E-Business
Experts Decry Low Patronage of Indigenous Software
Software experts in the country have decried emphasis organizations in the country lay on certification for locally made software rather than seeking the ability of such programmes to perform assigned task, which has led to low patronage of indigenous software.
This is coming against the backdrop of growing preference by big organizations and government agencies for foreign made software over indigenous developed ones on the ground that they have not attend certain foreign certification.
James Agada, CEO, Computer Warehouse Group plc, while agreeing on the need to emphasis on competence, explained that certification is not meant for software product but the company that develops the software, stating that it is difficult to certify software.
“What software requires is quality, ‘can it do the work’, and user interface”. He cited instances of Microsoft word, mobile phone software among others that are not certified but are working for its purpose.
He added that software requires general recommendation such Cobit for control objective, he noted that certification issue apply in an environment where companies are doing contract software development such as in India to proof that they can do it.
Supporting Agada, Mr. Yele Okeremi, managing director, Precise Financial Systems, said that it is acknowledged that certification is a very good thing to have, particularly, those that have to do with assurance of quality. He added that, software houses all over the world should strive to obtain necessary certifications in order to guarantee a continuous improvement of their products and services.
“I will however like to state that just like the possession of a University certificate does not guarantee competence in the field, so does the possession of myriad of certifications by an organization not guarantee its competence and capacity. Remember, we have several examples of terribly failed project handled by companies with a bag full of certifications. In all, I will say that certification is one of those things a good software company should possess.”
“On the other hand, when I hear lazy and sometimes incompetent Chief Information Officers giving excuses of the non-possession of certifications as a means of disqualifying Nigerian software from projects, it confirms their laziness and incompetence because great companies emerge because the environment gives them opportunities to prove their mettle even when the companies are still at start-up stage. “
He noted that obtaining certification is not cheap either financially or in the area of human resource deployment.
“For a company to mature to the level of achieving certain levels of certifications there is a minimum level of capital that the company must have. Now in a situation like ours in Nigeria, where venture capital is not easy and bank financing are near impossible, you find a vicious cycle playing out in which, the company is unable to certify because it does not have resources to do so and it is also unable to get jobs, which could have provided the source of capital it needs because it is being discriminated against due to lack of certification. What smart economies do is therefore to provide some funding organization to help companies either by way of subsidy or matching grants to quickly get certified so that the vicious cycle can be broken and give way to a virtuous cycle of prosperity. That is what we have failed to do in Nigeria and I am very sad about that. It is the collective responsibility of all well-meaning Nigerians to rally round their indigenous companies and scale them to international standards,” he said.
E-Business
NDPC, 60 DPAs Collaborate on Enforcing Privacy Rights in the Use of Al

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has joined sixty (60) other Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) in endorsing the “Joint Statement on Al-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy.”

NDPC
The Joint Statement was coordinated by the International Enforcement Cooperation Working Group (IEWG) of the Global Privacy Assembly.
This underscores the growing concerns regarding the privacy risks posed by Artificial Intelligence tools capable of generating realistic images and videos of identifiable individuals.
The Joint Statement highlights concerns over the misuse of Al-powered tools to create non-consensual imagery, defamatory content, and other harmful materials, particularly affecting children and vulnerable groups.
It calls on organisations to implement strong safeguards, ensure transparency, provide effective content removal mechanisms, and comply fully with applicable data protection laws.
The current effort forms part of a continuum of steps being taken by Nigeria to ensure the responsible use of Al. It will be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, led the initiative for the development of the National Al Strategy.
The NDPC also issued the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), which, amongst others, mandates privacy by design and privacy by default in the development and deployment of Al tools.
The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has directed that the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) Compliance Audit Returns (CAR) by data controllers and processors of major importance will serve as a yardstick for monitoring and evaluating responsible use of Al for data processing in Nigeria.
E-Business
Jumia Tech Week 2026 Begins with Tech Deals on Smartphones, Electronics, and Everyday Technology

Jumia Nigeria has announced the launch of Jumia Tech Week 2026, a two-week campaign offering customers access to discounted technology products across key categories, including smartphones, computing, home entertainment, and wearable devices.

Starting from March 2 to March 15, Jumia Nigeria’s Tech Week 2026 is themed ‘Tech Products for Less’ – a deliberate commitment by the e-commerce giant to drive down the cost of technology products for Nigerian consumers. The campaign offers significant price reductions across key product categories, enabling more Nigerians to access the devices they need at prices that reflect the company’s dedication to affordability and consumer value.
Jumia Tech Week will feature deals across a wide range of product categories, including mobile phones, computer systems and accessories, televisions and audio equipment, gaming products, home appliances, portable power solutions, health technology,, and wearable devices.
Customers will also have access to curated recommendations, including top smartphone deals, must-have accessories, gaming essentials, and home technology upgrades.
According to Temidayo Ojo, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, the campaign reflects Jumia’s broader commitment to making everyday technology more accessible to Nigerians.
“Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and access to the right devices enables more people to participate fully in the digital economy,” said Ojo. “At Jumia, we remain focused on expanding access and improving the shopping experience as we continue to build Nigeria’s everyday retail destination.”
The campaign will include a range of customer engagement initiatives such as flash sales, brand days, anchor deals and interactive activities designed to enhance the online shopping experience.
Special highlight periods, described as Explosion Days, will take place on March 6 and March 13, featuring limited-time offers across selected technology categories. Customers will also be able to participate in interactive activities, including product-based games, treasure hunts,, and live shopping sessions during the campaign period.
The campaign will feature participation from leading brands including Oraimo, Silver Crest, Samsung, Ecoflow, Nivea and Aeon, offering customers a wide selection of technology, household and lifestyle products. Early access promotions already begun during the teaser period from February 16 to March 1, allowing customers to preview selected deals ahead of the official launch.
Jumia Tech Week forms part of the company’s broader strategy to expand e-commerce adoption by improving access to essential products and enhancing the customer experience across its platform. As Nigeria’s e-commerce market continues to grow, Jumia remains focused on strengthening its product assortment, logistics capabilities, and digital experience to serve customers better nationwide.
Customers can participate in the campaign by using the Jumia mobile app or visiting the Jumia website and following the conversation online using #JumiaTechWeek.
E-Business
House Queries NDIC: ₦5m Max Payout for Failed Bank Depositors

Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) pays between ₦2 million and ₦5 million as deposit insurance to customers of liquidated banks, Managing Director Thompson Oludare Sunday told the House Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters during 2026 budget defence.

NDIC
House Spokesperson Akin Rotimi Jr sought details on depositor entitlements, citing Heritage Bank’s June 2024 collapse and public concerns over financial confidence.
Sunday explained NDIC’s mandate: banks pay risk-based premiums (now under 1%, down from 15/16 of 1%) to guarantee deposits. Coverage is ₦5 million for deposit money banks, primary mortgage banks (PMBs), and microfinance banks (MMOs); ₦2 million for other financial institutions.
Using BVN, NDIC auto-pays guaranteed sums without visits for amounts up to the limit. For Heritage, post-revocation, NDIC liquidated assets—selling buildings, recovering loans, realizing investments—and paid a second ₦24.63 billion dividend on January 6.
“Anything above ₦5 million or ₦2 million depends on recoveries,” Sunday said, noting ongoing asset sales and debt chases.
Committee Chairman Ahmed Jaha Babawo commended the clarity, noting the limit rose from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million recently. Over 90% of Heritage depositors got insured sums in under four days, meeting International Resolution Deposit (IRD) standards.
Babawo added liquidation dividends would be discussed in executive session.
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