The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has backed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive requiring banks and fintechs to host payment transaction data locally. ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday. His position follows a recent CBN directive mandating banks, fintechs and other payment service providers to store payment transaction data generated in Nigeria on local servers from Jan. 1, 2027. The directive forms part of measures aimed at strengthening oversight of the country’s rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem. Adebayo said data sovereignty…
Author: Newsdesk
The Managing Director and CEO of the Northwest Development Commission (NWDC), Prof. Shehu Ma’aji, affirms that the Northwest region is not in decline. He said the region is experiencing a transition powered by the resilience and potential of its youths. Ma’aji made this statement on Saturday in Kaduna at the Northwest Youth Summit 2026, themed “From State Action to Regional Impact,” organised by Bridge Connect Africa Initiative. The summit was supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Youth Leading Change Programme, among others. Ma’aji acknowledged that while the region faces genuine development challenges, it remains on the cusp of transformation…
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has defended the state government’s environmental enforcement amid criticism over indiscriminate waste disposal. Wahab made the remarks on his X account, responding to a social media user who claimed the government was not doing enough to address environmental violations. He said the criticism overlooked ongoing efforts by the state to apprehend and sanction individuals involved in illegal waste disposal. “Beyond selectively reading tweets that align with your perspective, it’s clear you may not have been following the consistent efforts of the state government,” he wrote. He added that authorities…
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a report with key resolutions and recommendations to accelerate renewable energy initiatives, aiming to address West Africa’s energy crisis and promote rural development. The decision was made by the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Infrastructure, and Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources at the end of a week-long meeting in Dakar, Senegal. The event was themed: “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Revitalising Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.” The report, adopted unanimously, includes strategies to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in rural communities. It…
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti commended voters for their massive participation in Saturday’s governorship election. He spoke to reporters after casting his vote at Ward 006, Unit 003, in his Okelele Area compound, Ikogosi-Ekiti. Oyebanji described the large turnout as a demonstration of the people’s commitment to democracy and good governance. He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, noting that voters arrived early and participated peacefully and in an orderly manner. The governor said the enthusiasm shown by voters reflects growing confidence in the democratic process and their desire to shape the state’s future through the ballot. He…
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has carried out a community sensitization campaign in Ebonyi to address rising vandalism and the illegal erection of structures on its Right of Way (RoW). Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, stated in Abuja on Saturday that the campaign took place in Umuhuali, Ezillo, and Nkalagu communities. She added that the campaign also involved soil excavation near transmission tower bases. Enugu Region’s Transmission Manager, Thomas Inugonum, explained that the initiative aims to strengthen relationships with communities hosting TCN infrastructure. He identified five urgent issues: vandalism of 330kV and 132kV high-voltage lines,…
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has endorsed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive requiring banks and fintechs to host payment transaction data locally. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo stated this in an interview with reporters in Lagos on Saturday. The CBN directive mandates banks, fintechs, and other payment service providers to store payment data generated in Nigeria on local servers starting January 1, 2027. The measure aims to strengthen oversight of Nigeria’s growing digital payments ecosystem. Adebayo emphasized that data sovereignty requires countries to control their entire data value chain, including collection, management, storage, and integrity.…
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGAR) has attributed rising cooking gas prices to global supply disruptions, particularly US-Iran tensions. Mr. Ayobami Olarinoye, LPGAR Chairman under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), disclosed this in Lagos. Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Olarinoye said international developments continue to impact Nigeria’s petroleum market. “The oil and gas sector operates in a global market. It’s difficult to isolate Nigeria’s LPG from worldwide events,” he stated. He explained that these international issues have disrupted supply chains, making it hard for Nigeria to avoid higher prices. Olarinoye called on…
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has twice requested the Records of Processing Activities (ROPA) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over allegations of data breaches. NDPC National Commissioner Dr. Vincent Olatunji disclosed this in Abuja during a media briefing marking the commission’s third anniversary. Olatunji said the requests followed the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2023, as part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s electoral database integrity. He emphasized that the commission treats every reported breach seriously and has acted on all cases, regardless of the institution involved. “There is…
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), MaryMine Mother’s Care Initiative Network, has stepped up efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and eliminate stigma among schoolgirls in Benue. In collaboration with Cheerful Hands Initiative (CHI), Arboot Global Services Ltd, Moskay Consulting Hub, and with support from Zenith Bank, the NGO organised a sensitisation programme on Friday in Makurdi. Held at Tilley Gyado College under the theme “Dignity in Class: Let’s Build a Period-Friendly World,” the event attracted students from various schools across Benue’s capital. Speaking at the event, Mrs. MaryMine Hyembe, founder of the organisation, said the campaign aimed to educate young people about…