General News
FirstBank Bags ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Certification
First Bank of Nigeria Plc has received the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) from the British Standard Institute (BSI), a leading organization in the field of auditing management systems and processes.
The certification is the world’s highest accreditation for information protection and security from the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). This feat, the first of its kind in corporate Nigeria, places the bank at par with leading international and multi-lateral corporate organizations including the IMF and the World Bank in the area of security and protection of customers’ information.
Bisi Onasanya, FirstBank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer said the certification is an affirmation that the bank has adopted and complied with the highest known management standards in information security in the world.
“It is a process that involved auditing and verification of the bank’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) practices by the British Standard Institute (BSI), a leading organization in the field of auditing management systems and processes. The certification is a clear indication of the strength of our investments in people, process and technology for enhancing the customer experience by improving information security’’ he said.
The process of certification, anchored by Global Infoswift, a leading Nigerian IT service provider with a robust track record started in October last year. It involved meticulous planning and superior project implementation from highly skilled FirstBank staff.
Mrs. Remi Odunlami, the bank’s Chief Risk officer was appointed the Project Sponsor, given the importance attached to the project by the management of the bank.
ISO 27001 is the only auditable international standard which defines the requirements to ensure that sufficient security controls are instituted within the certified organization. Additionally, maintaining the ISO 27001 Certification requires an annual review and three year re-certification in the continual scrutiny of FirstBank’s information security management system in a manner that aims to provide confidence to the stakeholders and the general public as a whole that the Bank’s data is protected on an ongoing basis.
The bank said: “The certification is in sync with the on-going transformation in the bank aimed at improving the bank’s systems and process with a view to outperforming competition, sustain its leadership position and meet the changing demands of different generations of customers”.
With presence in London, Paris, Johannesburg and Beijing, FirstBank is Nigeria’s most diversified financial services group and the most profitable. The bank recorded a six month profit before tax of N31.7 billion and profit after tax of N25.3billion during the six month ended June 2010.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.
Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,
This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.
He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.
Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.
Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.
Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.
The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.
Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.
The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.
Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.
He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.
He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.
Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.
Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.
Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.
The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.
Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.
A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.
Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.
The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.
Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.
NCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues
EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud
Bank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
Summit Factory Opens in Ogun, Targets Hygiene Market Expansion
Kaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System
FG to Gift Nigerians over 100 Free TV Channels from May 15
FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion – Minister
Microsoft Revamps Copilot in Workplace AI Push
Dangote Refinery Debunks Speculations on IPO
Telecom3 days agoNCC Orders Telcos to Give Users Free Airtime for Poor Network Service
Telecom2 days agoNCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues
Telecom3 days agoMTN to Pay Subscribers After NCC Cracks Down on Service Failures
E-Financial2 days agoBank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
E-Financial3 days agoEXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank Allegedly Used Union Bank’s Own Assets to Fund Its Takeover
E-Financial2 days agoATM Card Fees Jump to ₦1,500 as CBN Scraps Maintenance Charges
E-Business2 days agoKaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
News2 days agoCADEF, Stakeholders Push for Zero Added Sugar Standards in Infant Foods