Author: Rommy Imah

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced a forensic investigation into the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lotus Bank and Hackerbella Ltd over allegations that students’ personal data were used to open bank accounts without a lawful basis. The investigation followed public complaints alleging the unauthorised collection and use of students’ personal information in connection with the opening of bank accounts. In a statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the NDPC, the Commission said its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, had directed the investigation team to conduct a comprehensive assessment…

The Digital Assets Coalition (DAC), a body representing participants and operators in Nigeria’s digital assets ecosystem, has called on the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to review key provisions of the recently introduced Guidelines on the Taxation of Virtual Assets, warning that some of the proposed taxes could discourage compliance, drive users to offshore platforms and ultimately reduce government revenue. In a comprehensive position paper titled “Tax the Profit, Not the Movement of Money,” and released in August 2026, the Coalition made it clear that it is not opposed to taxing cryptocurrency transactions. Rather, it argues that the current framework taxes…

To accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation through homegrown innovation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening research partnerships with universities to develop technology-based solutions that address real-life national challenges across critical sectors. The commitment was made by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, when the management of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja), led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, paid a familiarisation visit to the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja. Speaking during the meeting, Abdullahi stressed that collaboration between government and academia remains essential to building a thriving innovation…

Nigeria has taken a major step towards operationalising its National Regulatory Sandbox, with the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, urging regulatory agencies to strengthen collaboration in building a coordinated framework that supports innovation while safeguarding public interest. Speaking through the National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Ms. Victoria Fabunmi, at the National Regulatory Sandbox Governance and Implementation Planning Workshop in Abuja, Inuwa said inter-agency cooperation would be critical to the successful implementation of the initiative, which is designed to provide innovators with a structured environment to safely test emerging…

The Digital Assets Coalition (DAC) has called on the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) to suspend the implementation of its newly introduced taxation framework for virtual assets, warning that key provisions of the guideline could undermine one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing technology sectors and drive businesses and users out of the country. The Digital Assets Coalition (DAC) is the industry alliance representing digital-asset participants and operators in Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the Coalition’s Spokesperson, Mr. Obinna Iwuno, said the industry is not opposed to taxation but insists that the current framework must be redesigned to focus…

The second edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit has attracted strong backing from leading public and private sector organisations, underscoring growing confidence in Nigeria’s creative economy as a driver of national development. Among the institutions supporting the summit are the Lagos State Government, FirstBank, Zenith Bank, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Fidelity Bank, Polaris Bank, the Africa Soft Power Group and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). The announcement was made on Wednesday by Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, publishers of the online newspaper QEDNG. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos,…

Access Holdings Plc has significantly expanded its green financing initiatives, growing its sustainable asset portfolio to ₦92.14 billion as of December 31, 2025, while reducing its operational greenhouse gas emissions by 28.47 per cent from its 2022 baseline and extending financial services to approximately 2.53 million low-income individuals. The achievements are contained in the Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report, released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, which highlights measurable progress in integrating sustainability into its business strategy and operations. The report underscores Access Holdings’ transition from pursuing scale to creating long-term value by embedding environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across capital…

Zenith Bank Plc has disclosed that it is investigating an incident involving unauthorised access to limited customer information, including email addresses and phone numbers, following what it described as part of a wider global cyber-attack affecting multiple international organisations across different sectors. In a public notice issued to customers, the bank said it immediately activated its incident response protocols and implemented cybersecurity measures and remediation efforts upon detecting the breach. According to the bank, the incident has not affected its banking services or digital platforms, which it said remain secure and fully operational. “Upon discovery, we promptly activated our incident…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has declared that Nigeria is deliberately positioning itself as a creator of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions rather than remaining a passive consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, as it intensifies efforts to build a globally competitive AI ecosystem. Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this in Abuja during the official launch of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC)-INNOPOWER Free MSMEs AI Master Trainer Programme, held at the United Nations House. Represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, the DG said Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy is designed to strengthen…

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to deepen data-driven governance and strengthen public confidence in the management of personal information by directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with Nigeria’s data protection laws, with chief executives and accounting officers now personally accountable for implementation. The directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74, dated July 27, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. The circular draws the attention of all Federal MDAs to the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscoring the strategic importance of data in national…