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Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI

Expert Advocates Adoption of Practical Governance for Safe, Competitive AI

Funmi Ogundare 

A Social Impact Strategist and AI Governance Advocate, Chidozie Managwu, has stressed the need for countries to embrace practical governance frameworks that balance safety with innovation if they want to remain competitive in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Managwu, who explained that rigid regulations or a laissez-faire approach would fail, insisted on a layered governance model that builds public trust while accelerating innovation. “The way forward is layered governance that builds trust and accelerates innovation,” he said.

He explained that rules should be proportionate to risk, high-stakes applications such as clinical decision support and biometric identification demands strict testing and monitoring, while lower-risk uses can advance with lighter oversight. “Controls must be matched to the potential for harm rather than to hype,” he said.

The strategist also urged governments to prioritise outcomes over prescriptive technology rules, recommending transparency, auditability and post-deployment safety reporting to ensure accountability. 

He emphasised that markets alone cannot provide the safety infrastructure AI needs, calling for public investment in model evaluation platforms, red-team testing suites and synthetic data labs.

To avoid fragmented rules that advantage only large corporations, Managwu advocated harmonised international standards. 

He also linked governance to workforce development, warning that policies without skilled talent are ineffective, as he proposed reskilling, apprenticeships and partnerships between industry and communities to grow the AI talent base.

For policymaking, he suggested risk-tiering, mandatory post-deployment monitoring, national safety infrastructure and procurement policies that reward responsible innovation.

“If done well, the benefits compound,” he said. “Public trust rises, safe technologies spread faster, and ecosystems attract talent and capital.”

The leaders, he noted, will be those who govern for real outcomes rather than appearances, building systems that protect people, reward responsible innovators and strengthen national competitiveness.

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Funmi Ogundare  A Social Impact Strategist and AI Governance Advocate, Chidozie Managwu, has stressed the need for countries to embrace practical governance frameworks that balance safety with innovation if they
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NASENI Unveils N250m Innovate Naija Challenge for Young  Innovators

NASENI Unveils N250m Innovate Naija Challenge for Young  Innovators

Sunday Ehigiator
 

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched InnovateNaija, Nigeria’s biggest innova-tion competition, with a prize pool of N250 million to support homegrown inventions in science, engineering, and manufacturing.

The initiative, backed by the Presidency, the NASENI Innovation Hub, and AfriLabs, will officially kick off today, September 4, 2025, at the GITEX Nigeria 10x Stage, Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. Designed to inspire and showcase the nation’s brightest minds, InnovateNaija will identify and fund transformative ideas capable of addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges and advancing technological growth.

Under the scheme, 37 state-level winners — one from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT — will be selected through public voting. Each will receive a N2.5 million grant to develop their innovations. The top 15 will progress to the grand finale at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja, February 2026, where they will pitch their solutions before expert judges and stakeholders. The overall winner will walk away with N100 million in funding.

Beyond the competition, NASENI also announced the pre-launch of its Innovation Hub in Abuja, aimed at bridging the support gap for innovators by providing infrastructure, mentorship, capacity building, and funding opportunities.

Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, said the challenge reflects the agency’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovation to thrive.

“The InnovateNaija Challenge is an incredible opportunity, offering funding to 37 outstanding youths to bring their ideas to life. The NASENI Innovation Hub will nurture these sparks into scalable solutions, advancing Nigeria’s technological capabilities,” he stated.

Executive Director of AfriLabs, Anna Ekeledo, described the initiative as a boost to Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

“By empowering innovators across all states in Nigeria, this competition not only fuels creativity but also strengthens the innovation ecosystem. We are excited to support NASENI in spotlighting Nigerian ingenuity,” she said.

The three-month competition is expected to drive participation nationwide, positioning Nigeria as a hub for grassroots innovation in Africa.

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Sunday Ehigiator  The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched InnovateNaija, Nigeria’s biggest innova-tion competition, with a prize pool of N250 million to support homegrown inventions in
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Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun

Telcos  Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution  in Osun

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Telecommunications companies currently operating in Osun State have been admonished to guide against the rampant falling of masts, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy power-generating sets.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo yesterday on the importance of environmental impact assessment reports for masts in the state, Ms. Morenike George-Taylor, director of Operations and Project Management at Global Transactions Nigeria Limited, explained that the rate of mast falling in the state and the noisy pollution is too alarming.

According to her, “We hear the news of masts falling, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy generators. Protecting the environment, whether from noise pollution, contamination, or otherwise, is something that should concern us all.

“It’s about keeping our homes, our families, and our future safe. In Osun State, the telecommunications industry has grown rapidly, bringing us better connectivity and opening doors for economic opportunities. However, with this growth also comes the responsibility to make sure that our progress does not harm the environment or the people who live in our communities.

“We have had incidents where masts are falling, and this has an impact on the host community. This is why we have NESREA and why telecommunications companies are required to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before masts are erected.”

Ms. George-Taylor narrated that this was also where the Osun State Environmental Protection Law of 2022 (as amended) comes in, saying that the law emphasises that every telecommunications project, like the installation of masts, must follow proper procedures, including carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). “An EIA is not just a formality; it is a careful study to make sure projects are safe, sustainable, and beneficial for everyone,” she stated.

She further opined that: “Telecommunication companies play an important role in our daily lives. But as they build, they also need to think about the safety of the people living near these structures and the long-term impact on the environment.

“That’s why the Environmental Impact Assessment is so important, as it protects lives, property, and ensures that development benefits everyone, not just today but for generations to come.

“Oversight of telecommunications infrastructure in Osun State lies with the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, but collaboration extends beyond the state.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has the direct responsibility for ensuring Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out and properly enforced across Nigeria.

“Alongside NESREA, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) plays a key role in regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure that safety, compliance, and quality are upheld.”

George-Taylor further noted: “We want companies to see compliance as an opportunity, not a burden. By working with NESREA, the NCC, and the state Ministry of Environment, they can build trust, protect the environment, and strengthen their businesses.”

She said that at the end, “everyone wins-the people, the government, and the industry- but unfortunately, while some telecommunications companies have impeccable compliance records, others do not bother complying with the law, which has far-reaching implications. We call on all non-compliant organisations to comply with the laws on EIA.”

The director remarked that there is a need for states to partner with NESREA to effectively monitor telecommunications infrastructure within the state and ensure compliance with the laws. This is the only way to achieve a win–win situation for all parties involved. She further advised that environmental protection should be at the heart of telecommunications growth in Osun State by following the Osun State Environmental Protection Law of 2022 (as amended), and by respecting NESREA’s direct responsibility for Environmental Impact Assessments, while also engaging with the NCC, telecommunication companies can achieve sustainable growth.

“This way, they safeguard the environment, protect public health, and build stronger, more trusted relationships with the communities they serve,” she said.

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Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Telecommunications companies currently operating in Osun State have been admonished to guide against the rampant falling of masts, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy power-generating sets.
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