Day 2 of Innov8Zaria 2.0 shifted focus from exhibitions and networking to deeper conversations around skills, global employability, and how young people can position themselves in a fast-changing world of work. Sessions throughout the day brought together students, founders, and professionals to examine how local talent can remain relevant amid rapid technological change, rising competition, and shifting market demands. Unlike the buzz of the Marketplace Day, Day 2 was quieter and more reflective. Attendees listened closely, took notes, and asked careful questions about careers, growth pathways, and long-term relevance. Conversations on Skills and Positioning Across sessions, speakers repeatedly emphasised that employability today goes beyond academic qualifications. Participants were encouraged to think critically about how their fields of study, interests, and experiences connect to real-world problems. During one session, a speaker noted that skills only become valuable when people understand where and how to apply them, cautioning against learning tools in isolation without context. Another panelist added that employers are increasingly less concerned with certificates and more focused on how people think and the value they can contribute. Several attendees nodded in agreement as discussions highlighted adaptability, problem-solving, and relevance as core expectations in today’s workforce. Sufwan’s Session: “Relevance Is Built, Not Found” One of the most resonant sessions of the day was led by Sufwan Idris, whose conversation around skills, relevance, and long-term growth struck a chord with many in the room. From an early age, Sufwan developed a passion for creativity and visual storytelling, which later shaped his career path as a digital creator today. He challenged participants to rethink how they approach learning, warning against chasing skills in isolation. At one point, he explained that many young people often “learn tools without learning context,” stressing that relevance comes from knowing the problem you are solving, for whom, and why it matters. “Tech skills open doors. Strong communication skills create global impact, remote jobs, and opportunities.And growth begins when you learn how to ask the right professional questions.” Sufwan also spoke about consistency, reminding the audience that growth is often gradual and unglamorous. He encouraged participants to stop waiting for clarity to arrive fully formed and instead build it through action, learning, and reflection. As the session progressed, the room grew quieter. Phones went down. People leaned forward. Daily Tech Nigeria spoke with several participants during the event. According to one attendee, the session helped explain why earlier efforts to learn new skills had lacked focus. Another participant said the conversation helped them articulate a feeling they had carried for a long time – the sense of wanting more, without knowing which direction to face. After the session, small groups formed around the hallways, continuing discussions about skills, exposure, and how to access conversations that often feel distant from their everyday realities. Bridging Local Reality and Global Opportunity Across Day 2 sessions, speakers acknowledged a recurring challenge: while global opportunities are expanding, access to the conversations that explain them remains uneven. One speaker explained that local initiatives and community-based work can scale internationally when individuals understand global standards, compliance, and market positioning. The session also encouraged participants from non-technical and creative backgrounds, stressing that integration – combining existing skills with emerging technologies – represents a major pathway into future opportunities. According to the speaker, relevance is built through incremental and consistent growth, urging participants to start where they are, solve real problems, and compound their capacity over time. A Day That Asked Bigger Questions By the end of Day 2, Innov8Zaria 2.0 had moved beyond motivation into more complex territory – raising questions about access, exposure, and inclusion. For some attendees, the sessions provided clarity. For others, they revealed how much remains unknown. Either way, Day 2 left participants thinking – not just about skills and opportunities, but about who gets to learn what they need to know, and when.
Google search trends show Nigerians turning to business, skills, and self-growth in 2026
Google search data from the first two weeks of January 2026 suggests that Nigerians are starting the year with a strong focus on building businesses, improving themselves, and securing better income opportunities. The search patterns reveal the more intentional and practical mindset of many Nigerians actively seeking ways to adapt to economic realities, evolving work patterns, and rising living costs. The data shows growing interest in entrepreneurship, flexible careers, health, and lifelong learning, with a population that is not waiting for conditions to improve, but is instead taking proactive steps to improve its prospects. According to Google’s trend report, entrepreneurship remains one of the strongest areas of interest for Nigerians in early 2026. Searches related to self-improvement and “becoming better” rose by about 40%, while queries around starting a business dominated Google’s “how to start” category. “How to start a business” recorded an 80% jump, making it the most searched phrase in its category. Digital and creator-led ventures, such as blogging, podcasting, and starting a YouTube channel, attracted high search volumes. The search data also reveals that Nigerians are not focused solely on income. Personal development featured strongly across multiple categories. Searches such as “how to be a better person” rose by about 20%, with many Nigerians looking for ways to improve their relationships, emotional intelligence, and communication skills. Well-being also emerged as a major theme in the searches. Interest in nutrition and healthy living surged, with searches for “how to eat healthy” and “healthy diet” rising by roughly 40%. Mental wellness followed a similar pattern, as searches for “how to meditate” increased significantly. Google West Africa’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Taiwo Kola Ogunlade, said the trends reflect Nigeria’s collective ambition and desire for growth. He described Google Search as a “cultural mirror”, showing what matters most to Nigerians as they plan their futures.
NELFUND loan repayment has not started for any beneficiary – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that no beneficiary of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has been asked to start repaying their student loan, urging Nigerians to ignore viral claims suggesting otherwise. Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, made this known in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday. According to him, the loan scheme includes a two-year moratorium after completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), meaning repayment is not expected to begin anytime soon. Dada also shared a video of the Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, who described the repayment structure as simple, transparent and fair. “As it stands, the scheme will be two years old in March 2026 from when the first applications were made, and none of the beneficiaries has reached the repayment stage” – Dada Sawyerr explained that under the scheme, repayment responsibility largely rests on employers, not the individual graduates, except in cases where beneficiaries are self-employed. He added that a system is already in place to ensure compliance, especially for employers who may attempt to avoid their obligations. Addressing fears that loan beneficiaries could face travel restrictions, the NELFUND boss dismissed such claims, saying the scheme does not restrict movement or career choices. Sawyerr explained that the two-year window after NYSC was deliberately built into the programme to give young graduates time to stabilise. He added that repayment only begins in the third year, at a rate of 10 per cent of the beneficiary’s income, with deductions handled by employers. “We have a global standing instruction system to recover funds from employers who default. During NYSC, many people are not in a position to look for full-time jobs. The two years after that allow beneficiaries to find work, settle down, rent a house, even start a family. We are not chasing graduates around for repayment. Our engagement is with employers. Unless someone is self-employed, we don’t go after the individual” – Sawyerr Sawyerr stressed that taking a NELFUND loan does not in any way tie beneficiaries to the government and that people are free to travel, work, and build their careers, the only expectation is that when they earn, they contribute back so others can benefit.
Innov8Zaria 2.0 Day One: What the Marketplace Looked Like From Where I Stood
By the time the Innov8Zaria 2.0 Marketplace began to find its rhythm, I already knew this wasn’t going to be a loud, crowded trade fair type of day. It was quieter than that. Slower. More intentional. I watched vendors adjusting their tables again and again – food trays being rearranged, clothes hung neatly, banners straightened. Some people looked confident. Others looked unsure. A few were clearly doing this for the first time. Attendees didn’t rush in. They came in small numbers, walking around, looking, asking questions. Some stayed. Some passed through. That was how Day One started. Different Expectations, Same Space As I spoke with vendors, it became clear that everyone came in with different expectations. Some food vendors sold well. A few told me they had already sold a large portion of what they brought. For them, the day felt encouraging – proof that showing up mattered. Others described the experience as “okay” or “nice.” Not amazing. Not terrible. Just… honest. What stood out to me was how differently people measured value. For some, it was money made. For others, it was simply being seen – having people stop, ask questions, and acknowledge their work. Watching Attendees Move Through the Space I paid close attention to the attendees. They moved slowly between stalls. Asked questions. Sampled food. Collected flyers. Exchanged contacts. A lot of conversations ended without a sale – but not without interest. Some vendors mentioned something I couldn’t ignore: people wanted to buy, but didn’t always have enough money. That detail mattered. It reminded me that this marketplace existed within real economic limits, especially in a student-driven town like Zaria. For many attendees, this wasn’t a shopping spree. It was a discovery. Curiosity. When Networking Becomes the Real Outcome One moment that stuck with me was speaking to a foundation that came early and immediately began engaging people. By the end of the day, they had spoken to over 40 people, shared flyers, collected contacts, and gained dozens of new followers online. They didn’t sell anything – but they left with visibility, momentum, and potential partnerships. That pattern repeated itself. Some vendors left with modest sales but strong leads. Others left with conversations that could turn into something later. Not every win was obvious in the moment, but it was there. The Quiet Talk About Turnout As the day went on, another conversation kept surfacing – quietly, between vendors. Turnout. Many felt awareness could have been better. Not aggressively critical – just honest. From their experience, events do better when people hear about them early, repeatedly, and everywhere. What struck me was that most vendors didn’t blame the environment itself. Some shared they had exhibited at events farther away and still recorded strong turnout when publicity was done right. To them, awareness mattered more than location. Venue, Visibility, and Zaria Reality Opinions about the venue were mixed. It was held at CEDDERT Zangon Shanu, which has a close proximity with 5G recreational centre and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Some people found it easy to locate. Others struggled, especially first-timers. One community organiser I spoke with described the experience as eye-opening. Planning an event on paper is one thing. Executing it on the ground in Zaria is another. It takes patience. It takes resilience. It takes accepting that not everything will work the first time. That comment stayed with me because it captured the entire day. What Day One Really Was By the end of Day One, the Innov8Zaria Marketplace didn’t feel like a failure, and it didn’t feel like a perfect success either. It felt real. Some vendors sold well. Some didn’t. Many learned something. Almost everyone had feedback. And maybe that’s exactly what Day One was meant to be. Not a polished finish line, but a mirror – showing us where Zaria’s innovation and community ecosystem currently stands, and what needs to change if it’s going to grow. Innov8Zaria 2.0 didn’t start with noise. It started with presence. And sometimes, that’s how real progress begins.
FG launches 3MTT National Impact Challenge (How to Apply)
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has launched the 3MTT National Impact Challenge. This program is the transition of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme into its scale-up phase, moving from pilot training to measuring real-world economic outcomes for its 1.8 million pipeline members.The announcement was made by Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, to invite program fellows to share their personal transformation stories to showcase how digital skills are driving innovation and employment across Nigeria. Our focus is on deepening impact by strengthening the alumni community, expanding access to opportunity, and ensuring skills translate into real outcomes – Dr. Bosun Tijani Participants in the 3MTT National Impact Challenge stand to gain rewards such as laptops, tablets, and 10GB data bundles, alongside prestigious ministerial recognition, enhanced professional visibility, and priority access to an exclusive alumni network and direct employment opportunities within the digital economy of Nigeria. How to participate To be eligible for the prizes and recognition, participants must follow these specific steps:
Innov8Zaria 2.0 kicks off in Two Days, bringing “Workforce Beyond Borders” to Zaria
Zaria is set to become a hub of ideas, innovation, and opportunity as Innov8Zaria 2.0 begins in just two days. Scheduled for January 23-24, organised by the Startup Zaria Innovation Development Centre and sponsored by The GirlTech Vision. The two-day event will feature a Tech Conference and a vibrant Community Marketplace, bringing together young innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders. With the theme “Workforce Beyond Borders,” Innov8Zaria 2.0 focuses on preparing young people for a future where skills, talent, and opportunity are no longer limited by geography. The event aims to expose participants to global career paths, remote work opportunities, digital skills, and new ways of building sustainable careers in today’s connected world. The tech conference will host panel sessions, talks, and discussions led by professionals across technology, business, and innovation. Attendees can expect practical insights on building digital careers, launching startups, and positioning themselves for opportunities beyond their local environment. Tech and career conference (Jan 24) The Tech Conference on Day Two will run from 9:30am to 1:30pm and feature a carefully curated programme focused on preparing young people for global opportunities. The event will open with a welcome address by the Director General of the National Institute for Technology and Innovation (NITT), followed by a keynote by the Director General of KASITDA, setting the tone for innovation-driven development in Kaduna State. Startup Zaria founder, Ila Bappa Ibrahim, will present the community’s vision and unveil Startup Zaria’s next product, reinforcing the role of local platforms in enabling global participation. Special talks will explore the realities of a borderless workforce. Mu’azu Usman Ibrahim will speak on “Tax Reform and the Digital Workforce,” addressing the policy side of remote and digital work, while Sabbah Nazrul Islam will deliver a session on “Building Global Careers Without Borders,” focusing on how young Africans can access international opportunities. Two panel discussions will anchor the day. The first, “Founders, Freelancers and Designers in a Borderless Workforce,” will bring together practitioners already navigating global work, including Safwan Idris, Dr. Abdurrasheed A.S., Salisu Gaya Zubair, and Abubakar Sadeeq Umar, moderated by Rahma Azeez. The second panel, “Building Ecosystems for Global Talent Growth,” moderated by Bello Yusuf Yusuf, will examine how communities, institutions, and platforms can support young people to compete globally. The programme will also feature a spoken word performance by Aminu Tagwaye, President of ZLS, a sponsor spotlight by Maryam Yunus Lawal of The GirlTech Vision, and closing remarks by Ila Bappa Ibrahim, before transitioning into networking and media engagement. Innov8Zaria Marketplace (Jan 23) Alongside the conference is the Innov8Zaria Marketplace, a platform for local vendors, startups, and creatives to showcase products and services, connect with customers, and build partnerships. The marketplace highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within Zaria and creates a bridge between local innovation and wider markets. Innov8Zaria was created to address the gap in access to mentorship, exposure, and opportunity for young people in Zaria. Since its first edition, the initiative has worked to connect talent with resources, support networks, and real-world pathways in technology and entrepreneurship. Speaking on the vision of the event, the organisers note that Innov8Zaria is not just about technology, but about possibility – helping young people in Zaria see that their ideas, skills, and ambitions can travel far beyond their immediate environment. With only two days to go, anticipation continues to build across the city. Participants are expected from across Zaria and beyond, making Innov8Zaria 2.0 a landmark moment for Northern Nigeria’s growing tech and innovation ecosystem. As the countdown reaches its final hours, Innov8Zaria stands ready to inspire a new generation to think globally, build boldly, and step into a workforce without borders.