News
SON Urges e-Commerce Operators to Adhere to Standards
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said that there is the need for stakeholders in the e-Commerce space to adhere strictly to standards to grow the sector.
The organisation made the call when it met with the stakeholders at a forum in Lagos, tagged: “The Role of Standards and Quality Regulation in Electronic Commerce.’’
The organisation said that it had become imperative for stakeholders to provide solutions that would ensure safe and secure transactions, assurance of quality, consumer protection and boost the sector.
The Director General, SON, Mr Osita Aboloma, said that imbibing standards in e-Commerce would go a long way to facilitate trade, promote global competitiveness, economic growth and development.
He said the need to promote awareness on standards and quality regulations in the sector was to ensure a safe and secure online platforms for sales of goods and services.
It will also enhance trade within Nigeria and across borders that will ultimately increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation, he noted.
The SON boss, represented by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr Paul Angya, said e-Commerce was a business that is on the rise, hence, it was apt and crucial for the standardisation and regulation of the quality of products and services traded through the cyberspace.
According to him, the promotion of awareness on standards and quality regulation has become necessary as the drive for digitalised market increases and the pressure on the standards community mounts.
“This requires that all stakeholders reckon fully with the realities of the competitive and fast-paced global economy,’’ he said in a statement.
“Having identified that the roles played by stakeholders in this sector is key to the growth and development of the nation, the participants and this forum have been carefully selected.
“From consumers to consumer groups, telecommunications companies, banks, airlines, regulatory bodies, advertising practitioners, embassies and trade charters and online marketers and dealers are expected to chart a way forward for e-Commerce in Nigeria,” he said.
Aboloma said that with the increasing volumes of consumer complaints being received on the quality of products and services sold online, it has become necessary to have a robust regulatory framework to drive e-Commerce.
“For instance, products like mobile phones, electrical and electronic devices cannot be physically viewed and tested before purchase online, while the claims on what they can do have been found in many cases to be inaccurate or sometimes outright false.
“It is expected that decisions reached at this forum today, will foster positive change that will ensure improved customer satisfaction and consumer protection.
“That will ultimately guarantees the safety and security of online sales and marketing as well as ensure that only quality goods and services are provided for the consumers,’’ he said.
He urged the participants to take optimum advantage of the forum to discuss pertinent issues with online marketers and the regulatory bodies to attract more investors into the sector.
An official of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr Babatunde Irukera, said e-Commerce was the way of the future, noting that technology was disrupting the traditional ways of commerce and trade.
Irukera noted that as consumers were becoming more sophisticated, so also is the role of consumer protecting authorities all over the world to ensure that they were as dynamic as the sophistication of consumers.
“What we believe at CPC is that any e-Commerce platform must capture the responsibilities of providing consumers good quality for money spent.
“This is why the question of returns, refunds and warranties are very important to us.
“We are in the process of writing new regulations with respect to returns, refunds and warranties while paying rapt attention to e-Commerce with respect to that.
“We must find a way to promote e-Commerce, while at the same time, promote the interest and safety of the consumer,’’ he said.
Mr. Hussaini Ishaq-Magaji, SAN, registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), said the commission is determined to end delays in business registration and service delivery through new digital reforms.
Ishaq-Magaji stated this on Monday at the CAC Stakeholders’ Forum held in Kano, which brought together lawyers, business owners, EFCC, ICPC, and other partners to review challenges and reforms in the commission’s service.
He said the commission had inherited an overstretched registration portal that was unable to cope with the growing demands triggered by compliance initiatives such as mandatory registration of Point-of-Sale (PoS) businesses and annual returns filing.
According to him, the situation created a backlog of applications and placed an unfair burden on customers and staff. “Our call centre and operational departments receive no fewer than 3,000 emails daily, with less than 100 staff attending to them.
“This model is not sustainable and not fair to our customers or our staff. That is why we resolved to change it for good,” he said.
The registrar general explained that the commission had introduced an Artificial Intelligence-powered portal capable of reading and routing thousands of customer requests within seconds.
He added that the AI system, launched in June, had successfully reduced the time for business name registration to less than 10 minutes, a feat he described as unprecedented globally.
“Anywhere you are, without knowing anyone in CAC or paying a middleman, you can register a business name and get your certificate instantly in less than 10 minutes. That is the new Nigeria we are building,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that other services, such as limited liability company and incorporated trustee registrations, were still experiencing delays due to backlogs, with about 7,000 pending applications being handled by only 63 registry staff.
The registrar-general assured stakeholders that further phases of the digital reform would address these gaps, stressing that technology was now a necessity for the commission to deliver its mandate.
Also speaking, Ahmed Abubakar, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo branch, commended the commission for its digital reforms, describing them as a “remarkable achievement.”
Similarly, Usman Umar-Fari, Chairman, NBA Kano branch, urged the CAC to encourage companies to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities and create more opportunities for lawyers.
Nigeria Police Force has announced that it will begin enforcing the use of tinted glass permits nationwide on October 2, 2025.
SP Shi’isu Adam, Public Relations officer, Jigawa State Command, disclosed this in a statement in Dutse, the state capital.
According to him, online registration and application for the permits is ongoing, and members of the public are urged to follow the stepwise process on possap.gov.ng for a smooth application.
He explained that applicants must create an account using their NIN, BVN, or TIN, verify their account via email, then log in to select the Tinted Glass Permit service and upload their vehicle details along with supporting documents.
“Applicants must carefully confirm all details before submitting their requests and making payments as directed on the portal,” SP Adam emphasised, urging accuracy for fast processing.
He added that after the application, vehicle inspection, and fingerprint biometric capturing will be scheduled at the designated Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Departments.
For Jigawa applicants, Adam confirmed that biometric capturing would be done free of charge at the State Intelligence Department, located at the Police Headquarters in Dutse.
He also warned motorists against patronising unauthorised individuals attempting to exploit the permit process.
“This initiative promotes transparency and ensures road safety for all,” the PPRO said, stressing the command’s commitment to accountability.
The statement further called for cooperation from the public to ensure the smooth enforcement of laws and a safer driving environment statewide.
It added that compliance with the directive safeguards motorists legally and helps combat illegal window tinting.
“Those planning to apply are advised to begin registration promptly ahead of the enforcement date,” SP Adam stated.
How can Africa remain safe and powerful in a world being rapidly redefined by Artificial Intelligence? That pressing question will take centre stage at the 13th Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition (DACE), scheduled for October 28–29, 2025, in Abuja.
The two-day gathering will be anchored by two powerhouse keynote speakers: Dr. Armstrong Takang on Day 1 and Prof. Latif Ladid on Day 2, each bringing unique expertise to Africa’s digital sovereignty conversation.
Dr. Armstrong Takang, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), will open the conference with a keynote that situates Africa’s digital sovereignty within the broader context of economic reform, institutional innovation, and strategic governance.
A consummate professional and visionary thinker, Dr. Takang has spent decades bridging the gap between public reform and private investment across Africa and the United States. Before his current role at MOFI, he served as Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, where he led the MOFI Transformation Team.
His career includes leading Growth Alliance Partners (GAP), a pan-African firm that helped turn around several businesses to create shareholder value, and working at KPMG in New York.
He has been instrumental in designing and implementing key national initiatives such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), and the ICT components of EFCC/NFIU systems.
Dr. Takang has also chaired national ICT committees and contributed to landmark policies, including Nigeria’s Content Development in ICT and the country’s 50-year Development Plan. His keynote will highlight how digital and financial sovereignty intersect to secure Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
On the other hand, Prof. Latif Ladid, Founder & President of the IPv6 Forum and Chair of the AI & Blockchain Global Forum, brings decades of global leadership in internet architecture, digital policy, and emerging technologies.
His expertise spans across pivotal roles from IEEE Future Networks to the Internet Society, 3GPP, and EU research on next-generation networks.
Organizers say his keynote will set the tone for the conference, unpacking how Africa can assert digital sovereignty, safeguard its data, and lead in shaping the ethics and standards of AI on the global stage.
“This year’s theme, ‘Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global Digital Order,’ isn’t just a concept, it’s a necessity,” said Dr. Evans Woherem, Chairman of Digital Africa Consult. “Prof. Ladid’s keynote will highlight what it takes for Africa to remain safe, independent, and powerful in the new AI era.”
At a time when global powers are racing to define AI norms and secure digital dominance, Africa risks being left behind if it fails to act. Much of its technology remains imported, its data stored abroad, and its languages invisible in mainstream AI systems.
DACE 2025 is designed to change this narrative, by equipping Africa with the tools, strategies, and partnerships to become a proactive co-author of the digital future.
The conference will feature high-level dialogues on digital sovereignty, policy innovation, and cross-border cooperation, alongside exhibitions of homegrown startups, developer workshops, and showcases of African-built AI tools for health, agriculture, finance, and education.
Beyond the panels and showcases, DACE 2025 is expected to produce a concrete roadmap for Africa’s digital sovereignty.
“This isn’t just about technology,” noted Woherem. “It’s about agency, safety, and independence. With Prof. Ladid setting the stage, we hope to leave Abuja with a united vision of Africa’s place in the global AI order.”
With delegates expected from across Africa and the world, the two-day gathering promises to be a defining moment in the continent’s digital journey.
Canal+ Takes Full Control of MultiChoice, Changes Board
Airtel Africa Extends $100M Share Buyback Plan
CAC Unveils Measures to Ease Company Registration
NAICOM, NCRIB Commit to Drive Penetration
Kano Confirms 2 Mpox Cases
General News1 day agoLBS Described Digital Transformation in Banking, Others as Fueling Nigeria’s Economic Evolution
E-Business1 day agoExperts Seek Engagement on AI Adoption for Governance Standards
News1 day agoFire Incident: Afriland Properties Attributes Afriland Towers Blaze to Inverter Room Malfunction
News1 day agoMTN Nigeria Backs Cloud Accelerator Program with N100m
E-Business1 day agoNITDA Empowers 3,600 Teachers Nationwide to Lead Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Transformation
News1 day agoPenCom Redesigns Pension Plan, Targets Informal Sector
E-Financial1 day agoWema Bank Introduces Static Wallets, Instant Settlement Features on ALATPay
General News1 day agoTecom and Huawei to Host MiniFTTO Solutions Launch Event in Lagos