By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) have further boosted their partnership to detect, disrupt and deter rising financial losses and increasingly sophisticated fraud threats against UK citizens.

The UK’s Minister for Fraud, Mr Lord Hanson; Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a joint action plan, formalising a commitment to deeper collaboration.

According to a statement, the partnership will provide increased protection for victims by focusing on earlier detection of threats, faster law enforcement intervention, and the disruption of cross-border criminal networks before they can cause harm.

It will also support stronger systems to help prevent people from falling victim to fraud in the first place.

Areas of collaboration include intelligence sharing, trend analysis, and joint performance monitoring as part of a new, expanded UK Fraud Strategy due to be published later this year.

“The public will be better protected from fraud as law enforcement collaboration between the UK and Nigeria is stepped up under a new joint fraud action plan agreed between the two countries today,” the British High Commission said in a statement shared with Business Post.

The joint plan action navigates around five key elements: information sharing and operational coordination, including the potential for joint law enforcement operations involving the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser; development and strengthening of National Fraud Strategies through the exchange of best practice, frameworks, and lessons learned, along with potential joint public awareness campaigns to deter fraudsters; and exploration of collaboration between financial, online, and telecoms regulators and industry bodies in both countries to help close loopholes exploited by criminals.

Others include sharing insights on the misuse of financial systems, with the potential for joint studies and research into emerging threats, as well as, identifying training needs and delivering capacity-building initiatives, starting with targeted training for Nigerian prosecutors by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office, with further programmes planned, subject to funding.

Speaking on this, Lord Hanson, said, “Fraud ruins lives. It strips people of their savings, their confidence, and their sense of security. The fact so many of these crimes now originate overseas makes our international partnerships more important than ever.

Our new agreement with Nigeria will help us better identify and stop fraud before it happens, crack down on criminals who exploit our systems, and ultimately protect the public from the devastating impact of fraud.”

Adding his input, NSA Ribadu said, “Building on the foundation of the past successes, we must confront crime with greater seriousness, deepen collaboration across all fronts; addressing enablers, supporting victims, and pursuing perpetrators, and sustain an unyielding commitment to protect our societies.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, will be busy on Thursday, May 29, 2025, for the 6th Timeline Awareness Lecture organised by an online newspaper, Timeline Nigeria.

Dignitaries from across the country led by the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, will attended the event tagged Importance of Media in Information Gathering, Disclosure in the Face of Security Challenges: The Achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Other Barriers.

The socio-political platform was designed to educate and sensitise the public on pertinent issues concerning the society at large.

Participants will have the opportunity to listen to lectures about importance of information gathering and many successes of the President Tinubu-led administration in two years.

A statement from the organisers said the Senate President will chair the programme, while the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Mr Tukur Buratai, is the keynote speaker.

Other speakers include the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Mr Babajide Benson; and an executive of the of Independent Media and Policy Initiative, Mr Niyi Akinsiju.

Other personalities to grace the occasion are the Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun; the Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Mr Adeola Olamilekan; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mrs Oluranti Adebule; and a notable businesswoman, Mrs Folashade Okoya, among others.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The founder of WiSolar, Mr Tonye Irims, is leading efforts to increase access to clean energy across Africa. With operations in Nigeria and South Africa, Mr Irims is working to tackle one of the continent’s longstanding challenges—energy access—through innovation, mobile technology, and scalable solar solutions.

Starting his career in the telecoms and fintech sectors, Mr Irims developed a strong understanding of infrastructure, digital platforms, and customer engagement. These early experiences shaped the foundation for WiSolar, a company focused on democratising solar energy.

Under his leadership, WiSolar has expanded from a startup to a tech-driven platform offering direct-to-customer solar systems, lease-to-own options, and battery manufacturing. The company has built a model that connects partner merchants, provides solar financing, and uses a mobile app to make solar electricity more accessible.

WiSolar has recently taken a significant step by moving into lithium battery assembly in Nigeria, part of its commitment to local manufacturing and developing homegrown clean technology solutions. Mr Irims continues to invest in local talent and aims to create systems that directly address African energy needs.

His approach combines business growth with social impact. He remains focused on building African solutions for African problems and believes in supporting economic development through clean energy access.

WiSolar’s growth has not gone unnoticed. The company has been listed twice among Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies by the Financial Times. In South Africa, WiSolar (Wicorp (Pty) Ltd) was ranked 18th in the latest Growth Champions list, compiled by News24 and Statista. This ranking highlights businesses achieving strong revenue growth, primarily through organic expansion.

Beyond business operations, Mr Irims is recognised as a voice in discussions about sustainable development, clean technology financing, and energy equity. He continues to share insights on how Africa can move from energy scarcity to sustainable supply.

He lives between Lagos and Johannesburg, continuing to oversee WiSolar’s expansion and contribute to the continent’s clean energy future.