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Showing posts from March, 2026

How I bought a SIM card that kidnappers used to collect a N50m ransom and kill their victim; I ended up in prison.

  I s it possible for someone to buy a "criminal" SIM card? Ms. Titilayo Ibrahim, who narrowly escaped trouble with the police over allegations of murder and kidnapping, explains her ordeal at the hands of the police regarding the unknown charges. Here is a detailed summary of the account shared by Ms. Titilayo regarding her ordeal: The Incident occurred in October 16th, 2025. Titilayo Ibrahim, a businesswoman and then NYSC Corps member serving in Akure, narrated that a woman contacted her business line to purchase nightwear (pajamas). The caller claimed she was using her husband's phone because hers was faulty. They agreed on a meetup location at Titilayo’s estate junction for the delivery. Upon arriving, instead of a customer, she met two men who identified themselves as police officers from the Force Investigation Department (FID), Abuja. They immediately arrested her. The officers informed her that a SIM card linked to her National Identification Number (NIN) had been...

NUC Unveils Rules For Honorary Doctorate Awards In Nigerian Universities

T he National Universities Commission (NUC) has released guidelines to regulate the conferment and use of Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Nigerian universities. The move is aimed at addressing the increasing incidence of indiscriminate conferment and misuse of these degrees within the country's university system. In a public notice issued on its official website, NUC emphasized the need to preserve academic integrity and safeguard the credibility of the Nigerian University System. The guidelines, approved by the Commission's management, are expected to ensure that the conferment process is done in an orderly and transparent manner. According to the notice, all Nigerian universities and other degree-awarding institutions are required to strictly adhere to the provisions of the guidelines. This is in line with the principles enshrined in the Keffi Declaration of 2012, which was signed by all Vice-Chancellors. The Commission also reminded the public that Honorary Doctorate Degrees a...

FG Awards ₦2.5 Billion Grants to 45 Student Ventures

  T he Federal Government has awarded ₦2.5 billion in grants to 45 outstanding staudent ventures at the 2026 Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp and Awards. The event, held at the UNDP Innovation Hub, Lagos, recognized the innovative projects of students from across the country. Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to transforming tertiary institutions into hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving. "This initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," he said. The Minister noted that beneficiaries can access up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding, alongside mentorship, incubation support, and digital tools. The selection process involved 65 finalists, chosen from over 30,000 applications from 404 institutions. This, according to the Minister, is evidence of Nigeria's growing innovation capacity....

AMVCA 2026: Full List of Nominees

  T he Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) has dropped the nominees for its 12th edition. This was announced live on Africa Magic channels on Sunday, 29th March, 2026, hosted by Chimezie Imo . Voting was opened to the public on Sunday, 29th March at www.africamagic.tv/amvca and will close on April 26th, 2026.  View the full list below. Best Short Film • Rise - Jessie J. Rowlands • Fleas - Jordy Sank • Telephone - Fimisinuola Adejonwo • Hussainin - Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa • My Body, God’s Temple - Uzoamaka Power Best Digital Content Creator • Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion • Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh • Destiny Ogie Osarewinda • Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom • Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo • Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) • Steve Chuks • Akwaman Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa) • Bet I Love You - Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise • Sebata - The Beast • Ben Made It - Thabang Mathumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso • Terra Of Queens And Ku...

NCC Slams Nigerian Telecoms: Poor Service Will Now Cost You

  T he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), through a press release on their official socials on 29th March, 2026, revealed that mobile network operators will start compensating customers for poor network signals and service disruptions.  According to the NCC, telecommunication firms will now give automatic airtime credits to customers affected by network failures. The compensation will be calculated based on a subscriber's average spending pattern and location. This move is part of the NCC's new "consumer-centric" approach, aiming to hold telecoms accountable for service quality. Tower companies aren not off the hook either; they will  have to reinvest fines into upgrading infrastructure. Credit: X formerly Twitter

VIDEO: Tinubu Launches Fund for Armed Forces on 74th Birthday

P resident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a special fund to support Nigeria's Armed Forces, including wounded soldiers and families of fallen heroes, as he celebrated his 74th birthday. In a statement on Sunday, 29th March, 2026, Tinubu directed the Accountant General to set up a dedicated account for the fund. "I celebrate our brave Armed Forces," he said, adding that the fund will support injured personnel and dependents of those who died serving. Tinubu's pledging his salary as seed funding and is calling on governors, lawmakers, and the private sector to contribute. "This isn't charity, it's duty," he emphasized. The President decided to keep his birthday celebration low-key, due to the country's challenges, and thanked Nigerians for their support, as fund details will be shared later. Credit: X formerly Twitter 

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN  T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

FG Steps Up Fight Against Cyber Threats

N igeria's Federal Government pledges to crack down on cyber threats to protect citizens' digital rights and privacy. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on March 16th, 2025, Dr. Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), revealed the country's robust cybersecurity measures. The government has developed policy and regulatory frameworks, including the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Framework, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015, amended in 2024. NITDA has also introduced sector-specific regulations, such as the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, to enhance digital security. Bakare highlighted NITDA's role in Nigeria's data protection landscape, including the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which has evolved into a full legal framework implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. The agency is fin...