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Vice President Shettima Confirms Fresh Funding To Supercharge Nigerian Startups.
The Federal Government has announced plans to expand support for Nigeria’s technology and creative industries through its Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, with the launch of two additional funds scheduled for 2026. The initiative aims to back early-stage and growth-oriented start-ups across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The announcement coincided with the formal commencement of investments under iDICE, confirmed by the programme’s Steering Committee chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The development follows the successful $64 million first-round close of a new venture fund anchored by iDICE and managed by Ventures Platform, a leading pan-African seed-stage investor.
Ventures Platform, appointed in August 2025 as the Fund Manager for the technology component of iDICE, joins other prominent institutional investors, including the International Finance Corporation, Standard Bank of South Africa, and British International Investment, with a target final close of $75 million.
Vice President Shettima described the commencement of investments as a “major step toward unlocking the economic potential of young Nigerians,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to supporting youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
Dr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry, stated that the partnership with Ventures Platform would catalyse meaningful investments in high-growth, technology-enabled ventures and contribute significantly to job creation, entrepreneurial empowerment, and economic transformation.
Kola Aina, Founding Partner of Ventures Platform, expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that it would support young entrepreneurs and innovators in bringing their ideas to life and generating transformative value for Nigeria’s economy.
In addition to the technology fund, iDICE plans to roll out two further funding structures in 2026: a Creative Sector Fund targeting investments in creative industry start-ups, and a Fund of Funds designed to invest in smaller funds that support technology and creative-sector ventures. These channels will complement iDICE’s broader agenda, which includes enterprise development, skills acquisition, policy reforms, and access to blended finance.
iDICE is a $617 million programme launched by the Federal Government to support Nigerians aged 15–35 through enterprise funding, digital skills training, and ecosystem development in the tech and creative sectors. The programme is backed by the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and French Development Agency, with the Bank of Industry serving as co-investor and implementing agency.
Since its inception in 2016, Ventures Platform has invested in over 90 African start-ups, including Paystack, Piggyvest, Moniepoint, and LemFi. The new investments mark a significant phase in Nigeria’s efforts to build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, says the state has mapped out 22,435 hectares of degraded land for restoration under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project using modern geospatial mapping technology.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience, tackle environmental degradation, and promote sustainable land use in the state.
Speaking at the ACReSAL mid-term review meeting in Kaduna through the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, the governor explained that the use of geospatial tools has made it possible to accurately identify affected areas for targeted intervention.
He added that the project is not only focused on land recovery but also on boosting agricultural output and improving livelihoods in affected communities.
Sani also noted that the state is supporting the programme with empowerment initiatives, including training over 500 women, youths, and school feeding vendors in biomass briquette production.
According to him, the effort is already helping to reduce dependence on firewood while creating alternative sources of income for beneficiaries.
President Tinubu has given full backing for the implementation of the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget after signing the Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly into law.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He also approved an amendment extending the lifespan of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026, to ensure completion of ongoing capital projects nationwide.
Under the 2026 fiscal plan, ₦4.799 trillion is set aside for statutory transfers, ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing, ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent spending, while ₦32.2 trillion goes to capital projects—about half of the total budget.
The focus, according to the administration, is on infrastructure development, security, and growth-driven investments aimed at improving living standards.
Speaking on the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said the extension of the 2025 budget will help ensure full use of allocated funds, especially for major ongoing projects.
Tinubu directed all ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure transparency, discipline, and value-for-money in implementing the budget, while praising the National Assembly for its swift passage of the bill.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms, revenue growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has described moves to prosecute former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over alleged culpable homicide as an attempt to reopen the 2018 Offa robbery tragedy for political purposes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Olusegun Adewara, said the development is a disturbing and dangerous politicisation of a case they claim has already been addressed through judicial processes.
He warned against dragging the state into fresh tension, accusing the state government of attempting to revive old allegations for political advantage.
Adewara said the PDP would not remain silent while what he called “political narratives” are used to influence public perception around a tragic incident that claimed multiple lives in Offa in 2018.
He also urged residents, especially affected families, not to allow their pain to be used for political gains, insisting it is unjust to associate Saraki with the crime.
The party further alleged that the move is aimed at distracting attention from governance challenges in the state.
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