Business

Bank, Centre Partner To Promote Tech Start-Ups

Published

9 years ago

April 17, 2017

Union Bank said it had partnered Co-Creation Hub (CCHub), an innovation centre, to promote innovations among technology startups.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Mr Emeka Emuwa, said that, the financial institution had unveiled “Centenary Innovation Challenge’’, to boost innovation in the country.
Emuwa, said that the competition was to commemorate the bank’s 100 years in existence and had the theme: “Celebrate, Impact and Lead’’.
He said that, the Centenary Innovation Challenge was a platform that would provide support for young technology startups and businesses to impact their environment and improve the country.
According to him, innovation is one of the core values of the institution and the bank has been in the forefront of ensuring it meets and exceeds customer needs and drive social innovation.
“As an Institution, we are taking the lead in tackling social problems in communities where we do business in a sustainable way.
“Last year, we kicked off our first ever internal innovation challenge in the bank, “The Annual Case Challenge’’.
“And we are currently working on implementing the transformational ideas that came through that, as it would allow us provide the simplest and smartest solutions, making our customers’ lives better.
“We also believe that we cannot tackle these social problems alone, which is why we are partnering with Co-Creation Hub (CCHub) to inaugurate the “Centenary Innovation Challenge,’’ he said.
The Head of Group Strategy, Union Bank, Ms Lola Cardoso, said that the bank was focused on citizenship and sustainability in developing and impacting the society.
Cardoso said that, the bank’s approach to corporate citizenship helped it leverage on its heritage as a strong financial institution to support local efforts, aimed at achieving sustainable development and driving social change.
She said that, in the past two years, the bank’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had focused on three strategic pillars, which were financial inclusion, agriculture and education.
According to her, the foundation, the Centenary Innovation Challenge has been built on the three strategy pillars of the institution’s CSR.
“We have continued to engage communities across the country, which informs our internal decisions.
“For sustainability, we are also investing in the provision of alternative energy sources and also leveraging on businesses that provide recycling resources.
“With the Centenary Innovation Challenge, there is no better partner than CCHub as regards our plans for moving forward,’’ she said.
The Chief Executive Officer/Founder, CCHub, Mr Bosun Tijani, said that with the challenge, Union Bank tended to invest in successful startup businesses.
Tijani called on startups to take up that challenge, so as to improve on innovations.
He said based on the hub’s work in the past seven years, there were very few credible platforms to leverage on to build sustainable businesses in Nigeria.
According to him, the partnership with Union Bank for the Centenary Innovation Challenge is important, especially in implementing platforms that can help provide solutions for the communities and the country as a whole.
“Over 98 per cent of support we get is derived from outside Nigeria, so this relationship with Union Bank is our first with a Nigerian financial institution.
“Clearly, this is a commitment that we would want other reputable institutions to emulate,’’ he said.
The Tide source reports that from April 25, 2017, the bank, in conjunction with CCHub, will hold seven road shows across Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Oshogbo, Kaduna and Yola. Application entries will close on May 19, 2017.
10 startups will be selected as semi-finalists and they will go into an intensive boot camp, aimed at helping them develop and better put out their ideas.
After the boot camp, the 10 startups will pitch to a panel of experts and three startups will emerge winners.
The prize of N1 million awaits the second runner up, N1.5 million goes to the first runner up, while N2 million is for the first place winner.
This will be in addition to networking, mentorship and other non-financial opportunities that will be made available to the chosen startups.

Business

Two Federal Agencies Enter Pack On Expansion, Sustainable Electricity In Niger Delta

Published

12 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, was targeted at strengthening institutional collaboration and accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

Ogbuku said the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.

According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, supporting job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.

He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.

Aliyu said the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards, adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.

By: King Onunwor

Business

Why The AI Boom May Extend The Reign Of Natural Gas

Published

13 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Artificial intelligence is often viewed as a catalyst for electrification and subsequently decarbonization. Yet one of its most immediate effects may be the opposite of what many assume. The rapid buildout of AI infrastructure is increasing demand for reliable power, and that reality could strengthen the role of natural gas and other dispatchable energy sources for many years.

Investors focused on semiconductors and software valuations may be overlooking a key constraint. AI runs on electricity, and those electricity systems operate within physical and economic limits.

The energy sector has spent much of the past decade grappling with slow load growth. That is now changing, in a way that is reminiscent of the sharp rise in oil demand—and subsequently price—in the early 2000s.

Training large language models and operating advanced AI systems requires enormous computing resources. Hyperscale data centers are expanding rapidly, with developers requesting gigawatt-scale interconnections from utilities. In several regions, electricity demand forecasts have been revised upward after years of flat expectations.

This shift is significant because AI workloads create continuous, high-density demand rather than intermittent usage. Data centers cannot simply power down when the electricity supply becomes constrained. Reliability becomes paramount.

Wind and solar capacity continues to expand, but intermittent generation alone cannot meet the firm capacity needs of AI infrastructure without significant storage or backup generation.

Battery storage is improving, yet long-duration storage remains costly at scale. Nuclear projects face long development timelines and complex permitting hurdles. Transmission expansion also lags demand growth in many regions.

These constraints make dispatchable power sources critical. Natural gas plants can ramp quickly, operate continuously, and be deployed faster than many alternatives. As a result, gas-fired generation is increasingly viewed as a practical solution for supporting AI-driven load growth.

This does not undermine the role of renewables. In many markets, new renewable capacity is paired with gas generation to maintain grid stability. The key point is that AI-driven electrification is likely to increase fossil fuel usage in the near term.

Construction timelines favor gas-fired generation when demand rises quickly. Existing pipeline infrastructure reduces barriers to expansion. And for operators of data centers, reliability often outweighs ideological preferences. Downtime is simply too expensive.

Utilities are also revisiting resource plans as load forecasts rise. That shift may drive increased investment in transmission, grid modernization, and flexible generation assets.

The Decarbonization Story Is Complex

A common narrative holds that AI accelerates the transition away from fossil fuels because it increases electrification. The reality is more nuanced.

If electricity demand outpaces the buildout of low-carbon capacity, fossil generation may still increase in absolute terms even as renewables gain market share. Total emissions could rise, but the carbon intensity of the energy system may trend lower as cleaner sources make up a larger share of supply.

Ultimately, energy systems evolve based on engineering and economics, not just policy goals or market narratives.

Rising power demand could benefit utilities investing in transmission and generation capacity. Natural gas producers and midstream companies may see structural demand support from increased power-sector consumption. Equipment suppliers tied to grid reliability and gas turbines could also gain from the shift.

Longer term, advances in nuclear, storage, or efficiency may change the trajectory. For now, the immediate response to surging electricity demand is likely to rely on technologies that can be deployed quickly and reliably.

Artificial intelligence may reshape the economy in profound ways. One of the least appreciated consequences is that it may extend the relevance of natural gas as the world builds the energy backbone required to power the next generation of computing.

By: Robert Rapier

Business

Ogun To Join Oil-Producing States ……..As NNPCL Kicks Off Commercial Oil Production At Eba

Published

13 hours ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

Ogun State is set to join the comity of oil producing states in the country following the discovery and subsequent approval of commercial oil exploration activities in the Eba oil well, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

A technical team from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has visited the area as preparations are in advanced stage for commencement of commercial drilling operations in the state.

The inspection followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for commercial exploration, forming part of the federal government’s efforts to deploy the required technical capacity and infrastructure for production.

Officials of NNPCL carried out the exercise alongside representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and national security agencies to evaluate the site and confirm its readiness for drilling activities.

The delegation was led by Project Coordinator for Enserv, Hussein Aliyu, who headed the NNPCL Enserv technical team.

Other members included Wasiu Adeniyi, Onwugba Kelechi, Engr. Rabiu M. Audu, Ojonoka Braimah, Ahmad Usman, Akinbosola Oluwaseyi, Salisu Nuhu, James Amezhinim, Yusuf Abdul-Azeez, Amararu Isukul and Livinus J. Kigbu.

Speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, described the development as a landmark achievement for Ogun State, saying “the commencement of drilling at Eba would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and attract increased federal presence to the state’s coastal communities.

Abiodun also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support toward the development of frontier oil basins and the equitable spread of the nation’s energy resources.

Recall that geological reports had earlier confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons within the Ogun Waterside axis, leading to preliminary surveys and technical engagements by NNPCL.

The Ogun State Government also carried out an independent verification of the oil well’s coordinates, affirming the discovery is located within the state’s boundaries.

To secure the project, naval security personnel have been deployed to the site for over 18 months, with the support of the Ogun State Government, to protect the facility and its environs.

The Eba oil well is regarded as part of Nigeria’s strategic move to expand oil production beyond the Niger Delta region.