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emc3, Guardian, Five Others Launch Transparency Forum

The Transparency Forum Initiative (TFI), a series of targeted roundtables is due for launch on Tuesday 17 November.
TFI consists of committee member firms working in Nigeria. These are emc3, The Guardian Newspaper Nigeria, Control Risks, africapractice, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, The Business Year Publication and The Financial Times Group.
Their goal is to “Identify, Introduce, Engage, Promote and Re-ignite Investments for Sustainable Partnerships”.
The initiative will focus on highlighting the importance of transparency in all aspects of the political and commercial economy, advocating for regulatory reforms around transparency and encouraging public-private collaboration on new approaches and actions required to embed transparency into the business landscape of Nigeria.
The objectives of the initiative are 4 fold including to enable dialogue – To create a platform to enable dialogue between the private and public sectors with a view to identifying opportunities for collaborations centred on the aim of achieving transparency in key sectors of the economy and to build capacity –To educate stakeholders on how to develop and deliver transparency initiatives within their own organisations.
Others are to advocate for solutions – To advocate for changes in policies, laws and regulations that govern data transparency, regulatory reporting and transparency in decision making and to protect the national interest – To increase awareness on the role of transparency in economic development and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The initiative aims to redefine the term “Transparency” by paving a practical platform for the use of improved business training courses and tools i.e. open data, communication, credibility, visibility, data, reporting, corporate governance, ethics, compliance, tax and audit, best practice and that are essential to succeeding in business as well as attracting investment. The medium to long term outcome is to develop private sector Transparency Baseline Index that reports credible data and information on Nigerian companies in all sectors.
The Government welcomes the move by the partners to set up the initiative as President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recently stated that “Government business is being conducted with transparency and cynicism is waning as a result”.
Commenting on TFI, Mrs Uju Hassan Baba, executive secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, stated “A strong culture of transparency and corporate governance is imperative if Nigeria is to attract both foreign and local direct investment required to build sustainable economic development. It can be done- through policy, collaboration and determination. This is what the Transparency Forum is about and why we are a part of it. We stand ready to apply our technical expertise and know-how to this critical agenda. We call on the broader private sector community to join us, making transparency a centrepiece of the development drive of the nation.”
Baba-Jallah Epega, emc3 Spokesman for TFI further commented that “With acknowledgement from the Presidency on this private sector’s Transparency Initiative – membered by stalwarts like Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) – as we launch, gives an indication of the emphasis that needs to be placed on the subject matter. The prospect of increased transparency heralds an exciting prospect for the future of doing business in Nigeria”.
The Transparency Forum Initiative Members
The Transparency Forum Initiative is founded by the following firms;
emc3 is a leading events management and brand marketing firm that are specialists dedicated to building unique and memorable stories and experiences by producing events platforms that inspire, motivate and evolve.
The Guardian is a leading independent newspaper, established in 1983 for the purpose of presenting balanced coverage of events, and of promoting the best interests of Nigeria. It owes allegiance to no political party, ethnic community, religious or other interest group.
Its primary commitment is to the integrity and sovereignty of the Federation of Nigeria, and beyond that to the unity and sovereignty of Africa.
Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), is a multi-service law firm based in Nigeria and offering cutting edge legal services to clients in diverse areas of business.
With state of the art offices in three states, they provide legal solutions to numerous corporate clients including multi-national companies, international and domestic banks, the government, its agencies and parastatals.
africapractice is the leading provider of strategic advisory and stakeholder relationship management services on the continent, it advises industry and governments; helping them to identify opportunity, manage risk and overcome critical communications challenges.
Control Risks is an independent, global risk consultancy specialising in political, integrity and security risk. We help some of the most influential organisations in the world to understand and manage the risks and opportunities of operating in complex or hostile environments.
The Business Year is a leading research firm and publisher of annual economic resources on national economies. Present in over 25 countries, TBY provides first-hand access to the people and ideas shaping business and policy throughout the world.
Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, recognised globally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT provides a broad range of essential services, including news, comment, data and analysis, to a growing audience of internationally minded professionals.
News
WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared the Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain a global public health emergency.

WHO said there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain of Ebola.
At home, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there is “no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria” but had tightened surveillance against the deadly virus.
The outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already caused dozens of deaths in Congo and spread into Uganda, raising fears of wider transmission across the region.
In response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that the country remains on alert because of growing movement across African borders.
Jide Idris, director-general said the agency was “closely monitoring the situation” and working with the Port Health Services and other health agencies to strengthen preparedness nationwide.
He added that surveillance has been increased at entry points and within Nigeria’s health system.
According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded more than 240 suspected cases and about 80 suspected deaths in Congo’s Ituri province, while imported cases have also been confirmed in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The WHO said the outbreak is “extraordinary” because of uncertainty around the true number of infections and the lack of approved medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain.
Health authorities advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with infected persons and report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding to the nearest health facility immediately.
Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in 2014 after successfully containing an outbreak brought into the country by an infected traveler from Liberia.
News
Digital PayExpo 2026 to Convene Africa’s Most Influential Payments Leaders in Lagos

Africa’s digital payments ecosystem will take center stage as Digital PayExpo 2026 returns to Lagos on June 17–18, 2026, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, under the theme: “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the AI Era.”

At a time when artificial intelligence, cross-border commerce, and financial inclusion are redefining Africa’s economic future, the event is set to convene over 3,000 senior executives, policymakers, fintech innovators, and global technology providers.
The speaker lineup reflects a powerful blend of regulatory leadership, private sector innovation, and pan-African expertise.
Among the headline speakers:
- Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, Director, Payment Systems Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria — a key architect in Nigeria’s payment system reforms.
- Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager & Area Business Head (West Africa), Mastercard — a leading voice in digital payments expansion across Africa.
- Clara B. Arthur, Managing Director, GhIPSS (Ghana) — driving Ghana’s interoperable payment ecosystem.
- Wacera Maina, Chief Operations Officer, Kenwitch Kenya — an expert in East Africa’s payment infrastructure evolution.
- Akeem Lawal, CEO, Interswitch Group — a pioneer in Africa’s fintech growth story.
- Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director, NIBSS — shaping Nigeria’s core payment infrastructure.
The conference will explore:
- AI-powered financial services
- Cross-border payment systems and interoperability
- Cybersecurity and trust frameworks
- SME financing and financial inclusion
- Infrastructure for a unified African digital economy
With participation from banks, fintechs, telcos, regulators, and global payment networks, Digital PayExpo 2026 is positioned as a critical marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and investment flows. Register: https://digitalpayexpo.com/register
Sponsorship Enquiries: [email protected]
News
Only 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals

On International Day of Families observed on May 15th, a global Kaspersky study* reveals that while 47% of respondents talk about online safety, only 33% secure all their family devices – highlighting the need for proactivity from Family Digital Managers.

As online threats develop and every generation joins the online space, cybersecurity habits have become an essential part of life for every family. Typically, in every family, one or two people become so-called Family Digital Managers, responsible for managing subscriptions, setting up new devices, or thinking about cyber protection. Kaspersky has conducted a survey to find out what measures modern families take to stay safe online.
According to Kaspersky’s data, a significant portion of respondents adopt an educational approach to cybersecurity within their families:
47% regularly coach elderly relatives and children on safe online practices
45% advise family members to adopt password manager solutions
42% encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)
An equal 42% actively review and adjust privacy settings on both family devices and critical online accounts
Although a growing awareness of the importance of proactive, family-focused digital protection can be observed, when it comes to the implementation of security solutions, the trend is slightly different. 10% of respondents take no measures at all to protect their loved ones online, rising to 21% among those aged 55+.
As for the parental control apps, 67% of families with children under 18 years use this tool to monitor and secure their kids’ online activity. Parental control, such as the Kaspersky Safe Kids solution, can help restrict children’s access to inappropriate content and also gently manage their online habits by limiting access to certain websites and apps, controlling their screen time, and even enhancing their physical security by tracking their geolocation.
The most worrying number is that only 33% of respondents – just 1 in 3 – install security solutions on all family members’ devices. Kaspersky experts highlight that the current threat landscape shows that mobile devices and tablets as well as PCs all require comprehensive cyber protection, as they are often targeted by cybercriminals.
According to the survey, only 30% of respondents set up new devices for their families. Setting up a new device is not often regarded as a step that contributes to cyber safety; however, some actions performed before the device is put into use can significantly enhance its security.
For instance, experts recommend installing a security solution first, to scan the device for hidden threats and make web browsing safe from the first queries. What’s more, reviewing privacy settings on a new device allows you not to share data that you would like to keep private with some applications and services.
The research also shows that the older generation (55+) is generally less included in family security habits. Around 1 in 5 (21%) of this age group globally do not take any measures to protect their family online and only a quarter (24%) install security solutions for family members. The most popular security measure among them turns out to be a password manager, as 40% of this age group recommend their family members to use it.
“We are now using a lot of gadgets and digital services, and with every new device and every additional hour spent online, the potential entry points for cybercriminals continue to grow, exposing us to a wider range of cyber threats. At the same time, not every generation adapts to these rapid changes with the same ease.
“That’s why having someone in the family take on the role of a ‘Family Digital Manager’ can be so valuable, especially when it comes to protecting kids and elder people from digital cyberthreats, give advice and help with the use of trusted security solutions,” comments Brandon Muller, Technical Expert at Kaspersky.
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