In a decisive move to tackle rising crime and improve market security, the leadership of Computer Village Market in Ikeja, Lagos, has officially launched a biometric registration and enumeration exercise for all traders and operators within the market. The initiative aims to sanitize the bustling electronics hub, curb criminal activities such as phone snatching and fraud, and restore investor confidence following recent security concerns that nearly prompted a market shutdown. The biometric registration program, announced on Thursday, requires all traders to register their biometric data and obtain official identification cards. Only those with valid IDs will be permitted to operate within the market, while street trading will be strictly regulated to approved setups featuring plastic chairs, show glasses, and umbrellas. Wooden structures and open flames will be banned to reduce fire hazards. Additionally, the market plans to enhance security infrastructure by installing CCTV cameras and emergency alert systems, alongside closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Mrs. Abisola Azeez, the Iyaloja (market leader) of Computer Village, emphasized the importance of the exercise in transforming the market’s image. “This biometric registration is a critical step towards sanitizing Computer Village and ensuring that only legitimate traders operate here. It will help us eliminate fraudulent activities and create a safer environment for both traders and customers,” she stated (The Nation Online, 2025). Other prominent market leaders, including Baba Oja Adeniyi Olasoji, Prince Tony Nwakeze, and Mr. Ikani Tony, have endorsed the initiative, highlighting its potential to reposition Computer Village as a structured and globally competitive digital marketplace. The biometric registration is expected to be completed within two months. Following this period, enforcement will intensify to ensure compliance, with unregistered traders facing penalties or eviction. This initiative aligns with broader national efforts in Nigeria to leverage biometric technology for security and identity management, reflecting recent upgrades to Nigeria’s biometric crime databases and national identity systems (Political Economist Nigeria, 2025). By adopting biometric registration, Computer Village aims not only to reduce crime but also to attract more investors and customers by improving the market’s reputation for safety and reliability. The success of this program could serve as a model for other commercial hubs across Nigeria seeking to integrate technology-driven security solutions. As the registration process unfolds, stakeholders remain committed to sustaining the market’s growth through enhanced security and regulatory compliance.
EU launches bold initiative to keep startups in europe, curb exodus to US
The European Union has revealed a sweeping new strategy aimed at preventing the continent’s most promising startups from relocating to the United States, a trend that has long concerned policymakers and innovation leaders across Europe. The plan, announced at a high-profile press conference in Brussels, introduces a mix of funding incentives, regulatory reforms, and cross-border support measures designed to make Europe a more attractive and competitive environment for tech entrepreneurs. A strategic response to startup flight The EU’s new initiative comes in response to mounting evidence that many of Europe’s fastest-growing startups are moving operations to the US, lured by larger investment pools, more flexible regulations, and easier access to global markets. According to recent data from the European Startup Network, nearly 30% of successful European startups have relocated their headquarters or primary operations to Silicon Valley or other US tech hubs in the past five years. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, said at the launch event, “Europe has the talent and the ideas, but we need to do more to ensure our startups have the resources and support they need to thrive here at home. This new plan is about creating the right conditions for innovation, growth, and global leadership – without our brightest minds feeling they need to leave.” Key features of the EU plan The initiative includes several headline measures: – A €10 billion pan-European venture fund to provide late-stage financing and keep high-growth companies anchored in Europe. – Streamlined visa and talent mobility programs to attract and retain top tech talent from both within and outside the EU. – Regulatory sandboxes that allow startups to test new products and services with fewer bureaucratic hurdles. – Cross-border tax incentives and harmonized intellectual property protections to reduce friction for companies operating in multiple EU countries. – Enhanced support for university spin-offs and deep tech ventures, with a focus on artificial intelligence, green tech, and health innovation. Industry reaction and broader implications The announcement has been met with cautious optimism by European founders and investors. Sophie Dubois, CEO of Paris-based fintech startup Ledgerly, commented, “This is the kind of bold action we’ve been hoping for. If the EU can deliver on these promises, it will make a real difference for those of us who want to build global companies from Europe.” However, some analysts warn that cultural and structural challenges remain. “Money and regulation are only part of the puzzle. Europe needs to foster a greater risk-taking culture and celebrate entrepreneurial success,” said Dr. Hans Keller, a technology policy expert at the University of Munich. The EU’s move comes as other regions, including the UK and the Middle East, are also ramping up efforts to attract and retain tech startups. The global competition for innovation leadership is intensifying, and Europe’s ability to keep its homegrown talent could have far-reaching implications for the continent’s economic future. Looking ahead The European Commission plans to begin rolling out the new measures in the second half of 2025, with pilot programs launching in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Progress will be reviewed annually, with adjustments made based on feedback from the startup community and ecosystem stakeholders.
Lagos state launches ambitious plan to phase out slums with urban regeneration projects
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a comprehensive initiative targeting a 50% annual reduction in slum settlements across the state through extensive urban regeneration and infrastructure upgrades. The move aims to improve living conditions, enhance infrastructure, and foster sustainable development in some of Lagos’s most challenged communities. Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Ikeja, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, detailed the government’s progress. “Our urban regeneration efforts, led by the Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA), have resulted in the upgrading of 36 roads across key local government areas including Somolu, Bariga, Surulere, and Ifelodun,” he said. “We are also implementing comprehensive drainage solutions and water reticulation projects to support these communities.” The regeneration program targets nine major slum communities identified as grossly deficient in essential facilities. These include Ilasan Housing Estate, Ikota Housing Estate, Adeniji-Adele Housing Estate, Makoko, parts of Shomolu/Bariga, Ifelodun/Ijora-Badia, Obalende, Isale-Eko, and Ebute-Ero. The initiative is part of the broader Lagos State Development Plan (2015-2025) and the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda, which envisions a sustainable and smart megacity. Mrs. Ajibike Shomade, General Manager of LASURA, emphasized the legal backing for the project: “The Lagos Urban Regional Planning and Development Law empowers LASURA to prepare and implement improvement plans aimed at rehabilitating and upgrading blighted communities to ensure provision of infrastructural facilities and amenities.” One of the flagship projects is the regeneration of the Otumara slum in Ebute Meta. LASURA has engaged residents directly in the planning process to ensure inclusive development. Olajide Abiodun, Special Adviser on Urban Development, assured affected residents of fair compensation and urged them to regularize land documents to benefit fully from the redevelopment. The government’s approach balances upgrading existing structures with necessary clearance of dilapidated buildings, aiming to create vibrant, safe, and economically viable neighborhoods. Dr. Babatunde added, “Additional urban renewal efforts are underway in areas such as Lakowe Phase II, Adeniji Adele Low-cost Housing Estate, Jakande Estate, Ilasan, Lekki, Ipodo-Olowu, Ikeja, and informal communities across Ajegunle, Alimosho, Agege, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun.” Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, reassured Lagosians that the plan prioritizes improving living standards rather than displacing residents. “We are committed to building new houses, schools, and health centers to make these communities more comfortable and sustainable,” he said. The urban renewal drive also includes upgrading drainage systems to mitigate flooding, road rehabilitation to improve accessibility, and water projects to enhance sanitation. These infrastructure improvements are expected to stimulate local economies and improve residents’ quality of life. This ambitious project aligns with Lagos State’s vision to reduce slum prevalence by 5% annually and transform informal settlements into well-planned urban communities. It also addresses long-standing challenges such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, insecurity, and inadequate social amenities. Residents and developers are encouraged to liaise with LASURA to ensure their activities align with the state’s urban renewal objectives. The agency has invited town planning professionals to participate in consultancy roles to guide the regeneration projects. As Lagos continues its rapid urbanization, this phased approach to slum upgrading represents a critical step toward inclusive and sustainable city development.
Govt to deploy 80% of 7,000 new telecom towers in Northern Nigeria to bridge connectivity gap
The Nigerian Federal Government has announced a major initiative to deploy 7,000 new telecommunications towers nationwide, with a strategic allocation of 80% of these towers to Northern Nigeria. This move aims to address the region’s significant connectivity deficit and support the country’s broader digital transformation and 5G rollout plans. The Federal Executive Council approved the project in March 2025, with the formal rollout scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of the year. The first tower installation is set for a rural community in Abuja next week, targeting an area of about 5,000 people where insecurity has exacerbated connectivity challenges. Unlike traditional telecom masts, these new towers will serve as digital hubs, delivering internet access not only to residents but also to schools, hospitals, and local government offices, maximizing their community impact. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted that the majority of unconnected clusters are in the North, justifying the 80% allocation to this region. He emphasized a collaborative model where mobile network operators will share the towers’ infrastructure, reducing redundancy and optimizing resources. This initiative is part of a larger strategy that includes the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable and the use of satellite technologies such as Starlink to enhance national connectivity. Currently, over 54% of Nigerians – approximately 128.3 million people – lack internet access, with broadband penetration at just 48%. The government aims to raise broadband penetration to 70% by the end of 2025. The telecom towers project complements significant private sector investments, including a $500 million commitment by Airtel Africa to strengthen Nigeria’s telecom infrastructure. The new towers will bolster 4G and 5G coverage, facilitating digital transformation in sectors like e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare. Overall, the government’s focus on the North reflects the region’s disproportionate share of unconnected communities and the need to bridge the digital divide, while also addressing security challenges through enhanced connectivity. This ambitious project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “renewed hope agenda,” which prioritizes foundational initiatives to unlock national productivity and make Nigeria the most inclusive digital economy in Africa
FG to establish industrial hubs in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, and Abia to boost manufacturing sector
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to establish industrial hubs in four states – Lagos, Ogun, Kano, and Abia – as part of its strategy to accelerate economic transformation and boost manufacturing across the country. Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, disclosed the initiative during the 16th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment held recently in Lagos. The industrial hubs are a key component of the government’s Industrial Revolution Work Group (IRWG), launched in February 2025, which aims to rejuvenate Nigeria’s industrial sector through stakeholder engagement, evidence-based policies, and consistent implementation. The hubs will focus on sector-specific manufacturing clusters: agro-processing in Kano, textile production in Aba (Abia) and Lagos, and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ogun. For example, the Kano hub will specialize in converting cassava into ethanol and starch, potentially creating thousands of jobs, while the textile clusters in Aba and Lagos aim to restore Nigeria’s prominence in garment production and exports. The pharmaceutical zone in Ogun is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines. Senator Enoh emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development by addressing challenges such as energy deficits, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory bottlenecks. “We are entering an era of full-scale industrialisation where every investment, every reform, every decision must drive us toward a globally competitive, inclusive, and innovation-led economy,” he said. The IRWG initiative rests on five pillars: financing and investment transformation, energy and infrastructure modernization, regulatory reforms and ease of doing business, product standards and market expansion, and human capital development and industrial innovation. The government is urging federal and state agencies, the private sector, and development partners to collaborate in unlocking financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), reviving dormant industrial zones, and building thriving, employment-generating clusters nationwide. The 16th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment reviewed 75 submissions, including 30 actionable recommendations aimed at turning policy into concrete industrial growth. The minister described the council as “a clarion call to transform ambition into action” and stressed the urgent need for collective effort to realize Nigeria’s industrial potential. This initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependency, and position Nigeria as a leading manufacturing hub in Africa.
Nasarawa poise to produce Nigeria’s first electric car, says deputy governor
Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe revealed that the state is poised to become the first in Nigeria to produce electric cars. This development is largely attributed to the vast lithium deposits discovered under Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration, which have attracted major electric vehicle manufacturers. Speaking on Saturday, Dr. Akabe outlined the significance of lithium mining and the establishment of multi-million-dollar lithium factories in the state. He expressed confidence that Nasarawa could emerge as a leading producer of electric vehicles, second only to China. Dr. Akabe commended Governor Sule for his transparency in financial matters, citing a recent instance where the governor publicly disclosed a N9.7 billion federal refund and consulted stakeholders on its utilisation. The announcement was made during an event celebrating Governor Sule’s achievements, organised by Hajiya Hussaina Sule, the governor’s daughter. She praised her father’s leadership, stating that his impact on peace and economic development in Nasarawa State has been remarkable. Governor Sule, in response, attributed the state’s economic advancements to President Bola Tinubu’s transformation agenda. He emphasised the growing global attention on Nasarawa’s lithium reserves, particularly from leading electric vehicle producers. With lithium mining and electric vehicle production on the horizon, Nasarawa State is positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy and modern transportation.