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NCS Urges FG to Check Influx of Substandard IT Products
The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on Friday appealed to the Federal Government to help control the importation of substandard Information Technology (IT) products into the country.
Mr Jide Awe, chairman, Conferences’ Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has said that substandard IT products could be a threat to the environment and people at large.
Awe urged the government to involve IT professionals, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officials to ensure control and reduction of substandard products entry into the country.
“Adequate measures have to be put in place at the entry ports to control influx of substandard IT products into Nigeria.
“Most of the gadgets imported from abroad are substandard products which can be dangerous to human and environment.
“Government should involve Information Technologists and professional bodies to guide and advise it during policy formulation.
“These IT experts can collaborate with the SON to ensure that sub-standard IT products are controlled to avoid hazards,” Awe said.
The NCS committee chairman said local manufacturers needed to be encouraged and given a conducive environment to produce, adding that this would increase local investors’ patronage.
Awe told NAN in Lagos that substandard IT products did not fit the stereotype of being long-lasting, saying that original items made things better, efficient and effective.
“If you are using substandard equipment, it cannot last long.
“Almost everybody makes use of IT equipment for several things because it is efficient and fast,” Awe added.
Also speaking, Mr Femi Efunsanya, an IT business owner and programmer, said substandard products were introduced into the country by businessmen who tried to cut corners to maximise profit.
Efunsanya said these businessmen did not consider the long and short time effects of sub-standard products.
He stressed that substandard products could be harmful to people and the environment, adding that people were usually unaware of its sub-standard quality so they purchased them.
“Most importers of IT products do not consider the negative effects of substandard products.
“All they are after is how to make more profit on a particular import,” the Mdot chairman said.
News
PalmPay Launches CSR Initiatives to Empower Women, Foster Financial Literacy in Northern Nigeria

In a strategic move to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria, leading mobile banking platform, PalmPay has launched a series of CSR programs across Kano and Kaduna. The CSR initiative named “Passing the Baton” represents the brand’s commitment to passing on knowledge and providing the resources individuals and businesses need to achieve financial independence and drive economic empowerment.
This initiative is a bold move by PalmPay to bridge the opportunity gap in the North by providing financial literacy training and micro-business branding support to 5,000 women-owned businesses in Kano and Kaduna. This strategic initiative reaffirms PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive development and economic empowerment, particularly in underserved regions.
“At PalmPay, we believe that real financial inclusion must be far reaching and cover the grassroots,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay. “Our new CSR program is focused on supporting gender equity by equipping women with the knowledge, tools, and visibility they need to thrive as entrepreneurs in their communities.”
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will receive free health insurance, hands-on training workshops, enhanced store branding to boost visibility, and branded merchandise to strengthen their business presence.
The initiative is part of PalmPay’s broader strategy to extend its innovative solutions, expand its footprint in Northern Nigeria, while building sustainable partnerships with local stakeholders for long-term impact.
In a show of support, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, has endorsed the initiative, calling on other stakeholders to join forces with PalmPay in ensuring the North benefits fully from the growing digital economy. PalmPay has received commendation from community stakeholders, as the initiative aims to serve as a model for similar projects across other northern states.
As PalmPay continues to scale across Nigeria, the company remains committed to bridging the financial inclusion gap and empowering underserved groups, particularly women and youth, through its innovative solutions and impact initiatives.
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EFCC Witness Admits Writing Off Arik Air’s $2.3M Debt Amid N76Bn Fraud Trial


News
Anambra Shines in 2025 E-Governance Rankings, Setting National Standards

Anambra State has once again demonstrated its leadership in digital transformation, emerging as one of Nigeria’s top three states in the 2025 e-Governance Report published by the Panorama CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI).
According to the report — a collaborative effort between Nigerian Panorama and the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS) — Anambra ranks alongside Lagos and Enugu as the leading states in adopting and implementing e-governance practices that foster accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery.
In his remarks, Professor Anthony Kila, Director of CIAPS, emphasized the importance of e-governance in shaping how governments interact with citizens. “The centrality of e-governance allows us to assess the performance of state governments in the country. How the government treats the digital world says a lot about them,” he said.
The report evaluated states based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including website security, up-to-date content, public engagement, availability of online services, policy updates, and user accessibility. Anambra’s performance reflects the state’s deliberate investment in digital infrastructure and its commitment to leveraging technology as a tool for inclusive governance.
Reacting to the recognition, the Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, described the report as a welcome validation of the efforts being made under the leadership of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to reposition Anambra as a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city.
“This is not just about being tech-savvy,” Agbata said. “It’s about using digital tools to create real impact — making the government more accessible, responsive, and transparent. Anambra is building a digital future that works for everyone.”
The CGPI Report recommended that all states intensify efforts to train public servants, maintain digital platforms effectively, and build user-friendly systems that keep citizens informed and empowered. For Anambra, this recognition serves both as a milestone and a motivation to scale new heights.
As the journey continues, Anambra remains focused on setting the pace for e-governance in Nigeria in line with the Governor’s mantra of Everything Technology & Technology Everywhere.
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