coding, robotics, problem‑solving and safe digital practices, with support from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.