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20 Young Women Selected for Fully Funded AI Fellowship in Kwara

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

No fewer than 20 young women have been selected to participate in a fully funded nine-month intensive training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering under the second cohort of the ‘Women in AI Fellowship,’ an initiative of Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI).

WDSFAI is a non-profit organisation that focuses on expanding access to STEM education and digital literacy, and designs the fellowship to equip young women with AI knowledge and skills and position them for opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

According to the Executive Director of WDSFAI, Nafisat Bakare, the
selected fellows would, starting from Tuesday, 7 April, 2026, undergo comprehensive training covering core areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Python programming, Mathematics for AI, Data Science, and application of these concepts to solve real-world challenges.

She said: “Beyond technical training, the programme will also equip the fellows with soft skills, including communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, while also receiving mentorship and guidance from industry professionals.”

Speaking at the orientation programme held for the fellows in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, the Executive Director of WDSFAI, disclosed that the Women in AI Fellowship was launched in 2025 to raise female AI engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers capable of competing globally.

She added that the initiative was part of her organisation’s commitment to address the persistent gender gap in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, which she said was heavily male-dominated.

“This Women in AI Fellowship, which is now in its second cohort, is very dear to our hearts and something we are proud of. Last year, we started this journey with our first set of fellows, many of whom had little or no background in tech,” she said.

Bakare noted that the impact of the first cohort was already evident, as several beneficiaries have transitioned into the workforce, contributing to projects and building careers in technology.

“Today, I’m happy to say that some of our past fellows are already working for brands, applying their skills in real-world roles. In fact, one of them is now among our trainers for this second cohort. That’s the power of commitment and the right support system. We are not just teaching skills; we are building capacity, creating opportunities, and helping people move from learning to earning,” she noted.

She further disclosed that the selection process for the second cohort was highly competitive, with 444 applications received from across the country. Out of this number, 124 candidates were shortlisted and interviewed, while only 20 participants eventually made the final list.

While congratulating the successful applicants, Bakare urged them to remain focused and resilient throughout the programme, saying that “the journey will not be easy, but it will be worth it.”

Also speaking, the Programme Manager at WDSFAI, Beulah Ladanu, encouraged the fellows to take full advantage of the opportunity by embracing learning, leveraging available resources, and striving for excellence.

She emphasised that increasing women’s participation in AI is critical to driving innovation, reducing bias in emerging technologies, and expanding economic opportunities.

“Women’s inclusion and leadership in artificial intelligence will not only foster creativity and innovation but also ensure that technology reflects diverse perspectives and serves broader societal needs,” Ladanu said.

Some fellows from the first cohort, who attended the orientation programme, also shared their experiences, urging the new fellows to remain committed, resilient, and collaborative throughout the programme.

They highlighted the importance of consistency and peer support in navigating the rigorous training, noting that the fellowship offers a unique platform for growth and career advancement.

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Suwaiba Said Ahmad has announced that the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions will be the final one to be hosted by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Is-haq Oloyede.

Speaking during the meeting held in Abuja on Monday, the minister praised Oloyede for his decade-long leadership of JAMB, describing his tenure as transformational.

“This is the last policy meeting you will be holding. He has been here for ten years. He has done a lot of good things. Ten years is a long time but he is not tired,” she said.

“Notwithstanding, we thank you very much. Definitely, you are not tired. We will just give you a resting period to relax a bit and then we will just call you back.”

Oloyede was appointed JAMB Registrar on August 9, 2016, and is widely credited with reforming the board’s operations and financial system within a few years of assuming office.

Under his leadership, JAMB’s remittances to the Federal Government increased significantly. While the board reportedly remitted less than N50 million between 1978 and 2016, it generated and remitted N7.8 billion in 2017 alone.

Between 2016 and 2026, JAMB reportedly remitted N20.7 billion in operating surplus while also funding infrastructure and staff development projects through internally generated revenue.

The improved financial performance also enabled the Federal Government to reduce application fees for tertiary institution admissions by 30 percent.

Before joining JAMB, Oloyede served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin from 2007 to 2012. He also chaired both the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors between 2011 and 2012.

A professor of Islamic Studies since 1995, Oloyede has published nearly 100 academic papers and attended several international conferences.

His contributions to public service and education have earned him several honours, including the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2014, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2022, the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2019, and the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service in the Education category in 2022.

Oloyede, who is 71 years old, is married and has four adult children and grandchildren.

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Hyacinth Alia has congratulated the James Iorzua Ayatse on the occasion of his 79th birthday anniversary.

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia described the Tor Tiv as a respected traditional ruler, scholar, statesman, and patriot whose wisdom, courage, and dedication to peace, justice, and the preservation of Tiv cultural heritage continue to inspire people across Benue State and beyond.

The governor praised the monarch for his fatherly role in promoting unity, peaceful coexistence, and constructive dialogue among the various ethnic groups in the state.

He also noted that the Tor Tiv, also known as the Begha U Tiv, has continued to uphold the dignity and honour of the traditional institution through exemplary leadership and service.

Governor Alia further prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the royal father, asking for more years of good health, strength, wisdom, and grace as he continues to provide leadership to the Tiv Kingdom and the Benue State traditional institution.

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The official vehicle of Sesoo Gboko has reportedly been snatched by armed men in Abuja.

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a statement released by the lawmaker’s Senior Legislative Aide, Bem Adzaagee, the incident occurred around the Gudu area of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the statement, the yet-to-be-identified gunmen forced the lawmaker’s driver to hand over the vehicle while he was parking at a public location in the area.

“The gunmen compelled the Honourable Member’s driver to surrender the vehicle to them as he parked at the car park of a public place in the Gudu area of the Federal Capital Territory and was making his way into the premises,” the statement read.

It added that the driver had just returned from an errand and had gone to pick up the lawmaker, who was attending meetings at the location.

Adzaagee confirmed that neither the driver nor anyone else at the scene was harmed during the incident.

He also praised the prompt response of security agencies, stating that efforts were already underway to track down the stolen vehicle and apprehend those responsible.

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