E-Business
PFS Achieves CMMI-DEV Rating, Strengthens ICT Sector’s Trust

Having satisfied the requirements of all process areas of Capability Maturity Model Integration [CMMI] appraisal, Nigeria software powerhouse, Precise Financial Systems [PFS] has strengthened the information and communication technology [ICT] sector of the economy with achievement of CMMI level 3.
Shohel Noor, general manager, Nihilent West Africa, the company that performed the appraisal, said PFS has invested effort and tools in institutionalizing the Maturity Level 3 practices. The adoption of CMMI by PFS “is strengthening Nigerian ICT sector’s trust in the CMMI framework and in Nihilent as a partner”.
Managing Consultant and CMMI Lead Appraiser, Nihilent Technologies Ltd., Pune, Deepak Manjareka, informed that PFS is one of the fastest growing software companies in West Africa. He added that the company has demonstrated the best use of various software engineering tools for better security, delivery, and institutionalization of Maturity Level 3 practices.
“CMMI is applied to create a process improvement solution that is appropriate to the context of each unique organization. It provides a path for an organization to achieve its performance goals. A CMMI-driven improvement project delivers a framework to standardize processes, ensuring that a business’ best practices are captured, shared and adopted so that it can move staff around the organization and those who leave the organization would not take business critical information away with them”, he said.
Competition is driving significant interest in CMMI. Development companies, service provider, and acquisition/outsourcing organizations are adopting CMMI as a differentiator and enabler to enhance performance.
Competing companies are leveraging CMMI for industry best practices, and have adopted the approach to meet customer demands and competition. The growing popularity of CMMI in the market is also a big reason of adoption of this practice by companies.
CMMI is a process improvement training and certification programme, marketed by Carnegie Mellon University. Government agencies and many organizations required CMMI for software development contracts.
It has 25 different process areas that cater to comprehensive business process improvement and solution. Each CMMI process area has two goals, two practices, and many educational information to help management make the right strategies.
The certification applies to sub-contractors that provide custom software to companies or create solutions for the government. These companies must follow CMMI or be covered by their clients. Parts of the software product delivered to the government must follow CMMI in the supply chain.
Yele Okeremi, MD/CEO, PFS, said the CMMI appraisal has a global impact on the company since software firms are no longer competing locally, but globally. He added that Nigeria needs to conserve foreign exchange and one of the ways to do this is by developing world-class solution, “this is what the CMMI has helped PFS to achieve”.
He said CMMI not only rated the maturity of the company’s process. It provides a level of assurance that the company engaged for the project would complete it on time and price quoted. “The country needs to build capabilities and enhance competencies in order to compete internationally. Therefore, for Nigerians “who have penchant for consuming foreign software, better quality options are here”.
CMMI appraisal for development has many advantages. CMMI would lead to the development of better quality products. As such, “Now we have improved our processes and any government agencies and private firm that engage PFS means that the products we are providing will be of high quality”.
According to him, another benefit CMMI has brought to the company is that with the certification, the company can now provide accurate schedules and realistic timelines, which would lead to realistic deadlines for product releases. “The CMMI appraisal therefore provides the best practices throughout the product lifecycle to ensure we offer timely delivery and quality products to clients”.
He explained that the quality of software is only as good as the process used to develop and maintain it. According to him, a software organization “is competing in the marketplace. Its software process is a critical success factor. Well thought out improvements to the process will significantly contribute to the organization’s performance. That is what CMMI has done for PFS”.
Okeremi said Nihilent West Africa is one of the recognized CMMI Institute partners. CMMI provides a proven approach that has enabled diverse organizations to realize benefits in terms of dramatically improved project predictability and consistency.
E-Business
INEC Sets Up AI Division to Strengthen Electoral System

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division within its ICT Department.
This marks a significant stride toward enhancing electoral integrity, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
This decision was reached at the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, following a series of consultations and engagements on the global and continental impact of AI on elections.
In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC underscored that the growing relevance of AI in electoral matters necessitated a proactive institutional framework to manage both the risks and opportunities it presents.
“Our interactions with electoral bodies across Africa highlighted both the risks of AI—such as fake news and content manipulation—and the vast potential it holds for data-driven decision-making, risk mitigation, automated voter services, and geo-spatial intelligence for logistics,” Olumekun noted.
According to him, the newly created division will centralise the Commission’s AI efforts, ensuring a harmonized approach to deploying intelligent systems that enhance decision-making, improve voter engagement, and boost the credibility of the electoral process.
“The creation of this division puts the Commission at the forefront of institutionalizing AI capabilities in electoral management.
It is also part of our ongoing reforms in areas where administrative action is sufficient to drive change,” he said.
He added that the AI Division will help INEC better coordinate its existing technological investments while providing safeguards against the misuse of AI technologies.
“We are positioning ourselves to maximise the positive impact of AI while mitigating its negative implications. This step strengthens the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria,” Olumekun concluded.
The initiative, INEC emphasised, reflects its commitment to embracing innovation in safeguarding democracy and improving electoral services nationwide.
E-Business
CAC, NIBSS Unveil Platform for Data Access to Private Firms

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has unveiled a new Application Programming Interface (API) integration system to allow private firms access company data from the Commission’s database.
Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), registrar general of CAC, who spoke in Abuja at the unveiling said the system would give selected private organizations access to CAC services through technology-based companies, called “super agents.”
“This is a practical step to show that the Commission is committed to meeting the expectations of our customers,” he said.
Magaji explained that the integration allows the agents to retrieve data from the CAC database for use in specific client requests, outside the standard services provided by the Commission.
“Before now, only a few government agencies had this integration, especially those involved in investigations, anti-money laundering, and terrorism financing. Now, private companies that meet the criteria can also access it,” he said.
He said the system complies with the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and information such as residential addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth may be restricted.
“This is a call to law firms and companies with the right technology. We’ve started with NIPS because of their credibility. Embassies and banks can now authenticate company records directly through them.”
“There are prescribed fees. We already collect them on our portal, and now customers can also pay through these agents,” he explained.
He named NIPS, MoneyPoint, and OPE as some of the companies involved.
“OPE and MoneyPoint handle only registrations. But NIPS has moved further into validation and verification,” he said.
Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at NIBSS, who represented Premier Oiwoh, managing director, said the service allows secure and efficient data verification.
“This is the result of years of effort to connect our systems with CAC. It will help users verify data within the limits of data protection laws,” she said.
She said the move is a way to lower costs and promote interoperability across the financial sector.
E-Business
FG Launches Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

Ministry of Interior has announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed by Dr Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior’s said the initiative forms a key part of its ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency, and significantly improving service delivery to the public.
The new digital platform is designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround times and improved user experience.
The platform allows users to apply for and manage business permits, ensuring that both local and foreign businesses operate legally in Nigeria.
It includes an Expatriate Quota System to manage work permits for foreign employees, helping companies hire skilled workers while complying with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The Citizenship Administration and Management System provides a streamlined online process for applying, tracking, and managing Nigerian citizenship applications and related services.
Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are expected to access the platform through the ministry’s website: https://interior.gov.ng , Direct Portal Access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng , or contact candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support and inquiries.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation,” the statement read in part.
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