America — Meta Platforms Inc. headed to court on Monday in a major antitrust trial that could force the company to separate from Instagram and WhatsApp, two platforms it bought over a decade ago and transformed into global social media giants. Meta defended its actions, saying Instagram and WhatsApp face fierce competition from TikTok, YouTube,…
Sokoto, Nigeria — In a strategic push toward industrial self-reliance, Nigeria has unveiled an array of locally assembled technological products, signaling a new chapter in the nation’s innovation landscape. The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in collaboration with a Chinese technical partner, presented the innovations at a Strategic Focused Group Meeting on…
Lagos, Nigeria — WillMoon Artificial Intelligence Company (WAIC) has launched three innovative digital solutions aimed at enhancing convenience and efficiency for Nigerians. The company announced the release of its market-entry products via its official social media platforms, introducing solutions designed to streamline vehicle rental, real estate management, and retail operations. One of the flagship products,…
Abuja, Nigeria — The United States and Nigeria have signed a $90,000 grant agreement to protect and promote Nigeria’s Nok cultural heritage. The initiative, executed by the Wheyham Foundation in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and Yale University Art Gallery, aims to document and safeguard Nigeria’s archaeological treasures. Speaking at…
Abuja, Nigeria — The leadership of the telecommunications workers’ union has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to reconsider its planned nationwide protest against the federal government’s 50 percent increase in telecom service tariffs. In an official letter addressed to the NLC President and the National Administrative Council, the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Okonu…
Washington, D.C.— President-elect Donald Trump has called for at least 50% ownership of the Chinese-owned short-form video app TikTok by U.S. investors as a condition for its continued operation in the United States. Speaking to supporters at a rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, Trump emphasized that TikTok must have significant U.S….
Washington, D.C. — TikTok is making preparations to shut down its platform for users in the United States this Sunday if the Supreme Court does not intervene to halt an impending federal ban. According to a report by The Information on Tuesday, the move follows heightened pressure under a law signed by President Joe Biden….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Federal Government, in collaboration with local companies, plans to use domestically produced equipment to address the persistent issue of oil theft and promote local content in the industry. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced this initiative during an inspection tour of a local company in Abuja. He noted that the…
Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, is set to appear in a French court following his arrest at an airport near Paris. The arrest took place at Le Bourget Airport on Saturday evening, after Durov arrived from Baku, Azerbaijan, according to reports from AFP. Durov’s detention stems from an arrest warrant issued by France’s Office for the…
The United States is collaborating with Nigeria to develop a framework for the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military operations. This was revealed by Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability at the U.S. Department of State, during a media roundtable in Abuja. Stewart explained that the goal…
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is set to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to identify and combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and other fraudulent activities. During the opening session of the first NFIU management staff retreat, NFIU Chief Executive Officer Hajiya Hafsat Bakari highlighted the organization’s commitment to equipping its staff…
President Bola Tinubu is set to officially launch 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, generously donated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). The donation comes in response to the economic challenges faced by the country following the administration’s recent policy changes. In an earlier meeting with President Tinubu, IPMAN members committed to…
President Bola Tinubu has underscored the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation as a critical economic strategy for Nigeria, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s public transportation and energy policies. Speaking at the commissioning of 30 hybrid-powered CNG buses at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu highlighted the pressing need for…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dismissed rumors of an increase in telecom tariffs or the introduction of new tariff plans. In a statement released on Saturday via its official X handle, the NCC addressed reports suggesting that the regulator had approved a tariff increase for network operators. “The NCC has not approved any new…
Meta has taken down 63,000 Facebook accounts associated with Nigerians allegedly involved in financial sextortion schemes. The U.S.-based company announced this action in a statement on Wednesday titled, “Combating Financial Sextortion Scams From Nigeria.” This development comes shortly after the Nigerian Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta and its messaging platform, WhatsApp,…
Nigeria is on the verge of securing a commitment from CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, to establish a manufacturing plant in Evergreen City. This development emerged following a visit by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, and his team to CATL’s Global Headquarters in Ningde,…
Spanish authorities have detained three individuals allegedly involved in cyberattacks targeting Spain and several NATO countries, purportedly for terrorist motives. The suspects, arrested for their suspected roles in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on public institutions and critical sectors, have not yet been publicly identified or formally charged, according to the Civil Guard. The…
The Federal Government has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms for unauthorized personal data appropriation, discriminatory practices against Nigerian users, and abuse of its dominant market position. In a statement released on Friday, a 38-month joint investigation with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) found that Meta’s data privacy practices and…
Meta announced on Friday that it is lifting certain restrictions previously imposed on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. The company stated that the decision was made to ensure that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has equal access to the platforms as Democrat President Joe Biden. “Our responsibility to allow…
Approximately an hour after Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Thursday night, the rocket’s second stage failed to reignite, resulting in the deployment of its 20 Starlink satellites on a shallow orbital path. These satellites are expected to reenter and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere soon. The attempt to reignite…
The Federal Government has introduced Nigeria’s first technology-based media audience measurement system. This groundbreaking initiative was formally launched by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to provide accurate and reliable data on television viewership in the country. Minister Idris emphasized the significance of the Audience Measurement System in ensuring broadcasting efforts are…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an efficient, accessible, and competitive telecommunications industry in Nigeria. Dr. Aminu Maida, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, made this commitment during the launch of a two-day public inquiry into three key regulatory instruments. He emphasized the Commission’s consultative approach to ensure inclusivity in regulatory development….
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has temporarily suspended the issuance of new licences for operators in three specific categories, effective May 17, 2024. Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, announced that the affected categories are the Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence, the Interconnect Exchange Licence, and the Value-Added Service Aggregator Licence. This suspension aims…
