General News
Interswitch Attains Payment Card Data Security Standard Certification (PCI DSS)
Interswitch, Nigeria’s premier switching transaction and electronic payment processing firm, has attained the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification.
Thus, Interswitch has joined the elite group of over 1,000 service providers worldwide that have the same certificate.
The service provider designation for PCI DSS compliance indicates that all payments and card transactions sent through Interswitch meet the highest possible standards for data security. To reach this stage, external auditors from Qualified Security Assessors (QSA) and Approved Scanning Vendors (ASV) have meticulously examined and tested Interswitch’s software architecture to ensure that it meets the highest security levels.
Interswitch is the first company in Nigeria to achieve PCIDSS compliance and joins the elite group of 21 other companies across Central Europe, Middle East and Africa
According to Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, managing director of Interswitch, the PCI DSS auditors examined Interswitch’s system and hardware infrastructure to ascertain their PCI DSS standards. The process also allowed the auditors to address human element and verify that Interswitch’s staff are properly trained on internal and external vulnerabilities, which could “compromise data or card security”.
Elegbe said by becoming PCI DSS-compliant, Interswitch’s customers’ confidence would be boosted with the assurance that there is a higher level of protection for their data, which would improve the company’s competitive advantage while safeguarding its brand and reputation.
“With this latest development, Interswitch has built and maintained a secure business network system that will be less prone to successful attacks as there will be continual security checks to make sure compliance is maintained”.
He further explained that Interswitch now has a reasonable assurance that risk management processes around cardholders’ data protection are robust and properly aligned with the organization’s business objectives.
Notably, he said with the PCI DSS certification, banks and other corporate entities that are connected to Interswitch’s infrastructure have the opportunity to further gain customers’ trust, as such organisations would be seen as working with a company that “provides a high level of security to personal data”.
Explaining the rationale behind the PCI DSS certification, Elegbe said with the increasing fraudulent use of cardholders’ data and the need to enhance security and customer confidence, Interswitch in 2008 initiated the process of becoming PCI DSS-compliant, and thereafter subjected itself to rigorous audit from QSA and ASV.
Developed by the founding payment brands, MasterCard Worldwide, Visa
International, American Express, Discover Financial Services and JCB; PCI
DSS helps to facilitate the broad adoption of consistent data security measures on a global basis.
The five founding members jointly formed an independent regulatory organization called the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) to promulgate the standard. The PCI DSS reflects an agreed position on the combination of each of the credit card brands’ security standards.
QSA is a recognized body of auditors certified by the PCI SSC as being qualified to assess compliance to the PCI DSS standard while ASV is certified by the Council to perform vulnerability scans of networks and internet facing environments.
General News
FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.
He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.
President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.
The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
General News
FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.
He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.
“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.
The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.
The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.
The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.
For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.
General News
Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
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