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How Digital Wallets Are Transforming Everyday Life?

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Discover how e-wallets have been changing our lives left and right and what the future holds when it comes to finance technological advancements.

The Influence of Digital Wallets on Everyday Life

Remember when we carried cash with us all the time? We thought cards made a revolution in the world of finance, but digital wallets have taken the game to the next level.

The days of moving money in our pockets around are long gone. Even if you want to have fun at your favorite online casino, you can do it in a pure Internet format. Platforms like Hit’n’spin allow you to play without ever having to leave your home or hassle about getting real money.

This is just one of the changes eWallets have brought into our lives, and below we’re exploring all the other aspects of this magnificent improvement.

What Is a Digital Wallet?

First and foremost, what should a “digital wallet” mean to one?

In its most simplified definition, it is a type of application or software on your phone or tablet, or even a computer that stores your payment information securely. It can store your credit cards, debit cards, and even loyalty cards, all in one place.

But these wallets are not just about paying. They’re increasingly becoming fully capable financial tools. You can store virtual tickets, boarding passes, gift cards, and in some, even cryptocurrency. The likes of Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, and Samsung Pay among others have led the charge, and now there are countless others jumping on board.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

Probably the biggest ways eWallets are changing everyday life revolve around pure convenience.

How many of us have stood in a line at the grocery store, struggling to find the right card, only to drop the wallet and spill coins everywhere? With a digital wallet, those days are over. Just tap your phone at checkout, and you’re good.

It’s quick, it’s easy, and you aren’t even concerned that you may have left your wallet at home because who forgets their phone?

And it is not only about in-store payments. Digital wallets make online shopping pretty easy, too. No more typing in your card details every time you want to buy something. Just select yours at checkout, confirm the purchase, and voilа – you are good to go! It’s like having your very own personal cashier who remembers all your details.

Your Money’s Safety – Peace of Mind

Now you are probably thinking: “Okay, but what about security?” After all, a wallet used to be something you kept close to you literally. The idea of storing all your financial info on a phone actually might sound quite risky. But here is the thing: digital wallets are often more secure than traditional ones.

First of all, eWallets adopt encryption and tokenization. What it means is that your actual card number is never pulled out and shared with the merchant every time you make a purchase. That being said, it is swapped out for a unique token, one that is used in the purchase and quite meaningless to anyone who may steal it.

In addition, most wallets require some type of authentication, like fingerprint or facial recognition capability, or a PIN, before they will let you make any sort of payment.

Think of it like this: the wallet thief has all they need to begin his shopping spree on you; the cell phone thief, though, has a tough time getting his hands on your money due to these extra layers of security.

Managing Your Finances

Digital wallets help you manage your money smarter, rather than simply spend it.

Many of them already have built-in budgeting tools whereby spending is tracked; they can even go as far as to categorize purchases so you see exactly where the money goes. On top of that, it can warn you if you’re overspending in some areas.

And then, of course, there’s the issue of peer-to-peer. The likes of Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App have made it so easy to split bills, pay your friend back for dinner, or even send it as a gift.

No need for any more awkward “I’ll pay you back” moments or dealing with having cash, which nobody seems to carry anymore. You can send money instantly from a phone number and/or email address quite often.

The Future of Digital Wallets?

So, what does the future hold for digital wallets? Well, they can only keep burrowing deeper into our lives. We’re already seeing an increase in further uses in areas, such as digital IDs and even, in some locales, a driver’s license.

Can you envision not carrying any cards at all since your phone does it all?

The same potentially applies to digital wallets that become central with a wide selection of cryptocurrencies. As internet forms of money begin to create some traction, a secure, accessible means of storage and portability is viewed as a central factor in management and spending.

And as technology keeps on upgrading, so will it ensure that these wallets take space in human life. With that in mind, if you haven’t joined the digital wallet trend, this may be the perfect time. After all, who does not want to make life a little easier?

Economy

Nigeria Bans Wood, Charcoal Exports, Revokes Licenses

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licenses and permits to exporters.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.

Mr Lawal said the directive, outlined in the Presidential Executive Order titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, became necessary to curb illegal logging and deforestation across the country.

“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the Minister said, warning that the continued exportation of wood threatens these benefits and the long-term health of the environment.

The order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025, relies on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.

Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries are expected to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.

On his part, the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Mr Faruk Lawal Jobe highlighted the state’s history of pioneering socio-economic policies that have influenced national policy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges across the country.

“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” he said. “Our administration has prioritised initiatives aimed at combating desertification and promoting afforestation.”

The ban reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s shrinking forest cover and addressing climate change, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.

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Economy

Unlisted Securities Bourse Appreciates 0.24% Midweek

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.24 per cent on Wednesday, December 17, pulling the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) up by 8.62 points to 3,614.64 points from 3,606.02 points.

In the same vein, the market capitalisation added N4.72 billion to close at N2.164 billion compared with the N2.160 trillion it ended on Tuesday.

The growth was inspired by four securities, which finished on the gainers’ log, neutralising the losses printed by two other securities on the trading platform.

MRS Oil Plc gained N17.90 on Wednesday to end at N196.90 per unit versus N179.00 per unit, NASD Plc appreciated by 59 Kobo to N58.50 per share from N57.91 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc added 15 Kobo to sell at N60.19 per unit versus N60.04 per unit, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc rose by 6 Kobo to 64 Kobo per share from 58 Kobo per share.

On the flip side, Golden Capital Plc extended its loss by 76 Kobo to end at N7.75 per unit versus N8.51 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc slipped by 35 Kobo to N39.65 per share from N40.00 per share.

Yesterday, the volume of transactions increased by 737.3 per cent to 20.4 million units from 2.4 million units, but the value of trades fell by 33.8 per cent to N72.2 million from N109.1 million, and the number of deals slid by 62.5 per cent to 21 deals from 56 deals.

Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units sold for N16.4 billion, the second position was occupied by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units transacted for N9.5 billion, and the third place was taken by MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units worth N4.9 billion.

InfraCredit Plc was also the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion, followed by IGI Plc with 1.2 billion units valued at N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units worth N524.9 million.

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Economy

NGX All-Share Index Nears 150,000 Points After 0.26% Growth

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By Dipo Olowookere

A 0.26 per cent growth was achieved by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Wednesday on the back of sustained bargain-hunting by investors.

This happened despite a pocket of profit-taking, with industrial goods losing 0.63 per cent and the energy index shedding 0.05 per cent.

But the insurance space increased by 2.02 per cent, the banking counter appreciated by 1.48 per cent, the commodity sector improved by 0.48 per cent, and the consumer goods segment rose by 0.03 per cent.

Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 383.71 points to 149,842.82 points from 149,459.11 points and the market capitalisation jumped by N244 billion to N95.525 trillion from N95.281 trillion.

The market breadth index remained positive after the bourse finished with 38 price gainers and 23 price losers, indicating a strong investor sentiment.

The quartet of First Holdco, Lasaco Assurance, Veritas Kapital, and Prestige Assurance gained 10.00 per cent to quote at N39.60, N2.75, N1.76, and N1.65, respectively, while Mecure Industries grew by 9.92 per cent to N50.40.

Conversely, Living Trust Mortgage Bank lost 10.00 per cent to close at N3.15, International Energy Insurance dropped 9.92 per cent to trade at N2.27, McNichols shrank by 6.90 per cent to N2.97, Omatek decreased by 6.84 per cent to N1.09, and Chams dipped by 6.41 per cent to N2.92.

The activity level witnessed a significant surge at midweek, with Ecobank trading 5.3 billion units for N168.7 billion.

Further, First Holdco sold 108.2 million units worth N4.2 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 87.3 million units valued at N606.2 million, FCMB transacted 74.3 million units worth N783.6 million, and Access Holdings sold 41.5 million units for N841.4 million.

At the close of trades, market participants traded 5.9 billion units valued at N216.2 billion in 25,205 deals compared with the 1.0 billion units worth N21.8 billion traded in 23,701 deals a day earlier, showing a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 490.00 per cent, 891.74 per cent, and 6.35 per cent, respectively.

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