Mary-Brenda Akoda, winner of the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, has developed artificial intelligence (AI) technology that reduces Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan time by up to 90 per cent. Akoda, an AI research scientist, founder of Genscan AI and former Microsoft engineer, disclosed this at the public presentation of the 2026 prize winner organised by Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) on Tuesday in Lagos. She said the technology, called GenMRI, was developed to address delays in medical diagnosis caused by limited MRI scanners, high equipment costs and lengthy scanning procedures in healthcare facilities. Akoda explained that the idea…
Author: Newsdesk
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday sought strategic development partnerships with German cities, particularly in agriculture, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and youth skills acquisition. Wike made the remarks when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stefan Rössel, visited him in Abuja. Welcoming the envoy, the minister highlighted the decades-long economic, cultural and political ties between Nigeria and Germany. He reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to transforming Abuja into a world-class capital city capable of competing with global metropolises such as Berlin, Munich and Washington, D.C. He said the administration was working to…
The World Bank Group and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a new co-financing agreement to scale up investments in rural economies, strengthen food systems and create jobs. The agreement was signed on Tuesday during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand. It is designed to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions in promoting rural transformation, building resilience, supporting entrepreneurship and improving food security amid slowing economic growth and rising uncertainty. IFAD President Alvaro Lario said the partnership would combine the institutions’ resources, reach and expertise to…
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the Adamawa Government, has validated a climate-resilient livelihoods strategy to support vulnerable communities from 2026 to 2030. Prof. Yakaka Maina, FAO Natural Resources and Energy Specialist, disclosed this at a state-level validation workshop on Tuesday in Yola. Maina said the initiative aimed to align agricultural investments with the state’s durable solutions plan for internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and vulnerable host communities. She said the exercise, conducted in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), focused on developing a climate-resilient livelihoods strategy and a climate-smart agriculture…
Cisco Nigeria has identified artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and digital skills development as key drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for Nigerian youths. Cisco is a global technology company that offers skills-to-jobs programmes. Mr Ikechukwu Ibeawuchi, Government Affairs Manager at Cisco Nigeria, said this on the sidelines of the 14th Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) Summit in Abuja. The summit’s theme was “Advancing Inclusive Economic Growth: The Role of Security, Digital Skills and Indigenous Content in Regional, National and SME Development.” Ibeawuchi said Africa was a priority for Cisco, noting that the continent’s young population and growing…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday urged Nigerians to verify the approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them. The Director of Technical Services and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, said this at a media roundtable in Abuja. “When buying a phone, tablet, modem or any device that uses a SIM, consumers should ask the seller whether it is NCC-approved and independently verify its approval status. “The process is very easy. Just call 315, and you will get the assistance you need. The service is toll-free. “You will always get someone who will respond to you and…
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), FCT Command, has donated closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to five schools to strengthen security, improve surveillance and protect students and teachers. Chief Rufus Ebegba, Chairman of the PCRC, FCT Command, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja. He said a monitoring team would periodically visit the schools to assess the activities and effectiveness of the clubs. Ebegba urged the principals to provide the necessary support for the clubs to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of the initiative across the beneficiary schools. Mr Ndagi Mohammed, the programme coordinator, said the…
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to closing immunisation gaps and strengthening maternal and child healthcare through collaboration with Save the Children International United States (SCI-US). Radda gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the organisation on a courtesy visit on Monday in Katsina. The meeting followed visits by the delegation to project sites to assess ongoing interventions in local communities. The governor said his administration remained committed to improving access to quality healthcare for women and children and addressing the direct and underlying causes of malnutrition. He also reiterated the state government’s…
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has urged researchers to prioritise practical studies to address climate challenges, boost crop production and enhance food security. Namadi stated this on Monday at the 11th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), hosted by the Federal University Dutse (FUD). The theme of the conference was “Advancing Sustainable Crop Production and Climate-Smart Technology for Food Security and Economic Growth.” Namadi urged researchers to focus on developing drought-tolerant crop varieties, restoring soil health, improving access to certified seeds, reducing post-harvest losses and investigating why farmers fail to adopt proven…
The Federal Government has called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately arrest and prosecute the suspect who allegedly stabbed a health worker at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, made the call in a statement issued on Monday night by Ado Bako, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Salako condemned the reported stabbing of Mr Lawal Olasunkanmi, a medical laboratory scientist at the hospital, describing the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable”. “No grief, frustration…