Call For Applications: Standard Chartered Women in Cyber Security Program - - MSME Africa

FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare Standard Chartered Women in Cyber Security Program. With the use of technology and all the benefits of connection and efficiency, necessarily comes the increased exposure and the need to keep organizations safe. Historically, women have been underrepresented in technology-related disciplines, particularly cybersecurity. This begins early on, with fewer females being interested in technology at the grade-school level, which results in fewer women choosing cybersecurity as a profession in industry or academia. It is with this need in mind that @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University and Standard Chartered are partnering to run a program for Women in Cybersecurity. Eligibility Requirements A woman residing in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania) Minimum 2-3 years of junior-level experience in any other field and seeking entry into cybersecurity Proficient in English (all sessions will be conducted in English) Access to a computer and stable internet connection Ability to commit to the 4-month mentorship program Benefits Mentorship circles : One on one meetings between the mentor and the mentee. The mentor will be acting as a trusted ally who will be speaking to the mentees current journey and how to achieve their set goals for the program Fireside chats: This will be interactive sessions, held to discuss cybersecurity interest areas with industrial players in the region. The chats will be an opportunity to demystify some of the current cybersecurity challenges. Technical Training : The technical training will be structured in a self-paced model. The trainers selected for this program are subject matter experts with vast knowledge and experience in the cybersecurity domain. Soft skill Training: The aim of these training will be to equip teh mentees with soft skills which are a requirement for the everyday work life. They will cover issues such as work life balance, interviewing and CV writing skills. CLICK HERE TO APPLY FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare Related Posts: MSME Africa Unveils Top 50 Remarkable MSME Founders… Ultimate 2025 Guide to the Top Business Enabling… 15 Social Media Management Tools That Will Make Life… Overcoming Binding Constraints to Competitive… #IWD2023: Celebrating Outstanding Women in Micro… Mallpai Foundation: A Beacon of Hope for the Vulnerable RELATED TOPICS: STANDARD CHARTERED WOMEN UP NEXT Call For Applications: Beauty Hut x Paystack Grant Program 2025 for Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria (up to ₦2,000,000) DON'T MISS Microsoft Adds Elon Musk’s xAI to Azure AI Models BUSINESS FirstBank Backs Imo’s ÓKÓBÌ Initiative to Boost Entrepreneurship and Job Creation Published 15 seconds ago on June 26, 2026 By Olusola Blessing FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare FirstBank has announced its support for the Imo State Government’s One Kindred One Business Initiative (ÓKÓBÌ), a community-based entrepreneurship program aimed at expanding business ownership, financial inclusion and job creation across the state. Business support services The initiative, introduced by Hope Uzodimma, encourages groups of individuals to establish and manage registered businesses collectively, using shared ownership and peer accountability as tools for economic empowerment. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has registered more than 600 businesses involving over 20,000 members and is targeting the creation or support of 100,000 jobs within three years. Speaking on the partnership, Olusegun Alebiosu said the initiative demonstrates how existing community networks can be transformed into productive economic assets. According to him, peer accountability remains a powerful factor in building sustainable enterprises, and the ÓKÓBÌ model shows how social capital can be converted into real economic value for communities. He noted that FirstBank’s support will help strengthen collectively owned businesses by expanding access to finance, deepening financial inclusion and creating a more inclusive environment for wealth creation.   The bank believes that supporting group-owned enterprises can stimulate economic empowerment on a larger scale by building a self-sustaining ecosystem where opportunities and prosperity are shared more widely across communities. Commenting on the development, Kenneth Amaeshi described ÓKÓBÌ as an effective model for addressing unemployment and reducing informality within the economy. He said the programme’s progress within a relatively short period highlights its potential to generate sustainable employment while enabling more people to become business owners through resilient, community-driven enterprises. Amaeshi also called on more corporate organisations to support similar initiatives, noting that broader participation could accelerate economic development, entrepreneurship and wealth creation across Nigeria. The initiative has already gained national recognition, with the Federal Government naming it one of eight National Human Capital Development Accelerator Projects. The recognition has attracted increasing interest from development partners and private investors seeking credible platforms for impact-driven investments. For MSMEs, the partnership represents another example of how collaborative business models can improve access to funding and business opportunities. By leveraging collective ownership and shared responsibility, group-based enterprises may find it easier to access financing, reduce credit risks and build long-term sustainability.   FirstBank said its involvement aligns with its sustainability strategy, which prioritises financial inclusion, sustainable finance and support for underserved groups, particularly women and young entrepreneurs. The bank added that the peer-accountability structure embedded in the ÓKÓBÌ model can help lower lending risks while extending financial services to communities that traditionally face barriers to accessing capital. FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare CONTINUE READING ECONOMY Long Queues, Safety Fears, Others Threaten Nigeria’s CNG Shift Published 5 minutes ago on June 26, 2026 By Olusola Blessing FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare Long queues at Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations are becoming a common sight in Lagos and other major cities across Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the country’s ability to support the growing shift to gas-powered transportation. Commercial drivers, fleet operators and private vehicle owners are spending hours waiting to refill their tanks at CNG stations, a situation experts say is driven more by inadequate infrastructure than by a shortage of natural gas. The development comes as more Nigerians embrace CNG as a cheaper alternative to petrol following the removal of fuel subsidies and the continued rise in transportation costs. However, stakeholders warn that the rapid growth in demand is outpacing the expansion of critical infrastructure needed to sustain the transition. Industry analysts noted that the country’s CNG market is beginning to face challenges similar to those previously associated with petrol distribution, particularly long queues and concerns about product availability. They explained that the core issue lies in the limited number of dispensing stations and the lack of sufficient supporting infrastructure. According to experts, the situation highlights a growing mismatch between rising vehicle conversions and the availability of refuelling facilities. While the government’s CNG programme has successfully encouraged motorists to switch from petrol-powered vehicles, the supporting infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace. The concentration of CNG stations in only a few states has further compounded the challenge. In many cases, gas is still transported over long distances by road, creating logistical bottlenecks and limiting supply. Low pressure at dispensing points has also affected refuelling efficiency, contributing to the long waiting times experienced by motorists. Experts stressed that Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves are not the problem. Instead, the major challenge remains the country’s ability to deliver gas efficiently to consumers through an adequate network of refuelling stations and supporting facilities. Although official figures often suggest progress in infrastructure development, industry players argue that the reality on the ground remains far below what is required to meet current and future demand. Current estimates indicate that only a fraction of existing CNG facilities are fully operational, leaving the country with significantly fewer functional dispensing points than needed. The gap becomes even more pronounced when compared with the government’s target of establishing over 2,300 refuelling points nationwide by 2027. Industry stakeholders say achieving this goal will require faster infrastructure development and stronger policy support. To address the challenge, experts are calling for accelerated approvals that would allow existing petrol stations to add CNG dispensing facilities, a move considered faster and more cost-effective than constructing entirely new stations. They also recommend building more compression and liquefied CNG plants closer to gas pipelines to reduce dependence on long-distance road transportation. There are also calls for targeted incentives to encourage infrastructure investment in underserved regions, particularly in the North-East and South-East, where access to CNG facilities remains limited. Stakeholders argue that future expansion efforts should prioritise infrastructure development before pushing for further vehicle conversions. They warn that unless investments in refuelling facilities, gas delivery systems and logistics keep pace with growing adoption, persistent queues and operational challenges could weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s gas-powered transportation agenda.   For small businesses, transport operators and logistics-dependent enterprises that have switched to CNG to reduce operating costs, prolonged waiting times could undermine expected savings and affect productivity, highlighting the importance of building a stronger and more reliable infrastructure network to support the country’s energy transition goals. FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare CONTINUE READING NEWS Call For Applications: Junior Achievement Nigeria Venture in Management Program (ViMP) 2026 – Growing Impactful Businesses for National Transformation Published 39 minutes ago on June 26, 2026 By Blessing Joseph FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare Applications are now open for the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) Venture in Management Program (ViMP) 2026, an intensive leadership and business management program designed to equip young Nigerians with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to become effective business leaders and entrepreneurs. The Venture in Management Program (ViMP) is an annual initiative of Junior Achievement Nigeria implemented in partnership with Lagos Business School. The program offers selected participants a unique opportunity to experience a world-class business management environment through a one-week immersive mini-MBA experience. Business support services Program Benefits Selected participants will receive: An intensive one-week mini-MBA experience Training facilitated by faculty and experts from Lagos Business School Exposure to business case studies and real-world management scenarios Networking opportunities with business leaders and fellow participants Leadership and entrepreneurship development training Participation in strategy workshops and panel discussions Community service and social impact opportunities Membership in the growing ViMP alumni network. Who Can Apply? To be eligible, applicants must: Be a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or have recently completed the program Be 27 years old or younger Possess excellent academic records with a minimum of a Second Class Upper (2:1) Demonstrate a strong interest in general management Have a proven track record of leadership Previous participation in JAN programs will be an added advantage. Programme Structure The week-long program includes: Classroom sessions led by Lagos Business School facilitators Business ethics and leadership training Case study analysis Panel discussions Study group sessions Guest speaker sessions Strategy workshops Entrepreneurship and social enterprise modules Community engagement activities. Areas of Learning Participants will explore topics such as: Business Ethics Leadership Accounting and Finance Marketing Strategy Social Enterprise General Management Entrepreneurship. Why This Matters Nigeria’s future economic transformation depends on a new generation of ethical, innovative, and competent business leaders. The ViMP program seeks to prepare outstanding young professionals for leadership roles in business and entrepreneurship by exposing them to the rigor and demands of top-tier management education. Since its inception in 2000, the program has impacted thousands of young Nigerians and continues to serve as a launchpad for future business leaders. Business support services Application Requirements Applicants are typically required to submit: A completed online application form A Curriculum Vitae (CV) saved with their full name Proof of service (NYSC ID Card or Call-Up Letter). Application Deadline Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official program page for current application timelines and deadlines. Recent editions have had deadlines in July. How To Apply Interested and qualified candidates can learn more and submit their applications through the official program portal: Junior Achievement Nigeria Venture in Management Program (ViMP) Portal FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppCopy LinkLinkedInShare CONTINUE READING TRENDING BUSINESS 4 years ago BREAKING: CBN announces New Withdrawal Policies, Pegs ATM Withdrawals Limit at N20,000 daily, N100,000 weekly BUSINESS 6 years ago First Bank Nigeria Joins SME Finance Forum BUSINESS 6 years ago FG Opens Application Portal for N75 Billion MSME Survival Fund 10pm Today, Releases Time-table for Payroll Support Scheme for different sectors BUSINESS 3 years ago Call for Applications: MTN ICT and Business Skills Training (N90 Million Grant for 300 Participants) BUSINESS 4 years ago Call for Applications: Rural Youth Skill Acquisition Programme for Nigerian Youths (receive N50,000 monthly stipend) BUSINESS 6 years ago How to apply and benefit from free CAC Business Name Registration for 250,000 MSMEs ARTICLES & RESOURCES 6 years ago How to put your house in order for tax purposes BUSINESS 3 years ago Call for Applications: Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme 2023 for African Entrepreneurs (get $5,000 seed funding)