General News
Reps Decry Rising Fraudulent Activities Linked to POS

The House of Representatives has raised concern over a surge in fraud linked to Point-of-Sale (POS) operators nationwide. POS terminals are now a popular cash source for businesses and individuals seeking alternatives to ATMs, even though ATM fees are lower.

Speaking at a resumed investigative hearing with fintech stakeholders at the National Assembly Complex on Monday, the Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on the Economic, Regulatory and Security Implications of Cryptocurrency Adoption and POS Operations in Nigeria, Hon. Olufemi Bamisile, lamented what he described as the infiltration of unlicensed crypto-related activities in the sector.
According to him, the Committee has received multiple reports of unprofiled agents, cloned terminals, anonymous transactions, and weak Know-Your-Customer practices, which he said are putting Nigerians at serious risk of financial loss, cybercrime, and security breaches.
“We are concerned about the growing rise in fraud associated with POS operations. Unprofiled agents, cloned terminals, and weak KYC practices continue to expose citizens to preventable dangers.
“There are allegations and credible information that some POS operators now engage in crypto-related services for which they are not licensed. This raises serious red flags around anti-money laundering, terrorism financing, data integrity, and the misuse of instruments originally designed for basic payment services,” he said.
Bamisile added that the Committee had been alerted to the registration of phony companies at the Corporate Affairs Commission, some of which allegedly use the National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number of unsuspecting citizens to open accounts and launder illicit funds through unverified POS channels.
“This highlight weak verification mechanisms and underscores the urgent need for a coordinated oversight framework,” he said.
He also disclosed that the Committee will investigate the storage of sensitive customer data on foreign servers by major fintech companies operating in Nigeria, warning that keeping data outside the country’s jurisdiction undermines regulators’ and security agencies’ ability to conduct audits, trace suspicious transactions, or enforce compliance.
“This has direct national security implications, especially in a sector connected to terrorism financing risks and cyber-enabled crimes,” he said.
Despite the concerns, Bamisile assured operators that the engagement was not a witch-hunt but an effort to rid the sector of practices harmful to the fintech industry.
“Our mandate is clear: to recommend legislation that will deliver a harmonised regulatory framework, stronger security safeguards, improved consumer protection, and an environment where innovation and investment can flourish responsibly,” he said.
The National President of the Association of Digital Payment and POS Operators of Nigeria, Paul Okafor, warned that the POS ecosystem has reached a critical emergency point, with fraud rising to a level that now poses a direct national security threat.
He told lawmakers that while POS operators had increased from 50,000 in 2017 to more than 2.3 million in 2025, regulatory capacity had grown by “less than 10 per cent”.
“This imbalance is what has produced the crisis we are facing today. The regulators, especially the CBN, are not incompetent; they are overwhelmed by the sheer speed and scale of growth.”
Quoting data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, Okafor said POS, banking, and digital-payment channels suffered N17.67bn in fraud losses in 2023, affecting more than 80,000 customers. The situation worsened sharply in 2024, with losses rising to N52.26bn—an increase of N34.59bn in one year.
“More than 38,000 POS fraud cases were officially reported in one year. Unofficially, we estimate that over 70,000 cases go unreported because victims simply give up.
“In some states, security agencies report that nearly 40 per cent of kidnap ransom payments pass through informal POS cash-out channels. This is no longer a fintech issue; this is a national security threat,” he warned.
Okafor urged the Committee to issue a directive compelling the CBN to introduce urgent reforms to stabilise the system.
“If we fail to act, fraud will escalate, kidnappers will continue to exploit the system, Nigerians will lose more money, financial inclusion will collapse, and trust in the financial system will be destroyed. And when trust dies, the financial system dies,” he said.
To restore order, he outlined three measures ADPPON wants implemented immediately: mandatory Nigeria Police Force–NCCC Cybercrime Clearance Certificates for all POS operators; mandatory CAC registration for every POS business; and mandatory membership of recognised trade associations to enforce training, discipline, and self-regulation.
“These are practical, lawful solutions aligned with existing laws and international standards. They can be implemented without creating new legislation,” he told lawmakers.
He cited examples from other countries, noting that India, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom enforce strict oversight to protect their POS ecosystems.
“In Brazil, agent fraud dropped by over 60 per cent after the government mandated police vetting. India, with over five million agents, maintains low fraud rates because verification is non-negotiable. No country leaves its financial system open to millions of operators or puts it in the hands of foreigners without strict controls. Nigeria must not be the exception,” he stressed.
General News
FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.
He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.
President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.
The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
General News
FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.
He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.
“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.
The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.
The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.
The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.
For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.
General News
Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
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