
The National Identity Management Commission NIMC and several technology firms are urging the Nigerian government to accelerate the digitization of public services, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity and digital identity systems. This call was made at the ITGov Nigeria 2026 summit in Abuja, organized by Tranter IT in collaboration with ManageEngine. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, stated that effective digital public infrastructure relies on a trusted and secure digital identity system. She highlighted that the NIMC Act 2026 positions NIMC as the certification authority for Nigeria's national public infrastructure, making it the "home of digital trust" to support secure authentication and digital trust services. This framework aims to enhance cybersecurity, reduce online fraud, and improve confidence in Nigeria's digital ecosystem. Dr. Lare Ayoola, Executive Chairman of Tranter IT, stressed that government agencies must adopt integrated digital platforms for identity management, cybersecurity, network management, and customer service to modernize public administration, reduce paperwork, and shorten service delivery timelines. Solomon Raj, Associate Director, Africa Sales and Channels at ManageEngine, noted the increasing adoption of their IT management solutions by Nigerian government entities, but pointed out that limited technology awareness and reliance on legacy systems remain obstacles to public sector digitizati
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadThe Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 out of 57 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had established reasonable suspicion, and Malami, his family members, and associated companies failed to disprove the allegation that the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The court clarified that the issue was the legitimacy of the funds used for acquisition, not ownership. The EFCC had previously obtained an interim forfeiture order for these properties in January 2026, which were valued at approximately N213.2 billion. These assets, located across the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna states, include hotels, residential buildings, commercial plazas, schools, factories, a university, filling stations, warehouses, and large parcels of land. While nine properties were excluded from the final forfeiture, the list of the 57 properties initially covered by the interim order includes various high-value assets such as luxury duplexes, hotels like Meethaq Hotels Ltd and Zeennoor Hotel, Rayhaan University, Rayhaan Agro Allied Factory, and Azbir Arena, among others.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Federal Government will conduct a comprehensive nationwide household survey to determine a more accurate figure for Nigeria’s out-of-school children. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Education Summit of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, Dr. Alausa stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics to generate reliable data for policy decisions. He acknowledged that current estimates, ranging from 15 million to 20 million, need updating, emphasizing the government's commitment to evidence-based statistics. The minister noted that while over one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in the past two years, accurate data is crucial for measuring progress. He also highlighted reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM, and digital transformation. Dr. Alausa mentioned that Nigeria has achieved three consecutive years without academic disruptions in tertiary institutions and now has 24 universities ranked among the world’s top 1,000. The summit, themed “Three Years of the Tinubu Administration: Assessing Reforms, Progress and Challenges in Nigeria’s Education Sector,” brought together policymakers, education stakeholders, and journalists. The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and the Executive S
Must ReadThe World Health Organization WHO has stated that almost 45 percent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. These factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution. The WHO released updated guidelines to help countries reduce the growing burden of dementia through early prevention and improved healthcare interventions. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and a major contributor to disability among older adults, affecting memory, thinking, and daily activities. While there is no cure, up to 45 percent of risks are attributed to modifiable factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. More than 57 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cases. Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, emphasized that dementia impacts individuals, families, and communities, affecting health, dignity, independence, and well-being. The revised guidance, building on 2019 guidelines, provides practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health, including encouraging cognitive stimulation, managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and integrating services for