News
ITAN @ Dinner, Tasks CT Minister on Moving Industry Forward
The Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) has listed job creation and capacity building, eGovernment and local content as some of the key ingredients to achieving the the ferederal government transformation Agenda.
ITAN at a an interactive dinner session in Lagos with Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, also appraised the minister with the harmonization that had taking place among all IT stakeholders and the preparedness of the industry to address its challenges with one voice.
Mrs. Florence Seriki, president of ITAN commended the minister for honouring the invitation to meet the industry.
She said that “this is the first time ever that a serving minister will be meeting the industry that falls within the purview of her ministry to seek ways of collaborating and addressing the challenges that the industry players face”
The interactive dinner session, organized by ITAN, was the first ever in the industry and was designed to pave the way for industry and government to build a synergy to achieve clear cut goals on advancing the sector.
Seriki, who is also the CEO of Omatek Computers Ventures Plc said that “the industry is here tonight to speak as one voice on the challenges it faces. ITAN wants to key into the transformational agenda of the government and ITAN desires that the ministry will involve stakeholders in the implementation of the government’s transformational agenda.
Responding, the minister assured stakeholders of government’s desire to work with them and to create the right environment for the promotion of indigenous IT ventures.
She said ‘Guidelines for Local Content in the IT’ industry is set for release soon by the Federal Government as part of its policy to encourage growth of the local industry particularly the indigenous hardware and software sub-sectors.
In his contribution, Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Computer urged government to create demand for products of the local IT industry.
“In every market, local industry players are protected because to recycle wealth, create jobs and build local content. Government must support the local OEMs – original equipment manufacturers- by driving demand,” said Ekeh.
Adding his voice, Mr. Willy Aniebulam, managing director of Beta Computers Limited said that “I cannot produce and store up goods in the warehouse when government would rather buy from outside than from me. Government is the biggest spender in any economy therefore, only government can ensure greater patronage of local manufacturers.”
He said government has to lead in revving up demand for local computer manufacturers.
Also speaking for the industry, Dr Gabriel Obi, former head of the Computer Professional Registration Council (CPN) tasked the minister to end the disconnect between the local industry, the industry professionals, and government.
“We believe this will be the beginning of a more engaging relationship between the industry and the government through your ministry which creation we all canvassed for. There has to be a strategic framework that is unique to Nigeria; a framework that addresses our unique circumstances. Government role is to promote strategic investment and to encourage the local industry to innovate and recreate solutions that address our unique needs,” said Dr Obi.
To Mr. Chris Uwaje, president of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), government must not relent in its efforts to support the local software industry through sufficient policy framework. He canvassed for a positive economic turn-around through the creation of a robust local software industry. Government must bring its weight and patronage to bear on the local software industry if it desires to expand national income beyond crude oil export.
The Minister acknowledged these points.
“I have to be the No.1 promoter of ‘made-in-Nigeria’ products. I have to lead the campaign in consumer preference marketing” she said;
She added that the “The ministry is resuscitating the policy of patronizing local brands. It is specifying the minimum specifications and the industry itself has a role to play to ensure enforcement of the policy.”
According to the minister, there is already a policy to encourage students in tertiary institutions to own devices: laptops, PCs and tablets worth over a million units. 50% of these must be local brands.
The onus is on the local players to make local brands cheaper and equally competitive in terms of quality.
Many key Stakeholders and elders in the industry like Chief Odeyemi – the first Provost, The current Provost – Alh Oguneye formally MD of Datasciences, Chief Ayodele of labyet Polaris, Mr Aghanenu of Innovative Computers equally spoke. Mr Balogun of Brian spoke regarding how to assist local manufacturers and those at the Otigba Ikeja market whilst Dr Emmanuel Ekuwen supported the capacity building request by ITAN for its members
The UK Government has announced the appointment of Mr Peter Vowles as the next British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr Vowles succeeds Dr Richard Montgomery CMG and is expected to take up his post in Abuja in September 2026. Dr Montgomery remains in post until that time.
Mr Vowles brings extensive diplomatic and development experience to the role, having served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2023 to 2026 and previously as Ambassador to Myanmar from 2021 to 2022.
He has held senior leadership positions across the FCDO and its predecessor department DFID, including as Transformation Director and Director for Asia, Caribbean and Overseas Territories.
Earlier in his career, Mr Vowles worked in international development across South Asia, Central Africa and East Africa, including postings in Bangladesh, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. He began his career in Zimbabwe, where he worked in education and development.
Peter Vowles said: “I am honoured to be appointed as British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Nigeria is a country of immense importance to the United Kingdom, and I look forward to working closely with Nigerian partners to strengthen our relationship across trade, development and security.”
World Bank has ranked the Apapa and Tin Can Island Port complexes in Lagos among the world’s 20 most improved ports in its 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), released in June 2026.
The ranking places both ports in the “Top 20 Port Improvement Since 2020” category, reflecting significant gains in operational efficiency and vessel turnaround time.
The CPPI is a global benchmark used to assess the efficiency of container ports based on factors such as cargo handling speed, ship turnaround time and overall logistics performance.
According to the report, the improvement highlights ongoing reforms and modernization efforts within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Abubakar Dantsoho, attributed the recognition to ongoing policy reforms and infrastructure upgrades in the sector.
He said the development reflects the impact of economic policies of President Bola Tinubu and the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.
“With the investor-friendly policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu providing the impetus for increased investment to drive our port infrastructure and equipment modernisation programme, coupled with the unflinching support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, we have all it takes to further enhance trade facilitation, improve competitiveness and boost the national economy,” he said.
The NPA said the recognition is expected to strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and enhance the country’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.
It noted that improvements in port operations are already contributing to increased efficiency in cargo movement and reduced delays at key terminals.
The authority also pointed to ongoing efforts to modernise port infrastructure and expand digital systems aimed at improving service delivery.
Earlier in February 2026, the NPA said the federal government had intensified efforts to position Nigeria as a leading maritime destination through port rehabilitation and modernization projects.
It also highlighted public-private partnership initiatives, including developments at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, as part of broader reforms aimed at improving efficiency and attracting investment.
The CPPI ranking is expected to further boost Nigeria’s maritime profile and encourage additional investment in the sector.
As digital payment adoption continues to grow across Nigeria and emerging markets, the next phase will depend not just on innovation, but on the strength, reliability, and trustworthiness of the infrastructure behind it.
While the ecosystem has made clear progress in recent years, trust remains a critical issue for users, businesses, and operators alike. Questions around resilience, security, interoperability and transaction reliability continue to shape how the market evolves and how confidently digital payments can scale.
These issues will be central to the deliberations at Digital Pay Expo 2026, where fintech leaders, payment operators, and other ecosystem stakeholders will gather under the theme, “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the Era of AI.”
PalmPay’s participation reflects its continued commitment to building trusted and scalable payment infrastructure, while contributing to the broader industry efforts to strengthen systems, standards, and partnerships needed to support long-term ecosystem growth.
Speaking ahead of the event, Olorunfemi Hanson, Head of Marketing and Communications at PalmPay Nigeria, said: “As the financial services ecosystem continues to grow, trust and reliability become even more important.
“The industry’s next phase will be shaped not only by innovation, but by the strength of the infrastructure supporting it. Digital Pay Expo provides an important platform to address the resilience, interoperability, and trust issues that will shape the future of digital payments growth across Africa.”
The event, scheduled to be held from the 17th to the 18th of June, 2026, will feature Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, alongside other distinguished guests, including the Director-General, Payment System Management Department (PSMD), Central Bank of Nigeria. The event will examine how the industry can balance innovation, regulation, and scalability while strengthening trust across the digital payments value chain.
For PalmPay, this event reinforces its role in supporting a more resilient, secure and scalable payments ecosystem for Nigeria and emerging markets more broadly.
Nigeria Launches FreeTV Nationwide
NIPOST Plans Digital Postcodes for Every Building in Nigeria
Enugu to Host The Gathering on 100 as MTN-Backed Youth Movement Expands Across Nigeria
Prof. Dzidonu Urges Universities to Produce Deep Thinkers for AI Age
FG Debunks Claims of Plans to Introduce Telecoms, Fuel Taxes
CBN Extends PoS Geo-Fencing Enforcement Deadline to August 2026
NCC Drafts New Rules for Virtual Mobile Operators
London Strengthens Global Investment Ties with Africa @ First Ever London-Africa Business Summit
FG Targets Alleged N3tn Capital Flight, Opens Airtime Credit Market to Nigerian Fintechs
Easybuy Partners WAWUAfrica to Upskill 10 Million Youths and Women, Boosting Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Inclusion
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Orders Banks, Fintechs to Host Payment Data Locally
E-Business2 days agoGalaxy Backbone @ 20, Pledges Nationwide Connectivity, Data Sovereignty
Telecom1 day agoMTN Foundation Commits N32Bn in Projects across Nigeria
E-Financial2 days agoAnalysts Warn of Growing “Crowded Trade” in Foreign Exchange Markets
Telecom2 days agoNigeria Innovation Summit 2026 Set to Convene West Africa’s Brightest Minds to Shape the Future of Innovation
News2 days agoPalmPay Joins Industry Leaders @ Digital Pay Expo 2026
E-Financial2 days agoACAMB Kicks-off 30th Anniversary Celebration With Tree Planting Initiative
Telecom2 days agoUK Bans TikTok, Instagram, Facebook for Under-16s in Landmark Crackdown