By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Users of SmartCash Payment Service Bank (PSB), the mobile money subsidiary of Airtel Nigeria, can now access motor insurance service with ease on the platform.

This has been made possible by the partnership between SmartCash PSB and a leading underwriting organisation, Leadway Assurance.

The mobile-friendly instant motor insurance policy can be purchased by SmartCash customers through the mobile app without hassles.

Starting from N15,000, this new offering provides a convenient and affordable way for motorists to stay protected and compliant with national insurance requirements.

With this collaboration, new and existing SmartCash customers can now acquire or renew two types of Leadway Assurance motor insurance: the third-party insurance and autobase comprehensive insurance, directly on the SmartCash app or by dialling *939#.

While the third-party motor insurance plan offers the legally required minimum cover, protecting motorists from liability for damages or injuries caused to others, the autobase comprehensive insurance plan extends that protection to cover the user’s own vehicle in the event of accidents.

The insurance integrated service is also fully inclusive, as it works across all types of mobile phones. Users without smartphones or internet access can access the same features via USSD, ensuring nationwide reach, especially in rural and underserved areas.

This partnership reinforces SmartCash’s commitment to delivering digital-first financial services that meet the real-world needs of Nigerians.

By simplifying access to essential products like motor insurance, SmartCash continues to empower users with tools that protect, support, and uplift their daily lives.

The chief executive of SmartCash, Mr Tunde Kuponiyi, said users can complete the entire purchase process in three minutes, from plan selection to payment with no physical paperwork or documentation required.

He added that will customers receive instant confirmation and their digital policy documents via email, making insurance more accessible than ever.

“At SmartCash, our goal has always been to bring inclusive financial solutions closer to everyday Nigerians. By partnering with Leadway Assurance, we’re making it easier for motorists to insure their vehicles without stress or delays. It’s insurance that moves at your speed,” Mr Kuponiyi stated.

The Director of Sales, Retail and Partnership at Leadway Assurance, Mrs Kike Fischer, in her remarks, said, “At Leadway, innovation and exceptional service are at the core of our mission to deepen insurance penetration and inclusion.

“This collaboration with SmartCash enables us to deliver real-time protection to more Nigerians via a trusted, everyday platform. It marks a bold step in transforming how insurance is accessed and experienced across the country.”

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A new feature to enable safer deliveries in Nigeria has been introduced by a leading global ride-hailing platform, inDrive.

The initiative, Sender-Validated Post-Pickup Cancellation, was launched by the company following a successful pilot phase.

This new feature directly addresses a concern among users: the practice of couriers cancelling delivery orders after parcels have been picked up without authorisation.

With the new system, customers will enjoy greater peace of mind and confidence in every delivery.

Once a parcel is picked up, couriers must obtain explicit approval from the sender before cancelling the delivery. The cancellation request is automatically approved if the sender does not respond within the set time interval.

The development would ensure couriers are not unfairly locked into stalled deliveries. The time threshold will be continuously monitored and optimised based on user behaviour and feedback.

According to the Country Representative for inDrive in Nigeria, Mr Oladimeji Timothy, the feature offers a smart, scalable solution to enhance the reliability and security of the platform’s courier service in the country.

He explained further that the new feature has no negative impact on support ticket volumes, delivery times, or other key performance indicators, underscoring its operational readiness and scalability.

“This move is expected to significantly improve retention among business users and boost public confidence in our courier service.

“With millions of deliveries projected in the second half of 2025, even small improvements in cancellation rates can result in hundreds of thousands of additional successful and secure deliveries.

“This feature reinforces our commitment to our users by directly tackling one of the biggest pain points in the courier experience,” he said.

inDrive has operations in nine African countries and it is gradually taking over the market because of its top-notch services.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Government will commence the enforcement of the electronic call-up (e-call-up) system on the Lekki-Epe corridor from June 16.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, confirmed this in a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Sunday.

He announced the implementation of the system during a stakeholders’ meeting convened to address pressing concerns surrounding traffic management and congestion caused by increasing industrial activities within the Lekki Free Zone and its surrounding areas.

Recall that the e-call-up system was met with fierce opposition by stakeholders, who rejected it, leading to a postponement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Hamzat explained that the e-call-up system was designed to regulate the movement of articulated vehicles and tankers accessing the corridor, adding that this will promote orderly traffic flow, preventing the kind of gridlock previously experienced in the Apapa area.

“I urge all stakeholders to remain fully committed to the initiative, as it is critical in enhancing logistics efficiency and improving road transportation infrastructure in the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Osiyemi, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the project.

He acknowledged that while previous engagements with stakeholders had resulted in consensus on implementation, challenges encountered during recent enforcement efforts necessitated a temporary pause and further consultations.

The commissioner further directed the immediate removal of all articulated vehicles currently obstructing traffic along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

“Enforcement of the e-call-up system is not intended as a revenue-generating initiative, but rather as a vital strategy to improve traffic flow, safety, and road infrastructure management across the state,” he said.

The meeting witnessed the participation of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

Others include Major Energies Marketer Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Lekki Worldwide Investment Company (LWIC), Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), Lekki Sea Port.

Also involved in the meeting are: Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC Retail), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).