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First Bank launches Digital Xperience Centre at UNN

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First Bank of Nigeria has officially inaugurated its Digital Experience Centre at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, as part of efforts to revolutionise the banking industry in Nigeria.

The bank stated that the centre is the sixth fully automated branch, the first in the Southeast region, and will operate 24 hours a day, providing digital and physical banking services.

Speaking during the launch, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, praised the longstanding relationship between the bank and UNN, which he noted has existed for decades.

• First-Bank-of-Nigeria-Digital-Experience-Centre

He recalled that the land on which the bank is situated was generously provided to First Bank at no cost by the university authorities.

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He outlined the key features of the centre, which include Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for account updates, ATM card issuance, and fixed deposit booking; Teller Cash Recyclers (TCRs) for quicker cash dispensing and management; as well as humanoid robots to assist customers with inquiries and transactions.

Mr. Alebiosu, disclosed that similar centres had been previously commissioned at different locations across Nigeria.

The other centres, he said, included those at Adetokunbo Ademola branch, Victoria Island, University of Ibadan, Wuse Branch, Abuja, Banana Island and that of Admiralty way.

Dignitaries at the commissioning ceremony

He explained that the Digital Xperience Centre is a significant leap by FirstBank towards revolutionizing the banking industry in the country as it is a state-of-the-art hub which puts customers at an advantage in experiencing world class innovative banking services thereby exploring the future of banking firsthand.

Alebiosu, emphasized that the facility is designed to cater to the growing and evolving needs of consumers and the banking public, enabling customers to navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

“The initiative aligns with the Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and staying at the forefront of financial innovation.

“The FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre at University of Nigeria Nsukka offers 24/7 tech driven services for seamless, fast and secure transaction, saying “Come experience smart banking today” he stated.

Asked why the emphasis on University Campuses, the First bank (CEO), said you know the future is digital, and the students are the future of Nigeria so, it’s an Innovation to strengthen those who owns tomorrow.

“I mean, wether we like it or not, the young ones will replace us. And so, if the future is digital, and this is a university environment where people are educated, and they can also operate some of these machines easily, it is important we bring the Centre closer to them.

“Like i said earlier, this is a 24/7 Centre that is self service and allows you to do things easily. For example, it allowes you to deposit your money, and the system will analyse the denominations and give you your receipt like teller.

“You can also use one of the machines to carry out money transfer, ask for your statement of account. Also, the other machine you are seeing there can allow you to get your ATM card.

” What you just need to do, is to key in your account number, and provide your biometrics, place your finger, and the system will recognize you and then, we will send you an OTP on your phone so as to truly authenticate again that you are truly the real person, after that, there will be a number for you to put in there, and in less than three minutes your ATM card is out . So, of your ATM card is missing, you don’t have to border your self”

The First Bank chief, however, thanked the UNN authorities for the cordial relationship that has existed between the institution and Firstbank over the years, assuring the leadership of a continue partnership with the university.

Mr Calistus Obetta, the Group Executive for Technology, Digital Innovations and Technology Services, described the FB Digital Technology Experience as a blend of digital and physical experiences.

He explained, “Whether you are doing account opening or withdrawal, they can be done without hitches. It reflects the dynamics of the era. The banking operations are now available twenty-four hours.”

The Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof Oguejiofor Ujam, at the event, highlighted that First Bank had been a valuable partner to the institution and expressed his commitment to sustaining the relationship.

He stated, “UNN has been doing business with First Bank for a long time. It is an honour that UNN is the first university to get this digital experience in the country.”

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Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, September 23, 2026

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Naira rebounds to 1,275/$ at parallel market
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The Nigerian naira is trading at different rates against the United States dollar across the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the parallel market on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The latest available data show that the naira strengthened to N1,327.78 per dollar at the NFEM on Tuesday, from N1,329.80 recorded on Monday.

The latest movement represents a N2.02 appreciation by the naira against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

In the parallel market, the dollar was quoted at about N1,389 on Tuesday, down from N1,390 recorded the previous day.

The parallel-market rate puts the gap between the official NFEM rate and the street-market selling rate at about N61.22 per dollar.

At the parallel market rate of N1,389, customers buying $100 would need approximately N138,900, while $1,000 would cost about N1.389 million.

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The exchange rate available to individuals and businesses may vary depending on the dealer, location, transaction size and prevailing market conditions.

The naira’s recent performance has come amid developments in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, including changes in dollar liquidity and monetary policy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has continued to monitor conditions in the foreign exchange market as the naira trades around the N1,300-per-dollar level at the official market. Reuters also reported in September that the naira had remained relatively stable, supported by central bank dollar sales and subdued import demand.

For Wednesday, September 23, the latest confirmed figures put the dollar at N1,327.78 at the NFEM and around N1,389 in the parallel market.

The rates could change during the day as demand and supply conditions shift across both markets.

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Enugu Air Launches New Website

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…moves online services to www.enuguairlines.ng

Enugu Air has announced the launch of its new official website, enuguairlines.ng, as part of efforts to provide passengers and customers with a better, safer and more convenient digital experience.

The airline said the migration to the new website is designed to improve how passengers connect with Enugu Air and access its services online, including flight bookings, schedules and the latest updates.

Announcing the development, the airline said: “We’ve moved! We’re innovating! We’ve migrated to a better, safer and convenient website to connect you to the world.”

Passengers can now access Enugu Air’s online services through its new web address, enuguairlines.ng, which the airline described as its new digital home.

The airline urged passengers and prospective travellers to save the new web address and use it for flight bookings, checking schedules and obtaining the latest information about its operations.

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“Same Enugu Air. New web address,” the airline stated, emphasising that the change represents an improvement in its digital platform while retaining the Enugu Air brand and services.

The airline further encouraged customers to visit, www.enuguairlines.ng for all flight-related information and online services.

It further stated that the old website, enuguairlines•com has been discarded and no longer in use.

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Nigeria records 8.51m terabytes of data use in first half of 2026

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Nigerian Communications Commission
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Nigerians consumed a record 8.51 million terabytes of data in the first half of 2026, underscoring the country’s accelerating shift toward a digital-first economy.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed this. Specifically, in January, consumption was 1.385 million terabytes; February, 1.260 million terabytes and March, 1.422 million terabytes.

In April, consumption was 1.414 million terabytes. It climbed to 1.504 million terabytes in May and 1.532 million terabytes in June.

In 2025 alone, Nigerians consumed over 13.2 million terabytes of data, a 35 per cent increase from 2024, reflecting how connectivity has become essential for daily life.

The surge in consumption was driven largely by the twin giants of the telecom sector, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, whose half-year reports revealed data services have firmly overtaken voice as the primary revenue stream.

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According to industry figures, average monthly data usage per subscriber rose sharply, reflecting the growing reliance on mobile broadband for work, entertainment, and commerce.

Streaming platforms, social media, fintech apps, and remote work tools have all contributed to the spike in demand.

MTN Nigeria reported that its 55.7 million active data subscribers consumed an average of 14.8 gigabytes per month, representing a 15.2 per cent increase year-on-year. Overall, MTN’s data traffic surged by 25.8 per cent across its network in the period.

This translated into a massive N1.70 trillion in data revenue, a 38.4 per cent jump compared to the same period in 2025. Data now accounts for more than half of MTN’s total service revenue, dwarfing its voice earnings of N993.5 billion, which grew at a modest 12 per cent.

Airtel Nigeria also posted strong numbers, recording N691 billion in data revenue ($507 million). While Airtel’s voice services contributed to a combined N1.42 trillion in voice earnings alongside MTN, the clear trend is that data has become the dominant driver of growth.

Together, MTN and Airtel generated N2.4 trillion from data services in H1 2026, cementing their role as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy.

MTN invested N620.5 billion in capital expenditure during the period, focusing on expanding 4G coverage, scaling 5G rollout, and strengthening fibre infrastructure. The company’s aggressive push into next-generation networks is aimed at meeting the surging demand for high-speed connectivity.

Airtel, meanwhile, faced challenges with fibre cuts and vandalism, forcing reinvestments to stabilize its network. The operator is blending 5G expansion with satellite partnerships to extend coverage into rural and semi-urban areas, where demand for reliable Internet is rising.

Despite these investments, many consumers continue to express dissatisfaction with service quality. Complaints of slow speeds, unstable connections, and high costs remain widespread, highlighting the gap between consumption growth and infrastructure capacity.

The NCC has repeatedly urged operators to deepen investments in fibre, towers, and spectrum to sustain the country’s digital transformation. Analysts note that the sector is undergoing a structural shift from voice-first to data-led growth, with internet connectivity now central to economic activity.

Industry experts predict that Nigeria’s data consumption will continue to rise exponentially as smartphone penetration increases and more services migrate online. The rollout of 5G is expected to further accelerate usage, enabling innovations in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and entertainment.

The consumption of 8.51 million terabytes in H1 2026 marks a historic high for Nigeria’s telecom industry. It reflects not only the appetite of a digitally hungry population but also the broader transformation of the economy.

With MTN and Airtel leading the charge, the challenge now lies in improving service quality, expanding infrastructure, and ensuring affordable access for millions of Nigerians. As data becomes the lifeblood of communication and commerce, the telecom sector’s ability to keep pace with demand will determine how effectively Nigeria harnesses the opportunities of the digital age.

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