The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in partnership with the Plateau State Government, has formally opened the 13th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) in Jos.
The five-day programme, holding at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, is themed “Accelerating Inclusive Digital Transformation: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Sustainable Growth Through Innovation.” It brings together federal and state officials, policy makers, and industry experts to deliberate on strategies that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital future.
In his welcome address, Mr. Lamba Peter Bot, Permanent Secretary of the Plateau State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, expressed delight that Plateau State is hosting this year’s council meeting. He described the gathering as a renewed commitment to shaping the nation’s digital future through innovation and inclusive growth.
According to him, the theme serves as a call to action—urging government and stakeholders to bridge gaps between the connected and unconnected, empower young people, support startups, and build digital solutions capable of advancing national sustainability.
Delivering his opening remarks, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said the theme underscores the urgent need to accelerate digital transformation across all sectors. He stressed that digital technology now drives global competitiveness and must be harnessed to shape Nigeria’s economic progress.
He emphasized that bridging digital gaps remains central to the Ministry’s mandate, highlighting the importance of expanding broadband access, strengthening digital literacy, and ensuring that no demographic or community is left behind. He added that sound policies and regulations are essential for protecting citizens while promoting innovation.
Declaring the technical session open on behalf of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, welcomed delegates from across the federation. He said inclusive digital transformation is key to empowering communities, accelerating development, and ensuring opportunities for every Nigerian.
Dr. Shurkuk reaffirmed Plateau State’s commitment to supporting startups, developing homegrown digital solutions, and building strong partnerships with global organizations. He urged participants to work collaboratively toward a digital future that is equitable, sustainable, and innovation-driven.
Also speaking, the Director-General of PICTDA, Dr. Datong Dominic Gwanman, noted that hosting the council meeting underscores the Plateau State Government’s strong commitment to digital innovation. He highlighted the agency’s strides, including the digitalization of school management systems and ongoing efforts to expand data-driven solutions across key sectors.
From Kano State, Mr. Abba Guguwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, noted that the programme aims to produce comprehensive memos that will guide policy reforms and institutional transformation across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Similarly, Dr. Garba Gandu, Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), said the council’s deliberations would advance Nigeria’s digital economy by strengthening digital skills, upskilling workers, and adopting global best practices to remain competitive in the evolving technological landscape.
The session concluded with Engr. Gagare’s presentation of key memoranda focused on rural telecommunications expansion, enhanced data privacy, sustainable digital development, job creation, and mandatory digital training to align Nigeria’s digital economy with global standards.
The Labour Party, LP, has maintained that Abayomi Arabambi, who recently dragged the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, to court over Mr Peter Obi’s academic records, did not do so as a member of the party.
In a statement by LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said it chose to remain silent when it first learned of the development on social media, believing that reacting would only feed the desires of some clout chasers.
It, however, noted that a reaction has become inevitable now that the story has found its way into some mainstream newspapers, with headlines describing Arabambi as an LP chieftain.
The party clarified that while it wishes to refrain from commenting on the substance or otherwise of the litigant’s case before the court, particularly as Peter Obi is no longer its member, it said the public should be informed that Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party.
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The statement read, “On Wednesday, 18th March 2026, the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Labour Party suspended 25 of its members for various infractions bordering on anti-party activities. That suspension, which was made public and widely reported by several mainstream media organisations across the country, included the said Abayomi Arabambi and a few other former members.
“The suspension was subsequently ratified by the National Convention of the Party, the highest decision-making organ of the Labour Party, on 28th April 2026. Following the said ratification, the affected members ceased to be members of the Party. It is also worth mentioning that, since the above decision was taken by the Labour Party, no organ of the Party has sat to revisit or reverse the decision concerning the expelled members.
“It is therefore against this background that the Labour Party wishes to inform the general public, and particularly the media, that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party and could not have instituted any action in court as a member of the Party, having long severed ties with the Labour Party.
“If Abayomi Arabambi has presented himself to the public as a chieftain or representative of the Labour Party, the general public is hereby notified that such representation is entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation.
“The matter is currently being reviewed by the Party’s lawyers for the purpose of determining the appropriate legal and other steps that may be taken, including a possible petition to the relevant law enforcement authorities.
“Finally, the public is hereby notified that this press release is issued solely to clarify the alleged relationship between the litigant and the Labour Party and has no bearing whatsoever on the validity or otherwise of his claims against Mr Peter Obi before the court.
“The Labour Party nonetheless hopes that this statement has put the matter in its proper perspective and, most importantly, clarified the status of Abayomi Arabambi vis-à-vis the Labour Party.”
Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has apologised to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his conduct during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos.
Elliot was seen in a video circulating on social media kneeling before Gbajabiamila and asking for forgiveness, while also appealing to be accepted back into the APC fold in Lagos.
“I’m sorry, I have no excuse. I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry, and I am hoping to be cultured in the future,” Elliot said.
His apology followed a disagreement with the party leadership over the APC primary conducted in May to select its candidate for the Surulere Constituency I seat.
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Elliot had withdrawn from the primary, alleging that his supporters were subjected to intimidation and political pressure during the exercise.
He later rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge the process through the party’s appeal mechanism.
The former actor ultimately lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who was widely believed to have the backing of Gbajabiamila.
Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes in the primary, defeating Elliot, who polled 270 votes.