PalmPay, one of Nigeria’s top fintech platforms, is planning to build a new generation of tech-smart youths, teaming up with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to start the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Programme. Teaching Nigerian youths how to keep their data safe online, the goal of this partnership is to train over one million young Nigerians on digital safety and data protection within three years. The official launch took place last week at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre in Abuja. The program is set to give young people practical knowledge and skills to stay safe while using technology. With youths making up more than 70% of Nigeria’s population, experts say this move could go a long way to protect users and grow trust in the digital economy. At the event, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, praised PalmPay’s role in making the training possible. He called the programme “a bold step toward building a digitally literate and security-conscious generation.” He also pointed out that few Nigerians know about the country’s Data Protection Act of 2023 and noted a lack of certified Data Protection Officers, even though there are more than 500,000 data controllers in Nigeria. PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, spoke about the importance of privacy in today’s tech world. He stated, “For us, data protection is as essential as innovation”. He assured the public that PalmPay builds privacy protections into all its products so users’ information stays secure. PalmPay is also adding mentorships and internships for the top students in the program. The fintech made waves recently by appearing in global rankings and has already rolled out other youth-focused projects, like the Purple Woman campaign and special initiatives to support women and youths in both rural and urban centres. More awareness drives will start soon, especially in Northern Nigeria, as PalmPay aims to spread digital literacy across the country. In the digital era, knowing how to protect personal data is critical, especially for young people who use fintech and online services every day. PalmPay and the government are giving Nigerian youths both the tools and the chance to shape a safer digital future, with this partnership.
Over 150,000 Nigerians hit by data breaches in early 2025, study reveals
More than 150,000 Nigerians had their online accounts compromised in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from cybersecurity company Surfshark. The report, released this week, shows that while data breaches sharply dropped in Nigeria between the first and second quarters, falling from 120,000 to about 31,800 incidents, the country still faces a major threat to digital privacy. Surfshark’s product manager, Sarunas Sereika, warned, “Today’s digital age requires all of us to share more and more personal information to carry out daily tasks. In the wrong hands, this data can be used to commit identity theft, for targeted scams, or sold on the dark web.” Nigeria now ranks as the third most affected country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a total of 23.3 million accounts breached since 2004. According to Surfshark, about 13 million of these accounts included leaked passwords, exposing users to risks like account takeover and identity theft, while another 7.3 million unique Nigerian email addresses have appeared in leaks. The data means 10 out of every 100 Nigerians have been affected by a breach at some point, stressing urgent need for better online safeguards. Globally, the situation isn’t much better. The number of leaked accounts worldwide jumped by 34% in the second quarter, reaching 94 million cases. The United States saw the most breaches, followed by France, India, Germany, and Israel. Security experts at Surfshark advise Nigerians to update passwords frequently and use two-factor authentication whenever possible. They collected their findings by analyzing 29,000 public databases, making sure to anonymize all personal details before review. Securing personal data today remains a challenge, as digital services become a bigger part of everyday life. The recent decline in Nigerian breaches is welcome development, but cybersecurity remains a pressing issue, one that requires constant attention from users, businesses, and government.
NCC and NiRA shut down MovieBox.ng in major move against online piracy
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) have taken down MovieBox.ng, a popular website known for streaming pirated movies, music, and live sports in Nigeria. MovieBox.ng was officially shut down on July 20, 2025, after investigations revealed the site was part of a wider network using mirror domains to spread illegal content. According to a statement from the NCC’s Director-General, Dr. John Asein, this action marks a big step forward in cracking down on online piracy in the country. Rights holders in Nigeria’s film, music, and broadcasting industries have welcomed the development. The statement of Dr Asein, NCC Director-General says it all “the MovieBox.ng platform uses multiple mirror domains to access and promote pirated content, with domain histories linked to known piracy operations,” He assured that the NCC is now working to find and block related mirror sites, making it harder for MovieBox.ng to return under a new name. The NCC credited NiRA for quickly suspending the domain and called for all internet stakeholders, including service providers and platform intermediaries, to act fast when there are takedown requests as required by the Copyright Act of 2022. Dr. Asein emphasized that,“The role of internet stakeholders is crucial in enforcing copyright laws in the digital environment. Collaboration is key to tackling the rising tide of online piracy.” Digital piracy is a serious issue for creative professionals in Nigeria. A UNESCO report estimates that 50% to 70% of potential income in Nigeria’s film market is lost due to piracy. This not only affects the earnings of artists, actors, and producers but also discourages both local and foreign investors from supporting new projects. Many Nigerian filmmakers find it hard to fund future films because their revenue keeps getting slashed by piracy. Piracy doesn’t just happen on streaming sites like MovieBox.ng. Messaging apps such as Telegram have also become hotspots for illegal sharing, thanks to their user privacy features and ability to send large files in group chats. Recall, on the 9th of March, 2025, Daily Tech Nigeria reported that, Nigerian actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli called for urgent government intervention to combat rampant piracy on Telegram, which she describes as a growing threat to the survival of Nollywood. The NCC hopes digital copyright violation will become less attractive in years to come, and that more stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital space will join the fight to protect local creativity and industry.
Jury Rules Tesla Partly Responsible for Deadly Autopilot Crash, Orders $243m Payout
A Florida jury has found Tesla partly to blame for a 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system that killed a young woman and severely injured another person. The jury stated that the tech giant,Tesla must pay up to $243m in damages to the victims’ families. The crash happened when a Tesla Model S, using its self-driving software, hit 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon at a T-junction in the Florida Keys. Her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, survived but suffered life-changing injuries. Lawyers for the victims argued that Tesla’s Autopilot software should have warned the driver and stopped the car before the crash. However, Tesla insisted that the driver, George McGee, was at fault because he wasn’t paying attention and was looking for his phone when he approached the intersection. Tesla said McGee had his foot on the accelerator, which overrides Autopilot, and that no 2019 car could have stopped the crash. After a three-week trial, the jury awarded $329m, including $129m in compensatory damages and $200m in punitive damages meant to discourage dangerous behaviour by Tesla. The company is required to pay about one third of the compensatory amount and all of the punitive damages, though they expect that amount will be reduced. Tesla says the verdict “is wrong and only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla’s and the entire industry’s efforts to develop and implement life-saving technology.” The company plans to appeal. This is the first case related to Tesla’s Autopilot to reach a jury verdict. In previous fatal Autopilot crashes, Tesla has settled with victims’ families before trial. Critics of Tesla’s self-driving technology say the company has misled the public and regulators. “Tesla is finally being held accountable for its defective designs and grossly negligent engineering practices,” said Missy Cummings, a professor of robotics at George Mason University.For now, Tesla faces strong legal suit and growing pressure over its safety record and slowing sales.
Dangote’s daughters step up as the billionaire begins to step back
The daughters of Aliko Dangote are increasingly taking leadership roles as the Nigerian billionaire businessman gradually reduces his direct involvement. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is known for building a vast business empire spanning cement, sugar, salt, and more. Recently, he has started stepping back from day-to-day operations, passing more responsibility to his daughters. This shift marks a new chapter for the Dangote Group’s leadership and reflects the growing role of women in Nigeria’s business landscape. Dangote’s daughters have been active in various parts of the business and are now taking on bigger leadership roles in key sectors. Their involvement is seen as part of the broader strategy to ensure continuity and infuse fresh perspectives into the conglomerate’s future growth. This move is welcomed by many who see it as an inspiring example of family leadership transitioning smoothly while promoting gender inclusion in Nigeria’s corporate world. It also highlights a trend where successful business families often groom the next generation to take on more prominent roles. While Dangote himself has not made a detailed public statement on this transition, industry watchers note that his daughters bring strong educational and professional backgrounds, promising a dynamic leadership ahead. As Dangote phases back, his daughters stepping forward signals both the continuity and evolution of one of Africa’s biggest business empires. It will be interesting to see how this new leadership shapes the future of the group and impacts Nigeria’s business environment.
NNPC backs out sale of Port Harcourt refinery, reaffirms national commitment
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has officially announced that it will not sell the Port Harcourt Refinery, promising to complete its rehabilitation and keep the plant under national control. This new position was confirmed by NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, during a company-wide town hall meeting at NNPC Towers, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The official statement was widely reported by national dailies including Premium Times, Punch, and Nairametrics. Ojulari clarified that the company’s decision is based on technical and financial reviews of Nigeria’s main refineries. According to Premium Times, Ojulari explained, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Ltd has officially ruled out sale of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, reaffirming its commitment to completing high-graded rehabilitation and retention of the plant”. He further stated that “the emerging outlook calls for more advanced technical partnerships to complete and upgrade the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery. Thus, selling is highly unlikely as it would lead to further value erosion”. Reporting from Nairametrics adds that feedback from NNPC staff after the announcement was positive, as many described the move as “reassuring” and “transformational” for the company’s direction. Recent speculation about a possible sale followed Ojulari’s earlier comments at the 2025 OPEC Seminar, where he said “all options are on the table” for Nigeria’s non-performing refineries. Ojulari clarified at the town hall that the current decision is not a reversal, but instead, “informed by ongoing detailed technical and financial reviews” NNPC says it will continue to prioritize transparency and professional management, with the refinery’s rehabilitation remaining a top priority for Nigeria’s broader energy security and for retaining critical assets under national control. The Port Harcourt Refinery will stay government-owned as NNPC moves forward with its rehabilitation plan, which industry watchers and staff hope will boost local fuel supply and reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imports.