Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has alerted Nigerians to a new high-risk Short Messaging Service-based malware, TangleBot, which infects Android mobile devices. TangleBot is installed when an unsuspecting user clicks on a malicious link disguised as COVID-19 vaccination appointment-related information or information about fake local power outages. The malware gains access to several different permissions when installed on a device, allowing it to eavesdrop on user communications and steal sensitive data stored on the device. It also takes complete control of the targeted device, including access to banking data, and can reach the deepest recesses of the Android operating system. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecom consumers to be wary of cybercriminals, and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc (MTN) has declared a turnover of N1.7 trillion for the year 2021. MTN is proposing a final dividend of N8.57 per 2 kobo ordinary shares for the period, and its profit before tax stood at N436.7 billion, while profit after tax accelerated 45.5% to N298.7 billion. EBITDA grew by 27.9% to N877.1 billion, and MTNN cited an extension of its coverage areas for 4G services as the catalyst.

The Federal Government has lifted the ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria, effective from 12:00 a.m. this morning. The suspension was announced on June 4, 2021, after the social media giant deleted a post by President Buhari for "violation of the company's abusive behaviour policy". Nigeria lost N104.02 million ($250,600) every hour to the ban, bringing the daily losses to N2.46 billion. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court was expected to deliver a judgement on the case next week. Twitter's potential advertising audience in Nigeria is low compared to other platforms, making it unlikely that its 3.05 million adverts audience would be impacted by the ban. However, some Nigerians, including government officials, circumvented the process by installing Virtual Private Network (VPN). Stakeholders have expressed mixed feelings on the development, with some commending the move and others questioning the ban.

The Federal Government has shifted the NIN-SIM verification deadline from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022, to cover remote areas, diaspora, schools, hospitals and others. NCC and NIMC have set up 14,000 enrolment centres across the country to facilitate and fast track the verification process. NIMC has also set up enrolment centres in 31 countries to cater to the need of Nigerians in the Diaspora. The unprecedented growth in the National Identity Database to over 71 million unique NINs in such a short period reflects the concerted efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian populace and legal residents. The Federal Government has extended the deadline of the NIN-SIM linkage exercise to March 31, 2022, to consolidate the gains of the process and accelerate enrolment of Nigerians in key areas. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Pantami, urged Nigerians and legal residents to enrol for their NINs and link with their SIMs during this period of extension. The Minister, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO NIMC, Aliyu A. Aziz, thanked all Nigerians and stakeholders for their commitment and support.

The lifting of the seven months ban on micro blogging platform, Twitter, by the Federal Government has seen many government agencies, parastatals, corporate Nigeria and users return to the platform. Twitter said it was pleased to restore service for everyone in Nigeria, while the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) described the lifting as strategic. The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had suspended Twitter in Nigeria on June 4, 2021, and lasted for seven months with attendant effects on the country's reputation, economy and development. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, and Amnesty International have welcomed the lifting of the ban on Twitter in Nigeria, which was an attack on the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom of the press. Paradigm Initiative, an organisation that works to connect underserved young Africans with digital opportunities, is also happy that access to the microblogging platform has been restored.