General News
NCC Highlights Policy, Regulatory Initiatives for Tech Innovation Development
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has outlined various policy and regulatory initiatives being implemented by the Commission to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring continuous development of the startups section of the telecommunication ecosystem in Nigeria.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, listed the initiatives during a two-day Zonal Regional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Innovation Forum organised by the Commission in Enugu recently.
The annual event, with the theme: “Digital Societies and Emerging Technologies: Leveraging ICTs to Build Information and Knowledge Societies for Achieving the Nation’s Digital Economy”, was attended by representatives of strategic partners of the Commission, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), tech hubs, innovators and tech entrepreneurs, as well as venture capitalists, among others.
Represented by the Head, Research and Development, NCC, Kelechi Nwankwo, Danbatta said the current momentum being witnessed in the Nigeria’s tech space is, no doubt, attributable to the regulatory approach of the Commission. Danbatta stated that Commission is committed to effective regulation of the telecoms sector in ways that will not inhibit competition but rather fosters innovation, industry growth and socioeconomic development.
According to Danbatta, the Commission, as the key driver in the ICT industry and a responsive organisation, has implemented deliberate policy and initiatives creating an enabling environment for Nigerian startups to thrive and scale up for more global impact and value creation.
The EVC said these initiatives include the aggressive and ongoing implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan NNBP), 2020-2025 aimed at increasing broadband penetration to 70 per cent by 2025; driving of the implementation of the National Digital Economy and Policy Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030; and the implementation of the NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024, all of which are streamlined in the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025 to ensure regulatory effectiveness.
Danbatta declared that other similar initiatives emplaced by the Commission to facilitate the development and sustainability of the tech startup ecosystem are the ICT Hubs Support and Engagement Programmes; the annual ICT Innovation Competition and Exhibition; the Annual Hackathon, as well as the ongoing development of ICT parks across the country.
Elaborating more on the ICT Park, the EVC said the Commission is building six technology parks across the geo-political zones. The first phase of the project is nearing completion in four zones, namely, Enugu in the South East, Abeokuta in the South West, Maiduguri in the North East, and Kano in the North West. “The project comes with a strategic intent of boosting digital skills among young people, promoting innovations, providing jobs for young Nigerians and ultimately supporting the Federal Government Digital Economy Agenda,” he said.
The NCC CEO emphasised that the ICT Park, which is at various levels of completion will deliver a fully-functional Tier-4 Digital Industry Complex (DIC) that will involve a commercial hub for ICT capacity building and digital skills, employment generation and entrepreneurial activities, as well as smart city deployment across the Complex.
While commending the attendees for their active participation at the forum and generally on their collaboration towards building a truly digital economy in Nigeria, Danbatta expressed the unequivocal commitment of the Commission to fostering strategic collaboration and partnership with the technology hubs with the aim of accelerating innovations, industrial growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
In the same, Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, underscored the essence of the annual programme. He said the Forum was conceived to facilitate and support ICT innovators, tech enthusiasts and tech entrepreneurs, as a strategy to leapfrog Nigeria into the digital economy.
Maska, emphatic that the objectives are critical for reflating the economy and improving the social wellbeing of the citizens, Maska said, as a regulator of this sector, NCC is focused on its responsibility and hence the introduction of policies, programmes and initiatives to promote innovation and facilitate tech entrepreneurship.
Represented at the forum by the Zonal Controller, Enugu Office of the Commission, Ogbonnaya Ugama, Maska said at NCC, “We believe that this is very critical if we must facilitate the introduction of new value added services that will improve consumer quality of experience, unlock entrepreneurial potentials of our teaming youths, improve indigenous capacity, boost indigenous content development, and importantly, support the Presidential desire for us as a country to produce what we consumer and consume what we produce,” Maska added.
The Commission is set to convene the Regional ICT Innovation Forum in other geopolitical zones of the country and it is determined to rally all stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness and leverage consultation and collaborative partnership, two key operational principles NCC is noted for.
Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, state-owned oil company, has suspended plans for a potential public listing, confirming it will remain entirely government-owned for the foreseeable future.
Bayo Ojulari, group managing director, NNPC,
Bayo Ojulari, group managing director, NNPC, stated this on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025).
This stance contrasts with earlier statements suggesting that a partial stock market listing might follow the company’s 2021 transformation under the Petroleum Industry Act, which converted NNPC into a commercial entity governed by corporate law—a step widely seen as preparation for eventual privatization.
In recent years, NNPC Ltd has sought to improve transparency by publishing monthly performance reports and adopting stricter accounting standards.
The company also aims to increase its stake in the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, while working with technical partners to revive its three state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
No official explanation was provided for pausing the IPO discussions.
Management only emphasized the company’s current focus on internal consolidation and operational performance.
For now, NNPC Ltd has set no timeline for a public offering, signaling that the company’s priority remains strengthening credibility and profitability before revisiting t
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced plans to officially unveil the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts on Monday, November 10, during a high-level Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Session at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Themed “Impact of the New Tax Laws,” the event represents a major step in Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reform efforts and reaffirms the government’s commitment to creating a simpler, fairer, and more efficient tax system that enhances compliance, encourages investment, and supports sustainable economic growth.
The engagement will bring together senior government officials, policy experts, development partners, and private sector representatives to deliberate on the implementation strategies and wider implications of the newly enacted tax laws.
According to the FIRS, the session will feature keynote and technical presentations from leading experts, including Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms; Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, CEO, Compliance Professionals and former Executive Chairman, FIRS; Matthew Gbonjubola, Coordinating Director, FIRS; and Tayo Koleoso, Chief of Staff, FIRS.
In addition, a high-level panel discussion will be led by senior FIRS management members Amina Ado, Kabir Abba, and Matthew Gbonjubola, alongside Michael Ango, Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, and Olumide Esan, Partner at Deloitte.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Director of Taxpayer Services, Dr. Lovette Ononuga, said the engagement is designed to “strengthen public understanding of the reforms and promote collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the new laws.”
While physical attendance will be strictly by invitation, the FIRS confirmed that the session will be streamed live via YouTube and Zoom, with virtual participation links to be shared two days before the event through its official communication channels.
Banking in Nigeria has changed and PalmPay is at the center of it. Whether it’s sending money to family, saving for a rainy day, or paying bills in seconds, PalmPay is showing millions of Nigerians that banking doesn’t have to be stressful.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how best you can use your PalmPay app, here are five smart ways people are using it to make everyday life easier and more rewarding.
1. Sending Money Without Charges
A typical Nigerian carries out dozens of transactions weekly, and those bank charges can quietly add up over time. With PalmPay, users enjoy unlimited free transfers to any bank, and transactions are instant. You can send and receive funds to any bank account or PalmPay wallet in seconds; no delays, no hidden fees.
Smart tip: Once you type the first few digits of an account number, PalmPay automatically suggests the recipient, saving you time and making future transfers even faster.
2. Reliable Transfers, Always
PalmPay users enjoy fast, dependable transfers thanks to the platform’s 99.9% transaction success rate powered by its own payment infrastructure. It’s smooth, reliable, and eliminates the classic “Oya refresh your app” moment we all know too well.
Smart tip: PalmPay notifies you of the recipient’s network status before completing a transfer which helps users avoid failed transactions.
3. Paying Bills Without Stress
From electricity and data to cable TV and other essential bills, PalmPay makes payments simple. Everything you need is right there in one app, no queues or multiple logins. And the best part? You earn cashback and PalmPoints every time you pay.
Smart tip: Get up to 3% cashback on certain bill payments and transactions. Check the app for ongoing promos.
4. Saving More
PalmPay isn’t just for spending, it’s built for building wealth too. With multiple savings products like CashBox, Spend and Save, Target Savings, and Fixed Savings, users can set money aside automatically and earn up to 20% interest annually.
Whether you’re saving for rent, a trip, or to grow your business, PalmPay helps you stay consistent and intentional.
Smart tip: Name your savings goals “House Rent” or “Emergency Fund” to stay motivated.
5. Getting Rewarded for Everyday Transactions
Who says banking has to be boring? PalmPay gives users rewards through cashback and PalmPoints for everyday actions like buying airtime, paying bills, and referring friends. It’s simple; the more you use it, the more you earn.
Smart tip: Check the app to track your PalmPoints, trial cash, and other reward offers.
The Smarter Way to Bank
PalmPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by NDIC, so users’ money stays protected. With features like night guard, transaction guard, PIN, and fraud monitoring, users enjoy secure and stress-free banking.
From students to business owners, more Nigerians are choosing PalmPay for fast, secure, and rewarding transactions, just the way banking should be.
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