Business
FG Launches Portal To Access MDAs
The Federal Government has launched service portal that would enable people to have access to single window information and services provided by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, said at the launch of the portal in Abuja that it was just one of the ministry’s projects to leverage on the use of ICT in the country.
“What we have done is that we have developed a single point of entry for all Nigerians or anybody wherever they may be in the world to access government services online.
“This single point of entry is domiciled in www.services.gov.ng domain name.
“This is not the first time we are launching service online. There are a number of government services that are actually delivered online but what has happened over time was that each of the MDAs was working on their own.
“Now, you can tell from a single point, what is exactly available to services online through government agencies.’’
Jonhson said that ministries, in addition to creating single window of entry into government services, were to work with other ministries to launch 10 additional services that are going to be offer online.
“What we have also done is that we have created a standard template for all government Website and ensure that transactions on the web are secured.’’
She said with the launch of the service portal, government would begin to offer faster, cheaper and more efficient service deliveries and business that could always be accessible.
Johnson said the ministry will soon launch other innovations it has been working on, to promote the use of ICT to ensure transparency and better services from government.
“This Friday, we are going to be launching our innovative centres in Lagos and also, in a few weeks in Calabar, we are going to lunch government contact centres.’’
The minister, however, called on the media to sensitise Nigerians to the services available on the portal, as the country has the highest internet traffic in Africa.
“With about 44 million Nigerians connected to the internet every day. Every one of them should be able to transact business on the portal.’’
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Henry Akpan, also expressed optimism that the launch of the portal would promote investment that would enhance the wellbeing of Nigerians.
He said that the ministry was committed to promoting effective service delivery using ICT.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Mr Gerald Ilukwe, said the separation of roles between the programme coordinator, the technology provider and online services providers was critical to the programme’s success.
He said that similar programmes had failed in the past due to confusion and overlapping roles.
Ilukwe also explained that Galaxy backbone, as the ICT provider of the federal government establishments, remained a key partner in the programme.
“These services will continue to be owned and provided by the respective MDAs.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Customs Service has said the launch of the Nigerian Service Portal would enable Nigeria to be better ranked among the comity of nations with enabling environment for doing business.
The Comptroller-General of Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, stated this at the official launch of Federal Government Service Portal by the Ministry of Communication Technology on Tuesday in Abuja.
Dikko, represented by the Deputy-Controller General of Customs Mr Bashar Yusuf, said that the portal would make other developing countries to look up to Nigeria’s building model in doing business.
Dikko added that the model would also provide a platform that would guarantee integrity of government institutions and their operations within and outside the country.
He said that the Nigerian Customs had also been involved in the course of doing business in the country through the development of a portal with rich contents which would also be co-opted into the service portal.
He said “it is an opportunity to give Nigeria that chance to be a model in ensuring integrity of its own citizens. It is equally an opportunity that will give Nigeria a better world ranking in comity of nations.
He said “we know very well not quit long ago there was an audit of 185 countries and Nigeria took the 184th position in the course of doing business. It is not the best position.
“Why are we taken 184 positions? Because the cost of doing business in Nigeria highly cumbersome. There is nothing facilitating anything. That was why we jumped into that business to say it will never be the same again”.
In a concerted effort to tackle racketeering and reduce inflated transportation costs in the Nigeria’s seaports, Trucks Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) has trained Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders on the use of its Ètò electronic call-up system.
The training was held recently at Customs Processing Centre (CPC) Auditorium, Apapa, Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and supported by the leadership of the Joint Association of Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders (JALCAFF), Apapa Command.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed appreciation to TTP for facilitating the training and emphasized the need for customs agents to take personal ownership of the Ètò booking process.
“I want to thank TTP for this impactful training. I encourage all customs agents to begin doing their own bookings directly. By doing so, they can take back power from the unscrupulous elements exploiting their lack of knowledge, selling tickets at highly inflated prices,” Olomu declared.
He noted that empowering agents with hands-on training was key to dismantling racketeering networks that have plagued access to the ports and frustrated efficient logistics processes.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, said the engagement was critical to the ongoing push to reduce cargo transportation costs and ease business operations at the Apapa Port.
According to a freight forwarder, “The training is basically for us to have awareness of the operations of the Ètò call-up system through TTP. We also want to brainstorm on ways to reduce the high cost of cargo transportation in Apapa Port.
“This training opened our eyes to how simple it is to book tickets ourselves. We now know the right steps to follow and how to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.”
Earlier, Head of Operations at TTP, Mr. Irabor Akonoman, talked on common misconceptions about ticket pricing, reaffirming that the cost of Ètò bookings had remained consistent since its inception.
“The official price remains the same since inception. What people are paying higher amounts for is the manipulation by racketeers”.
Towards strengthening small businesses and promoting a more supportive regulatory environment, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it will hold the 2025 edition of its flagship MSMEs Fair on Tuesday (May 6, 2025).
The event, themed, “Galvanising MSMEs for Economic Growth and Stability”, will take place at NECA House in Lagos.
According to NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, the fair seeks to provide micro, small, and medium enterprises with essential tools, resources, and strategic networks to thrive in Nigeria’s challenging business climate.
He emphasised the vital role MSMEs play in national development, describing them as the “lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.”
Oyerinde noted that the fair is designed to offer entrepreneurs practical solutions to navigate economic uncertainties, regulatory hurdles, and business scalability issues.
A major attraction of this year’s event is the keynote address by the CEO of FATE Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, a prominent advocate for MSME development.
She is expected to share transformative insights on innovative strategies for sustaining and growing small businesses in Nigeria.
A unique feature of the fair will be interactive sessions with key regulatory bodies. Entrepreneurs will engage directly with agencies responsible for licensing, compliance, taxation, and business registration.
NECA said these sessions aim to demystify bureaucratic processes and foster a more enabling business environment.
It also said the fair will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and services, connect with potential investors, and explore new markets.
It added that participants would gain critical knowledge on digital transformation, access to finance, and strategies for sustainable business growth.
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· NECA stressed that the fair aligns with its broader mission of promoting enterprise development and economic resilience.
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· “By empowering MSMEs with the right support and information, the organisation aims to stimulate job creation, innovation, and long-term economic stability”, NECA said.
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· The 2025 MSMEs Fair is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including financiers, tech experts, regulators, and industry leaders, all united in advancing the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, says over two million passengers have been transported on the Blue Line Rail since its launch, while state-run buses move an average of 42,000 commuters daily.
Osiyemi, who disclosed this during the Year 2025 Ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Tuesday, noted that the Lagos State Transport Policy, launched in May 2024, was now in its implementation phase, focusing on inclusivity, safety, affordability, and sustainability.
“On rail development, Phase One of the Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) has served over two million passengers, with Phase Two (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko) in progress.
“Phase One of the Red Line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is now operational with eight stations and additional rolling stocks procured, while Phase two (Oyingbo to link Blue Line at National Theatre) is underway”, he said.
The Commissioner said in the state-owned bus operations, over 60 million commuters have been served since 2019, with daily ridership exceeding 40,000.
He also said plans were on to deploy new buses with Quality Bus Corridors under construction, adding that the Abule=Egba Bus Terminal had also been commissioned.
“For water transport, 15 locally-built Omibus Ferries have been launched and are in operation, with the Ijegun Egba Terminal now open.
“The OMI EKO project, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), will deliver 25 terminals and 78 electric ferries.
“Over 280,000 passengers have used ferry services in the past year, and 12 boats have been upgraded to meet safety standards”, he said.
On road infrastructure and traffic management, the Commissioner said 49 junction improvement projects had been completed, including ongoing ones at Ikorodu, Iju, as well as Allen-Opebi-Toyin axis.
He added that solar-powered Traffic Signal Lights, road markings covering 67.9km, new medians, laybys, and 3,941 parking lots had also been provided.
Additionally, Osiyemi announced that the deployed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras had detected over 470,000 traffic violations and that the Vehicle Inspection Service issued over one million roadworthiness certificates.
He also said that the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute trained more than 32,000 drivers in the past 13 months.
The event marked the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, showcasing major strides in the transport sector under the THEMES+ agenda.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos