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No Plan To Defer Cashless Policy – CBN

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11 years ago

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The Central Bank of Nige
ria (CBN) has concluded plans to ensure that the implementation of cashless policy nationwide would not exc eed  the stated date of July Ist, 2014.
In a statement by the apex bank to all the banks in the 30 remaining states, signed by the Director, Bank and Payment Systems department of CBN Mr. Dipo Fatokun, the cashless policy implementation programme has since kick-off with the enlightenment of banks customers.
The banks were also directed by CBN to train their staff on the operations of the policy as well as limits of withdrawal by individuals and companies.
It would be recalled that the CBN’s cashless policy commenced in Lagos in 2012 and was later extended to five states and the Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Rivers, Ogun, Abia and Anambra States by October 1st 2013.
The policy in the implemented states has worked to some extent though majority of the illiterate class can hardly explain what the policy is all about, especially in the day-to-day running of their petty businesses at the grassroots.
To Mr Clement Briggs a businessman in Port Harcourt, the cashless policy is a welcomed development which has helped to reduce crime due to reduced movement of cash in the society.
Briggs said that most people in the rural areas, however, do not know what cashless policy entails because the awareness and enlightenment campaign did not get to the grassroots.
He noted that the policy has worked and would work in the remaining 30 states, adding that there is the need for more enlightenment programme across the nation and also in the rural areas.
To the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rivers State Micro Finance Agency (RIMA), Mr Innocent Iyalla Harry, the cashless policy is a step in the right direction and has reduced crime associated with the movement of cash.
Harry also noted that the cost and risk of carrying cash has also been reduced in the different companies and businesses, adding that there is no way the state can go completely cashless as some businesses are controlled by foreigners who must send out cash to their countries through individuals instead of the banking system.
The RIMA boss calls for more seriousness on the part of the banks in educating the masses.

 

Kingsley Nna

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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2 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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