Category: Business Day

The 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit has unveiled its lineup of keynote speakers and faculty members for this year’s milestone edition.

Themed ‘Digital PR in Action: Owning Your Narrative, Telling Your Story.’, the event, scheduled for mid October at the Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, will spotlight the growing importance of intentional, story-driven communication in an age defined by disruption, misinformation, and digital complexity.

Designed for public relations professionals, brand communicators, content creators, academics, and the media, the Summit, according to a statement will equip participants with practical strategies and tools to shape narratives, influence public perception, and strengthen stakeholder trust.

According to the statement, delegates will also gain insights into emerging PR trends, artificial intelligence in communication, crisis and reputation management, and digital storytelling, while networking with the industry’s finest minds.

The faculty features seasoned experts in digital marketing, corporate communication, brand and digital reputation management, public affairs, cybersecurity, and technology; each renowned for leveraging digital platforms to build trusted brands and authentic connections.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Executive Vice Chairman, Globacom Limited, Bella Disu, are expected to deliver the keynote papers at the Summit, the statement said.

Among the confirmed speakers, the statement said are the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and Media, O’tega Ogra; Vice President, Chain Reactions Africa, Frankline Ozekhome; Head of Marketing, Diageo Africa Partner Markets (SOWECA), Segun Ogunleye; Founder/CEO, Africa Business Radio, Soji Akinlabi; Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, UBA Group, Tolu Alero Ladipo; Group Head, Brand Transformation and Digital Marketing, Bank of Industry, Jide Sipe; and Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe.

Also featured on the faculty are the Associate Director, Sustainability, IHS Towers, Asmau Smaila; Founder/CEO, TruCSR Consulting, Ken Egbas; Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode, Prof. Adewale Obadare; Secretary General, Confederation of African Audiovisual Professionals (Ghana), Madu C. Chikwendu; Founder/CEO, JSK Consulting, Dr. Janet Adetu; Chief Innovation Officer, BusinessPlus, Ekundayo Ayeni; Manager, Platforms, MTN Nigeria, Joshua Esiebo; Founder, Olori Supergal, Tosin Ajibade; Marketing Director, Marketing Edge, Anietie Udoh; Team Lead, Sponsorship and Branding, Zenith Bank, Ayotunde Adeniyi; Head, Communication and Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Oge Maduagwu; and Public Relations Manager, Showmax, Jennifer Ukoh.

Special highlights include keynote addresses, masterclasses, and a technology showcase, alongside the unveiling of the fourth edition of the Digital PR Digest; the Summit’s flagship publication featuring case studies, trends, and practical insights on digital communication.

The event will climax with the 2nd Nigeria Digital PR Awards Gala, a premium evening celebrating excellence, innovation, and impact in digital communications. This year’s Gala will feature the Fashion Runway Showcase; a creative fusion of fashion, technology, and storytelling symbolizing the power of owning and amplifying one’s narrative in the digital space.orsed by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and New Media, and supported by major media organisations, the Summit remains the premier gathering for public relations and digital communication professionals in Nigeria, the statement said.

FCMB Group Plc has commenced a N160 billion public share sale to strengthen its banking subsidiary and meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new N500 billion minimum capital requirement for international banks.

The offering of 16 billion shares at N10 each runs until November 6, 2025. Proceeds will be used to recapitalise First City Monument Bank Limited and help the lender retain its international licence.

The raise follows a N147.5 billion share sale in 2024, the first in 16 years. This 2024 share sale was oversubscribed by 33 percent, with 42,800 investors participating, 92 percent through digital channels. Analysts expect momentum to carry into this second phase of FCMB’s three-stage recapitalisation plan. FCMB Group posted robust growth, with group profit before tax rising at a 72 percent compound annual rate between 2022 and 2025. Non-bank subsidiaries delivered a 61 percent PBT CAGR, led by Credit Direct Finance Company Limited, Nigeria’s largest non-bank lender, and FCMB Capital Markets, which topped the FMDQ fixed income league table for bond listing and commercial papers in the first half of 2025.

Groupwide digital initiatives continue to underpin growth, with digital revenues growing at more than 58 percent annually since 2022, now accounting for 13.9 percent of gross earnings. As of June 2025, digital lending stood at 9 percent of the loan book.

At a 2025 estimated price-to-book ratio below 0.6x, FCMB stock trades at what analysts describe as a rare mix of deep value and high growth.

Following the completion of this share sale, the group plans to conclude the sale of minority stakes in two subsidiaries, with proceeds also injected into the bank. This will lift qualifying core capital beyond N500 billion and close its recapitalisation programme.

Nigeria’s drive toward digital transformation received a fresh boost as telecommunications company, Globacom, pledged its full support for the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) business roundtable on Broadband Investment and Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which opened today at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja.

The two-day event, themed ‘Right of Way and Protection of Broadband Infrastructure – The Road to Success in Broadband Investment and Connectivity,’ brings together stakeholders from government, regulatory bodies, and the private sector to develop practical strategies for expanding broadband access and enhancing infrastructure protection.

Globacom’s sponsorship and active participation reaffirm its leadership role in advancing Nigeria’s digital agenda. The company is providing logistical and technical support for the event, underscoring its commitment to a secure, inclusive, and connected digital future.

Industry observers note that the forum provides a crucial platform for harmonising policies between public and private sectors, fostering investment, and bridging the nation’s digital divide-particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Globacom’s engagement also positions it strategically to contribute to policy discussions on Right of Way (RoW), infrastructure investment incentives, and regulatory frameworks that can drive broadband growth nationwide. By participating in these deliberations, the company aims to fast-track the deployment of high-speed internet and reinforce protection for critical communication assets.

The telecoms firm views the roundtable as a step towards strengthening collaboration between government and industry players, while promoting innovative funding models and equitable access to digital resources. This aligns with Globacom’s enduring mission to empower Nigerians through affordable and dependable connectivity.

‘We believe that digital transformation must be inclusive and secure. Our participation in this roundtable is a continuation of our mission to support national development through technology. A resilient broadband infrastructure is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness,’ Globacom stated.

The company’s ongoing contributions to the Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) are expected to further shape Nigeria’s national telecom security framework, enhancing defences against cyber threats and infrastructure vandalism.

As the roundtable progresses, Globacom reaffirms its position not just as a telecommunications provider, but as a trusted national partner committed to building a digitally empowered and secure Nigeria.

Funso Doherty, a former governorship candidate in Lagos State, has declared that he will contest again in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can be unseated in the state.

Speaking during his appearance on Silverbird Television on Thursday, Doherty said the notion that Lagos is an impregnable APC stronghold is false, pointing to the outcome of the 2023 presidential election as evidence.

‘In the last presidential election, who won Lagos? APC lost Lagos. That’s a fact,’ he said. ‘So, the premise that Lagos is irrevocably tied to the APC and cannot be dislodged is faulty.’

He confirmed his readiness to run again under the PDP banner. ‘I will be in the race in 2027, by the grace of God, God willing, and God giving us life and strength, absolutely with the PDP,’ Doherty declared.

The politician said that the people, not the political establishment, will determine the outcome of the next elections.

‘At the end of the day, in 2027, the decision people are going to make is whether they are faced with a strong candidate and what their options are,’ he noted. ‘The people are going to decide it in 2027.’

On the national political climate, he criticised the

APC-led federal government for worsening poverty and ethnic divisions across the country.

‘We are more divided today than we have ever been as a people,’ he said. ‘Ethnic tensions are probably higher today than they were when this administration took over.’

Doherty described Nigeria as a country split between ‘a nation of the few and a nation of the many.’

While the government celebrates exchange rate stability and reserve build-up, he said, the majority of Nigerians are battling declining living standards. ‘When you talk about the quality of life of the people, education, health, income levels, poverty, you see that economically, we are in a very difficult place,’ he stated.

The PDP candidate also called for a stronger, more independent electoral body ahead of 2027. ‘People are looking for an INEC that will follow its own rules,’ he said.

‘Even if we don’t get an amendment of the Electoral Act, at least implement faithfully the act that we presently have.’

He added that while Nigerians still face challenges with electoral integrity, overwhelming voter turnout can overcome manipulation.

‘If the people come out and 80 percent of them say this is the person I want, even today, that person will prevail,’ he said. ‘We want to move away from a situation where people have to scream to make their votes count.’

He called for practical political reforms rather than idealistic debates. ‘Between now and 2027, the process of appointing the INEC chairman is not going to change,’ he said. ‘Let’s understand that and work with the practicalities that lie before us.’

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, has said the country’s foreign policy is now firmly aligned with its economic agenda, as the government works to drive regional integration, attract investment, and strengthen partnerships that promote growth and stability.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Tuggar said Nigeria’s diplomacy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is anchored on ‘economic pragmatism, strategic autonomy, and partnerships of purpose.’

He noted that the annual summit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has evolved into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s development framework, bridging the gap between policy ambition and real-world implementation.

Tuggar described this year’s summit theme, ‘The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,’ as both timely and necessary, given Nigeria’s ongoing economic transformation.

According to him, the rapidly changing global economy requires countries like Nigeria to rethink how their economies function and for whom they work.

‘We are fortunate, during this transformative period, to have a President who understands the intersection of Nigeria’s political and economic structures.

‘That is why President Tinubu is implementing bold, people-centred reforms that are catalysing macroeconomic stability, enhancing investor confidence, and reigniting the nation’s productive capacity’, Tuggar said.

He stressed that the reforms being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda are not just improving economic figures, but are beginning to positively impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

The Minister said Nigeria’s foreign policy is now strategically aligned with its domestic economic goals through what he described as the ‘4D Foreign Policy Agenda’, focused on Democracy, Development, Demography, and the Diaspora.

‘Our diplomacy continues to unlock trade corridors, attract investment, secure partnerships, and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses,’ he said.

He explained that the Tinubu administration’s approach avoids rigid alliances, focusing instead on mutual interests.

‘Tinubu’s strategic autonomy is for partnerships of purpose, not alliances of obligations. Nigeria is too big and too significant to engage in band-wagoning. The stories we tell about ourselves as a nation matter’, Tuggar added.

Referencing the Flying Geese Paradigm, which describes how East Asian nations industrialised in structured succession, Tuggar said Nigeria must position itself as the leader of Africa’s industrial transformation.

‘With our demographic weight, market size, and strategic position, we have the scale and potential to lead Africa’s own ‘flying geese’ formation.

‘But leadership must be earned through sound policies, productive investments, regional coordination, and institutional credibility’, he said.

He added that regional integration remains crucial to Nigeria’s economic success, arguing that development on the continent cannot rely solely on donor funding, but must be driven by private sector investment, sound industrial policies, and smart import substitution strategies.

‘Import substitution is not a bad word,’ he said, referencing lessons from Southeast Asia’s industrial rise.

Tuggar also highlighted the recently launched West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) as a vital platform for deepening trade, infrastructure, and policy coordination across the sub-region.

He said WAES reflects the reality that ‘Nigeria’s prosperity is tied to West Africa’s progress.’

‘The more we invest in regional value chains, cross-border infrastructure, and policy harmonisation, the more resilient and competitive we become as a bloc,’ he said.

He further called for stronger collaboration between government, academia, civil society, and research institutions, urging investment in ‘policy intelligence’ to guide Nigeria through an increasingly complex global environment.

Institutions like the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), he noted, must work closely with economic and development actors to translate policy ideas into viable diplomatic strategies.

Tuggar reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s global position through trade facilitation, investment promotion, and climate diplomacy.

‘Whether through advancing trade under AfCFTA, facilitating investment flows, supporting climate finance, or championing Africa’s voice in multilateral fora, our diplomacy must serve the people and priorities of Nigeria,’ he said.

He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit would go beyond policy declarations to produce actionable, people-centred results.

‘The outcome of this summit must transcend mere policy formulation and translate into collective ownership that delivers tangible dividends to Nigerians,’ he said.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has unveiled a new solid minerals data rendition template designed to improve revenue tracking, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s mining sector.

The initiative was formally launched on Tuesday during a one-day sensitisation exercise held in Abuja.

The event brought together government officials, industry regulators, and key stakeholders to discuss how the new system would help plug revenue leakages and strengthen oversight in the solid minerals value chain.

Muhammed Shehu, Chairman of RMAFC, who was represented by the Chairman of the Solid Minerals Monitoring Committee, said the new template aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify Nigeria’s revenue base beyond crude oil.

‘The implementation of the new data rendition template could not have come at a better time, given the current economic realities the country is facing.

‘The need to diversify our national revenue sources cannot be overemphasised, especially considering the nation’s over-dependence on hydrocarbon revenues, which are often affected by fluctuations in the international oil market, as well as challenges such as crude oil theft and vandalism’, Shehu said.

According to him, the new template is expected to capture key operational and financial details from mining companies, including the quantity of minerals produced, company profiles and locations, licenses, fees, and permits paid.

This, he said, would enable the Commission to effectively monitor, evaluate, and ensure that all revenues due to the Federation Account are promptly remitted.

Shehu recalled that the Commission had previously conducted two nationwide monitoring exercises in 2016 and 2022, which led to a significant improvement in revenue generation from the mining sector. However, he expressed concern that despite the increasing level of mining activities in the country, remittances to the Federation Account remain low due to weak oversight mechanisms.

‘The Commission under my leadership will work assiduously to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation Account from the mining sector are fully and promptly remitted,’ he assured.

In his remarks, Ibrahim Shettima, Chairman of the Solid Minerals Monitoring Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, said the sensitisation exercise was aimed at closing gaps in data collection and strengthening coordination among relevant agencies and operators.

He noted that the new template would help build a reliable, independent database for the Commission, serving as a credible reference for policy formulation and performance comparison across states.

‘Accurate and timely rendition of revenue data is crucial for planning, policy decision-making, and ensuring transparency in the sector,’ Shettima added.

Other speakers, including Imam Ganiu, Director of Mining Inspectorate at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office; and Segun Ayanleke, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, all acknowledged Nigeria’s vast potential in the global mining industry.

They emphasised the need for consistent policy implementation and stronger collaboration between government and private stakeholders to unlock the sector’s full potential.

According to a statement by Maryam Umar Yusuf, Head, Information and Public Relations, RMAFC, the event featured paper presentations on topics such as ‘Overview of the Global and Nigerian Mining Sectors,’ ‘Revenue Assessment through Data Rendition,’ and ‘Functions and Activities of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO)’.

ýOla Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has charged Nigerian graduates and youths to embrace technological and digital innovation, resilience and integrity as the true markers of success beyond academic qualifications.

ýDelivering the 2025 Convocation Lecture at the 17th convocation of Redeemer’s University, Ede, titled ‘Beyond Degrees: Cultivating Purpose, Resilience and Service in a Complex World,’ Olukoyede said degrees alone are no longer sufficient to thrive in a fast-evolving digital economy.

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ýHe urged the youth to leverage the vast opportunities in the digital ecosystem, noting that the digital ecosystem is almost a bottomless reservoir of opportunities waiting to be harnessedýAccording the EFCC boss, many young Nigerians have become global references in technology and creativity by believing in themselves and thinking innovatively.

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ý’The reality is that many young Nigerian graduates have found purpose exploiting the resources of digital space and creating jobs for thousands of their compatriots. Thousands of others are anonymously working online and earning income in foreign exchange. Others with extraordinary skills in skit making, forex an d cryptocurrency trading and sundry investments are making it really big,’ he said.

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ýHe also warned against the lure of quick wealth, advising graduates to resist peer pressure and the temptation to engage in crime, stressing that ‘On no account must you yield to the pressure to get rich quick. Never allow peer pressure and the desperation to belong lead you to crime. If you do, you might earn temporary riches, which ultimately will land you in infamy as the wealth earned through crooked means never last.’

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ýOlukoyede further emphasized that resilience and character remain the enduring rules of success, adding, ‘Whatever objectives you have set for yourself today, realizing them is dependent on a number of social, economic and political factors. Those who will succeed are the ones who are able to weather the storms of life.. Resilience is about holding on to your dreams, overcoming obstacles and challenges to leave your mark in the sands of time.’

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ýShadrach Akindele, Professor and Vice Chancellor of the institution, said the convocation lecture blended directly into the heart of the mission of the University to raise champions who combine academic excellence with Godly character, purpose driven leadership and the commitment to transforming society.

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ýAkindele reiterated that Redeemer’s University is more than just a citadel of learning, it is a mission driven community dedicated to simple leaders who will transform the morals, social and economic skill of Africa.

Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s doyen of the boardroom, broadcaster, teacher and diplomat, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, aged 93.

To many who knew him – or even those who only knew of him – Kolade was the rare kind of man whose name inspired instant respect. A man of quiet strength and steady conviction, he belonged to a vanishing generation of Nigerians who lived for service, led with humility, and believed integrity was the soul of leadership. Born in Erin-Oke, Osun State, in December 1932 to an Anglican missionary father, Kolade’s early life was shaped by faith, discipline and learning. He attended Government College, Ibadan, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fourah Bay College, Freetown – then one of West Africa’s most distinguished universities. Christopher Kolade, with Vernon and Elsie Olusola on the set of film Taiwo Shango in Ilawe, 1965. Photo: NNP/Nina Fischer-Stephan.

From classroom to newsroom

Kolade began his professional journey in the 1950s as an Education Officer in the Western Region, a colonial-era civil servant dedicated to shaping young minds. But when Nigeria gained independence in 1960, he switched to broadcasting, a move that would define the early part of his illustrious career.

At the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now FRCN), Kolade rose through the ranks to become Director-General. Those who worked under him remember his professionalism, dignity and insistence on ethical journalism, qualities rare even then. His partnership with the late Segun Olusola during Nigeria’s formative broadcasting years helped lay the foundation of modern television and radio in the country. He once recalled, in a characteristically humble tone, ‘The only thing I asked God for, from the beginning, was to make me an Education Officer. I had no inclination to be in business or diplomacy. But God opened doors of opportunity for which I felt I had the ability to make something of. The doors that were opened to me were the ones I went through.’

That simple philosophy – faith, openness and a sense of duty – would become the rhythm of his long and varied life.

A corporate leader with a conscience

After nearly two decades in broadcasting, Kolade crossed into the private sector in 1978, joining Cadbury Nigeria Plc as Administration Director. In the years that followed, he became Managing Director, Chief Executive, and later Chairman – leading the company through what many call its ‘golden era’. Kolade’s management philosophy was simple yet profound. He once said, ‘I saw my role in the management of people as that of taking the person and saying, ‘Really, I don’t know how high this person can go. But it is my role to help this person get there. to create opportunities, but more importantly, to create challenges, because we don’t grow unless we stretch.”

It was this belief – in stretching others through responsibility, not fear – that defined his years at Cadbury. He built not just a company, but a generation of leaders who viewed work as a moral calling.

Kolade’s leadership extended beyond the boardroom. He chaired the Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity, both dedicated to promoting ethical standards in corporate Nigeria – long before ‘governance’ became a buzzword.

Teacher, mentor, moral compass

Even after leaving Cadbury, Kolade’s passion for shaping minds endured. At Lagos Business School (LBS), he taught Corporate Governance, Human Resource Management and Leadership. Generations of business executives remember him as a firm but gentle guide – the kind who began each class with questions about values, not profits. He later served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University, which houses both LBS and the School of Media and Communication. He was also Chancellor of McPherson University in Ogun State.

‘Leadership is a responsibility,’ he often reminded his students. ‘Unless you are carrying out that responsibility, you are failing as a leader.’

Service to nation and faith

From 2002 to 2007, Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom – a posting that capped his long record of public service. In that role, he was widely admired for his diplomacy, simplicity and moral bearing.

Beyond state and business, Kolade’s life was deeply rooted in faith. A lifelong Anglican, he received the Order of St Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981 and was later installed as a Lay Canon Emeritus at Guildford Cathedral in the UK. He served as organist and choir director at St Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos – a reminder that even in the corridors of power, he never lost touch with the pews.

A man of integrity and hope

Kolade was never one for grandstanding. Despite his towering résumé, Fellow of the Institute of Directors, past President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) , he remained self-effacing. Asked once about the state of Nigeria, his response was characteristically hopeful, ‘I am hopeful about Nigeria because those who are 35 years and below are in the majority. They have the energy, intellect and ambition to make this country better. My hope is that they will use it.’

To him, knowledge meant little without action. ‘It’s not enough to know,’ he said. ‘You must do something with what you know.’

The legacy lives on

Married to Beatrice Egochukwu Ukogu, with whom he had two sons, Kolade led a life anchored in family, faith and service. His name has long been synonymous with integrity, a word he both taught and lived.

In business circles, he will be remembered as the man who led with principle. In academia, as the mentor who shaped minds with moral clarity. In diplomacy, as the envoy who carried Nigeria’s name with dignity.

But perhaps his greatest legacy lies in the countless people he inspired to do the right thing, not because it was easy, but because it was right.

As Nigeria bids farewell to Kolade, the nation mourns not just a man, but a standard, the embodiment of honesty, grace and moral leadership.

He has indeed fought the good fight.

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, pardoned Mamman Vatsa, who was sentenced to death over a treason charge in 1986, under the regime of former President Ibrahim Babangida

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said Vatsa has received a posthumous pardon from President Bola Tinubu.

Vatsa, a poet, was among the 17 people who received presidential pardons following the endorsement of the National Council of State, which met in Abuja on Thursday. President Tinubu also granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist and co-founder, along with Nnamdi Azikiwe, of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).

Macaulay was the party’s first President, which played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence.

He was however, believed to be unjustly convicted in 1913, by the British colonialists and banned from public office.

Macaulay died in 1946, but the stigma of being an ex-convict was not exorcised from his records until now. President Tinubu also pardoned four former convicts, including former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, Anastasia Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar and Ayinla Alanamu.

The statement said they were pardoned to enable them to be integrated into society, having demonstrated sufficient remorse.

Nweke Chibueze, serving a life sentence for cocaine, was pardoned, along with Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 out of his 17-year sentence for fraud.

The President also extended the clemency to the Ogoni Nine, Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine were formally pardoned on Thursday, and whose pardon was ratified by the National Council of State. At the same time, the President awarded national honours to the Ogoni Four- Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.

In exercising his constitutional prerogative of mercy, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced the prison terms of 65 others. He gave a reprieve for seven inmates on the death row by commuting their sentences to life imprisonment.

Telemedicine refers to the delivery of healthcare services such as diagnosis, treatment, and prevention remotely with the use of Information and telecommunication technology.

The wide acceptance and adoption of telemedicine in global healthcare was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional factors contributing to the growth of telemedicine include technological advancement such as the increasing use of cloud technology, remote conferencing and artificial intelligence.

Telemedicine holds significant value, potential to enhance accessibility to health care services, and improving the quality of medical service delivery in Nigeria. In this newsletter, therefore, we highlight the key legal considerations that governs the practice and use of Telemedicine in Nigeria.

Regulatory Landscape

There is currently no exclusive legislation dedicated solely to telemedicine in Nigeria. Telemedicine practice intersects with multiple laws regulating healthcare, technology, data protection, licensing, and professional conduct.

The following laws regulate the practice and use of Telemedicine in Nigeria:

1. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) [‘Constitution’]

Section 37 of the Constitution provides privacy protection for all citizens in respect of their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communication.

Therefore, medical practitioners who adopt telemedicine for medical services such as consultation, diagnosis, treatments and prescriptions are obligated to ensure that utmost privacy is maintained in service delivery. Medical records, health information and the line of treatment of a patient must be kept private and confidential.

2. The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (‘NDPA’ or ‘Act’)

The NDPA is a comprehensive law that provides a legal framework for the protection of personal information including the personal data of patients. The NDPA safeguards sensitive and non-sensitive patients’ data, such as medical history, laboratory test result, treatment information, clinical notes and demographic information. Healthcare service and telemedicine platform providers must therefore process the personal data of patients in accordance with the Act.

In providing telemedicine services, medical service providers are expected to comply with the NDPA by ensuring transparent data processing, and regulating cross-border transfer of patient’s data. Additionally, by the provisions of the NDPA, telemedicine platforms must register with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and submit periodic compliance audits to demonstrate compliance with the law.

3. National Health Act 2014 (NHA)

The NHA provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation, development, and management of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Section 29 of NHA mandates health establishments to implement preventive control measures to prevent patients’ health records from unauthorized access. Therefore, telemedicine service providers must put adequate security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access or breach to patients’ records. Section 27 of the NHA also provides for the legal basis for which a health service provider may process the personal data of a patient.

4. Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria 2008 (the ‘Code’)

The Code expressly recognizes telemedicine in Nigeria. Appendix 5 of the Code recommends the use of encryption as a security measure for the transfer of patients’ personal data. Additionally, the Code urges medical professionals to exercise caution to avoid potential legal pitfalls, particularly in areas such as maintaining patient confidentiality.

5. The Medical and Dental Practitioners Act 2004 (MDPA)

The MDPA includes measures for discipline of medical and dental practitioners found culpable of misconduct. Such misconducts may include breach of data protection rights of a patient, negligence leading to data breach or such other infractions committed while adopting telemedicine in consultation, diagnosis or treatment of patients in Nigeria.

Strategies for Ensuring Compliance in Telemedicine

To navigate Nigeria’s complex telemedicine regulations effectively, platform providers should: regularly update policies including implementing NDPA-compliant data privacy policies operational documents, with clear patient consent, terms of use etc.;

enhance data privacy and security by investing in security, registering with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), conducting mandatory annual audits, and filing audit reports as required;

perform routine audits, risk and impact assessments to identify and address compliance gaps;

train staff thoroughly on privacy rights, security protocols, and telemedicine-specific issues;

implement risk mitigation via encryption, pseudonymization, and anonymization to protect patients’ data;

maintain robust patient record systems to efficiently handle consultations, prescriptions, and referrals; and

timely submit all regulatory filings, including company annual returns to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and tax returns with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Requirements for Operating a Telemedicine Platform in Nigeria

To operate a telemedicine business in Nigeria, compliance requirements include:

1. Company Incorporation

Incorporate a local company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) per the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Foreign-owned businesses must also register with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and obtain a business permit from the Federal Ministry of Interior.

2. Registrations and Licensing

Healthcare practitioners must hold valid licenses and qualifications as required by relevant Nigerian health laws. Additional permits may be needed from the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, and others based on the telemedicine model. Telemedicine facilities in Lagos State must annually register with the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).

3. Data Privacy and Protection

Comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023 including registering with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as a data controller/processor. The NDPA mandates security measures such as encryption and anonymization to protect patient data and regulate cross-border data transfers.

4. Technology Transfer

Register any foreign technology transfers, including patents related to telemedicine, with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

Conclusion

Telemedicine substantially advances healthcare delivery in Nigeria. However, achieving sustainable growth with Telemedicine requires not only innovation but also a thorough understanding of the legal framework and regulatory requirements. By addressing the key legal considerations outlined in this newsletter, businesses and innovators can develop platforms that are both compliant with regulations and capable of making a meaningful societal impact.

Seun Timi-Koleolu is a Founding Partner at Pavestones, a full-service law practice situated in Lagos, Nigeria.