Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched its most aggressive campaign yet against fake engagement and online scams, removing over 100 million fake Facebook Pages and tens of millions of impersonator profiles in 2024 alone. The sweeping action is part of Meta’s renewed effort to restore authenticity and trust on its platforms, responding to growing concerns over spam, impersonation, and cybercrime. Meta’s latest crackdown targets spam networks that coordinate fake engagement, such as scripted comments, excessive hashtags, and irrelevant captions, designed to artificially boost content reach and monetization. Accounts using these tactics now face reduced visibility and are barred from earning money through Facebook’s monetization programs. “We are committed to making Facebook’s Feed more relevant and helping creators break through,” Meta said in a statement. “Too many spammy content are crowding out authentic creators and hurting the Facebook experience”. To further clean up the platform, Meta is testing new features that allow users to flag disruptive or irrelevant comments, aiming to foster more meaningful interactions. The company is also enhancing its comment moderation tools, enabling creators to auto-hide comments from suspected fake accounts and report impersonators directly from comment sections. Impersonation remains a critical concern, especially for creators with large followings. In 2024, Meta removed more than 23 million profiles pretending to be content creators. The company is investing in advanced tools to detect and block these impersonators, further protecting users and creators from abuse. In a related effort, Meta has taken down about 63,000 Instagram accounts registered in Nigeria linked to sextortion scams, where criminals use fake profiles to extort victims with compromising photos. These scams, often coordinated by groups operating thousands of accounts, have targeted both adults and children, sometimes with tragic consequences. Meta also removed over 7,000 Facebook accounts, pages, and groups in Nigeria that were providing tips and manuals for conducting such scams. The company says most attempts were unsuccessful, but the rise in sextortion has increased pressure on social platforms to act decisively. Beyond removals, Meta is upgrading its Rights Manager tool to help creators protect their intellectual property and is providing more guidance to support original content. Accounts that attempt to manipulate the algorithm or flood feeds with low-quality content will face further penalties, including limited reach and exclusion from monetization. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has signaled a commitment to what he calls “OG Facebook,” promising users a feed filled with authentic, engaging posts from real people, not spam or scams.The company says it will keep investing in technology and moderation to ensure a safer, more rewarding experience for all users.
NLC slams power Minister over claim that 150 million Nigerians enjoy adequate electricity
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for his recent claim that more than 150 million Nigerians now enjoy “adequate electricity.” The union described the statement as a serious misrepresentation of the real situation facing millions of Nigerians who continue to struggle with unreliable power supply. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC dismissed the Minister’s remarks, made during the 2025 Ministerial Sectoral Update Conference in Abuja, as “pretentious” and “a bad joke.” Minister Adelabu had attributed the supposed progress to Nigeria’s involvement in the World Bank and African Development Bank’s “Mission 300” initiative, which aims to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. However, the NLC argued that the reality on the ground tells a very different story. “This wild assertion is not only pretentious, it is a bad joke on a people daily confronted by grinding darkness, outrageous electricity tariffs, and a power sector manipulated for private profit,” Ajaero said. The union pointed out that Nigeria’s national grid has never generated more than 5,500 megawatts of electricity, a figure it says is nowhere near enough for a country of over 200 million people. According to the NLC, to truly meet the needs of the population, Nigeria should be producing at least 150,000 megawatts. “Millions of Nigerians, from urban slums to rural communities, continue to live without access to electricity,” the NLC stated. “The few who have access do so under constant threat of disconnection, blackouts, and financial exploitation through a complex pyramid of inflated tariffs.” The NLC also criticized the privatization of the power sector, blaming it for prioritizing profit over service delivery. The union claims that, more than a decade after the sector was privatized, there has been little improvement in electricity supply, while consumers continue to face high costs and unreliable service. Recent data from the World Bank supports the NLC’s stance, showing that only about 60% of Nigerians had access to electricity as of 2022, with rural access even lower at just 27%. Even those with access often experience frequent outages and poor service quality. Despite government efforts and international support to improve the situation, Nigeria’s electricity supply remains inconsistent and insufficient for its growing population. The NLC is calling for urgent reforms and greater accountability in the power sector to address these longstanding issues.
NITDA to host inaugural startup consultative forum in Abuja on April 28
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced it will host the inaugural Startup Consultative Forum in Abuja on Monday, April 28, 2025. This landmark event is set to bring together Nigeria’s leading startup founders, innovators, investors, and ecosystem enablers in a collaborative effort to shape the future of the country’s digital economy. The forum, organized under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), marks a significant step in deepening engagement among stakeholders within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding startup sector. According to NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hadiza Umar, the event will serve as an interactive platform for participants to actively contribute to national policy discussions that foster growth, attract investment, and drive digital innovation. A central focus of the meeting will be the nomination and selection of representatives for the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, also known as the Startup Council. This council is set to become the highest advisory body for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, ensuring that the voices of the tech and innovation community are heard at the highest levels of policy-making. “The meeting will emphasize collaborative dialogue, with a primary focus on nominating and selecting representatives for the Startup Council,” Umar said. “Decisions from this forum will lay the foundation for inclusive policy development and amplify the voices of Nigeria’s tech and innovation community”. NITDA is extending an open invitation to all labelled startups, verified entrepreneurial and innovation support organizations, angel investors, venture capitalists, and other relevant stakeholders to participate in the forum and take part in the nomination and voting process. The agency encourages interested parties to join in shaping the future of digital innovation in Nigeria. For further information, stakeholders are advised to visit NITDA’s official website or follow @nitdanigeria on social media. This forum represents a major milestone in building a thriving, inclusive, and innovation-driven startup ecosystem that supports and celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians.
Air Peace grounds all flights nationwide as NiMet strike halts weather services
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, has suspended all flight operations across the country following the indefinite strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which began on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The airline cited the unavailability of critical weather and navigational data as the main reason for the decision, stressing that passenger and crew safety cannot be compromised. NiMet’s industrial action has disrupted the provision of essential meteorological guidance, including QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings. Without these updates, Air Peace said it would be unsafe to operate, especially as weather conditions worsened through the day. “With NiMet on strike, there is no meteorological guidance. The weather is bad at this time, and we cannot fly blind. We are not ready to jeopardize lives, aircraft, or crew,” a spokesperson explained. The strike stems from unresolved welfare issues, including unpaid allowances and wage disputes. As a result, Air Peace began the day with scheduled flights but was forced to ground its entire fleet as the situation escalated. The airline assured customers that it is monitoring developments closely and will provide updates as soon as the strike is resolved. While some airlines reportedly continued limited operations, Air Peace’s move highlights the critical role of real-time weather data in aviation safety. The suspension has also caused a spike in ticket prices and left many travelers scrambling for alternatives. Air Peace thanked its customers for their understanding and reiterated that safety remains its highest priority.
FG launches flight operations at Bola Tinubu international airport, Minna
The Federal Government has officially launched commercial flight operations at the newly reconstructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State. The inauguration, held on Wednesday, was led by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the airport as a strategic alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Keyamo noted that the government is finalizing plans to deploy Customs, Immigration, Police, NDLEA, and other key agencies to ensure seamless passenger processing, especially if operational disruptions occur in Abuja. Governor Umaru Bago praised President Bola Tinubu for his support in making the project a reality. He highlighted ongoing upgrades, including a renovated terminal and runway, a new modern terminal, a 500-unit aviation estate, a fuel dump, and a five-star Hilton hotel. The airport, which sits on 3,000 hectares, is also being supported by a 1,000-kilometre road network to boost connectivity and operations. The new airport is expected to drive investment, create jobs, and significantly contribute to Niger State’s GDP, particularly in agriculture. Overland Airways, the first airline to operate from the airport, has committed to providing excellent service and called for continued stakeholder support. Beyond commercial flights, the airport has been designated as the site for a $3.2 million Army Aviation Hangar, set to house attack helicopters, UAVs, and light aircraft to support surveillance and security operations in the region. The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport is poised to become a major aviation and logistics hub, connecting Minna to key cities and international destinations, and opening new economic opportunities for Niger State and beyond.
Nigeria’s foreign affairs ministry warns against fake online recruitment
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong warning to Nigerians about a fraudulent recruitment exercise currently making the rounds online and on social media. In an official statement signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry categorically disassociated itself from the fake job advertisements, which falsely claim to offer employment opportunities within the Ministry and even bear the forged signature of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs. “The Ministry unequivocally disassociates itself from this misleading and malicious advertisement and urges the general public to disregard such announcements and refrain from engaging with individuals or entities promoting these fraudulent schemes,” the statement read. The Ministry emphasized that all legitimate recruitment into the Nigerian Foreign Service is handled exclusively by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), not directly by the Ministry. The FCSC is the only authorized body to conduct hiring for federal ministries and agencies. The Ministry further stressed that it does not request or accept payments for job applications or appointments, warning the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to scams. The FCSC recruitment process is transparent and merit-based. All announcements are made through official government channels. Applications are only accepted via the official recruitment portal: recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng. Applicants are required to submit only one application and upload necessary documents, including: Curriculum Vitae (CV) Degree, HND, NCE, or equivalent certificates WAEC/NECO/NABTEB certificate NYSC discharge or exemption certificate Birth certificate or declaration of age Local government identification Recent passport photograph The FCSC’s current recruitment drive, which began on January 27, 2025, was extended to March 17, 2025, due to high applicant traffic and technical challenges on the portal. The Commission assured the public that these issues are being addressed to ensure a smooth application process. The recruitment is open to all eligible Nigerians, including those with physical challenges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity in all its processes, urging Nigerians to rely only on official communication channels for information about job opportunities. Any official announcement regarding recruitment into the Foreign Service will be made through authorized government platforms in partnership with the FCSC. Nigerians are advised to disregard unsolicited job offers, never pay anyone for job applications, and report suspicious activity to the authorities. For genuine updates on vacancies and application procedures, always refer to the FCSC’s official portal and trusted news outlets.