Headlines
Transfers Gone Missing: Nigeria’s frustrating digital bank transactions
Zulaiha Danjuma
Imagine expecting to receive payment for the goods you sold to a customer only to find that the significant amount of money never reached your bank account. For Malam Haruna Yau, a palm oil vendor in Kano State, Nigeria, this nightmare became a reality.
KANO FOCUS reports that, despite his initial skepticism about adopting electronic bank payments for his business, Haruna decided to open a bank account to receive payments from his customers.
However, he soon faced numerous challenges with vanishing funds due to network glitches causing discrepancies between customer transactions and his received payments.
“The major problem we have is the unpredictable network issues, which can be quite frustrating when trying to receive payments from customers,” Haruna explained. “Because of these network issues, we find ourselves going back and forth with customers on payments they say they made, which don’t reflect in my account. And in some cases, the money shows up much later.”
Malam Haruna Yau
One specific challenge Haruna faced was when he lost ₦19,000 due to network issues. “Just last week, I lost about ₦19,000. A lot of customers sent me money, but I didn’t receive the payments, even my neighbor selling next to me sent me some money, same thing,” Haruna said.
Haruna added, that this was one of the reservation he had about bank transfers but he knew he could not escape using the bank for his business due to the raise of technological advancement
He went further to explain that there are a lot of small vendors who still resist having bank accounts due to the fear of vanishing bank transfers
“It’s discouraging for vendors who are not banked hearing those of us who opened bank accounts complaining of our monies vanishing within banks” he said
Hajiya Rabi’a, a women’s clothing vendor, shared a similar story. She sent ₦5,000 to her brother on two separate occasions, but the funds never reached him.
“I thought it was a one-off issue, but when it happened again, I was shocked,” Rabi’a said. “I had to pay that money thrice.” She lamented.
According to industry players, the issues with vanishing interbank instant transfers often originate from the deposit banks themselves. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has implemented measures to address these challenges, including the Industry Dispute Resolution Platform.
“The CBN has been working tirelessly to address the challenges faced by customers,” said an industry expert. “The Industry Dispute Resolution Platform is a significant step towards resolving disputes and improving the overall customer experience.”
The CBN has also directed deposit money banks to resolve instant interbank disputes within three working days. Customers have the right to report any issues to the CBN and fill out a complaint form.
In addition, the CBN’s regulation on Instant Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT services) states that all instant interbank EFTs should take place within 1 minute (60 seconds). However, despite this protocol, deposit money banks have been seen falling short of upholding this right to customers.
According to data from the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the volume of instant interbank transfers has increased significantly over the past year, with over 10 million transactions valued at over ₦10 trillion.
However, the same data also shows that the number of disputes and complaints related to untraceable funds has also increased, with over 10,000 complaints received by the CBN in the past quarter alone.
The impact of untraceable funds on individuals and businesses cannot be overstated. For Haruna, the loss of ₦19,000 was a significant blow to his business. “It’s not just about the money; it’s about the trust and confidence that customers have in the banking system,” Haruna said.
To address these challenges, the CBN has launched the Industry Dispute Resolution Platform, which is strictly for card and POS transactions. Banks have been mandated to report any single dispute to the platform.
“All banks are under obligation to report their dispute on the Industry Dispute Resolution System (IDRS) platform. This took off three months ago, so hopefully, customers should expect better services,” an industry source said.
While electronic bank payments offer convenience and efficiency, the challenges with vanishing funds cannot be ignored. As the CBN continues to work towards resolving these issues, customers must be aware of their rights and the measures in place to protect them.
_*To protect themselves from vanishing funds, customers can take the following steps:*_
– First, verify transactions with their banks
– Report any issue of bank non compliance to resolving the issue; by filling out a CBN complaint form about the banks non compliance
By taking these steps, customers can help ensure that their transactions are secure and that they receive the funds they are owed.
In the words of Haruna, “I believe that electronic bank payments are the future, but we need to address the challenges that come with it. As customers, we need our banking institutions to do better to serve us properly and protect our funds”.
_*This story is produced under the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Fellowship of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop in partnership with Kano Focus Newspaper online*_
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.
The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.
Headlines
Dangote, Pope Leo XIV, Trump, Xi Jinping, others named in TIME 100 most influential people for 2026
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.
A statement sent to Kano Focus by Esan Sunday of Dangote group said the annual TIME100 list, published on Wednesday April 15, 2026, recognises global figures whose leadership, ideas, and actions are shaping the future across business, politics, culture, and society. Dangote’s inclusion places him alongside prominent international figures drawn from diverse spheres of global influence.
This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the prestigious TIME100 list, following his first recognition in 2014, when he was honoured for his exceptional impact on business and philanthropy. His return to the list more than a decade later underscores the consistency and scale of his influence on the global stage.
Dangote, who is being recognized for his African industrial drive is the only Nigerian on the list and featured in the titan and innovators category. Other prominent honorees named alongside Dangote in the titan category are Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission to the moon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet and Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube.
Also featuring prominently under the titan category are Michael and Susan Dell, the high-profile American tech billionaires and philanthropists best known as the founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a global non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of children living in urban poverty. Included here also is the American designer and billionaire, Ralph Lauren, best known for founding the global lifestyle empire Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Recognized in the Pioneer category are individuals with breakthroughs in Science and Social Advocacy such Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, both of whom were cited for medical breakthroughs in genetic therapy as well as Aaron Williams, recognized for advancements in heart transplant readiness.
Influential figures recognized in global entertainment and culture include Ranbir Kapoor, prominent Indian actor; Dakota Johnson, recognized as an actress and cultural icon and Kate Hudson, included for her cultural influence.
As Founder and President of Dangote Group—Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate—Dangote has played a central role in advancing industrialisation across the continent. Under his leadership, the Group has made landmark investments spanning cement manufacturing, sugar and food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, and lately energy, significantly reducing Africa’s reliance on imports while creating millions of direct and indirect jobs.
In its citation, TIME Magazine highlighted Dangote’s vision of building African industries with local resources for global competitiveness, noting his recent investments in large‑scale energy and manufacturing infrastructure as emblematic of his long‑term commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.
Beyond business, Dangote is widely acclaimed for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), one of Africa’s largest private philanthropic organisations. The Foundation supports critical initiatives across healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment, contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable communities across the continent.
The 2026 TIME100 recognition further reflects a broader global acknowledgement of African leadership, innovation, and enterprise, with Dangote standing as a symbol of the continent’s growing influence in shaping global economic and development narratives.
This latest honour consolidates Aliko Dangote’s legacy as a visionary industrialist and philanthropist, whose work continues to drive sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long‑term value creation—both within Africa and beyond.
Under his leadership, Dangote Group recently launched Vision 2030, with which Dangote Industries aims to transform from a regional $30 billion conglomerate into a $100 billion global powerhouse by 2030.
This strategy focuses on industrial self-sufficiency for Africa, moving the group from “regional dominance to global relevance”.
Dangote said the roadmap to vision 2030 is divided into phases to “supercharge” the group’s expansion; with phase one spanning 2025-2028 focused on scaling existing businesses—cement, fertilizer, and energy—and optimizing assets for international competitiveness.
The Phase two running from 2028-2030 is for the deployment of new businesses and ventures into global markets to drive the final leap to the $100 billion revenue target. The Dangote Group plans to venture into steel manufacturing, power, and deep-sea ports to tackle industrial bottlenecks across Africa.
This recognition by Time Magazine underscores the growing global acknowledgment of African leadership and innovation, and highlights Aliko Dangote’s enduring influence as a visionary leader committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
The 2026 list underscores the expanding global visibility of African leadership and Dangote’s continued influence as a leading industrialist and philanthropist.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced the commencement of the second term holiday for the 2025/2026 academic session across all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment in the Ministry, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai on Wednesday, day schools are to proceed on holiday from Friday, April 17, while boarding schools will close on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
According to the statement, the break is intended to provide students and staff with adequate time to rest and prepare for the third term.
The ministry further stated that boarding schools are expected to resume on Sunday, May 3, 2026, while day schools will reopen on Monday, May 4, 2026, when academic activities will continue.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children return promptly on the resumption dates to avoid disruption to academic progress. He also directed school administrators to strictly adhere to the approved academic calendar.
Makoda reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment and maintaining high standards in the education sector.
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