The matter was concluded in 2025 through a court-approved settlement. As part of the settlement, Meta committed to supporting a two-year programme of public facing data protection measures that aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), the NDP Act General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) and the NDPC Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2023–2027.

The M-SIDP programme is structured around the following strategic areas:

• Governance, Research and Development;
• Fostering Safety and Sustainability Mechanisms for Ecosystem & Technology;
• Capacity Development for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs);
• Public Awareness Targeting Data Subjects – with keen interest in vulnerable groups.

In a statement by the NDPC: “Nothing in this settlement limits the Commission’s independent statutory powers as we continue to exercise our regulatory mandate in relation to data processing activities in Nigeria, in accordance with the NDP Act and other applicable laws.

The Commission will consistently provide periodic updates on the implementation of the M-SIDP programme and calls on all stakeholders to support the initiative in advancing a secure and accountable privacy ecosystem in Nigeria.”

She will be joined on the board by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Ms. Rimini Makama, who join as interim Board members. The interim leadership will work alongside the President/CEO, Mr. David Daser, and the remaining board members whose tenures are unexpired, to drive the Institute’s transformation.

Established by the NCC in May 2004, DBI was created as a specialized centre for training in telecommunications and information technology. In the two decades since, the sector it serves has grown from telecommunications into a broad, fast-moving digital economy, one where technology now advances quickly enough to demand continuous specialized training, and where communications infrastructure has become a matter of national sovereignty and oversight. Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority.

That future also rests on Nigeria’s young population. With 70% of Nigerians under the age of 30, the DBI transformation is designed to empower young people, equip them with advanced technical skills, and close the capability gap that currently slows the pace of technology adoption across the communications sector and the wider digital economy.

The repositioned Institute will concentrate on five areas, which are, Education and Training; Research and Development; Innovation; Economic Impact and Growth; and Emerging Policy and Regulation. The strategy has been shaped through engagements beyond the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, including consultations with the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

These issues took centre stage at the 2026 E-Commerce and Payments Forum organised by the Africa Retail Academy of Lagos Business School (LBS), where senior operators, regulators, innovators, and decision-makers gathered to discuss practical strategies for accelerating commercial growth across Africa.

Held under the theme “Minimising Friction, Maximising Commercial Impact,” the forum was convened by Olu Akanmu, CEO Board Advisor and Executive-in-Residence at Lagos Business School, and Elo Umeh, CEO of Terragon and Executive-in-Residence at LBS; and featured insightful contributions from leading industry experts, including Melvin Onochie, Vice President, Omni-Channel Sales and Commercial Planning at Konga Group; Damilare Ogunnaike, Vice President at Moniepoint Group, Kenny Isichie, Head of Business Operation at Bumpa; Professor Uchenna Uzo; Seun Alley; Charles Ejekam; and a few other senior managers.

Delivering the keynote address, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, Chief Executive Officer of Konga Group, challenged African businesses to rethink their approach to technology adoption, particularly in payments and cross-border commerce.

According to Prince, Nigeria has already made remarkable progress in digital payments and fintech innovation, earning global recognition as one of the world’s leading markets for cryptocurrency adoption. However, he argued that widespread adoption by businesses in Nigeria remains significantly behind consumer usage.

“Nigeria has gone very far in online transactions and fintech innovation. The progress made by institutions such as NIBSS and the broader fintech ecosystem deserves commendation. However, there is still substantial work to be done if we are to unlock seamless international trade and scale commerce across Africa,” he noted.

One of the key themes of his presentation was the growing relevance of stablecoins in modern commerce. While cryptocurrencies often generate mixed reactions due to concerns around volatility and regulation, Prince emphasized that stablecoins represent one of the most practical and valuable innovations emerging from the broader crypto ecosystem.

“People often become nervous when they hear the word crypto,” he said. “But every technology has two sides. Artificial Intelligence, for example, is creating enormous value, yet it can also be misused. The same principle applies to crypto. The focus should be on how we leverage the positive side of technology to create productivity, improve efficiency, and solve real business problems.”

Drawing from Konga’s experience, Prince explained how the company has successfully leveraged stablecoin infrastructure to improve business operations, access liquidity more efficiently, and overcome some of the payment challenges associated with cross-border transactions.

“Konga invested heavily in building its own infrastructure because we recognised a problem that needed solving. By tapping into available liquidity and embracing emerging technologies responsibly, we have been able to improve business processes and unlock new opportunities for growth,” he stated.

A recurring issue during the forum was trust. Participants examined how regulators, businesses, and technology providers can work together to increase confidence in digital assets and emerging payment technologies.

Addressing this concern, Prince acknowledged that trust remains a legitimate challenge but expressed optimism about ongoing regulatory developments.

“There are already guardrails being established. Both the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission are working collaboratively to create a more structured and transparent regulatory framework. That is an important step toward building confidence and encouraging responsible innovation,” he said.

He also highlighted the need for a broader mindset shift among businesses and consumers. Using a personal example, Prince recounted how he recently completed a transaction with a roadside vendor through a digital transfer, illustrating how rapidly consumer behaviour is evolving.

“The reality is that Nigerians are already embracing digital payments in everyday life. Businesses must evolve at the same pace. We need to move beyond old assumptions about cash and fully embrace the efficiencies that digital transactions offer,” he remarked.

On logistics and delivery, Onochie stressed that reducing friction across the entire customer journey, from payment to fulfilment and pricing, remains essential for sustainable growth in e-commerce. He noted that businesses that successfully align convenience, speed, trust, and competitive pricing will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The forum concluded with a consensus that Africa’s commerce future will be shaped not only by technology itself but by how effectively organisations deploy innovation to solve practical challenges.

For Prince the opportunity is clear. Africa already possesses the entrepreneurial talent, consumer demand, and technological foundation required for transformation. The next step is creating the infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and business confidence needed to scale those advantages across borders.

As digital commerce continues to evolve, his message resonated strongly with attendees: the future belongs to organisations that embrace innovation responsibly, reduce friction relentlessly, and build systems that enable trade without boundaries.

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), Nigeria’s minister of Defence explained that the platform is intended to serve as a strategic innovation hub rather than a procurement programme, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to explore emerging technologies and develop long-term solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities.

Speaking at the Omniverse Africa 3.0 Summit in Lagos, the Defence Minister challenged innovators, startups, researchers, and technology entrepreneurs to develop indigenous solutions that can strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and reduce dependence on foreign defence technologies.

Musa called on the country’s technology ecosystem to play a central role in addressing national security challenges, stressing that future defence capabilities will depend as much on innovation and technology as on conventional military assets.

Delivering a keynote address titled “The 70/30 Rule: Why Nigeria’s Security and Innovation Agendas are the Same National Project,” Musa argued that modern security threats require a new approach that combines military capability with technological innovation, industrial development, and strategic foresight.

“The future requires us to complement courage with technology, foresight, industrial capability, and innovation,” the minister said, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to transition from being a consumer of defence technologies to becoming a producer of strategic capabilities.

According to Musa, the Ministry of Defence is already implementing reforms designed to position emerging technologies at the heart of Nigeria’s defence strategy.

These efforts focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, unmanned systems, cybersecurity, surveillance technologies, secure communications, and data-driven decision-making tools.

He noted that traditional military hardware alone can no longer adequately address the complex and evolving nature of contemporary security threats, making technology innovation an essential component of national security planning.

The minister also linked the initiative to the Federal Government’s broader industrialisation agenda, noting that reforms at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria are aimed at creating a sustainable ecosystem where defence investments stimulate economic growth, support research and development, create high-value jobs, and encourage local manufacturing.

While touring the multi-million dollars NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies factory on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the team impressed by the facility for the production of PCR kits and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), said it was a good move to establish 100 per cent Nigerian-owned diagnostic brand.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, NASENT-Troment Biotechnologies, Mr. Selim Hani, in a presentation stated that the factory is a strategic partnership between the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Troment Nigeria Limited aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sovereignty through local production of diagnostic technologies.

“This facility built from ground zero in the last 18 months, focuses on manufacturing of RDTs and in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, enabling early detection of major infectious and public health diseases. Diagnostic test kits under the N-CheckUP brand will be produced to test Malaria, Hepatitis B & C, HIV ½, Pregnancy, COVID-19 Antigen, Typhoid, Syphilis, Blood Glucose among others.

“It is designed to produce 600 million diagnostic kits per year. It will reduce Nigeria’s (and West Africa) reliance on imported medical diagnostics while improving accessibility and affordability of across the country and the African region,” he added.

Technical Partner, NASENI-Troment Biotechnologies, Dr. Engin Narinc, said “this facility is Africa’s first fully localized Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit factory. From concept to full-scale launch, our end-to-end production process is designed to deliver world-calss diagnostic solutions built entirely in Africa, for Africa.”

Team lead, Science of Defeating Malaria Initiative, Professor Dyann F. Wirth, of Harvard University, USA, and one of the world’s leading malariologists, led the team on a tour of the various sections of the factory. She said “this is an amazing facility that would add value to the eradication of malaria and other public health disease in Nigeria and the continent.”

The visiting Science of Defeating Malaria leadership development course and initiative is currently holding its programme from June 7-13, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria. It trains global health professionals, scientists, and policymakers to eliminate and eradicate malaria.

The graduation comes at a crucial time for Africa’s tech ecosystem. Although Nigeria’s tech talent is growing, it isn’t sufficient, especially at the mid-to-senior engineering level, where demand far exceeds supply. By 2030, the global shortage of software developers could reach 85 million, leading to economic losses of $5.5 trillion. For a continent developing its digital infrastructure, this is critical. Moniepoint’s DreamDevs Bootcamp is a strategic response to these challenges.

The nine-week curriculum, created by Moniepoint’s Engineering Unit in partnership with Semicolon, covered Java Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Testing, MySQL, Spring Boot APIs, System Design, Docker, Messaging Queues, Frontend UI, and Cloud Infrastructure. Participants received programme stipends and mentorship from experienced Moniepoint software engineers, gaining valuable exposure to the production environment of one of Africa’s fastest-growing fintech firms.

During the Demo Day presentation, the participants paired into 9 teams were excited to showcase how they have deployed knowledge and skills gained during the course of the bootcamp  into real and useful  solutions in real estate, hospital management, event management, food and agriculture.

Commenting, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Moniepoint, Felix Ike, said: “DreamDevs is a structural investment in Nigeria’s digital economy, not a recruitment exercise, not a pipeline built solely to serve Moniepoint’s hiring needs. That said, we are proud that some graduates from our first cohort are already active members of our engineering team, proof that when young African engineers are given the right training and the right environment, they can compete at the highest level”.

Felix added that engineering excellence is not a naturally occurring phenomenon, rather a curated and intentionally built process that requires the right systems, the right resources, and sufficient time to take hold. “Building that process and making it accessible to the brightest young engineers on this continent is a responsibility we have chosen to own.

Africa’s digital economy is attracting significant global capital, yet the talent infrastructure required to sustain that growth remains underdeveloped. The DreamDevs Bootcamp and our other capacity-building initiatives across some of Nigeria’s public universities demonstrate Moniepoint’s commitment to this responsibility,” he disclosed.

The initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s broader national agenda on technology skills development. Moniepoint serves as a key sponsor of the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which focuses on mass technical skills training across the country. While 3MTT addresses the scale challenge, DreamDevs provides depth, offering a specialised, end-to-end pathway from foundational training through to employment within Moniepoint’s complete development ecosystem.

As Nigerian fintechs deepen their infrastructure ambitions, the ability to grow engineering capacity that feeds these aspirations requires an urgent industry intervention, as Moniepoint is demonstrating to address Africa’s engineering talent challenge.

Speaking while conducting 185 contestants of the 2026 National Girls in ICT (NG-ICT) Competition on a tour of the National Communication Museum domiciled at the Commission’s head office in Abuja on Thursday, the Executive Vice Charman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the initiative also aligns with the Commission’s digital literacy advocacy.

The contestants were selected by the Ministry across the country’s geo-political zones for competition to promote digital inclusion and inspire greater participation of girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The visit to the Commission by the students formed part of activities organised by the Minister under the National Girls in ICT Programme, an initiative aimed at bridging the gender gap in the technology sector by equipping young girls with digital skills, mentorship opportunities and exposure to innovation.

Maida, who was represented by the Director, Research and Development Department, Babagana Digima, noted that the museum tour was designed to create a link between the old and new generations in Nigeria’s telecommunications journey, helping young people appreciate the sector’s transformation from analogue systems to the current digital revolution.

During the study tour, NCC officials guided the students through exhibits and historical artefact that document key milestones in the Nigeria’s telecommunications history and the evolution of the communications sector to date. He emphasised that understanding the industry’s history would inspire the participants to contribute meaningfully to the future of digital innovation in Nigeria.

The EVC noted that exposing young people to the history of technological advancement and innovation is essential to building a new generation of leaders for Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

“The whole idea behind this is that we are looking at the younger generation. We want to show them what communication is all about. This place is a museum meant to preserve the history of what has gone before and to keep the artefacts, ensuring that people see the evolution from the postal system to telegraphy, from analogue systems to the digital era.

“This is essentially what we are showing them in the shortest amount of time and, of course, to excite the curiosity of the young ones. When they see what happened in the past and how it has progressed into the future, they can also take it up from here and think about what it will look like going forward. That is the whole essence of having them here,” he said.

 During the tour, the participants learned about generational trends in telecommunications development, dating back to 1886 when the colonial administration established first communication facilities primarily to support administrative functions.  They were also taken through the history of the country’s early telegraph services, which linked Lagos to other parts of West Africa and Europe through submarine cable connections.

The tour highlighted the state of telecommunications at Independence in 1960, when Nigeria had only 18,724 telephone lines serving an estimated population of about 40 million people. The students were also briefed on various development plans that followed Independence, the operations of the former Department of Posts and Telecommunications (P&T) and Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET) Limited, as well as the establishment of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 1985 to coordinate the provision of internal and external telecommunications services.

 A major highlight of the visit was the display of rare historical artefacts preserved at the NCC Museum. Among the exhibits were a Post Office Counter dating back to 1852, Sorting Racks introduced to Lagos in 1852, the Grand “T” Key used at the Lagos Post Office in the nineteenth century, leather mail bags dating back to 1863, Drop Bag fittings from the late 20th Century, a 511A Letter Scale from the mid-20th Century, an Improved Dynamometer Scale from the 1920, Telegram machines, Teleprinter T100, Cordless PBX, Digital Card Phone and others.

Speaking in Lagos during a media parley, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdulkadir K. Ahmed noted that the certification from the UK Nautical Institute is a strong validation of the quality, rigour, and relevance of the training delivered at the Centre. “It confirms that the MCOE meets internationally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence.”

He further disclosed that certification falls in line with other global recognitions and approvals the Hub had received.

“Importantly, this is not the first recognition of its kind, the MCOE is already accredited by DNV under globally recognised standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and the DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres,” he said. “These certifications reinforce our commitment to quality, consistency, and excellence in training delivery. Building on this foundation, the MCOE is now licensed by the UK Nautical Institute to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes, including induction, simulator, revalidation, and vessel maintenance courses. Today, the Centre stands as one of the institutes in West Africa with this level of Nautical Institute accreditation for DP training.”

Established as a one-stop centre for world-class maritime expertise, MCOE operates from Bonny Island, Rivers State, serving Nigeria, West Africa, and the global maritime community. The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and modern training facilities designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals, with an expanding portfolio of both mandatory and specialised courses.

Pointing out that the certifications and recognitions are the result of deliberate and sustained effort, as they reflect strategic investment in infrastructure, curriculum development, instructor capability, and robust quality assurance systems, Ahmed said they lend credence to the standard of training and expertise developed here in Nigeria, which can compete with the best anywhere in the world.

“It enhances the employability and mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals with internationally recognised training; our seafarers are better positioned to access opportunities across global fleets and offshore operations,” he buttressed.

He further surmised: “Beyond the industry, the impact is broader, a stronger maritime workforce contributes directly to trade, shipping, offshore operations, and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy supporting job creation, productivity, and national competitiveness.”

The CEO of NSML reassured of the organisation’s commitment to growth and development: “Looking ahead, NSML remains committed to further strengthening the Maritime Centre of Excellence, expanding access to maritime training for young Nigerians, and deepening partnerships that align with international standards. Our ambition is clear to build a maritime institution that Nigeria is proud of, and one that is respected across the global maritime community.”

The approval came during a meeting at NITDA headquarters where NiRA’s President, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya led his board members to present the association’s 2026 vision to Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director general.

Following the approval, both organisations expressed their resolve to reinforce collaborative efforts to ensure smooth, rapid execution of their shared goals of increasing the adoption of the .ng domain across the country.

To actualise the business plan, the DG directed NiRA to work hand-in-hand with NITDA’s e-Governance and Digital Economy Department for effective implementation, daily updates, and project tracking.

“You have my full approval for these initiatives. Let us change our strategy, sync up more closely, and ensure everything we have agreed upon during this presentation is fully implemented by next year,” Inuwa declared.

Highlighting some of NiRA’s impressive achievements over the past year, Akinsanya said 98,285 new registrations, 71,470 renewals, and 1,970 restorations were recorded in 2025, while there are 241,000 active .ng domains.

Beyond the numbers, NiRA also implemented important security upgrades, including the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), for a more secure and resilient internet experience for local users, as well as improvements in registrar support and engagement.

Looking into the future, Akinsanya said NiRA is intensifying action to make .ng and .gov.ng domains the gold standard across the country.

He expressed gratitude for NITDA’s ongoing support, calling for joint awareness campaigns and digital capacity-building to bring more state governments, local councils, and public institutions under the secure official domain.

The NiRA president added that the association is updating its internal systems, introducing automation, and revising its constitution to meet globally acceptable standards to ensure sustainable growth.

“NiRA is looking into deeper stakeholder engagement and moving into areas where we see massive possibilities. We are specifically targeting startups and aligning with tech events across the country. With stronger collaboration, we can drive widespread adoption across every tier of government’’, Akinsanya said.

The Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc has called on Nigerian organisations and firms to utilize the benefits of evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in implementing their growth plans.

She spoke at the recent 17^th Africa’s Beacon of ICT (BoICT) 2026 Merit and Leadership Awards, organised by Nigeria Communications Week in Lagos, with its theme as, “Impact of AI and IoT on Business Operational Efficiency”.

In her keynote address, Onyeali-Ikpe noted that artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are redefining how organisations operate across industries.

Tagging the theme of the event as “both timely and necessary as we are living in an era where technology is no longer a support function, but is the engine of enterprise transformation”, she explained: “AI is enabling automation of complex processes, unlocking real time insights, and improving decision making. IoT, on the other hand, is connecting systems, assets and people, allowing businesses to monitor performance, predict outcomes and optimise resources in ways we could not imagine a decade ago. Together, these technologies are not just improving efficiency, they are fundamentally reshaping business models.”

She illustrated: “A few years ago, a manufacturing firm in Africa struggled with frequent machine breakdowns. Production delays were common, costs were rising, and customer satisfaction was declining. Then they deployed IoT sensors across their equipment. These sensors monitored temperature, vibration, and performance in real time. Coupled with AI analytics, they could predict failures before they happened. The result isn’t far from amazing: Downtime reduced significantly, costs stabilised, and productivity improved. This is the power of AI and IoT at work: quiet, precise, transformative.”

She further disclosed that technology, at Fidelity Bank, is not an abstract concept, it is a practical tool for solving real problems, which the bank has embraced as a strategic enabler of efficiency and growth.

She said the deployed AI driven systems in key areas of its operations, including fraud detection systems; customer engagement platforms, customer interface such as enterprise software that simplify accounting, inventory management, and business decision making, helping them operate more efficiently and scale sustainably.

While encouraging People Development to complement technology adoption, Onyeali-Ikpe warned: “Organisations that fail to adopt intelligent systems will struggle with cost inefficiencies, slow decision making, and declining competitiveness. Those that embrace AI and IoT will operate faster, respond better, and deliver more value.”

“As we look to the future, we must recognize that the convergence of AI and IoT will accelerate. We will see smarter cities, intelligent supply chains, predictive healthcare, and more inclusive financial systems. The question is no longer whether these technologies will shape our future. The question is how prepared we are to harness them.”

Onyeali-Ikpe was represented by the Executive Director/Chief Operations & Information Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., Mr. Stanley Amuchie, who also won the Outstanding Banker of the Year Award at the 17^th Africa’s Beacon of ICT (BoICT) 2026 Merit and Leadership Awards.