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Minister Bosun Tijani Onboards 185 Startup Founders in Abuja Under ₦950bn iDICE Initiative

Federal government launches first cohort of Startup Bridge Founders Lab; programme targets innovation and youth employment nationwide

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Federal government launches first cohort of Startup Bridge Founders Lab; programme targets innovation and youth employment nationwide

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has onboarded 185 startup founders into the inaugural cohort of the Startup Bridge Founders Lab in Abuja on Tuesday. The event marks a key milestone in the rollout of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, a federal government initiative launched in 2023 to drive innovation and economic diversification across Nigeria.

The onboarding followed a rigorous selection process that reviewed hundreds of applications nationwide, with the selected founders forming part of the first batch to benefit from iDICE’s support. According to officials, the programme is backed by a $617 million (approximately ₦950 billion at current exchange rates) fund co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The Bank of Industry (BoI) serves as both executing agency and financier for the scheme.

Launched as part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for youth empowerment and job creation, iDICE aims to provide not only financing but also capacity building, mentorship, and access to markets for digital and creative startups. Stakeholders say this support is critical amid rising unemployment figures and ongoing calls for economic diversification beyond oil. “Our goal is to ensure that young Nigerian innovators have the tools and resources they need to build globally competitive businesses,” Dr Tijani said during the onboarding ceremony.

The minister noted that beyond financial support, iDICE will deliver tailored training modules and opportunities for founders to connect with investors and industry leaders. According to Tijani, “We are building an ecosystem where innovation can thrive regardless of background or location.” While opposition parties were not immediately available for comment on Tuesday, several industry experts have welcomed the move as a step towards bridging Nigeria’s digital skills gap.

With the onboarding now completed, participants in the Founders Lab will begin an intensive programme designed to accelerate their growth over several months. The government has indicated that subsequent cohorts will be selected later this year as part of efforts to reach more regions across all six geopolitical zones.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/fg-onboards-185-founders-under-startup-bridge-initiative/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Folmus to Host Four-Team Wheelchair Basketball Invitational in Lagos, Promotes Disability Sports

Tournament expected to boost wheelchair basketball visibility; organisers target improved inclusion for athletes with disabilities

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June 11, 2026

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Tournament expected to boost wheelchair basketball visibility; organisers target improved inclusion for athletes with disabilities

Folmus, a local sports development organisation, has announced plans to host a four-team wheelchair basketball invitational tournament in Lagos. The event is scheduled to take place within the city, with the aim of promoting disability sports and providing more competitive opportunities for wheelchair basketball athletes in Nigeria.

According to the organisers, preparations are underway to ensure a successful tournament that will bring together teams from across the country. The invitational will feature four selected teams who will compete for honours, with matches expected to hold at a designated sports centre in Lagos. Details regarding participating teams and exact fixtures are yet to be released by Folmus as at Thursday.

Stakeholders say this initiative is coming at a crucial time for disability sports in Nigeria, where athletes living with disabilities often face limited access to quality competitions and training facilities. The tournament is designed not only to showcase sporting talent but also to raise awareness about the challenges and achievements of wheelchair basketball players in the country.

Organisers expressed hope that the event would attract attention from both government officials and private sector sponsors. “We believe that this competition will help draw more support for disability sports and highlight the potential of our athletes,” a Folmus representative said in a statement on Thursday. The group also called on Lagos State authorities and corporate organisations to collaborate in promoting inclusive sporting events.

The tournament is expected to become an annual fixture, with organisers planning to expand participation in future editions. Stakeholders anticipate that increased visibility could lead to more investment in wheelchair basketball infrastructure and inspire greater participation among persons living with disabilities across Nigeria.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/886739-folmus-to-host-four-team-wheelchair-basketball-invitational-tournament-in-lagos.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Senate Orders Arrest of Ex-NNPC Boss Mele Kyari Over ₦210trn Audit Query

Lawmakers reject plea for delay as Kyari fails to appear over allegations of unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023

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2 hours ago

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June 11, 2026

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Lawmakers reject plea for delay as Kyari fails to appear over allegations of unaccounted funds between 2017 and 2023

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, sitting in Abuja, has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, after he failed to honour multiple invitations regarding alleged unaccounted funds totalling ₦210 trillion from 2017 to 2023. The decision was reached on Wednesday after Kyari’s repeated absence from committee hearings investigating queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation on NNPCL’s financial records.

Proceedings at the National Assembly saw senators debating how to proceed, with Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) urging colleagues to grant Kyari another opportunity, citing reports that he was receiving medical treatment in Germany. However, other committee members insisted that the investigation could not be stalled further, noting that no formal medical documentation had been provided to justify his absence.

The probe follows concerns over discrepancies flagged by federal auditors, which have drawn public attention given Nigeria’s reliance on oil sector revenue amid economic challenges. Former Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, Umar Ajiya Isa, appeared before the committee and dismissed claims that funds were missing, describing the ₦210 trillion figure as misleading relative to actual company earnings for the period under review.

Deputy Chairman Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North) said it was “the ninth time this committee is meeting” on queries against NNPCL. He warned that further delay would undermine the credibility of Senate oversight functions. Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) argued that only documented excuses should be accepted, while Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) formally moved for Kyari’s arrest. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) backed enforcement action, stating that “the law must be effective when it catches the lion, not only when it catches the rabbit.”

Following a voice vote, Committee Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North) ruled that a warrant be issued for Kyari’s arrest and production before the panel. The Senate is expected to continue its probe into NNPCL’s finances as lawmakers seek answers on audit concerns highlighted by federal authorities.

Source: https://punchng.com/senate-orders-arrest-of-ex-nnpc-boss-kyari-over-n210tn-query/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

EFCC Chair Olukoyede Reveals Governorship Aspirants Spent ₦30bn on Primaries in Kwara

Anti-graft agency plans drone deployment for 2027 polls as high campaign spending sparks corruption concerns

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June 11, 2026

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Anti-graft agency plans drone deployment for 2027 polls as high campaign spending sparks corruption concerns

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that some governorship aspirants in Nigeria spent between ₦20 billion and ₦30 billion during party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections. Olukoyede made this revelation on Wednesday while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaking at the inaugural guest speakers’ series organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Olukoyede warned that such high expenditure poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy and encourages corruption among public officials. He noted that many politicians who invest vast sums in their campaigns are likely to divert public funds once in office, as they try to recoup their financial outlay.

Olukoyede stressed that the commercialisation of votes undermines good governance by compromising the political recruitment process. “Leaders who buy their way into office are more likely to focus on recovering their investments rather than serving the public interest,” he said. The EFCC chairman also highlighted that his agency has already made several arrests and secured convictions related to vote-buying and electoral offences, including politicians, electoral officials, and other individuals involved.

He further cautioned that impunity in electoral processes could destabilise Nigeria’s democratic system. According to Olukoyede, there must be no sacred cows in enforcing electoral laws if credible elections are to be achieved. He announced that the EFCC is set to deploy drones and other technological tools during the 2027 general elections to improve monitoring of polling units and curb financial inducements.

Olukoyede called on political parties and all stakeholders to commit themselves to transparent election practices. As Nigeria prepares for the next election cycle, his remarks have reignited debate about campaign finance regulation and its impact on governance.

Source: https://punchng.com/2027-gov-aspirants-spent-n30bn-on-primaries-efcc-chair/

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