Technology
NITDA to Overhaul Outdated Cybersecurity Intervention Frameworks
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is working to overhaul outdated frameworks that are limiting cybersecurity interventions in Nigeria.
The NITDA Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Department, Mr Ayodele Bakare, said this on the sidelines of the agency’s meeting with some United Kingdom (UK) delegates on building a national cybersecurity infrastructure in Abuja on Friday.
Mr Bakare noted that cybersecurity was a borderless issue and required collaborations, both local and international, and strategic interventions to address cyber threats.
The director stated that the country had existing cybersecurity frameworks and policies but doubted if they could address emerging threats, especially with the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Some of the frameworks he mentioned included the Cyber Crime Act 2015, recently amended in 2024 and the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, which were pivotal in driving the country’s cybersecurity architecture.
“NITDA, seven years ago released the National Public Key Infrastructure as a regulation. We also have other sectoral frameworks, the Risk-Based Cybersecurity framework for financial institutions released by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Given the fact that we have all these frameworks, their effectiveness is still a question and I think the first thing is for a rebase line on the basis that informs the existing frameworks.
“Majority of the frameworks were issued far before now, and there are emerging risks like the AI-driven threats and some of the frameworks that we have are not really addressing them,’’ he said.
The director mentioned that in spite of significant efforts in public awareness campaigns, cyber threats, such as device code phishing, continued to persist across the country.
He stressed that enhanced and more interactive awareness programmes were necessary to educate the public on the dangers of cybercrime.
Mr Bakare also said that Nigeria had a shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts, with about 8,300 cybersecurity experts to 220 million people, adding that there was a need to develop skills in that area.
The Director called for more affordable training platforms and certification programmes to help develop a larger pool of cybersecurity professionals in the country.
“We are looking for platforms that can provide an efficient way of training people and we are also looking at collaborations that can help bring down the cost of cybersecurity certification courses.
“Averagely, you see Nigerians spending between $2,000 dollars to $5,000 for this certification which is very expensive and reducing the cost will increase the number of experts,’’ he said.
Another concern he raised was the issue of governance, risk management and compliance among government institutions.
According to him, NITDA is working on a regime that will audit government organisations and ensure compliance with cybersecurity frameworks.
He also said the country required more efficient threat intelligence platforms that could gather, analyse and share information on cybersecurity threats.
Mr Bakare further stated the need to adopt cloud-based solutions to improve vulnerabilities, adding that it could assist in identifying external threats in institutions.
“The government is making efforts to ensure the management and effective utilisation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to secure online transactions and communications in collaboration with stakeholders.
“For government institutions, we are working on a framework for zero trust which should create an efficient platform.
“The platform will ensure that before you access any information-based system, either cloud-based or on-premise, you have to go through a zero trust platform.
“This is to ensure that digital trust is effectively maintained and that the incidences of data leakages are reduced,’’ Mr Bakare said.
He added that they were working on developing a National Cybersecurity Architecture expected to consolidate various cybersecurity initiatives and frameworks into a single source of truth.
“We are working towards an architecture that will serve as the single source of truth for Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and help streamline efforts for effective management of cyberspace,’’ he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s telecom landscape is about to be abuzz, with the much-anticipated launch of Flexmobile from Hazon Technologies.
Feelers indicate that the company will soon make a commercial debut, as the regulatory approval is now in the final stage.
It was gathered that the commercial rollout for Flexmobile should be June 1, 2026, as this depends on the authorisation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the sector. The telco will have the distinctive 081 number series.
Early signals suggest a product ecosystem engineered around flexibility, data-centricity, and user control—an approach aligned with the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s digitally connected population.
For seamless operations, Flexmobile has sealed commercial agreements with its MVNE, IMBIL, and Airtel Nigeria.
“What lies ahead is more than a launch—it is the beginning of a new way to experience telecoms in Nigeria,” the chief executive of Hazon Technologies, Mr Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, said at a recent media briefing.
“After years of building the right partnerships and infrastructure, we are approaching a defining milestone. Flexmobile is designed to challenge conventions and introduce a smarter, more flexible telecom experience for Nigerians,” he added.
While full details of its offering will be unveiled at launch, Flexmobile is expected to introduce a suite of value-added services designed to go beyond traditional connectivity—positioning the brand at the intersection of telecoms, lifestyle, and digital enablement.
Backed by strong institutional partnerships and a robust MVNE framework, Flexmobile enters the market not just as another operator, but as a platform with the potential to reshape how telecom services are consumed and experienced.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, ipNX Nigeria, is joining forces with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration and drive inclusive digital growth across the country.
Recently, an executive delegation of the organisation paid a visit to the chairman of the regulatory agency, Mr Idris Olorunimbe.
“We are pleased to engage with the new chairman of the NCC and show our support as he takes on this important role.
“Strong leadership and a clear policy direction are essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“At ipNX, we remain committed to working closely with the commission and other stakeholders to expand broadband access, enhance connectivity in educational institutions, and ultimately bridge the digital divide.
“This collaboration will empower millions of Nigerians and further position the country as a leader in Africa’s technological evolution,” the Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, Mr Ejovi Aror, said at the visit.
In his remarks, Mr Olorunnimbe thanked the firm for the show of support, reiterating the commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector participation in achieving universal broadband access across Nigeria.
This collaboration is expected to advance Nigeria’s transformation agenda in technology and help boost the federal government’s broadband agenda for the country.
ipNX Nigeria has said it remains at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge broadband and ICT solutions, and this engagement underscores its unwavering dedication to supporting national development through technology-driven initiatives.
By Adedapo Adesanya
MTN Nigeria is restructuring its fintech business by bringing in its parent company, MTN Group, as a major investor to help cushion against losses that have plagued the units.
Yesterday, MTN Nigeria announced that its parent firm, based in South Africa, will acquire a 60 per cent stake in MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited (MoMo PSB) and Y’ello Digital Financial Services (YDFS) Limited.
MoMo is a payment service bank business that provides financial services, including deposits, payments, transfers and digital wallets to individuals and small businesses in Nigeria via digital and mobile‑based platforms.
Y’ello Digital is a licensed super-agent that provides agency banking and financial services, including cash deposits, withdrawals and bill payments. It operates through the MoMo network.
In an explanatory note in respect of the proposed transaction on Tuesday, MTN Nigeria said the transaction will cost N95.5 billion and reduce its exposure to the “loss-making” financial technology (fintech) companies.
According to the Nigerian subsidiary, the acquisition, which the South African company will conduct through another subsidiary, MTN Group Fintech, is a restructuring that consists of two phases.
MTN Nigeria said the first phase is the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in each of the two fintech companies by MTN Group.
“MTN Group Fintech will acquire a 60 per cent stake in each of the Fintech Companies through a combination of primary issuance of shares by the Fintech Companies and a secondary acquisition of shares in MoMo PSB from MTN Nigeria, at an agreed valuation of N95.5 billon (on an intra-group debt free and cash free basis), resulting in an implied capital injection of N152.06 billion payable in cash or consideration other than cash, or a combination (the “Investment Amount”) into the Fintech Companies; and MTN Nigeria will retain a 40% stake in the Fintech Companies,” the statement read.
According to the explanatory note, the second phase is the creation of a financial holding company named Fintech HoldCo, which will be 60 per cent owned by MTN Group Fintech and 40 per cent owned by MTN Nigeria.
The fintech units are currently loss-making, and this move will help MTN Nigeria to reduce financial risk and share future losses and investment burden. However, it will still keep a significant minority stake (40 per cent)
The network provider said the transaction phase will be completed with Fintech HoldCo acquiring the shares held by MTN Group Fintech and MTN Nigeria in MoMo and Y’ello Digital.
“Subject to obtaining the approval of the CBN, Fintech HoldCo will become the 100% owner of the shares in the Fintech Companies, having acquired all the shares held respectively by MTN Group Fintech and MTN Nigeria in the Fintech Companies,” the telecommunications company said.
MTN Nigeria said an annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on April 30, for shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, approve the proposed transaction.
The telco said the proposed transaction distributes operational risks, allowing MTN Group Fintech to share future capital risks, such as losses, regulatory burdens and execution risks.
In August 2024, MTN Nigeria acquired a 7.17 per cent stake held by Acxani Capital Limited in MoMo.
The acquisition increased MTN Nigeria’s total stake in MoMo to 100 per cent.
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