Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to telecommunications operators to deactivate the USSD codes of nine financial institutions over unpaid debts. The commission, in a statement released Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, instructed that the disconnection must take effect by January 27, 2025, if the…
Johannesburg, South Africa — Over 400 illegal miners remain trapped underground in a gold mine in North West Province, South Africa, two months after a police raid meant to curb illegal mining activities. The alarming situation was revealed on Monday by Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), a South African miners’ rights organization, which…
MTN, Nigeria – The Nigerian stock market recorded a robust performance in yesterday’s session, driven by a sustained surge in MTNN (+10.0%), which propelled the benchmark All Share Index (ASI) to climb 1.3 per cent, closing at 105,530.74 points. This bullish sentiment pushed year-to-date (YTD) returns to +2.5 per cent, as market capitalisation soared by…
Redmond, USA — Microsoft has unveiled plans to invest approximately $80 billion in AI-enabled data centers worldwide, with a significant portion of the funding dedicated to bolstering Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation in the United States. The announcement was made by Microsoft’s vice chairman and president, Brad Smith, in a blog post outlining the company’s strategic…
FCT – NASARAWA, NIGERIA –Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the nation’s capital will face a two-week blackout starting January 6, 2025, due to the relocation of vital power transmission infrastructure. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) announced that the outage would affect areas including Lugbe, Airport Road, and parts of Apo, among…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed claims by a media outlet alleging it approved a 40% hike in telecommunications service tariffs starting January 2025. The report claimed the tariff increase would result in telephone calls costing N15.40 per minute, SMS priced at N5.60, and a minimum cost of N1,400 for a 1GB data bundle….
Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace has unanimously voted to lift the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signaling a major shift in the country’s internet policies. The state-run IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday that the decision was reached during a council meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian. The council includes influential members…
Google late Friday countered a US call to sell its Chrome browser, suggesting a judge address antitrust concerns by barring the firm from making favorable treatment of its software a condition of licensing. Google filed a 12-page proposed order banning the internet giant from requiring favorable distribution or treatment of its software on mobile…
TikTok has requested the US Supreme Court to temporarily block a law that would require its Chinese owner to either sell the platform or shut it down within a month. News recalls that the law, enacted by President Joe Biden in April, would prevent TikTok from being available on US app stores and web…
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has commended African Natural Resources and Mines Limited for its role in driving local value addition in Nigeria’s mining sector. This recognition came during the commissioning of the country’s first ultra-modern mineral analysis laboratory in Sabon-Wuse, Niger State. Dr. Alake described the facility as a milestone…
Nigeria’s national power grid is prone to frequent collapses, with the resulting power shortages proving an obstacle to economic growth and investment in Africa’s most populous nation. The World Bank estimates that the Nigerian economy loses $29 billion a year due to its unstable power supply, which causes electricity blackouts across the…
The Lagos State Government is working out plans to deploy solar street lights to serve the needs of the people in collaboration with LEDCo Limited. The new project will see the deployment of 20,000 units of LEDCo’s state-of-the-art NightSUN, an all-in-one solar light across Lagos. According to it, each NightSUN unit integrates…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the 2024 Electricity Bill into law, signaling a major shift in the state’s power landscape. The new legislation aims to enhance energy generation through diverse sources, including renewable energy, while fostering energy efficiency, investment, competition, and innovation in the sector. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ikeja, Governor…
The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has emphasized the need for technology-driven solutions to tackle the financial constraints faced by the Court. Speaking at the opening of a three-day judicial retreat, Gonçalves highlighted the importance of innovation in optimizing resources and enhancing the Court’s operations. The retreat, themed “Judicial…
Abuja -Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, directed the adoption of technology-driven strategies to combat terrorism, cybercrime, and border security challenges facing Nigeria and the entire African continent. The Vice President said while Africa and Nigeria were currently navigating some of the most troubling times in areas such as security and economy, the challenges…
A new report has revealed that cyberattacks could inflict unprecedented financial damage on the global economy, with costs projected to soar to $10.5 trillion by 2025, $12 trillion by 2026, and a staggering $16 trillion by 2030. These alarming figures were highlighted by the founder of Digital Encode, Adewale Obadare, during his keynote…
India has committed to strengthening investments in Nigeria’s agriculture and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sectors. The goal is to boost food security and digital skills, alongside contributions to education, health, and other critical areas. This pledge followed robust discussions between President Bola Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who concluded a historic two-day…
The Canadian federal government has ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business operations following a national security review. However, Canadians will still be able to use the app as the government stops the company from conducting business within the country. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the…
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund, has taken a historic step in addressing Nigeria’s ongoing power crisis by launching a ground-breaking solar energy project. Indequate power supply has plagued Nigeria for decades, with some 86 million people living without…
The Lagos State Government has effectively carried out a thorough statewide assessment on fossil fuel generator sets (gensets), marking a major step towards accomplishing Nigeria’s ambitious energy transition goals. https://www.seforall.org/publications/beyond-gensets-advancing-the-energy-transition-in-lagos-state The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is facilitating the study, which is funded by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and aims…
Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), a cutting-edge technology positioned to close the gap between energy output and consumption, is being adopted by Nigeria as part of a major transition towards sustainable energy. As the nation battles an unstable electrical grid and growing fuel prices, BaaS is becoming a game-changer by offering homes and businesses dependable and reasonably…
The Nigerian government has announced a N2.8 billion support grant from Google to boost Artificial Intelligence talent development in the country. Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, ‘Bosun Tijani, made the announcement on Thursday at an unveiling event organized by the Nigerian Government and Google, in Abuja. The minister said…
Fekomi Global Limited has launched an innovative AI-powered customer care and sales bot in a bid to give its numerous customers top-notch service delivery. This development, it said, will revolutionise how businesses interact with customers and drive sales. The cutting-edge technology, designed for diverse industries, aims to enhance customer relationships while improving…
A Polish radio station, OFF Radio Krakow, has replaced its journalists with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated presenters, sparking debate over the future of media and journalism. The station, based in the southern city of Krakow, announced its relaunch this week as “the first experiment in Poland” where AI-driven virtual characters take on the roles of traditional…
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has rejected plans by the Federal Government to reintroduce a five percent excise duty on the telecommunications sector, warning that the move could significantly burden the industry. On July 6, 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed four executive orders, including one that suspended the 5…
Real estate developer, Cecil Osakwe, has called on the federal government to carry out reforms in the nation’s real estate industry, as the sector needs effective regulations, transparency and investor trustworthiness. Osakwe, who pointed out the distinctions between the real estate markets in Nigeria and the United States, identified challenges faced by Nigeria….
Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, has emphasised the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robust infrastructure in bolstering cybersecurity measures. Temi Popoola, Chairman of Central Securities Clearing Systems Plc (CSCS), stated this at the Company’s cybersecurity conference held in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). In his opening…
In today’s world, we’re constantly connected to the internet, whether through reading news, visiting forums, checking emails, or managing online banking. While this connectivity brings many benefits, it also exposes us to risks, including cybercriminals trying to make easy money through scam. People often talk about the importance of staying safe online but rarely provide…
Written and compiled by Onwuezobe Victoria chidera The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed every facet of society, and journalism is no exception. Gone are the days when print newspapers, radio broadcasts, and evening news programs dominated the media landscape. With the advent of the internet, social media, and sophisticated data…
Written and compiled by Onwuezobe Victoria chidera The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State In today’s digital era, family dynamics have undergone significant changes due to the pervasive influence of technology. What was once a family unit defined by in-person interactions, shared meals, and regular bonding activities has now evolved into a digitally-connected, yet sometimes emotionally distanced,…
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says Starlink, a communication company, is facing regulatory heat over an unapproved data tariff hike. The NCC said the satellite internet service provider had unilaterally increased its data tariffs without obtaining the necessary approval from the commission. Its Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka, in a statement in Abuja on…
