Headlines
NCC partners Sweden on ICT capacity building, improved broadband

Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has received the Swedish Ambassador to ECOWAS, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria, Mr. Carl Grans at NCC Head Office with discussions centering on how the country can enhance Information and Communication Technology (ICT), capacity development and broadband penetration in Nigeria.
This is in line with the commission’s 8-Point Agenda, one of the pillars which focuses on strategic collaborations and partnership towards accelerating digital access and skills development in the country.
While receiving the Ambassador and team, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Dambatta, said the meeting was at the instance of the Commission, based on the Commission’s assessment of the offer for capacity development and focus of the Swedish Programme for ICT Development in Emerging Regions (SPIDER)–a dedicated programme instituted to provide capacity building in emerging markets.

L-R: Senior Officer, Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Hamzat Shuni; Principal manager, Special Duties, NCC, Ibrahim Galadima; Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Usman Malah; Swedish Ambassador to Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) – Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria, Mr. Carl Grans; EVC/CEO, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta; Director, Government and Industry Relations, Ericsson, Mr. Peter Ogundele; Deputy Director, Special Duties, NCC, Mr. Chukwuma Azikiwe; and Assistant Director, Special Duties, NCC, Mr. Babagana Digima during the visit of the Swedish Ambassador to the Commission.
Professor Dambatta said that the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) had earlier trained some Nigerians. Thus, Danbatta stated that further collaboration to build capabilities of Nigerians on ICT will increase human resources and capacity in the ICT sector towards deepening broadband penetration.

The EVC stated that further capacity building of Nigerians on ICT tools and skills will start with agencies in the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) in the context of train-the-trainer arrangement, and the beneficiaries in the agencies will proceed to train other Nigerians.
Professor Dambatta thanked the Swedish government for the capacity building programmes and reiterated that one of the priorities of the Nigerian Government is to facilitate the migration of millions of Nigerians out of poverty traps through ICT capacity development, skills acquisition and effectively driving the digital economy processes.
“We hope that the Embassy will continue to facilitate this kind of intervention to NCC and other agencies of government in Nigeria and Africa, and we also hope to benefit from the wealth of experience especially of Sweden, being a leading broadband market,” the EVC said.
Responding to the EVC, Ambassador Carl Michael Grans said: “5G technology and Internet of Things (IoT) are crucial to transforming the industry and production in a way that can’t really be seen yet, but a digital revolution is really imminent worldwide”.
Mr Grans also acknowledged that Nigeria is ready for the digital revolution considering the approval given to conduct 5G tests recently.

Headlines
Salary fraud: Kano uncovers N28m in local government payroll

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has uncovered irregularities in the payroll system of local government councils, as no fewer than 247 staff members were discovered to have either retired from service or died.
KANO FOCUS reports that the discovery revealed that the names of the affected local government staff have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running.
A statement by the Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State GovernmenMusa Tanko Muhammad, said these fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.
“In a decisive move towards cleansing the state payroll, the Kano State Government has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the state civil service.

“Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of local government councils.
“The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or died yet, have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for the month of March, 2025 alone.
“In a prompt and effective response and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the recovery underscores the administration’s dedication at entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.
“The government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities.
“Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

Headlines
Governor Yusuf Signs Laws Establishing Four New Agencies in Kano

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The newly signed laws provide for the establishment of the following agencies:
1. Kano State Protection Agency (KASPA)

2. Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency (KASIAA)
3. Kano State Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency (KASITDA)
4. Kano State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KASMEDA)
These laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.
Governor Yusuf described the signing as a significant step toward realizing his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.
He emphasized that the new agencies will play a crucial role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.
“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the Governor stated.
He also issued a strong warning that violations of the provisions of these laws will be met with strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.
The establishment of these agencies reflects Governor Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.

Headlines
UTME: Kano suspends end of month sanitation exercise

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
In a bid to ensure the smooth conduct of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the Kano State Government has temporarily suspended the April 2025, End of month sanitation exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that this decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, in an effort to allow students of Kano State to write their examination without any hitches.

In a statement issued by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Garba Gwammaja has quoted the Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim saying that:
“The suspension is aimed at preventing any potential disruptions to the examination process and ensuring that candidates can sit for their exams without any hindrance.”
The Commissioner assured residents that the suspension is temporary for this month, and that the sanitation exercise will resume in its full force next month May 2025, in the state.
The Commissioner however, appeals to residents to cooperate with the authorities and understand the rationale behind this decision.
“We are committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our sanitation activities do not conflict with other important events in the state,” the commissioner said.
While Commending the residents for their understanding and cooperation to the present administration, urged them to continue to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste and cooperates with our sanitation staff to ensure clean and healthy environment always, and pray for the successful conduct of students who will sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
