YouTube has partnered with FIFA to expand global access and digital engagement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The agreement allows media partners to stream select matches in full on YouTube, broadcast the first 10 minutes of every game live, and publish extended highlights. FIFA will also make content from its digital archive available, including full past matches and iconic moments, giving fans additional ways to engage with the tournament. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the partnership is designed to strengthen global reach and fan interaction; “By spotlighting FIFA’s premium content and unlocking new opportunities for media partners and creators, this agreement will engage global fans in ways never seen before” The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, making it the largest in the history of the tournament. The ability to stream the opening minutes of every match may allow fans to sample games before committing to full broadcasts, thereby increasing overall viewership and engagement. However, full live match rights remain with traditional broadcasters, and YouTube has not disclosed how many matches will be available in full or which partners will receive streaming rights.
Rising aviation fuel costs may push up airfares
Airlines in Nigeria are warning that domestic airfares may increase as the price of aviation fuel continues to rise, thereby adding pressure on the operational costs. Daily Tech Nigeria gathered from an existing report that Jet A1 fuel is currently selling for about ₦1,835 per litre in Kano, ₦1,820 in Abuja, ₦1,815 in Port Harcourt and ₦1,780 in Lagos. Operators say the rise could lead to a review of ticket prices, subject to regulatory approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Many Nigerians are speculating that the oil and fuel prices in Nigeria are rising as global crude‑oil markets climb above 90 dollars per barrel, which they claim is driven by the escalating tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The spokesman for the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Obiora Okonkwo, in an interview with Arise TV, said operators are assessing how to respond to the situation while complying with existing regulations; “As regards to us in Nigeria, before the war we were getting aviation fuel at about ₦1,000 per litre. As we speak right now, the last fuel we had this evening was going for about ₦1,800” – Okonkwo He added that airlines must submit any proposed fare adjustments to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority at least two weeks before implementation, in line with regulatory requirements. Aviation experts like Samuel Caulcrick said the rise in aviation fuel prices is linked to the dependence of Nigeria on the U.S. dollar for petroleum transactions, even when fuel is produced locally; “If not for the dollar, the Jet A1 you are talking about would be around ₦900” – Caulcrick He added that fuel suppliers and refiners must convert naira earnings into dollars to purchase crude oil at international market rates. Caulcrick also stated that the strategies put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stabilise the naira have helped prevent further increases in fuel costs. Without such intervention, he said, the currency could weaken further and push aviation fuel prices even higher. Stakeholders in the aviation sector, express concerns that travellers could reduce their travel plans if fares increase significantly, likewise, lower demand could affect passenger numbers and put additional pressure on airline revenues.
NAFDAC warns of counterfeit cancer drug circulating in Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned healthcare providers and the public about the circulation of counterfeit vials of the cancer medicine Avastin (bevacizumab) 400mg in the country. The agency said the alert came after a report from the drug’s manufacturer, Roche, after an oncologist raised concerns about suspected fake vials discovered in a local hospital. NAFDAC said the suspected counterfeit products carry batch numbers K1830T71 and H0375B01, with manufacturing dates listed as April 2025 and February 2025 and expiry dates of May 2028 and December 2027. The medicine is used in cancer treatment, including recurrent glioblastoma in adults, and works by blocking the formation of blood vessels that supply tumors. According to NAFDAC, the suspect samples were compared with genuine products in English, French, and Arabic packaging formats because the global trade item number on the product matched that format. However, investigators identified multiple inconsistencies that suggested the medicine was falsified. “The tamper-evidence labels do not correspond to genuine Roche material, and the complaint sample serial number does not correspond to any genuine Roche serial number” – NAFDAC The agency also reported spelling errors in the packaging text and differences in the placement of variable data when compared with authentic products. NAFDAC said it has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit Avastin products found in their jurisdictions. The regulator warned that counterfeit medicines may cause serious health risks because they have not been verified for safety, quality, or effectiveness. The agency advised importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare professionals to obtain medical products only from authorised and licensed suppliers. It also urged healthcare providers to carefully check the authenticity and physical condition of medicines before administering them to patients. The agency has encouraged healthcare workers and consumers to report suspected falsified medicines through its offices, hotline, or pharmacovigilance platforms. The alert was meant to address concerns raised by regulators about counterfeit health products circulating in the country, including falsified HIV test kits, malaria medicines, and infant formula with altered expiry dates, to prevent further distribution.
Easybuy to recruit 10,000 sales representatives across Nigeria in 2026
Easybuy, a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform, has announced a plan to hire 10,000 business developers in Nigeria this year, targeting recent graduates, POS operators, and stay-at-home mothers. Since its Lagos launch in 2019, Easybuy, a subsidiary of Newedge Finance Limited, has utilized a network of thousands of partner stores to provide installment financing for smartphones and home appliances.The program provides a structured monthly salary framework where performance is rewarded with commissions, which allows representatives to operate remotely via mobile devices.Stakeholders like Jessica Ugwuoke, CEO of Newedge Finance Limited, lauded the hiring scheme for its dual-purpose vehicle for corporate growth and social empowerment: “This win-win partnership with Nigerians, on whose support we’ve come this far, reflects our continuous investment in people. Selected applicants… would be empowered with training and the opportunity to become financially independent” The scheme serves as commercial interest by building a huge boots-on-the-ground pipeline to capture the underserved consumer credit market. Easybuy plans to provide participants with digital tools and sales training to ensure high-performance standards.
TikTok raises AI media literacy funding in Sub-Saharan Africa to $2.2 million
TikTok has added $200,000 to its artificial intelligence (AI) media literacy fund for Sub-Saharan Africa, increasing the total regional investment to $2.2 million. The company announced the funding at its third annual Safer Internet Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, where government officials, regulators, and technology industry representatives gathered to discuss digital safety in the region. The funding will be distributed as advertising credits to organisations working to improve digital literacy and address misinformation online. TikTok launched the global AI Literacy Fund in November 2025, to help users understand artificial intelligence and identify manipulated content. Currently, there are three organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa that receive support from the fund. They include Africa Check, which is expanding fact-checking operations in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development through its DUBAWA platform that monitors misinformation across Africa; and Mtoto News in Kenya, which produces educational content to help young people understand AI technology. Valiant Richey, TikTok’s Global Head of Partnerships, Elections and Market Integrity, stated that the funding program aims to prepare users for the rapid growth of artificial intelligence online. “With the rapid advancement of AI, we are committed to educating our community online so they feel empowered to have responsible experiences with AI, whether as viewers or creators” – Richey William Kabogo, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology, stressed that the government are focused on strengthening digital governance in the region. “We are committed to advancing digital innovation, responsible AI governance, and strong regional partnerships for a secure and thriving online ecosystem” – Kabogo Meanwhile, TikTok reported in its Community Guidelines Enforcement report for the third quarter of 2025 that more than 14 million videos were removed across Sub-Saharan Africa, with 96.7% detected and removed proactively using automated technology. TikTok says it has introduced measures including rules requiring creators to label realistic AI-generated content and partnerships with initiatives such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity to improve identification of digital content. The company emphasized that the additional funding will allow more organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa to participate in digital literacy programmes as governments, technology firms, and civil society groups to address online safety and misinformation in the region.
PalmPay empowers 100 women with tech skills to mark International Women’s Day
PalmPay Nigeria has concluded a three-day empowerment program, “Purple Women 3.0,” providing technical training to 100 women to improve female representation in the fintech sector. Now in its third year, the program coincides with International Women’s Day (IWD) and is organized in collaboration with the Global Women’s International Campaign Nigeria.The program, which was held from March 5 to March 7, 2026, aimed to equip participants with skills ranging from software engineering to product management, in order to mitigate the gender imbalance in technical and leadership roles. The 100 participants received training in seven key disciplines, which include, Data Analysis, Software Engineering, UX/UI Design, Product Management, Digital Marketing, Human Resources, and Personal Finance.Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, stated that by expanding women’s participation is a necessity for a robust digital economy; “We launched this initiative because we realised that there are still very few women in fintech and in the wider tech ecosystem. Our goal is to help bridge that gap and create pathways that allow more women to build meaningful careers” At the conclusion of the program, ten outstanding participants were awarded immediate internship placements at PalmPay to gain hands-on industry experience and mentorship.