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The Federal Government is leveraging the innovative capacity of Fintechs to accelerate interventions, especially those under its Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), including programmes on renewable energy, agriculture, improving access to credit and direct cash transfers, among others, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said on Friday.   
Professor Osinbajo stated this at the official launch of the Nigeria Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Fintech Hackathon in Abuja.

“This is incredibly powerful for our efforts at resolving the climate crisis, transitioning to cleaner energy, but it also introduces a tremendous opportunity for Fintech companies for payments systems,” he said.

The vice president added, “Being able to manage that whole process, collect monies in some case, and in many cases, payout to owners; I think that there are tremendous opportunities there.

“This is something we are starting now. Of course, several companies have already shown some interest. So, as we address climate concerns, there are major opportunities for Fintech companies and their creativity is going to be very crucial here.”

Speaking about leveraging innovations by Fintechs to address challenges in the agricultural sector, he stressed the need to expand the scope of sustainable farming and farming techniques.

According to him, this has become crucial because the people now realise that with deforestation and all the issues with farmer-herder clashes, it is important to look more closely at how to be more creative with farming techniques, engage and educate farmers, and use more extension workers actively.

Professor Osinbajo noted that this was the case, especially as the government tries to implement an aspect of its Economic sustainability plan.

“So, we have to first find out where these new farmers work and we have to geo-tag them to their farms. But more importantly, we had to get credit to them one way or the other because many of them are in far-flung areas of the country.

“But not just credit, also information that they would need for choosing the right type of fertiliser, and other farm input. There is no question at all that Fin-Tech is crucial and would even be more crucial, especially as we pursue goals of financial inclusion and try to reach hitherto unreachable parts of the country,” he said.

The vice president believes there is no better way to address the issues of poverty and others around the SDGs if the country is unable to reach those who need to be reached with credit.
In ensuring a smooth transition to clean energy, he explained that such a process required those who could facilitate the movement of money quickly – such as the Fintech companies.
Professor Osinbajo, therefore, appealed to young Nigerians to aspire to achieve their dreams and take advantage of the exciting opportunities that abound in the tech systems.

The event was organised by the Financial Centre for Sustainability Lagos (FC4S Lagos), Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Access Bank and AfricaHacks.

The Naija SDGs Hackathon aims to facilitate the development of Fintech solutions that have a direct impact on the realisation of the SDGs.

Guests at the event included the Senior Special Assistant to the President SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on SDGs, Solape Hammond; and the former Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister on Social Justice, Young People & Opportunities, Mr Nero Ugwhujabo, among others.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over security and other issues of interest to the state.
Governor Fintiri was at the presidential villa to discuss security issues that have defied solutions with the Vice President.
He however commended the Federal Government for prompt assistance to the state whenever the need arose, noting particularly the fight against insurgency and support with amenities.

He urged the government to do more in stemming insurgency and other security challenges facing the nation.


Governor Fintiri assured the Vice President of his commitment to change narratives of bad governance and underdevelopment.
Vice President Osinbajo, visibly happy with the visit praised Governor Fintiri for supporting the armed forces and other federal government agencies towards achieving their mandate.


Professor Osinbajo had visited the state at the height of the crises and therefore appreciated the Fintiri for the new thinking that has allowed for development in the areas.

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President Muhammadu Buhari made it a remarkable week for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when he acknowledged the humility of the number two citizen, who turned 64 on March 8.
“I’m proud to have selected Yemi Osinbajo as my running mate. He has given a good account of himself since our journey began in 2015,” Buhari announced as he joined other citizens to celebrate Osinbajo’s birthday.

Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman in a statement quoted Buhari as describing Osinbajo as “a reliable and dedicated deputy’’.

Buhari stated that “Osinbajo is not only admirably competent but also exudes confidence and passion in the performance of his job”.

According to the president, the vice-president is a cool-headed gentleman, who puts the interest of Nigeria above other narrow considerations.

“Vice-President Osinbajo is an incredibly patient politician, who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties.”

The president wished Osinbajo many more prosperous years and God’s continued guidance.
Earlier on March 7, the Presidency released a checklist of what it described as “The Buhari Women” as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
March 8 of every year is observed globally as IWD.

A statement by the president’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, listed 50 Nigerian women in leadership positions in the Buhari administration.

According to the presidential aide, the celebration provides ample opportunity to reflect on how Buhari honours the womenfolk.

On March 8, Buhari hosted former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is also the ECOWAS Head of Mission on the Elections in Niger Republic.

The president expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the Feb. 20 run-off presidential election was conducted in Niger, adding that Nigeria was concerned about security in that country.

The Nigerian leader said: “We are concerned about their stability and I am glad the elections went well. I am happy it was transparent as attested to by most of the observers.’’
Buhari congratulated Sambo and his team for a job well done, stating: “I am glad you came back with good news.”

Also on March 8, Buhari rejoiced with Nigerian women on the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, describing them as the bedrock of society.

He restated his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges confronting women at various levels of society.

According to him, several women, including seven female ministers, in addition to scores more are currently in charge of key parastatal agencies as well as serving as presidential aides.

He said that the women were performing well in their respective ministries and agencies.
Buhari, similarly, on March 8, offered his sincere condolences to President Teodoro Obiang Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea over the explosions at a military base that wreaked havoc in a city in the country, called Bata.

Over 30 people were reported killed in the explosion with more than 6oo injured in the mishap, which also left homes and buildings in the city with considerable damages.

Also on March 8, the vice-president, presented a keynote address at a webinar organized by Women in Africa in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day.

Anchoring his contributions on the theme of the 2021 celebrations: “Choose to Challenge”, Osinbajo noted that “a child of a mother who can read is 50 per cent more likely to live past the age of five.

“Each additional school year increases a woman’s earning by 20 per cent — two thirds less maternal deaths if mothers finish primary school,” said the vice-president, who is also a law professor.

On March 9, Buhari performed the virtual ground-breaking of three projects namely: the reconstruction of Port Harcourt – Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway Project, the Bonny Deep Sea Port and the Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, the president expressed his optimism that rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway would resuscitate economic activities on the Eastern corridor which had been affected by insecurity.

He said the country’s aspiration for nationwide transport infrastructure and railways would be significantly enhanced by the three projects.

On March 9, the Nigerian leader hosted the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Mrs Winnie Byanyima, at State House, Abuja.

Also on March 9, Buhari requested the Senate to confirm the nomination of Mr Ahmad Halilu as the substantive Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency.
Halilu was until his nomination, the acting Director-General of the agency after being the Director in charge of Strategic Space Applications in the same organisation from 2009 to 2019.

The president had on March 10, presided over the 37th virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.
The Federal Ministries of Education, Power and Niger Delta Affairs made presentations at the meeting.

The council approved N500 million as variation for the completion of a road project in Delta State, 526 million dollars for power projects in Abia, Imo and Benue as well as N190.5 million for the purchase of a microscope for the University of Ibadan.

On March 11, Buhari inaugurated the headquarters building of the Niger Delta Development Commission, 25 years after the ground-breaking ceremony of the building.

The president, who virtually inaugurated the building from the Council Chamber of the State House, commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for his steadfastness in ending many years of renting accommodation by the commission with the attendant profligacy.

Also on March 11, the Nigerian leader met with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.

The council is co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

On March 12, the vice-president paid an official visit to Sokoto State, where he delivered the convocation lecture of the Sokoto State University.

While in Sokoto, Osinbajo also paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Sokoto.
Buhari concluded the week in review with a warning to would-be terrorists and bandits, targeting schools, saying that government would not allow destruction of the school system.
The president, who gave the warning in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, was reacting to the gunmen’s invasion of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka in Kaduna State early on March 12.

Buhari lauded the efforts of the Kaduna State government and early response of the military, which led to the rescue of 180 students, including eight members of staff.
He, however, directed that the other missing students must be found and returned safely to their families.

The president also commended the efforts and contributions of local intelligence in thwarting the moves of kidnappers.