Business
Nigeria to Partner with Google on AI and digital innovation
President Bola Tinubu is currently in talks with Google to strengthen the country’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
Announcing the discussions on X after meeting Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, Tinubu said the partnership would expand cloud infrastructure, upskill workers, foster AI research, boost cloud adoption, and position Nigeria as a global tech hub.
The President cited Nigeria’s AI progress, including work with Awarri Technologies and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) to develop AI tools and a Large Language Model (LLM) for Nigerian languages.
Tinubu said the talks with google aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Communications Ministry and NITDA providing oversight and overseeing implementation.
Tinubu, who is currently in Paris on a private visit, will also attend the AU Summit in Addis Ababa before returning to Nigeria.
Business
FG Availing ₦3.6bn to 200,000 Tailors Nationwide
Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, announced the approval during the nationwide screening of applicants for the 2026 edition of the SUPA Programme in Abuja.
Image credit: Bella Naija
The Federal Government has launched a ₦3.6 billion funding to support about 200,000 tailors under the Industrial Training Fund’s (ITF) Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) Programme.
Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of the ITF, announced the approval during the nationwide screening of applicants for the 2026 edition of the SUPA Programme in Abuja.
He said that the screening is designed to ensure only genuine artisans benefit.
Applicants are assessed on documentation, practical skills, commitment to the trade and readiness for further training.
The programme, launched in 2024, aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign artisans by equipping local professionals with modern technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Under a new business incubation model, beneficiaries will receive industrial-grade sewing machines, specialised tailoring equipment, business signboards, mentorship and technical support.
The ITF dropped its previous practice of distributing starter packs after discovering that many beneficiaries sold the equipment instead of using it to build businesses.
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CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Commercial Bank Exchange Rates
Sterling Bank
Currency Buy Sell
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EUR / NGN ₦1514.63 ₦1595.45
ZAR / NGN ₦80.34 ₦84.76
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,365.43
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,816.05
EURO (EUR) ₦1,552.88
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,667.11
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.33
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 66
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2. 36
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,847.10
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦363.74
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦81.54
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,880Sell: ₦1,900
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,570 Sell ₦1,590
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370 CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦190 Sell ₦205
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Commercial Bank Exchange Rates
Fidelity Bank
Currency Sell
USD / NGN ₦1375.00
GBP / NGN ₦1863.40
EUR / NGN ₦1596.10
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,362. 21
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,814.05
EURO (EUR) ₦1,550.19
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,665.29
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.32
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 32
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2. 39
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,867.90
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦362.87
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦81.28
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