Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON), the country’s leading industry platform for digital finance stakeholders, has announced PalmPay and TeamApt as key sponsors of the third edition of its flagship event, PAFON 3.0. Scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, the high-level gathering will convene over 600 industry professionals and more than 20 expert speakers from banking, fintech, telecommunications, and regulatory institutions. With a central focus on emerging trends shaping digital finance, PAFON 3.0 will serve as a critical platform for collaboration on the future of digital payments, cybersecurity, and the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in financial…
Author: DigitalTimesNG
After kicking off in Lagos, Martell’s nationwide campaign, Martell On The Move, has officially arrived in Abuja. The road trip features The Swift Ascendant, a monumental 14-foot art installation that is traveling across the country to connect with people through local art and nightlife. The installation is a physical tribute to the Swift, Martell’s iconic sigil, and a symbol of freedom and constant motion. This bird represents a spirit that never stands still, much like the “Standout Swift”. A Standout Swift is anyone who embodies that same drive, rising above the ordinary to redefine their own path. The Swift Ascendant…
News Highlights: The 58 graduates emerged from over 10,000 applicants, representing the top 0.58%, underscoring Polaris Bank’s rigorous talent identification and development standards. CEO Kayode Lawal emphasised continuous learning, adaptability in an AI-driven era, and unwavering integrity as essential pillars for long-term success in banking. Polaris Bank has taken a decisive step in strengthening its future workforce, graduating 58 high-potential professionals from its flagship Polaris Graduate Intensive Training (PGIT) and Polaris Tech Ignite Programme (PTIP). Drawn from a highly competitive pool of over 10,000 applicants, the cohort represents the top 0.58 per cent, an indication of the bank’s stringent selection…
As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recapitalisation exercise officially closed on March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge, meeting regulatory thresholds ahead of schedule. Yet, among the pack, Fidelity Bank Plc distinguished itself with a proactive, well-sequenced capital strategy that has now positioned it comfortably above the new benchmark. In a remarkable demonstration of market confidence and execution efficiency, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. The exercise attracted leading institutional investors, including Afreximbank and its subsidiaries, underscoring strong belief in the bank’s strategic…
News Highlights: Quest Merchant Bank Limited has introduced a new brand identity following its recent name change, reinforcing its ambition to strengthen its position. The rebrand aligns with its long-term strategy to deepen client relationships and support sustainable value creation. Quest Merchant Bank Limited has unveiled its new brand identity, marking a significant step in the Bank’s ongoing evolution following its recent name change. The refreshed identity reflects the Bank’s strategic direction as it deepens its role as a trusted partner to institutions and investors, providing insight-driven financial solutions and a disciplined approach to supporting long-term value creation. With a…
News Highlights: Nigeria is moving beyond purely technical defences to a “Total Resilience” model, prioritising people, digital literacy, and institutional processes. Through initiatives like the National Digital Literacy Programme and the 3MTT scheme, the country is building a comprehensive cybersecurity framework. Nigeria is recalibrating its cybersecurity architecture in response to a rapidly evolving threat landscape driven by artificial intelligence, with a decisive shift away from technology-centric defences toward a broader, people-powered model of resilience. At the 2026 GITEX Africa summit, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, made a compelling case for what he described as…
News Highlights: Polaris Bank is leveraging Global Money Week 2026 to take financial literacy directly into schools, equipping young Nigerians with practical skills in saving, budgeting, digital finance, and entrepreneurship. In alignment with the Central Bank of Nigeria directive, the initiative reflects a sustained commitment to shaping responsible financial behaviour early, building a more informed and economically resilient generation. In an era where financial decisions are increasingly shaped by digital platforms, social influence, and instant access to money tools, Polaris Bank is shifting the conversation from traditional banking to early education—meeting young Nigerians where it matters most: in their classrooms.…
News Highlights: Goodnews Naija Podcast continues to reshape narratives by spotlighting innovation and resilience through its “Building in Nigeria” series, Entrepreneur and founder of Sales School, Golibe Ilechukwu, shared practical lessons on profitable sales systems, digital opportunities, and what distinguishes scalable businesses. Goodnews Naija Podcast is steadily positioning itself as a platform that reframes the Nigerian narrative—spotlighting innovation, resilience, and forward-looking enterprise. In a recent episode of its “Building in Nigeria” series, the podcast hosted renowned entrepreneur and business thought leader, Golibe Ilechukwu, for a compelling conversation that explored the realities of building in Africa, the evolution of digital business,…
News Highlights: Sterling Bank emphasised that financing women-led businesses must go beyond capital, integrating capacity building, networks, and institutional support to drive sustainable growth and resilience. With Nigerian women facing an estimated $42 billion financing gap, the OneWoman initiative is actively bridging this divide, disbursing ₦43.9 billion to 2,450 women in 2025 and targeting ₦500 billion for one million women by 2030. Sterling Bank has shifted the conversation on women’s economic empowerment from rhetoric to results, convening key stakeholders to advance practical solutions for financing women-led businesses in Nigeria. Through its women-focused initiative, OneWoman, the bank hosted entrepreneurs, development finance…
News Highlights: The STS Association and DLMS User Association have signed a landmark liaison agreement to integrate STS token technology with DLMS/COSEM, aiming to boost interoperability, security, and efficiency in smart prepayment metering systems globally. The collaboration will extend beyond electricity into multi-utility applications (water, gas, and time metering) and will be showcased at Power & Water Nigeria 2026, highlighting its role in shaping future-ready utility infrastructure. A new global push to standardise and future-proof smart prepayment metering systems is underway, following the signing of a liaison agreement between the STS Association and the DLMS User Association. The partnership, described…