General News
Inter-agency Squabbles May Hobble NIN Rollout

Peter Asolo, chief executive officer, PetVini Global Concepts Limited, has identified inter-agency squabbles as a major roadblock to the attainment of the December 2014 deadline for the registration of all eligible Nigerian in National Identity Database by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMCE).
Asolo who was reacting to the directive by the Presidency, argued that some agencies will be reluctant to share their data with NIMCE on the basis of security as well as cost.
He said that the government needs to do more than the presidential directive and ensure compliance by all her agencies handling one form of identification or the other.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek recalled that President Jonathan told all government agencies requiring identity verification and authentication services or involved in data capture activities should align their activities with a view to switching over to National Identity Management Commission infrastructure.
But Asolo, warned that the NIMC may be overwhelmed by the enormous challenges and incapacitated to reach the hinterlands within the stipulated period.
Asolo also queried some of the decisions and modalities been adopted in the system.
“It is a pity how we throw merit into the bush; that is the bed rock of corruption. President Jonathan said NIN should not exceed 2014, but is that not another waste? Whatever happens to proper biometric census in this country nobody can tell for now”.
“An order for the stoppage of all biometric data gathering aside from international passport is another issue. Tell me, why will you register just half of the population for over 14 months? What happens to the entire population? Where will you do the registration? How do you want to do it when an existing act stipulates it clearly the processes of registration?
“How do you get to the rural populations where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) found it difficult to reach?”
President Jonathan had during the launch of the National Identification Number in Abuja, expressed displeasure at the proliferation of data capturing activities by private and public institutions in the country.
He expressed the hope that by the time the projects are completed, they would assist the National Population Commission, NPC in carrying out the2016 census.
Nevertheless, at the Abuja launch of NIN, Mr Chris Onyemena, director-general, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed the hope that the identity card project would collapse other data capturing activities earlier embarked upon by some institutions in the country.
The National Identification Number (NIN) project, is aimed at enhancing the works of security agencies and reduce the cost of managing the naira cash component in the country. Besides, it will reduce the amount of currency in circulation and boost the fight against corruption.
Jonathan said: “If the work of law enforcement officers is to be enhanced; if consumer credit is to be accessible; if we are to reduce the cost of managing the Naira cash component currently estimated at N192bn per annum; if we are to reduce the amount of currency in circulation currently put atN1.93tn; if we are to achieve a multiple pronged approach to the fight against corruption; and finally, if we are to introduce social security or welfare payments, then we must, first and foremost, establish and verify appropriately, the identities of individuals.”
Nigeria’s national identity card antecedents are noting to write home about as a minister and his aides stood accused of corruptly enriching themselves in a monumental fraud to the tune of $214million.
The accused were arraigned at an Abuja High court on a 16-count-charge for their involvement in what is now known as the national identity card project scam.
General News
FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.
He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.
President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.
The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
General News
FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.
He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.
“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.
The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.
The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.
The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.
For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.
General News
Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
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