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Again, DBN Emerges Highest-Ranked Public Institution in the 2023 Transparency and Integrity Index

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Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has again emerged as the highest-ranked public institution in Nigeria in the 2023 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) recently released by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch.

The index which was put together by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) in collaboration with the Bureau for Public Sector Reform, with support from the MacArthur Foundation assessed 511 MDAs and public sector institutions on their level of transparency and accountability in government processes.

To retain its first position, DBN scored 73.26%, moving up from the 58.74% it scored in 2022, a testament to the bank’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and proactive partnerships.

Speaking at the public presentation of the transparency and integrity index, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Maurice Mbaeri pointed out that “proactive disclosure of information as enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act seeks to enable public institutions to adopt a proactive stance in disclosing information to the public”.

Akume noted that while access to information is a powerful tool that empowers citizens to request and access government-held information, these “tools are essential to reinforce good governance as it enhances openness and accountability”.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, CeFTIW, Amb. Angela Nworgu explained that the centre introduced the Transparency and Integrity Index as an annual assessment of public institutions’ compliance with national laws and international conventions that promote transparency, and accountability and minimize corruption.

“The Index was developed to strengthen already existing fiscal transparency legal frameworks, institutional capacity on the requirement of these frameworks and most importantly build a well-informed citizenry that holds the government accountable”, she added.

Reacting to this development, the Managing Director/CEO, of Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Tony Okpanachi expressed delight at the report, regarding the ranking as a reflection of the company’s corporate governance, ethics and processes.

Once more, the recent CeFTIW ranking highlights our commitment to upholding strong corporate governance practices and fostering transparent and excellent relationships with our various stakeholders, strategic partners, and clients. These principles remain central to our institutional core values

Dr. Okpanachi further highlighted, “This report underscores our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our mandate, which involves addressing the financing challenges encountered by Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

“We achieve this by offering financing, partial credit guarantees, and technical assistance to eligible financial intermediaries in a manner that aligns with market conventions and ensures complete financial sustainability.

He reassured that the organization would continue to actively promote the principles of accountability, transparency, sustainability, excellence, diversity, and innovation that are deeply embedded in its corporate philosophy.

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Oluwaseun Dania Named Among Top 50 Most Influential People of African Descent for Philanthropy & Social Impact

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Visionary entrepreneur, multi-sectoral leader, and tireless advocate for sustainable development, Oluwaseun Dania has been named one of the Top 50 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the Philanthropy & Social Impact category.

This prestigious global recognition, organised in support of the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent, celebrates individuals creating meaningful change through purpose-driven leadership.

Dania, the CEO of Crello, a cross-border B2B fintech platform, and Alpha-Geek Technologies, a digital innovation firm, is a serial entrepreneur whose impact spans finance, technology, agriculture, energy, and philanthropy. His inclusion in the 2025 MIPAD honours list is a resounding acknowledgement of his lifelong dedication to empowering communities, advancing sustainability, and leveraging innovation for good.

From Tech to Soil: A Holistic Vision for Impact

Dania’s work in agriculture, through his venture Westnova Farms, focuses on transforming local farming ecosystems using innovative agricultural practices that support food security, economic growth, and environmental conservation. His dedication to green innovation and regenerative agriculture reflects his belief in building future-proof solutions from the ground up.

In the oil and gas/energy sector, Dania is widely respected for his expertise in Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and sustainable energy policy. He is a sought-after voice on issues surrounding energy transition, corporate responsibility, and green compliance frameworks, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa.

Tech-Driven Philanthropy That Transforms Lives

As founder of the Oluwaseun Dania International Foundation, he leads bold initiatives that impact lives across Nigeria; most notably, teaching children in remote communities to create NFTs through digital art, producing an award-winning film confronting the drug crisis, and building an eco-friendly school from recycled pet bottles to deliver free education.

“This honour from MIPAD goes beyond personal achievement; it reflects the power of a collective mission to uplift, inspire, and transform,” Dania stated. “Whether through fintech, agriculture, or sustainability, I believe that every innovation must answer a social need.”

Global Recognition, African Roots

Previously recognised by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation and profiled in Marquis Who’s Who, Dania has become a leading force in Africa’s digital and social renaissance.

He holds over 30 certifications across cybersecurity, engineering, compliance, and enterprise architecture, and is a member of respected global institutions including the Forbes Business Council.

The 2025 MIPAD honorees will be celebrated during United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week in New York City in September 2025, spotlighting global changemakers of African descent who are redefining leadership through equity, innovation, and action.


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GBB Reaffirms Commitment to Driving Public Sector Innovation @ the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Awards

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Mohammed Sani Ibrahim, ED, Finance & Corporate Services, Galaxy Backbone
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Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, joined other key government institutions at the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Award Ceremony, organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

The event, which held in Abuja, celebrated groundbreaking ideas from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that are reimagining public service delivery through innovation.

The ceremony, which attracted notable dignitaries including the Chief Host herself, The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON mni. Others include, former Heads of Service, Dame Amal Pepple and Mr. Danladi Kifasi, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Service, Hon. Sani Bala, showcased the vibrancy and ingenuity of Nigeria’s Civil Servants.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, Executive Director, Finance & Corporate Services, underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, digital literacy, and innovative thinking as pillars for national development.

He emphasized that GBB remains deeply committed to supporting initiatives like the Innovation Competition, which foster a culture of creativity, problem-solving, and transformation across the public sector.

“Innovation is no longer a luxury — it is essential to building a responsive, efficient, and digitally enabled government. At Galaxy Backbone, we are proud to align with this vision through our Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), which drives digital infrastructure, innovation, data security, and capacity building across MDAs,” he stated.

The 2025 edition of the competition saw an outstanding 155 entries, with 132 individuals pitching innovative ideas and 66 thematic teams presenting implementable solutions designed to enhance service delivery and governance.

Themed around streamlining bureaucratic processes, succession planning, employee welfare, and change management, this year’s event reaffirmed the role of innovation in shaping a future-ready public service.

Galaxy Backbone recognizes the critical role of digital transformation in empowering civil servants to create lasting impact. By supporting platforms such as the Public Service Innovation Competition, GBB reinforces its commitment to equipping the public sector with the tools, skills, and digital infrastructure necessary for Nigeria’s progress.

As part of this commitment, GBB will also be providing mentorship for all the winners of the innovation challenge, helping them refine their ideas, scale implementation, and drive sustainable transformation across the public service.

As the country advances on its journey toward e-governance and efficient service delivery, GBB continues to stand as a strategic partner in building a connected, innovative, and digitally skilled public service.


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Onafriq and Circle Partner to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Africa with USDC

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Onafriq, Africa’s largest payments gateway, and Circle, stablecoin market leader and issuer of USDC, today announced their strategic partnership aimed at transforming cross-border payments and digital financial services.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards compliantly leveraging stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure to boost Onafriq’s payment network, positioning it at the forefront of the digital payment’s revolution for real-world financial applications.

Currently, over 80 percent of intra-African payments are routed through correspondent banks outside the continent and settled in foreign currencies such as the US dollar or Euro. This results in a staggering US$5 billion in transaction fees annually and undermines economic integration efforts.

Onafriq and Circle are working together to change this paradigm by piloting the use of USDC-powered settlement solutions into Onafriq’s network, which connects over 500 wallets and 200 million bank accounts in more than 40 African markets.

Onafriq’s founder and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, said: “Our partnership with Circle is an important milestone, reinforcing Onafriq’s commitment to harnessing technology to remove complexity from cross-border payments. By integrating USDC, we aim to simplify financial transactions for institutions and individuals, reduce costs, and strengthen trust.

This collaboration underscores our vision to democratise access to payments and drive financial inclusion across the globe. We’re not just envisioning the future of payments – we’re actively building it.”

Miriam Kiwan, Vice President, Middle East & Africa at Circle, said: “The emerging markets that Onafriq serves hold tremendous potential for digital asset innovation, particularly in the adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments.

“Our partnership with Onafriq aligns perfectly with Circle’s mission to promote financial inclusion and improve efficiency in areas where traditional banking has often been costly and inaccessible.

“Together, we aim to transform how money moves across borders, offering secure and transparent digital payment rails that enhance economic empowerment and connectivity.”

This collaboration is a major step toward a more inclusive and self-reliant pan-African financial system. It signals a new phase in the modernisation of African payment rails – one where blockchain technology is applied responsibly, in lockstep with regulators and financial institutions, to build a faster, more efficient, and economically empowering future for the continent.


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