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CyberCrime : Lawmakers Shelf Bill, Seek Harmonization
The bill to address risks associated with the use of e-payment channels is back to the drawing board after lawmakers withdrew the all important document for harmonization leaving the industry still without legal teeth, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can now report. Senator Bukola Saraki, PDP, Kwara Central and chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology informed through his twitter handle that the Bill was withdrawn for harmonization. He said that “Bill to provide for prohibition & punishment for Electronic Fraud and E-Transfer of Funds Crime in Nigeria was withdrawn for harmonization.” The Senate had in a motion by Senator Adegbenga S. Kaka, Ogun East ruled that “the Electronic Fraud and Electronic Transfer of Funds Bill 2012 (SB. 69): a Bill for an Act to provide for prohibition and punishment for Electronic Fraud and Electronic Transfer of Frauds Crime in Nigeria and for other Related Matters Bill 2012 be read the second Time.” However, when subjected to a debate, the Bill was ended as “By leave of the Senate Bill withdraw (Rule 89). Nigeria has been trying without success for the best part of the decade to enact enabling technology and computer crime legislation to tackle the growing risks, threats and vulnerabilities of the information age. But Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, chairman House Committee on ICT, said, in Lagos on Friday that the bill must be passed during the life of the current legislature. Gusau is worried that the current security measures in place cannot mitigate risks associated with the modern day economy particularly now that the Nigeria is transiting to the cashless mode. “Currently, there is no laws protecting electronic payment and that is why my committee has initiated a cyber security to protect e-payment. We want to avoid replacing physical thieves with electronic thieves” he said. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek however gathered that despite the enthusiasm expressed by the lawmakers, early passage of the bill is still far away because of the various roadblocks to the bill. For instance, so many government agencies including the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) and so on all have one related bill or the other all seeking powers to protect the electronic transaction channels. Segun Agbabiaka, a lawyer said that the absence of legislation on electronic payment and cybercrime is a pointer to the fact that Nigeria is not serious about eradicating her image problem. Agbabiaka, welcome the decision by the National Assembly to harmonize the bill adding that electronic transaction governance legislation will take care of refraining cybercriminals, look for hackers, retrain them to be more useful in other techie areas and where possible punish cyber criminals. He is however happy that the CBN had led the way by institutionalizing fraud guard and prevention system with the establishment of an Automated Teller Machine Fraud Prevention Committee. This committee is coming on the heels of alarm raised by some information security experts who claimed that the entire infrastructure behind the cash-less policy being promoted by the CBN may be 60 per cent vulnerable to fraud. Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the CBN moved quickly to put together a Fraud Prevention Committee to address risks associated with the use of alternative e-payment channels. The members of the committee, which include banks, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Interswitch and ValuCard, will meet monthly to make e-payment more secure for bank customers. The setting up of the committee had become imperative to address card frauds, especially the ones associated with the use of ATMs and Point of Sale terminals. It noted that ATM fraud was prevalent when magnetic strip cards were in use. “All Nigerian banks have migrated their cards to chip and PIN technology, which is more secured and has drastically reduced the fraud level in the industry”. In terms of security of platforms, it said that ATM fraud was prevalent when Nigeria was using magnetic stripe cards. But last year, Nigeria migrated, all their cards to chip and PIN, which is more secured, and drastically reduced the fraud level. With chip and PIN, the chances of fraud are reduced provided a customer keeps his PIN secret,” the Committee said.
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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