Telecom
Stakeholders Canvass for Concerted Effort in ICT Local Content Development
Stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector have urged the federal government to do everything in its powers to support local content in ICT.
They stated this at the Nigeria Information and Communications Technology Reporters’ Association’s (NITRA), quarterly forum with the theme, “Local content development in Nigeria’s ICT sector: stimulant for national economic recovery” held on Thursday in Lagos.
Chris Uwaje, Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub, in his keynote address called on federal government to create national strategy on software development as well create a park where people can work and come out with productive output.
He noted that Nigerian technology space is underfunded and unprotected and thereby urged the government to ensure that 10% of its national budget is earmarked for the development of ICT sector in the country.
He explained that local content development is a topical issue in the country, stressing that local content is when a product is developed in Nigeria by Nigerians or anywhere else in the world but the product does not require foreign remittance.
Uwaje, commended Systemspec for developing Treasury Single Account for the federal government, noting that they deserve national merit award for harmonizing government accounts into one.
He called on attendees to imbibe local content in creating their passwords with local languages as these will reduce the chances of cybercrime attack to 50%.
“I call on you all to change your passwords to Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and any other Nigerian languages through this you will reduce the chances of cyber crime attacks to 50%.
“In china, Russia and other countries they do not use English to create their passwords, they use their local languages and this thereby reduced the chances of them being attacked by hackers because they may not understand local language used in creating the password”
He also called on government to build knowledge labs in our schools to ensure bottom up growth for our children in ICT development.
Speaking earlier, Emma Okonji, Chairman, Nigeria Information and Communications Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), said that the main thrust of NITRA as an umbrella body of all practicing ICT journalists in Nigeria is to drive ICT development and ensure accurate and robust ICT reportage.
He noted that this quarterly seminar is in line with the association’s noble vision of driving ICT development and creating a platform where issues of national interest would be discussed.
He stated that the incursion of Financial Technology (FinTech) players into the country’s financial sector has led to digital disruption in the banking sector.
He decried the lack of support and patronage from government agencies and organisations towards these startups who have developed home grown technology solutions with the best of quality that are commercially viable in addressing specific and organisational challenges in the country, to foreign software and hardware solutions.
He said, “Since the incursion of Financial Technology (FinTech) players into the country’s financial sector that has led to digital disruption in the banking sector, we have witnessed the growth of several FinTechs and technology startups.
“The FinTechs and startups have developed home grown technology solutions with the best of quality and are commercially viable in addressing specific and organisational challenges, but they lack support and patronage from government agencies and organisations who still prefer foreign software and hardware solutions, to the detriment of locally developed products.
“NITRA strongly believe that if the right support is given to FinTechs and technology startups, it will not only boost local production that will enhance job creation, but will also help the federal government and the Nigerian economy to save huge revenue that would have left the country for the purchase foreign solutions and products.”
He called on the federal government to urgently formulate new policies that will ensure full implementation of polices that will protect local content in Nigeria.
He commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its Local Content Guidelines initiative that seeks to help restructure and develop a strong indigenous ICT industry, adding that they should give such guidelines the utmost attention it deserves, especially in the area of implementation.
Okonji, also commended SystemSpecs for developing Remita that is driving the country’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) and other electronic payment systems in the country.
“The Association is proud of SystemSpecs, one of the leading FinTechs in the country for developing Remita, the indigenous software solution that is driving the country’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) and other electronic payment systems in the country.
“We also commend the federal government for believing in the local solution called Remita that is currently doing the country proud in the area of electronic payment system.
“We encourage other FinTechs and technology startups to develop quality solutions that can address specific, organisational and our collective national challenges, he stated.
Telecom
Oluwaseun Dania Named Among Top 50 Most Influential People of African Descent for Philanthropy & Social Impact
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.
Telecom
GBB Reaffirms Commitment to Driving Public Sector Innovation @ the 5th Public Service Innovation Competition Awards
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.
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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