Author: Tech & Tools Desk

The Borno State Police Command has issued a strong warning over the misuse of tinted vehicles by criminals, stating that such cars are increasingly being used by armed robbers, kidnappers, drug traffickers, and terrorists to conceal their identities and carry out crimes. In a statement released on Saturday, Command spokesperson ASP Nahum Daso revealed that data from recent investigations referred to as Crime Frequency Data highlights a disturbing pattern of tinted vehicles being linked to serious crimes. “Our findings show that tinted glass often helps criminals hide their faces, weapons, and illegal goods,” Daso said, stressing the urgent need for stricter regulation of tinted windows across Nigeria. He cited the April 2, 2024, murder of a University of Maiduguri lecturer as a case in point. CCTV footage showed the vehicle used in the crime, but the suspects could not be identified due to the heavily tinted windows, delaying the investigation. Another tragic incident occurred on September 26, 2025, when three children accidentally locked themselves in a dark-tinted car and suffocated, unnoticed by passersby due to the obscured windows. Daso emphasized that while public safety is the top priority, exemptions will remain for factory-fitted tints, verified VIPs, and individuals with medical conditions like photophobia. “This is not a blanket ban,” he clarified. “Legitimate users can apply for a permit through a digital registration process that captures biometric and vehicle data, helping law enforcement trace vehicles involved in criminal activity.” The Police assured the public that the system is designed to enhance security without violating rights. Officers have been instructed to act professionally, and any cases of misconduct can be reported through the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU). Meanwhile, the Force PRO, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the Nigeria Police has yet to receive a Federal High Court order that reportedly halts enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy.

The Nigeria Police Force says it has not yet been officially served the court order directing it to suspend enforcement of tinted-glass permit regulations. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known on Saturday in response to reports that a Federal High Court had ordered the police to stop arresting or prosecuting motorists over the issue. On Friday, the court, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police & Nigeria Police Force ordered a halt to the enforcement of the permit scheme pending the outcome of the case. The order instructed the police to maintain the status quo. Responding via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Hundeyin said: “While we have not been officially served the court order you’re referencing, let me highlight point number eight (of the same order) since only point six has been circulated. Nigerians deserve the full context.” His reaction came after lawyer Inibehe Effiong shared part of the court’s ruling on social media, highlighting the temporary suspension of enforcement. The police had earlier reinstated the tinted-glass permit system in April 2023 under the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP), after it was suspended in 2022.

The death toll from a school building collapse in Sidoarjo, East Java, climbed to 10 on Friday, officials confirmed, while dozens remain trapped beneath the rubble with little hope of survival days after the tragedy. The multi-storey boarding school collapsed suddenly on Monday as students gathered for afternoon prayers. Nanang Sigit, head of the Surabaya search and rescue office, told reporters that five additional victims were recovered on Friday, all deceased, bringing the overall toll to 10. Two male students were found in the ablution area after being struck by falling debris, according to Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director of the national search and rescue agency. Another three victims were pulled from nearby areas of the site. Authorities had previously reported that 59 people were missing before Friday’s discoveries. Distraught families have been waiting at the scene as investigators probe the cause of the collapse, with early findings suggesting substandard construction. Rescue teams described the operation as delicate, warning that vibrations in one part of the wreckage could endanger others. However, families agreed on Thursday to allow the use of heavy machinery after the critical 72-hour survival window had passed. At least one crane has been deployed to clear debris, with more expected to speed up recovery. Efforts were briefly interrupted by an overnight earthquake on Tuesday, further complicating the mission.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed counterfeit, expired, substandard, and falsified drugs and products valued at N15 billion in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this during the destruction exercise. She was represented by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Martins Iluyomade. Adeyeye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages are safe and effective for consumption. “The products destroyed today include expired, counterfeit, unregistered, and banned drugs such as Analgin, Cocodamol, codeine cough syrup, tramadol, oxytocin, and several types of vaccines,” she said. “The estimated street value of these products is put at N15 billion.” She explained that the destruction exercise was crucial to preventing the re-entry of such harmful products into Nigerian markets. The DG also commended the support of the police, Nigerian Army, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, among others. Adeyeye urged stakeholders to educate their families and communities about the dangers of patronising quacks and unlicensed medicine dealers. Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, S.K. Tijani highlighted the strong collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC in the fight against fake and substandard products, stressing that all stakeholders must work together to rid the nation of such criminal activities.

As the global economy becomes increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerian businesses to treat data as a vital asset and the new oil in order to secure the country’s place on the global stage. Speaking at the 10th FATE Business Conference themed “The AI-Powered Business: Innovate, Automate, Accelerate”, Hamzat emphasized that unlike oil, data grows in value the more it is refined and utilized. He stressed that Nigeria has the talent, creativity, and market size needed to become a leader in the AI-powered economy. “AI has the potential to help Nigerian businesses accelerate growth, reach more people, and create greater impact than ever before,” he said. “But acceleration requires readiness. Businesses must invest in digital infrastructure, develop the right talent, and embrace agility. Those who move quickly and intelligently will lead, while others will be left behind.” Hamzat likened the rise of AI to the internet revolution of the last two decades, warning that businesses must act now or risk irrelevance. He pointed out that while countries like India are investing billions in AI, Nigeria can compete by focusing on data, ensuring African input shapes global AI systems to avoid bias and flawed outcomes. He added: “Data must be seen as the new oil, but unlike oil, its value increases the more you refine it. We must not make decisions based on emotion or bias, but on interrogated data. In this AI economy, ecosystems matter more than ego — collaboration between government, academia, startups, and corporations is key.” Also speaking, Chairman of GENAI Learning Concepts Limited, Sunny Iroche, highlighted infrastructure gaps, particularly unreliable power supply, as a major barrier to Nigeria’s ability to maximize AI opportunities. He urged the country to address these challenges or risk being left behind. Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, explained that the conference theme was designed to reflect the realities of business growth in a rapidly changing global environment. “From inception, this platform has been about connecting entrepreneurs across programs and sectors to share, learn, and inspire one another,” she said.

The Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, CON, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2025, held in South Africa. The recognition celebrates his role in transforming Oando into one of Africa’s foremost integrated energy companies and his enduring contributions to the continent’s energy sector. The Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred annually on leaders whose vision, resilience, and impact have shaped Africa’s energy landscape. In presenting the award, the Africa Energy Chamber commended Tinubu for his dedication to energy security on the continent, his ability to steer Oando through turbulent times, and his demonstration of how indigenous enterprises can drive growth, innovation, and energy independence. According to a statement by Oando, Tinubu has consistently championed Africa’s ability to harness its own abundant resources for the benefit of its people. Under his leadership, Oando evolved from a small downstream operator into a multinational energy group with a portfolio spanning oil and gas exploration, power, and renewables. The statement described him as “a firm believer that greatness can be achieved through vision, determination, and the right team,” noting that his leadership has positioned Oando as a continental leader while symbolising African ambition, ingenuity, and resilience. The award, regarded as a benchmark of excellence at AEW, honours individuals whose contributions over decades have left a lasting mark on the industry. Past recipients include Afreximbank President, Professor Benedict Oramah (2024); former Namibian President, Hage Geingob, and former Senegalese President, Macky Sall (2023); as well as Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons, Bruno Itoua (2022). Tinubu has previously been recognised for transforming Oando from a petroleum marketing firm into a fully integrated energy group. Beyond business, he has also been acknowledged for his roles in social enterprise and philanthropy. Earlier in 2025, Oando Energy Resources, the upstream subsidiary of Oando Plc, was awarded operatorship of Block KON 13 in Angola’s Onshore Kwanza Basin after a competitive bidding round. The block, located in one of Angola’s most prolific regions, holds an estimated 770 to 1,100 million barrels of prospective oil resources.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has assured the public that visa and passport services will remain operational despite the ongoing partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government. In a statement posted Wednesday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the embassy explained that although routine updates on its social media channels will be paused due to a lapse in government funding, consular services including visa and passport processing will continue “as the situation permits.” “Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the post read. “At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations.” The embassy clarified that while appointments and processing are expected to proceed, updates on social platforms will be limited strictly to critical safety and security information until funding is restored. The announcement comes amid concerns from Nigerians especially students, business travelers, and families worried that the U.S. shutdown might delay visa applications or impact travel plans. The current government shutdown, triggered by a budget impasse between Congress and the President, has forced several U.S. federal agencies to scale back operations. While essential services like military, mail delivery, and Social Security continue, many federal workers are furloughed without pay until a funding agreement is reached. U.S. government shutdowns occur when lawmakers fail to pass legislation to fund federal operations. In the meantime, Nigerians seeking information on visa appointments or passport services are advised to visit travel.state.gov for official updates and guidance.

Medical experts have raised alarm over the growing incidence of heart failure among young Nigerians, linking the trend to poor lifestyle habits, rising obesity, lack of exercise, and substance abuse. They expressed concern that the disease, often underdiagnosed and poorly managed, now claims lives faster than some cancers. Many patients, they said, die either during hospital admission or shortly after discharge, largely due to late presentation, poor access to treatment, and low public awareness. Cardiologists noted that unlike in Western countries where heart failure typically occurs from age 70, Nigerians are increasingly affected between ages 55 and 59, cutting down people in their most productive years and compounding the nation’s economic struggles. Statistics from the World Health Organisation show that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 17.9 million deaths annually. Four out of five CVD deaths are caused by heart attacks and strokes, while one-third occur prematurely in people under 70. Professor of Medicine and Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, James Ogunmodede, described the situation as a looming epidemic if urgent interventions are not introduced. “Heart failure carries an unacceptably high mortality rate. More than 10 per cent of patients die during admission, and nearly 50 per cent within five years of diagnosis. These figures are worse than those of some cancers,” he warned. Ogunmodede called for aggressive reforms, including nationwide public health education, early screening for hypertension, routine medical check-ups in schools and workplaces, and government-backed subsidies for treatment. “Treatment should be made free. Many patients lose their earning capacity once diagnosed, while the cost of care remains high. If left unchecked, the burden of heart failure could overwhelm our health system,” he added. He also stressed the importance of lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, moderating salt intake, and regular exercise. Supporting his views, Dr. Ramon Moronkola, a Consultant Cardiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the need to tackle modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. “Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables, reduced saturated fat, and consistent physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” he said. Both experts urged Nigerians to embrace annual health checks, while calling on the government to strengthen primary healthcare, improve referral systems, and integrate preventive measures into community-level interventions.

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has condemned the decision of three international airlines to continue selling tickets exclusively in United States dollars, describing the practice as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and damaging to the naira. NANTA President, Yinka Folarin, criticised what he termed an arrogant stance by a few foreign carriers who have refused to reintroduce the naira into their ticketing platforms despite improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. According to him, while most airlines have embraced the use of the local currency, a handful are deliberately sidelining it. “It is no longer a general industry problem. Only about three airlines are still selling exclusively in dollars. We are not allowed to name them due to professional ethics and anti-competition rules, but their actions are clear: they are punishing the naira, excluding it from trade within its own country,” Folarin said. He emphasised that the issue goes beyond aviation, describing dollar-only ticketing as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He added that the airlines’ actions were particularly concerning at a time when the naira is showing signs of stability following monetary reforms. “There is no justifiable reason for this anymore; liquidity has improved, the process is more transparent, and there are no outstanding remittance issues. Over 30 airlines are currently repatriating funds without challenges. If those ones can comply, why are these three still operating otherwise? It’s simply arrogance,” he declared. Folarin commended the Central Bank of Nigeria and other authorities for steps taken to improve transparency in the foreign exchange market, urging all stakeholders to align with the federal government’s economic recovery agenda. “We are not asking for favors, we are asking for fairness. The naira deserves to be respected in its own country,” he insisted. Aviation expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), linked the controversy to unresolved concerns about trapped airline funds. He noted that if the government has fully settled the outstanding remittances owed to these carriers, then there is no justification for dollar-only ticketing in Nigeria. “I am not sure if they have gotten their money. But if they have, the government should stop them immediately. I think this is happening because some people may be benefiting from it internally. That cannot stand if we are no longer owing them. It is wrong and must be corrected without delay,” Ojikutu said. He acknowledged that airlines often pay service charges in dollars and may seek to recover costs in the same currency, but stressed that Nigeria must assert its sovereignty. “If a foreign airline continues to take dollars for ticket sales, it should be stopped and investigated,” he added. Industry stakeholders say the continued rejection of the naira is more than a commercial dispute — it undermines Nigeria’s economic stability and independence. With over 30 airlines already transacting in naira, attention now rests on the few holdouts whose actions, they warn, risk reversing the progress made in restoring confidence in the local currency.

Nigeria has marked a major milestone in its digital trade transformation with the international registration of its Tax Identification Number (Tax-ID) and the designation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the country’s Peppol Authority. The development, achieved with support from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), officially registers Nigeria’s Tax-ID under the ISO/IEC 6523 International Coding System. This recognition enables Nigerian individuals and businesses to participate more effectively in cross-border transactions. Peppol, a globally accepted framework for the secure and standardised exchange of electronic documents, is already operational across Europe, Asia, and Australia. With FIRS now serving as Nigeria’s Peppol Authority, local businesses can connect seamlessly to this international network—benefiting from faster payments, lower administrative costs, and improved global competitiveness. According to FIRS, the initiative simplifies taxpayer compliance while boosting investor confidence. “This milestone enables smoother cross-border transactions, reduces compliance challenges, and strengthens Nigeria’s position as a hub for global trade and investment,” the agency stated. Under the new system, Tax-IDs generated from the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) numbers for businesses will now be internationally referenceable. The framework is also expected to reduce duplication, minimise errors, and ease compliance by harmonising Tax-IDs across federal and state levels. In addition, FIRS has unveiled the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS) e-invoicing platform. Large taxpayers must adopt the platform by 1 November 2025, with medium and small businesses to follow in phases. Companies are encouraged to validate their Tax-IDs, update accounting systems, and integrate with the platform promptly. “The launch of MBS marks another leap forward in simplifying tax administration, closing compliance gaps, and aligning Nigeria with international standards in taxation and cross-border trade,” FIRS added.