General
Private Sector Data Compliance at 55%, Public Sector Yet to Reach 20%—NDPC

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has indicated that despite recent advances, issues continue in compliance with data mandates in Nigeria’s corporate and public sectors.
This was disclosed by the commission’s National Commissioner, Mr Vincent Olatunji, who noted that more than 1,000 financial institutions, schools, insurance companies, and consultancy firms are currently undergoing investigations for various degrees of breaches of citizens’ data.
Speaking during the first anniversary of the signing into law of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission Act by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, he said there have been increased levels of compliance with the law in both the private and public sectors.
Recall that on June 12, 2023, President Tinubu assented to the data protection bill to advance privacy rights and other fundamental freedoms both in cyberspace and in analogue transactions.
“When we started, the levels of compliance within the private sector was about 49 per cent while the public sector was 4 per cent. But today, private sector compliance is above 55, while the public sector has reached 15 per cent “, Olatunji said.
He, however, called for improvement in terms of compliance for the sectors.
Speaking further, the NDPC commissioner stated, “As of this time last year, we were so unsure if the president would assent to the bill, what if the president didn’t sign it, what would have happened? The bill was passed by the ninth Assembly and usually, when a new government comes in, they want to jettison all that the former government did before it got there. More importantly, it was a new government. I was apprehensive, everyone was worried but I kept faith in God even though I was not sure too and on the 12th of June last year, the president signed it.”
Speaking further, Mr Olatunji emphasised that the nation’s data ecosystem has surpassed a value of N10 billion due to the multiplier effect of assenting to the bill.
He stressed the commission’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ data by global best standards and practices, deeming it essential for ensuring its safety, security, and protection.
The national commissioner said, “Cumulatively, we have had over 1,000 reports of data breaches between when we started and now. The figure is low because of the low level of awareness among Nigerians.”
“We have finalised four major investigations and some have paid their remediation fees. In the law, we can fine companies depending on the nature of the breach, impact on the subject and level of cooperation and we got N400m from remediation fees,” he added.
He added that ongoing investigations were being conducted concerning data infractions.
He also said the commission had concluded arrangements to train 10,000 public servants in responsible data management, while about 1,000 data protection officers and processors including journalists would undergo training by the NDPC.
To check the activities of digital loan platforms, Olatunji said the NDPC collaborated with CBN, ICPC, EFCC, and other regulatory authorities, lamenting that most of the illegal digital loan platforms had no known or traceable addresses.
He, however, emphasised that ongoing efforts would focus on raising awareness among vulnerable Nigerians who fall prey to loan sharks due to lack of knowledge.
He noted that the nation’s large population and vast landmass pose challenges to fully clamping down on the activities of digital loan sharks, as many operate from isolated or remote areas without identifiable addresses.
General
SERAP Urges Cardoso to Disclose Allocations to 774 Local Councils

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, to let Nigerians know whether the bank has commenced the direct disbursement of allocations to the 774 local government areas of Nigeria from the Federation Account.
He was also asked to “immediately disclose whether any direct payment has been made from the Federation Account with the CBN to the local government councils in Rivers state and to explain the rationale for any such payment.”
The Supreme Court last July in a landmark judgment held that no governor or other agencies have the power to keep, control, or disburse in any manner the allocations from the Federation Account meant for local government councils, and that any such allocations must be paid directly to democratically elected councils.
SERAP said it was concerned that states and the FCT have continued to undermine and endanger the existence of local governments and their ability to effectively function as the third tier of government.
In the Freedom of Information request dated May 10, 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The CBN ought to act in the public interest to ensure that the 774 councils in the country directly get their own allocations from the Federation Account, as ordered by the Supreme Court.”
SERAP said, “The CBN has a constitutional and statutory duty to protect the allocations in the Federation Account and the public funds disbursed from that Account directly to each of the constitutionally recognized three tiers of government.
“The CBN also has the constitutional and statutory duty to ensure that no part of the Federation is governed contrary to the Nigerian Constitution or by anybody that is not constitutionally empowered to do so.”
“State governors are starving local governments of funds and putting them in peril, despite the Supreme Court’s binding orders. State governors’ blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s orders undermines the integrity of the court and poses a direct challenge to the rule of law.
“The CBN should be facilitating compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders. If state governors get away with ignoring the court, it will undermine the ability of the bank to credibly perform its constitutional and statutory duties.
“Ensuring that all restrictions against direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 councils will comply with the orders by the Supreme Court and stop states and the Federal Capital Territory from tampering with the allocations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The disbursement of the allocations meant for the 774 councils to states would be at the expense of poor Nigerians and continue to undermine the rights and well-being of those at the bottom of the economy and exacerbate the growing poverty in the country,” SERAP noted.
General
UBA’s Abiodun Coker Wins Future Leader in Media Management Award

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Media and External Relations Lead of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Abiodun Coker, has been crowned the Future Leader in Media Management.
He clinched this award at The Industry Summit/Awards held on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Lagos, with several persons from across all sectors in attendance.
Mr Coker’s recognition further cements his growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and future-ready communications leaders, with his eyes firmly set on redefining the media management landscape.
The award jury, chaired by Mr Tolulope Ogunjobi, a renowned broadcast business correspondent and Business Editor at TVC News, said Mr Coker was bestowed with the honour because of his exceptional achievements in the public relations field during the year 2024.
The team said one of them was his masterful handling of UBA’s 2024 rights issue, which successfully closed on December 24, 2024, and the impactful execution of the bank’s 75th Anniversary Campaign, both of which were described as commendable and exceptional.
According to the jury, his management of UBA’s media ecosystem during the year under review was remarkable, with several media professionals praising his public relations craftsmanship and ability to skilfully manage the image of one of Africa’s most formidable financial brands.
“Abiodun Coker’s achievements in 2024 are a beacon for greater accomplishments ahead. He is undoubtedly one of the strategic communication experts to watch in 2025,” the jury noted.
A seasoned professional, Mr Coker’s journey from an acclaimed financial journalist at BusinessDay Newspapers to a powerhouse in corporate communications has been nothing short of inspiring.
With over eight years of robust journalism experience, coupled with leadership roles at top-tier public relations firms such as BD Consult Ltd and Quadrant, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to transform and manage leading brands successfully.
Organized by The Industry Newspaper, the leading brand marketing publication in West Africa, the prestigious awards recognize outstanding professionals shaping the future of brand marketing and communications across the region.
General
FG Reassures Investors More Enabling Investment Climate

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to fostering a more enabling investment climate, anchored on macroeconomic stability, structural reform, and a clear pathway to inclusive prosperity.
He gave this assurance at a high-level private dinner, organized by Kuramo Capital Management Lagos as part of Africa Venture Capital Week.
The Minister lauded Kuramo Capital and its partners for their steadfast belief in Africa’s promise and highlighted the alignment between private capital and Nigeria’s renewed hope reform agenda.
According to a statement, participants recognized the vital role of blended finance and innovation in driving sustainable development.
The event brought together a distinguished group of global investors, development partners, and business leaders for a candid exchange on unlocking long-term capital for Africa’s growth and transformation.
It also marks Kuramo Capital’s first formal convening in Nigeria in several years, underscoring a renewed sense of commitment to deepening its strategic footprint across the continent.
Mr Edun said with this renewed commitment, the federal government is poised to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, investment, and inclusive prosperity.
He also called for more investment into the country, assuring participants that the right mechanisms are being put in place towards driving Nigeria’s development and improving the lives of its citizens.
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