By Elvis Eromosele Nigeria’s bustling streets and marketplaces are filled with the tangible energy of a young nation. But a quieter, faster revolution is occurring in the invisible realm. Every mobile money transfer, every streaming startup, and every NIN-linked transaction relies on a delicate, sprawling network of fibre optic cables, base stations, and data centres. This is Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the very nervous system of its aspiring digital economy. Yet today, this crucial foundation is under constant siege. Daily reports of fibre cuts, equipment theft, and vandalism have become the background noise of the telecom sector. Until…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
By Elvis Eromosele Nigeria is witnessing a data boom. With expanding 4/5G networks and growing broadband penetration, millions now rely on mobile data for daily activities, from education and business transactions to entertainment and communication. However, this surge is not without its challenges, including widespread data wastage driven by poor usage habits, increased exposure to cyber threats such as scams and data breaches, the growing consumption of misinformation and harmful content, as well as rising concerns around digital addiction and unproductive usage patterns. These realities underscore a simple truth: access alone is not enough; smart usage is essential. In today’s…
Nearly six in every ten Nigerians either earn less than ₦100,000 a month or have no income at all, a new report by Piggyvest has revealed, underscoring the deepening strain on household finances amid rising living costs. According to the Piggyvest Savings Report 2025, about 60 per cent of Nigerians fall within the lowest income bracket or are completely without income. The report paints a stark picture of economic reality, despite signs of macroeconomic stability. Only six per cent of Nigerians, it added, feel financially secure, highlighting a widening gap between economic reforms on paper and the lived experiences of…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong warning to businesses across Nigeria to immediately recall substandard products or face regulatory sanctions under existing consumer protection laws. The directive was delivered by Tunji Bello, Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, during the commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 and the 9th National Consumers Contest Awards held in Abuja. Bello, who was represented by Boladale Adeyinka, Director of the FCCPC’s Surveillance and Investigation Department, said the agency continues to encounter widespread cases of unsafe and non-compliant products in the market. He noted that many…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated the Forum of Nigerian Electricity Regulators (FONER) in a move aimed at strengthening coordination and improving oversight across the country’s electricity sector. The forum was unveiled during the first quarter 2026 Regulatory Meeting with State Electricity Regulators held in Lagos, according to a statement issued by the commission. The development comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with widespread power outages driven largely by persistent gas supply constraints. Speaking at the inauguration, Musiliu Oseni, NERC Chairman, described the initiative as a critical step in Nigeria’s transition to a multi-level electricity market…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted International Oil Companies (IOCs) unrestricted access to their foreign exchange earnings, allowing them to repatriate 100% of export proceeds through authorised dealer banks. The directive, issued via the apex bank’s Trade and Exchange Department, marks a decisive shift toward deeper foreign exchange (FX) market liberalisation. Under the new policy, IOCs can now fully access and transfer their export earnings without the previous restrictions that split access into phases. This replaces the 2024 framework, which required: 50% immediate access to export proceeds 50% locked for 90 days before repatriation With the latest move,…
Nigeria recorded a strong rebound in foreign capital inflows in the fourth quarter of 2025, attracting $6.44 billion, up 26.6 per cent year-on-year, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure also represents a 7.13 per cent increase from the $6.01 billion recorded in Q3 2025, signalling sustained investor interest, particularly in financial markets. The NBS report shows that portfolio investments—often referred to as “hot money”, accounted for the bulk of inflows, contributing $5.49 billion or 85.1 per cent of the total. Money market instruments: $3.08 billion Bonds: $1.97 billion In contrast, Foreign Direct Investment…
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has raised serious concerns over the 2026 electoral guidelines released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the framework could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, the group described the regulations as overbearing, impractical, and insufficient to rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system. MCE acknowledged that INEC’s guidelines show some effort toward reform, particularly in enhancing transparency during party primaries. However, it argued that the rules impose excessive control on political parties, potentially violating democratic principles such as freedom of association. A…
As Nigeria’s March 31 personal income tax (PIT) filing deadline approaches, the country’s newly reformed tax system is facing its first major test, one already marked by widespread confusion among taxpayers. Individuals, freelancers, and small business owners are grappling with compliance requirements under the evolving framework, with many unsure of what exactly is expected of them. Speaking on the importance of compliance, Innocent Ohagwa, President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), emphasised that filing tax returns is a legal obligation tied to civic responsibility. The March 31 deadline applies to all taxable individuals under the Personal Income…
Nigeria has dramatically reduced the time required to approve oil well permits from several weeks to just a few hours, as the country moves to take advantage of strong global crude prices hovering near $100 per barrel. The reform, driven by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), marks a major shift in regulatory approach—from slow, process-heavy oversight to a faster, production-focused strategy aimed at unlocking output. According to the regulator, approvals are now being fast-tracked for activities capable of increasing production, including well re-entry, barging, and crude evacuation, areas that have historically constrained Nigeria’s oil output. The urgency behind…