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Yele Okeremi charges government to take the lead to make Nigerian fintech attain global leadership
Mr. Yele Okeremi, Managing Director of Precise Financial Systems (PFS), has said that unless the Nigerian government pays attention to the trends and developments in the country’s fintech ecosystem, the growth would be limited.
Speaking during his appearance on C-Suite Café, a podcast initiated by veteran journalist and brand strategist, Ikem Okuhu, Okeremi said only the government can provide the needed leverage for the sector to become leaders globally.
Citing example with China, he said it took the country’s government to push their local payment platform to become one of the prime payment gateways in the world.
“If we are going to achieve the kind of goals that I have in mind, then, naturally the government must take certain positions. Take a look at Union Pay today.
“Union Pay started as China Union Pay. But today, Union Pay cards are accepted everywhere in the world. It was not magic. It happened as s result of the deliberate strategy of the Chinese government.
“The card business was dominated by Mastercard and Visa. American Express was popular in the United States. But today, Union Pay have become global. So, why couldn’t Verve have become global?”
The fintech guru said the people behind Verve had a sellable technology, but could not withstand the headwinds of global competition.
He decried the situation where Nigeria uses cards issued by foreign companies for local payments, “Who does the kinds of things we do here? For local payments, we are issuing Mastercard and Visa when we have Verve? I think these are issues that we need to take a look at,” he stated.
Nigeria, he observed has all it takes to take its fintech products global, and the government should pay greater attention to ensure this becomes a reality.
“We have a huge market here, and we have the resources. The assets for creating wealth are the market and the natural resources. Nigeria has both. But the private sector can do so much, but until the government provides the needed support and policy leverage, there the private sector will achieve limited successes, and until you have the support of your sovereign, you will never be able to fly,” Okeremi canvassed.
He lamented the situation whereby people who have never been involved in wealth creation populate the country’s political leadership space, and advocated a reversal to a system in which certain critical political leadership positions are reserved for certain prequalified people deemed to have proven track record of successes in those fields.
Okeremi disagreed with the notion that some of the fintech’s companies labelled unicorns are Nigerian companies, saying that most of them had pivoted to foreign ownership because of their desire to scale and attract funding.
For instance, I am one of the founding fathers of Interswitch, and ordinarily, had the environment done what was needed to have been done, Interswit would have blossomed. But they recognized that the environment was not giving them what they wanted, so they took the easy way to get value – have alliances and sell to foreign interests.
But that’s not what I have fought for, and I am not going to blame anybody that has done that? I doubt if I should, because I might be able to withstand the pressures, which they cannot withstand.
“But the question is, ‘should we continue on this trajectory as a people? It is a picture of a people that are going nowhere, and that trajectory must reverse.
“We must realise that we have the capacity to do anything that anybody anywhere in the world can do, and even if we do not have the capacity at this particular point in time, we have more than enough capacity to learn and understudy and replicate,” he submitted
He also advocated for the government to pick outstanding Nigerian fintech players and push them into the global space through deliberate creation of narratives that will engender global acceptance.
He advocated that Nigeria should seek the entrenchment of the leadership that understands that the true meaning of wealth is not cash but the capacity to create from nothing.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of African technology, few figures bridge the gap between high-level research and grassroots digital execution as effectively as Nnaemeka Ani.
Nnaemeka Ani
As the Founder of MGX Research Center and the visionary behind MexyGabriel, Ani has emerged as a leading protagonist in the narrative of Nigeria’s technological self-reliance.
The Visionary: Founding MGX Research
At the heart of Ani’s philosophy is MGX Research, a center dedicated to “first-principles thinking.” Under his leadership, the center has become a beacon for data-driven innovation, moving beyond the “hype” of the tech world to focus on persistent, localized solutions.
Through MGX Research Center, he is building a multidisciplinary ecosystem that cuts across artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital identity, e-governance, EdTech, HealthTech, robotics, and automation
Ani’s mantra – “Africa’s rise begins with its own innovation” – is not just a slogan; it is a call to arms for African builders to stop seeking international validation and start authoring their own digital destiny.
As Founder and CEO of MexyGabriel Tech Company, Nnaemeka has driven multiple large-scale technology projects across Nigeria, focusing on digital infrastructure, enterprise solutions, identity and payment platforms, and youth-centered innovation programs. MGX Research Center functions as the research and development arm of this broader ecosystem, providing the thinking laboratory, prototypes, and strategic insights that inform products, policies, and investment decisions.
Nnaemeka is passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, and Africa’s digital future. His work through MGX Research Center aims to position Nigeria not just as a consumer of technology but as a creator of solutions, producing world-class research, thought leadership, and practical tools that can be deployed across states, universities, and private organizations.
He frequently collaborates with universities, government ministries, tech hubs, and global partners, championing a model where research is not locked up in theory but translated into deployable systems, smart policies, and scalable ventures.
Ani has demonstrated a unique ability to turn complex code into commercial and social value. His work has focused on:
- Infrastructure for Good: Developing platforms that bridge the divide between urban tech hubs and rural communities.
- Sovereign Technology: Championing the idea that African data should be managed by African-built systems.
The Public Servant: Digitizing Enugu State
Ani’s influence extends into the corridors of power. Serving as the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on ICT, he has been instrumental in transforming the state into a burgeoning digital ecosystem.
His work in Enugu serves as a blueprint for “Governance-Tech Synergy,” proving that when political will meets technical expertise, public service delivery can be revolutionized.
“We are no longer just ’emerging’; we are competing. Africa will rise by code, by courage, and by us,” said Nnaemeka Ani.
Quick Facts: Nnaemeka Ani
Category | Detail |
Current Roles | Founder, MGX Research; Founder, MexyGabriel; SA on ICT to Enugu State Governor. |
Core Philosophy | “First-Principles Thinking” – Breaking problems down to their core truths. |
Key Advocacy | Digital Sovereignty, Sovereign AI, and localized STEM education. |
Notable Mantra | “By Code and By Courage.” |
Why He Matters in 2026
As Nigeria enters a transformative year marked by the January 1, 2026 Tax Reforms and the push toward 70% Broadband Penetration, Ani represents the “New Guard” of leadership. He is one of the few voices consistently advocating for the Tripod Method, balancing technology, local policing, and traditional authority, to ensure that Nigeria’s digital growth is matched by national security.
Nnaemeka Ani is not just as a “tech guy,” but as a Strategic Reformer. He is a “Leader to Watch” because he understands that for technology to thrive in Nigeria, it must be supported by sound policy and cultural relevance.
MTN Nigeria has hosted the Prestige Experience, a refined evening of culture, connection and celebration, as part of its ongoing Y’ellotide initiative marking the Yuletide season.
MTN Nigeria
The event, held on Friday at The Royal Box, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together customers, partners, stakeholders, and dignitaries in an atmosphere of appreciation and festivity.
The Prestige Experience showcased Nigerian creativity and elegance through a curated blend of fine dining, fashion, and music. Guests were treated to Michelin-inspired cuisine prepared by renowned Chef Stone, fashion showcases highlighting African heritage, and soulful performances by acclaimed singer Asa.
The evening was anchored by popular hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Michelle Dede, with comedic interludes from veteran comedian Alibaba.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), Chairman of MTN Nigeria, described the gathering as an expression of gratitude and partnership. He said the Prestige Experience reflected MTN’s appreciation for the trust Nigerians continue to place in the brand.
“The MTN Prestige Experience is a cornerstone of our commitment to you, our valued partners. Your trust and continued patronage are the bedrock of our success, and this gathering reflects our appreciation for that trust.
“We are not just a service provider but are committed to being a trusted partner in Nigeria’s progress,” Ndukwe said.
In his remarks, Dr Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of genuine connection during the festive season.
“We recognise the immense value of the relationships we have built together, and we are committed to ensuring that your experience remains unparalleled.
“You are essential partners in our journey, and we look forward to many more years of shared success and collaboration,” Toriola said.
Distinguished guests at the event included members of MTN’s Board and Executive Management, industry leaders, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from the creative sector, reflecting the diversity and richness of the MTN ecosystem.
The Prestige Experience forms part of MTN’s broader Y’ellotide celebrations, which reaffirm the company’s belief that meaningful connections and shared experiences remain central to its relationship with Nigerians.
Google has unveiled a new feature that allows Gmail users to change their existing email addresses without losing data or access to services, marking a major shift in the company’s long-standing policy.
Gmail
According to an update on Google’s account help page, the new option enables account holders to replace their current @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining all associated data, including emails, photos, and integrations with services such as Google Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
The guidance, however, was first spotted on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that the rollout may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets before expanding globally.
The English-language support page still carries the older advisory that Gmail addresses “usually cannot be changed.”
Google explained that under the new policy, users who update their Gmail address will automatically keep their original address as an alias.
This means emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will remain valid for signing in to Google services.
Previously, users seeking a new Gmail address had to create an entirely new account and manually transfer their data, a process that often disrupted third-party app integrations. The new feature eliminates that inconvenience, ensuring continuity for users.
The company further clarified that while users can reuse their old Gmail address at any time, accounts that change their address will face certain restrictions.
These include a 12-month waiting period before another new Gmail address can be created, and the inability to delete the newly chosen address once it has been set.
Google assured users that all existing data would remain intact after an address update, including stored photos, messages, and emails.
The gradual rollout of the feature indicates that full global adoption is expected in the coming months, a move likely to be welcomed by millions of users who have long requested the ability to update their Gmail identities without starting afresh.
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