Telecom, fintech leaders push for strategic partnerships, inclusive policies @WATISE 2025

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The 2025 edition of the West Africa Telecommunications Infrastructure Summit & Exhibition (WATISE) concluded in Lagos with a resounding call for governments, regulators, and industry players to deepen collaboration, protect telecom infrastructure, and accelerate inclusive digital access across the region.

Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, the summit convened key stakeholders from the telecommunications, technology, and financial services sectors under the theme: “Digitalising the West African Economy: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Critical Stakeholders.”

Chevron-funded HCD graduation, NCDMB leads push for homegrown talents - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to local capacity development and sustainable talent growth through strategic collaborations with private sector players, as it celebrated the close-out ceremony of a landmark Human Capital Development programme, in partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited and Geoscape Nigeria Limited.

The ceremony, held on July 30, 2025, at Geoscape’s facility in Lagos, marked the formal graduation of 11 outstanding trainees, who underwent a rigorous 12-month programme covering classroom instruction and practical exposure, including international training sessions in the United Kingdom.

The one-year training, tagged 'Chevron Nigeria Limited Purchase of Unit 20 Autothermal Reformer Cooled Tip Swirler Burner Assembly (Tag: 120-xx102-05)', selected 11 outstanding candidates from a shortlist of 33 on the NOGIC JQS portal. It featured both classroom instruction and hands-on technical experience aimed at empowering young Nigerians to become industry leaders.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Board’s General Manager, Human Capacity development, Barr. Esueme Dan-Kikile, described the initiative as a powerful expression of the Board’s project-based HCD framework and a key delivery under its Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.

“Today marks not just the end of a programme, but the celebration of a vision realised – a testament to the transformative power of the NCDMB HCD initiative,” Ogbe said.

“This programme is nation-building in action. All of you are prepared as catalysts of change – leaders who will provide local solutions and set new benchmarks for excellence in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.”

Ogbe lauded the contributions of Chevron and Geoscape in the programme’s success, saying, “Together with Chevron Nigeria Limited and Geoscape Nigeria Limited, NCDMB has demonstrated the powerful impact of public-private synergy. My sincere appreciation goes to Chevron for its unwavering commitment to building local talent, and to Geoscape for setting a high standard of professionalism and dedication during this training.”

Urging the graduands to make the most of the investment in their future, he said, “Your discipline, resilience and determination have brought you thus far. This opportunity is a significant investment in your future. Remember: if you do not use it, you will lose it. I urge you to go out and excel in all your endeavours.

“Armed with new knowledge and skills, you now carry the torch of excellence. Wield your expertise with purpose, diligence, and integrity. Stand tall as ambassadors of the NCDMB, and continue to grow, adapt and lead.”

Ogbe urged the graduands to make the programme the springboard for a lifetime of achievement. “Be relentless in learning, resilient in challenge, and inspiring to others. I believe in you. Nigeria believes in you. I challenge you to step forward and create meaningful impact.”

Chevron’s HCD Adviser, Mr. Victor Inyere, who represented the company’s General Manager, Nigerian Content, Ventures and Regulatory Affairs, Ms. Edwina Kentebe-Oluwakayode, described the initiative not as a regulatory obligation but a social investment in line with the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable development.

“This close-out ceremony marks our powerful relationship with stakeholders such as NCDMB – our regulators, but also our big brothers. Chevron believes in people. The foundation of every community is the people. Investing in people is the only way to sustain development, and we are fully committed to NCDMB’s vision to develop young Nigerians and lift them off the streets,” Kentebe-Oluwakayode pledged.

The Chief Executive Officer of Geoscape Nigeria Limited, Modupe Jegede, in a formal welcome address, applauded both NCDMB and Chevron for their enduring support over the years. She noted that without NCDMB’s enabling framework, companies like Geoscape would not thrive.

“We always say that without NCDMB, Geoscape would not be here today. The Nigerian Content Act gave us a platform to grow our capacity and compete. Though you are our regulators, we see you as partners. We are proud to have received your support, and we have continued to uphold international standards, even becoming ISO certified,” she said.

Jegede also highlighted Geoscape’s plans to unveil a fully equipped training school, as part of the company’s commitment to sustainable capacity building. 

She noted the state-of-the-art technical training school was nearing completion and extended an invitation to stakeholders for its upcoming commissioning. She emphasised that Geoscape aims to build a company that will outlive its founders, focusing on long-term value rather than short-term gains.

She said, “We’re installing equipment and ensuring it’s a facility you’ll be proud of. We believe in doing things right – quality and excellence are our watchwords.

“We don’t just want to make money; we want to create something sustainable. As we grow, we’ll keep offering opportunities to past trainees, both on contract and full-time basis.”

The impact of the programme was reflected in the testimonies of the trainees. Elizabeth Oyeyemi, the only female among the cohort, expressed gratitude for the exposure and encouragement she received, particularly during the overseas segment of the training. She said the programme empowered her to embrace a technical career without limits.

“This programme has made me realise that there is no limit for ladies in technical fields. NCDMB, Chevron and Geoscape did not just organise this training but cared for us. They gave us care, support and exposure that made this experience memorable and empowering,” she said.

Another trainee, Ayandipo Feyintoluwa, described the training as “innovative and eye-opening,” citing modules such as online leak sealing and composite repair.

According to him, “We appreciate NCDMB, Chevron and Geoscape. This training shouldn’t end – it’s something we’d all like to go further and deeper into.”

All parties echoed a shared vision: that by investing in human capital, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry would become more competitive, inclusive and future-ready.

Gas Grid: NLNG, Geometric Power lead energy transition push - ITREALMS

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Leading figures and industry experts from Nigeria's oil, gas, and power sectors converged in Lagos on Thursday, July 24, at the 4th Oriental News conference, to advocate for a more strategic and efficient utilization of the nation's extensive gas reserves, reports ITREALMS. 

The consensus among the experts was that Nigeria's gas wealth is an indispensable asset for achieving an affordable and sustainable energy transition.

The conference, themed "Integrating Nigeria's Gas Potentials into Strategic Energy Transition Initiatives," featured insightful discussions on navigating the complexities of energy transformation while leveraging Nigeria's unique resources.

Temitope Ogedengbe, Manager, Energy Transition at Nigeria LNG (NLNG), cautioned against a "copy-paste" approach to energy transition, emphasizing the critical need for Nigeria to develop a strategy that genuinely reflects its local realities. 

"Our transition must leverage our unique strengths and resources to grow our economy," Ogedengbe stated, asserting that the country's energy strategy must prioritize economic growth, energy security, and national development.

Ogedengbe highlighted persistent challenges in gas utilization, lamenting that despite Nigeria's vast natural gas resources, a substantial portion is still flared or reinjected due to the absence of viable commercial arrangements.

 "We’re not taking nearly the amount we should be. We are still flaring and reinjecting because there is no commercial arrangement to optimize this; for many reasons," he explained.

He acknowledged the potential of marginal fields but noted their economic production difficulties, while commending the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) Gas Flaring Commercialisation Programme for attempting to address this issue. 

Ogedengbe further pointed out that a significant volume of Nigeria’s gas is still either exported or flared, with domestic utilization and value addition remaining underdeveloped. 

"We are not investing enough, and we are not examining the right approaches," he added.

Discussing the global LNG market, Ogedengbe confirmed that a market still exists for Nigerian LNG, but noted a shifting demand, particularly in Europe, where buyers increasingly favor lower-carbon LNG options. 

He stressed the importance of using operational levers to reduce carbon emissions, attract premium markets, and unlock funding opportunities through reduced taxes and levies. 

NLNG, he revealed, remains central to Nigeria’s gas future, with plans to expand its capacity to 30 million tonnes per annum. As part of its energy transition strategy, NLNG is integrating technologies and processes to reduce emissions and generate carbon credits, employing offsets to reduce emissions both nationally and internationally. 

Ogedengbe concluded by underscoring the necessity of a multi-pronged, well-coordinated approach to decarbonizing the country’s gas sector for long-term viability and global competitiveness.

Gas Shortage and Infrastructure Deficit Hinder Power Sector

Also speaking at the conference, former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, asserted that a chronic shortage of gas supply and significant infrastructure deficits continue to deter investment and impede the growth of Nigeria's power sector. Nnaji projected that gas-fired plants will dominate the country's power generation for the next two decades.

He attributed Nigeria’s persistent gas shortages to insufficient investment in gas infrastructure, calling for enhanced support from both government and the private sector. 

Chairing the event, Nnaji addressed stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain, including key government officials, highlighting the underdeveloped state of the country’s gas sector due to inadequate investment in extraction, transmission, and transportation.

"The focus should not rest solely on government-led efforts; the private sector must also play a vital role," the former minister emphasized. 

He urged the government to act as a true enabler, providing necessary support for infrastructure and gas harvesting, decrying "It’s baffling that with over 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, we still face local shortages. We’re unable to produce sufficient quantities to support operations across the country." 

He noted improvements in operations this year but acknowledged past under-capacity, while also mentioning the ongoing development of a seventh train for gas production.

Nnaji drew a parallel with Nigeria’s historical abandonment of coal mining, reflecting a broader pattern of resource neglect. He reiterated the critical role of gas-fired plants in Nigeria’s power generation, stressing the need for a reliable supply to ensure thermal plants operate effectively. 

He cited Geometric Power Ltd, which he chairs, as one of the companies generating electricity through thermal sources. While acknowledging the role of renewable energy in rural electrification, Nnaji maintained that Nigeria’s baseload power must continue to come from gas or hydro sources, noting the limitations of hydropower that necessitate regional cooperation.

Engr. Chichi Emenike, Acting Managing Director and Gas Asset Manager of Neconde Energy Limited, raised alarm over the detrimental consequences of certain government policies on the ongoing energy transition. 

She stated that unpaid gas supplies, dollarized operations, and policy inconsistencies are actively discouraging investment in the sector.

Emenike revealed that Neconde, for example, has produced and supplied gas to electricity generation companies (GenCos) for nearly two years without payment. 

"This is a serious conundrum, whereas we have sourced funds from somewhere to produce these gas molecules from our facilities. How am I going to pay back?” she questioned.

She further elaborated that Nigeria’s upstream gas production is heavily dollarized, making it costlier and more complex to sustain than crude oil development without a commercially viable framework. 

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"Don’t forget that the gas production industry is highly dollarized, including the requisite inputs. There is no part of the operation, including the technology, that is produced locally. The bulk of it has to be imported in US$," Emenike explained, detailing that drilling a gas well and its associated operations are all dollarized, making it more expensive than a crude oil well.

Addressing systemic issues within the gas-to-power value chain, Engr. Emenike highlighted the substantial cost of transporting over 500 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas via the NGIC pipeline, estimating it to be over $500 million.

Regarding the financing and investment environment, Emenike called for a pragmatic national energy plan focused on achievable goals rather than lofty ambitions. "Let us start with what is doable; I mean the low-hanging fruit. Let us stop with big numbers. We should tidy up small fields that are struggling to juggle both CAPEX and OPEX," she urged. 

She pressed for urgent clarity on Nigeria’s stance on the energy transition and a realistic approach to funding. "Where do we sit as Nigerians today on this energy transition plan? Where is the money to run the transition?" she queried, warning that gas investors might choose other nations like Mozambique if Nigeria fails to establish a clear strategy.

Emenike further cautioned about the economic risks stemming from policy instability. "Gas economics is such that it must be end-to-end. Even before you draw down the first financing, you have tied that investment to a commercial arrangement," she stated, lamenting that "policy flip-flops and multiplicities of levies and fees" in Nigeria often derail investor's projected returns.

She insisted on regulatory reforms and an end to what she described as "rent-seeking behavior" by government agencies. "We have to deal with the rent-seeking attitude of our regulators to enable investors repatriate their investment financing," she said, criticizing agencies for imposing regulations and then levying fines for non-conformity, even when they create the crisis themselves.

Calling for collaborative efforts, Emenike advocated for infrastructure sharing and coordination within the value chain. "We need to leverage infrastructure to unlock the stranded assets across the country... We need to set the rules of the game," she emphasized, stressing the importance of investor confidence and a market-driven approach. 

"Every investor wants to see a clear line of sight. Market forces should be allowed to play out. The government should not create a monopolistic environment that stifles investment." She strongly advised against government involvement in business, urging them to cease short-term rent-seeking.

Emenike concluded by challenging the Federal Government to adopt an inward-looking, "selfish Nigerian plan" that prioritizes national interests, starting with smaller gas fields. She also urged the government to stop imposing benchmarks on gas for power, allowing market forces to dictate prices, and fostering flexibility and alliances among value chain operators.

Push for more girls in ICT highlighted @eBusiness Life forum - ITREALMS

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Celebrating 13 years of its Girls in ICT Day initiative, eBusiness Life recently convened stakeholders in Lagos to applaud the progress made in encouraging young girls towards STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and ICT careers, reports ITREALMS.

This annual campaign aims to mentor and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders. While participants acknowledged the successes achieved, they emphasized the need for continued effort to ensure girls actively pursue and excel in ICT roles, thereby shaping their futures and contributing to economic growth across sectors.

JIFORM Summit'23: Stakeholders rally against irregular migration, push for ‘Japada’ - ITREALMS

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Stakeholders at the maiden National Summit on Migration on Thursday in Lagos rallied against irregular migration, reports ITREALMS.

The summit was organized by the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) with over 300 journalists across the continents, covering migration as part of its ongoing efforts to positively change the narratives.

Allison+ acquires CMM Public Relations - ITREALMS

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Allison CEO, Scott Allison stated that Moore will work to expand Allison’s capabilities in African markets and oversee the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for clients.

Allison+Partners is one of the industry’s fastest growing agencies, and this acquisition expands their capabilities into African markets and allows all the clients to benefit from A+P’s global footprint and international network, which will now have a stronger African flavour.

Uncovered! Tinubu’s camp paying Yoruba youth, using fake Igbo names to push inciting tribal narratives - ITREALMS

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It has been uncovered that Bola Ahmed Tinubu's camp for the 2023 general election, is paying some Yoruba youth to use fake Igbo names to push inciting tribal narratives on social media, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming this, a seasoned tweep identified as Ade Razak @AdeRazakGold on Twitter, busted the secret plans by those he called 'Tinubu’s camp' to unleash hate speeches and push tribal content to pitch Yorubas against Ndigbo.

Centre LSD join forces with CSOs, media to push LG autonomy bill

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The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) in collaboration with the Civil Society Organisations cum Media Roundtable drummed support for Local Government (LG) autonomy, reports ITRealms.

The one-day roundtable was organized in partnership with Christian Aid with funding from UKAID under her Voice to the People (V2P) project, on Thursday September 21, 2017 in Kaduna to galvanize CSOs and media in the North West geopolitical zone to sustain the momentum around the issue of Local Government Autonomy and push for the passage of the bill at the subnational stages leveraging on the current constitution review process.

The Programme Officer of the Centre, Mr. Vincent Dania, said that Local Government Financial Autonomy bill seeks to abolish the state-local government joint allocation which puts enormous finances and control in the hands of state governors.

“The bill, if passed, will have positive implications for development in Nigeria especially at the grassroots level, hence the need for its engagement at all levels is critical,” he said.

Dania, also noted that a financially autonomous local government system that recognizes the place of citizens’ participation in decision-making, will ensure not just the virility of local governments to deliver services at the grassroots level but also bring about widespread development to communities across the country.

He commended the senate for passing the bill on local government financial autonomy amongst others in the ongoing constitution review process, the release enjoined Civil Society Organizations, the media, social media influencers as well as all well-meaning Nigerian citizens to sustain the push at the subnational level  to ensure the bill (s) scales through with their relevant provisions not tinkered with during the review stage by legislators at the State level.

As said by him, this was in the interest of the federalist principles Nigeria has opted for, and for ensuring that the local government, which is the arm of government that is closest to the people, performs her statutory function of being the engine of community and rural development.

He enjoined all well-meaning Nigerian citizens to share their opinions and contribute to the deliberations on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp to name a few.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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