General News

Courier Industry is Now Standardised-Emeje

Published

18 years ago

July 7, 2008

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Dr. Simon Emeje is senior assistant post master general of Nigeria Postal Service (Nipost) and head courier regulatory department (CRD). He is an apostle of professionalism for the postal sector. Emeje has fought illegal operators to a standstill. He spoke to emeka okafor on a wide range of issue.

Experience as Courier Regulatory Boss

Well, the experience has been very challenging. Challenging in the sense that we are coming from the background of an industry that has been battered so much; in the sense of mail pilfering and other vices. We are also coming from the background of quack courier companies in existence. Quack in the sense that they are not licensed and they go ahead to do the business without going through the necessary documentation. We are also coming from a background of an industry that is docile in nature. Docile in the sense that the market is so large and we just have about 20 percent of the market share being tapped by the operators.

We still have a lot to tap. Though it is challenging from this background but it has also been interesting because we have been at the basis of these challenges, to set a standard to an extent despite our limited resources. Standard in the sense of controlling the operators; having it that no operator comes into the industry without a license. Those who come without a license are those who are defaulting and what we do is to go after such people and make sure that they get a license. Those that are so bad, we stop them from being in business. So, on that basis, so far we have been able to set out standards of scrutiny to control those who have no license and are operating. We have also been able to set standards in respect of those operators who applied for license, to ensure that there is high and adequate compliance in terms of our regulations. We have also developed this as a department, to meet the needs of the operators such as training programmes, where we develop a training curriculum, to meet the training needs of the operators. That, we have been doing and all these we have tried to both to scrutinize, promote training and ensure that there is a high level of compliance on the part of those who have been licensed.

Illegal Operators and Renewed Offensive against Them

Illegal courier operators are still there, but they are in hiding. It is not like before where one could raid them in their offices and be rest assured that you will find them there. But now, they have devised other strategies whereby even if we are able to identify their addresses through our surveillance activities, when we raid those offices, they would not be found. We call them faceless operators or portfolio courier operators who carry their bags and move from one office to another without any particular address and even if they give you an address, it is always fake. So, they are still there. When they devised these means, we also went after them using our own means of catching faceless operators-go to the airports and other places. They are very much around except that you cannot just find them; you only see them by operation. When we see them operate, we catch them but it is not like before when you just walk into an office, look at it and no one that does not have a license. But I would like to include that their number has been drastically reduced. It is because of our operations; our clampdown on their activities; our scrutiny programmes, that brought this number down and made them re-strategize into faceless operations. Faceless operation is borne out of the fact that they are aware that we are after them. They exist here and there unknown to us because those that we know of we deal with and the number has declined drastically.

Training and Content Development

Yes. Infact, by of August 6-7, we are going to focus on modern courier trends or how it has been. We want to look at specific set-ups, how you can set up a courier company; how you can set up a mailroom; how you can manage your fleet; how to network; how to organize branches, among others. So we are focusing on a wholeness of an enterprise for people who want to go into courier business and also, for those who are already there who are not doing what they should do because there are so many now whom you go to their offices and you do not see an organized office. So, we want to put them on track so that they will exactly be able to say "these are the things I need, this is the way I should arrange my facilities, this is how I can get my network, this is how I can synergize" So, it is a total package. We have such a rich content of training programmes that will continue even after the oncoming seminar. This is not the last for the year.

Courier Institute

There is still hope for the institute. What is holding us is finance and empowerment. We need to be more empowered legally so as to be able to organize so many things we actually want to organize and we know that the cost is enormous for a department of Nipost, a government agency. Whatever we are going to do as a department is to be borne by Nipost and you know very well that that will be with limited resources because Nipost itself is spending on several other things it is expected to do. But I know that as the government goes ahead to review our position, to empower this department and possibly transform it into a commission, these things will become easier for us.

Delay in Postal Commission Legislation

I would say it is more bureaucratic because the ministerial committee was set up in 2005 to produce a draft of the Nigerian Postal Service bill and the National Postal Policy. Unfortunately, because of the death of the then Postmaster General, Argungu, the stakeholders forum did not hold. We eventually held it last year in April and the stakeholders were there and the document was fine tuned with also input from the stakeholders and the document has been with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which is supposed to forward the document to John Odey, minister of information and communication, for onward submission to the Federal executive Council and then the National assembly; but the point here is that we are waiting for BPE to submit to the minister and until that is done, even the minister will be handicapped of doing anything at all, the same way the Federal executive Council will be handicapped; the presidency will be handicapped, even the National Assembly too. So, we are waiting and maybe for bureaucratic reasons, BPE is yet to submit to the minister.

24 Hours Clearance at the Airport

Courier operators are ready for it. They want it. We have spoken at various fora on that. We have talked to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (Faan), Customs, Police and other security agents. The problem they have put forth is the issue of security. We want to clear 24 hours, no problem but assuming the aircraft lands at 12 midnight or 2am and you want to clear at that time knowing that the kind of society we have. We want to clear, move to the expressway at 2am. People are complaining that for security reasons they may not be attuned to clearing at such hours, but the police is ready to cooperate; Faan and other agencies are ready to cooperate and the last time we discussed, we tried to fine tune everything and see how workable it is. It is not just the desire to have 24hours service but they must also appreciate the implication. When we are able to take care of the implication, then it is easier to manage it than to put it in place and now have more problems. 24hours service has been going on perfectly.

ICT and Courier Operations

ICT has improved our operations significantly because we use it to track and trace consignments. With this, they use it to trace a client’s item and know whether it has been delivered or not or whether it is still on transit and at what point it is. So you can monitor the movement of your item through that ICT device. That has come to be as a result of modern technology. The Internet has also impacted positively on courier operations. In terms of sales of items on the Internet, I would say it is helping the business in the sense that it takes a shorter time to place an order, maybe in the US or any part of the world and once you place your order and transfer your money and the next thing is the physical movement of your item; this is where courier companies come in. Without this type of technology, it may well be about two to three weeks or even a month or more to place an order. The development gives courier companies more to do now than when you did not have that quick placement of an order. So, one way or the other, I see ICT helping to create more opportunities for business.

Harassment by Security agencies

We are trying to discuss with various agencies. For instance, we have discussed with the Police. In our last training, we brought the assistant commissioner of Police, Airport Command and we have used our contact with the commissioner of Police to ask for the numbers of DPOs, for our operators and that means that if they have any problem on the road, they can contact these police officers.

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General News

FG Secures Fresh $208.3m World Bank Loan for Cash Transfer

Published

7 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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Federal government has secured a fresh $208.3 million financing from the World Bank to strengthen Nigeria’s cash transfer programme targeted at poor and vulnerable households as the country continues to grapple with the economic impact of ongoing reforms.

FG Secures Fresh $208.3m World Bank Loan for Cash Transfer

President Bola Tinubu’

The new facility is expected to bolster the government’s social protection initiative by providing direct cash support to millions of low-income Nigerians affected by rising living costs following the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

The funding forms part of the World Bank-backed social safety net programme aimed at cushioning the impact of economic reforms while improving the country’s social protection system.

It is also expected to support efforts to enhance the National Social Register, strengthen payment systems and ensure that financial assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries more efficiently.

The latest financing adds to a growing list of World Bank-supported projects approved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Since the administration assumed office in May 2023, Nigeria has secured more than $11.4 billion in World Bank loan approvals across key sectors, including power, agriculture, healthcare, education, digital infrastructure, financial inclusion and social protection.

However, only part of the approved funding has been disbursed, with several projects still at various stages of implementation.

Government officials have maintained that expanding the cash transfer programme is essential to protecting vulnerable Nigerians from the short-term effects of economic reforms while laying the foundation for long-term economic stability.

However, the fresh borrowing has renewed concerns among economists and policy analysts over Nigeria’s rising debt burden and increasing dependence on external financing.

Critics have called for greater transparency in the utilisation of borrowed funds and improved monitoring of social intervention programmes to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support.

According to data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt stood at approximately ₦159.28 trillion as of December 31, 2025, with multilateral lenders, particularly the World Bank, accounting for a significant portion of the country’s external debt portfolio.

Despite the concerns, analysts note that World Bank loans are generally concessional, offering lower interest rates and longer repayment periods than commercial loans.

They argue that the ultimate value of the new financing will depend on effective implementation, accountability and the successful delivery of cash support to vulnerable households across the country.

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General News

SERAP Sues INEC over Alleged N800Bn 2027 Tinubu Campaign Fund

Published

7 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly failing to investigate claims that governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion from public funds to finance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

SERAP Sues INEC over Alleged N800Bn 2027 Tinubu Campaign Fund

The lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the allegations and compel the commission to obtain full disclosure from the APC and the governors on the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.Campaigns & Elections.

The organisation is also seeking an order directing INEC to commence a formal review into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding the sources and scale of campaign financing in the current political cycle.

According to SERAP, the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral integrity and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in governance.

In the suit filed on its behalf by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, the organisation argued that the reported diversion of public funds for political purposes poses a significant threat to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

It maintained that opaque political financing remains a major gateway for corruption and undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes,” SERAP stated.

The organisation argued that Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, require disclosure of campaign contributions and enforce sanctions where donation limits are exceeded.

It noted that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits are liable to a fine of up to N10m and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed the legal threshold face fines amounting to five times the excess contribution.

SERAP further contended that the commission has constitutional and statutory obligations to ensure transparency in political financing and prevent the misuse of public resources for electoral advantage.

According to the group, allegations involving large-scale public funds and opaque financial arrangements fall squarely within INEC’s investigative and monitoring responsibilities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The suit also cited Sections 13, 14(2)(c) and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that they impose obligations on public institutions, including INEC, to safeguard democratic participation, prevent corruption and uphold constitutional principles.

SERAP further relied on international legal instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which it said require transparency in political financing and accountability in the management of public resources.

The organisation argued that any diversion of public funds for campaign purposes would amount to a violation of both domestic and international legal obligations and would undermine the principle of a level playing field in elections.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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General News

Hydrogen Employees Lead Blood Donation Drive to Support Lagos Communities

Published

7 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited has reinforced its commitment to community impact through an employee-led blood donation drive in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) and Gbagada General Hospital.

Held recently, the initiative extended this year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign, themed “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” It brought together Hydrogen employees in a collective effort to strengthen blood reserves for patients across Lagos State.

The drive recorded strong participation, with employees voluntarily donating blood to support critical healthcare needs, including emergency care, surgical procedures, maternal health, sickle cell treatment, and assistance for accident victims. The contributions will help bolster the state’s blood bank and improve access to life-saving interventions.

Medical teams from LSBTS and Gbagada General Hospital supervised the exercise and engaged participants on the importance of regular voluntary blood donation. They also addressed common misconceptions, reinforcing the role of consistent donors in maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply.

Dr. Folashade Tawak, Senior Medical Practitioner with the Lagos State Government, commended the initiative.

“Voluntary blood donation remains one of the most impactful ways individuals can contribute to saving lives. We commend Hydrogen for driving this initiative and encouraging active employee participation. Efforts like this are critical to sustaining the blood reserves needed for patients in urgent need,” she said.

Fiyinfoluwa Olorunsola, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogen, said the initiative reflects the company’s broader purpose.

“At Hydrogen, our responsibility goes beyond building payment infrastructure. We are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. This drive brings our people together around a cause that directly saves lives, and I am proud of the culture we are building, defined by purpose, compassion, and service,” she noted.

Also speaking, Obinna Ojekwe, Head of Marketing and Communications, highlighted the personal impact of the initiative: “While we enable the seamless movement of value every day, this initiative allowed us to give something more personal. Knowing that a simple act can save lives makes this deeply meaningful, and it reflects the kind of organisation we are proud to be part of.”

The blood donation drive underscores Hydrogen’s commitment to creating value beyond financial transactions by empowering its employees to contribute meaningfully to society. It forms part of the company’s broader 2026 employee volunteering and CSR programme, with additional community-focused initiatives planned throughout the year.

Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited (Hydrogen) is Africa’s institutional payments infrastructure partner, enabling financial institutions and large organisations to process, move, and settle payments at scale with trust and operational integrity.

Through resilient, Africa-focused infrastructure, Hydrogen helps institutions manage payment complexity, improve efficiency, and deliver reliable services across the continent.

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