Global Internet use surged in 2025, with more than six billion people, about three-quarters of the world’s population, now online, according to the Facts and Figures 2025 report released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The figure marks an increase of over 240 million new users compared to 2024, when global Internet users stood at 5.8 billion. However, despite steady progress, 2.2 billion people remain offline, only slightly down from 2.3 billion the previous year. While connectivity continues to expand, the ITU warns that digital divides are increasingly defined not just by access but by quality, affordability, and skills. “In…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Chairman of the Telecom Group and former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, has called on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated Science, Technology and Innovation Trust Fund to accelerate Nigeria’s advancement in space science and frontier technologies. Ekuwem made the appeal on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the 4th Adigun Ade Abiodun Public Lecture held at the University of Lagos. He argued that sustained, targeted funding is essential to unlock Nigeria’s innovation potential and strengthen its position in the global technology landscape. According to him, a specialised innovation fund would stimulate research-driven enterprises,…
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos State Chapter heartily congratulates Tunji Disu on his appointment as the Acting Inspector General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 24 February 2026. Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, PhD, fnipr, frpa, the Chapter’s Chairman, describes this appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his distinguished service, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force. As a valued member of the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR, AIG Disu has consistently demonstrated a strong appreciation for strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and responsible public information management in policing. The Chairman particularly recalls…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sealed an offtake agreement with 12 major and independent oil marketers to distribute between 60 and 65 million litres of petrol daily across Nigeria, in a move expected to stabilise supply and deepen the country’s fuel self-sufficiency. The landmark arrangement in the downstream oil sector was disclosed by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, in Lagos. Dangote said the structured agreement guarantees adequate domestic supply while allowing surplus volumes to be exported. “We have agreed an offtake framework to supply up to 65 million litres daily for the domestic market. Any surplus, estimated at…
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector have raised fresh concerns over the Federal Government’s decision to proceed with its proposed tax stamp system for excisable goods, warning that the move could undermine the fragile recovery recorded in the industry. Industry sources who spoke to journalists said the initiative, also referred to as a track-and-trace system, would impose additional financial and operational burdens on manufacturers, with likely ripple effects on consumers through higher product prices. The tax stamp system is a regulatory mechanism requiring a high-security physical label or digital code to be affixed to excisable products such as alcohol, tobacco, and…
No fewer than 34 listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange paid a cumulative N540.37 million in penalties for late submission of financial statements during the 2024/2025 compliance cycle, with insurance firms accounting for over 70 per cent of the total sanctions. This is according to the latest X-Compliance Report released on February 20, 2026, by NGX Regulation Limited. The report details governance and disclosure lapses across sectors, while also highlighting companies that met regulatory deadlines ahead of schedule. The sanctions were imposed for defaults in filing both audited annual financial statements (AFS) and interim unaudited financial statements (UFS), in line…
The Federal Government, through Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), has announced the successful connection of nine underserved Local Government Areas (LGAs) to broadband internet as part of efforts to expand digital access across Nigeria. The initiative, executed under Project 774, is designed to strengthen national digital infrastructure and promote inclusive connectivity in rural and previously unserved communities. According to findings, the newly connected LGAs will enable thousands of rural dwellers to access internet services, opening opportunities in digital education, e-commerce, online marketing, and other empowerment initiatives. A statement signed by Chidi Okpala, GBB’s Head of Corporate Communications, said the rollout reflects…
Yango has partnered with Flutterwave to expand secure, seamless cashless payments for its food delivery and ride-hailing services in Zambia, enabling users to pay with bank cards processed through Flutterwave’s payment infrastructure. The collaboration strengthens Yango’s digital payments ecosystem at a time of rising e-commerce adoption in Zambia, supporting safer transactions, improved reliability, and broader financial inclusion for customers, restaurant partners, and drivers. Yango, the food delivery and taxi service powered by global tech firm Yango Group, said the integration allows users in Zambia to pay for rides and food orders using bank cards securely processed via Flutterwave’s platform. The…
The Federal Government has renewed its push to develop Nigeria’s cassava bioethanol value chain, positioning it as a catalyst for industrial expansion, energy security, and economic stability. Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, made this known on Wednesday in Abeokuta during a capacity-building workshop for stakeholders under the Cassava Bioethanol Value Chain Development Project in the South-West. He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to convert Nigeria’s agricultural strengths into industrial and economic gains. Represented by Auwal Mohammed, the Director of Economic Growth, Bagudu said the programme is designed to shift…
Starlink has activated its premium Business Priority service in Nigeria’s most saturated urban areas, offering a workaround to months of residential “Sold Out” notices, but at a steep price of ₦159,000 (about $99) per month. The service, which quietly went live on February 14, targets businesses and high-end users in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt who have been locked out of standard residential subscriptions due to capacity constraints. Checks across prime Lagos locations, including Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Surulere, continue to display “high demand” warnings, with new residential orders suspended. Prospective home users are redirected to waitlists, often required…