In a move described as a cornerstone for Abia State’s digital future, the government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MTN Nigeria to accelerate its transition into a fully connected, digitally enabled economy.

The agreement, announced by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, in Umuahia, marks a comprehensive partnership aimed at reshaping internet access, civil service productivity, e-governance, and business inclusion across the state.

The MoU, the result of months of negotiations, outlines six major deliverables expected to be implemented before the end of the year, with the aim of pushing Abia to the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Full Broadband Coverage for All Abians

The most ambitious of the components is MTN’s commitment to achieving 100 percent broadband coverage across the state by year-end. Kanu said the project would extend internet access even to remote parts of Abia, laying the foundation for seamless connectivity and inclusive participation in the digital economy.

“This means everyone in Abia, regardless of location, will have access to high-speed internet,” Kanu said, underscoring the state’s vision to become a digitally empowered society.

Empowering Civil Servants with Smart Devices

In a clear nod to civil service reform through technology, the second component of the MoU involves a device ownership scheme that will see MTN finance laptops, smartphones, and Wi-Fi equipment for Abia State civil servants. Kanu said this would equip them with essential tools for the efficient delivery of government services.

“This scheme ensures that civil servants are not left behind in the state’s digital transition,” he added.

Transitioning to Cloud-Based Governance

Digital governance takes center stage in the third deliverable, which will see MTN deploy cloud infrastructure and computing services to streamline operations within government ministries and agencies. The move is expected to enhance transparency and improve service delivery across board.

A Digital Mall for Small Businesses

Another standout feature of the partnership is the establishment of an Abia Digital Mall, targeted at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector. According to Kanu, this digital marketplace will serve as a platform where local entrepreneurs can leverage technology to grow and scale their operations.

“The digital mall will transform how small businesses operate in Abia,” he said, noting that it would include digital tools that promote financial inclusion, access to markets, and training resources.

High-speed connectivity will be a hallmark of urban centers in the state. MTN has committed to rolling out both 4G and 5G services in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia before the year ends. These cities are expected to see significant benefits in terms of business productivity and digital adoption rates.

A Digital Marketplace for Governance and Commerce

The sixth focus area of the MoU is the creation of a state-wide digital marketplace to support both e-governance and online commerce. According to Kanu, this initiative is intended to give practical expression to Governor Alex Otti’s vision of transitioning Abia into a 21st-century digital economy.

“This digital marketplace will serve as a public and commercial platform, enabling everything from online payments and service delivery to virtual business interactions,” he said.

Governor Otti’s Bold Digital Vision

Governor Alex Otti, present at the signing ceremony, praised the initiative as a critical step in transforming Abia into a hub for innovation and competitiveness. He said the partnership with MTN is not just about infrastructure but about changing the way Abia operates.

“We are laying the foundation for a future where Abia is not just connected but competitive on a national and global scale,” Otti said. “This is a bold move that will empower our youth, revamp governance, and boost the state’s economic profile.”

MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Karl Toriola, described the partnership as aligned with the telecom giant’s mission to expand the benefits of a modern connected life. He said the project blends infrastructure investment, innovation, and public-private collaboration.

“With this partnership, we are combining infrastructure, innovation, and collaboration to build a more inclusive, efficient, and empowered society,” he said.

Top MTN executives, including Lynda Saint-Nwafor (Chief Enterprise Business Officer), Shoyinka Shodunke (Chief Information Officer), and Omotayo Ojutalayo (General Manager, Enterprise Business Development), also attended the event.

Beyond the core urban areas, the initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on rural communities. Kanu stressed that rural dwellers would be able to conduct digital business and improve productivity from remote locations, thereby contributing to inclusive development across Abia.

“This is not just about building towers; it’s about building people,” Kanu said. “Digital tools in the hands of the underserved mean economic empowerment and opportunity.”

In a major stride toward unlocking the full potential of diaspora remittances, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), on Tuesday launched the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) platform.

The platform enables Nigerians abroad to remotely register for a Bank Verification Number (BVN) without physically being in the country — a move the apex bank hopes will significantly boost formal remittance flows and financial inclusion.

Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, which drew financial sector stakeholders including CEOs of major banks, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest to connect its global citizens to the domestic financial system.

He noted that the NRBVN will help remove long-standing bottlenecks preventing Nigerians in the diaspora from accessing services such as savings, mortgages, pensions, insurance, and investment opportunities in Nigeria.

“For too long, many Nigerians abroad have faced difficulties accessing financial services at home due to physical verification requirements,” Cardoso said. “The NRBVN changes that. Through secure digital verification and robust Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, Nigerians worldwide should now be able to access financial services more easily and affordably.”

The NRBVN is positioned as a foundational element of a broader suite of financial offerings for non-resident Nigerians. These include the Non-Resident Ordinary Account (NROA) and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA), both of which allow access to Nigeria’s financial markets under flexible repatriation rules.

The CBN Governor also emphasized that the platform has been developed with stringent global standards for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and KYC compliance to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and encourage international confidence.

“Every NRBVN enrolment undergoes comprehensive verification checks to guard against illicit financial activity,” Cardoso added. “This is critical to ensuring market stability, integrity, and overall confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.”

The NRBVN is part of a broader CBN strategy aimed at capturing a larger share of the global remittance market by formalizing inflows and enhancing convenience. In 2023, Nigeria recorded $3.3 billion in formal remittance inflows — a figure that climbed to $4.73 billion in 2024 following policy reforms such as the reintroduction of the “willing buyer, willing seller” foreign exchange regime. With the new platform in place, the CBN is now targeting $1 billion per month, or approximately $12 billion annually.

“With the introduction of NRBVN and complementary policy measures, we are optimistic about achieving our ambitious target,” Cardoso said. “A goal we believe is entirely achievable given the growing trust and convenience in formal remittance channels.”

He also noted that remittance costs in Sub-Saharan Africa remain among the highest globally, averaging over 7 percent. The NRBVN, by facilitating direct and affordable access to Nigerian financial services, is expected to lower these costs and redirect more remittance flows into formal channels.

“This platform is not just about financial access. It’s about national inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity,” he said.

Cardoso called for increased collaboration among stakeholders, including commercial banks, International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), and regulators, to fully actualize the platform’s benefits. He urged IMTOs to integrate directly with the NRBVN system and warned that strict compliance with foreign exchange (FX) regulations, including the FX Code, was mandatory.

“All stakeholders must adhere strictly to the FX Code and other relevant regulatory guidelines. Compliance is not optional; it is central to maintaining transparency and trust in the system,” he said.

CBN’s call for integration and adherence was echoed by other panelists at the event, including NIBSS Managing Director and CEO, Premier Oiwoh, who presented a detailed technical breakdown of the NRBVN platform, emphasizing its end-to-end security and verification processes.

NiDCOM Backs Initiative as Game Changer

Also present at the launch was the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who described the platform as a game changer. She said the ability of diaspora Nigerians to register a BVN remotely marked a turning point in diaspora engagement.

“We have always advocated for tools that make it easier for Nigerians abroad to connect and contribute to the economy back home,” she said. “This initiative empowers them to do just that — seamlessly, securely, and on a global scale.”

Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the NRBVN will serve as an enabler for broader inclusion, not only economically but socially, by reinforcing the link between Nigeria and its citizens living abroad.

Beyond Numbers

The NRBVN’s significance goes beyond facilitating remittances. It aligns with a broader push by the Nigerian government to deepen diaspora participation in the economy, particularly through investment in capital markets, property, and long-term savings instruments.

With repatriation rules remaining flexible and transparent, the CBN is hoping that more Nigerians abroad will be incentivized to reinvest their funds into the domestic economy through regulated channels. The central bank is also considering more digital innovations that would extend these benefits to other financial services such as pensions, microinsurance, and real estate.

In launching the NRBVN, Nigeria joins other developing countries like India and the Philippines in recognizing the economic value of its diaspora, not only as senders of money but as investors and stakeholders in national development.

While Cardoso acknowledged that the NRBVN is not “the final destination,” he called it a critical first step in building a truly inclusive and globally connected financial system for Nigeria.

“Through this initiative, we are laying the foundation for a secure, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystem — one that includes all Nigerians, wherever they may be in the world.”