By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Mr Noble Ajuonu, Head, Sydani Technologies Ltd., has urged the Federal Government to harmonise National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to tackle crimes and insecurity in the country.

Ajuonu made the call on Monday at a media roundtable, organised by Sydani Group in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable focuses on driving sustainability through a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s key development areas.

Ajuonu said that Nigeria could overcome its security challenges and pave the way for a safer, more secure future for all Nigerians by embracing technology and implementing practical solutions,

“We need to harmonise data, prioritise seamless integration of databases like NIN, BVN, and security agency records, establish clear protocols for data sharing and access, with robust safeguards against misuse,’’ expert said.

According to him, the unified data pool will empower intelligence gathering and targeted operations.

He also called for investments in smart surveillance, intelligent video analytics software, training of personnel in data analysis, interpretation of data in real-time to combat crimes.

“There is need to implement a legal framework for call interception in criminal investigations, with strict oversight to prevent abuse, encourage community cohesion, training of tech savvy security personnel with tech-enabled tools.’’

Ajuonu also urged the government to address infrastructure deficit in technology, saying that technology was all encompassing to address insecurity.

“According to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as of December 2023, only 104.2 million Nigerians had been enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN).’’

Ajuonu added that over 122.2 million citizens left uncaptured for NIN were people in rural areas where enrolment centres, digital services were limited.

“Most crimes are being perpetuated from rural communities and this lack of comprehensive identification creates a gap where elements not captured in the national database can constitute public nuisance, crimes.

“There is the inadequacy in the integration of NIN, BVN and Voters Identification Number (VIN).

“Advanced call interception and analysis tools, used successfully in other countries, could provide invaluable insights into criminal networks and operations but infrastructure is lacking,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Godfrey Petgrave, the Agricultural Expert, Sydani Group, called for empowerment of smallholder farmers with access to finance and training to enhance productivity.

According to Petgrave, Nigeria requires policy reform and institutional strengthening to improve agricultural practices and embrace digital agriculture solutions to address food insecurity.

Mr Akolade Jimoh, another expert of the group on health, advocated for expanded community-based health insurance programmes for rural and underserved areas.

Jimoh added that the country needed to encourage Public Private Partnership to revolutionise products design and quality improvement on health services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has called for partnership among government, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Faith Base Organisations (FBOs), Corporate Organisations and wealthy individuals to expand Computer Based Test (CBT) infrastructures.

Mutfwang made the call at the roundabout on Athena/Educare Free Nationwide Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) Preparatory CBT launch  in Abuja.

The event was organised by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in collaboration with Educare to mainstream CBT into school’s curriculum.

According to Mutfwang, Plateau as a state has only 21 CBT platforms which are not enough to cover the local government areas of the state.

He added that most of the 21 CBT Centers were located in the state capitals, which were all private sector initiative.

“There is no enough public sector involvement. This is a wakeup call for me as a governor, and I will like to appreciate what Athena and Educare has done to open our eyes towards involvement in this initiative.

“What I can assure you is that by grace of God, we are going to key into this partnership and we are going to see how we will be able to improve the capacity of our people.

“We want to be intentional and deliberate from this moment going forward, where we will take the lead.

“There is need for effective partnership to involve NGOs, FBOs, wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to come up with strategy for expanding the critical infrastructure to enable our students participate in CBT examinations.

“The density of access to IT facilities in the state is low. Not many students who are ready to write JAMB have access to ICT facilities. We need to allow our children to have access and participate in JAMB,” Mutfwang said.

The Plateau governor said he was going to ensure that when issuing licence to schools, there must be readiness to be able to create the platform.

“It is a massive deficit we have, but I think the deficit presents us with a massive opportunity and that is what we will be driving going forward,” he said.

Also, the Governor of Anambra, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Special Assistant on Technology and Incubation, Miss Chinwe Okolie, narrated the education revolution drive in the state.

Soludo stressed that he would continue to ensure that Anambra remains in the lead of national examinations such as JAMB and WAEC.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the centre, Mr Osita Chidoka, said, the organisations was targeting one million students in its programme.

According to Chidoka, the programme was aimed at promoting constructive platforms for digital space that would enable students taking CBT examination prepare adequately.

He explained that the Centre observed that 80 per cent of students taking the jamb CBT examination were not familiar with computers.

Chidoka also called for expansion and improvement of infrastructure, production of quality teachers and inculcating of digital skills into students to make them prepare for CBT.

Similarly, the Founder of Educare, Mr Alex Onyia, said the organisation was prompted to bring the initiative to bear owing to the number of students who failed Jamb examination as a result of lack of knowledge of the CBT.

Onyia said that investment in a platform that enhance skills such as this would give Nigerian students quality education. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Funmilola Gboteku

An Information and Communication (ICT) Expert, Ahmed Ogundimu, says limited network coverage and low literacy levels are among factors hindering mobile money penetration in rural areas.

Ogundimu, who is a Senior Product Manager with Amazon, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that another challenge was skepticism about digital financial services.

He said that infrastructural deficit, which included inadequate internet access, remained a major plague faced by operators in the mobile money market in the country.

Ogundimu said that coupled with these were other logistical issues that worsened the operation of mobile money in Nigeria, adding that these challenges had further widened the financial inclusion gap.

“Nigeria does not have adequate access points to financial services, making only about 23 per cent of poor Nigerians living in rural areas within three miles of such access points.

“Also, low quality of mobile phone service in Nigeria makes users constantly complain of low quality of services, such as glitches in transactions and the issue of recurring network interruptions,” he said.

Ogundimu noted that a lot of people in the rural area were excluded financially because they do not have adequate knowledge about mobile money.

To resolve these challenges, Ogundimu said that it was necessary for mobile money providers to expand their rural agent networks and offer more localised and user-friendly services.

He explained that to sell mobile money services to people in rural communities, operators needed to consider the necessity of advertising these products in the local languages of the different communities they intended to operate in.

Ogundimu added that to aid non-literate users, services could be sold to them using familiar images.

“Government and non-governmental initiatives aimed at promoting financial literacy and digital inclusion should be organised to contribute to the gradual penetration of mobile money services in these regions.

“The Nigerian government can also play a key role in expanding financial inclusion in rural areas. This can be done by providing incentives to financial institutions to establish and operate branches in rural areas,” Ogundimu said.

The ICT expert urged the government to invest more in telecommunications infrastructure for seamless transactions, saying it would go a long way in improving network issues.

He, however, stressed that the expansion of the digital financial service could not be overlooked as could be seen by the growth and acceptance of mobile money.

Ogundimu said that, according to an IMARC Group’s 2023 report, the Nigerian mobile money market was projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.37 per cent between 2024 and 2032.

“Also an EFInA report published by Bloomberg reported that 52 percent of adult Nigerians have a bank account.

“The ease of use, accessibility, and convenience offered by mobile money platforms through USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) and mobile wallets have also played a crucial role.

“Also, supportive regulatory frameworks and initiatives by the Central Bank of Nigeria, such as the licensing of Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) and tiered Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements, have encouraged the growth of mobile money services,” he said.

According to Ogundimu, it is evident that the industry has generated significant employment opportunities and empowered individuals, though estimating the exact number in Nigeria is challenging.

He said that jobs created in the industry included direct employment by mobile money operators, agents, and vendors facilitating transactions.

Ogundimu added that there were indirect jobs created in related sectors such as telecommunications, software development and financial services.

“The ecosystem surrounding mobile money has not only created jobs but also bolstered entrepreneurship, as many individuals now operate small businesses as mobile money agents, thereby gaining financial independence and contributing to the economy,” he added.

On criminality in mobile money business, he said that while mobile money had brought significant benefits, it was crucial to acknowledge the potential risks.

According to him, instances of fraud, scams, and money laundering attempts have occurred.

He added that a notable case was that of a telecommunication company that sued 18 Nigerian banks over a 53 million dollar mobile money fraud in 2022.

Ogundimu stressed that this underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between stakeholders, regulatory authorities and mobile money providers to continually enhance security measures.

“The safety and security of mobile money users should be a top priority for all involved parties.

“Security measures should include robust authentication processes, secure technology infrastructures, KYC enforcement, transaction monitoring, and public awareness campaigns about safe mobile money practices,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Some experts have emphasised the need for cybersecurity literacy to enhance strategic risk management in the capital market.

This, they said, would enable the Nigerian capital market to harness the advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

They gave the advice at the 2024 Company Secretaries and Registrars’ Forum organised by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was: “The Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity on capital market Operations.”

Mr Simon Aranonu, the Executive Director, Large Enterprises Directorate, Bank of Industry (BoI), said the advancements in AI technology had permeated every facet of the capital market industry, revolutionising processes and boosting efficiency.

Aranonu noted that corporate governance presented an opportunity for board members and top management teams to continually refine their communication skills, bring cyber-literacy to the boardroom, and enhance their organisations cyber resilience.

He stated that while capital markets around the globe were the most data-sensitive segment of the financial industry, AI was reshaping how traders, investors, and financial institutions perceive, analyse, and interact with the markets.

According to him, in recent years, capital markets have witnessed a surge in diverse investment opportunities, with massive support from private sector institutions in collaboration with the Federal Government.

Aranonu stated that the integration of new and innovative had resulted in increased economic activities, while making the markets susceptible to cyber attacks.

“Currently, Nigeria’s capital market is expected to reposition the economy along a path of sustained growth by broadening asset classes, improving liquidity, and deepening transactions.

“The more investments that come into the capital market, the better the economic growth and development outlook.

“Accordingly, proactive measures must be put in place to safeguard the volume of transactions in the capital market,” Aranonu said.

He listed impacts of AI and cybersecurity practices in capital markets to include: algorithmic trading, fraud detection, risk management and compliance automation, portfolio management among others.

Aranonu stressed that there were preventive strategies for individuals, firms and the general society to prevent and mitigate the impact of cybercrime.

“As we look forward to a cyber-secure future, driven by technology and innovation, there will be opportunities as well as challenges in our day-to-day operations.

“However, we are presented regularly with more tools to combat the threats as they arise.

“Leveraging advanced technologies, fostering global collaboration, and prioritising cybersecurity education and awareness can mitigate risks and ensure a secure digital future.

“What is very clear is that it is increasingly important to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of AI and cybersecurity,” he said.

Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, President, ICSAN, said the forum serve as an avenue to expose participants to modern day practical solutions to problems on company secretarial practices, registrars’ functions and related issues.

Ekundayo said the event’s theme underscored the institute’s predisposition with engagement of current issues that expand the frontiers of knowledge through strategic brainstorming and intellectual endeavors.

She noted that it was chosen because of its relevance not only to current corporate secretarial practices, but governance practices, especially with the right focus set on capital market operations.

“The depth, scope and utilitarian values of AI to our modern life is so engrossing and multidimensional that it will be an understatement to say we have entered the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

“According to a study by Statista, the global AI market is set to grow up to 54 per cent every single year, the magnitude of that projected growth and the concomitant impact in our everyday life can best be imagined.

“As a result, some pessimists have even cautioned that its wide applicability in all fields should be strictly monitored in order to forestall the possibility of this phenomenon surpassing human intelligence, and taking over the world from mankind.

“As remote as that postulation may be, it only goes to underscore the truism of limitless possibilities that Artificial Intelligence offers,” she said.

Ekundayo noted that while everything in life has both advantages and disadvantages, it had become important to fashion out ways to harness the benefits it offered while whittling down any harm it may bring. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Jessica Dogo

Mr Joshua Yari, Component Lead of the Enabling Environment Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), said Nigeria had invested 48 million Euros in the second phase of its Energy Support Programme.

Yari said this during a one-day Energy Summit organised by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in collaboration with Abloom Trust Nigeria Ltd in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit was titled: “Prospects of Energy Transition Plan’’.

Yari explained that the programme was co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

He further stated that the Nigerian government would be investing about 19 million Euros in the third phase of the NESP.

“The World Bank, with the Nigerian Electrification Programme, is bringing in 750 million dollars to support the Nigerian government in terms of integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency, especially in rural areas,’’ he said.

Yari mentioned that the energy transition plan had five focal areas, adding that one of them was to create an enabling environment to support and foster investments within Nigeria.

“This means that one key aspect of improving investments is partnerships between governments, private sector, and the international development community.

“This administration has been clamoring for partnerships, especially the inclusion of the private sector in terms of investment.

“We hope to see the private sector come in to play a key role in implementing the focal areas of the Energy Transition Plan,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Director-General, ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said collaborating with stakeholders was crucial to achieving the goals of the energy transition in the country. 

Abdullahi said collaboration would provide the avenue for robust discussions, knowledge sharing, and formulation of actionable policy recommendations to guide the country’s energy transition journey.

He said Nigeria must address challenges such as investment barriers, grid integration issues, robust policy frameworks, and some hurdles of energy transition goals.

The director-general added that some of the solutions included innovative policy measures, regulatory reforms, and investments in grid modernisation to address the challenges and pave the way for a sustainable energy transition.

“It is imperative that we come together to explore opportunities and address these challenges.

“Energy transition is not merely a buzzword. It is a fundamental shift in our approach to energy production and consumption.

“I am confident that your insights and contributions at this summit will inspire us to explore innovative solutions, a sustainable, and resilient energy future for our nation,” he said.

Also, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive-Director of the Nigerian Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said the impact of the environment was promising as Nigeria migrated from heavy consumption of petrol and optimised gas utilisation in the country.

“We extend our collaboration and hands of fellowship and look forward to paving a pathway to the development that we are all looking forward to,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Deji Abdulwahab

The Ezeribe Foundation is to partner with GetBundi College of Technology to train 20 youths from Obowo Local Government Area of Imo in digital skills.

The digital skill education will be undertaken through the GetBundi Education Technology platform, a hybrid digital skills education platform for youths across Africa.

A statement by Mrs Juliet Ijei, the course coordinator for GetBundi, indicated that the four-month training exercise would be on Web Development and Data Analytics.

“Of the four months, one month shall be committed to onboarding, while three months shall be dedicated to online live classes with a masterclass every month from industry experts.

“We handhold our students and facilitate their learning process along their curriculum, with monthly performance-based tests that allow them take their theoretical understanding, which is knowledge, and turn it into the practical application, which is skill.

“Our curriculum is designed to make our students job ready,” Ijei said.

The fully-funded programme is one of the many ways Ezeribe Foundation is supporting education across Obowo Local Government Area.

“Recognising the importance of digital skills in today’s job market, Ezeribe Foundation is committed to improving the employability of Obowo youths in helping them to acquire digital skills.

“Such skills are very crucial for Nigerian youths in today’s world as they enhance employability, foster innovation and promote economic development.

“The Foundation has further pledged to continue to support the youths in Obowo to acquire skills needed to make them instantly employable.

“Beyond funding the programme, the foundation is providing functional laptops for each of the trainees with access to the internet .

“If you’re between 18-35 and from Obowo Local Government Area, you’re eminently qualified for the programme,” the statement said.

Ijei thanked Ezeribe Foundation for its support to the youths.

“We believe that Nigerian youths possess the ability and creativity to lead the African digital transformation, if given the best chances to learn.

“That is why we developed GetBundi platform and crafted the courses to help them learn and commercialise innovation.

“We are sure this is a life changing opportunity for the beneficiaries. We want more Nigerians to emulate the founders of Ezeribe Foundation and support the youths in their local communities and states.

“Youth empowerment should not be left for the government alone,” the statement added.

GetBundi is a hybrid digital skills education institution for African youths and an online STEM education platform for post primary schools.

It delivers high-quality, engaging and accessible education content from proficient educationalist and industry experts across the world.

GetBundi College of Technology is approved by the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria and the National Board for Technical Education as a tertiary institution. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

&Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

UNESCO says Nigeria needs more investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agenda of 2030.

Mr Abdourhamane Diallo, Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO to Nigeria, said this on Thursday at a two-day workshop on Capacity Development Training of Executives of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).

The workshop was facilitated by UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education (IBE), an expertise organisation of UNESCO dedicated to curriculum development.

Diallo said that Nigeria was grappling with lots of issues that deterred it from attaining the SDGs, which included Goal 4 targeted at quality education.

“We have about six years to the time limit of achieving the SDGs. We are not there yet because the challenges are very high.

“The population is increasing, we have the problem of access, there is increasing number of out of school children.

“We need to accelerate investments, because the government cannot do it alone, and in the spirit of the SDGs, we need the private sector, Civil Society Organisations, everybody to be involved.’’

He added that UNESCO was supporting the roadmap of the country to fast track the attainment of the SDG 4, by building the capacity of entities in charge of curricula development.

According to him, curricula development is critical to SDGs and at the heart of education.

He added that as a fall out from the workshop, a curriculum Community of Practice (COP) would be developed to ensure that knowledge gained and ways of curricula development could be cascaded to necessary quarters.

Dr Muyibat Olodo, Director, Technology and Science Education Department, FME, reaffirmed that education was very key to the development of any nation.

Olodo said that delivering education to citizens without the right curriculum, cannot address the targeted purpose.

“In developing the curriculum, you have to take into consideration what the society wants, the employer’s needs, what the individual wants for gainful employment, which review of the curriculum is very important.

“The people going to develop the curriculum also need to know what is required globally to deliver an efficient curriculum for the education sector,’’ she said.

She added that the federal government would sustain curriculum review and update, to meet up with emerging demands across the globe.

Mrs Florence Ssereo, Senior Project Officer, Curriculum Transformation, Norms and Capacity Development, UNESCO-IBE, said the FME reached out to UNESCO in May 2023 for the training.

Ssereo recalled that the training began in May and had been in three phases, both physically and virtually, with 49 participants.

She mentioned that the course of the training took place in eight modules, adding that her organisation deliberated on policy dialogue and formulation, curriculum change, design, development, curriculum governance, evaluation, among other concerns.

Dr Garba Gandu, Director, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) Centre, said the training would translate into finding ways to update schools’ curriculum.

Gandu added that the council had been better informed and would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure best practices for curriculum cycle from planning to implementation.

Some of the recommendations from the workshop included for the FME to engage state and local stakeholders of education in consequent capacity development on curriculum.

“FME should ensure effective monitoring of teachers on the implementation of the curriculum implementation in Nigeria.

“FME should encourage the sensitisation and advocacy on issues affecting the implantation of curriculum, foster industrial support and resource allocation for the establishment and sustenance of Community of Practice in Nigeria.

“UNESCO-IBE should offer continuous technical support to the Community of Practice in Nigeria for effective implementation of the curriculum and sharing of best practices on curriculum.’’(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab