Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working closely with law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Police Force to track and apprehend individuals involved in identity theft and cybercrime.

This is coming on the heels of rising insecurity and other criminalities which has cashed into the poorly regulated SIM card registration.

Identity theft has been a major challenge faced by Nigeria.

According to Nigeria Tribune, it is not uncommon for criminals to use SIM cards registered under different names to aid in their illegal activities.

For example, kidnappers often use unregistered SIM cards or ones registered under false names to demand ransom from their victims’ families.

Dr Rueben Mouka, director Public Affairs of the NCC, said the major step taken by the NCC to address identity theft is the initiation of the mandatory linking of the National Identity Number with individual’s sim cards., according to Nigeria Tribune.

Apart from this huge step, the NCC had also taken more steps to address this issue and secure individuals from criminal elements.

The NCC had initiated the mandatory registration of sim cards and even took more steps to ensure that all the sims are linked to the individual’s National Identity Number (NIN).

This move is very strategic because once you have a NIN, your data would have been in possession of the government. This will reduce identity theft.

The NCC mandated telecom operators to register all SIM cards with valid identification documents such as the National Identification Number (NIN).

This helps in linking phone numbers to individuals, reducing the chances of criminals using unregistered lines for fraudulent activities.

The NCC is also supporting the government’s drive to integrate SIM cards with the National Identity Number (NIN) database.

This ensures that every mobile phone user in Nigeria is properly identified, making it more difficult for fraudsters to impersonate others or engage in identity theft.

To ensure that Nigerians are carried along in this strategic move, the NCC is currently running an awareness campaign to educate the public on how to protect their personal data, avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers, and recognize common tactics used in identity theft schemes.

The NCC has also implemented policies that require telecom companies to protect subscriber data from unauthorized access.

These regulations aim to ensure that personal information is not leaked or misused by third parties.

The Commission is also promoting capacity building in cybersecurity through training and collaboration with local and international bodies. This helps improve the country’s ability to prevent and respond to identity theft incidents.

Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) has made a pioneering commitment to revolutionize its operations by fully integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all facets of the university.

This bold initiative was unveiled by AIT President, Professor Clement Dzidonu, during the institution’s 20th graduation ceremony.

Addressing the graduating class and esteemed guests, Professor Dzidonu highlighted the transformative impact of AI on the future of higher education.

Read Also: Accra Institute of Technology marks graduation milestone with inspiring ceremony

“As we stand at the threshold of an AI revolution, top universities worldwide are actively exploring ways to harness these technologies. AIT is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution,” he emphasized.

Recognizing AI integration as a necessity in modern education, AIT is poised to become a global trailblazer in the comprehensive application of AI across 12 critical stages of the student life cycle. These stages include:

– Curriculum development

– Program delivery

– Assessments

– Research

– Alumni engagement

By embracing AI, AIT aims to enhance the educational experience, improve operational efficiency, and prepare students for success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

This groundbreaking initiative cements AIT’s position as a leading technological university and sets a new standard for innovation in higher education.

“By seamlessly integrating AI and associated technologies into all aspects of what we do at this university, AIT is not only enhancing the educational experience for our students but also positioning itself as a global leader in the intelligent and innovative delivery of higher education,” Professor Dzidonu announced.

The AIT Board of Trustees, which include six former Vice Chancellors is currently spearheading the development of comprehensive policy provisions and guidelines to facilitate this transformative integration of AI and other emerging educational technologies.

This initiative aims to ensure that AIT graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy and society.

“We believe that this holistic approach will not only benefit our students but also position AIT as a global leader in the intelligent and innovative delivery of enriching higher education in the sub-region and beyond,” Professor Dzidonu concluded.

This bold move by Accra Institute of Technology underscores the university’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation and ensuring that its students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) [www.ait.edu.gh], ranked as the top private University in Ghana by the Ghana Tertiary Awards, is an independent technology-focused university dedicated to academic excellence and cutting-edge scientific and industrial research and R&D work.

For the fourth consecutive year, the University has been honored with the Best Technology University in Ghana Award, a recognition bestowed by the Ghana Tertiary Awards.

This achievement follows the Best in Technology-Focused University in Ghana Award from Global Business Insight of the United Kingdom.

AIT is accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to offer both campus-based and Open University undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

AIT is affiliated with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for campus-based undergraduate programs in engineering, computer science/IT, and business administration, and the Open University of Malaysia for Open University undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the Masters and Ph.D. levels.

Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centre, has said that closing Africa’s digital infrastructure gap is the key to increasing prosperity on the continent.

“Closing the digital infrastructure gap is key to Africa’s prosperity,” he said this in his keynote speech at the ‘Hyperscalers Convergence Africa’ event held in Lagos on Thursday.

The inaugural Hyperscalers conference was organised by Africa Hyperscalers Media and was aimed at uniting the continent’s digital infrastructure community.

Coker stated that Africa accounts for about 17 percent of the world’s population but contributes only around 4 percent of the global GDP. This disparity, which he termed the prosperity gap, is closely linked to Africa’s underdeveloped digital infrastructure.

For instance, nine submarine cables deliver internet capacity to Nigeria’s shores, but a 90,000-kilometer fiber infrastructure gap results in slow and unreliable internet access in the country. Gaps like this hurt the economic potential of the most populous African nation.

“Meaningful broadband connectivity, which is measured by speed, latency, and cost, is necessary for economic development,” he stated.

He urged governments and businesses to focus on expanding fibre networks and improving broadband services to support digital growth. He noted the role of supportive regulations, arguing that while some African countries have made progress in implementing regulations for the digital economy, more needs to be done.

“There needs to be collaboration between governments, regulatory bodies, and the private sector to create an environment that fosters investment in digital infrastructure,” Coker stated.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts in Nigeria and across the continent to improve visibility and support for digital projects but warned that progress would remain limited unless the underlying infrastructure gaps were addressed.

“Africa must light up its dark digital spine,” Coker stated, emphasising the need for revolutionary efforts to drive corporate adoption of digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity. “Without these steps, Africa’s economic growth would continue to be stifled by its underdeveloped digital landscape,” he added.

Also corroborating Coker, Deremi Atanda, the chief executive officer of Remita Payments, noted that connectivity can transform Africa’s innovation and economy.

During a panel session themed ‘Innovating Towards Africa’s Digital Future,’ he stressed that the continent’s prosperity lies in the strength of its digital infrastructure.

“The prosperity of Africa is dependent on the quality of our digital infrastructure. Connectivity has the power to redefine Africa’s innovation,” Atanda said.

He explained that the ability of Africans to take responsibility for their own challenges will only improve with better digital infrastructure. “We must respond to Africa’s needs when it comes to digital infrastructure. It will enable Africans to better understand their problems and improve their quality of life across the continent.”

Frank Eleanya, Senior Writer for Business, and Big Tech at TechCabal, acknowledged that while efforts have been made to improve digital infrastructure, there has been a lack of leadership to fully realize these goals.

“What’s needed is the leadership to make it all happen. We have the capacity, but leadership must wake up and translate all these plans into reality,” Eleanya said.

Wabo Majavu, Executive of Strategy and Business Operations at Africa Data Centre, pointed out that involving communities in Africa’s innovation journey requires monitoring and measuring impact. “When you look at the opportunities, there’s a need to talk about access,” Majavu noted.