Author: ITPulse

The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), an umbrella body of all Nigerian cyber security professionals, has highlighted all the factors that will contribute to the 2025 cyber security threats in the country. In a 21-page report titled ‘Nigeria Cyber Threat Forecast 2025,’ CSEAN highlights the urgent need for stakeholders across government, the private sector, and civil society to address the growing complexities of Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape. This comprehensive report details the persistent and emerging threats expected to shape the digital environment in 2025, emphasizing the pressing need for strategic actions to mitigate risks and foster resilience. The forecast…

The Nigerian government has launched a major initiative, driven by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), to secure the country’s exclusion from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List by May 2025. This initiative is a direct result of a Presidential directive instructing the NFIU to collaborate with NITDA to develop and implement an Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financial Terrorism/Counter Proliferation of Firearms (AML/CFT/CPF) Data Management Framework and Platform. Speaking at the inaugural technical session held at the NITDA Headquarters in Abuja, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, disclosed that the meeting marks…

By Martin Ekpeke In a move to steer the Nigerian fintech industry towards a prosperous 2025, PalmPay, the leading financial app with 16 million monthly active users, has unveiled seven key forecasts for the year. During a media roundtable in Lagos, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay, emphasized the crucial role these forecasts will play in guiding the industry and further accelerating financial inclusion, which has seen a remarkable 23% increase in the past 13 years. Key Predictions: 1.      Enhanced Financial Inclusion: Fintech companies are poised to leverage innovative technologies like digital wallets, seamless payment gateways, and USSD services to…

By Martin Ekpeke Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has indicated that any upcoming increase in telecommunications service tariffs will not exceed 60%. This follows recent demands by telecom operators for a substantial tariff hike, reaching as high as 100%. During a recent television appearance, Minister Tijani emphasized that a 100% increase would harm Nigerian citizens and hinder economic growth. He stated that the anticipated tariff increase will likely fall within 30% to 60%, based on recommendations from KPMG reports currently under review by his team. The Minister highlighted several measures to support the telecom…

Infobip, a global communications platform, has again been recognized as a top performer in the CPaaS market, securing a prominent position in Metrigy’s 2024 CPaaS MetriRank Report. This marks the second consecutive year Infobip has demonstrated industry leadership. The MetriRank report evaluates key players in the global CPaaS market across several dimensions, including market share, financial performance, product offerings, customer satisfaction, and business outcomes. Infobip distinguished itself with an exceptional product portfolio and garnered high customer praise. Beth Schultz, VP of Research at Metrigy, emphasized Infobip’s strong market presence, robust product portfolio, and effective go-to-market strategy, particularly highlighting their focus…

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is rapidly evolving. Key trends shaping AI deployments in 2025 include a focus on financial accountability, the rise of Agentic AI, and the growing importance of domain-specific and smaller language models. According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, organizations are moving towards a more mature approach to implementing Generative AI (GenAI). This includes developing realistic roadmaps, identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure project impact, and conducting thorough return on investment (ROI) analyses to evaluate success. “Many organizations have been experimenting with GenAI with varying degrees of success,” says Rena Bhattacharyya, Chief Analyst…

The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the digital capabilities of its workforce by launching a comprehensive digital literacy training program for federal civil servants. This initiative, a joint venture between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, aims to equip government employees with the essential skills to navigate the digital world effectively. “Digital transformation is fundamentally about people,” emphasized Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, at the launch of a three-day workshop in Abuja. “Technology alone cannot drive meaningful change without the active participation…

By Martin Ekpeke The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to nine banks, authorizing telecommunications companies to withdraw USSD services due to outstanding debts. In a public notice dated 15th Day of January 2025 and signed by Reuben Mouka, Director of Public Affairs, the NCC stated that it will allow Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to disconnect USSD Codes from January 27, 2025, if the affected financial institutions fail to settle outstanding invoices owed to the telcos. This action follows a directive issued in the Second Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the NCC…

By Martin Ekpeke The United States and Nigeria have signed a $2,095,000 grant to assess the feasibility of deploying at least 90,000 kilometers of new fiber optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria. This significant step, announced during the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Technology Dialogue, aims to bolster Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts. Led by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the Technology Dialogue brought together high-level officials from both nations, including Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani. The event followed several high-level engagements between the two countries, including the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission and a series of events focused on…

By Martin Ekpeke The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen consumer protection within the telecommunications industry. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both institutions to safeguarding the interests of Nigerian consumers. “Today marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between two crucial regulatory bodies, both dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Nigerians through fair competition and robust consumer protection frameworks,” stated Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, during the signing ceremony in Abuja. In the face of rapid technological advancements, collaboration…