Telecom
Transparency Shall be our Bedrock in Telecom Regulation – Maida
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has pledged that transparency will form the bedrock of his leadership as Nigeria’s chief telecom regulator as this will enable a solid foundation in building a resilient, accountable and efficient institution.
Maida spoke during a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in Abuja recently while briefing the minister on his activities, vision, and strategy since the assumption office in October 2023.
“Transparency is key. It is by transparency that we can self-regulate even as regulators. And by so doing, we would be putting ourselves on our toes, which in the long run will drive the Commission forward to achieve our goals of operational excellence,” Maida stated.
He commended the minister for leading by example in transparency in his leadership style.
“Honourable Minister, sir, one of the principles you have shown as a leader is transparency in all your activities and I must say that it is an attribute that has the potential to bring about a transformed industry that is accountable to both the people and the industry players,” he said.
The NCC boss conveyed his appreciation, through the Minister, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of the responsibility to lead a critical sector of the economy.
The EVC told the Minister that the visit is a crucial one which gave him the opportunity to share with the minister, his vision and priorities for the Commission. Maida also said that these priorities were in tandem with delivering on the 5-Pillars of the Strategic Plan unveiled by the Minister.
“I have been on this seat for about six weeks, and it has afforded me the privilege of a bird’s eye view to understand things better, and identify areas that we urgently need to work on. We are currently carrying out an in-depth study and critical review of issues within the industry. One of the areas we are placing priority on is Quality of Experience,” Maida told the Minister.
“At my meeting with industry leaders, we were unambiguous that quality of experience (QoE) will not be negotiable. The Commission will take compliance in this regard seriously, and a standard of what is least acceptable will be set,” the NCC CEO stated.
Maida told the Minister that another priority area for him is broadband connectivity, which he considers as the biggest enabler of the digital economy and financial inclusion. He noted that these align with the 5-pillar agenda of the Ministry.
The NCC CEO also reflected on the need to maximise the potentials of innovations in some technological evolutions such as the 5G revolution in order to create more opportunities within the industry and further boost connectivity.
He informed the Minister that a review of internal processes at the Commission is ongoing to engender efficiency and responsiveness of the Commission, including the digitization of most of our operations.
“Under my leadership, the Commission will give priorities to the improvement of our regulatory activities. With this, we hope to see more investors come into the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, with the attendant creation of vertical businesses and increased Foreign Direct Investments, revenue generation, and employment”, Maida stated.
The EVC also said that “In all these, the goal is for the Commission to achieve optimal operational excellence which underpins the success of all other priority areas that we have set in order to achieve a significant all-round growth of the telecommunications industry”.
Maida equally recalled his visit to the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos, where he met an institution with vast potentials that would be an asset in driving a knowledge-based economy, in line with the “Knowledge Pillar” of the Strategic Plan unveiled by the minister.
“Consequently, we will be prioritizing the revamp, retooling, and redirection of the Institute towards extracting its optimum value in line with our objectives,” the EVC said.
Dr. Tijani, who warmly welcomed the NCC boss, acknowledged the importance and relevance of the telecom regulator in achieving the nation’s digital aspiration.
“The NCC is a stellar agency, and you have my respect for the work that you do. There is no future for the country without the NCC. Already, the quality you have is good; what we need to do now is to tap into this quality to bring about greater value for the country,” Tijani said.
“I want to assure you that you have the best partner in me. We will work together to achieve the goals and vision we have set,” the Minister assured the NCC CEO.
Kashifu Inuwa, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that the transformative potential of emerging technologies is vital in revolutionising trade and investment across Africa.
Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE represented by Director of the Digital Economy Development, Engr. Salisu Kaka, presenting a cash prize of N10million to Get AI under the Regulatory Sandbox category, during the closing ceremony of the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025 during the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos.
He said this while delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held as part of the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos State, highlighting how digital innovation can drive efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth.
The DG who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Development Department, stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the largest free trade zones globally, uniting over 1.4 billion people with a collective GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
He described the recent adoption of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol as a pivotal milestone that will break down trade barriers, streamline regulations, and open new markets for businesses of all sizes.
“Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and strong entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital transformation”, he said.
While pointing out the rise of e-commerce and mobile payments as game changers, Inuwa said “From Abuja, I can order products online, conduct due diligence, make payments, and receive deliveries—technology has made trade seamless.”
“This Hackathon arrives at a crucial time following the African Union’s 2024 endorsement of the Digital Trade Protocol. It aims to harmonise digital regulations and eliminate trade barriers across all 54 African nations,” he added.
Inuwa stressed that while global technological advances have reshaped commerce, many African trade systems are still burdened by outdated procedures, excessive paperwork, and logistical bottlenecks. But a shift is underway, powered by innovations such as blockchain, AI, IoT, and digital platforms, which are now central to trade operations.
He cited the success of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in leveraging technology through the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), which automated key processes like declarations, cargo tracking, and risk assessment—leading to a 238% revenue increase between 2017 and 2023.
The Unified Customs Management System, introduced in December 2024 as a successor to NICIS II, has already generated over ₦31 billion, showcasing Nigeria’s progress in digital trade facilitation.
The Hackathon is structured around five priority areas: Youth and MSME Inclusion, E-Commerce Adoption, E-Commerce Policy and Trust, Digital Payments, and the E-Commerce Regulatory Sandbox.
These are sectors where digital tools can significantly enhance trade dynamics.
“I’m confident that the Hackathon will spark innovative, scalable solutions to boost intra-African e-commerce, streamline cross-border transactions, and empower MSMEs with digital capabilities to compete globally,” Inuwa stated.
He described the event as a springboard for innovations that will simplify payments, promote inclusion, and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in actualising the AfCFTA digital economy framework.
In his welcome address, Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office—represented by Olusegun Olutayo, Senior International Trade Policy and Law Expert, emphasised that transformation is a continuous journey.
He highlighted the continent’s focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth as essential to establishing Africa as a hub for digital trade.
Awolowo reaffirmed the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasising that it presents Africa as a unified market of over one billion people—a vast opportunity for intra-African trade, investment, and economic growth.
He stressed that realising this vision requires active participation and shared ownership.
According to him, the Hackathon is a tangible mechanism for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol—prioritising inclusion, innovation, and equitable access.
It is expected to generate actionable solutions that bridge policy and practice, accelerating Africa’s digital economy and empowering the next generation of African innovators.
Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the launch of the NIMC NIN Authentication for a secure and seamless identity verification and authentication, even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, directed the use of NIN Authentication for verification and authentication across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
This is In line with the Commission’s mandate of regulating a reliable National Digital Identity for citizens and legal residents to affirm their identity
The launch of the “NIN Authentication (NINAuth),” a cutting-edge suite of services that include web, API and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services, is part of President Tinubu, Renewed Hope Agenda on strengthening the National Identity Management System.
The NIMC NINAuth application is the official service for integration with the Commission’s backend infrastructure.
It Introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.
By requiring explicit consent before data is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes or other verifications, the platform fosters trust, transparency, and user autonomy in digital identity management.
With NINAuth, individuals can securely verify their identity and access key government services, including:
• Sim registration and replacement
• Immigration applications and passport processing
• Tax filings and financial transactions
• Government Intervention Programs in various MDAs
• Driver’s license renewals and other regulatory processes, etc,.
Key Features and Benefits include:
• Enhanced Security—Protects personal data from unauthorized access.
• User Control—Empowers individuals with the freedom to manage their data-sharing preferences.
• Seamless Access—provides a secure single sign-on solution for convenient access to services.
This innovation reaffirms NIMC’s commitment to advancing secure and efficient digital identity management, ensuring a more accessible, transparent, and secure identity verification system in Nigeria.
The NINAuth application provides a secure, scalable, and interoperable interface for identity verification through API integration.
It is designed to facilitate real-time authentication of NIN records, thereby promoting effective service delivery, database harmonization, and compliance with the National Identity Policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The NINAuth service has been designated as the exclusive platform for all NIN-based verification and authentication integration processes for optimal services.
Nigerians are required to download the NINAuth App on Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store to use the NIN Authentication Service.
The implementation guide and process flow of the NIMC NIN Authentication are available at https://ninauth.nimc.gov.ng.
Moniepoint, Nigeria’s leading fintech and business banking provider, has unveiled a detailed case study showcasing its pivotal role in powering trade and financial inclusion in Onitsha, West Africa’s largest market.
The report provides an in-depth look at how Moniepoint’s digital payment solutions and innovative business support tools are transforming the commercial landscape for thousands of traders and businesses in the region.
The case study, titled “How Moniepoint is Driving Trade in West Africa’s Largest Market,” draws on extensive field research and firsthand accounts from market participants.
“It highlights the unique challenges of operating in Onitsha’s dynamic environment and demonstrates how Moniepoint’s technology is enabling seamless transactions, improving access to financial services, and fostering trust among merchants.
Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO and Co-founder of Moniepoint Inc, commented: “Our mission has always been to empower businesses with the tools they need to thrive.
“This case study is a testament to the impact of digital innovation in Africa’s most vibrant markets.
“By providing reliable, accessible, and secure financial services, we are not just facilitating transactions-we are helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.”
Key findings from the report reveal that Moniepoint’s integrated platform has significantly reduced payment bottlenecks, enhanced business efficiency, and contributed to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the market.
The study also explores the enduring apprenticeship system in Onitsha and how digital tools are supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Excerpts from the Report’s Findings:
Onitsha Market as a Living Business School:
Beyond trade, Onitsha functions as a structured business incubator through the Igbo apprenticeship system. Generations of entrepreneurs are created, transferring wealth, trade secrets, and business skills without formal academic structures.
Payments Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Safety and Speed:
Transitioning from cash to digital payments (led significantly by Moniepoint) dramatically reduced risks of theft, enabled faster transactions, and eliminated costly bank runs — unlocking smoother business flows in one of Africa’s busiest markets.
Massive Digital Payment Penetration at the Grassroots:
Today, 2 out of 3 in-person payments in Onitsha are via Moniepoint POS terminals. This shows that digital finance can deeply penetrate highly traditional, informal economies when solutions are hyperlocal, reliable, and frictionless.
Access to Instant Credit as a Growth Accelerator:
Merchants can now leverage digital transaction histories to secure fast loans, allowing them to stock up quickly when market prices fluctuate — a crucial competitive advantage in volatile, high-volume markets.
Hyperlocal Support and Trust as the Differentiator:
Moniepoint’s dedicated local account managers who understand cultural nuances (even language) have been critical to building trust — proving that digital financial services must be deeply embedded in community realities to succeed.
This latest case study adds to the growing pool of thought leadership materials curated by Moniepoint for the benefit of stakeholders – regulators, investors and the general public aimed at improving their understanding of the financial services ecosystem in Nigeria.
Past case studies have explored family-owned businesses, community pharmacies, women owned businesses and the Informal Economy Report.
Moniepoint’s ongoing commitment to financial inclusion and economic development has positioned it as a catalyst for growth across Nigeria and beyond.
The company processes over $17 billion in transactions monthly and continues to expand its reach, supporting millions of businesses with payments, banking, credit, and business management solutions.
Experts Urge Adoption of Digital Tools to Strengthen Nigeria’s Compliance Culture
Afreximbank to Fund African Energy Bank with $19bn
Firm Finds Leaked Netflix, Roblox and Discord Accounts Registered on Corporate emails
How Emerging Technologies Are Reshaping Trade – NITDA DG
Naira Gains Strength, Hits N1,600/$ in Parallel Market
E-Business2 days agoExpert Urges FG to Leverage Digital Assets to Drive Diversification Goal
General News2 days agoSeamlessHR, AOPN Push Payroll Innovation for Nigeria’s Outsourcing Growth
General News2 days agoFG Faults AfDB’s Adesina on Nigeria’s GDP Per Capita Figures
News2 days agoCabals Still Fighting our Refinery – Dangote
Telecom2 days agoTelcos Plan Zero Tariff in Some Regions with Low Opex
E-Financial2 days agoFirst Asset Management Surpasses ₦1 Trillion in Assets Under Management
Telecom2 days agoAVEVA Appoints Sébastien Ory as EMEA VP Partners & Channels
News1 day agoABoICT Lecture 2025 to Focus on Governance, Standardization in Artificial Intelligence Era