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Cashless Policy: CBN, NIGCOMSAT Partner On Internet Access

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The Central Bank of Nige
ria (CBN) has said it has concluded plans to partner with Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) for the provision of wireless internet service.
The CBN Principal Manager, Shared Services, Mr Aaron Yaduma, said that the measure was to give necessary push to cashless policy in the country, last Tuesday.
Yaduma made this known in a paper titled: “Cashless Policy, the Journey So Far”, presented at a three-day sensitisation workshop on CBN cashless policy in Bauchi on Tuesday.
He said that the effort was to address the internet connectivity problem, being one of the major challenges affecting the implementation and penetration of the cashless policy in the country.
“A tripartite MoU has been drafted for NIGCOMSAT, CBN and Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) for the provision of the Wi-Fi hotspots.
“If the partnership arrangement is concluded, we hope to connect every part of this country with internet service via Wi-Fi hotsport.
“We have already commence discussion with NIGCOMSAT to see how we can make General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology available in rural areas for the deployment of Point-Of-Sales (POS) terminals,’’ he said.
Yaduma said that the cashless policy was introduced in 2012 with the main objective of reducing the amount of physical cash circulating in the economy through the encouragement of more electronic-based transactions.
He said that the policy was introduced for a number of key reasons, namely to meet Vision 2020 requirements, modernise Nigeria’s payment system and reduce the cost of banking services.
According to him, it is also to improve effectiveness of monetary policy, reduce high security and safety risks and foster transparency and curb corruption.
He said that besides internet connectivity, people misconception of the policy and fuelled conspiracy theories amongst stakeholders had also hampered the adoption of the policy.
“There was also resistance due to prevailing cash culture, Techno-fobia , Illiteracy, entrenched poverty, insufficient infrastructure, distrust in banking system and merchant apathy, “ he said.
He, however, said that steps were being taken to address all the challenges, adding that the cashless Nigeria project was gaining massive adoption rate across the nation, especially with the support from Federal and State governments.
Earlier, the CBN Branch Controller in Bauchi State, Malam Musa Muhammad, explained that the essence of the workshop was to sensitise and educate all stakeholders on the gains of the cashless policy.
He added that the sensitisation would also be carried out in 30 states of the federation where the policy was designed to take effect.
He called on the government, markets associations, community leaders, professional bodies, religious organisations, students to embrace the policy for its advantages.
Some of the participant who spoke to newsmen expressed worry that the policy will not favour a lot of people due to low level of education and access to electronic gadgets.
Mrs Maryam Gamzo, the Chairperson, Market Women and Men Association in the state, said the policy would be at a serious disadvantage to market women because of their low level of literacy.
“Our women only understand the business of pay cash and carry, and now they are telling us to use machines instead of cash. Without money how are we going to buy goods from the villages.
“Again, if our customers stopped using money to make purchases, how do we know if we are making profit or not and what do we take home at the end of the day,’’ she said.
Another participant, Malam Yakubu Bayara said that the policy would only succeed in major towns and not in the rural areas.
According to him, in the rural areas the purchasing power is between N20 to N200 per day, and the illiteracy figure is very high.

Some of the students during the advocacy campaign on computer-based test organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (jamb) ahead of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (umte) in Gombe, recently. Photo: NAN

Some of the students during the advocacy campaign on computer-based test organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (jamb) ahead of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (umte) in Gombe, recently. Photo: NAN

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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