Nigeria’s cinema industry kicked off 2025 with a bang, as box office revenues soared to N3.48 billion in the first quarter-a 54.7% jump from the same period last year. The figures, released by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, reflect a remarkable 132% increase compared to Q1 2023, underlining a robust recovery and growing appetite for cinema among Nigerians. Admissions also climbed, with 661,801 moviegoers visiting cinemas nationwide between January and March, up nearly 11% from Q1 2024. This steady growth is fueled by strong local content and a compelling mix of international blockbusters. Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” led the pack, grossing N618.2 million to become the quarter’s top earner. Nollywood’s “Alakada: Bad and Boujee” followed closely with N500.5 million, while “Moana 2” and Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” each drew large audiences, earning N400 million and N396 million respectively. Nigerian filmmakers continued to shine, with Funke Akindele maintaining her box office dominance and new names like Timini Egbuson making notable debuts. “Reel Love” and “Everybody Loves Jenifa” also contributed to the strong results, highlighting the broadening appeal of Nollywood productions. Industry experts say the surge in revenue and attendance signals a sustained recovery for cinemas after previous disruptions.
Nigeria to enforce $15 daily fine for visa overstayers, with tougher entry bans starting September
Starting 1st September, 2025, Nigeria will introduce a strict new penalty for foreigners who overstay their visas: a $15 daily fine for each day spent in the country beyond the approved period. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced this measure as part of broad immigration reforms under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, aiming to curb visa abuse and strengthen border security. The new rules don’t stop at daily fines. Travelers who overstay by three months or more will face a five-year re-entry ban, while those who stay a year or longer risk being blacklisted with a ten-year or even permanent ban from returning to Nigeria. The NIS has clarified that the overstay tracking system will go live on August 2, 2025, with penalties enforced from September 1, 2025. To help travelers adjust, authorities are offering a three-month grace period from May 1 to August 1, 2025. During this window, foreigners with expired visas can leave Nigeria without facing penalties. The government says these changes are designed to promote responsible migration, protect national security, and ensure compliance with immigration laws. The NIS urges all foreign visitors and expatriates to familiarize themselves with the new regulations and regularize their status before the grace period ends.
TikTok fined €530 million for illegal user data transfers to China
ByteDance’s TikTok has been slapped with a €530 million ($600 million) fine by the European Union for unlawfully transferring user data to China, violating the bloc’s strict privacy standards. The penalty was handed down by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), which acts as TikTok’s lead EU regulator due to the company’s European headquarters in Dublin. The platform has been given six months to halt all unauthorized data transfers. “TikTok did not address potential access by Chinese authorities to EEA personal data under Chinese anti-terrorism, counter-espionage and other laws identified by TikTok as materially diverging from EU standards,” said Deputy Commissioner at the DPC, Graham Doyle. The regulator revealed that TikTok admitted in April that European user data had been stored on servers located in China-directly contradicting earlier claims made during the investigation. The DPC further criticized TikTok for failing to adequately safeguard user information from potential access by Chinese state authorities under Beijing’s national security laws. In response, TikTok said it will appeal the decision in full, maintaining that it has never received a data request from Chinese authorities, nor provided any European user data to them. This latest fine ranks as the third largest ever under the EU’s GDPR framework, trailing penalties against Meta Platforms Inc. (€1.2 billion) and Amazon.com Inc. (€746 million). It also follows a €345 million fine in 2023 against TikTok for mishandling children’s personal data. The Irish watchdog has long warned about Big Tech firms transferring EU user data to jurisdictions with weaker privacy protections. Its investigation into TikTok began in 2021, amid concerns that maintenance and AI engineers in China could potentially access European data. Beyond privacy concerns, TikTok is also facing a probe under the EU Digital Services Act for allegedly failing to prevent the spread of fake accounts and foreign interference during Romania’s 2024 presidential election. The platform remains under scrutiny for its addictive design and perceived failure to protect underage users.
From hospital wards to social media stardom: Aproko doctor shares his journey on paid in full
Dr. Chinonso Egemba, widely known as Aproko Doctor, is redefining what it means to be a healthcare professional in the digital age. Once dedicated to treating patients within hospital walls, Dr. Egemba has built a thriving social media empire, reaching millions with accessible health information and advocacy. In a recent episode of the “Paid In Full” podcast, Aproko Doctor opened up about his unconventional career path. He described how he leveraged his medical expertise and passion for public health to create engaging content that educates Nigerians on wellness, disease prevention, and lifestyle choices. “I realized I could help more people by meeting them where they already spend their time-online,” Dr. Egemba shared. His journey hasn’t just been about influence. Aproko Doctor discussed how he transformed his digital presence into a structured business, securing partnerships, diversifying revenue streams, and turning health advocacy into a sustainable enterprise. For professionals considering a similar leap, his story offers both inspiration and practical insights. His success highlights the growing power of social media to drive positive change-and the opportunities available for experts willing to innovate beyond traditional roles.
FIRS urges court to dismiss Binance’s move in $79.5 billion tax dispute
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is pushing back against Binance Holdings Limited in a high-stakes legal battle over alleged tax evasion and economic losses totaling $79.5 billion. On Tuesday, FIRS asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss Binance’s application challenging an earlier court order that allowed the agency to serve legal documents via email. The court had granted this order in February, citing Binance’s lack of physical presence in Nigeria. Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange registered in the Cayman Islands, argues that Nigerian law requires court documents for foreign companies to be served directly to a company director or at its registered office. Binance’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, said the FIRS did not follow proper procedures for serving a foreign entity and called for the electronic service to be invalidated. FIRS countered that Binance’s registration status is unclear and that the company has no office in the Cayman Islands, but maintains significant business activity in Nigeria. The agency noted that Binance’s General Counsel, Eleanor Hughes, who received the court documents by email, acts as a principal officer and has previously engaged with Nigerian authorities. FIRS also stated that attempts were made to serve Binance’s detained representative, Tigran Gambaryan, in person, but Binance directed that legal papers go through its law firm in Nigeria. The agency insists Binance is aware of the proceedings, as shown by its legal team’s court appearances. The court has set May 12 for the next hearing, when it will decide whether to uphold the substituted service order or grant Binance’s request to set it aside.
NCC initiates review of 22-year-old communications Act to address modern tech challenges
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003 to modernize Nigeria’s telecommunications regulatory framework. This aims to address the rapid technological advancements that have transformed the digital landscape since the law was enacted over two decades ago. During a stakeholder colloquium held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Lagos, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized that the 21-year-old legislation no longer aligns with the demands of today’s innovation-driven environment. He highlighted the need to adapt the regulatory framework to accommodate transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and blockchain, which are reshaping the global communications sector. “The reality of 2025 demands we reimagine Nigeria’s digital future,” Dr. Maida stated, advocating for a proactive rather than reactive regulatory approach. He envisioned “a revised Nigerian Communications Act that not only addresses today’s challenges but anticipates tomorrow’s opportunities-a framework that positions Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy”. The NCC has identified several critical gaps in the current legislation that need addressing: Emerging Technologies: The original Act was written when technologies like 5G, AI, blockchain, and IoT were either in their infancy or nonexistent. The revision aims to include regulatory sandboxes, innovation hubs, and adaptive licensing frameworks that allow for innovation while maintaining appropriate oversight. Convergence of Sectors: The growing overlap between telecommunications, broadcasting, and information technology has created regulatory challenges. The revised Act is expected to be technology-neutral and facilitate better coordination with other regulatory bodies like the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Cybersecurity and Data Protection: With the rise of digital platforms has come an increase in cyber threats. The NCC aims to strengthen these areas by harmonizing the NCA with other relevant laws, such as the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigerian Data Protection Act. Infrastructure Challenges: Dr. Maida identified persistent infrastructure and regulatory issues that must be addressed, including unreliable power supply, high costs of right-of-way (RoW), rising operating expenses, and limited broadband availability in rural areas. Consumer Protection: The revised Act aims to increase penalties for non-compliance, establish more accessible grievance channels, and enforce regular publication of service quality metrics to hold operators accountable. Despite its limitations, the NCC acknowledged the significant contributions of the original 2003 Act, which liberalized Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, dismantled the monopoly of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), and established the NCC as an independent regulator. These reforms led to exponential growth in mobile subscriptions-from under 300,000 in 2001 to over 150 million today-along with increased internet penetration and the development of a digital economy that now contributes approximately 14% to Nigeria’s GDP. The telecommunications sector has fostered innovations such as mobile banking, e-commerce, and e-learning, which have transformed the lives of millions of Nigerians. However, the digital economy has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, and the law has struggled to keep pace with these changes.