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NITRA Innovative Forum 2020: ATCON, GBB, NITDA, Spire Join Innovation Train 

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All is set for the 2020 edition of the annual Innovative Forum being organized by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA).

 

This year’s edition, which will hold as a Webinar due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, is slated for Wednesday, October 14.

 

A statement from the NITRA Secretariat states that more partners have signed up for the event which  will discuss the needs for a fortified ICT sector during and after the COVID-19 period, and the level of preparedness of ICT stakeholders to embrace the challenge of being pivotal to the stability and growth of all other sectors.

 

With the theme, “Multi-stakeholder Approach To National Recovery Post-Pandemic”, the event will further look at what the ICT industry is doing to cushion the effect of the pandemic and what measures are being put in place to reposition it for post-pandemic challenges.

 

According to Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, National Secretary of the Association, “NITRA Innovative Tech Forum’ is an annual event by NITRA, and a contribution by the ICT media Association to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations and policies in Nigeria.

 

He said participants are expected to log in to https://events.vmeetsworld.com/registration/26651305 to register and be part of the Webinar dialogue.

 

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami will be the Special Guest at the Webinar, while the Executive Vice chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta will deliver the Keynote Speech.

 

Other speakers at the Webinar will include Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Kachifu Abdullahi; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo; President, Medallion communications, Ike Nnamani and Co-founder, Digital Encode, Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale.

 

Others are President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola; MD/CEO Galaxy Backbone (GBB) Limited, Professor Muhammad Abubakar; Managing Director, CloudFlex, Aderemi Adejumo and Commercial Director, Spire Solutions, UAE, Sapan Agarwal.

 

It is expected that NITDA’s Director-General, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa, will, at the session, provide insight into its numerous developmental activities geared towards giving Nigeria a formidable regulation in IT.

 

NITDA’s role is to develop, regulate and advise on Information technology in the country through regulatory standards, guidelines and policies.

 

Additionally, NITDA is the clearing house for all IT projects and infrastructural development in the country.

 

ATCON’s participation will bring to the fore, the contributions and challenges of telecom companies who are members of the Association.

 

Galaxy Backbone’s Managing Director, Prof. Abubakar will also take participants through the various plans company has developed to reposition government Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the digitisation ahead.

 

Galaxy Backbone is the information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is now over a decade since its inception, also provided series for the private sector businesses.

 

Spire Solutions is a trusted IT security solutions distributor and services provider.

 

A leader in Information Security Solutions and Services in the MENA region, Spire holds exclusive distribution rights for the world’s best-known security solutions.

 

Along with its partner, Vmeets, Spire Solutions has partnered to provide a secured interactive platform for the event.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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MTN Mulls Establishment of Fintech Firm in Nigeria, Others

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MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.

According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.

If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.

Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.

The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.

Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.

MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.

“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.

 


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Netflix Expands European Presence with €1 Billion Investment in Spain

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Netflix has announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in Spanish film and television productions over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to Spain as a key creative hub in Europe.

The announcement was made by co-chief executive Ted Sarandos at an event held at Netflix’s production studios near Madrid, celebrating the company’s 10-year presence in the country.

Sarandos emphasized that the investment would contribute significantly to Spain’s economy, create jobs, and enable the streaming platform to produce more local content. He was joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in unveiling the initiative.

Netflix first established its international production studios in Madrid in 2019, following the success of the Spanish-language hit series Money Heist.

Since then, its 22,000-square-meter facility has become one of Netflix’s major production centers within the European Union.

The company currently supports over 20,000 jobs in Spain, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global entertainment.

The investment reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy to expand its presence in European markets through original content and local talent.


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ngCERT Issues High Alert to Nigerians Using Android Phones

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Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) has raised alarms over a new wave of advanced cyberattacks targeting Android mobile phones through a malware campaign dubbed Tria Stealer.

ngCERT Issues High Alert to Nigerians Using Android Phones

The malicious software is designed to infiltrate Android devices, hijack messaging accounts, intercept One-Time Passwords (OTPs), to steal sensitive personal and financial data.

According to ngCERT, Tria Stealer spreads primarily through deceptive tactics, such as fake event invitations distributed via popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.

Unsuspecting users are enticed to download an infected  (APK) file, often disguised as a harmless system application, to evade detection.

Once installed, Tria Stealer requests extensive permissions, including access to SMS, call logs, and app notifications.

It immediately commences data harvesting activities, sending stolen information to a Command and Control (C2) server operated via Telegram bots.

This trojan spreads through fake links, usually disguised as wedding or event invites, and tricks users into downloading malicious APK files

“Account takeover of messaging platforms. Impersonation of victim for fraudulent money transfer requests. Compromise of banking and financial applications. Identity theft and credential harvesting.”

In plain terms, if your phone is compromised, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Your financial apps are vulnerable, your reputation could be ruined by impersonation and even simple personal messages could be twisted into tools for scams.

Here’s what users should be doing now:

Don’t download apps outside the official Play Store.

Be suspicious of random invites or links, even from people you know.

Turn on 2FA for everything—banking, emails, social platforms.

Get a reputable antivirus and keep it updated.

If you run an organisation, you should already be taking this seriously.

ngCERT’s guidance says you should raise awareness, monitor mobile devices, and not let your team click on unverified links.

“Deploy network monitoring for suspicious outbound connections to known C2 domains,” it said, meaning, keep an eye on every digital door in and out.

This isn’t one of those cases where you wait to see if it affects you. By the time you realise it, it may already be too late.

 

 

 


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