The ceremony, which was held at Stanbic IBTC’s Head Office in Lagos, brought together programme graduates, incoming cohort members and senior executives of the organisation.

Chuma Nwokocha, chief executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings presented certificates to the DiSEP 4.0 graduates, commending their dedication and the transformative journey during the ceremony; emphasising the impact that the programme will have on their professional development and career opportunities.

DiSEP, a flagship corporate social responsibility initiative of Stanbic IBTC, equips young Nigerians with relevant digital and employability skills, bridging the gap between academic training and the requirements of the modern workplace.

The newly inducted DiSEP 5.0 cohort will run until March 2026 and places greater emphasis on gender inclusion by actively bringing more women into the programme, while also encouraging stronger participation from Northern Nigeria to ensure broader national impact.

Successful participants will gain advanced, industry-relevant competencies in high-demand technical areas including Kubernetes, .NET Core, C#, Software Testing and Automation, DevOps, and Java.

These skills provide direct pathways to rewarding careers in software engineering, cloud infrastructure, quality assurance, and modern application development both within Stanbic IBTC and across the wider technology and financial services sectors.

During the event, Ezinne Chidi Anosike, country head, People & Culture, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, announced the establishment of the DiSEP Alumni Network, a structured platform designed to foster continuous engagement, mentorship, and career support for all current and former participants of the programme.

A highlight of the event was the inspiring speech delivered by Hannah Ochim, a DiSEP 2.0 alumna, now an employee of Stanbic IBTC. Sharing her personal journey from participant to professional, Hannah spoke passionately about how the programme equipped her with practical digital skills, boosted her confidence, and ultimately opened the door to a rewarding career in financial services.

“DiSEP did not just teach me technical skills; it transformed the way I see opportunities and my own potential,” Hannah said. “Today, I stand here as proof that this programme changes lives. To the new cohort, embrace every moment; your future starts now.”

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment to youth development and digital inclusion, stating:

“At Stanbic IBTC, we believe that empowering the next generation with relevant skills is fundamental to Nigeria’s growth. DiSEP is more than a training programme; it is a movement that creates sustainable careers and drives innovation. We are proud of every graduate and excited to welcome the DiSEP 5.0 participants into this life-changing journey.”

Since its inception, DiSEP has successfully trained and empowered over 800 Nigerian youths, with many alumni securing employment in leading organisations, including Stanbic IBTC. The programme continues to attract strong commendation for its hands-on curriculum, expert facilitation, and clear focus on employability.

With the commencement of DiSEP 5.0, Stanbic IBTC reinforces its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital future by empowering young people with the skills, networks and opportunities needed to thrive in our economy.

NITDA discredited a viral grant scheme circulating on social media under the name ‘President Bola Tinubu’s N50,000 Cash Grant’ to Nigerians.

The scheme, which claims to offer a cash grant of N50,000, is actually a phishing website designed to deceive individuals into providing personal information for fraudulent purposes.

NITDA emphasized that if such programs existed, the government would communicate them through appropriate channels.

In an official statement signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, released on Wednesday, the agency described the scheme as fake and fraudulent.

Umar cautioned Nigerians about the phishing website associated with the grant, highlighting its purpose of misleading unsuspecting citizens.

According to NITDA, their Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (NITDA-CERRT) discovered that the website is being used to gather people’s information for fraudulent activities.

The agency advises the public to refrain from clicking on unknown links and specifically warns against accessing the website ‘https://thryt.com/50k-CashGrants‘ and similar websites.

These sites aim to trick users into divulging personal information, including full name, phone number, home address, email address, bank account details, such as the bank’s name and account number.

NITDA further stresses that any genuine government programs would be communicated through the appropriate agency responsible for supervising such initiatives.

In today’s technology world, the reliance on open-source has become a mixed blessing. While these components enable innovation and mitigate development costs, they also allow potential vulnerabilities that can jeopardise the security and integrity of software solutions.

As a Senior Software Developer renowned for my role in this domain, I have been at the forefront of addressing these difficulties.

With over years of experience, I have seen the intricacies of the software supply chain directly. I understand that the integration of open-source libraries and frameworks is indispensable for modern software development. However, she also recognizes that this convenience comes with significant risks. Patricia’s approach to securing the software supply chain is multifaceted, combining rigorous security practices with innovative solutions.

One of my favourite techniques entails conducting robust audits of open source dependencies.

By meticulously examining the source code of these components, she identifies potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. This proactive technique allows me to identify security issues before they can be leveraged in attacks.

My audits are not subjected to the initial integration of open-source components; I ensure continuous monitoring and periodic reviews to keep up with new vulnerabilities and updates.

I  advocate for the integration of advanced technologies to promote security of the software supply chain. I led the development and implementation of advanced dependency management tools that automatically detect and remediate vulnerabilities.

These tools leverage machine learning algorithms to analyse vast repositories of open-source code, providing real-time alerts and suggestions for secure alternatives. By automating these processes, I have significantly reduced the burden on developers, allowing them to focus on building robust and innovative software.

Another aspect I specialise in is promoting a culture of awareness within the development teams. I discussed further about the importance of training developers to notice and address security issues in open source dependencies. Through mediums such as seminars, and hands-on experience, I have equipped her colleagues with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure their code effectively. Her efforts have led to a noticeable improvement in the security posture of the projects she has been involved in, with fewer vulnerabilities making their way into production environments.

Beyond my technical contributions, I support  increased collaboration and transparency within the open source community. I am deeply committed to open source projects, offering not only codes but also security enhancement and best practices.

In a global world where cyber threats are becoming increasingly solid, my efforts to secure software supply chains are more crucial than ever.

My approach consists of intense audit. Automated tools, community partnership and developer training has set a new yardstick in addressing vulnerabilities in open source dependencies. As a Senior software developer, I am at the front role of making sure security and integrity of software products leaves an enduring legacy in the industry, motivating others to emulate my journey.

Meet Patricia Akinkuade: 

Patricia Akinkuade is a seasoned software engineering specialist with a demonstrated history of impactful contributions in the manufacturing, oil, and fintech industries. Her technical proficiency spans an impressive array of technologies, including C#, VB, Microsoft SQL, TFS, Azure, Jira, Confluence, Blazor, Docker, Kubernetes, .Net,  amongst others. Patricia’s expertise in software engineering has consistently driven innovative solutions and enhanced operational efficiencies across various sectors. Her leadership in implementing data-driven strategies and cutting-edge technologies has positioned her as a pivotal force in digital transformation, ensuring robust and scalable software solutions that meet the dynamic needs of modern enterprises.