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NBS, Others, Advocate Special Trust Fund for Statistical Development

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja 

The National Consultative Committee on Statistics has called for the establishment of a statistics trust fund to address the issue of inadequate funding of statistical activities at the state level.
The committee, which comprises heads of various ministries, agencies and departments including the Statistician-General, National Bureau of Statistics, Yemi Kale and Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its first two-day bi-annual meeting held in Plateau.


The committee, among others, stated that the absence of a statistics Trust Fund, late release of budget allocations for statistical activities and lack of modern technology for statistical analysis at the state level were driving slow statistical development in the country.

Part of the communiqué reads: “The meeting observed that non implementation of Pooling of Statisticians which ought to be vigorously pursued by the National Bureau of Statistics was affecting professionalism in MDAs.
“The establishment of ‘Statistics Trust Fund’ was a recipe to the problem of funding for statistics.
“There was inadequate funding for Statistical activities and late release of budgetary allocations for Statistical activities at the State Level.
“The lack of modern technology for data analysis in line with modern trend was prevalent in most MDAs and State Bureaus of Statistics.
“Absence of State Consultative Committee on Statistics and Sector Consultative Committee on Statistics was making coordination of statistical activities difficult in SBSs and MDAs.”
The committee therefore advocated that the challenges outlined be tackled promptly, to accelerate the pace of statistical development in the country.
It stated, “The National Bureau of Statistics should intensify efforts at pooling Statisticians in the Federal and State civil service;
“There should be provision for adequate Office accommodations with all the required equipment and working materials for statistical operations in MDAs.”

BUSINESS

FirstBank Launches 24/7 Digital Centre at BUK

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First Bank of Nigeria on Thursday inaugurated its state-of-the-art Digital Experience Centre at the Bayero University Kano (BUK), offering round-the-clock automated banking services.

The centre provides services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, and payment transactions through advanced ATMs without human assistance.

Bank’s Group Head of Branch Operations and Services, Abimbola Ajayi, said the centre showcased the bank’s digital transformation and makes banking more convenient for customers.

She added that the centre’s location within the university was strategic, given the tech-savvy nature of the academic community.

Ajayi explained that the centre, the second in Northern Nigeria, aimed to showcase the bank’s digital transformation and enhance banking convenience for customers.

She added that the centre offered a platform for customers to independently perform transactions in a friendly environment.

 Ajayi said the centre’s efficiency was demonstrated during the inauguration when the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amina Mustapha successfully carried out a transfer and the students’ union President created an ATM card.

She assured the customers of seamless transactions, with support staff available when needed, and promised improved connectivity, reflecting the bank’s commitment to reliable digital service delivery.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.  Haruna Musa, represented by Prof. Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice -Chancellor, Research and Innovation, thanked First Bank for establishing a digital banking facility on campus.

She appreciated the bank’s management for the initiative, saying that it would benefit students who can now access banking services without leaving the campus.

Musa urged the members of staff and students to take care of the facility to ensure its sustainability.

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BUSINESS

Ecobank Upgrades Mobile App to Deepen Financial Inclusion

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Ecobank Nigeria has upgraded its mobile App to deliver a faster, smarter, and more secure banking experience for customers nationwide.

A statement by the bank’s media unit on Sunday said the upgrade underscores the bank’s commitment to leveraging technology to empower individuals and businesses with convenient access to financial services.

According to the bank, the newly mobile app features a modern design and improved functionalities, including advanced facial recognition, seamless bill payments, airtime top-ups, and QR code payments, all designed to make banking easier for customers on the go.

Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal said the new app leverages digital innovation to bring real convenience, flexibility, and security to customers.

“The new mobile app represents another major step in our journey toward digital transformation.

“It enables individuals to manage their finances with ease and provides real-time access to essential banking services,” Lawal said.

He added that Ecobank’s goal was to make financial transactions more inclusive and accessible, particularly for customers in remote areas who may not have access to physical bank branches.

Also speaking, Kola Adeleke, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the app was designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s digital customers.

“The upgraded app comes with cardless onboarding, end-to-end card management for card requests, activation, PIN change, and blocking or unblocking accounts.

“It also offers end-to-end profile management, dormant account reactivation, and live monitoring of foreign exchange rates,” Adeleke said.

He explained that the enhanced features were developed to help customers perform a wide range of transactions without visiting a branch, reflecting Ecobank’s drive to make banking simpler and more efficient.

“This app is not just a digital tool; it represents how we want to engage with our customers.

“Our goal is to make banking faster, smarter, and simpler,” Adeleke added.

He noted that with growing mobile penetration across Africa, the app would help more Nigerians embrace digital banking and take full advantage of mobile-based financial services.

Ecobank, a member of the Ecobank Group, continues to position itself as one of the leading pan-African banks driving innovation and inclusion through digital banking.

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Polaris Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Excellence as Customer Service Week Begins

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Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences as it joins the global celebration of the 2025 Customer Service Week, with the theme: “Mission: Possible”.

The annual global event, which runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 is dedicated to recognising the vital role of customer service professionals and the value they bring to customers and businesses alike.

Speaking to customers and staff, in Lagos, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, emphasised that excellent service remains central to the bank’s culture and success.

Lawal said that while great customer service sometimes seems challenging, it is always worth the effort.

According to him, Polaris Bank’s approach to service is anchored on consistency, thoughtfulness and excellence, ensuring that customers experience genuine care and responsiveness in every interaction.

Lawal expressed appreciation to customers for their trust and feedback, describing them as the reason Polaris Bank continues to push boundaries and innovate.

He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to standing by its customers towards delivering the kind of service they truly deserve daily.

Throughout the week, Polaris Bank will host a variety of engaging activities across its branches and digital platforms to appreciate customers and recognise service champions within the bank.

These will include staff recognition events, customer appreciation sessions and internal learning engagements aimed at deepening service excellence.

Customer Service Week is celebrated globally in the first week of October to honour the importance of service excellence and the professionals who make it possible.

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