General News
NITDA Unveils National Framework to Measure Nigeria’s Digital Economy Growth
In a decisive push toward data-driven policymaking, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has gathered key stakeholders to validate a comprehensive new framework designed to systematically measure, analyze, and maximize the impact of digital technologies on Nigeria’s rapidly evolving economy.
A Group photograph, of Representative of the Director General of NITDA , Researchers and committee.
The initiative officially kicked off at the Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop on the Indicators and Measurement Framework for the National Research Study on the Impact of Digital Technologies on Nigeria’s Economy: Key Growth Indicators, Gaps and Future Outlook.
Hosted at the e-Government Training Centre of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Abuja, the workshop assembled a diverse coalition of government institutions, regulatory bodies, academia, private sector leaders, development partners, and the research community.
Together, their mission is to finalize the architectural blueprint that will guide a nationwide assessment of Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Delivering the welcome address, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE represented by the Director Special Duties Unit Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, said building a globally competitive digital economy requires more than deploying technology, stressing that reliable evidence, trusted data and strong institutional collaboration are essential for sustainable digital transformation.
He observed that Nigeria has recorded remarkable progress in digital payments, broadband expansion, digital public services, innovation ecosystems and digital entrepreneurship.
However, he noted that without a harmonised national measurement system, it remains difficult to accurately assess the impact of these investments, identify existing gaps and prioritise future interventions.
Inuwa explained that the National Research Study is designed to establish a credible evidence base for understanding how digital technologies contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, financial inclusion, improved public service delivery and national competitiveness.
He added that the study would also establish a common national framework for measuring digital transformation across sectors and institutions.
He further noted that the initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), particularly its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s technology research ecosystem through data driven policymaking.
He called on stakeholders to actively contribute their expertise to ensure that the framework is technically sound, practically applicable, the best global accepted and aligned with global best practices.
Also speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Saidu Mohammed Kumo, Chairman of the Technical Steering Committee and Director of Research and Development at NITDA, added that while the nation’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, the capacity to systematically track its impact on productivity and social inclusion has lagged behind.
To bridge this gap, a multidisciplinary network of researchers hailing from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones collaborated with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to design a rigorous, statistically sound framework.
Dr. Kumo revealed that the framework evaluates three core analytical dimensions, which include digital infrastructure and access, digital capabilities and skills, and digital adoption and the enabling environment.
These dimensions are being configurationally applied across five strategic sectors: financial services, government services, e-commerce and digital trade, telecommunications, and e-health.
To turn these concepts into actionable data, the committee proposed 81 core indicators to evaluate how digital tools are changing Nigerian society and business.
The workshop served as a vital crucible for stakeholders to stress-test these metrics, ensure they fit sector-specific realities, and eliminate any outstanding data gaps before launching the nationwide data collection phase.
In her goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Statistician General of the Federation, Mrs. Saadatu Hayatuddeen Auwal of the National Bureau of Statistics described digital technology as the engine driving today’s economy, stressing that accurate measurement remains essential to understanding and improving its contribution to national development.
She reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to supporting the initiative through technical collaboration and the production of timely, reliable and policy driven statistics.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ezedozie Adaora Ifeyinwa, commended NITDA for recognising the health sector as one of the five pilot sectors in the study.
She highlighted the growing role of digital technologies including electronic health records, telemedicine and data driven disease surveillance in transforming healthcare delivery, while emphasising the need for consistent measurement of their impact on health outcomes and economic development.
She also stressed the importance of addressing challenges such as fragmented health data, varying levels of digital maturity across healthcare institutions and data sensitivity, while reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with NITDA and other stakeholders to strengthen data sharing and support a more integrated digital health ecosystem.
The workshop featured technical presentations on the draft Indicators and Measurement Framework across the five pilot sectors—E-Health and Digital Health, Financial Services, E-Commerce and Digital Trade, Telecommunications, and Government Services.
Participants critically reviewed the proposed indicators, examined sector specific methodologies and offered recommendations to strengthen the framework ahead of the nationwide data collection phase.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to supporting the development of an institutionalised national e-governance and digital economy measurement system that will provide credible evidence for policymaking, strengthen strategic planning, attract investment and position Nigeria as a globally competitive digital economy.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
General News
First Trustees Advocates Estate Planning as an Essential Tool in Every Wealth Creation Strategy
First Trustees Limited, a subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc., and a leading provider of fiduciary and trusteeship services in Nigeria, is encouraging individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to view Estate Planning not as an end-of-life exercise, but as a strategic investment tool for protecting, preserving, and transferring wealth across generations.
As more Nigerians focus on wealth creation through businesses, real estate investments, and other income-generating assets, experts are emphasizing that building wealth is only one part of the equation.
Equally important is creating structures that ensure those assets remain protected, properly managed, and seamlessly transferred to succeeding generations in accordance with the asset owner’s wishes. Importantly, Estate Planning is not solely for the wealthy, it is a prudent step for anyone with assets, dependants, or a business to protect, regardless of age, profession, or net worth.
Speaking on the importance of Estate Planning, Ereifemi Akeredolu, Managing Director/CEO, First Trustees Limited, noted that Estate Planning should be considered a core pillar of every long-term financial strategy.
“Many people focus on creating wealth but give litle thought to preserving it. Estate Planning is a wealth protection strategy that helps individuals safeguard their assets, secure their family’s future, and ensure that the value they build today continues to benefit future generations.”
Using tools such as Trusts, Wills, and advanced succession plans, individuals can build structures that support wealth preservation, business continuity, asset protection, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
For entrepreneurs and business owners, Estate Planning serves as a powerful tool for ensuring business sustainability, helping organizations remain stable and operational regardless of unforeseen circumstances.
First Trustees continues to emphasize and educate on the importance of Estate Planning as a comprehensive strategy for proactive planning. It remains one of the most important financial decisions an individual can make: it provides clarity, minimizes uncertainty, and protects assets from unnecessary erosion and disputes. It also creates financial security for loved ones, supports business succession and continuity, and facilitates long-term investment and legacy planning.
General News
Nearpays, Nigerian Fintech Becomes First African Startup to Win UN’s AI for Good Innovation Factory
Nearpays, Nigerian fintech, has won the AI for Good Innovation Factory grand finale — the first African startup ever to take the global title in the competition, which runs as part of the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit.
The competition drew more than 500 startups worldwide, each pitching AI solutions aimed at social and economic challenges.
The summit itself is organised by the UN through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with several UN agencies, convening governments, researchers, startups, and technology companies around AI’s role in development.
Nearpays’ route to the title ran through Johannesburg, where it won the African regional competition, before advancing to the global finals in Geneva.
There, the company progressed through the semi-finals and claimed the grand finale — a first for the continent.
The company describes the win as bigger than a corporate milestone, calling it a victory for African innovation and proof that technology built to solve local problems can compete, and win, on the world stage.
Nearpays was founded to close a stubborn gap in African payments: small and medium-sized businesses that can’t afford or access traditional point-of-sale terminals.
Cost, availability, and deployment hurdles have kept many merchants — particularly in rural and underserved communities — locked out of digital payments.
Its answer is SoftPOS: an AI-powered platform that turns compatible Android smartphones into payment acceptance devices, letting merchants take contactless card payments with nothing more than their phones. AI is embedded across the platform, supporting payment processing, compliance, fraud detection, and business operations.
Crucially, the platform was built for African infrastructure realities — it works both online and offline, so merchants can keep accepting payments even without internet connectivity.
The company credited its team’s years of product development and customer engagement for the result, and thanked the UN, the ITU, and the AI for Good initiative for building a platform where innovators can apply AI to real-world problems.
It also said it hopes the win encourages more African founders to build technology that answers local needs while competing internationally.
For Nearpays, the title closes one chapter and opens another, as the company pushes on with expanding digital financial infrastructure across Afric
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