Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos, Abuja Record 66% Mobile Phone Ownership as ITU Warns on Digital Divide
International Telecommunications Union urges urgent investment as two-thirds of Nigerians remain offline despite tech expansion
International Telecommunications Union urges urgent investment as two-thirds of Nigerians remain offline despite tech expansion
Mobile phone ownership in major Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abuja has reached 66 percent, but the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has raised alarm over a persistent digital divide that continues to limit economic growth across Nigeria and other African countries. The ITU’s latest Measuring Digital Development: Facts and Figures 2025 report, released on Wednesday, shows that only 36 percent of Africans are using the Internet, with nearly two-thirds of the continent’s population remaining completely offline.
According to the ITU, while high-income regions have achieved near-universal digital access, Africa lags behind significantly. The report highlights that global technological advancements have not translated into widespread connectivity in Nigeria and similar economies, primarily due to infrastructural challenges, high cost of services, and gender disparities in access.
Despite regulatory efforts by Nigerian authorities to promote financial inclusion and digital governance, structural limitations persist. The ITU observed that next-generation mobile network rollout has been deeply uneven across the continent. Globally, 5G networks now cover 55 percent of the world’s population and account for over a third of all mobile broadband subscriptions. However, most of this deployment is concentrated in wealthier countries where coverage rates reach as high as 84 percent.
The ITU urged African governments—including Nigeria—to prioritise massive investments in digital infrastructure and address affordability gaps if the region is to bridge its digital divide. “Without decisive action to expand access, Africa risks falling further behind in the global digital economy,” the agency said in its report. The organisation also called for targeted interventions to close gender gaps and ensure equitable service delivery.
With Nigeria pushing forward on technology-driven policies for economic diversification and youth empowerment, stakeholders say addressing internet access challenges will be crucial for realising sustainable development goals. Policymakers are expected to review current infrastructure plans and explore public-private partnerships aimed at bringing more Nigerians online.
Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/66-own-mobile-phones-in-nigeria-other-african-countries/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Providus, Unity Bank Set to Begin Joint Operations After Merger Approval in Lagos
Regulatory green light paves way for integration of banking services; customers advised to expect transition updates
Regulatory green light paves way for integration of banking services; customers advised to expect transition updates
Providus Bank and Unity Bank have received approval to commence joint operations following a merger agreement finalised in Lagos on Friday, 26 June 2026. The decision marks a significant development in Nigeria’s financial sector, as both institutions prepare to combine their assets and customer bases under a unified brand.
According to information released on Friday, the banks will begin implementing their integration plan immediately, with a focus on ensuring minimal disruption for existing customers across all branches nationwide. The management of both banks stated that the merger is aimed at strengthening their market presence and improving access to innovative banking solutions for Nigerians.
The merger comes at a time when competition in Nigeria’s banking sector has intensified, with regulators encouraging consolidation to enhance financial stability and efficiency. Analysts say the combined entity is expected to leverage Providus’ digital banking strength and Unity Bank’s extensive branch network, positioning it as a major player in retail and corporate banking segments.
A joint statement from the management teams of Providus and Unity Bank indicated that customers should expect communication regarding account migration procedures and service updates in the coming weeks. The banks also assured depositors that all funds remain safe and that there would be no interruption in daily transactions during the transition period.
Industry observers believe this merger could trigger further consolidation within Nigeria’s financial sector as lenders seek to boost capital buffers amid evolving regulatory requirements. Both banks confirmed that regulatory compliance remains top priority throughout the integration process.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NOUN Professor Urges Investment in Guidance and Counselling to Drive National Development
Ogbodo-Adoga highlights rising mental health, drug abuse and insecurity concerns among youth at Abuja lecture
Ogbodo-Adoga highlights rising mental health, drug abuse and insecurity concerns among youth at Abuja lecture
A Professor of Guidance and Counselling at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Rosemary Ochanya Ogbodo-Adoga, has called for urgent investment in guidance and counselling services to tackle key societal challenges hindering Nigeria’s sustainable development. She made this call on Tuesday while delivering the institution’s 40th Inaugural Lecture at the NOUN Conference Centre in Abuja.
Ogbodo-Adoga, speaking on the theme “Guidance and Counselling for All: A Pathway to National Development,” stressed that effective counselling is critical for addressing issues such as examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, unemployment, insecurity, indiscipline, peer pressure and mental health difficulties—especially among young Nigerians. She said guidance services provide citizens with vital support in making informed educational, social and psychological decisions.
According to the professor, Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with youth unemployment and social vices are partly linked to inadequate access to professional guidance. She argued that without structured counselling programmes in schools and communities, many young people are left vulnerable to negative influences that undermine their future prospects and national productivity.
“Guidance helps individuals understand their capabilities and challenges so they can make positive choices,” Ogbodo-Adoga stated during her presentation. She described guidance and counselling as indispensable tools for equipping citizens with life skills needed for nation building. The professor urged policymakers to prioritise funding and training for counsellors at all levels of the education system.
While some stakeholders have previously questioned the practicality of large-scale counselling initiatives amid budget constraints, Ogbodo-Adoga maintained that investing in people’s wellbeing is essential for sustainable development. The event drew academics, students and government representatives from across the North-Central zone. As at press time, education authorities had yet to issue a formal response to her recommendations.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Borno: 11 Relatives of Boko Haram Fighters Surrender to Army in Bama LGA
Defence sources say women and children fled insurgent hideouts, handed over to Operation HADIN KAI troops for profiling
Defence sources say women and children fled insurgent hideouts, handed over to Operation HADIN KAI troops for profiling
No fewer than eleven relatives of Boko Haram members surrendered to Nigerian Army troops under Operation HADIN KAI in Bama Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, on Monday, 24 June. Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed that the group, comprising five women and six children from Chongolo and Ladantar villages, turned themselves in at different locations around Banki town.
According to intelligence sources cited by Makama, the first set—four women and four minors from Chongolo village—approached soldiers of the 152 Task Force Battalion. Another woman and two children from Ladantar village separately surrendered at Banki Junction to the 151 Task Force Battalion. The surrender reportedly took place around 6:00 p.m., with all individuals seeking safety away from insurgent enclaves.
Preliminary checks by military personnel indicate that the eleven are immediate family members of active Boko Haram fighters who have been displaced due to ongoing security operations in the region. The North-East has witnessed intensified military action against armed groups in recent months, leading to a rise in surrenders by both combatants and their relatives as at June.
A senior defence source involved in Operation HADIN KAI said that standard procedure involves initial screening and profiling before those surrendering are moved to designated rehabilitation camps. “We continue to encourage those willing to lay down their arms or dissociate from criminal elements to do so without fear of harm,” the officer stated during a phone interview.
The development comes as Borno State authorities intensify efforts to close large camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and reintegrate affected communities. Stakeholders have called for improved support systems for returnees and relatives of insurgents amid concerns over security vetting and long-term reintegration. The Army is expected to brief state officials before deciding on the next phase for those who surrendered.
Providus, Unity Bank Set to Begin Joint Operations After Merger Approval in Lagos
NOUN Professor Urges Investment in Guidance and Counselling to Drive National Development
Borno: 11 Relatives of Boko Haram Fighters Surrender to Army in Bama LGA
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