The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Giving voice to the boy-child in a changing society

    Giving voice to the boy-child in a changing society

    • By Kayode Ojewale

    Sir: Few days ago, the International Day of the Boy Child 2024 was celebrated worldwide with the theme, “Passion and Drive: Igniting the Fire Within the Boy Child.” During the observance, experts highlighted the need to recognize the unique challenges and potential of boys. Annually, the boy child receives comparatively less attention than the girl child. Data shows that passion projects and initiatives are predominantly driven by women and often focus solely on the girl child. This emphasis on the girl child can be largely attributed to global media attention and efforts by the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals, and other international organizations, which have inadvertently neglected the boy child.

    One of the key issues facing the boy child is societal expectations and stereotypes. From a young age, boys are often taught to suppress their emotions, adhere to rigid notions of masculinity, and avoid activities or interests perceived as “feminine.” These societal norms can be damaging, leading to issues like mental health struggles, poor self-esteem, and difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

    By giving a voice to the boy child, we can challenge these harmful stereotypes and create space for boys to express themselves authentically. Encouraging emotional intelligence and empathy in boys can help them develop healthier relationships and a better understanding of themselves and others. It’s essential to teach boys that it’s okay to feel and express a full range of emotions, whether it’s joy, sadness, anger, or fear.

    Education also plays a vital role in giving a voice to the boy child. Schools should promote inclusive and gender-sensitive curricula that reflect the diverse experiences and identities of all students. By teaching boys about gender equality, consent, and respectful relationships, we can help them become more informed and compassionate individuals.

    Another crucial aspect of giving a voice to the boy child is fostering positive male role models. Boys benefit from seeing men who defy traditional gender norms, embrace vulnerability, and prioritize empathy and kindness. By highlighting diverse male role models in media, sports, and leadership positions, we can challenge narrow definitions of masculinity and inspire boys to be their authentic selves.

    Parenting also plays a significant role in giving a voice to the boy child. Parents should encourage open communication, provide emotional support, and challenge gender stereotypes at home. By fostering a nurturing and accepting environment, parents can help boys develop a strong sense of self-worth and resilience.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: NLC, TUC insist on May deadline

    Are we not overlooking the challenges faced by boys in society today? Have we neglected the needs of the boy child in our pursuit of gender equality? When will the attention given to both genders, in terms of projects, awareness, and initiatives, be balanced? How can we elevate the awareness campaign concerning issues that promote the well-being of the boy child? The time for society to address these questions and secure urgent attention and intervention for the boy child is now.

    Giving a voice to the boy child in society is essential for creating a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate world. By challenging harmful stereotypes, promoting inclusive education, addressing systemic barriers, highlighting positive male role models, and fostering supportive parenting practices, we can empower boys to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.

    Redefining masculinity is not only crucial for men of all ages but also holds particular significance for the boy child as they navigate their journey to manhood in a rapidly evolving world. By challenging outdated gender norms, we can create a society where the boy child feels empowered to embrace his true self and where masculinity is defined not by stereotypes but by authenticity, empathy, and respect.

    It’s high time we recognized and addressed the unique challenges faced by boys and work together to create a world where every child, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

    •Kayode Ojewale,

    kayodeojewale@gmail.com

  • Rescuing PDP’s sinking ship

    Rescuing PDP’s sinking ship

    • By Yusuf Saidu Tara

    Sir: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has long been a significant force in the country’s political landscape. However, recent internal conflicts and betrayals within the party have raised serious questions about its future.

    The party founded in 1998, has been a major player in Nigerian politics, controlling the presidency for 16 years from 1999 to 2015. However, since its defeat in the 2015 elections by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP has struggled with internal divisions and power struggles.

    In recent years, the party has seen a series of high-profile defections and betrayals. Some members have been accused of undermining party efforts, leaking strategic information to opponents, and acting in their own self-interest rather than for the collective good. The so called G5 Governors and their leader Nyesom Wike who openly worked against party in 2023 are undermining the efforts of the party to reposition itself to retain power come 2027.

    Wike’s  romance with the ruling All Progressives Congress APC is very clear as he holds a ministerial position in the current administration.

    A part from Wike and his cohorts there are other party bigwigs and members who, for personal gain, betray the party’s principles and trust. These individuals often work covertly to disrupt party activities, align with opposition forces, or sabotage electoral efforts. The impact of such actions can be devastating, leading to electoral losses, weakened leadership, and a diminished public image.

    Prominent cases of such betrayal have involved key figures especially in the Southeast and South-south who, despite benefiting from the party’s platform, have either defected to rival parties or engaged in anti-party activities that weaken the PDP’s chances in last elections. This trend has led to growing frustration and calls for decisive action against these elements.

    Read Also: Finance Ministry embraces performance management system for improved service delivery

    There must be a thorough investigation to identify members whose actions are detrimental to the party, followed by their expulsion. It calls for implementing stricter rules and consequences for actions that go against party interests, ensuring that loyalty and discipline are maintained.

    The PDP should in her best interest foster a culture of transparency, inclusiveness, and collective decision-making to build trust and unity within the party and ensuring that leadership positions are held by individuals with a proven track record of loyalty and dedication to the party’s principles and objectives.

    For the PDP, the path forward is clear but challenging.  By addressing the internal “Judases,” the PDP can rebuild its foundation, restore public confidence, and position itself as a viable alternative to the ruling APC.

    The success of these efforts will depend on the willingness of party leaders to take bold and decisive actions. Only by confronting the internal saboteurs head-on can the PDP hope to avoid sinking further into political obscurity and instead, chart a course toward a more stable and successful future.

    •Yusuf Saidu Tara,

    University of Maiduguri.

  • Tough choice for Bauchi government

    Tough choice for Bauchi government

    • By Yasir Shehu Adam

    Sir: Bauchi State government is facing a tough choice between pushing forward with development projects and respecting the rights of its citizens affected by those projects. It’s crucial to find a balance that ensures progress while also protecting the welfare of citizens, especially since the government’s success in the 2023 elections depended on it.

    Development projects like roads and utilities are important for the state’s growth. But they often require taking land or moving communities, which can seriously affect people’s lives. The government needs to make sure it treats these people fairly and involves them in decisions about the projects.

    Some people worry that demolishing shops and businesses, especially those owned by hardworking citizens struggling to make ends meet, could have bad consequences. To strike a balance, the government should talk to the affected communities, give them information about the projects, and listen to their concerns. Fair compensation for those affected should also be a priority.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: NLC, TUC insist on May deadline

    It’s also important to consider why people set up makeshift shops and businesses on the roadside in the first place. Many are struggling due to the tough economic situation, and some are retired civil servants who haven’t received their pensions. The government needs to think carefully about its policies and how they affect people’s lives and businesses.

    While the government has the right to use land for development, it should do so in a way that respects people’s rights and treats them fairly. Otherwise, it goes against the social contract theory, which says that governments should work for the well-being of their citizens.

    •Yasir Shehu Adam, (Dan Liman)

     Bauchi.

  • Towards sustainable economic development

    Towards sustainable economic development

    Sir: The United Kingdom is a nation of small businesses. In UK, there are more than 12.5 million small businesses employing half the work force and accounting for half the turnover. The federal government should take a cue from the UK by paying serious attention to small and medium enterprises.

    Nigeria with a population of about 220 million people is blessed with abundant human and mineral resources.

    Recall that in the past five decades, the country had developed so many economic policies; however implementation has been the problem.

    Some of the challenges that have militated against the country’s economic development include but not limited to corruption, lack of clear cut vision, lack of policy direction, lack of political will, policy somersault, lack of involvement of relevant stakeholders, insecurity and erratic power supply.

    Read Also: Ondo 2024: Aiyedatiwa to replace Akeredolu’s REDEEMED agenda with SEEDS for economic development

    Power is very critical as far as economic development is concerned. It is quite unfortunate that the country can only generate 4000 MW of electricity while South Africa generates 50,000 MW. The federal government should declare a state of emergency in the power sector.

    To ensure food security, the federal government should encourage the sub-national governments to embark on aggressive farming by embracing mechanized farming. The state governments should ensure that farmers in their respective states are provided with necessary inputs such as lands, fertilizer, tractors, ploughs and harvesters. Farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies to make it easier for them to have access to equipment.

    Furthermore, it would be a good idea if the state governors could establish Agro-allied industries in each of the three senatorial districts. This will enable them to process their farm produce. Food crops like rice, corn, cassava, yams, tomatoes and dairy products can be processed, packaged and exported to generate forex for the country.

    Moreover, the federal government should try to develop our mining and tourism sectors so as to generate foreign exchange. Kenya makes a lot of money from tourism. We should learn from them. There are quite a number of mineral deposits that the country can explore to generate money. What is needed is the political will on the part of the government and commitments on the part of the masses. Finally, the federal government should set up a think-tank of economic experts that will develop an economic blueprint for the nation. It should ensure that the ongoing insecurity in the country is nipped in the bud. It should move to guarantee 24 hours’ power supply; strengthen the anti-graft agencies to enable them discharge their duties effectively.

    •Oladele Oladipupo,Oladeleoladipupo@gmail.com

  • Nigerian scapegoat pepper-soup

    Nigerian scapegoat pepper-soup

    Sir: In many societies, the “blame game” is a prevalent phenomenon where individuals and groups deflect responsibility for societal problems onto others. This tendency is particularly pronounced in Nigeria, where political, economic, and social issues are often attributed to a myriad of scapegoats rather than being addressed through constructive solutions.

    A politician starts out in PDP, joins APC, and then blames PDP, he leaves and moves to LP and blames both PDP and APC, along the line he goes back to PDP and says that he has gone back to where his heart!

    That’s why blamers like the former vice president and his once upon a time running mate and presidential candidate of the LP are stopping the blame to plan a game.

    Nigeria’s colonial history has left deep scars, with the artificial creation of the Nigerian state leading to persistent ethnic and regional divisions. These divisions have been exploited by politicians, fostering a culture of blame rather than unity.

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    Another fact is widespread corruption and ineffective governance which has eroded public trust in institutions. Politicians and public officials often shift blame to avoid accountability for their failures, perpetuating a cycle of corruption and inefficiency.

    Moreover, Nigeria’s wealth is unevenly distributed, leading to significant economic disparities. This inequality fuels resentment and finger-pointing, with different groups blaming each other for their economic woes. I listened only recently to a governor in the south-south (another aberration resulting from the blame game) crying foul about how oil wealth is shared by all but no one sees the mineral wealth of the north. In this blame game, no one is held accountable for the wealth waste.

    Nigerian politicians frequently engage in identity politics, using ethnicity, religion, and regionalism to deflect blame and rally support. This manipulation deepens societal divisions and distracts from addressing core issues.

    The blame game has several detrimental consequences for Nigeria:

    The focus on blame rather than solutions hampers progress. Critical issues such as infrastructure development, education, and healthcare are neglected as leaders and citizens engage in finger-pointing.

    Persistent blame-shifting erodes trust in institutions and leadership. When leaders fail to take responsibility, public confidence in governance diminishes, leading to apathy and disengagement. The blame game exacerbates social divisions, deepening ethnic, religious, and regional cleavages. This fragmentation undermines national cohesion and makes collective action more challenging.

    By deflecting blame, corrupt individuals and institutions evade accountability. This perpetuates a culture of impunity, where corrupt practices go unchecked and unpunished.

    Addressing the blame game in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach.

    Strengthening institutions to hold leaders accountable is crucial. This includes enhancing the judiciary, anti-corruption agencies, and oversight bodies to ensure that public officials are answerable for their actions. Efforts to promote national unity and reduce ethnic and religious tensions are essential. This can be achieved through inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and initiatives that foster intergroup dialogue and understanding.

    Political leaders must be encouraged to focus on solutions rather than blame. This involves cultivating a culture of responsibility and service, where leaders prioritize the common good over personal or partisan interests.

    Educating and empowering citizens to engage in the political process can reduce the tendency to blame. An informed and active citizenry can hold leaders accountable and demand better governance.

    Media and public commentators should prioritize constructive dialogue over sensationalism. Responsible journalism and public discourse can shift the focus from blame to solutions, fostering a more productive national conversation.

    The blame game in Nigeria is a pervasive and deeply ingrained phenomenon that hinders progress and perpetuates division. Addressing it requires a concerted effort to promote accountability, foster unity, encourage responsible leadership, empower citizens, and improve public discourse. By moving beyond the blame game, Nigeria can unlock its potential and build a more cohesive, prosperous, and just society.

    •Prince Charles Dickson,

    <pcdbooks@gmail.com>

  • Cardoso’s apex bank and financial institutions

    Cardoso’s apex bank and financial institutions

    Sir: as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration clocks one year in office, the Central Bank of Nigeria must change the discourse, the narrative, the relationship between it and the institutions it regulates to that of “two elephants fighting”, instead of that of “two elephants copulating” for anything meaningful and impactful to be achieved.

    I need not emphasize here that surely the governor is aware that for every patriotic decision or policy made by him and his team towards revamping the naira and the economy, there are millions of people and even institutions ready to sabotage such policies for selfish and unpatriotic reasons. Suffice to say the apex bank must be ready to monitor and evaluate all its policies and more especially, the instructions and regulations passed down to the financial institutions for proper implementation thoroughly and punitive measures must be effected for infractions. 

    Read Also: Project monitoring, evaluation key to successful outcomes – Cardoso

    Even before the tenure of Yemi Cardoso as governor, the Central Bank of Nigeria has practically done huge financial interventions in virtually all sectors of the economy in last two decades from aviation to agriculture, manufacturing, small and medium scale businesses, and several other sectors. Almost all of these interventions disbursements were done through the commercial banks.

    Can these interventions be described today as full-fledged successes if an audit is to be carried out on them? Were the rightful targets for the interventions the eventual beneficiaries? Aside the ones that were outright grants, were the ones that were loans duly recovered or performing as at today? Though one can see the few positive exceptions in the bank intervention for rice farmers, but what about the rest?

    One major reason why policies of government fail in this clime is because of institutional breach of procedures and protocol; so also is Iack of proper institutional synergy and coordination,

    Iack of proper monitoring and evaluation and lack of punitive measures for institutional and personal infractions of laid down policies, rules and regulations.

    The foreign exchange transactional regulations from the central bank to the commercial banks are another very critical area that the apex bank needs to evaluate constantly and follow it up to the last end user. It beggars belief how corporate customers apply for foreign exchange through the commercial banks to the central bank, filling all the required details of usage, tax, company directors and contacts as required by the central bank, and after all scrutiny,  the forex is approved by the central bank, and the fund is not eventually made available by the commercial bank. This is a critical recurrence that the apex bank department saddled with overseeing this aspect has failed in its supervision. It is as culpable as the commercial banks involved.

    If the apex bank conducts a survey of bank customers’ experiences with their respective bank today, I am certainly sure that a higher percentage of the customers are totally not happy or satisfied with the services rendered. Hardly is there a customer who knows exactly what the bank charges on their respective accounts aside the apex bank stipulated charges. I will rather call these the “invisible deductibles”.

    There are financial institutions profiteering from sabotage, which may be in collaboration with the supervisory organs of the main regulatory institution, the apex bank. Nigerians want to see commercial banks sanctioned for seemingly visible infractions committed against apex regulatory rules and regulations. Especially on infractions committed in foreign exchange dealings and those committed against numerous unaware bank customers.

    The governor must be always be a step ahead of the game, putting into consideration that those who are about to sabotage his policies are also on the drawing board looking for ways to circumvent the desired end results of such policies. Therefore, for Cardoso to succeed, and succeed effectively in turning around our economy, such that the common man can breathe, it is just rational that the “two elephants must fight and not copulate”, “so that the grass will not die”.

    He must activate all possible means of monitoring and evaluation of the Central Bank rules and regulations guiding every banking transaction as stipulated by the government and the law. This will help the country in this current “battle” of determining the exact value of our currency. Nigeria is at a situation of “a bird at hand is the only bird”, and is not worth anything in the bush. This is the only opportunity the apex bank has of getting it right. May God help Cardoso and his team.

    •Fola Aiyegbusi,hefzibar2006@yahoo.com

  • Deborah Samuel: Of martyrdom and hope for a better Nigeria

    Deborah Samuel: Of martyrdom and hope for a better Nigeria

    Sir: Our eyes are filled to the brim with tears; our minds distraught with misery, pains and grief; the air and land saturated and flowing with blood since Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was stoned to death in a brutally gruesome, cruelly savage and barbarically harrowing experience with her corpse burnt to ashes on Thursday May 12, 2022, for alleged blasphemy.

    Honoured by the International Religious Freedom, through the Department of State, United States of America on Monday August 22, 2022, the IRF had remarked that: “we honour her life as we continue the work to end such vicious violence”.

    Sadly, the criminal conspirators and perpetrators of this heinous crime have not been persecuted or are at large, scot-free for about three years now.

    As Africa searches for renaissance, the erstwhile South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki once described Nigeria as a mismatch. In the words of the former South African President in The Guardian October 4, 2000, what we have in Nigeria is “a grotesque and confusing mismatch: the body of truth and the head of falsehood”.

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    That notwithstanding, Professor Ali Mazrui, famous for his scholarly work and sound erudition for the restoration of the dignity of man in Africa and the diaspora in his uncompromising comparison of the United States of America and Nigeria said that USA and Nigeria have several qualities and characteristics; while USA is the colossus of Western hemisphere, Nigeria is the colossus of Africa. But while Americans are alive and well, Nigerians are alive but not well.

    Originally, designed to provide a framework for governing, four million people in thirteen colonies in the Western hemisphere, the American Constitution, for example, was guided and propagated by the vision and genuine sense of justice, freedom, equity and fair-play by the founding Fathers to protect the inalienable rights of man known as “The American Dream.”

    Indeed, the basic provisions of the United States of America Constitution were so pragmatic and soundly conceived that with 26 Amendments, it now serves the need of more than 240 million people from different ethnic nationalities in 50 diverse states that stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

    Today, by divine power of the unseen hands of fate, destiny, providence and circumstances, history has placed Ahmed Bola Tinubu squarely and perfectly as the 7th elected President of Nigeria.

    For About two decades now or more, the unity and peace in Nigeria have been threatened and ravaged by the menace of kidnapping, abduction, banditry, unknown gunmen, bloodletting and martyrdom etc.

    Under Tinubu, never again will average Nigerians groan in poverty, insecurity, nepotism and mediocrity, etc., but will dwell as one indivisible entity through love, meritocracy, creativity, supernatural abundance and excellence which is the watchword of Lagos State which he superintended for eight years.

    Leadership is about service to God and humanity because power comes from the Lord God Almighty. Therefore, let those who are elected to serve at any level painstakingly sacrifice their personal interest at the altar of national or public interest. May the Maker and Creator of the entire universe be gracious to humanity at these trying times, so that the ways of the LORD may be known on all the earth and salvation among all people!

    •Peter Agwara (Ph.D),Methodist Church, , Marina Lagos.

  • Of NAPTAN’s sit tight leadership

    Of NAPTAN’s sit tight leadership

    Sir: Alice Mchellan Bimey and Phoebe Apperson Hearts had projected into the future when in February 17, 1897 established National Congress of Mothers at a meeting in Washington DC with over 200 parents, teachers, workers and legislators to form parents body to seek for the welfare of the school children and also fight for their right within the ambit of the law.

    The foundation laid over 125 years ago has grown to a formidable students’ mouthpiece birthing what is known today as Parent Teacher Association (PTA). One will not forget the role played by late Chief Babs Animashaun who committed his God given resources, connections and everything within his power to make sure PTA otherwise known as National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) stands the test of time by taking the gauntlet in seeing to its registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on June 23, 1995 with registration number 8588.

    Geometrically, the fortune of the once revered association has nosedived and the centre cannot hold.

    Late Chief Babs Animashaun relinquished the leadership of NAPTAN in a controversial manner in 2005 at a triennial congress held in Abuja and the members present at the congress invoked Article 10 of the Association’s constitution to conduct the election where Alhaji Haruna Danjuma emerged as president.

    Thereafter, a case was filled at Lagos High Court by late Chief Babs Animashaun challenging the election. But the case was later struck out for lack of evidence.

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    Constitutionally, Danjuma should have run two terms of four years each. By this, his tenure ought to have ended by 2013. But after a reconciliatory meeting was held in Ibadan Oyo State from March 26 – 28, 2012, it was agreed that because of the circumstances surrounding his first tenure, notably the issue of litigation, he should be allowed to do another one more term to end in 2017. It’s been years since yet Haruna Danjuma has not deemed it fit to call for another congress where new national executives would come on board and continue where he must have stopped.

    This is a typical example of sit tight syndrome by leaders.

    Some months back, the association General Secretary Comrade Benjamin Dugeri died in active service, before him, the association also lost two prominent members of trustees in person of Wada Waziri from Kano State and Chief Mrs. Mulikat Idris from Lagos State.

    NAPTAN needs to reenergize on a new template with vibrant and result oriented leaders who must be seen and also be heard loud and clear in the scheme of things as far as education issues are concerned.

    My passionate appeal goes to Alhaji Haruna Danjuma to, without further delay take the bull by the horns and call for congress by whatever means legal to enthrone a new executive. His silence is not golden but coated with ash as it has negatively affected the fortune of NAPTAN as an association. He must realize now that whatever he does on behalf of the association henceforth is unconstitutional bearing in mind that his administration has been there for 19 years, Whatever idea he has but failed to implement these past years should be jettisoned to allow fresh hands, fresh brains and fresh ideas to come on board for an expected paradigm shift to enable our children have better representation in the education sector.

    An important stakeholder like NAPTAN should not only be seen but heard and I believe that the time has come to rejig the association. For Danjuma’s name to be etched in gold, he must quit now and take a bow because a good actor leaves the stage when the ovation is loudest.

     He should remember that NAPTAN is bigger than any single individual.

    •Deacon Akinola Olufemi,femiakins230963@gmail.com

  • Economic crisis and regime instability

    Economic crisis and regime instability

    Sir: There has been so much hoopla on the adverse impact of the economic reform policies of the current government. We think that examples exist elsewhere in the global South to guide our attitude and perhaps, the response of the government to the grave situation that not only threatens the economic well-being of the people but also, the popularity of the government and even regime stability.

     Politically, austerity measures are carried in the background of ever-present authoritarianism. However, in Nigeria, we practice democracy hence debates and disagreements are some of its characteristic features. What is significant is that the repressive temper of dictatorships hurts economic recovery in the short- and long-run. Hence, politically, manifest authoritarian regimes more often collapse during economic crises. However, equitable governments steer through economic crises relatively unscathed.

    Read Also: Fuel scarcity hinders economic activities in Onitsha

    The experiences in Indonesia and Malaysia are of relevance to guide our country. In other words, differences in cross-border policies produce dramatically different outcomes during crises. When asset specificity divides supporters as in Indonesia, the government and the people desire mutually incompatible policies. The ensuing incoherence in the strategy of renewal of the economy is followed by regime instability. When coalitions are not divided by asset specificity, which bears the brunt of market reforms, for example during the financial crises in Malaysia, regimes adopt radical measures that enable them to survive. Indeed, such regimes interpose in the market for redirection and to beneficiate capital goods importation for domestic production of the needs of society.

     Indeed, in the history of Nigeria, the economic crisis between 1980 and 1982, threw up incompatible policy choices. The continuation of those policies of austerity, grand-scale borrowing to fund consumption and passing the bulk of the pains to the ordinary person have always resulted in hardship. Our economic history has taught us that such policies would not help in the long run. Therefore, the functionaries of the current government need to think through the situation.

    This is why I would recommend that our people in the government find and read the account of Thomas B. Pepinsky on Economic Crises and the Breakdown of Authoritarian Regimes: Indonesia and Malaysia in Comparative Perspective. It is a relatively old book published in 2009.

    •Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, PhD,Benin City

  • NITDA-NIMC partnership and security of online transactions

    NITDA-NIMC partnership and security of online transactions

    Sir: The digital age has revolutionized financial transactions, making online payments an integral part of everyday commerce. However, this convenience has also exposed users to various cybersecurity threats, including identity theft, payment fraud, data breaches, and ransomware attacks. As digital financial services continue to expand, organizations like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) play a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity measures.

    NITDA and NIMC are working together to establish and enforce robust cybersecurity standards and best practices within the online payment ecosystem. In addition to encryption protocols, NITDA and NIMC are promoting cybersecurity awareness and education among stakeholders through workshops, seminars, and training programs. These initiatives empower businesses and individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and respond to cyber threats effectively.

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    NITDA’s Cybersecurity Guidelines for Internet Services Providers (ISPs) and NIMC’s Biometric Verification Number (BVN) system are notable initiatives aimed at strengthening cybersecurity in online transactions. The guidelines outline the security measures ISPs must implement to protect user data and ensure the integrity of online communications, including financial transactions. The BVN system assigns a unique biometric identifier to bank customers, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and fraudulent activities in online banking and payment processes.

    Integrating biometric data into authentication processes strengthens identity verification, mitigates risks associated with password vulnerabilities, and enhances user experience in online transactions. Adopting end-to-end encryption (E2EE) ensures that data remains encrypted throughout its entire journey, from the sender to the recipient, without being decrypted at intermediate points vulnerable to interception.

    Educating stakeholders about cybersecurity risks, best practices, and incident reporting protocols is paramount in building a cyber-resilient environment. Implementing secure software development practices, such as secure coding standards, code reviews, and vulnerability assessments during the development lifecycle, mitigates risks associated with software vulnerabilities and exploitable weaknesses.

    As the digital landscape evolves, cybersecurity regulations will also evolve, necessitating ongoing compliance efforts, regulatory alignment, and proactive adherence to cybersecurity best practices. NITDA and NIMC’s engagement with regulatory bodies ensures that cybersecurity measures align with industry standards, legal requirements, and customer expectations for data privacy and security.

    In conclusion, collaboration, innovation, and proactive cybersecurity measures are essential in ensuring safe, reliable, and trustworthy digital financial services. By staying vigilant, embracing technological advancements responsibly, fostering collaboration across sectors, and prioritizing cybersecurity awareness, NITDA, NIMC, and stakeholders can collectively navigate the complexities of cybersecurity in online transactions and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s digital economy.

    •Shuaib S. Agaka,Kano.