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IoT Is Creating Big Market for Privileged Identity Mgt. Solution – Uzoma

Published

9 years ago

May 23, 2017

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Chima Uzoma is the current Chief Executive Officer and founding partner of Boch Systems. He is an agile and strategic Technology Executive with an excellent track record in heading diverse businesses to consistent growth and profitable outcome.
He has over 16 years practical IT experience; and has worked with several technology giants in Nigeria, including Microsoft, Technology Distribution, ICONET Group, and Imperial Business Systems; among others. He spoke to peter oluka on Boch System’s partnership with Arcon and the advantage it will bring to organizations on the Continent.

BYOD, Cloud Computing, IoT and Security Lapses
There is a future for Privileged Identity Management Solutions (PIMS) as the world embraces Internet of Things (IoT), Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Cloud Computing or mobility in general. It means you need to have access to every of these devices. Arcon is thinking ahead like two decades from now, how are you going to manage these applications. So, IoT is creating a big market for PIMS. Now, your electronics will be talking to you, which demands the right authorized access to be able to talk back to them.

Growth of Cyber Market in Nigeria and Place of Arcon
Cyber security is the future, because technology is driving a lot of things- banking operations, communications, e-commerce and more the advent and growth of technology, the increase of the challenges like attacks. It requires a lot of awareness, and every company must be part of finding the solutions, because they need to keep their data.
Arcons is a product; when you acquire it, you have full control. The demo session shows there the administrator decides who does what and how the period you would prefer the password changes. And there are criteria to that. With regards to increased cyber attacks, if I take care of my insider threats and ensure your keys are not in the wrong hands, then, we are moving forward; by then, 70% of the threats are curbed.

Companies Should Set Cyber Security Guide for Employees
Every organization should take cyber security very serious, because it I can collapse a business and it is a high risk area. Imagine my email is hacked, by mere remembering that I wouldn’t know what the hackers are doing with the content of the email; it can lead to all manner of psychological trauma. However, we offer a solution on security and the governance; it has helped organizations to mitigate risks as much as possible.

Evolution of Policies in The Cyber Security Sub-Sector
In terms of government, I wouldn’t know what they are currently engaged on, because it has become a herculean task. But, the Financial Institutions (FIs), for instance have a lot of investments in that regards, and the telcos. Nigerians are adapting to future technology. When we opened our office in Ghana and compared both markets, we found Nigeria is far ahead. Technologies that were implemented in Nigeria, maybe two years ago, they are about to be considered in Ghana.

Boch Systems Limited
Boch Systems has a Pan-African vision to be the leader in providing information and implementation solutions in Africa. Currently, the Company is in Nigeria and has started a full-fledged operations in Ghana. Boch Systems Company Limited is a leading Systems Integration Company of choice, providing professional and high quality ICT services to our esteemed clients. We are driven by a passion to offer reliable, timely, and cost effective solutions; relying on our thoroughly skilled and dedicated workforce, supporting partners, and advanced technologies; thereby guaranteeing maximum ROI to all stakeholders.
Boch Systems creates solutions for leading organizations in all sectors of industry, commerce and government. We work with our customers to identify and create better ways of doing business – from optimizing existing tools and resources to realizing revolutionary processes.
At Boch Systems, we fully understand Lead Capital Government environment and the challenge it faces in using technology to bear on its service delivery to its staff and customers.

Partnership with Arcon
Arcon is actually bringing two things; first, advanced technology in the cyber security space. Secondly, the products are cost effective. With the situation of the country, companies are concerned about getting a quality product at the right price.
So, we signed a partnership with Arcon to represent them in the whole of Africa and deploy solutions to financial institutions and the telcos. Its flagship product- Arcon, is a Privileged Identity Management Solution (PIMS). Today, about 70% of cyber attacks that occur today are instigated from within from organizations. Most of them are caused by disgruntled staff, or staff with privileged access to company’s data. So, when access to the security protocols is compromised it affects the business. Therefore, Arcon’s solution is such that ensures your insider protocols are protected. Even if you have a third party who works with you, Arcon has a system to help organization guide against breaches. It is a time-based access guarantor into your application and shares a link on what the person actually did. So, it helps you ensure that from the inside you are fully protected.

Value Proposition of Arcon Solutions
The first value proposition: this is an advanced technology. Formerly, you have what is called Privileged Access Management Solution (PAMS), but Arcon has narrowed it down to PIMS, which entails you manage not just the access but who does what. There are features that other competitors cannot boast of. Secondly, everybody wants to buy the right product at the appropriate price. Arcon is flexible with regards to pricing. Other solutions out there tend to remain on their high horses, but Arcon is willing to come down to your level and offer you service.
In terms of customization, because the whole thing is designed by them they are ready to offer you special attention. There are connectors we constitute which other competitors with over two hundred experts, which other competitions lack. And the inhouse developers are ready to customize

Targeted Market
Any technology driven organization requires cyber security solution, because the systems are always subject of attack- serves, networks or switches, they require access. Arcon is available to companies across sectors. For instance, a company like Jumia or Konga, the merchants go ‘in there’ to post or update values of products. Such process can lead to compromise, therefore, you require a robust solution like Arcon to monitor the processes. Aside the firewalls, they need further identity management solution to ensure even protection. Example, an insider can alert an outsider about a possible order for a pair of shoes, he goes to supply same and collect the money, thereby leveraging the investments of the e-commerce platform without making any revenue contribution to it.

Aside Arcons, Other Boch Systems’ Solutions
We are a full security technology organization, offering end-to-end solutions. We have partners who provide global enterprise firewalls relevant to banking, e-commerce, telecommunications and other industries. These firewalls are safeguards against external attacks. We also provide data access management solution. Aside giving you access, there are certain people that are not privileged users especially to unstructured data. Unstructured data seat on serves on individual systems. We have seen confidential letters or memos from government going public because it fell into the hands of unauthorized person even as an unstructured data.

Digital Marketing And Implications To Bank Customers
The future is social media and the future has gone mobile. In fact, any organistion that is not thinking about using the social media to win customers is not looking at the right direction. Today, we are talking about digital marketing. It is about utilizing the social media to create awareness. That is same thing banks are extending to customers. The beauty of it is that the more we engage on social media, the need for them to secure the networks, and also ensure the customers are left in danger of cyber attacks.

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Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State, has approved an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents.

Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, governor, Anambra State,

The directive was confirmed by Dr. Law Mefor, commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the commissioner, the government deemed it necessary to clarify the policy following public inquiries and concerns over the scope of the ban.

Mefor explained that the directive applies to all graduation-related ceremonies in both public and private schools across the state.

He said the ban covers events described as graduation, passing-out, crossover or any other ceremony organised to mark the completion of kindergarten, primary or secondary school levels.

The government said the decision was taken to discourage unnecessary financial obligations often imposed on parents through elaborate school celebrations.

The commissioner clarified that students completing Senior Secondary School (SS3) are exempt from the directive.

However, he stressed that graduation ceremonies for SS3 students are not compulsory and may only be held without imposing any financial burden on students or their parents.

According to him, schools choosing to organise such ceremonies must ensure that no levies, compulsory contributions or hidden charges are demanded from parents.

Mefor warned that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any school that violates the directive.

He said schools found organising prohibited graduation ceremonies or imposing illegal charges on parents risk severe penalties, including possible closure.

The commissioner urged school proprietors and administrators to comply fully with the directive in the interest of parents and the education sector.

The state government said the policy is part of broader efforts to make education more affordable and eliminate unnecessary expenses associated with school activities.

Many parents have previously complained about the increasing costs of graduation ceremonies, including compulsory levies for gowns, entertainment, souvenirs and other related expenses.

The government expressed optimism that the directive would ease the financial pressure on families while encouraging schools to focus more on academic excellence than ceremonial activities.

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Universities, Polytechnics Submit 169 Entries for NASENI Research Commercialisation Grants

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

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About 169 proposals from Nigerian institutions including universities, polytechnics, and research institutes spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have entered for the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP).

NASENI

The programme, an initiative of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), aimed at bridging the gap between research and industry, is designed to identify innovative research with strong commercial potential and support its transition from laboratories to the marketplace.

Speaking on the latest episode of the NASENI Window Podcast, recorded on yesterday at NASENI Studio, NASENI headquarters, Abuja, the Team Lead of the NRCGP and Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Joy Elugbe, said the team received 169 proposals from eligible institutions across the country, including Universities, polytechnics and other research institutions.

Following the close of applications, and to ensure transparency and a rigorous selection process, NASENI engaged 21 professors with expertise across the Agency’s approved thematic areas to evaluate the originality and technical quality of the shortlisted proposals.

According to her, a rigorous preliminary screening reduced the number to 49 proposals after removing duplicate entries and submissions that failed to meet eligibility requirements while the Agency’s Innovation Hub assessed their commercial viability to determine their potential for market adoption.

“12 proposals, two from each geopolitical zone, have progressed to the due diligence stage before the final selection of six grant beneficiaries will be done. The objective is not simply to fund research but to invest in innovations that can successfully reach the market and deliver real impact,” Elugbe explained.

The NRCGP was conceived to address one of Nigeria’s longstanding innovation challenges which is the research breakthroughs that remain on the shelves due to inadequate funding.

She said the initiative, championed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, targets promising research proposals with the capacity to generate economic value, create jobs and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development.

“The idea behind the programme is to identify innovative and commercially viable research outputs that have remained on the shelves because of lack of funding, and provide the support needed to transform them into products that can impact the economy,” she said.

Explaining the concept of commercialization, Elugbe described it as the process of transforming an invention, research outcome or service into a profitable product that meets market needs. The NRCGP aligns with NASENI’s strategic focus on Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization (3Cs), stressing that innovation only achieves its full value when it reaches end-users.

She disclosed that following the launch of the application portal, the Proposal Evaluation Team went on nationwide sensitization campaigns across the six geopolitical zones to educate prospective applicants on the programme requirements and application process.

The sensitization exercise, complemented by radio awareness campaigns, significantly improved participation and the quality of submissions.

She further revealed that NASENI’s support would extend beyond grant disbursement, noting that successful innovators would be linked with the Agency’s Innovation Hub for continuous technical guidance, market advisory services and commercialization support to ensure their products achieve sustainable market success.

The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme was inaugurated in March 2025 to promote innovation, technological advancement and the commercialization of research outcomes in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

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NITRA Conference: Stakeholders Seek Policy Reforms, Grassroots Innovation to Bridge Nigeria’s Digital

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2026

Ugo Onwuaso

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Stakeholders in Nigeria’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector have called for comprehensive policy reforms, stronger infrastructure investment and grassroots innovation to bridge the country’s digital divide and improve global competitiveness.

NITRA Conference

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Innovative and Scientific Conference held at Citi Height Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide With Scientific Innovation,” brought together government agencies, technology experts, regulators, telecom operators, private sector players, academics and policymakers to examine strategies for accelerating digital inclusion through science and innovation.

A panel session titled “The Place of Policy and Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Quest for Global Competitiveness through Scientific Innovation: Roles of Different Stakeholders in Grassroots Mobilisation” examined the policy, infrastructure and human capital requirements for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Panelists identified multiple taxation, high right-of-way (RoW) charges, inconsistent state government policies, poor electricity supply, inadequate digital infrastructure and limited grassroots innovation support as major impediments to expanding broadband access and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

One of the speakers noted that transporting internet bandwidth from Lagos to Canada is cheaper than extending connectivity to some parts of Nigeria because of infrastructure bottlenecks and multiple charges imposed by sub-national governments.

According to the panelist, although some state governments claim to have abolished right-of-way charges, operators are still subjected to numerous levies under different names.

“When we talk about right-of-way limitation, it affects the cost of providing services in some states.

“Some states say right of way is free, but when they grant free right of way, they introduce development charges, education levies and infrastructure fees, making the so-called free right of way meaningless,” the panelist said.

The speaker called for harmonised national policies that would eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of deploying telecommunications infrastructure across the country.

Another panelist representing telecommunications operators stressed that government policies should encourage fair competition rather than favour dominant market players.

According to the representative, improved collaboration between regulators and industry operators is necessary to ensure that policies support innovation, cybersecurity and sustainable sector growth.

Speaking on innovation development, a representative of a private sector innovation fund said Nigeria must begin identifying and nurturing innovators from an early age.

The representative said the organisation supports young innovators through essay competitions, grants and educational programmes aimed at exposing students to science, technology and entrepreneurship.

“We believe innovation begins from childhood.

“By helping children in primary and secondary schools think creatively, they become better positioned to seize opportunities as they grow.

“Innovators exist everywhere, including rural communities. What many of them need is exposure and opportunity,” the speaker said.

On cybersecurity, another panelist advocated greater investment in developing indigenous cybersecurity professionals through structured internship and mentorship programmes.

The panelist also suggested that young people involved in cybercrime should, where appropriate, be rehabilitated and equipped with legitimate digital skills rather than relying solely on imprisonment.

“Part of what we are known for is developing local talent.

“We recruit interns from schools and train them in cybersecurity.

“We should find ways to harness the abilities of young cyber offenders instead of simply sending them to prison,” the speaker said.

A representative from the computer society sector emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation should begin with reforms in basic education.

According to the representative, pupils should be introduced to coding, robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation at the primary school level.

“If Nigeria wants to become globally competitive, we must start from primary school.

“Our schools should not merely prepare students for examinations; they should become innovation clubs where children learn robotics, coding and problem-solving,” the panelist said.

The speaker also referenced the recent launch of an artificial intelligence university portal in Lagos designed to create a talent pipeline from primary education through tertiary institutions.

Addressing regulation, a media analyst cautioned against excessive government control that could discourage technological innovation.

According to the analyst, regulatory frameworks should emerge through stakeholder engagement and strike a balance between consumer protection and innovation.

“Regulation must come with dialogue.

“If regulation becomes excessive, it will stifle innovation.

“As Nigeria develops policies on artificial intelligence, there is a need to strike the right balance,” the analyst said.

On infrastructure protection, another panelist called for stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

The speaker said community ownership and public education are essential to safeguarding digital infrastructure.

“When telecommunications infrastructure is vandalised, everyone suffers, including regulators, operators and consumers.

“People need to understand that protecting infrastructure benefits the entire society,” the panelist said.

Participants also highlighted the affordability of digital services as a major challenge to digital inclusion.

One speaker urged the Federal Government to consider subsidy mechanisms that could reduce the cost of internet-enabled devices.

“Telecommunications companies are businesses, not charity organisations.

“If government introduces subsidy policies similar to what has been done in other sectors, device prices can become more affordable,” the speaker said.

Another panelist stressed that reliable electricity remains fundamental to Nigeria’s digital competitiveness.

“The child who enjoys uninterrupted electricity and internet access cannot be compared with one who has gone months without power.

“For Nigeria to compete globally, every child should have reliable electricity, internet access and opportunities to acquire digital skills,” the speaker added.

Earlier, NITRA Chairman, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the conference was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine policy options capable of strengthening scientific innovation and promoting grassroots technological development.

He noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated increasing commitment to building an innovation-driven economy through various strategic initiatives.

Founded in 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of journalists covering Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector.

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