E-Business
Digital Jewels Aid Three ISO/IEC 27001, Local Firms Move Slowly
Only a handful of Nigerian firms have secured the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2005 indicating that most companies and organizations in the country are yet to bring their processes at par with global standards, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report.
ISO/IEC 27001, part of the growing ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards, is an information security management system (ISMS) standard published in October 2005 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
It is generally regarded as the world’s highest accreditation for information protection and security from the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO).
First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc have all etched their names in history book as firms at par with leading international and multi-lateral corporate organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in the area of security and protection of customers’ information.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations revealed that First Bank of Nigeria Plc was the first to adopt and comply with the highest known management standards in information security in the world.
After First Bank, Digital Jewels, an Information Value Chain Consulting Firm has secured the prestigious certification for Galaxy Backbone, Fidelity Bank Plc and recently Unity Bank Plc.
Galaxy Backbone is the first public sector organisation in Nigeria and the first ICT Company in the entire West African region to have attained accreditation.
Fidelity Bank Plc is currently the second organization in the Nigerian banking industry to be so certified and followed by Unity Bank Plc.
Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa, managing director/CEO, Digital Jewels had at the presentation of the certification to Galaxy Backbone last late year that her company is committed to emerging as the leading player in the implementation of global best practice standards in Nigeria and beyond.
“Without doubt, to reach the goal of certification, it’s been a great deal of hard work, sometimes tedious, sometimes tough, often painstaking, but always exciting. I commend the management of the two organizations (Galaxy Backbone, Fidelity Bank Plc) for their doggedness in implementing and complying with this world-class standard in their operations; and pleased Digital Jewels was a key facilitator of this success story.” She said
Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Information and Communication Technology, who received the certification presented by Mr, TheunsKotze, managing director, British Standards institute, BSI Europe, Middle East & Africa, on behalf of Galaxy Backbone noted that the achievement represents a significant milestone in the journey to attain global best practices in Information Technology by the Federal Government.
Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, managing director, Galaxy Backbone said the government agency embarked on the journey to ISO 27001:2005 Certification as part of an overarching imperative of implementing processes that will guide the company’s service provision.
“The ISO/IEC 20071 certification specifies requirements for ISMS (Information Security Management Systems) management. And certification is a recognition of compliance with the stringent requirement of the ISMS standards and regulations for handling all organizational information, be it for the organisation or for its clients, in such a manner as to ensure that it is secure, available when needed and reliable.” Ilukwe explained.
Elsewhere at a similar presentation of certification to Fidelity Bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, managing director/CEO of the bank, stressed the importance of the certification to the Bank’s business.
Both Galaxy Backbone and Fidelity Bank Plc commended the effort of Digital Jewels in ensuring that they attained the feat despite all odds.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that on ISO/IEC 27001 formally specifies a management system that is intended to bring information security under explicit management control. Being a formal specification means that it mandates specific requirements.
Organizations that claim to have adopted ISO/IEC 27001 can therefore be formally audited and certified compliant with the standard.
Most organizations have a number of information security controls.
However, without an information security management system (ISMS), controls tend to be somewhat disorganized and disjointed, having been implemented often as point solutions to specific situations or simply as a matter of convention.
Security controls in operation typically address certain aspects of IT or data security specifically; leaving non-IT information assets (such as paperwork and proprietary knowledge) less protected on the whole.
Moreover business continuity planning and physical security may be managed quite independently of IT or information security while Human Resources practices may make little reference to the need to define and assign information security roles and responsibilities throughout the organization.
Nigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).
The report, the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, showed that Africa’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.
However, only $5.2 billion (23 per cent) was generated by licensed operators, while $17.8 billion (77 per cent) remained in the unregulated market.
In West Africa, total online gambling revenue rose to $4.8 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion in 2024. Of the 2025 figure, regulated operators accounted for $1.5 billion (31 per cent), while $3.3 billion (69 per cent) flowed to unlicensed platforms, highlighting the region’s persistent enforcement challenges.
Nigeria stood out as the region’s strongest performer, recording the lowest unregulated market share at 56 per cent, compared with the West African average of 69 per cent and the African average of 77 per cent.
The study also found that online gambling participation across Africa increased from 198 million people (13 per cent of the population) in 2024 to 215 million (14 per cent) in 2025.
Despite this growth, GCI estimated that illegal operators deprived African governments of about $3.55 billion in tax revenue in 2025. The number of unlicensed gambling platforms targeting African consumers also rose to 4,129, up from 3,644 in 2024.
Commenting on the findings, Matt Holt, chief executive officer, GCI, said the report provides regulators with the first continent-wide benchmark for strengthening oversight and consumer protection.
Ismail Vali, president, GCI, urged governments to develop competitive and well-regulated markets that encourage consumers to patronise licensed operators, boost public revenue and attract greater investment.
Online gambling in Nigeria is regulated by the Nation Lottery Regulatory Commission.
At the height of the Northern Hemisphere tourist season, demand for communications and mobile Internet services rises sharply. Kaspersky’s security experts have uncovered scams that target anyone purchasing mobile connections or SIM cards worldwide.
Fraudsters create counterfeit websites that look like the portals of major regional and international telecom providers to trick users into revealing their phone numbers, personal details or banking information.
Kaspersky is sharing several examples of these fake login pages that mimic legitimate telecom operator sites and giving recommendations on how not to be deceived.
In the first case, scammers exploit the brand name of an international telecommunications company operating services in Asia, Africa and Europe. Fake authentication pages encourage users to put in their phone number and credentials.
While the first example shows the different design, the second scam site closely mimics the original log in page, making it hard for users to tell the difference and spot a fake. Entering authentication or payment data on fraudulent web sites may result in money or data loss and become a reason for more frequent spam and fraudulent calls.
Another example is a scam page which poses as another international communications company, working in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In this scheme scammers encourage users to top up their mobile data/Internet plans by entering their personal information and bank cards details.
Kaspersky experts have also identified a scam when cyber criminals suggest users enter their personal data to check and pay a bill inquiry. Such scam schemes are usually aimed at gaining victims’ personal data for further fraud or account hacking and stealing money.
“Because of the active use of AI, scammers can now create fake pages with ever increasing accuracy and speed, targeting the most popular user interest areas. We constantly see scams revolving around sports events, music concerts, seasonal sales and holidays. Unfortunately, the telecoms industry is no exception.
To keep your data and money safe, be vigilant when purchasing mobile or Internet plans online. Using an eSIM – purchased through an official app – is one way to avoid fake telecom sites, as it eliminates the need to enter personal details on questionable web pages.
If you’re unsure about a site’s legitimacy, search for the brand name directly in a search engine and enable a security solution that blocks phishing links for you,” comments Tatyana Kulikova, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
In a strategic push to bridge the gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to advance women’s digital inclusion and drive the nation’s transformation agenda.
Dr Aristotle Onumo and some NITDA staff, pose for a group photograph with the President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, and members of the delegation following a strategic engagement at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The partnership was cemented during a courtesy visit to NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, by a NAWOJ delegation led by National President Comrade Aishatu Ibrahim, who introduced the agency to the forthcoming Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026.
Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the Director of the Stakeholders Management and Partnerships Department, assured the association that NITDA would not only participate in the conference, but also support the success of the conference.
Inuwa hailed the NAWOJ for creating a platform for peacebuilding, dialogue on security and women’s inclusion, which he described as one of the critical areas NITDA is focused on to ensure that more women obtain digital literacy and skills under the National Gender Inclusive Strategy.
Beyond NITDA’s plan to participate in the conference, the DG noted that a robust partnership between the organisations would engender meaningful opportunities and initiatives through which many more women can access digital literacy.
“Inclusivity is the key to everything we do at NITDA. We clearly defined that 40 per cent of our programmes must recognise the issue of gender. We ensure that women are adequately represented and positioned to benefit greatly from the programmes that we organise in the agency.
“We graciously accept to participate actively in that conference. Apart from acquiring skills among journalists themselves, partnership with NAWOJ will also serve as a platform through which we can also reach out to various women’s groups across the federation,” Inuwa said.
Earlier, Comrade Ibrahim commended the DG for his visionary and transformational leadership which has continued to position NITDA as the catalyst for Nigeria’s digital economy through its various programmes.
She explained that the Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit and Awards 2026 is an initiative of NAWOJ designed to promote collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, technology experts, the media, and other stakeholders to address contemporary security challenges.
According to Comrade Ibrahim, the association also aims to recognise outstanding individuals and institutions that have demonstrated excellence in security, governance, and innovation while fostering meaningful dialogue on the role of technology in building a safer and more resilient Nigeria.
“We deeply appreciate your exemplary leadership, passion for innovation, and unwavering commitment to building a digitally empowered Nigeria. We respectfully invite the agency to partner with NAWOJ in making this landmark initiative a success.
“We look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with NITDA that will empower women journalists with cutting-edge digital skills, support digital inclusion and contribute to innovation, digital literacy, and human capital development,” the NAWOJ president added.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the meeting would lay a solid foundation for a rewarding partnership agreement with specific and clearly defined objectives that will support digital inclusion and contribute to innovation, digital literacy, and human capital development.
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