As global financial fraud climbs to more than $485 billion in annual losses, Access Holdings PLC is redefining the standards of security in Africa’s banking sector through robust and strategic investments in technology designed to tackle this escalating threat. In Nigeria, where the financial sector is witnessing a sharp rise in digital fraud, especially via mobile and online channels, Access Holdings has distinguished itself as a trailblazer in fraud prevention through innovation. In 2024, Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank, made a record-breaking technology investment of ₦193.5 billion (approximately $120.5 million), marking a 147% increase over its 2023…
Author: DigitalTimesNG
News Highlights: Fifty unemployed Nigerian youths completed a four-week intensive digital bootcamp The initiative supports Nigeria’s national goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027 Fifty young unemployed Nigerians have successfully completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, where they received practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials. The programme, jointly organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, took place at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos. Representing the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, at the closing ceremony, Mrs. Chioma…
News Highlights: Microsoft is laying off about 6,000 employees—3% of its global workforce—as part of a broad restructuring. The layoffs follow a strong financial quarter, with Microsoft exceeding revenue expectations and projecting continued growth. Two years after its last significant round of layoffs, Microsoft Corp. has announced plans to cut approximately 6,000 jobs, amounting to about 3% of its global workforce. According to CNBC, the layoffs will span “all levels, teams and geographies,” reflecting a company-wide restructuring effort. CBS News further reported that the initiative is aimed at trimming management layers to improve efficiency. Roughly one-third of the impacted employees…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will convene a high-level review meeting on Thursday to address the mounting concerns surrounding the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The board announced that the move comes in response to what it described as “unusual” levels of public dissatisfaction and allegations of widespread technical glitches. According to The PUNCH, the emergency review session will bring together vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, school principals, technical experts, and seasoned examiners. The panel, which includes representatives from the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, the Computer Professionals…
News Highlights: NITDA Advocates Research-Driven Innovation for National Development Lancaster University, NITDA to Collaborate on RIPE Programme In a renewed effort to drive sustainable national development and youth empowerment through innovation, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government. Inuwa made the call during a working visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on exploring avenues for strategic partnership under the Research and Innovation Partnership…
News Highlights: JAMB Orders Immediate Review of 2025 UTME Candidates Threaten Legal Action Amid Mass Failure The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has initiated an immediate review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following a surge of public outcry over alleged technical glitches, incomplete questions, and unusually low scores. In a statement released by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB acknowledged receiving what it termed an “unusual volume of complaints” since the release of the UTME results last Friday. The statement noted that this prompted the Board to accelerate its annual post-examination audit, a process…
Long celebrated for its coal reserves, the city of Enugu is now charting a bold new course as a burgeoning centre for technology and innovation. This remarkable evolution was brought into sharp focus at the Enugu Tech Festival—an inspiring event organized by the Enugu State Government through the Ministry of Science and Technology, led by Honourable Commissioner Dr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh. Held under the compelling theme “From Coal to Code,” the festival symbolized a transformative shift from Enugu’s industrial legacy to a forward-looking, innovation-driven future. It was a celebration not just of technology, but of vision—signalling the state’s commitment to…
News Highlights: Nomination for CVA 2025 has been extended to May 30 to allow wider participation. This year’s theme highlights consumer demand for trust, digital innovation, and accountability. BrandXchange, organizers of the 2025 Consumers Value Awards (CVA), have announced an official extension of the nomination deadline to May 30, 2025, stating that this extension provides additional time for brands, organizations, and consumers to engage with one of Nigeria’s most trusted platforms for consumer-focused recognition. Now in its fourth edition, the CVA remains committed to promoting excellence, transparency, and value in the marketplace by honouring brands that consistently deliver outstanding consumer…
News Highlights: KongaPay becomes one of the few CBN-licensed Mobile Money Operators to achieve triple ISO certification. The certifications affirm KongaPay’s commitment to secure, reliable, and high-quality digital financial services. KongaPay Technologies Limited has achieved a major milestone on its journey toward excellence by securing three internationally acclaimed certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Digital TimesNG reports that this extraordinary accomplishment places KongaPay among the select few Mobile Money Operators licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to attain all three of these globally recognized standards. The fintech firm earned ISO 27001:2022 for Information Security Management, ISO…
News Highlights: Emerging technologies are critical to unlocking Africa’s trade and investment potential under AfCFTA. AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and innovations are set to drive inclusive, cross-border trade across the continent. The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has reaffirmed the transformative power of emerging technologies in reshaping trade and investment across Africa, reports Digital TimesNG. Delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held as part of the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos, Inuwa stressed that digital innovation holds the key to unlocking efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth across…