The Federal Government has launched a campaign against the online activities of criminal networks, announcing on Tuesday, December 23, that it has pinpointed and removed multiple social media accounts operated by bandits and terrorists. Major General Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), stated that sites used to flaunt stolen goods and broadcast live criminal discussions are being dismantled one after the other. There was a time when bandits flaunted their loot on TikTok. We’ve shut those accounts down, you don’t see it anymore. They even went live… but we’ve tackled all that – Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka This is aimed towards addressing the rising pattern of non-state actors, leveraging on social media platforms to boast about attacks, collecting ransom payments, and sometimes for recruitment. For years now, bandits leaders like Bello Turji have turned to platforms like TikTok and Facebook to terrorize vulnerable communities, display ransom money stacks and arsenals to lure new members. Security forces are partnering closely with TikTok, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Snapchat, and X to flag and suspend unverified profiles linked to terror groups. The security forces have been victorious in tracking ransom transactions from Point-of-Sale (POS) operators. Criminals often use POS terminals to receive ransom transfers and withdraw cash, making it more difficult to trace than traditional bank transfers. The NCTC plans to enforce key strategies in dismantling the online activities of criminal groups in 2026, under its new Strategic 2025-2030 plan, which utilizes AI-driven tools and network analysis to foresee and disrupt terror funding at the POS stage. The public is encouraged to flag any social media accounts suspected of promoting banditry or fundraising for crimes.
OpenAI introduces ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’
By Oluwatunmise Omoseyin OpenAI has rolled out a new year in review feature for ChatGPT users, offering a personalised look back at how people used the chatbot throughout the year. The experience, called ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’, is designed to be light, reflective and easy to enjoy. The recap presents users with a summary of their activity on ChatGPT, showing what they asked about most and how they interacted with the tool, just like Spotify Wrapped. It uses simple visuals and playful language to turn everyday chats into a short digital story. One standout part of the feature is its creative touch. ChatGPT generates a poem and a piece of pixel style artwork inspired by the most common topics of the user, whether it is writing, problem-solving, learning or creative projects. The review also assigns users fun titles or “archetypes” based on their chat habits, alongside small awards that reflect how they use the platform. The aim is to make the recap feel personal rather than technical. ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’ is available on both the web and mobile apps for eligible Free, Plus and Pro users. It can be accessed through the ChatGPT sidebar or by simply asking the chatbot for a year-end review. To use the feature, users must have chat history and saved memory options enabled and meet a basic level of activity. The recap does not open automatically and remains optional. OpenAI says the feature respects user privacy, giving people control over their data and what is remembered. Team, Education and Enterprise accounts are not included in the rollout.
Sun King rolls out installment phones for traders, students nationwide
After nearly two decades of providing off-grid solar solutions, Sun King has officially launched a smartphone financing model in Nigeria. Announced on Tuesday, December 23, the initiative applies the successful “Pay-As-You-Go” (PayGo) solar framework of the company to mobile devices, allowing customers to bypass high upfront costs through small, periodic installments. We are now extending the same approach as solar to smartphones… making it easier for people to stay connected and participate fully in the digital economy – Omoyemi Tuga, VP for PayGo Sales (West & Central Africa), Sun King Sun King, formerly called Greenlight Planet, has been a leader in the off-grid sector since 2007, and has extended over $1.4 billion in solar loans globally. The company aims to reach the informal sector including traders, students, and farmers, who lack access to traditional banking credit, by leveraging its existing network of community-based agents across all 36 Nigerian states.This mirrors models used by competitors like M-KOPA and EasyBuy, where the device is digitally locked if payments are missed and unlocked upon completion of the contract.The financing is available through Sun King’s network of field agents and retail shops in every state and the FCT, in order to ensure grassroots reach.The model covers popular mid-range and entry-level brands, including Samsung (A-series), Tecno (Pop/Spark series), and Infinix (Smart/Hot series).Customers can take a device home the same day after a quick onboarding process and an initial deposit, with no requirement for formal collateral or proof of income.
Nigeria and Google in advanced talks for new subsea cable
The Federal Government of Nigeria is currently in talks with Google Alphabet Inc., to deploy a new undersea fiber-optic cable. This was announced on Tuesday, December 23, marking a transition by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to eliminate a single point of failure in the digital infrastructure of the country.According to NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Nigeria currently relies on subsea cables that follow identical geographic paths to Europe. This concentration makes the $1 trillion digital economy target of Nigeria vulnerable to disruptions if a single cable is damaged.In September 2025, Google unveiled its intention to expand its footprint in Africa by announcing plans for four new infrastructure hubs, cutting across the North, South, East, and West of the continent. These hubs include landing stations and data centers designed to link its newest cables, Equiano and Umoja, to local markets. The new cable will follow a different path than existing links to Europe, in order to provide a backup that will ensure connectivity even if primary cables are damaged.A Google spokesperson confirmed that talks are at an advanced stage, building on Google’s surpassed $1 billion investment pledge for African digital transformation. Nigeria’s current reliance on cables that follow the same path is a ‘single point of failure.’ We want to increase our existing links… to help transform Nigeria into a digital hub – Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG of NITDA The new Google cable and its associated infrastructure hubs are to be completed within the next three years. This would lower the cost of wholesale data for local providers like MTN and Airtel, leading to cheaper data plans for consumers. NITDA is also working with the World Bank on a 90,000km terrestrial fiber rollout to ensure this subsea capacity reaches the last mile in rural Nigeria.
Behind The Scenes becomes fastest film to hit ₦500M
Nollywood’s “Detty December” has reached a pitch as Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes solidified its status as a box office juggernaut, crossing the ₦500 million mark in record time. According to data released on Tuesday, December 23, the film achieved this milestone in just 12 days, surpassing the previous record for the fastest Nollywood film to reach a half-billion naira.Meanwhile, Toyin Abraham’s “Oversabi Aunty” made a grand entrance, with approximately ₦100 million during its opening weekend. Following closely on December 19, Toyin Abraham released Oversabi Aunty. The comedy-drama focuses on the interference of a well-meaning but meddlesome relative, a theme that resonated with local audiences.Funke Akindele, who currently holds the record for the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time, “Everybody Loves Jenifa” at ₦1.88 billion, released “Behind The Scenes” on December 12. The film explores the “black tax” and the hidden burdens of a successful entrepreneur.Behind The Scenes reached ₦514 million faster than any previous Nollywood title, including Akindele’s own 2024 hit, Everybody Loves Jenifa.Funke Akindele has produced the highest-grossing film of 2025, dethroning the heist thriller Gingerrr, which peaked at ₦509 million.Despite the heavy competition, Toyin Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty secured the number two spot on the charts.
Google delays full switch from Assistant to Gemini on Android
By Oluwatunmise Omoseyin Google has delayed its plan to fully replace Google Assistant with its Gemini AI on Android devices, pushing the transition into 2026. The company had earlier indicated that Gemini would become the default assistant on most Android phones by the end of 2025. However, Google says it needs more time to ensure a smooth and reliable experience for users before completing the switch. Gemini, designed to handle voice commands, app controls and smart home tasks, has already been set as the default assistant on new devices such as the Pixel 9 series. Still, Google Assistant continues to run alongside Gemini on many Android phones. Google explained that replacing Assistant, which has been part of Android for nearly a decade, is more complex than expected. Gemini requires more processing power and memory, and only devices running Android 10 or later with at least 2GB of RAM will be eligible for the upgrade. This means some older and low-end phones, especially in developing markets, may not support Gemini fully. Google said it wants to avoid performance issues that could affect everyday tasks like setting alarms, navigation and voice dictation. Google aims to improve Gemini’s speed, accuracy and reliability, by extending the timeline, before making it the sole assistant on Android. For now, both services will continue to coexist, with Gemini gradually taking on more responsibilities as updates are released.