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Sanwo-Olu Commissions SAIL Innovation Lab; Shettima Commends Senator Abiru, Wife
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The Board of Trustees, SAIL Foundation, has officially launched the SAIL Innovation Lab facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Friday. The facility, which provides in-demand tech skills to motivated youths within the senatorial district, is an initiative by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru.
In attendance at the official commissioning of the facility were prominent personalities including His Excellency, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima; His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu; members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC); some members of the Lagos State Executive Council; royal fathers ; community leaders, as well as corporate and technical partners. Selected participants from previous cohorts of the programmes offered at the lab were also present to witness the commissioning.
The Vice President-elect who had earlier visited before the arrival of Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill remarks, commended Senator Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, who is also Co-founder, for the initiative and expressed his confidence in the huge success stories that the innovation lab will birth in the coming days.
Senator Shettima said, “ I was overwhelmed with what I saw. It is a world class facility, erected within the community for the betterment of the community people which is the hallmark of leadership, the epitome of trailblazing service to humanity. I want to commend Senator Abiru and his wife”.
Delivering his keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the entire Abiru family for carrying on with the legacy of service of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheer Akanbi Abiru.
Commending the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in scaling up the impacts of initiatives like the SAIL Innovation Lab, Governor Sanwo-Olu also went further to convey the commitment of his administration to ensure that Lagos State continues to set the pace in the tech space in Nigeria and on the continent.
Respected figures in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem commended the vision of SAIL founders. They averred that the SAIL Innovation Lab holds great prospects for sustainable empowerment of young people in the Lagos East Senatorial District and beyond. Dr Bosun Tijani, Co-founder of Co-Creation Hub, and a Trustee of SAIL Foundation, the owners of the lab, expressed confidence in the success of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
He said, “ It is our young people that drive innovation and growth. We have to engage and empower them to be able to do this driving. There are numerous people doing amazing things. It is what these people are doing that will drive innovation in our community. That is why the SAIL Innovation Lab is special. Young people in Lagos East Senatorial District will start to build solutions . The Fourth Industrial revolution is here. The future we are looking up to is already being controlled by technology. We have to participate and if not, it will be second level colonisation”.
Microsoft Country Manager, Ms Ola Williams was thrilled by the passion the Distinguished Senator has for young people. He and his wife, through SAIL, have provided a platform for enduring and sustainable development. She revealed that Microsoft was willing to synergize with the SAIL for greater impact.
Meta (Facebook) Head of Public Policy in Nigeria, Adaora Oshodi-Ikenze, described SAIL Innovation Lab facility as worldclass. She said the facility and the quality of faculty can stand shoulder to shoulder with any Innovation Lab in the world.
Managing Director, Bank of Industries, Mr Olukayode Pitan said the SAIL Innovation Lab demonstrates Senator Abiru’s passion for youth development and capacity building. He added that the Innovation Lab will impact greatly on the people of Lagos East Senatorial District.
The SAIL Innovation Lab was set-up in 2021 in partnership with Co-Creation Hub. Since inception, over 490 participants have benefitted from the several programmes in-person, while over 2,000 have participated in the online programmes. The innovation lab, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is managed 100% by Co-Creation Hub, one of the biggest innovation hubs in Africa, and highly-trained facilitators who deliver the wide range of programmes the facility offers.
Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, Co-founder of the innovation lab, noted that the innovation lab was the first of its kind in the Lagos East Senatorial District and encouraged the attendees to “revel in the fact that all of us here are making history together.”
The programmes currently offered include Tech Talent Development Programme; STEM for Senior Secondary School Students; Lagos East Teachers Fellowship; Start-Up Accelerator; and Community Events and Ecosystem Engagements. In June 2023, the Innovation Lab is starting training in Data Science for Society. The call for application is already open to interested applicants.
Speaking on the vision behind the SAIL Innovation Lab and why it needed to be done, Senator Abiru: “Many years ago, it was enough to go to school and train to be a professional in a particular field – law, accounting, broadcasting, engineering, medicine and other disciplines. However, the realities of today have completely changed…the illiterate of today, not the future, would not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot speak the new language of the world.
“The new language of the world is tech – this is why the setting up of the SAIL Innovation Lab became necessary. It is not a project of the future. It is a project of today; one that needed to be done. Tech is the way and it was important to provide a platform for our ingenious youth in this district.“ Speaking further, he raised that the idea was to “deepen the acceptance of tech innovation in the Lagos East Senatorial District, using a human-centred approach. ”
The siting of the permanent location of the SAIL Innovation Lab was made possible by the support of the members of the Abiru family who agreed to dedicate their family home for this purpose. This is in continuation of the legacy of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheeru Akanbi Abiru, a distinguished jurist and prominent son of Lagos state.
The SAIL Innovation Centre will continue to promote support for youths in the Lagos East Senatorial District, making a difference with the power that digital innovations give.
For further information on the commissioning of the SAIL or the lab’s various programmes, please visit https://www.sailab.ng or contact any of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
*About SAIL Innovation Lab*
SAIL is an innovation hub founded by SAIL Foundation and the Trustees are Mr. Saheed Alao, Ms Fadekemi Abiru and Dr. Bosun Tijani.
The five (5) major programmes of SAIL reach across the value chain to develop tech talents:
Tech Talent Development Programme: Cultivates tech expertise and entrepreneurial skills among participants, turning complete novices into full-stack junior developers in just 6 months.
STEM for Senior Secondary School Students: Fosters interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Lagos East Teachers Fellowship: Improves educators’ capacity to promote innovation and excellence in teaching through Inquiry-Based Learning approaches to impart knowledge.
Start-Up Accelerator: Supports start-ups through mentorship and resources to scale their businesses.
Data Science for Society for those who are interested in Data Science for solving societal and community issues.
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Update : 2027 Race: APC Pegs Presidential Form at ₦100m, Unveils Primaries Date
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The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, 2026.
According to the schedule signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Monday, the party will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms at its National Secretariat from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4.
The APC pegged its presidential form at ₦100m, comprising ₦30m for expression of interest and ₦70m for nomination.
Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50m, while Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦20m, ₦10m and ₦6m respectively.
The timetable indicates that screening of aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8, while screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Photo: X/@OfficialAPCNg
Presidential primaries are scheduled for May 15 and 16, while those for the House of Representatives, Senate, State House of Assembly and governorship will hold on May 18, May 20, May 21 and May 23, respectively.
The party also fixed May 25 for the conclusion of election appeals across all categories.
The schedule shows that all primary elections will be conducted within eight days.
The party, however, granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons living with disabilities, who are to pay for only the expression of interest forms and 50 per cent of the nomination fees.
The timetable stated that the schedule was in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines
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Breaking : Tinubu Endorses ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget, Prolongs 2025 Spending Timeline
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President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, authorising an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the current fiscal year.
He also signed a separate bill extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026.
The budget allocates ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It further sets aside ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion for capital expenditure through the Development Fund.
The presidency made the disclosure in a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.
The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
“The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
“The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” it added.
The 2026 Appropriation Act took effect on April 1, with the Federal Government commencing full implementation in line with what the presidency describes as the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act by three months to June 30.
The presidency said the extension would ensure the full utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure projects at advanced stages of implementation.
“The extension will ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
“It will enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure,” the statement read.
Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the presidency described as their “diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.”
“The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives,” the statement noted.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms and boost revenue generation.
“He further assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms,” the statement read.
The budget, titled “The Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was originally presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, at a proposed sum of ₦58.47 trillion.
It passed second reading in the House of Representatives on January 29, 2026, before going through further legislative scrutiny and emerging at ₦68.32 trillion at the point of assent.
During the second reading debate in January, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere had urged lawmakers to support the proposal, pointing to a projected 3.98 per cent economic growth rate for 2026, a projected drop in inflation to 14.45 per cent, improved revenues, and foreign direct investment growth.
He also cited a stabilisation of the naira at around ₦1,400 to the dollar and a rise in Nigeria’s external reserves to a seven-year high of approximately $47 billion.
When Tinubu presented the bill to lawmakers in December, he described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the pressures the process had placed on households and businesses while insisting the sacrifices were necessary.
“The path of reform is seldom smooth, but it is the surest route to lasting stability and shared prosperity,” he told the joint session.
He vowed that 2026 would mark a decisive shift to stronger budget execution discipline, announcing an end to the long-standing practice of running overlapping budgets and perpetual rollovers.
The budget’s four stated objectives are consolidating macroeconomic stability, improving the business and investment environment, promoting job-rich growth, and strengthening human capital development while protecting the vulnerable.
Key sectoral allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, writing in a January op-ed, described the budget as a commitment to consolidate what was working in the administration’s reform programme and ensure that shared prosperity became “a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster.”
He pointed to expanding business activity, improving investor confidence, easing inflation, and stronger external reserves as early indicators of progress, and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects including the Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, and Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline as evidence of the administration’s delivery record.
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Northern Muslim and Christian Youths Warn U.S. Lawmaker Against Fueling Division in Nigeria
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The Coalition of Northern Muslims and Christians Youth For Religious Tolerance in Nigeria has called for the Florida State representative and Chairwoman of the UN-WCD, Kimberly Daniels to not pretend under Christianity faith to create division between Christians and Muslims in Northern region of Nigeria for her Call on the Nigeria authority to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr.Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
During the Coalition joint emergency press conference which was held in Kaduna Northwest Nigeria, the Coalition Statement which was jointly signed by Secretary General Mr. Bitrus Bahago along with his counterpart the Public relation officer Ustaz Abdullahi Abubakar,
Read: “The statements credited to Florida State representative Kimberly Daniels calling for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle is not necessary and terrible motive aimed at targeting Norther Muslim public office holder”
“Mrs Kimberly Daniels Should note that Nigeria is not owned by only one faith, therefore we are collectively demanding her unreserved apology for her bigotry which could affect the peaceful Coexistence and religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria”
The Coalition Statement further remind Mrs. Kimberly Daniels that, “even though Matawalle is only overseeing the Nigeria Navy enjoyed a Cordial working relationship with his friend a devoted Northern Christian leader General Christopher Gwabin Musa who in charge of Nigeria army and Nigeria Air force combined.
The Coalition concludes by advising Mrs. Kimberly Daniels to desist from making unnecessary bigotry demand targeting or pointing finger at a particular faith.
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