Innovation Village Newsletter
Posts
💼Terra, DICON Partner on Local Defence Tech

💼Terra, DICON Partner on Local Defence Tech

Plus:🎵Spotify Marks Five Years in Nigeria

Innovation Village
February 24, 2026

In partnership with

‘

Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Canada has reduced the validity period of study permits issued to preparatory programme students, tightening immigration controls amid broader reforms to its international education system. The decision affects students enrolled in foundation or pathway programmes designed to transition them into full academic studies, potentially altering long-term study and residency plans for thousands of applicants.

The policy shift reflects Canada’s ongoing efforts to manage rising international student numbers, address housing and resource pressures, and strengthen oversight within its education-to-immigration pipeline. For prospective students — including many from high-demand countries — the change introduces new considerations around timelines, compliance, and post-study opportunities.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💼Terra, DICON Partner on Local Defence Tech
💵 Nigeria, Japan Launch $50M Startup Innovation Fund
⚖️ Nigeria Wins $6.2M E-Procurement Arbitration Case
✈️Canada Cuts Study Permit Validity for Prep Students
🎵 Spotify Marks Five Years in Nigeria

Meet America’s Newest $1B Unicorn

A US startup just hit a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest.

Over 40,000 people already have. So have industry giants like General Motors and POSCO.

Why all the interest? EnergyX’s patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Today, they’re moving toward commercial production, tapping into 100,000+ acres of lithium deposits in Chile, a potential $1.1B annual revenue opportunity at projected market prices.

Right now, you can invest at this pivotal growth stage for $11/share. But only through February 26. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the deadline.

Invest in EnergyX Today

_{This is a paid advertisement for EnergyX Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at}_{invest.energyx.com}_{. Under Regulation A, a company may change its share price by up to 20% without requalifying the offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission.}

💼BUSINESS

Terra, DICON Partner on Local Defence Tech

Terra Industries has signed an MoU with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to form a joint venture focused on local defence technology manufacturing. The partnership will establish production and assembly lines in Nigeria for advanced systems such as drones, robotics platforms, unmanned vehicles, and cybersecurity solutions, while also driving research, development, and workforce training.

The initiative aims to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported defence systems by enabling technology transfer, strengthening local supply chains, and building high-skilled engineering capacity............….continue reading

💵 FUNDING

Nigeria, Japan Launch $50M Startup Innovation Fund

Nigeria and Japan have signed an agreement to establish a $50 million innovation fund to support early-stage startups tackling social challenges. The fund, structured as a local public investment vehicle, is backed by $14 million in grants from JICA, up to $20 million from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and additional private-sector capital.

Target sectors include healthcare, education, food security, and financial inclusion. Beyond funding, startups will receive technical assistance, product development support, and scaling guidance..............….continue reading

⚖️LEGAL

Nigeria Wins $6.2M E-Procurement Arbitration Case

Nigeria has won a $6.2 million arbitration case against British firm European Dynamics UK Ltd over a failed e-procurement contract. The international tribunal dismissed all claims for unpaid fees and damages, ruling that the company’s deliverables did not meet contractual standards and that responsibility for correcting defects rested with the contractor.

The decision means the Federal Government will not make any payment and reinforces the principle that government IT contracts are performance-based. Officials say the ruling protects public funds, strengthens contract enforcement, and sends a clear signal that payments depend on verified quality and compliance..........….continue reading

✈️TRAVEL

Canada Cuts Study Permit Validity for Prep Students

Canada has revised its study permit rules, shortening the validity period for international students enrolled in prerequisite or preparatory programs. Under new guidance from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), permits will now cover only the duration of the preparatory course plus 90 days, replacing the previous 12-month buffer.

Students must apply for a new study permit before beginning their main academic program, though those applying from within Canada may continue studying under maintained status while awaiting approval. The change affects students in bridging programs or mandatory English-language courses, even if the course is under six months...........….continue reading

🎵MUSIC STREAMING

Spotify Marks Five Years in Nigeria

Spotify is celebrating five years in Nigeria, highlighting rapid growth in music and podcast consumption since its 2021 launch. Listening in Nigeria has surged 163% year-over-year, with users creating over 25 million playlists and streaming more than 1.4 billion hours in 2025 alone.

The number of Nigerian artists on the platform has grown 158%, with Afrobeats streams rising 5,022%. Top-streamed artists over the period include Asake, Wizkid, Seyi Vibez, Burna Boy, and Davido. Emerging genres such as Amapiano and gospel have also recorded significant growth, while streams in indigenous languages increased 554% in 2024.............….continue reading