Candidates can securely purchase their WAEC/GCE registration ePINs via remita.net/waec, the Remita mobile app, and authorised partner channels nationwide, eliminating many of the delays, queues, and payment challenges traditionally associated with examination registration.

The campaign forms part of Remita’s broader commitment to using technology to simplify access to critical opportunities for Nigerians, particularly in education.

For many young Nigerians, WAEC is more than an examination. It is a gateway to higher education, employability, entrepreneurship, and future participation in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Against the backdrop of growing conversations around talent shortages, digital inclusion, and the future workforce, Remita says improving access to educational processes is becoming increasingly important for countries seeking long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

Over the last two decades, millions of Nigerian students and families have relied on Remita-powered payment infrastructure to access critical educational opportunities, including examination registrations that shape entry into higher education and future careers. Beyond transactions, this reflects the growing role of digital infrastructure in enabling human potential at scale.

Supporting candidates across all 36 states and the FCT, and serving students from both urban and underserved communities alike, the platform continues to play a quiet but significant role in reducing barriers to educational access.

“In emerging economies, one of the greatest barriers to opportunity is often not talent, but access,” the company stated. “When payment systems become simpler, faster, and more inclusive, they do more than process transactions – they help keep ambition in motion.”

Speaking on the initiative, Chinedu Alisa, head of Enterprise Assets at Remita, said the company remains focused on building infrastructure that supports both everyday convenience and long-term national development.

“When people think about payment platforms, they often think about transactions. But behind many transactions are life-changing moments. For a student, a WAEC registration PIN can represent access to higher education, economic opportunity, and a different future.

“At Remita, we are proud that our infrastructure has supported millions of Nigerians through critical moments over the years. As Africa continues to participate more actively in the global digital economy, enabling educational access at scale becomes not just important, but strategic.

He added that Remita’s continued investment in accessible digital infrastructure reflects a broader belief that technology should help remove barriers and expand opportunities for citizens.

“Technology achieves its highest value when it expands access to opportunity,” he said.

As conversations around talent shortages intensify globally, countries that succeed in reducing friction around educational access today will be better positioned to compete for the innovation economy of tomorrow.

With Remita’s instant PIN delivery system, candidates and parents can complete purchases within minutes from their phones or laptops without visiting physical locations or waiting in long queues.

The platform also supports bulk purchases for schools, churches, NGOs, local governments, and community organisations coordinating registrations for multiple candidates through a single, streamlined process.

What remains largely unseen is the sleek, secure, and solid infrastructure that enables these diverse transactions reliably, at scale, across the entire economy.

Regarded as one of the top 3 payment technology forces in Africa’s largest economy, Remita is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Switch, Payment System Service Provider, Payment Terminal Service Provider and as a Super-Agent.

In 2025, Remita processed well over 100 trillion Naira of payment transactions, underscoring its position as a provider of significant financial infrastructure in Nigeria.

This scale was not driven by isolated surges but by sustained, day-to-day activity spanning transaction switching for financial institutions, corporate and public payments processing, and the enablement of consumer financial flows, reinforcing its central role in the economy.

Remita also enabled access to over 15,000 products and services across 180 countries, further establishing its role as an invisible backbone connecting businesses, institutions, and individuals within Africa’s largest economy. It illustrates a defining paradox of modern infrastructure: the more essential it becomes, the less visible it appears.

Within the fintech and banking industries, this role is often described as “the rails” – the underlying tracks on which Nigeria’s payment ecosystem runs. Like electricity through power lines or water through pipes, Remita’s impact is most pronounced where secured and reliable execution is non-negotiable.

Across corporate payments, institutional disbursements, large-scale revenue collection, and complex multi-party transactions, Remita operates as a trusted national infrastructure, where even minor disruptions can have cascading consequences.

Throughout 2025, Remita supported revenue collection and disbursements across the federal, state, and local governments, operating reliably to ensure the wheels of government operations grounded smoothly to avoid delayed salaries, stalled public services, and erosion of public trust.

Sustained infrastructure uptime reinforced a core principle of modern governance: when systems function seamlessly, confidence is preserved.

On any day, Remita enables a civil servant in Gombe to receive her salary, a contractor in Kogi to be seamlessly paid, a student in Enugu to pay university fees, a resident of Abuja to pay for water, a property owner to pay land use charge in Lagos, and a contravening citizen to pay FRSC anywhere across the country.

These millions of transactions occur concurrently, at scale, and without friction, by design.

2025 marked Remita’s progression toward continental relevance. Through strategic integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), Remita has laid the foundation for simplified cross-border African payments – reducing dependency on third-party currencies and enabling businesses to transact across borders with greater ease.

“As Nigeria’s digital economy becomes more interconnected with the rest of Africa, the role of infrastructure becomes even more consequential,” explains ‘DeRemi Atanda, managing director of Remita. “Our responsibility is to build systems that can support that future. We are not just building for Nigeria. We are building infrastructure that can support Africa’s digital economy.”

AI was another frontier where Remita demonstrated industry leadership in 2025. Its deep understanding of the need for a shift from automation to intelligence led to its release of a landmark fintech AI report, which positioned Nigeria within global conversations on the application of artificial intelligence in financial services.

More than thought leadership, the report signaled commitment to building payment infrastructure that is not only resilient at scale, but increasingly responsive, predictive, and aligned with the realities of modern financial ecosystems.

Financial inclusion and access to financial services by yet a large population continued to be a major discussion in 2025.

Through partnerships with agent networks such as Moniepoint, NIPOST and Paga, Remita further extended services beyond traditional banking touchpoints – bringing formal financial systems closer to individuals and small businesses, particularly in underbanked communities.

In the works from Remita is a next-generation mobile app that generated a lot of buzz in Q4 2025 when it entered a public beta.

Built on the same backbone enterprise-grade infrastructure, the app has amazing features like multi-bank account management, esusu groups, discounted airline tickets, recurring payments, international payments with local currency, and others in development that will surely excite the market. The public market launch of the app is scheduled for Q1 2026.

Remita remains the core infrastructure behind Nigeria’s digital economy and is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of Africa’s financial future.

As the continent moves toward greater integration and rail-play becomes the most crucial element, the platforms that matter most won’t be the loudest or the flashiest.

They will be the ones that work, consistently and at scale, enabling prosperity for millions while remaining largely invisible to those they serve. That’s the mark of truly transformative infrastructure, and the story of Remita’s impact in 2025.

• Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL) is a leading Nigerian fintech company committed to simplifying financial transactions for individuals, businesses, and public institutions. Through innovative payment infrastructure and enterprise tools, RPSL enables its customers to collect, disburse, and manage funds securely and efficiently. As a trusted partner in Nigeria’s digital economy, Remita continues to champion inclusive growth through technology-driven financial empowerment.

Its commitment to innovation and digital sovereignty formed the backdrop for insights shared by Mujib Ishola, the chief technology officer, at the recently concluded FITC Fintech Nigeria Technovation Conference, themed “Innovation as a Catalyst: Reshaping Cross-Sector Collaboration.”

At the recently concluded FITC Fintech Nigeria Technovation Conference, Remita’s Chief Technology Officer, Mujib Ishola, underscored the need for purpose-driven collaboration in building a resilient and inclusive digital future for Africa.

Delivering a compelling call to action, he urged the continent to reclaim ownership of its data narrative and move beyond being passive consumers of foreign technology solutions.

He made these remarks during a plenary session moderated by Catherine Onelum, which also featured Adeyinka Adekoya, Group Head, Corporate Retail and Energy Business at Interswitch Group; Tomi Badejo, Vice President, Operations at Flutterwave; and Dr. Yele Okeremi, CEO, Precise Financial Systems The session examined how financial institutions and fintech companies can collaboratively harness technology, data, and artificial intelligence to reshape the transformation of Africa’s digital economy.

Speaking during the discussion, Ishola emphasised the urgent need for Africa to take control of its digital destiny.

“The narrative of Nigeria, as a consuming nation, is now extending into the digital space. We must reclaim ownership of that narrative and resist perpetuating cycles of technological dependency,” he stated, highlighting the risk of digital colonisation facing the continent.

Ishola traced Africa’s unique relationship with data back to ancient civilisations, emphasising that the continent has always approached information management through distinct epistemological frameworks.

“Africa has historically recorded and interpreted data through indigenous systems, from hieroglyphics to traditional knowledge preservation methods. These unique frameworks meant something fundamentally different to our societies and should inform our contemporary digital infrastructure,” he explained.

On the critical question of governance and data sharing frameworks, Ishola outlined essential principles that must guide collaborative infrastructure.

“Any specification or framework that emerges must address fundamental questions: the veracity of shared data, clear ownership protocols, secure storage architectures, and consent-based sharing mechanisms that ensure responsible stewardship of information assets,” he emphasised.

Warning of the escalating risks inherent in data dependency, particularly as artificial intelligence amplifies existing vulnerabilities, Ishola noted:

“The most critical risk we face is entrusting our data to external custodians, only to consume derivative insights while paying perpetually for access to our own information capital.”

Addressing indigenous innovation, Ishola celebrated Remita’s pioneering role in Nigeria’s open banking evolution.

“Remita pioneered open banking architecture before the terminology gained international recognition. True innovators and visionaries identify transformative paradigms long before they achieve market maturity or formal nomenclature,” he observed, highlighting how African solutions often emerge from contextual necessity rather than prescribed global frameworks.

According to him, African technology talent remains underrecognised despite driving significant global innovation.

“Nigerian and African technologists are foundational contributors to cutting-edge developments across the technology landscape. Our capacity for thriving in challenging environments positions us at the vanguard of technological advancement,” he said.

Turning to the panel’s theme of collaboration, Ishola called for a fundamental shift from performative rhetoric to substantive partnership.

“The term ‘collaboration’ has become somewhat diluted through overuse. What we require is authentic, transparent collaboration that genuinely advances our collective mission rather than serving as corporate theatre,” he emphasised.

Highlighting Remita’s commitment to nation-building, Ishola revealed the company’s philosophy toward national infrastructure development.

“At Remita, we lead with purpose. For every national project, our priority is to address critical national needs, ensuring that impact takes precedence over short-term gains. Building sustainable value for our country is, and will always remain, our foremost commitment,” he explained.

In a powerful closing statement, Ishola challenged assumptions about Africa’s position in global technology development.

When asked whether Africa could lead in creating trust-driven digital ecosystems, he responded:

“The question presupposes Africa is not already leading. We must abandon the narrative of awaiting external salvation. Nigerian software and fintech solutions are world-class. PFS, Interswitch, Remita, and the broader Nigerian fintech ecosystem have made substantive contributions to global technological advancement and financial innovation,” he declared.

His remarks drew attention to Remita’s role in enabling Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and powering collaboration across private, public, and continental boundaries.

Through Remita, which integrates payments, collections, and financial intelligence, they continue to serve as critical infrastructure for the nation’s digital growth.

Yet, while Nigerians can use PayPal to make payments, they are still largely restricted from receiving funds directly into their PayPal accounts.

Given Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy and a global hub for entrepreneurship, it is time for PayPal to fully unlock inbound transactions for Nigerians.

Here’s why:

Massive Market Potential

Nigeria is home to more than 220 million people and boasts over 120 million internet users, making it one of the world’s largest online populations.

The West African country has a thriving e-commerce sector projected to hit $10 billion by 2028.

Millions of freelancers, creators, and SMEs offer services to global clients, from software development to design, marketing, and consulting.

By enabling fund reception, PayPal would tap into one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world.

Boost to Financial Inclusion & Digital Trade

Restricting Nigerians from receiving payments limits participation in the global digital economy.

• Freelancers and remote workers are forced to use less secure or more expensive alternatives.
• SMEs lose out on international opportunities, reducing their ability to scale globally.

PayPal’s entry could democratize access, providing a secure, regulated channel that drives cross-border trade and reduces informal money transfer risks.

Reasons for PayPal’s Restrictions on Nigerians

PayPal’s restriction on Nigerians receiving funds has been a long-debated issue, and while PayPal has never given a single official, detailed statement about it, several industry observers, fintech experts, and policy analysts have pieced together the likely reasons.

The major possible major reasons PayPal restricted Nigerians from receiving funds, as a global payments processor, the fintech company faced higher-than-average chargebacks, disputes, and fraudulent transactions from accounts registered in Nigeria.

To protect its network and reputation, PayPal decided to limit Nigerian accounts to only sending funds and making payments, not receiving.

Nigeria’s financial regulatory environment used to lack the stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements that PayPal needs to comply with international standards.

This would require PayPal investing heavily in compliance systems, customer verification, and dispute resolution infrastructure to safely operate full services in Nigeria”.

Findings by Techeconomy also points to weak consumer protection enforcement or where dispute resolution is expensive hence PayPal’s fear of losing money if merchants do not refund customers after disputes.

Strengthened Regulatory & KYC Environment

However, in recent years, Nigeria has made significant progress in strengthening its financial regulations.

The introduction of mandatory Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) ensure robust KYC and AML compliance.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also rolled out frameworks for open banking, payment service providers, and virtual asset regulations, signaling maturity in regulatory oversight.

Moreover, Nigeria has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list” highlighting the country’s commitment to fiscal transparency and AML/CFT reforms.

The removal from the list also acknowledges Nigeria’s significant progress in strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.

The NFIU emphasized this exit reinforces the country’s commitment to financial integrity and global standing.

This means PayPal can operate with confidence, leveraging existing infrastructure to manage fraud and compliance risk.

Or choose to partner with local operators like PaySack, Interswitch, Flutterwave, Remita, Moniepoint, Kuda; the list is long!

Global Opportunity for PayPal

By opening its doors, PayPal stands to increase its market share and revenue as Nigeria is consistently a top 5 remittance-receiving country globally, with inflows surpassing $20 billion annually.

Therefore, a significant percentage of this money could pass through PayPal if Nigerians are allowed to receive directly into their accounts.

This creates a win-win: Nigerians gain a trusted payment platform, and PayPal strengthens its footprint in Africa’s largest market.

Reducing Fraud through Formal Channels

Ironically, restricting PayPal services may push users toward unregulated platforms, increasing fraud exposure.

Allowing legitimate, verified users to receive funds through PayPal would improve traceability, consumer protection, and transaction security, aligning with global anti-fraud efforts.

Supporting the Gig Economy

Nigeria has one of the world’s fastest-growing gig workforces. On platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Deel, Nigerians rank among the top freelancers.

In his recent article published by Techeconomy, Emmanuel Azubuike wrote:

“The gig economy, freelance writers, designers, developers, virtual assistants, and creators, has risen sharply in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

“With youth unemployment persistently high, the sector has become a vital alternative source of livelihood for many.

“According to estimates from the World Bank, Africa’s gig economy could create millions of jobs by 2030, and Nigeria, with its young population, is already positioned as a hub”.

Without PayPal, the ‘gig economists’ rely on costlier middlemen, losing significant income to fees. PayPal access would boost foreign exchange inflow and empower individuals to earn globally.

Conclusion

PayPal’s mission is to democratize financial services. Extending full functionality to Nigerians aligns perfectly with this mission, helping millions of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and SMEs connect with the global economy, while creating a profitable growth opportunity for PayPal.

The infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and market demand are in place.

Now is the time for PayPal to open its doors fully to Nigeria.

“Dear Diaspora people,

If you want to help anyone with school fees, don’t send the money to them. Send it directly to the school. If they use Remita, get the RRR number and send the money straight to Remita. Some Nigerians are using the school fees season to scam people so please be safe out there o.”

This message highlights a growing concern. Many Nigerians abroad are asked to help with school fees, especially for children in public schools.

While some requests are genuine, others turn out to be deceitful, using “school fees” as an excuse to extract money.

The safest way to help is to pay directly to the school, not to individuals. With Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) codes, this is simple and secure:

• The school or guardian generates a unique RRR code from the school’s portal or directly on www.remita.net.
• You use that RRR code to pay online (via cards, mobile wallets, internet banking, or USSD) or at any bank branch.
• Remita instantly issues a receipt, and the school verifies the payment through the same RRR code.

By using the official channels, your contribution is guaranteed to reach the right place and can always be verified. Supporting loved ones should never come with the fear of being deceived.

Direct payments through Remita mean your help truly counts, every time.

Speaking during a high-level panel session at the event hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Atanda delivered an intervention on the structural gaps slowing SME growth in Nigeria and the urgent need for a coordinated national approach to digital enablement.

With the session focused on harnessing financial technology to unlock Africa’s development potential, Mr. Atanda made a case for national alignment in policy, technology, and infrastructure.

“The real conversation isn’t about how many platforms we have. It’s about whether Nigeria has a national strategy for SMEs in the digital age,” he stated. “Once that is defined, the role of regulators, fintechs, logistics players, and government becomes clearer and more impactful.”

He highlighted how fintech platforms are helping SMEs transcend traditional barriers. From enabling cross-border payments to improving digital visibility, technology has expanded opportunities for small businesses that previously operated in geographic isolation.

“A business in Aba can now serve a customer in Accra, because payment rails make it possible. That’s real change,” he noted.

Now in its 11th edition, ICTEL EXPO has become a flagship platform for dissecting Africa’s innovation landscape, and this year’s theme, “Leveraging Technology for Innovation and Development in Africa,” brought a fresh urgency to long-standing conversations.

As SMEs continue to contribute over 48% to Nigeria’s GDP and employ more than 80% of the workforce, stakeholders gathered to explore how digital infrastructure, fintech innovation, and regulatory reform can accelerate this segment’s transformation.

The 2025 event attracted hundreds of participants across sectors, reaffirming the role of technology as the engine of inclusive and sustainable economic development across the continent.

Mr. Atanda also cautioned that the progress made in digital innovation and financial inclusion cannot be sustained in a fragmented ecosystem.

While there have been notable advances, such as increased digital payments, tech-driven services, and broader access to financial tools, these gains risk being undermined by the lack of coordination among key institutions.

“We’re seeing duplication where we need direction. Innovation must be guided by a shared vision that links digital solutions to national economic goals,” Mr. Atanda warned.

He welcomed recent steps by the CBN, particularly the establishment of a dedicated Payment Supervision Department, as a positive move towards greater clarity in the fintech landscape.

This, he said, should be accompanied by collaborative policy development that integrates technology, finance, and trade.

Mr. Atanda further stressed the need to embed logistics into the SME growth equation.

“Technology can connect buyers and sellers instantly, but if a product takes a week to arrive or never does, we haven’t solved anything. A tech-driven logistics backbone is as vital as payment platforms.”

Touching on access to credit, he explained how integrated data systems can transform small businesses’ financial profiles.

“Today, many SMEs serve the same customers in isolation. Imagine if we could consolidate these transactions into one data layer, we’d reveal true business activity and unlock credit access at scale,” he said.

He also spotlighted open banking as a potential game-changer for SME financing, arguing that shared access to payment data, customer patterns, and transaction volumes can allow both banks and fintechs to lend more confidently and competitively to small businesses.

To close, Mr. Atanda urged all stakeholders: government, private sector, regulators, and development partners, to convert conversations into measurable progress.

“If by the next conference we cannot point to at least one major milestone from these discussions, then we would have failed the SMEs that we claim to serve. The future demands more than talking; it requires alignment, execution, and sustained accountability,” he added.

Mr. Atanda’s contribution served as both a challenge and a roadmap: that the success of Nigeria’s digital economy lies not in isolated innovation but in collective intent.

His call reinforced a central truth: that the potential of Nigeria’s SMEs can only be fully realised when technology, regulation, and national interest move in deliberate coordination.

Beyond the participation in the panel discussion, Remita also featured prominently as an exhibitor, demonstrating its strength as a full-stack financial ecosystem that powers growth and operational excellence for organizations of all sizes.

Its showcase carried a clear message of ‘empowering business growth one payment at a time’, while extending an open invitation to businesses seeking to take charge of their payments and collections.

The exhibition reflected Remiita’s role as the bridge between technology and tangible business outcomes, reinforcing its reputation as a strategic partner for SMEs, corporates, banks, and fintechs seeking scalable financial infrastructure and transformative growth within Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

For over a decade, Remita has partnered with the West African Examination Council to simplify the registration process for candidates nationwide.

The 2025 registration window runs from June 30 to August 22, and students can purchase their registration PINs on www.remita.net/waec.

After purchase, candidates are expected to complete their registration at any designated CBT centre.

In a country where over 60% of the population is under 25 and access to education remains critical to national progress, Remita’s sustained role in enabling payments for essential academic milestones is both strategic and symbolic.

It reflects not only the platform’s robust technology but also a deep-seated commitment to empowering young Nigerians with the tools to shape their futures.

For many students – particularly those seeking to rewrite their academic outcomes – this exam is not just a second chance, but a crucial step toward upward mobility.

Chinedu Alisa, head of Enterprise Assets at Remita, commented on the current registration cycle saying:

“We are not new to this. We have built the infrastructure that powers not just business and government transactions, but moments that shape lives – like a student securing their future. Our technology serves millions, yet we remain focused on each individual and their journey. Writing the WAEC  exam is a defining milestone for many, and every seamless transaction on our platform brings them one step closer to their next chapter. At Remita, we are not just processing payments – we are enabling possibilities.”

As demand for digital access continues to grow, Remita has tackled some of the most persistent barriers to WAEC registration, including payments, unreliable platforms, and limited reach in underserved areas.

Through a combination of resilient infrastructure, real-time processing, intuitive user experience, and 24/7 accessibility, Remita ensures the process is efficient, stress-free, transparent, and widely accessible.

The Remita platform supports high-volume transactions, connects directly to banks, merchants, and payment providers, and is designed to scale with the needs of a growing digital population.

Through both online and in-person touchpoints, Remita has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s payments ecosystem – bridging digital innovation with real-world access.

“Our mission has always gone beyond business. It’s about national development, equity, and innovation,” Alisa added. “Whether it’s WAEC, salaries, taxes, transfers, or donations, we are the platform that powers every payment – for everyone, everywhere.”

As WAEC, the education sector, and broader Nigerian society continue to advance, Remita is evolving alongside.

From its early role in powering government and corporate payments, the company has become a vital platform for daily life – supporting school fees, interbank transfers, retail payments, and more.

Education remains one of its most impactful touchpoints.

In a rapidly maturing digital economy, Remita sees a future where education, empowerment, and technology intersect seamlessly – supported by infrastructure that is locally rooted and globally relevant.

As the 2025 WAEC Second Series registration opens, Remita encourages students, parents, and schools to take advantage of its secure and convenient payment channels for a smooth and timely registration experience.

Remita’s continued work in education reflects a broader commitment to building infrastructure for inclusive progress – where every transaction brings people closer to their goals, and no one is excluded from opportunity due to geography, income, or access.

Digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury. It is a strategic asset, a national security issue, and an economic necessity.

Back in 2001, Nigeria adopted its first National Information Technology Policy. That document signalled intent, but the digital era has since evolved with breath-taking speed. What once seemed futuristic is now foundational.

Nations must choose whether to be passive consumers of foreign technology or strategic producers of indigenous innovation. At stake is not just economic potential, but sovereignty itself.

The global economy is moving toward artificial intelligence, cloud governance, digital currencies, and decentralised systems.

Without a deliberate strategy to build and protect local digital capacity, we risk exclusion from critical value chains, and we would continue to depend on external systems we neither control nor fully understand to our detriment.

Technology is more than hardware and code, it is a nation’s capacity to define its future. Local tech innovations have the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, opening new markets, and enabling digital self-reliance.

From payment infrastructure to education platforms and digital identity systems, indigenous technologies are becoming essential tools for economic resilience and inclusive development.

Consider India, which implemented a deliberate national strategy that helped build a software export industry worth over 200 billion dollars. Nigeria has comparable human capital and an equally vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.

With the right mix of strategic investment, policy alignment, and institutional support, our software ecosystem has the potential not only to replicate that success but to surpass it, shaping Africa’s digital future and influencing the global tech landscape.

Indigenous software also plays a vital role in inclusion. Designed with contextual awareness, it helps bridge rural access gaps, address gender inequities, and navigate infrastructural constraints.

It ensures that technology serves the needs of all Nigerians – not just the connected elite – while preserving cultural relevance and economic value within our borders.

This has long been my advocacy. At a keynote address delivered seven years ago at the NITRA Quarterly Forum, I called for a national software development strategy and the creation of a technology innovation park to nurture talent and boost productivity.

I also urged the allocation of at least 10 percent of the national budget to ICT, noting that Nigeria’s technology ecosystem was, and remains, underfunded and insufficiently protected. True indigenous content must involve products developed by Nigerians that do not require foreign remittance. That principle is more critical today than ever.

Few examples illustrate the power of indigenous innovation more clearly than the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

Once plagued by fiscal inefficiencies, Nigeria now has in place a robust public finance mechanism made possible by a local software solution, Remita.

The TSA was created to address the longstanding problem of fragmented government banking.

Before its introduction in 2011, thousands of government accounts scattered across commercial banks facilitated financial leakages and institutional opacity.

The TSA’s goal was to consolidate government revenues into a single account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, enforce financial discipline, and eliminate waste.

Since its full implementation in 2015, the results have been near-extraordinary. The TSA helped recover over ₦3 trillion from previously untracked accounts, led to the closure of more than 17,000 redundant accounts, and has saved the country over ₦45 billion in monthly interest payments. Annual overheads from bank charges also dropped by over ₦24 billion, according to reports.

This success story was enabled by Remita, a world-class solution developed by Nigerian software company SystemSpecs.

Originally a product of SystemSpecs, Remita has since evolved into an independent company, Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL).

Contracted through a competitive process involving the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and international consultants, Remita outperformed foreign options.

Its performance over the years has demonstrated unequivocally that Nigerian software can deliver significant national impact.

The TSA’s achievements have drawn global attention. Countries such as The Gambia and Kenya have sought to replicate the initiative, seeing in Nigeria a model of digital fiscal reform.

TSA is a powerful validation of Nigeria’s indigenous technological capacity and a testament to what is possible when local innovation is aligned with national strategy.

Now, a new and transformative policy frontier is emerging in the form of the National Revenue Service (NRS) and its accompanying Revenue Assurance initiative.

This reform aims to harmonise revenue collection across all levels of government, reduce tax evasion, and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for sustainable revenue mobilisation.

At the heart of this reform is a coordinated framework that will rely heavily on the foundational digital infrastructure already laid by the TSA.

The TSA would remain the critical bedrock on which the NRS must stand. The centralisation and accountability the TSA brought to public finance are the same principles the NRS must uphold and expand.

If Nigeria is to build a credible, secure, and efficient national revenue system, then it must be deliberate about embedding indigenous technology such as Remita, which is tested and trusted, into the very fabric of its evolving.

Digital sovereignty is a nation’s ability to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future. In today’s world, software is at the heart of this control. Without it, we compromise our economy, governance, and national resilience.

The most vulnerable point of a nation’s development and security ecosystem is the financial ecosystem – especially when the Software that powers its processes is owned and controlled by foreign solution providers.

It is important to clarify what we mean by indigenous content. Too often, indigenous content is mistakenly equated with local content. However, the two are not always the same.

Local content may refer to digital platforms or solutions developed within Nigeria, yet owned or controlled by foreign corporate entities. In such cases, while the software may be locally deployed, the underlying intellectual property (IP) remains foreign.

True indigenous content, on the other hand, embodies both local development and indigenous IP ownership. It is Nigerian in conception, in code, and in control.

This distinction is crucial because only indigenous content truly strengthens digital sovereignty, ensures value retention within the local economy, and guarantees long-term control over critical systems.

Nigeria is rich in talent, with over 400,000 developers and indigenous tech firms such as Interswitch, Flutterwave, and Paystack demonstrating global competitiveness.

These success stories are not outliers, they reflect the broader potential of our tech ecosystem and the capacity that exists when innovation is supported and scaled. It is therefore imperative to preserve and protect homegrown solutions.

A recent call by the House of Representatives for penalties of almost two hundred billion Naira to be imposed on the indigenous company, Remita on account of an ongoing and yet to be concluded reconciliation process in respect of transactions processed over the past 12 years is puzzling and bizarre, to say the least.

If there are legitimate concerns about aspects of the TSA implementation, then any investigation must be seen to be impartial, transparent, and rooted in verifiable evidence, with findings made available to the public. No individual or organisation is exempt from accountability.

However, targeted actions that appear politically motivated risk eroding the very trust that public finance reforms such as the NRS seek to build.

These practices not only destabilise confidence in Nigeria’s software ecosystem, but also reveal a tendency to sacrifice long-term digital independence for short-term expediency.

Despite the notable successes, institutional inertia continues to undermine Nigeria’s software potential.

Many government agencies at the national and sub-national level still default to foreign software, often driven by outdated preferences and procurement biases. The procurement process remains fragmented, with no clear national standard for evaluating software solutions based on performance, security, and adaptability.

Executive Orders EO003 and EO005, which mandate the use of local goods and services, are yet to be implemented with the consistency and seriousness they require.

The proposed National Revenue Service law offers an unprecedented opportunity to correct these structural flaws. It must not only harmonise revenue collection but also institutionalise indigenous technology as the default infrastructure for digital public finance.

Much like the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Local Content Development Act of 2010 transformed local participation in energy, a national digital content policy is needed to protect our fintech and govtech industries.

While legislation is key to driving compliance in the public sector, the private sector must be encouraged to voluntarily adopt local technologies as part of broader ESG and national development strategies. Corporate Nigeria can play a crucial role in normalising trust in indigenous platforms, forming innovation partnerships, and integrating Nigerian solutions into their value chains.

The shift from import dependence to domestic innovation must be a collective national movement, not a government-alone endeavour.

Equally important is the creation of an Indigenous Software Sovereignty Fund, a dedicated mechanism to support research and development, incubate startups, and scale local platforms that will power the NRS and future national systems.

Years ago, I remarked that SystemSpecs deserved a national merit award for the monumental role it played in harmonising government accounts into a single, technology-driven platform through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

This was not just a technical achievement — it was a profound act of patriotism. At a time when few believed local solutions could drive national-scale reform, SystemSpecs stood firm, offering its homegrown innovation to serve the nation’s fiscal transformation.

For over a decade, the company has supported the TSA’s implementation with uncommon dedication, professionalism, and resilience. That contribution should not fade into the background — it deserves formal recognition as a benchmark of what becomes possible when Nigeria believes in Nigeria, and when private enterprise rises to meet the public interest.

The success of the TSA is a demonstration that local technology can solve national challenges. Now, as Nigeria embarks on a broader revenue transformation through the NRS and Revenue Assurance initiative, we must ensure that the lessons of the TSA are not only remembered but also enshrined in the next chapter of reform.

This is our chance to cement digital sovereignty as a pillar of national policy. The sovereign code has already been written by Nigerian hands, on Nigerian soil. What remains is the political will to protect it, scale it, and embed it in the future we are building.

In the era of e-Knowledge, time is still running out.

*Chris Uwaje, known as the “Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry,” is a renowned pioneer of Nigeria’s National IT Policy, which led to the creation of NITDA and the country’s National Software Strategy. With over four decades of global IT experience, he has held key roles including Past President of ITAN and ISPON. He is the Founder of Mobile Software Solutions, Chairman of Connect Technologies, and the architect behind major initiatives like the Akwa Ibom State IT Policy and SIT Park. Uwaje is also the author of e-Knowledge – Time is Running Out.

As a sponsor and exhibitor at the event, Remita is spotlighting its robust payment infrastructure and demonstrating how businesses, fintechs, banks, aggregators, OEMs, and developers can seamlessly tap into a world of opportunity – through a single, intelligent connection.

With over 15,000 digital products and services accessible across more than 150 countries, Remita offers one of the continent’s most extensive payment and service ecosystems.

Participants at PayExpo will explore how Remita enables organisations to collect payments, resell high-demand services, and scale operations without the usual operational friction.

“Our presence at the Digital PayExpo is a deliberate move to show what’s possible for anyone who builds, distributes, or relies on digital services,” said ‘DeRemi Atanda, managing director, Remita Payment Services Limited. “We are here to enable businesses, fintechs, and institutions to connect, scale, and earn – without complexity. Our goal is simple: reduce friction, simplify integration, and multiply opportunity, while we manage the infrastructure that makes it sustainable.”

One of the core offerings Remita will be showcasing is its digital service infrastructure, which enables resellers to distribute products such as airtime, data, PayTV, electricity, airline tickets, movie tickets, eSIM, school fees, and other bill payments.

With 99.9% uptime powered by smart redundancy across multiple service providers, partners benefit from unmatched availability, instant top-ups, and real-time commission payouts.

Equally significant is Remita’s collection capability, which allows businesses and institutions to receive payments on behalf of government agencies, educational institutions, religious bodies, associations, and private enterprises.

This service is trusted by over 5,000 merchants, including all Federal MDAs, 36 state governments, and leading corporate institutions, offering full transparency, real-time reporting, and verifiable receipts.

Participants will also see firsthand how businesses and developers can quickly onboard, access functionalities, and begin testing integrations with minimal effort.

The Remita integration experience is designed to be fast, intuitive, and secure, supported by layered authentication, including IP whitelisting, encrypted tokens, and multi-channel verification for enterprise-grade protection. The platform is designed to be almost entirely self-service, giving users full control to build, test, and go live within 24 hours.

By participating in Digital PayExpo 2025, Remita reinforces its commitment to reducing integration complexity, expanding digital distribution, and powering financial inclusion across the continent. Attendees will engage directly with Remita experts at the booth, experience live demonstrations, and explore how to monetize digital services through a unified, performance-ready infrastructure.

As Africa moves toward a more interconnected digital future, Remita stands as a foundational infrastructure designed to power that journey.

It embodies Remita’s bold vision to empower everyone, everywhere, through innovative thinking and excellent technology, beginning in Nigeria, extending across Africa, and ultimately reaching the rest of the world.

Remita envisions a future where payments and digital transactions are seamless, accessible, and familiar, no matter the distance, scale, or service.

With this project, the company is laying the groundwork for a continent-wide transformation, offering developers, businesses, and institutions the tools to build resilient ecosystems that support ambition, growth, and shared prosperity.

Using the story of Remita and the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as a shining example of what homegrown technology can achieve, Uwaje warns against continued dependence on foreign software. We bring you five key takeaways from the article.

1. Indigenous IP is a national infrastructure

Homegrown technologies like Remita are not just software. They are foundational to national operations. These systems manage critical financial processes, secure vast data assets, and support the daily functions of government and business. As such, they deserve the same protection, investment, and prioritisation as roads, power grids, and telecommunications networks.

2. Foreign tech dependence is a sovereignty risk

Continued reliance on foreign-owned software weakens Nigeria’s control over its data, its policies, and its economic levers.

Sovereignty in the digital era means owning and controlling the tools that power our systems. When key infrastructure is operated through black box solutions developed abroad, Nigeria’s autonomy is compromised.

3. Indigenous innovation needs legal protection

Nigerian tech innovators need legislative frameworks that protect their intellectual property and reward their contributions to solving national problems.

Without robust legal backing, local creators are left vulnerable, overlooked for procurement, underfunded by investors, and unrecognised in national planning.

It’s also important to distinguish between solutions that are merely built in Nigeria and those that are owned by Nigerians.

4. Economic value must stay in the ecosystem

When indigenous platforms like Remita succeed, the economic value they generate, including revenues, taxes, jobs, and knowledge transfer, stays within Nigeria. By contrast, reliance on foreign solutions often means recurring license fees, outsourced talent, and capital flight.

5. Penalising Local Innovators Sends the Wrong Message

A recent call by the House of Representatives for penalties of almost two hundred billion Naira to be imposed on the indigenous company, Remita, on account of a yet to be concluded reconciliation process in respect of transactions processed over the past 12 years is bizarre.

When indigenous tech solutions are unfairly targeted or publicly discredited, it weakens confidence across the entire ecosystem.

Builders begin to wonder: if Remita can be treated this way after years of national service, what hope is there for others?

*Chris Uwaje, the “Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry,” is the Past President of both the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (IPSON) and the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN).