Nigeria positioned to lead Africa's digital and creative economy, says EU Ambassador
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that Nigeria is well-positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative economy. He cited the country’s youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, and expanding innovation ecosystem as key drivers for future growth. Speaking at the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Mignot urged stakeholders to strengthen partnerships to unlock opportunities for young people and accelerate economic transformation. He emphasized that the digital and creative economy offers a significant opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy, create jobs, and drive inclusive growth, noting that young Nigerians are uniquely positioned to lead innovation due to their familiarity with digital technologies. The EU and Nigeria have identified these sectors as strategic priorities, with the EU investing across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, including a €45 million agreement for digital development and support for 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure. The EU also contributes to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda and supports the Three Million Technical Talent initiative. Programmes like the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria and the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme further promote innovation and employability. German Ambassador Annett Günther also highlighted Nigeria as a vibrant innovation ecosystem where local entrepreneurs are shaping global trends in fintech, AI, agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing, a
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Thai police have arrested six Nigerian nationals in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand, on suspicion of involvement in an international cocaine trafficking syndicate and an artificial intelligence-powered romance scam. The arrests occurred during raids on three apartments where suspects allegedly resisted officers and attempted to destroy evidence. Authorities recovered 18 mobile phones, three laptop computers, and three bank passbooks, with some phones containing active conversations related to suspected drug transactions. The investigation, which began in April, previously led to the arrest of a suspected kingpin and four accomplices, with assets valued at approximately 2.5 million baht recovered. Police allege the six Nigerians, aged 23 to 35, entered Thailand on student visas but were living in expensive riverside apartments without attending school or legitimate employment. The romance scam reportedly used AI-generated images of attractive foreign men to target elderly Thai women, convincing them to send money for the release of purported overseas gifts. The suspects initially admitted to belonging to a criminal association and overstaying their visas, with additional charges for fraud and online romance scams possible as investigations continue.
The Federal Government has engaged the banking community on the Revenue Optimisation Assurance Platform RevOp, a digital revenue collection system designed to improve revenue generation, block leakages, and enhance transparency in public finance management. Speaking at a sensitisation workshop in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Danjuma, described RevOp as a centralised system for federal agencies to raise, collect, and report revenues in real-time, replacing fragmented manual processes. Oyedele noted that while significant progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly limited awareness among banking channels and frontline officers. He stressed that the success of RevOp depends on collaboration between the government and financial institutions, as banks play a critical role beyond payment collection. The Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, represented by her Chief of Staff, Felix Ogundairo, stated that the platform provides greater visibility into government revenue, eliminates leakages, improves compliance, and supports informed decision-making. The Director of Revenue and Investment at the OAGF, Adebayo Adewale, disclosed that over 70% of Federal Government-owned entities have adopted the platform. The RevOp Product Manager, Idris Dosunmu, highlighted that the platform integrates billing, payment, and settlement processes, en
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria PETROAN has urged refiners, depot owners, and petroleum product importers to reduce ex-depot and retail pump prices. This call comes in response to the recent decline in international crude oil prices, particularly Brent crude falling to $77–$78 per barrel following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, stated that lower crude costs should benefit Nigerian consumers, emphasizing that market realities should be reflected in pricing for fairness and economic relief. The association noted that crude oil prices are on a downward trend due to the US-Iran peace agreement, increased crude oil exports from the Middle East, and concerns about weaker global oil demand. Gillis-Harry also expressed concern that the landing cost of imported petroleum products sometimes appears lower than prices from domestic refiners, advocating for a more competitive downstream market. He called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to issue more import licenses to foster competition, which he believes will moderate prices and ensure supply. PETROAN also urged the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, to facilitate discussions with two Chinese firms interested in operating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, anticipating further price reductions if these facilities are revived under private management.