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E-Financial

EMTECH, Global InfoSwift Partner to Provide Capacity Building on Regulatory Sandbox, Others for Nigerian Financial Sector

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L-R: Afolabi Oke, Founder/CEO, Global InfoSwift Consulting Limited; Mrs. Adeola Azeez, Independent Non-Executive Director, Global InfoSwift Consulting; Carmelle Cadet, Founder/CEO, EMTECH, and Tunji Odumuboni, Executive Director- Africa, EMTECH, at the media briefing in Lagos.
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EMTECH, a Fintech for Central Banks and GIC announce its partnership to deliver capacity building in three core and interrelated areas: Central Bank Digital Currency, Regulatory Sandbox Framework, and API & Open Banking.

L-R: Afolabi Oke, Founder/CEO, Global InfoSwift Consulting Limited; Mrs. Adeola Azeez, Independent Non-Executive Director, Global InfoSwift Consulting; Carmelle Cadet, Founder/CEO, EMTECH, and Tunji Odumuboni, Executive Director- Africa, EMTECH, at the media briefing in Lagos.

This partnership will enable regulators, banks and fintechs to accelerate the transformative changes seen in the evolving financial services regulatory environment.

African central banks are moving forward with their innovation and digitization efforts, and with change, there is a need for collaboration and regulatory frameworks to enable successful outcomes that will impact over a billion people across the continent.

This program is set to launch in the next 90 days with engagements of key stakeholders across the ecosystem.

Carmelle Cadet, the Founder and CEO, EMTECH, in her overview of the ‘Capacity Building Programme’ said “EMTECH is pioneering a new approach as a Fintech for Central Banks, and as such, also other financial services regulators and financial services providers. We are positioned to serve as a bridge between the regulator and regulated within the financial services industry by providing modern technology platforms and tools to enable an inclusive and resilient financial market.

That’salways been our mission and we’re doing so with our Modern Central Bank Sandbox(™) Platform and a Modern CBDC Platform built with an Open Banking architecture. With that, we recognize the need to complement this by providing enhanced education and understanding of the impact of technological innovation on regulatory and policy approaches to the ecosystem players.

The Capacity Building Program will facilitate the convergence of knowledge on innovative solutions – enabling supervisory agencies’ regulatory frameworks to foster innovation, financial inclusion, financial system resilience as well as compliance of financial service providers’ (FSPs) emerging product and business models with relevant regulatory and consumer protection requirements.”

Tunji Odumuboni, Executive Director – Africa, EMTECH, elaborated, “The program will provide deep and broad-based insights on Central Bank Digital Currency, Regulatory Sandbox Framework, and API & Open Banking – these three domains were selected as they represent the core pillars enabling regulators and innovative financial services providers with the tools to enhance financial inclusion while fostering resilience of the entire financial market infrastructure.

The program will offer global perspectives tailored for the nuance of the Nigerian financial ecosystem as a whole and individual players on the selected knowledge domains.

We are delighted to join forces with GIC, because of their expertise and experience in facilitating technology– related capacity building programs for different players within the Financial Services regulatory environment, including regulators and financial service providers.

Afolabi Oke, Founder and CEO, Global InfoSwift Consulting Ltd, added, “Our objective is to provide this ‘Capacity Building Program’ to the entire financial services ecosystem in Nigeria. This means attracting all financial services regulatory agencies and all financial services providers, from commercial banks to FinTechs.

We are excited to team up with EMTECH, who have hands-on experience with their API-led Modern Regulatory Sandbox™ Platform, in enabling Central Banks and other financial services regulators in getting actionable regulatory insights into the broad ecosystem of private-sector innovators while accelerating the readiness of FinTechs for regulatory reviews and go-to-market approvals.”

Mrs Adeola Azeez Independent Non-Executive Director Global Infoswift added: “New technologies help us level up our lives. Rapid advances in financial innovations (FinTech) provide new opportunities for financial services and allow new products, services and players to enter markets. FinTech is able to strengthen financial development, inclusion, and efficiency both domestically and globally. With this, it forces the modern financial community to face new challenges in regulation, in particular associated with data privacy, consumer protection and operational risks.

There is therefore a need to consistently build capacity as technology evolves, the partnership with EMTECH is very timely to enable us bridge the knowledge gap within the financial ecosystem


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E-Financial

CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all financial institutions to implement real-time transaction alert systems as part of enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.

CBN Introduces AML to Fight Financial Terrorism, Gives Banks Deadline

The directive was conveyed in a letter dated May 20, 2025, with reference number BSD/DIR/CON/AML/018/033, and titled “Exposure of Draft Baseline Standards for Automated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Solutions – Request for Comments.”

The letter, signed by Olubukola Akinwunmi, director of banking supervision, was addressed to all financial institutions and outlines the regulatory expectations for modern AML compliance.

The apex bank emphasised that the initiative is part of its broader commitment to safeguarding the integrity and stability of Nigeria’s financial system, especially in the face of rapid digital transformation and the rise of innovative financial products.

The draft standards, which are now open to feedback from stakeholders, are designed to promote operational efficiency and ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism, and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) regulations.

“This standard is informed by a comprehensive assessment of existing solutions within the industry and aligns with global best practices, including recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF),” the document stated.

According to the CBN, the draft baseline standards are developed with key objectives in mind.

These include strengthening the AML capabilities of financial institutions through advanced, technology-driven solutions; encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies for real-time detection and reporting of suspicious transactions; reducing the inefficiencies associated with manual compliance processes; and ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory expectations both locally and internationally.

The draft document is available for download on the official website of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and all stakeholders have been encouraged to review and provide feedback.

“We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback,” the letter noted, highlighting the collaborative approach to shaping the final version of the standards.

Among the critical requirements outlined in the draft are real-time alerts for transactions considered high risk.

These include cross-border transactions, excessive cash deposits, cryptocurrency-related dealings, and other activities flagged under existing AML regulations.

The document specifies that the time taken to review and act on such alerts must not exceed a predetermined timeline, reinforcing the need for swift response and decision-making.

The CBN mandates that financial institutions implement transaction monitoring systems capable of supporting multiple risk scenarios.

These systems should use configurable filtration rules and customer segmentation techniques to effectively detect suspicious behavior. Institutions are also required to conduct regular stress testing and system validation exercises to minimise false positives.

“Each institution must define a predetermined threshold for false positives and ensure that the rate remains below this threshold,” the document stated, underlining the importance of maintaining a balance between alert sensitivity and accuracy.

The draft also mandates that AML solutions incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) capabilities.

These technologies should support anomaly detection, behavioral pattern recognition, automated risk scoring, and adaptive learning based on insights from previously flagged alerts and their resolutions.

The aim is to ensure that the systems not only detect suspicious activity but also evolve over time to become more efficient and accurate.

Real-time access to Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Know Your Customer’s Business (KYB) data is another essential feature prescribed in the draft standards.

Financial institutions are expected to automate customer onboarding processes with real-time identification and verification in line with existing AML/CFT/CPF regulations.

This includes integration with Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) databases to ensure instant verification.

Moreover, the draft outlines the need for comprehensive KYC and KYB functionalities.

These must include automated customer risk profiling, transaction behaviour analysis, historical data tracking, and the inclusion of various risk factors derived from money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risk assessments and typologies.

The solutions must also enable continuous classification of customers into risk categories to facilitate more targeted and effective risk management.

The Central Bank’s move to expose the draft for industry-wide input reflects its intention to build a robust, technologically advanced AML compliance culture across Nigerian financial institutions.

It signals a significant step towards enhancing transparency, operational efficiency, and international alignment in Nigeria’s financial regulatory environment.

 


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E-Financial

Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank

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Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu
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Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party for 2023 elections, has publicly dismissed recent allegations linking him to a secret meeting with President Bola Tinubu over a fabricated debt scandal involving Fidelity Bank, describing the claims as “baseless, malicious, and entirely false.”

Peter Obi Denies Secret Meeting with Tinubu over Fidelity Bank

Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu

In a statement posted on his official X handle on Thursday, Obi expressed deep concern over what he called a growing business of blackmail targeting his public image.

“It’s obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective,” he wrote, adding that even his “solemn spiritual trip to Rome” had been twisted into a “blackmail campaign.”

Obi addressed a viral claim suggesting he travelled to Rome for a private meeting with President Tinubu in connection with a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank.

He categorically denied the allegation, clarifying the nature of his brief interaction with the President.

“I have never sought an audience with, nor met, President Tinubu since he assumed office,” Obi stated.

“Except (for a) one-minute meeting at the arena of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome during the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, where I was seated behind, and had to respectfully greet him and other dignitaries present.”

According to Obi, he was in Rome on May 9 for the lying-in state of Pope Francis and departed for London immediately after the Mass before returning to Nigeria.

The former Anambra State governor also refuted renewed claims that he owns Fidelity Bank.

He acknowledged his previous role as Chairman and Director of the bank, but emphasised that he does not own it.

“Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, none of whom hold a majority stake,” Obi explained.

“What this blackmailer seeks is to harm these hardworking Nigerians and cause them needless distress.”

He described the individual behind the allegations as a “self-proclaimed blackmailer-in-chief” and criticised the ongoing efforts to tarnish his reputation for political or financial gain.

Obi offered a prayer for those responsible for spreading falsehoods against him: “May God grant you the virtues of gratitude and understanding to know that we came here with nothing and will go with nothing, (and) that they cannot profit from their evil ways.”

 


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PremiumTrust Bank Reassures Customers of Continued Security after Cyberattack Foil

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PremiumTrust Bank, a Nigerian commercial bank, has reassured its customers of the maximum security of their funds after an attempted cyberattack on the bank was foiled by a law enforcement agency.

The bank said in a statement that the swift detection of the breach proves that its system functions precisely as intended, detecting, blocking, and escalating threats without compromising customer trust or data.

“In light of the recent release issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning an attempted cyberattack by some unscrupulous elements, PremiumTrust Bank wishes to reassure our valued customers, stakeholders, and the general banking public that our security architecture remains resilient,” the bank said.

“The attempt to gain unauthorised access to our database and infrastructure was swiftly detected and completely neutralised by our Internal Information Security and IT Surveillance Teams through real-time monitoring and advanced security protocols,” it added.

The bank revealed that the culprits are now facing trial at the Federal High Court, Lagos, as they were prevented from executing their “malicious plan”, underscoring the effectiveness, vigilance, and sophistication of PremiumTrust Bank’s cybersecurity framework.

The EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on Tuesday, arraigned two employees of the bank, namely, Kehinde Odeyemi and Matthew Adeniyi Damilola, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

They were arraigned alongside three others, Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal.

According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly attempted to manipulate the bank’s server and domain credentials in an effort to gain unauthorised access to its database and steal customer funds. The commission said the planned fraudulent activity was intercepted before any loss occurred.

PremiumTrust Bank has, however, lauded the EFCC for its swift and highly professional response in not only foiling the cyberattack but also diligently tracking down the syndicate and their collaborators.

“We deeply value the Commission’s unwavering commitment towards safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.

“We remain unwavering in our duty to protect customers’ data and deposits, using a world-class, multilayered security infrastructure,” the bank said.

The lender encouraged customers to practice safe digital banking habits and remain vigilant even as it continues to invest in innovative cybersecurity solutions to prevent breaches.

 


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