NIGERIA NEWS
Federal Government Secures Release of 100 Abducted Pupils in Niger State — Akelicious
The Federal Government has reportedly secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Akelicious gathered that armed bandits attacked the school on November 21, 2025, in the remote Papiri community. The assailants, who arrived on motorbikes around 2 a.m., allegedly overpowered local security and stormed the dormitories for nearly three hours.
During the raid, the gunmen abducted 315 people comprising 303 students and 12 teachers.
Following the attack, security forces alongside local hunters were deployed to comb surrounding forests, tracking the movement of the abductors and working to secure the hostages’ release.
Akelicious recalls that in the first 24 hours after the incident, 50 pupils managed to escape and were later reunited with their families. This left 265 individuals including 253 children and the 12 teachers still in captivity.
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NIGERIA NEWS
LASTMA confirms two dead, two injured in early morning crashes in Lagos
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that two people died and two others were critically injured in separate accidents that occurred in the early hours of Monday.
One of the accidents occurred on the Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards Berger, while the other happened on the Third Mainland Bridge, near the University of Lagos waterfront. The accidents were recorded in the separate locations between 2.30 a.m. and 5.00 a.m. on Monday.
The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said in a press release that the first accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on the Otedola Bridge, inward Berger, on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor.
Preliminary findings indicated that an unregistered vehicle with two occupants, including the driver, was travelling at what officials described as “an egregiously unlawful and hazardous velocity” before it rammed into a moving, heavily laden trailer.
The impact killed both occupants instantly, while the trailer driver fled the scene with the articulated vehicle.
The Otedola Bridge axis has witnessed recurring accidents in recent years, with authorities warning that speeding, overloaded trucks, and night-time driving contribute to fatal outcomes.
LASTMA said its 24-hour Night-Gang Teams deployed within the Otedola corridor responded promptly, evacuating the bodies from the main carriageway to prevent secondary crashes.
The statement said officers also cleared the wreckage to restore traffic flow.
Personnel of the Isheri Police Division provided security support, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) removed the remains in line with public health procedures.
Second crash
A second crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on the Third Mainland Bridge, near the University of Lagos waterfront, inward Lagos Island.
Mr Taofiq said the accident, which involved an empty tanker and a sachet-water distribution van with number plate SMK 67 XH, left two people severely injured.
Officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) administered first aid before transferring the victims to a nearby hospital.
The bridge, one of the busiest in Africa, has also been the site of multiple collisions in 2025, including a February incident in which 14 passengers narrowly survived a high-speed crash.
Warning against reckless driving
The incidents occurred amid persistently high crash rates across Lagos. Between January and September 2025 alone, the agency reported 1,006 accidents, resulting in 87 deaths and 666 injuries, according to official data.
A recent report identified the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, where one of Monday’s crashes occurred, as “Nigeria’s deadliest highway.”
Amid Monday’s back-to-back incidents, LASTMA noted that its personnel remained on the ground to regulate traffic across both corridors and prevent further obstructions.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condoled with the families of the deceased, describing the fatalities as “tragic and wholly preventable.”
Mr Bakare-Oki warned that reckless speeding and disregard for road regulations continue to endanger lives.
He reiterated the agency’s strict enforcement of government-approved speed limits, saying compliance is “indispensable for the preservation of human life and the avoidance of catastrophic avoidable tragedies.”
He also praised the professionalism of the Night-Gang Teams, noting that LASTMA’s 24-hour surveillance and rapid-response operations, expanded ahead of the festive season, would continue with “unwavering vigour” in alignment with the Lagos State Government’s broader safety mandate.
LASTMA urged motorists to strictly adhere to speed limits to curb what authorities describe as an escalating public-safety crisis.
NIGERIA NEWS
Siemens Healthineers, NSIA announce landmark 10-year partnership to transform healthcare in Nigeria
From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Siemens Healthineers and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) have announced a landmark 10-year strategic partnership to transform Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure with cutting-edge medical imaging technology and capacity-building.
In a release, the initial phase of the plan would equip 10 new MedServe diagnostic centers nationwide to significantly improve access to high-quality care.
It stated that the collaboration is focused on sustainable development through world-class technology, comprehensive training, and local expertise enhancement.
The partnership was announced at the 2025 annual meeting by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) through its wholly owned subsidiary NSIA Advanced Medical Services Ltd (MedServe) and Siemens Healthineers.
The landmark 10-year strategic partnership also aimed at transforming and elevating Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. This comprehensive collaboration is focused on advancing diagnostic capabilities across the country through the provision of cutting-edge medical imaging technology as well as capacity-building initiatives to ensure sustainable support for MedServe’s healthcare expansion program.
To mark the commencement of the long-term agreement, Siemens Healthineers will equip the 10 new MedServe centers that will soon be operational across the country to significantly improve access to high-quality medical imaging for the people of Nigeria.
While speaking at the event, Dr. Tolulope Adewole, MD & CEO, NSIA Advanced Medical Services (MedServe) noted that “This 10-year partnership with Siemens Healthineers is a pivotal step in our strategic mission to build a resilient and sustainable advanced healthcare system that provides equitable access for Nigerians. We are consolidating our relationship with a trusted technology leader to not only supply critical equipment but to also develop local expertise. This initial deployment across our 10 new sites is the beginning of a shared journey to enhance diagnostic access and improve clinical outcomes across our nation.”
Dr. Bernd Ohnesorge, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Siemens Healthineers, said, “We are deeply honored that NSIA has chosen to expand our partnership. Having already established a strong collaboration in oncology, we are proud to extend our joint efforts into diagnostic imaging. This strategic agreement reflects our shared, long-term commitment to the future of Nigerian healthcare. We will support NSIA with world-class technology, comprehensive training, and our full expertise across medical imaging and oncology care systems to ensure this initiative delivers a lasting, positive impact for Nigerians.”
The release said that MedServe remains committed to delivering equitable healthcare access to Nigerians through strategic partnerships, capacity enhancement, and healthcare infrastructure investments.
Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases.
The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2025, which ended on September 30, 2025, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 74,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €23.4 billion. Further information is available at siemens-healthineers.com.
The Nigeria Sov
NIGERIA NEWS
Coup in Benin: Lady Shares Why Nigeria’s Intervention in Neighboring Country Was Necessary
- A lady said Nigeria’s move to help restore constitutional order in Benin Republic was the right thing to do after reports of a coup emerged
- According to the lady, Benin Republic is a very strategic neighbour to Nigeria and could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the military
- She aligned herself with those who insist that a distablised Benin would negatively affect Nigeria due to their strategic border
A Nigerian lady has shared her take on the foiled coup d’etat that took place in Benin Republic.
The coup, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, was foiled after the coupists failed to take custody of President Patrice Talon and the subsequent intervention of the Nigerian military.
The lady said the stability of Benin Republic is important to Nigeria. Photo credit: X/ennyola0015, ECOWAS and Brant.
Source: Twitter
In her reaction to the coup attempt, a lady, identified as @ennyola0015 said Nigeria did the right thing to have helped to stop the toppling of democracy.

Read also
‘Not France,’ Tinubu mentions which country requested Nigerian jets to strike Benin
She noted that Benin is a strategic neighbour to Nigeria and must not be allowed to fall into the hands of an unfriendly ruler.
According to her, a disintegrated Benin would pose a huge risk to Nigeria in terms of humanitarian crisis.
Her words:
“Benin is too critical for Nigeria to gamble with. If your neighbour collapses, the chaos doesn’t stay at their doorstep. It comes straight through yours. A rogue military takeover in Benin would mean: Smuggling booming overnight Borders wide open. Terrorists finding new hiding spots. Refugees flooding in. Criminal networks gaining fresh territory. And remember: coups are contagious. One successful putsch inspires the next. Tinubu stepping into Benin, Nigeria wasn’t just saving a neighbour was sending a loud message to its own soldiers: “Don’t even think about it.”
The Nigerian military helped Benin thwart the coup. Photo credit: Premium Times.
Source: UGC
See her post below:
Reactions to attempted coup in Benin Republic
@Dannymasterp
“That military intervention from our Nigeria military is very necessary and prompt as it was call for help from the Benin Republican Government to support them restore peace and stablize democracy in their country and thanks to God for successful restoration of democracy in the country.”
Read also
FG reacts as coup plotters failed in Benin Republic
@tbello007 said:
“Our regional bodies, ECOWAS & AU, are weak. Unfortunately, the last time ECOWAS had any bite was during the IBB , Abacha & OBJ regimes. Now coup are just springing up like in the 70s & 80s. Regional stability is key & essential to growth. Regional security is at risk here.”
@jacob_iber said:
“Absolutely! It’s a thought I wouldn’t want to entertain that Benin is working in tandem with other nations -AES, to antagonise Nig. A nation that is ready to sacrifice its people for the stability of the sub-region. I can bet on anything, there’s no boundary btw Nig & Niger Rep.”
Lady shares why she likes living in Benin Republic
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian lady based in Benin Republic has spoken highly of the West African country and rated it above her country of origin.
She noted that returning to Nigeria is not in her plans and highlighted various reasons Benin Republic is a better place to stay in.

Read also
Breaking: Coup attempt in Benin as military claims it has overthrown President Talon, video trends
The lady claimed she has never heard of any robbery or kidnapping incidents in the country, and no generator noise.
Source: Legit.ng
NIGERIA NEWS
APC reminds Adeleke, PDP of ongoing LG tenure court case
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has reminded Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that a tenure determination suit involving reinstated local government chairmen and councillors remained pending before the Federal High Court.
The Osun APC made this known in a statement by Tajudeen Lawal, its state chairman on Monday.
In the statement, the APC alleged that the state government and the PDP had attempted to misinform the members of the public following recent legal developments regarding local government administration in the state.
The party said the state government began releasing all manners of lies after the loss suffered by the PDP-led administration over the reinstatement of APC council officials.
According to the APC, “the state government had failed to inform the public about Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/147/2025, which concerns the determination of the tenure of the reinstated chairmen and councillors.”
The party said the matter last came up in court in November and was adjourned until February 2026.
The party said, “the suit also seeks judicial clarification on whether the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has the authority to conduct another local government election during the subsisting tenure of the reinstated officials.”
It added that, “the PDP-led government had been misleading the public by describing an exercise held on 22 February 2025 as local government elections, claiming that residents had begun to recognise the difference between an election and illegal declaration.”
The APC alleged that comments attributed to state officials, including Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi, were “a deliberate attempt to incite the innocent members of the public and these claims did not reflect existing legal positions.”
The statement said Governor Adeleke and his aides were distorting facts surrounding the ongoing crisis affecting local government administration and warned that such actions could undermine peace in the state.
It noted that the pending suit also seeks confirmation that the reinstated chairmen and councillors are entitled to a three year tenure, having held their first sitting in February 2025.
The party urged security agencies and the public to remain vigilant, warning of potential breaches of peace linked to alleged threats by the state government and some PDP members to resort to force.
It cited an incident at Otan-Aiyegbaju in Boluwaduro local government area following the recent Supreme Court judgment, calling for protection of citizens and political supporters.
The APC, while appealing to parents and guardians to caution their children against involvement in political violence, urged its members and supporters to remain peaceful as the legal issues surrounding the local government councils continue to unfold.
NIGERIA NEWS
“I Don’t Know My Real Age” — Obasanjo Makes Surprising Revelation
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sparked fresh public discussion after openly stating that he does not know his true age.
The former Head of State made the comment during the Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday, where he spoke at length about memory, history, and the need for proper national documentation.
Obasanjo told the audience that his age remains uncertain even to him.
He explained that he relies on the ages of his surviving secondary school classmates to estimate how old he might be.
According to him, six of those classmates are still alive, and none is below 90 years old.
“I don’t know my exact age but I could judge from those who were in school with me… So I leave it to you to guess what my age could be,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience but also raising questions on how age documentation was handled in Nigeria during his childhood years.
The former president used the moment to reflect on why documentation matters, pointing particularly to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, a project he frequently describes as one of his most important legacies.
He said the library was designed to preserve institutional memory and keep historical records accessible for future generations.
Obasanjo explained that the archive is massive and still growing. “We have digitised over 3 million materials. We still have about the same, 3 million, to digitalise,” he stated. He added that the goal is to ensure that researchers, students, and Nigerians everywhere can access these materials easily once the process is completed.
He revealed that the library contains a wide range of personal and national records.
These include his primary and secondary school documents, letters he wrote while in prison—some addressed to his late wife and others written to General Sani Abacha following the death of his son—manuscript drafts of his books, and even farming logs from crops he planted during his imprisonment.
Obasanjo stressed that keeping proper records is not a strength in Nigerian society and that the library was created to help correct that gap.
“Why the Presidential Library? I believe one of the things we don’t do too well in our society is that we don’t keep records too well; institutional memory is not what we do very well,” he noted.
The former president celebrated his 88th birthday in March, though he has now suggested that his actual age may be different.
NIGERIA NEWS
Multiple Casualties Feared as Gunmen Attack Market Junction in Anambra Community
- Several people are feared dead after unknown gunmen launched a sudden attack near Afor Market Junction in the Nawfia community of Anambra State on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
- The armed men reportedly stormed the area in a coordinated manner and opened fire on residents, leaving multiple casualties and widespread panic.
- Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos, noting that many of the victims were youths.

A yet-to-be-disclosed number of persons are feared killed after unknown armed men launched a brazen attack near the Afor Market Junction in the Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
The gunmen invaded the area and immediately opened fire on unsuspecting community members, causing panic and chaos, with some victims fatally injured and others fleeing for safety. Eyewitness accounts suggest that several people, mostly youths, were killed during the violence.
One source told Punch that the sudden attack left the community shaken:
“The armed hoodlums invaded Afor Market Junction and immediately opened fire, killing a lot of people. Nobody knows the reason behind the attack; the attack has left our community shaken,”.
An eyewitness near the scene described the chaos: “It was chaos. The attackers came out of nowhere this evening in a commando-like fashion and started shooting indiscriminately”.
Community Leadership Condemns Attack
The President General of the Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, confirmed the tragic incident in a press statement on Sunday.
Chief Okoye condemned the violence and confirmed that the attack resulted in multiple casualties:
“This evening, I received with deep shock the tragic news of an attack at the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia community. The incident resulted in multiple casualties, caused by unknown assailants who carried out this senseless act of violence,”.
He assured residents that relevant security agencies have been contacted and investigations have begun to uncover the perpetrators. The President General appealed to all residents to “remain calm, stay vigilant, and continue to cooperate with security operatives”.
As of the time of filing the reports, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
NIGERIA NEWS
Because of Nnamdi Kanu, I am converting to Christianity
A social media post has stirred widespread discussion after a user on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that a Muslim man abandoned Islam and converted to Christianity because of his admiration for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The claim was made by an X user identified as Nikky Agnes, who shared the man’s alleged public declaration.
In her post, Agnes stated that the man credited Kanu’s courage, teachings and perceived truthfulness for his decision.
According to the viral post, the man reportedly said: “Because of Nnamdi Kanu, I am converting to Christianity. Because of him, I finally understand what it means to be a true human being. After Allah, Nnamdi Kanu comes first.”
He was also quoted as saying: “I have never in my life seen anyone who speaks the truth the way Nnamdi Kanu does — and still ends up in jail simply because he stood by what he believed about Biafra.”
The post further claimed that the man described Kanu’s warnings as fulfilled, stating: “Everything he warned Nigeria about is happening today. Every prophecy, every truth, every warning — it has all come to pass.”
Agnes added that the man hailed Kanu as “a voice of freedom” and “the greatest of his generation.”
The claim has generated strong reactions across social media, with many users questioning its authenticity, while others argued that it reflects Kanu’s enduring influence despite his prolonged detention.

NIGERIA NEWS
Dangote refinery, stronger Naira driving petrol prices down — Oil marketers explain
The recent drop in petrol prices across Nigeria has been attributed to increased domestic refining by Dangote Refinery, a strengthening naira, and improved supply chain efficiency.
Oil marketers say these factors have helped ensure steady supply, subdued smuggling pressures, and brought competitive pricing into the downstream sector easing the burden on Nigerian consumers.
The Dangote Refinery has significantly altered the country’s petroleum product market since it began partial operations, with multiple price cuts recorded through 2025 and a fresh pledge to supply over 1.5 billion litres of petrol monthly beginning in December.
Marketers Credit Refinery Output and Naira Gains for Price Decline
Speaking to Nairametrics, the Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed that petrol prices are on a downward trend and attributed this to growing output from the refinery and gains in the naira’s value.
- “Yes, the prices are going down. It has to do with one, production increase by Dangote. Two, the value of dollar. So, you know now that the dollar is coming down. It’s getting better. The more the dollar goes down, the better,” Ukadike said.
Another marketer, Kingsley Smart, who manages a fuel distribution company in Abuja, explained that supply-side improvements have eliminated scarcity and stabilized the market.
- “The recent decrease in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is primarily due to a combination of improved supply chain efficiencies. Previously, getting the products, especially at this time of the year, can be a bit challenging for independent marketers. But now, with government’s recent assurances that there will be enough supply, thankfully there is no panic buying,” he told Nairametrics.
He also highlighted how both NNPC and Dangote had reduced their depot prices in response to broader market dynamics, including a mild drop in international crude prices.
- “This may be as a result of the fact that there is improved domestic refining capacity now than before… All these and more put together make the price come down.”
Dangote Refinery denies tariff reversal influence
Dangote Refinery, for its part, has continued to adjust prices downward throughout the year.
In August 2025, petrol sold for around N850 per litre, later dropping to N820, and in November, the refinery further cut its gantry price to N828 and reduced coastal prices from N854 to N806 per litre.
However, reports that a government reversal of the 15% import tariff on petrol triggered these price cuts were flatly denied by the refinery.
In a November 17 report, the company stated that its pricing strategy was internally driven, based on production efficiency and competitive market positioning.
- “The reduction in our petrol price was not due to any change in import tariff,” the company clarified, calling it “a strategic decision to encourage domestic sourcing of refined products and create better market value.”
This statement was also supported by actions on the ground, as independent marketers began adjusting pump prices to match and in some cases, undercut Dangote’s pricing.
1.5 Billion Litres Pledge to Begin December
Reinforcing its commitment to national fuel sufficiency, the Dangote Group on December 1 pledged to supply 1.5 billion litres of petrol monthly from its Lagos-based refinery.
This move, announced by company management, is part of efforts to deepen local production and wean Nigeria off fuel imports permanently.
The development followed earlier expressions of full government support, including the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) October endorsement of the refinery’s scale-up to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) — aimed at meeting local and regional demand.
Nigerian Petrol Still 55% Cheaper
Despite the progress, Dangote has warned that petrol smuggling remains a threat to domestic fuel stability.
During a press briefing after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, Aliko Dangote acknowledged that regional price disparities continue to incentivize smuggling.
- “Prices are going down. The reason why prices have to go down is that we also have to compete with imports. But you know, luckily for us, now smuggling has reduced — not totally,” Dangote said.
- “There is still quite a lot of smuggling, because the price we have in Nigeria is about 55% of the price of our neighbouring countries. So, it doesn’t matter how you police the borders, people will still smuggle because there’s so much money to be made. They are selling at almost N1,500, N1,600 [per litre], but we’re selling at about N800 and something.”
Cross-Border Trade to Deter Smuggling
To tackle this, the Nigerian government has intensified border enforcement, especially in the northern axis.
According to IPMAN’s Ukadike, efforts like “Operation Whirlwind”, spearheaded by the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Nigeria Customs, have improved border security.
- “They are trying to do their best to ensure that we close the borders, with also massive military presence… especially at the northern axis,” he said.
Ukadike also pointed out that Dangote Refinery is already exporting products legally to neighbouring countries, offering a sustainable alternative to black-market trade.
- “Dangote is also exporting to neighbouring countries at very good rates. So, the essence of smuggling will also be defeated… if these products are being supplied to these African countries surrounding Nigeria.”
He added that independent marketers now operate extended hours, even into late nights, reflecting greater supply confidence.
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NIGERIA NEWS
I still don’t know my exact age – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has again acknowledged that he does not know his exact age.
Speaking on Sunday, Dec. 7, during the Toyin Falola Interviews themed “A Conversation with His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,” he explained that he can only estimate his age based on his primary school classmates, six of whom are still alive, all now older than 90.
Obasanjo.
The interview panel included Professor Toyin Falola, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Kukah, and former presidential candidate Professor Kingsley Moghalu.
Obasanjo noted that one of the reasons he established the presidential library was to preserve historical records and institutional memory.
He revealed that over three million materials have already been digitised, with an equal number still awaiting digitisation.
“The idea is when these materials are digitalised, people can have access to them. That is number one. As document preservation, we preserve the past, take note of the present and we want all these to inspire the future,” the former President of Nigeria said.
According to him, the library holds documents ranging from his primary and secondary school records to personal letters, including one he wrote to General Abacha after his son died in an accident, and another to his wife during his time in prison.
Despite this extensive documentation, he maintained that he still does not know his actual birth age, though his surviving classmates may hold clues.
He added …
“I don’t know my exact age but I could judge from those who were in school with me, I have given you an example of Olubara (Oba Jacob Olufemi Omolade, the Olubara of Ibara) who is still alive.
“I believe there are six of my classmates in secondary school that I know are still alive and none of them is less than 90 years of age. So I leave it to you to guess what my age could be.
“My school record card in primary school, I have been able to keep them and when I became President and I wanted to establish the library, they were available to be exhibited. My records in primary and secondary school and even the manuscripts of books that I have written, those that I wrote in prison and so on, even crops of maize that I planted when I was in prison, they are there and somehow I was able to keep them.
“Why the Presidential Library? I believe one of the things we don’t do too well in our society is that we don’t keep records too well, institutional memory is not what we do very well.”
NIGERIA NEWS
Seamfix, PAPSS Partner on Cross-border Payments in Africa – THISDAYLIVE
Sunday Okobi
Seamfix has entered into a new partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), operated by Afreximbank, to boost compliance, as well as build a governance platform that supports real-time cross-border payments across Africa.
The collaboration has, however, introduced PGATE, a compliance and transaction-governance layer built by Seamfix.
In a statement made available yesterday to THISDAY, by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Seamfix, Chimezie Emewulu, the organisation said the platform links identity, payment behaviour, and regulatory checks in a single workflow, giving central banks, commercial banks, and other financial institutions a unified view of cross-border transactions and helps them enforce thresholds and spot suspicious activity without slowing payment flow.
It stated that PAPSS would champion the platform across its network, which includes central banks and financial institutions already sending and receiving payments in local currencies.
Emewulu said: “Seamfix will build, operate, and maintain PGATE under a vendor-financed model. The move supports PAPSS’s push to grow participation and expand services tied to its settlement infrastructure. It also responds to feedback from institutions that want stronger visibility on identity-linked payment behaviour as transaction volumes rise across the continent.
“Payments move fast across Africa, but trust must move with them. This partnership helps banks and regulators see what they need to see, at the moment they need to see it, without getting in the way of the transaction.”
He explained that PGATE draws on Seamfix’s Fixiam identity engine to link customer identities across institutions and detect fragmentation of transactions.
According to him, it offers pre-transaction screening, quota governance, consent management,, and audit trails that regulators can review after settlements occur.
“The partnership reflects broader efforts to simplify payments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), making it easier for businesses and individuals to send money across borders without complex currency conversions or delays.
“Seamfix and PAPSS will begin joint stakeholder sessions ahead of a planned proof-of-concept with selected central banks and commercial banks.”
The statement noted that PAPSS is a continental payment and settlement system created to enable real-time cross-border payments in local African currencies, adding that it is backed by Afreximbank and the African Union.
Also, it added thax Seamfix is a technology company that helps businesses and their customers globally to seamlessly create, verify,, and access trusted digital identities and services. “They build digital identity and compliance infrastructure used by banks, telecoms, and governments. Its products support identity verification, regulatory complianc,,e and secure digital onboarding at scale,” it stated.
