A new study by Bayero University, Kano, has found that 38 per cent of women in Northern Nigeria do not have access to financial services.

The study, carried out by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies of the university, was supported by the Gates Foundation. It examined how social norms and behavioural factors influence financial inclusion across the 19 Northern states.

The report, titled “Understanding Influence and Behaviour in Northern Nigeria” and unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that while 52 per cent of women are financially served, only 45 per cent access formal financial services through deposit money banks, merchant banks, interest-free banks and microfinance institutions.

It stated that “38 per cent of women across the region lack access to financial services. “52 per cent of women are financially served, while 45 per cent access formal financial services through Deposit Money Banks, merchant banks, interest-free banks and microfinance institutions. An additional seven per cent utilise other formal non-bank financial products, including insurance services. ”

Speaking at the unveiling, the Director of Academic Planning at Bayero University, Prof. Yusuf Garba, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Haurna Musa said the research was designed to uncover why the region lags in financial access.

“This study, which started in 2024, aims to examine how social norms influence attitudes and behaviour of various groups across Northern Nigeria, particularly to find out why states in the region fall behind in access and use of financial services,” he said.

Garba explained that the research, conducted over 18 months, produced two volumes detailing how influence structures, trust hierarchies, gender norms, and religious considerations shape decisions around finance, health and education.

He added, “The report is structured into volumes to provide a unified explanation of how social norms, authority structure, and trust shape financial behaviour across Northern Nigeria.”

On the findings, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Ismael Zango, said the data aligns with figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, particularly on poverty and unemployment.

According to him, “unemployment in the region stands at about 37 per cent,” while “poverty levels average about 80 per cent across Northern Nigeria, with Sokoto State recording the highest rate at over 80 per cent.”

Zango stressed that addressing financial exclusion requires more than temporary interventions.

“Economic empowerment must go beyond token financial support,” he said, adding that “sustainable development requires equipping women and youths with relevant, market-driven skills.”

He cited women-led initiatives such as groundnut processing groups in Kebbi State and the Women in Agriculture programme in Kano State as practical models.

“These initiatives should be scaled up to bring more people into productive economic activities and reduce poverty,” he said.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement, Mrs. Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, described financial inclusion as both an ethical and economic imperative.

Akinjayeju called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including government, financial institutions and development partners, as well as policy reforms to address existing gaps.

“Everyone has a role to play, but commitment must come from the top,” she said.

The findings come amid growing concerns over low financial inclusion rates in Northern Nigeria, driven by poverty, unemployment, and entrenched social norms that limit women’s economic participation.

Citizens Initiative for Safety Awareness (CISA), advocacy group focused on security, data protection, and counter-terrorism, has urged the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to provide an update on a petition alleging a cybersecurity breach and unlawful access to private communications involving officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

Mr Chidi Omeje, national coordinator, in a letter dated April 10, 2026, observed no response from the commission so far.

Filed on July 1, 2025, by Mr Yushau A. Shuaib, the petition claims unauthorised access, interception, and use of private digital correspondence belonging to him and PRNigeria, his company.

The complaint named Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and Professor Elias Wahab concerning the alleged breach. Such incidents are outlined in the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, regarding data privacy, cybersecurity safeguards, and the protection of sensitive information.

CISA said if confirmed, the alleged actions contravene Nigeria’s data protection framework, with implications for data governance, safety of confidential media sources, and public trust in institutions.

It requests the NDPC to clarify the status of the probe, disclose any interim findings, and cite measures to prevent similar breaches.

The organisation believes the matter has evolved beyond an individual complaint, describing it as a test of the government’s commitment to enforcing its data protection laws, especially within ministries, departments, and agencies.

CISA also appealed to Tunji Disu, inspector general of Police, to order an investigation into the alleged cybercrime.

In a statement,  Omeje criticised the “prolonged delay” by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in acting on a petition submitted since June 2025.

The group said, despite “credible evidence,” the police had yet to invite or question the individuals mentioned. Pointing out that two of the officials share membership in the National Institute (mni) with the former DIG at the FCID, CISA raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest.

Omeje clarified that the petition was different from the civil suit at the Federal High Court over Mr Shuaib’s withdrawal from the NIPSS programme.

“An elementary legal principle holds that a civil suit cannot be a bar to criminal investigation or prosecution,” he noted.

CISA called on the police to act in accordance with due process, advising the authorities to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence.

It contends that failure to act decisively could erode trust in law enforcement and reinforce perceptions of a two-tier justice system.

A recent Kaspersky survey highlights a considerable gap between consumers’ confidence in identifying online scams and their actual exposure to cyber threats.

According to the findings, more than one-third of respondents (36%) in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region reported encountering an online scam or attempted scam within the past 12 months, underscoring the persistent and evolving nature of digital risks.

Worryingly, these threats are far from hypothetical: 37% of surveyed users in the META region have fallen victim to online scams resulting in data compromise or financial loss.

Among those affected, nearly half (49%) experienced scams via social media platforms, while 48% reported investment or financial fraud attempts, 41% – scam associated with fake delivery or postal messages.

Phishing emails remain a significant threat as well, impacting 43% of respondents. These figures point to the increasingly diverse tactics used by cybercriminals to target individuals across multiple channels.

Despite this, confidence levels remain strikingly high: 80% of respondents in META believe they can recognise a scam, with 34% expressing strong certainty in their ability to avoid falling victim. This overconfidence may contribute to risky online behaviour and reduced vigilance.

When it comes to protective measures, respondents demonstrate mixed habits. While 57% report using strong and unique passwords, only 36% consistently check URLs before clicking, and 34% avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities.

Notably, fewer than half (40%) use a dedicated security solution, which means a significant amount of people can face negative effects from cyberthreats. Alarmingly, 6% admit they do not use any specific security measures at all.

Regular maintenance of digital security tools also appears inconsistent. Just 35% of respondents in the META region update passwords and review security settings on a regular basis – at least once a month or more often. Meanwhile, 41% do so only occasionally, 19% rarely, and 5% never take such actions.

“The survey findings highlight a critical need for increased awareness and stronger adoption of comprehensive cybersecurity practices. While individual habits such as password hygiene and cautious browsing are essential, they should be complemented by reliable security solutions and regular security updates to effectively mitigate modern cyber threats,” comments Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky.