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General News

Courier Operators Want Separate Ministry from CommTech

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Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology
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Postal/courier sector in Nigeria has asked for own ministry citing multifaceted challenges facing the industry  as well as some savings of over N300 billion for the nation’s economy, which is not protected by their current umbrella, Ministry of Communication Technology.

The operators said that successive governments have failed to establish national postal commission (NPC) and want to be merged with Ministry of Transport, pending the creation of the commission.

The respondents who spoke to NigeriaCommunicationsWeek, said, although Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson led Ministry of Communication Technology could not be totally held responsible for their plights, however, but that the t Ministry is beclouded with  evolving issues in the telecommunications sector to cater for their wellbeing.

On this premise, Siyanbola Oladapo, president, Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (ANCO), said, “The Ministry where we are, honestly, they are paying so much attention to telecommunications. Recently,  we attended a conference in Bayelsa State, where majority of the issues discussed that could become legislative matters, centred on telecoms. In a document that contained over 100 items, only two were related to postal sector.

“And one of the items is concerned with motorcycles; the nationwide restriction. The second item looks at the national addressing system; we know that NIPOST can handle that. We need to leave the Ministry; we been in the Ministry of Communication technology is a disservice to us. We prefer the Ministry of transport to Communication technology. That is why there is no growth as expected in the sector. The whole focus has been on communications, ICT, and we are neglected.

Nodding in agreement, Mr. Toyin Adeojo, general manager at Cross Country Courier said that the merger of post and telecommunication in Nigeria is not beneficial to the operators.

He said, “The way courier industry is structured in Nigeria is not favourable to us, the practitioners. This is a nation where courier industry is classified under information and Communication and now communication Technology. Even in the days of postal and telecoms (P&T), they gave telecoms more attention because there is money there.

“As we are classified under the Ministry, from Federal to the Local Councils, they accord more respect to the telecoms, but this industry is worth over N300 billion annually and can generate 600,000 jobs. How do we improve under the arrangement? The Federal Government has neglected the industry.

“We need a Ministry that can cater for us; it is like having three wives. You can never love them equally, but there are some polygamous homes that are peaceful than the other.

Mr. Okey Ubah, managing director and chief executive officer, Ebony Express Limited, said, “I think, the Ministry of Communication Technology hands are full. Today, the hype is on e-commerce, but the practice remains that most issues on post and courier still go on physical items. That is when we talk about logistics; movement of goods, parcels, etc.

“We only use internet and other technology to facilitate the records of these movements of goods and services. so, technology is not the main issue in postal and courier, the physical items are security, timely delivery, etc, therefore, the post and courier found itself in a different bed, where it ought not lie”.

He added that, “The post ought to be in Ministry of Transport. Post and courier has to do with the movement of goods; for everything you do, in medicine, law, communications, education, agriculture, etc, you need the internet. So, even if we are in the Transport Ministry we will not miss out on the trend. Ministry of Communication Technology is an umbrella to other industries”.

 
 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

General News

NITDA Inaugurates Start-up Consultative Forum

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Nigeria has taken a bold step toward deepening its innovation ecosystem with the official launch of the Start-up Consultative Forum, an initiative designed to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Start-up Act (NSA) and strengthen the country’s tech startup ecosystem.

While addressing the forum, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, who was represented by Barrister Emmanuel Edet, the Ag. Director, Regulation and Compliance described the platform as more than just a stakeholder meeting.

“It is a commitment to building a stronger tech ecosystem through collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance, marking a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act,” he said.

He noted that the Nigeria Startup Act is more than legislation—it is a framework for national development. “Startups are not fringe players. They are central to Nigeria’s economic future,” he asserted.

Inuwa further mentioned that over the past eight months, NITDA has driven key activities under the Act. These include stakeholder workshops across 10 states, roadshows at tech events like Lagos Tech Week, the Omniverse Summit, Moonlight Conference and the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, and awareness campaigns through digital and direct engagement.

The forum, according to Inuwa, will serve as a feedback engine, spotlighting regulatory gaps, guiding policy improvements, and shaping a startup-friendly environment.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA continues to support startups through initiatives like the Startup Portal, tech infrastructure deployment, and digital skill training across the country.

The DG emphasised that for startups to thrive, policies must be inclusive and responsive. “Inclusion is not charity. It is a strategy,” he said, calling for equal representation across gender, region, and sector.

While inaugurating the members if the Conservative Forum on behalf of the Director-General, the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Oladejo Olawunmi, ignited the forum with a call to action, envisioning it as a vital nexus for collaborative breakthroughs.

He inspired the members, saying, “We remain deeply committed to nurturing a space where innovation can flourish, and I call upon each of us to embrace the task ahead by shaping ideas into concrete policy and outcomes that leave a lasting impact.”

Earlier, Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in her opening address called the Forum, a “structured dialogue between those building the future and those enabling it.”

She outlined five key pillars for success: access to funding, capacity building, supportive policy, inclusive innovation, and global competitiveness.

She urged startups to speak boldly, private sector players to offer more than capital, development partners to scale what works, and government to harmonize efforts. “This Forum must be a problem-solving platform, not another talk shop,” she concluded.

With the Startup Consultative Forum now launched, NITDA aims to turn policy into action, ensuring startups are no longer on the sidelines, but at the center of Nigeria’s innovation journey.

The virtual event was attended by private sector players, development agencies, verified Ecosystem Support Organisations (ESOs), angel investors, venture capital firms, and labelled startups from across the country.


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General News

NFIU Alerts Nigerians of Rising Ponzi Schemes, Unregulated Crowdfunding Scams

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The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) issued a detailed advisory on yesterday, warning Nigerians about the growing threat of Ponzi schemes and unregulated crowdfunding scams, particularly in digital assets, agriculture, and real estate.

These sophisticated scams, often disguised under appealing brand names, promise unrealistically high returns, exploiting vulnerable citizens facing economic hardship between 2022 and 2025.

Digital asset scams, like Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and Chinmark Group, leverage cryptocurrencies’ anonymity and limited regulation. CBEX, promising 100% returns in 30 days, collapsed with over ₦1.3 trillion in losses, using blockchain to obscure funds.

Chinmark, posing as a conglomerate, defrauded investors of over ₦10 billion via social media and religious endorsements. “We are committed to saving Nigerians from the troubles associated with Ponzi schemes,” the NFIU stated, pledging to pursue major actors.

Agricultural Ponzi schemes, such as Farmforte Ltd and Green Eagles Agribusiness, promise unsustainable farming returns, with one Lagos operator collapsing after processing ₦400 million with 16% monthly return pledges. Red flags include guaranteed high returns, unlicensed operations, and reliance on referrals.

The Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 imposes fines of ₦20 million and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for promoting Ponzi schemes, empowering the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate digital assets. The NFIU urged licensing for Virtual Asset Service Providers, advanced fraud detection, and stronger KYC/AML compliance by financial institutions.

It advised the public to verify platforms with the SEC, question return mechanisms, and report suspicious schemes promptly.


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EFCC Declares Foreigner Wanted for Alleged CBEX Cryptocurrency Scam

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared one foreign national, Elie Bitar wanted for his alleged involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud linked to the online trading platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange.

According to an official bulletin issued by the Commission, Bitar, 41, is wanted for a suspected fraudulent scheme carried out via CBEX, which has reportedly defrauded multiple unsuspecting investors across Nigeria.

“The public is hereby notified that ELIE BITAR, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX),” the EFCC stated.

The Commission disclosed that Bitar’s last known address is at Eng. George Enemoh Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos State.

The EFCC has urged anyone with useful information regarding Bitar’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja.

The public can also reach the commission via the phone number 08093322644 or email at info@efcc.gov.ng.

CBEX emerged in the wake of Nigeria’s growing appetite for cryptocurrency investments.

It promised users quick and high returns through crypto trading and investments but soon drew suspicion over its lack of regulatory compliance and transparency.

The EFCC’s investigation into CBEX has reportedly uncovered a trail of transactions linked to Bitar and individuals, some of whom have been arrested.

Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, signed the wanted notice, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to tracking down individuals exploiting Nigerians through financial fraud schemes.


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