General News
We Need Llegal Framework for e-Payments- Onajite

Regha Onajite is the executive secretary of E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN). She started her career in Aula Marina, an Oil and Gas Servicing firm, and proceeded to Citibank where she spent over three years in the operations department. Specifically she managed the customer service point of the bank’s e-purse product. Onajite later joined Intermarc Consulting Limited where she served in various capacities as a Partner. She was the conference director of Card Expo West Africa, an annual conference for cards and payments in West Africa. She was the pioneering Editor-in-Chief of Card Technology Africa Magazine, and the brain behind Card East Africa an annual conference introduced in her time for the collective representation of the East Africa region. driven by a bigger vision, Onajite left Intermarc to established Nexsmart Technology Limited, a training and consulting firm. She spoke to funmi ilesanmi.
Scope and Operations of e-PPAN
E-PPAN is the e-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria. Our vision is to become the most authoritative and respected industry forum for promoting e-payment and self service businesses in Nigeria. E-PPAN is a not-for-profit organization, established with the objective of providing a platform for all the stakeholders of the e-payment industry to interact and reach common agreement on various industry issues. The Association seeks to promote the development of appropriate standards; development of appropriate policies and legislation; dissemination of credible information; and capacity building for industry players. The e-payments industry is critical to the development of the Nigerian economy in general and the financial service industry in particular. It is therefore in the interest of all stakeholders that the industry should have a central body that would provide guidance during this crucial period. It is against this premise that a number of key industry players have come together to start up the Association.
The Coming of Mobile Money
All countries with ATM or credit card schemes have the challenge of fraud and Nigeria is not an exception. With every new payment technology comes new security implications and threats. As more transactions are done on the payment platform, there will certainly be an increase in the number of fraud to be experienced. It becomes the responsibilities of operators and regulators to ensure that this is kept at a minimal level. I will like to assure you that the operators are aware of this and they are putting everything in place to ensure the safety of the consumers. The regulators of the financial industry , I mean the Central Bank of Nigeria have already issued guidelines for mobile payments ahead of the growth of mobile banking. If these guidelines are adhered to and if consumers try to understand the risk involved and take precautions then everyone will be fine.
Tackling e-Payment Fraud
Let me first define fraud as an amalgam of actions and inactions designed purposely to dispossess the rightful owner(s) of the gains and benefits of his wealth, money or position. The Association is working hard to ensure that e-payment fraud is limited to the barest minimum. The truth is as long as fraudsters exist they will continuously devise new ways to perpetuate their acts. We cannot totally eliminate them. But what we are doing is equipping our members to be alive to their responsibilities. We organize trainings, conferences, fora and so on where operators learn about latest and possible trends in fraud. They also learn about available methods and skills to combat fraud. And when these are put in place then the cases of fraud will reduce. In a few months, we have scheduled an interactive forum for our stakeholders to meet and interact on the issue of fraud. This will happen during one of flagship event, The E-PPAN Techno-Interactive Forum. It is the most significant payment industry event which holds quarterly in Nigeria with focus on addressing specific issues that affects the e-payment system landscape. The forum attracts decision makers and leaders from within and outside Nigeria. This series is dedicated to exploring the strategies for preventing fraud and tackling the menace of fraud. This will be holding in Lagos on the 28th of October, 2010. Typical of our programmes, we get the best in the industry within Nigeria and invite experts from outside Nigeria to share experiences.
Rejection of Nigerian Issued Credit Cards by Merchants outside Nigeria
In a short while this will soon be history. It has to do with our overall image, not just our payment system. The card companies are strengthening their standards and we are tending towards international best practices. This will help us a lot. The nation itself has embarked on re-branding campaign it will rub off on us too. Meanwhile, E-PPAN is building relationships with other nations and their payment associations. Payment is a global phenomenal, we can’t be an island. In a matter of time they will begin to see the good in us. You see, we have over 140million people and the world market needs us. We only need to assure them that the average Nigerian is not a fraudster. With relationship like we are building, the wrong image they have about us will gradually give way.
Can the National Central Switch (NCS) Adequately Tackle Interoperatability Challenges?
The National Central Switch will adequately tackle interoperability. The switch is only a technology. Once we have the buy in and goodwill of stakeholders, then we can make it work the way it suits Nigeria. As I always say, technology is the easy part.
Challenges Facing Deployment of PoS Terminals and Addressing It
The challenges facing PoS deployment are very numerous. We had to organize a Techno-Interactive Forum in April, where experts of local and international experience gathered together and x-rayed the issues. At the event we agreed that the issues will not be resolved talking. So, E-PPAN set up a committee to look into these challenges. The issues could be overwhelming but stakeholders are determined to break through these challenges and make PoS work. The Committee had about 16 members and we came up with a white paper which we have submitted to the Central Bank Management through the Deputy Governor Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo. You see, the CBN has a very great interest in seeing PoS being used as a channel for payment and they have declared their desire to work with us in our drive for PoS. So we have a very strong team pushing this dream.
We have recommended quite a number of solutions to the CBN and they have gracefully accepted to work with us. What we have realized is that in Nigeria, we tend to say the Government has not done this or that, but the truth is that we are the government. If you think there are things that need to be done. Then do it. Play your part. We need to chart the course. Another major challenge for PoS is the issue of Data Communication. E-PPAN has set up another 10 man committee on this and we are working with the CBN to bring all stakeholders to the table and find lasting solutions to the problem. This cannot be done without the NCC, so they will be involved. We are also working with some Telecommunications companies on this.
Igniting a Revolution in the Nigerian e-Payment Space
Firstly, we need to put frameworks in place. We need to know the processes. We need to know the rules. There should be legal framework which will give a backing to e-payments. The Central Bank is already pursuing a bill on the National Payment System which should take care of that. Next, the level of infrastructure needs to be improved upon. The Association is already taking steps to tackle the challenge of data communication. Then generally there should be a shift in culture towards e-payment, this will come about through massive campaign targeted at awareness creation. E-PPAN is working on the expertise development of man-power in this field. There is a huge gap in this regards.
Future of e-payment in Nigeria
The future for e-payment in Nigeria is huge. E-Payment is the future for payment here. It cannot be anything less.
How has E-PPAN, a non- profit organization being able to fund its programmes and conferences?
We depend on the generosity of our benefactors for funding. Sometimes we also get sponsors for some of our major programmes.
General News
Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.
From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.
Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.
Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.
In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.
Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.
“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.
“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
General News
Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has become the world’s first trillionaire after the successful public listing of SpaceX pushed his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

Elon Musk
According to multiple financial reports, Musk’s fortune surged to approximately $1.1 trillion following SpaceX’s historic stock market debut on June 12, making him the first individual in history to achieve the milestone.
The sharp increase in wealth was driven primarily by SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at more than $1.7 trillion at listing before rising above $2 trillion during its first day of trading. Musk’s holdings in SpaceX, combined with his stakes in Tesla and other ventures, significantly boosted his net worth.
Musk, 54, is also the founder or co-founder of companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. He acquired social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal and has remained one of the most influential figures in technology and business.
Financial analysts noted that Musk’s wealth now far exceeds that of any other billionaire.
Matt Durot, deputy editor at Forbes Wealth, said the gap between Musk and the world’s second-richest individual had widened significantly, with no other person currently close to the trillion-dollar threshold.
Despite the historic achievement, Musk’s vast wealth has reignited debates over global inequality and the responsibilities of ultra-wealthy individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.
Advocacy groups have frequently pointed to issues such as hunger, disease eradication and access to education as areas where large-scale private philanthropy could make a significant impact.
In 2021, Musk publicly challenged the United Nations to provide a detailed plan showing how billions of dollars could help combat world hunger. Although a proposal was later presented, no donation followed.
Analysts note that much of Musk’s wealth remains tied to company shares rather than liquid cash, meaning his net worth can fluctuate significantly with market movements.
Nevertheless, the SpaceX IPO marks a historic moment in global finance, placing Musk in a wealth category previously considered unimaginable.
Commenting on Musk’s business achievements, Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, described him as “the Edison of our time.”
Musk’s rise from co-founding internet startup Zip2 in the 1990s to becoming the world’s first trillionaire is regarded by many analysts as one of the most remarkable wealth creation stories in modern history.
General News
Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.
Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.
Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:
- Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
- Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
- Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
- Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
- Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.
Example of a grey website.
A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.
There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.
Regional specifics
Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.
In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.
These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.
The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.
Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.
These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.
In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.
Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.
“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.
Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.
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