Google, in partnership with African research institutions, has launched WAXAL, a project aimed at expanding African participation in artificial intelligence development. WAXAL is a large-scale, open speech dataset designed to support research and inclusive voice-enabled AI systems across Africa. Head of Google Research Africa, Aisha Walcott-Bryant, said the initiative would empower African communities by enabling access to locally relevant AI tools. She said the project would allow students, researchers and entrepreneurs to build voice-based technologies in their own languages. According to her, the dataset supports innovation capable of reaching more than 100 million people across the continent. Walcott-Bryant said African…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to release a comprehensive fintech survey report on Monday, February 2, offering rare insight into the depth and direction of the regulator’s engagement with Nigeria’s fast-growing digital finance sector. The nationwide survey, conducted among fintech operators and complemented by stakeholder workshops and policy roundtables held in 2025, was referenced by CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso at a recent Bankers’ Committee meeting as part of the apex bank’s push for responsible innovation. Speaking on the process, Cardoso said outcomes from the Strategic Fintech Dialogue at the IMF Fall Meetings, which brought together policymakers, innovators…
The Naira closed January 2026 on a firmer note in the official foreign exchange market, settling at N1,391 to the dollar, an improvement from N1,431/$ at the start of the month. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) show that the currency traded mostly below the N1,425/$ threshold throughout January, pointing to relative stability supported by improved market liquidity. The performance extends gains recorded at the close of 2025, signalling a cautiously positive start to 2026 for Nigeria’s currency. On a month-on-month basis, the naira strengthened from N1,429/$ on December 31, 2025, representing a 7.4 per cent appreciation from…
The naira recorded a week-on-week appreciation, closing at ₦1,391 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market, supported by improved liquidity conditions and a rise in Nigeria’s external reserves. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed a mixed but generally positive performance for the local currency over the trading week, with steady gains reversing losses recorded in the previous period. The naira strengthened consistently in the official market as demand–supply dynamics showed signs of stabilisation. It closed at ₦1,391/$ on Friday, slightly weaker than ₦1,385/$ on Thursday, but significantly stronger every week. During Friday’s session, the currency traded…
The naira on Friday closed the week on a stronger note, appreciating against the U.S. dollar at the official market, trading at ₦1,386.55. Data published on the official website of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the local currency gained ₦10.43, representing a 0.7 per cent appreciation compared with Thursday’s rate of ₦1,396.99 to the dollar. ALSO READ CBN, British international investment deepen talks on banking stability, long-term capital ALSO READ CBN grants temporary dispensation for Form M processing with NAFDAC licences The naira has remained relatively stable, buoyed by ongoing CBN reforms, and has recorded a week-long…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, on Wednesday hosted a delegation from British International Investment (BII) as part of ongoing efforts to deepen financial sector reforms and attract long-term investment. A statement from the CBN said the delegation was led by BII Chair, Ms Diana Layfield, alongside the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery. According to the statement, Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, credible monetary policy, and a transparent, data-driven regulatory framework aimed at strengthening banking system resilience and improving financial intermediation. ALSO READ CBN grants temporary dispensation for…
The House of Representatives has summoned the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture and Food Security, as well as the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF), to account for funds released for agricultural interventions between 2015 and 2025. The summons was issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the House Ad-hoc Committee investigating agricultural subsidies, intervention funds, aids and grants during a public hearing. The committee resolved that the officials, or their designated representatives, must appear before it on February 3, warning that failure to honour the invitation would attract legislative sanctions in line with the powers of the National Assembly. In his ruling,…
British prosecutors on Tuesday accused former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, of enjoying a “life of luxury” funded by bribes received while in office. Alison-Madueke, 65, appeared before Southwark Crown Court in London on the opening day of her trial, where she is facing multiple counts of bribery allegedly committed between 2011 and 2015, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Prosecutors told the court that individuals and companies seeking lucrative oil and gas contracts with Nigeria’s state-owned oil firm provided Alison-Madueke with “significant financial or other advantages.” ALSO READ London court opens corruption trial of ex-Nigerian…
The Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr Obi Adigwe, has said that Nigeria will host the 2026 SPARK Africa Translational Research Conference. This is made known in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alaba Balogun, on Tuesday in Abuja. Adigwe said that the conference and boot camp would hold in Abuja from February 2 to 7. He said the programme would be organised in partnership with the Stanford University–based SPARK Global initiative. Adigwe added that hosting the programme would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity…
The National Grid on Tuesday recorded its second collapse in 2026, leaving the country without an electricity supply. As of the time of filing this report, available data showed zero megawatts of power supply to the 11 electricity distribution companies. The grid had recorded its first collapse of the year last Friday, barely weeks after a similar incident on December 29, 2025, which caused widespread power outages across the country. Grid collapses have been attributed to a combination of technical faults, inadequate maintenance of transmission lines and fluctuations in generation capacity. ALSO READ Nigerians plunged into darkness as national grid…