General
Halogen Security Cautions FG on Smart Mobility Drive Risks
By Dipo Olowookere
A renowned security outfit in Nigeria, Halogen Security, has cautioned Federal Government on the potential pitfalls that lie ahead of its plans to drive Nigeria’s transportation sector into a smart mobility system.
Managing Director of Halogen Security, Mr Wale Olaoye, warned that before going smart, the security of our cyber space must be considered from the initial planning phase or the system would be left vulnerable to attacks.
This warning follows submission of Chairman, Senate Committee on Transport Chairman, Mr Gbenga Ashafa, earlier this week that the yet to be passed National Transport Commission Bill will lay the foundation for an integrated, multi-modal and smart transport sector in the country.
While commending the Senate’s desire to see Nigeria move towards intelligent integrated transport systems and intelligent traffic management among others, Mr Olaoye said, “With the innumerable advances in technology and the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the ‘smart city’ concept is catching on all over the world, with more than 26 cities expected to become smart by 2025. This is why it is brilliant that Nigeria is also thinking along this line.
“The advantages of going smart are endless as advanced technology can manage traffic flows for vehicular routes.
“GPS and traffic management software can also be used to create a response plan to get emergency services to the scene of an accident faster by turning the appropriate traffic lights green as the responder approaches.
“But despite the clear advantages, connecting any system, asset or device to the internet introduces inherent risks, including data breaches, disruption of infrastructure and threats to public safety.
“These risks are further amplified when the connections span entire cities and if there is no clear and comprehensive security strategy in place, Nigerians could be left vulnerable to these breaches and the government would be liable for the cost of recovering from such, even if accidental.”
Mr Olaoye said it was unfortunate that most times when ‘smart’ initiatives are being executed; cyber security is often overlooked in both its development and deployment phases.
“In the excitement of going smart, we tend to forget that integrating digitally connected systems into national infrastructure creates new pathways for enemies to exploit.
“Apart from the possibility of intentional breaches, the risk of human error is also real, as public workers are typically not experienced with the sometimes complex technology,” he added.
The Halogen boss noted that developing a risk-based strategic plan from the onset is an important part of establishing the overall cyber security strategy. He also said that training the public on best practices and situational awareness is fundamentally important in making smart mobility safe for Nigerians.
“For the benefits of smart mobility to be meaningful, the risks and threats must be addressed through having a well thought out cyber security strategy and with the collaboration of both the private and public sectors.
“With these in place, Nigeria can mitigate potential risks and challenges whilst the nation reaps the benefits of going smart. All we need do is to be smart as we put smart technology to use,” Mr Olaoye submitted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About $20 million has been put down by Swedfund to support efforts that limit climate change in Africa and help communities adapt to its effects.
The funds would be deployed by the Helios Climate, Energy, Adaptation and Resilience (CLEAR) Fund to back African companies that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and create green jobs.
Swedfund’s investment is expected to contribute to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and to help businesses and small farmers adapt to a changing climate.
The investment strengthens Swedfund’s work to drive a sustainable and inclusive green transition in Africa.
Africa contributes less than 3 per cent of global carbon emissions but faces some of the most severe climate impacts. At the same time, the continent’s energy demand is expected to triple by 2050.
Swedfund’s investment in Helios CLEAR will help channel capital to businesses that drive low-carbon growth in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable transport, climate-smart farming, efficient use of resources and digital climate solutions.
“By investing in this sector, we can reduce emissions, build resilience and create green jobs, all vital for sustainable growth that benefits more people.
“Africa currently receives only a small share of global climate investment, yet the potential for climate-smart business is enormous.
“Through Helios CLEAR we help build the next generation of African climate-focused businesses,” the Investment Director for Energy and Climate at Swedfund, Ms Gunilla Nilsson, stated.
Helios CLEAR Fund is a Pan African growth equity fund managed by Helios Investment Partners, one of Africa’s leading private equity firms.
The fund targets investments that deliver measurable climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes. The fund is supported by multiple development finance institutions.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Abdussamad Dasuki, has alleged that the gazetted tax laws are different from the ones passed by the National Assembly.
Speaking on Wednesday during plenary at the green chamber, the opposition lawmaker the emphasised that content of the tax laws as gazetted was not what members of the parliament debated, voted on and passed.
In June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed the four tax reform bills into law, becoming an act. The new laws are the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA), 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSEA), 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act (JRBEA), 2025.
In September, they were gazetted by the federal government.
On the floor of the House yesterday, presided over by the Speaker, Mr Tajudeed Abbas, Mr Dasuki, while raising a matter of privilege, after reviewing the gazetted law and what was passed, he found out some discrepancies, appealing to the Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonised versions, the votes and proceedings of both chambers, and the gazetted copies currently in circulation, are brought before the Committee of the Whole for scrutiny by all members.
He warned that allowing laws different from those duly passed by the National Assembly to be presented to Nigerians would undermine the integrity of the legislature and violate constitutional provisions.
“Mr. Speaker, I will be pleading that all the documents should be brought before the Committee of the Whole.
“The whole members should see what is in the gazetted copy and see what they passed on the floor so that we can make the relevant amendment. Mr Speaker, this is the breach of the Constitution.
“This is the breach of our laws, and this should not be taken by this House,” Mr Dasuki said when rising under Order Six, Rule Two of the House Rules on a Point of Privilege.
In his remarks, Mr Abbas promised that the parliament would look into the matter.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Over 90 illegal mining sites have been reclaimed and 300 offenders prosecuted since the deployment of the Mining Marshals, a specialised task force established to secure Nigeria’s mineral assets.
This information was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, at the South West Leaders Conference held recently in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
He described the crackdown as a turning point in the battle against mineral theft and insecurity in mining communities.
“We created the Mining Marshals to tackle insecurity and illegal mining head-on. I’m proud to say that peace is returning to our mining fields,” he said.
According to Mr Alake, the initiative has strengthened investor confidence and improved government revenue.
“When you protect the minerals, you protect national wealth. That’s exactly what we’ve done with the Mining Marshals,” he stated.
He noted that beyond arrests and reclamations, the Marshals have restored safety in key mining corridors and curbed the activities of illegal foreign operators. “We are taking back control of our natural resources from criminal networks,” Mr Alake emphasised.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining the momentum through digital surveillance, stronger local intelligence, and inter-agency coordination.
“Our success proves that security is the bedrock of sustainable mining. We will keep refining this model until every site in Nigeria is safe, legal, and productive,” he added.
Launched last year, the marshals were given the mandate to stem theft and all nefarious activities around the nation’s minerals so that benefits are not extracted by the wrong people.
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