E-Financial
ACAMB, NIBSS Unite to Drive Faster, Cheaper Digital Payments in Nigeria
Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has urged banks to deepen the adoption of digital payment channels, including QR code payments, following a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) PLC in Lagos.
L-R: Executive Director, Technology and Innovation, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Muyiwa Theophilus; Publicity Secretary, Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB), Abiodun Coker; Vice President 2, ACAMB, Moralake Phillip-Ladipo; President, ACAMB, Jide Sipe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NIBSS, Premier Oiwoh; Chief Financial Officer, NIBBS, Innocent Osagiede and Head, Corporate Communications, NIBSS, Adewunmi Oshilaja, during a courtesy visit, by ACAMB ExCo officials to NIBSS MD/CEO at its Corporate head office in Victoria Island, Lagos recently.
The visit, which brought the leadership of both bodies together, followed a deliberation around a shared concern with emphasis on the need for the industry to strengthen its payment rails and speak with a united and accurate voice when service disruptions occur.
Leading the ACAMB delegation, President, Jide Sipe said the association wants a forum where banks can have a single conversation about the sector, so that new and valuable developments are effectively disseminated to the public promptly and accurately.
“We want to make sure there is a space where banks engage, share ideas, and ask relevant questions about how to grow the industry as well as manage its challenges,” Sipe said.
The association’s President added that ACAMB has been meeting stakeholders across the sector, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), to understand where the association can support better collaboration and engagement.
Sipe pointed to recent system downtime as a test of how the industry communicates.
He said ACAMB wants the narrative around such incidents to rest on accurate information rather than on accounts from people outside the operations, and proposed a stakeholders’ conference that would connect heads of corporate communications directly with NIBSS.
Responding, NIBSS Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Premier Oiwoh, said, reliable digital payment infrastructures are foundational for economic inclusion. “That is why one of the key ingredients that shape our philosophy at NIBSS is our commitment to financial inclusion. Seamless and effective payment has always been at the core of what we do and one key path to achieving this is ensuring a payment system that works. This will in return optimise revenue security, better customer experiences, and faster time-to-market which in return facilitates economic growth.
Oiwoh said that since joining NIBSS in May 2019, the organisation has prioritised industry fairness and trust in digital payments by tracking transaction “velocity” to anticipate crashes and shifting load between environments to keep services running.
“As we all know, customers expect payments to be fast, accurate, and flexible”.
He further ascribed NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) as the foundation of that work, describing it as Nigeria’s first account-based instant transfer and, by the organisation’s account, the first of its kind anywhere in the world, when it launched about 15 years ago.
Oiwoh linked that foundation to the National Payment Stack (NPS) created by NIBSS, which he said is effectively cutting transaction time and lifting efficiency across the system.
By his account, the NPS “enables secure, real-time payments, cross-border transactions, and financial inclusion across Nigeria and Africa,” giving banks and customers faster, more reliable rails to move money within the country and beyond its borders.
According to him, NPS, today ranks top compared to other payment systems across the globe, including India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) due to the obvious evidence inherent in its performance, which is second to none at the moment and we are proud that this came out of Nigeria.
He also spoke on other key responsibilities of NIBSS, which include but not limited to fashioning out best innovative solutions to promote interoperability among banks, deepening trust and awareness with the digital payment platform and most importantly tactical support in helping to curb fraud, which has been immensely successful with numerous fraud mitigations leading to high profile arrests, since assuming office, particularly with the help of law enforcement agencies.
He also spoke on the need for banks to also adopt other innovative ways of payment like the NQR (Nigeria Quick Response) code which he noted is a secure, account-based payment solution designed by NIBSS to simplify and reduce the cost of mobile transactions.
It allows customers to securely transfer funds simply by scanning a merchant’s displayed QR code with their banking app. Some of the benefits, he mentioned, include, Instant Settlement; Instant Notifications; Zero Onboarding Cost; Lower Transaction Fees, NQR significantly lowers processing and transaction fees across various price bands.
According to Oiwoh, “there is absolutely no huge cost to acquire or set up the merchant infrastructure, businesses only need to print or display the code. Both the buyer and the seller get immediate transaction alerts, allowing for real-time payment verification.
“Most importantly, there are fewer disputes & chargebacks. The inherent benefits point to an efficient system that further engenders ease for all”, he said.
The conversation reinforced an industry shift toward faster, contactless payments, with ACAMB urging banks to expand their rollout of NIBSS NQR-powered QR payments for and on behalf of the financial service industry, which let customers pay by scanning a code rather than reaching for cash.
Oiwoh pointed out that United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc was among the early movers, onboarding all its POS merchants onto NQR so that customers without their cards can simply scan to pay.
Founded in 1996, ACAMB continues to position itself as the industry’s voice on reputation, advocacy, and professional standards.
It continues to hold sway as an association committed towards restoring the ethics and public confidence in the financial sector as well as shaping positive views as the sector emerges stronger within and outside Nigeria, subSahara and African markets.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that its Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, will retire from the Board of Directors on Aug. 21, 2026, upon completing the 12-year tenure limit for non-executive directors prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The bank disclosed this in a statement issued following a meeting of its Board of Directors held on July 6.
According to the statement, the board accepted Elumelu’s retirement and elected Mr Emmanuel N. Nnorom, a Non-Executive Director of the bank, as his successor with effect from Aug. 21, 2026.
The board expressed appreciation to Elumelu for what it described as his visionary leadership and immense contributions to the growth and institutional development of the UBA Group.
It noted that under his leadership, UBA expanded into a leading pan-African financial institution with operations in 20 African countries and four global financial centres, serving more than 50 million customers.
The board described Elumelu’s tenure as a defining period in the bank’s history.
Nnorom, who will assume office as chairman upon Elumelu’s retirement, is a chartered accountant with more than 40 years of experience in banking, finance and auditing.
The statement said he brings extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of the bank to his new role.
Speaking on his retirement, Elumelu described serving UBA as one of the greatest privileges of his professional career.
“Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career.
“UBA has established a unique competitive position across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.
“Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the bank will continue to thrive under his leadership,” he said.
Responding to his appointment, Nnorom expressed gratitude to the board for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,” he said.
UBA operates in 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates.
The bank provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services and serves more than 50 million customers globally, with a workforce of about 25,000 employees across its operations.
Zedvance Finance Limited has appointed Professor Pius ‘Deji’ Olanrewaju as Chairman of its Board of Directors, effective July 1, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Professor Pius ‘Deji’ Olanrewaju
The company disclosed this in a statement, describing the appointment as a significant step in strengthening its corporate governance structure and positioning the organisation for its next phase of growth.
According to Zedvance, the appointment reflects its commitment to building a robust governance framework capable of driving innovation, sustainable growth and long-term value creation for stakeholders.
The company said Olanrewaju brings extensive boardroom experience, leadership credentials and expertise in governance, strategy and organisational transformation to the role.
It noted that the strengthened board structure would enhance oversight and support the company’s strategic growth ambitions.
Speaking on his appointment, Olanrewaju expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am honoured to assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Zedvance Finance.
“The company has established a strong reputation as a trusted financial partner, leveraging innovation and technology to create meaningful impact.
“I look forward to working with the board and management to support the company’s strategic aspirations and deliver sustainable value for our stakeholders,” he said.
Olanrewaju is a legal scholar, banking expert and corporate leader with more than four decades of experience spanning banking, finance, academia and institutional governance.
He holds degrees in Law, Arts and Social Sciences, including a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Bachelor of Laws (B.L.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Laws (LL.M.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB), Fellow of the Institute of Capital Market Registrars (FIMA), Fellow of the Institute of Management and Administrative Technology (FCMR), and Fellow of the Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (FERP).
Olanrewaju is also a member of several professional bodies and served as the immediate past President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
During his more than 35 years of service to the institute, he held several strategic positions, including Chairman of its Capacity Building and Certification Committee.
He is currently a Professor of Banking Law at Babcock University, where he previously served as Provost and Dean of the School of Law and Security Studies.
He has authored and co-authored several academic publications and serves on the boards of a number of organisations, including Babcock University Microfinance Bank.
The company expressed confidence that his experience in strategic leadership, corporate governance and financial services oversight would support its long-term growth and institutional development.
Taiwo Oyedele, minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy, has said there are no secret expenditures or shadow budgets as insinuated.
Taiwo Oyedele, minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy
This followed comments by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that discrepancies amounting to about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exist between reported and actual budget deficits.
In a statement on Sunday, Oyedele said claims that the Federal Government spent over N8 trillion outside the approved budget misrepresented both the IMF’s position and Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
The minister stressed that the federal government does not operate a “shadow budget” or spend public funds outside constitutional and statutory provisions.
“The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two per cent of GDP amounting to over N8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report. These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government’s financial management,” he said.
According to him, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government does not operate a ‘shadow budget’ or expend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework established for public finance.”
Oyedele explained that under Sections 80 to 83 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), public funds can only be withdrawn and spent in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly.
He noted that government spending is undertaken through duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts and other statutory authorities approved by the National Assembly, while multi-year capital projects are implemented under existing laws that permit capital rollovers.
“It is inaccurate to suggest that trillions of naira have been secretly spent outside legislative approval. Such allegations should have identified the specific projects purportedly executed without appropriation or legal authority and present credible evidence in support of the claim,” the minister stated.
Oyedele further clarified that several categories of government expenditure, including statutory transfers, first-line charges, debt service obligations, interventions for national security and infrastructure, and allocations to agencies established by law, are authorised under various Acts of the National Assembly.
“These expenditures are neither secret nor illegal. They are established by law, disclosed in various fiscal reports, and subject to applicable oversight, audit and accountability mechanisms,” he said.
The minister added that differences between Nigeria’s budget presentation and international fiscal reporting standards should not be interpreted as evidence of unlawful spending.
He also rejected suggestions that the reported amount translated into a higher fiscal deficit. “It is equally incorrect to suggest that the reported amount represents an increase in budget deficit.
A fiscal deficit is determined by the relationship between total government revenues and total government expenditures.
“Whether a capital project is financed through annual appropriations, supplementary appropriations, statutory transfers, approved intervention mechanisms, or other lawful financing arrangements does not, by itself, increase the fiscal deficit,” he explained.
According to Oyedele, the IMF’s observations relate mainly to “the comprehensiveness, timing and presentation of fiscal reporting rather than the legality of expenditure.”
He noted that the Tinubu administration was already taking steps to harmonise Nigeria’s budgeting process, recalling that President Bola Tinubu had requested the National Assembly during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to end the practice of multiple and overlapping budgets in favour of a single, unified budget framework.
The minister maintained that the administration remained committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability, adding that reforms in revenue administration, treasury management, budget credibility and digitalisation of government financial processes had received recognition from the IMF, other multilateral institutions, international credit rating agencies and investors.
“Public debate is both welcome and essential in a democratic society. However, it should be based on facts and an accurate understanding of Nigeria’s constitutional and fiscal framework. Mischaracterising technical observations as evidence of unlawful expenditure neither advances informed public discourse nor strengthens democratic accountability,” Oyedele added.a
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency in the management of public resources and pledged continued collaboration with the National Assembly, oversight institutions, development partners and Nigerians to strengthen fiscal governance in line with international best practices.
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