E-Business
ConnectNigeria Panelists Urge SMEs to Leverage Mobile Money, eCommerce
It is an obvious situation that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are confronted with several challenges which hamper their growth and the nation’s economic development.
Chiefly among the challenges that need to be addressed immediately include finding solutions to the high cost of doing business occasioned by poor infrastructure (power, roads, water), multiple taxation, high cost of legal documentation of credit facilities at both the states Lands Registries and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); inadequate capacity building on the part of the SMEs in the areas of entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition, resulting in the perception of the sector as high risk and poor attitude to loan repayment by borrowers in the sector.
With these in mind, Connectnigeria.com recently organized an e-Business Fair for SME owner to engage face-t-face with players in the financial, e-commerce, and telecommunication sector, and to seek palliatives to the challenges.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Fair, Mr. Obaro Osah, head, Lagos Region, SMEs Group at Bank of Industry (BoI) said that the Bank has ben playing critical role by providing grounds for small businesses financing.
He said that the Bank has made the process of accessing funds very easy by reducing the processes to three easy activities to apply for funding now, giving every Nigerian access to funding for business.
According to him, most startups are faced with the challenge of penning down marketable business proposal.
In lieu of that, BOI entered into partnership with 232 Business Development Support Partners (BDSPs) to help the entrepreneurs in drafting presentable proposals to banks for grants or loans.
He also urged participants and other startups to embrace cashless as a means of reducing risks associated with carrying cash around, and means of packaging their activities to partake in the formal sector of the economy.
Also speaking, Mr. Mike Ogbalu, managing director, FirstMonie, the FirstBank mobile money services platform, said that they have been driving innovative mobile payment systems and commitment to continuously deliver innovative products and solutions, part of which includes enhancing the robustness of its mobile banking and mobile payments platforms.
Ogbalu while encouraging participants at the Forum to join other 2.4 million FirstMonie subscribers who enjoy services dispatched through more than 13,000 agents it has established, he said the ultimate aim is to create more value for their customers.
Firstmonie is designed to enhance financial inclusion and cater for millions of Nigeria’s unbanked and the underbanked citizens, while aligning with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s policy to promote a cashless economy in Nigeria.
Ogbalu said that the Firstmonie solution was provided to entrench e-banking through the use of the mobile phone and to mitigate the challenges of banking services delivery to the vast unbanked market.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that, in recognition of Firstmonie continued effort to drive financial inclusion, lead innovation in mobile payment systems and support the CBN cash-less policy, the platform was awarded the Best Mobile Money Operator in Nigeria by the EFInA Financial Inclusion Awards.
From Union Bank of Nigeria’s perspective, Mr. Ayodeji Mebude, head of Channels, said that the bank sees support for SMEs growth as critical in the life of a nation.
He said, this inspired the Union Bank and as part of its transformation programmes to launch a number of initiatives targeted at the group.
Apparently, Union Bank launched an enterprise hybrid account that gives growing businesses the flexibility of a current account with the benefits of a savings account.
It is suitable for businesses such as co-operative societies, trade associations, professional bodies, social clubs and Non-governmental organizations.
Some of the features of the UnionEnterprise Hybrid Account include: access to Union Bank’s array of value adding, e-banking products and services; a minimum daily opening and closing balance of N5, 000 only; lodgement of cheques/dividend warrants; as well as provisions for third party over-the-counter transactions across the Union Bank branch network.
Additionally, UnionEnterprise Hybrid Account holders will enjoy accrued interest on their account balance at the prevailing savings account rate, with zero commission on turn over.
Representing Skye Bank, Ayodele Olojede, head, Small Business Group, said that as parts of its contribution towards the development of the real sector of the economy, Skye Bank Plc had introduced a number of products and incentives designed to help Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) grow their businesses through access to finance and effective management of their financial resources.
Olojede said that the bank’s decision to support SMEs is based on the realisation that these small businesses are the major drivers of any economy worldwide.
She also hinted that the Bank will be making a major announcement in that regard soon.
And Femi George, data platform lead, Microsoft Nigeria, added that entrepreneurs ought to foster a culture of business innovation to survive in the present tech-world.
He said, Microsoft recognizes that, “In the digital age, technology has become the great equalizer, giving voice to your customers, partners, and employees and enabling your business to listen and become more responsive to customer needs and opportunities – using the connectedness of the cloud to respond with new business models, expanded channels and improved processes”.
He defined ‘The Microsoft Cloud’ as unique, as the companies that use it.
From a city that streamlines how its people travel through it, to a global outdoor apparel company that connects its teams around the world. See how this cloud has transformed some of the world’s greatest brands, George said urging the participants to leverage the opportunities in the Cloud.
Mr. Emeka Okafor, managing director, Connectnigeria.com, Organisers of the Forum, spoke to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek on the sideline of their decision to host the Forum with over 1000 SMEs in attendance.
He said, “Developing entrepreneurs is a continuous process in the life of a nation. What we hope people got out of the Forum is knowledge that will help them propel their businesses from, maybe, N1,000 to N10,000 daily or from a ten-man business to 100-man business. We looked for the professionals and those that have passed through some rough edges to share their experiences and inspire the young ones; telling them the steps to follow and others to avoid.
“Great countries do not depend on government to grow businesses; individuals do. Bill Gates of this world, and others did things that changed the world. Government may be doing enough in terms of policies, but which country has ever said that government is doing enough? They are individuals who go beyond current trends and break even.
“So, we put the Forum together because of love for the Country. We love this country; it is the only one we have and we want it to grow. We believe that now we are in the digital age, IT moves the world, we have very creative people; surprisingly, God has blessed this nation that close to 80% of the population are youths, therefore, if we are able to make them see potentials in what they do, the nation’s economy will blossom. Imagine where one million young people hired two million people each, we will wipe out unemployment”.
He described various eCommerce platforms introduced in the market as “fantastic; there is nowhere else we can go except up! Gone are the days were like ‘Nigerians are fraudulent, so we cannot do business with them’. They have seen the potentials of eCommerce with the ever growing population, smartphone users, internet growth and other developmental strides.
The fair also featured panel discussions that involved Supermart, Uber, Jovago, among others; exhibitions and networking.
Okitipi Samuel, a Nigerian man, has been taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force for his alleged role in a global cyberattack on Microsoft 365 users.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Force public relations officer, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of investigations carried out by the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force.
Hundeyin said the centre, under the leadership of Ifeanyi Uche, its director and Commissioner of Police, commenced investigations in collaboration with Microsoft, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
According to him, investigations revealed that a phishing toolkit known as “Raccoon 0365” was used to create fake Microsoft login portals to harvest user credentials and unlawfully access email accounts belonging to corporate organisations, financial institutions, and educational institutions in several countries.
“This investigation commenced following credible intelligence received from Microsoft USA through the FBI, indicating that a malicious phishing toolkit known as Raccoon0365 was being used to create fake Microsoft login portals, harvest user credentials, and unlawfully access the email accounts of corporate organisations, financial institutions, and educational establishments,” Hundeyin said.
He added that between January and September 2025, several reports of unauthorised access to Microsoft 365 accounts were traced to phishing emails designed to mimic legitimate Microsoft login pages, enabling business email compromise, internal phishing, data breaches, and other cyber-enabled fraud.
Hundeyin said digital forensic analysis and cryptocurrency tracing identified wallets connected to the illegal operation.
He noted that operatives were deployed to Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Joshua, James, and Okitipi Samuel between September 20 and October 4, 2025.
“Following extensive digital forensic and technical intelligence analysis, the centre conducted cryptocurrency tracing that identified suspicious wallets connected to cash-out schemes.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operational teams were deployed to Lagos and Edo states, resulting in the arrest of Joshua, James, and Okitipi Samuel. Searches at their residences led to the recovery of mobile devices, laptops, and other digital exhibits linked to the fraudulent scheme,” he said.
Hundeyin identified Okitipi Samuel, also known as “0365” and Moses Felix as the principal suspect and developer of the phishing infrastructure.
He added that investigations confirmed Samuel unlawfully used the email details of one of the arrested individuals without consent to register some of the accounts used in the operation.
The police spokesperson said further investigations revealed that the identities of Joshua and James were used without their consent.
“There was no evidence linking them to the creation or operation of the phishing scheme. They were victims of identity theft,” Hundeyin said.
He said a prima facie case had been established against Samuel for identity theft, unlawful access to computer systems, creation and distribution of malicious software, unauthorised interference with network data, and aiding and abetting fraud.
Hundeyin added that the suspect would be charged under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
He said the suspect would be prosecuted in Nigeria, noting that the country has the capacity to enforce its cybercrime laws, although extradition could be considered if formally requested through due process.
Hundeyin assured Nigerians that the police, under the leadership of Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of Police, would continue to protect the country’s digital ecosystem and urged citizens to practise good cyber hygiene by being cautious when clicking links and sharing personal information online.
Speaking separately, Ifeanyi Uche, director of the National Cybercrime Centre, urged Nigerians to exercise caution online.
Uche advised members of the public to avoid clicking on links from unknown or unexpected sources, noting that such links often contain malware or phishing tools designed to compromise devices and personal data.
He warned that indiscriminate clicking of links or responding to unsolicited emails could lead to unauthorised access to personal and corporate accounts, urging citizens to “wash their cyber hands” by verifying sources before taking action online.
Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy designed to localise WSIS+20 commitments. This roadmap accelerates national transformation by prioritising robust infrastructure, transparent internet governance, and advanced cybersecurity through deep stakeholder collaboration.
Unveiled in New York at the Nigerian high-level side event titled “Re-Imagining Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action,” the strategy cements Nigeria’s position as a primary architect of the world’s digital future.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE represented by Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei said Nigeria’s approach is deliberately aligned with the four core activity areas identified under the ongoing WSIS+20 review process.
According to him, the focus areas provide a practical framework for translating global digital commitments into measurable national outcomes, ensuring that international resolutions drive inclusive growth and sustainable digital development at the country level.
Inuwa identified digital infrastructure as the foundation of effective localisation, noting persistent challenges in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities. Beyond infrastructure gaps, he highlighted affordability constraints and digital literacy deficits, stressing that addressing these issues remains central to Nigeria’s digital inclusion drive.
He explained that government alone cannot shoulder the burden of nationwide digital infrastructure deployment, given Nigeria’s vast geographical spread, hence the adoption of collaborative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. He disclosed that Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank, is implementing a major fibre-optic project spanning about 90,000 kilometres nationwide to boost connectivity.
The NITDA DG also revealed that the current National Broadband Plan, which has guided broadband expansion in recent years, is nearing completion, with plans underway to renew and reposition it for the next five years. The renewed plan, he said, will strategically target increased broadband penetration as a catalyst for digital access and economic growth.
On internet governance, Inuwa referenced Nigeria’s active participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), noting that the country successfully hosted its annual national IGF. He said the forum operates on a multi-stakeholder model that brings together government, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to foster cooperation and informed policy dialogue.
Cybersecurity, he added, remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s localisation efforts. He cited the existing Cybersecurity Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through a reviewed version currently awaiting parliamentary approval. These measures, he said, are designed to mitigate risks associated with increased internet use and to protect users and critical digital infrastructure.
Inuwa further stressed Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in advancing digital cooperation across Africa through inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement. He underscored the importance of coordinated national data collection, noting that reliable, country-specific data is essential for tracking progress and presenting Africa’s digital development story on the global stage.
He concluded that sustained engagement and follow-up actions arising from the WSIS+20 review would strengthen digital cooperation among African countries and ensure that global digital commitments translate into tangible national and regional impact.
Stakeholders commended Nigeria’s efforts in the digital space, acknowledging the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Earlier, Ms. Jennifer Chung, Co-Convener of the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), praised Nigeria for convening a broad-based, multi-stakeholder delegation and for its commitment to the meaningful implementation of WSIS+20 outcomes.
Chung stressed the growing demand for localised WSIS follow-up mechanisms, noting that platforms such as the annual IGF, National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs), and youth-led forums are vital for tracking progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
She described the WSIS+20 review as a critical step toward effective monitoring, reliable data collection and evidence-based evaluation, particularly for developing countries in the Global South. According to her, these measures are essential to achieving WSIS targets and ensuring that no region is left behind.
Drawing parallels with the Asia-Pacific region, Chung noted that challenges around affordable and meaningful connectivity remain widespread across developing economies. She emphasised that expanding broadband penetration and reducing the cost of access are crucial to closing digital divides in Africa, Asia-Pacific and other parts of the Global South.
She also highlighted the need to enable active citizen participation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and future innovations such as quantum technologies, stressing that inclusive digital access is key to maximising the benefits of digital transformation.
Reflecting on the WSIS+20 review process, Chung praised the innovative and inclusive approach adopted through the informal multi-stakeholder sounding board, describing it as one of the first of its kind in global digital governance. She called for sustained collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to carry the WSIS vision from global commitments to local action.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced a $100 million financing partnership with CIG Motors, Lagride and the Lagos State Government to promote urban mobility and financial inclusion through a scheme tagged “Drive to Own.”
Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa(UBA) and, Chairman, LagRide, Chief Diana Chen, flagged by LagRide drivers, at the signing ceremony of $100 Million Expansion Facility, strengthening smart mobility, driver asset ownership of over 3,500 cars, financed by UBA in partnership with Lagos State Government and LagRide, held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday in Alausa, Lagos, will empower 3,500 drivers in the state by enabling them to own vehicles with an equity contribution of 10 per cent of the total cost, while the balance is payable over 48 months.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, described the scheme as transformational, noting that it would foster inclusive economic growth, support MSME development and create opportunities for the younger generation.
“This partnership with Lagride is transformational. It will drive inclusivity for economic growth and ensure progress for everyone,” he said.
Alawuba shared a personal story, recalling that his father worked as a driver and was able to fund his education through that income. He said the scheme would provide similar opportunities for many families.
UBA’s Head of SME Banking, Babatunde Ajayi, said the partnership reflected a rethinking of traditional banking models.
“Not every business has a shop. Some businesses have wheels. Every commercial driver is running a business, yet they have remained outside formal finance. We designed credit that fits their reality,” he said.
Chairman of Lagride, Diana Chen, said the company had built a data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform for drivers, stressing that transportation remained the backbone of Africa’s economic future.
“Lagride now stands as the most structured, data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform in Nigeria,” Chen said.
The partnership aligns the strengths of the three organisations, with UBA providing financial support, CIG Motors offering viable business opportunities, and Lagride delivering a technology-driven platform to ensure sustainable livelihoods for driver-partners.
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