General News
NCC, Other Stakeholders Extol NITRA @ Inauguration
The inauguration of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) was a move that will engender faster industry growth through collaboration with industry stakeholders on different fronts in and outside the country.
This was the position of the Nigerian Communications Commission and other industry stakeholders and supporters of NITRA including the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Nigeria Internet Group (NIG); and the Nigeria Internet Registration Associations (NIRA), Electronic Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) at the official inauguration of the association held at the Function Room of Sheraton Hotels and Towers, in Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend.
Other industry players that supported the NITRA inauguration include the Zinox Computers, Computer Warehouse Group; MTN Nigeria, Visafone, Signal Alliance, Globacom, Resourcery, Teledom International, Airtel, Samsung, Cisco and Ericsson, JSP Communications, The Quadrant, Xlr8, as well as Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, among others.
Speaking at the NITRA inauguration, Dr, Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman of the NCC, said the formation of NITRA was strategic to proper coordination among journalists for driving ICT development.
Juwah, in a keynote address on ‘Broadband Penetration: Opportunities for Business Growth and Sustainability’ underscored how broadband is accelerating growth in every facet of the economy.
The NCC boss, who was represented by Engineer Bako Wakil, assistant director, Technical Services, however, stated that the Commission solidly identifies with the vision and mission of NITRA.
He said: “Let me first congratulate you for being able to coordinate this event which is a culmination of your efforts in forming better platform for effective coverage of the industry. It is also heart-warming that your vision is to drive ICT Development through your mission to ensure ethical accurate, regulators and other key stakeholders for sustainable development of the ICT industry.
“We can say that we already share a common aspiration with these ideals as have been expressed and we promise to continue supporting NITRA as a critical stakeholder in the industry.”
While describing NITRA as a good platform which ICT journalists can leverage to contribute meaningfully to the industry, Dr. Emmanuel Ukuwem, chairman of the occasion, said it should be run selflessly toward the realization of its mission and vision.
Mr. Lanre Ajayi, ATCON’s president, and Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON’s chairman, who expressed their readiness to work with NITRA leadership, advised the association’s leadership to be transparent in its activities to members.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Emma Okonji, president of NITRA, said the decision to inaugurate NITRA was borne out of the need to create an industry-wide awareness about the association and to formally unveil its activities to the industry stakeholders.
Highlighting what the mandates of NITRA would be, Okonji said as critical stakeholders in the ICT industry, NITRA would continue to play our role of keeping the government and its agencies on their toes by assessing their performance in terms of policy formulation and implementation with a view to ensuring that ICT continue to be a major contributor to the nation’s economy.
“This is in line with our cardinal role as journalists, as contained in the Section 22 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, which states, inter alia, that “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to….uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”
“It is NITRA’s belief, therefore, that the extent to which we, as journalists, recognise this constitutional role bestowed upon us and allow it to reflect in our daily account of activities in the industry reportage both from the government and private sector perspectives, the better for the industry as whole.
”While carrying out this important role, we would also continue to seek strategic collaborations, where necessary, with industry stakeholders in moving the industry forward, by championing its course for the good of the industry,” he said.
The NITRA President added that NITRA shall not hesitate, from time to time, to issue position statements on burning industry issues and make such positions known to the government for possible considerations and, by extension, implementation.
Established in November 2013, NITRA is the umbrella body of all ICT journalists in Nigeria, cutting across the print, broadband and online media.
The association has a vision to drive ICT development through a mission of ensuring accurate and robust reportage and deepening collaborations with industry stakeholders and the regulators for a sustainable development in the ICT industry.
NITRA is an affiliate of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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