Business

Nigerian govt secures ₦2.8bn grant from Google to foster AI development

The Federal Government has successfully secured a grant of 2.8 billion naira from Google to foster the development of artificial intelligence (AI) talent in the nation.

The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced this significant partnership during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

This initiative follows a recent collaboration with Google that resulted in the launch of a N100 million AI fund in Nigeria just a month prior.

Tijani highlighted that this funding is part of Google’s larger commitment of $5.8 million dedicated to promoting digital skills initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa.

He emphasised that this grant will play a vital role in addressing unemployment and alleviating economic challenges faced by many Nigerians.

“This support from Google is a testament to our commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation,” the minister said.

“By leveraging Google’s expertise and resources, we are creating opportunities to equip Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in the global digital economy.

“This is a major step forward in our journey towards a more inclusive and innovative future for all Nigerians.”

Tijani said focusing on sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, the selected startups will play a crucial role in addressing local challenges and driving sustainable economic growth through AI.

“Artificial intelligence is a sure tool that can create value for the country itself. AI is already here and we must create a strong ecosystem locally,” he said.

“I am a strong believer that the development we desire in Nigeria will not just come from the government. Government can set the agenda but it is the ecosystem that a programme like this that Google has mentioned that will truly ensure we build the economy that we want to see.”

On his part, Matt Brittin, president, Google EMEA, said the grant will be implemented in Nigeria through the government’s ongoing three million technical talents (3MTT) programme with a focus on 20,000 Nigerians with AI skills.

The 3MTT, launched on October 13, is a four-year programme aimed at training Nigerians and building the country’s technical talent backbone to power the digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter.

Brittin added that through the scheme, 125,000 educators will be trained and 10 promising Nigerian AI startups will be empowered with N100 million.

“I am pleased to announce that Google.org is providing N2.8 billion (or approximately $1.7 million) in funding to the Data Scientists Network Foundation, supporting the honourable minister’s vision for AI growth in Nigeria,” Brittin said.

“This funding will be directed toward critical initiatives that advance AI skills and opportunities across the country.

“Through this grant, we’re supporting the FMCIDE’s 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) program, with a focus on equipping 20,000 young Nigerians with advanced skills in AI and data science.

“Additionally, the Experience AI Program, developed with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, will train 25,000 educators to inspire and educate 125,000 young learners, introducing them to AI fundamentals.

“Finally, the AI Fund, created in collaboration with NCAIR, is providing 10 promising Nigerian AI startups with N100 million in funding, alongside up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits, mentorship from Google engineers, and technical support.”

Brittin said BetaLife Health, Bunce, CDIAL AI, Farmspeak, Lendsqr, ProDevs, Rana Energy, SaaSPro Health, Towntalk and Trade Lenda, are the 10 startups selected for the AI fund.

Business

CBN launches new website

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched its newly redesigned website, www.cbn.gov.ng, scheduled to go live on Dec. 2.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website (www.cbn.gov.ng), which will be operational on Monday, December 2, 2024.

“The redesigned website introduces a variety of new content, which encompasses a broader spectrum of information regarding the bank’s mandate.

“Additionally, the website is responsive to mobile devices, facilitating navigation across various web browsers and devices.

“The bank is grateful for the feedback provided by the public, which served as a valuable guide for our redesign endeavours,” she said.

Sidi Ali said the CBN was committed to developing and enhancing the website to facilitate communication.

“Please follow our different social media channels linked on the website’s home page for more updates,” she said.

(NAN)

Business

No ban on sachet water – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State government has denied reports that it has placed a ban on sachet water.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this clarification on Sunday in a statement posted on his official X account.

The commissioner’s comments followed a viral video which showed enforcement officers destroying packs of sachet water in Lagos.

Reacting to this, Wahab clarified that the officers in the viral video were staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who went about their lawful responsibility to rid the society of unregistered and unsafe products in the interest of public safety and health.

“My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses.

“I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals in question are enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations and in the interest of public health and safety.

“It is important to emphasise that Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so. Our focus remains on effective plastic waste management.

“As part of our commitment, we are implementing mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polythene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 40 microns,” he stated.

Business

NAFDAC notifies Nigerians on fake anti-malaria drug in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the general public of the sale of counterfeit combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablet in Nigeria.

The notification is in a public alert marked: No. 043/2024, issued on NAFDAC website, disclosing the date of manufacturing of the drug to be Feb. 2023 and June 2023.

It equally gave the expiring date of the drug as May 2026 and June 2026, as well as Batch No: 7225119 with NAFDAC Reg No: A11-0299.

The agency equally gave the manufacturer name and address as Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.

NAFDAC, in the alert, said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.

It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid importation, distribution, sale, and usage of the counterfeit product.

It said that all medical products must be obtained from authorised/licenced suppliers and that products’ authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.

The alert also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.

It urged Nigerians to call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or report any suspicion event via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

NAFDAC promised that the notice would be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).

NAN