The United Kingdom has announced expanded collaboration with Nigeria to accelerate the country’s digital economy through a package of initiatives delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme.

At the heart of this partnership is the State-level Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Reforms Enabling Digital Transformation (SPRIRET) initiative which was announced during the June visit of the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Baroness Chapman MP.

The SPRIRET Project is designed to support reforms across five states: Abia, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu and Niger, and to reduce regulatory barriers and unlock greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services, and emerging technologies. The UK will look to support more states in future iterations of the project.

SPRIRET will work with Initiative for Digital Inclusion to strengthen state-level policies, governance systems, digital infrastructure and human capacity to improve service delivery, increase transparency, and expand citizen access and participation in the digital economy.

The project is designed as a scalable model for nationwide replication, enabling states to generate new economic opportunities and support inclusive digital transformation at scale.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter said: “The UK is proud to partner with Nigeria to drive an inclusive and innovative digital economy. Through initiatives like SPRIRET, we are supporting practical reforms that will unlock investment, strengthen institutions, and expand digital access, creating opportunities for businesses and citizens alike. This partnership reflects our shared ambition to harness technology for sustainable growth.”

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government, Enugu State said: “We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the British Deputy High Commission and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the sustained interest in Enugu State’s development agenda and for the initiative in co-designing the SPRIRET project in response to the State’s priorities.

“We are satisfied that the SPRIRET project addresses a critical gap at the level of policy, regulatory, and institutional reform – areas that are foundational to giving lasting direction and effectiveness to all current and future digital investments in the State. We look forward to a productive and impactful partnership that will significantly advance Enugu State’s vision of an inclusive digital economy.”

Alongside SPRIRET, the UK is supporting targeted interventions to strengthen Nigeria’s wider digital ecosystem. A Technical Assistance Facility will enhance the performance of the Universal Service Provision Fund, improving its systems, institutional capacity and delivery to ensure more inclusive and sustainable digital access outcomes.

In parallel, the Safeguarding Trust, Digital Rights, Inclusion and Data Ethics (STRIDE Nigeria) Project will promote responsible data governance by raising awareness of rights under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, strengthening institutional compliance, and building a pipeline of skilled professionals.

Through a nationwide “Own Your Data” campaign and targeted fellowships, the initiative will equip citizens and businesses with the knowledge and tools to participate safely and confidently in the digital economy.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the UK’s continued commitment to supporting Nigeria in building a more inclusive, secure and dynamic digital economy – unlocking growth, strengthening institutions, and empowering citizens.

Nigerian Army has warned that terrorist and criminal groups were increasingly exploiting cyberspace to recruit members, raise funds, coordinate attacks and spread propaganda, describing the trend as a growing threat to Nigeria’s national security.

Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, chief of Army Staff (COAS), raised the alarm on Tuesday at the 2026 Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School Seminar in Abuja.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Jeremiah Manjang, deputy chief of Special Services and Programmes, the Army Chief said cyberspace has evolved into a strategic battlefield where both state and non-state actors operate with unprecedented speed, making security threats more complex and difficult to counter.

He noted that hostile actors no longer require physical presence to disrupt critical infrastructure, compromise sensitive information, manipulate public opinion or undermine national security through anonymous cyber attacks.

According to him, terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist agitations, organised crime, misinformation and disinformation are increasingly being enabled, coordinated and amplified through digital platforms and cyber networks.

“The reality is that terrorist and criminal groups now exploit cyberspace for recruitment, propaganda, fundraising, intelligence gathering, attack coordination and concealment of illicit financial transactions. This demands a proactive and coordinated national response,” he said.

Shaibu said the changing nature of security threats had compelled the Nigerian Army to strengthen its cyber capabilities to effectively address complex, asymmetric and technology-driven challenges.

He called for stronger cyber intelligence capabilities driven by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and advanced data analytics to improve early warning systems, threat detection and predictive security analysis.

The COAS also advocated deeper collaboration among government institutions, the military, law enforcement agencies, academia and the private sector, stressing that cybersecurity can no longer be handled by a single institution.

He emphasised the need for sustained investment in indigenous cyber capabilities, research, technological innovation and human capacity development to protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and enhance national resilience against emerging threats.

Shaibu further stated that integrating cyber capabilities into conventional military operations would strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, geospatial analysis, command-and-control systems, situational awareness and overall operational effectiveness.

Earlier, Brig.-Gen. Jacob Bawa, commandant of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School, said the seminar was organised to deepen cybersecurity awareness, strengthen cyber resilience and promote collaboration among security stakeholders.

Bawa noted that Nigeria’s increasing reliance on digital technologies has exposed critical infrastructure, including telecommunications, power systems, financial institutions and government databases, to cybercriminals, terrorists and hostile state actors.

He said the Cyber Warfare School was established as a centre of excellence for cyber warfare training, education and research.

According to him, participants at the seminar would examine cyber resilience, threat intelligence, incident response, cyber warfare and emerging technologies with a view to developing practical recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity architecture.

Also speaking, Abdulhakeem Ajijola, cybersecurity expert, warned that national security now depends significantly on the protection of digital systems, noting that artificial intelligence is transforming military operations, command structures and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Ajijola urged Nigeria to develop sovereign cyber capabilities, warning that excessive dependence on foreign-controlled software, platforms and artificial intelligence systems could undermine national resilience, operational continuity and independent decision-making during periods of crisis.

He stressed that while technology should be deployed to strengthen national sovereignty, responsibility for operational decisions must remain with human commanders.

Verve International, Africa’s payment cards and digital solutions brand, is strengthening its global acceptance footprint through strategic partnerships with leading digital platforms, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of digital payments and financial inclusion across the continent.

Verve has established a strong presence in more than 13 African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, The Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and several other markets across the continent.

This growing reach reflects Verve’s commitment to delivering secure, convenient and innovative payment solutions that empower consumers, businesses and financial institutions while advancing financial inclusion and economic participation across Africa.

As digital payments continue to transform economies across Africa, Verve remains focused on developing solutions that address local payment needs while supporting broader participation in the digital economy.

Through collaborations with banks, fintechs, merchants and payment service providers, Verve continues to drive financial inclusion and enable seamless payment experiences for millions of consumers across the continent.

Speaking on Verve’s growth trajectory and expanding reach, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Verve International, said: “Verve’s continued expansion across Africa reflects our commitment to building payment solutions that empower individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.

“Today, our presence across more than 13 African countries demonstrates the strength of our partnerships, innovation and ambition to be the preferred payment brand for Africans wherever they are.

“As digital commerce continues to evolve, we are expanding access to global opportunities through strategic partnerships with leading technology and digital platforms, while introducing innovations such as contactless payments and enhanced digital payment capabilities. Together, these efforts are enabling more seamless, secure and convenient payment experiences for consumers across Africa and beyond.”

Complementing its growing reach across Africa, Verve continues to expand its global acceptance footprint through partnerships with some of the world’s most recognised technology, e-commerce and digital service brands.

Today, Verve cardholders can conveniently make payments for products, services and subscriptions on platforms including Google, Spotify, Netflix, Facebook, YouTube Premium, Adobe, AliExpress, Temu and Flywire, among others.

These partnerships are helping bridge the gap between African consumers and the global digital marketplace by providing secure and convenient access to education, entertainment, travel, e-commerce, productivity tools and business solutions from virtually anywhere in the world.

Verve’s growth strategy is underpinned by continued investment in payment innovation. Through capabilities such as contactless payments, tokenisation and digital wallet integrations, Verve isenhancing convenience, security and user experience across physical and digital channels.

As Verve strengthens its position across existing markets and explores new growth opportunities, the company remains committed to driving financial inclusion, accelerating digital commerce and delivering innovative payment solutions that enable consumers and businesses to participate confidently in an increasingly connected world.

With an expanding presence across Africa, growing acceptance on global digital platforms and continued investment in innovation, Verve is helping connect millions of consumers to opportunities within and beyond the continent while shaping the future of Africa’s digital payments landscape.