Global tech leader Microsoft has announced a groundbreaking $1 million investment to train one million Nigerians in artificial intelligence (AI) skills over the next two years. The initiative, revealed during the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, aims to equip Nigerians with essential AI expertise to boost employability and drive economic growth. Speaking at the event, Ola Williams, Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, highlighted the transformative potential of AI. “This investment is about creating opportunities for Nigerians to compete globally while fostering innovation and economic development locally,” she stated. The program will focus on youth and women, ensuring inclusivity in digital literacy, AI, and cybersecurity training. It aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which seeks to prepare 70% of the country’s young workforce for an AI-driven future. Collaborations with organizations like Tech4Dev and Data Science Nigeria will enhance the initiative’s reach and effectiveness. Nigeria’s AI market is projected to grow by 27.08% annually from 2025 to 2030, potentially contributing $15 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2030. By democratizing access to AI education, Microsoft aims to empower individuals and uplift communities, creating a future-ready workforce capable of leveraging AI technologies in various industries.
Facebook to mass delete old live streams, gives users 90 days to download
Meta is changing its policy, and live videos will now only be stored for 30 days. After that, they’ll be automatically deleted. The new policy, which went into effect today, February 19, 2025, is aimed at reducing costs associated with maintaining video data. Previously, Facebook stored live videos indefinitely. The company says that most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting. By deleting older videos, Facebook hopes to optimize storage and enhance user experience. What Happens to Your Old Videos? Facebook will notify users via email and in-app before any videos are deleted. Users will have 90 days to download their content, transfer it to cloud storage, or convert it into a Reel. How to Save Your Live Videos Download: Users can download videos individually or in bulk from the Activity Log. Transfer to Cloud Storage: Videos can be directly transferred to services like Dropbox or Google Drive. Convert to Reels: Segments of live videos can be converted into Reels clips. Users can also defer deletion for an additional six months by selecting the “Postpone” option in the notification. If no action is taken after the extended period, the videos will be permanently deleted. While the change may be unwelcome news for some, Facebook is providing ample time and tools to help users preserve their content. The company says the move aligns its storage policies with industry standards
Nigeria seeks $79 billion from binance in landmark legal battle
The Nigerian government, through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is seeking a court order to compel Binance Holdings Limited to pay $79.5 billion for economic losses and $2 billion in unpaid income tax for 2022 and 2023. The lawsuit, also demands a 10% penalty for non-payment of income tax and a 26.75% interest rate, aligning with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lending rate. Binance, along with executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, faces accusations of violating Nigerian laws by not registering with the FIRS and causing economic losses. The government claims Binance operated secretly despite having a “significant economic presence” in Nigeria. Jimada Mohammed Yusuf, from the Office of the National Security Adviser, stated Binance admitted to having 386,256 active Nigerian users with a $21.6 billion trading volume in 2023. The government alleges Binance offered unauthorized financial services, failed to comply with money laundering laws, and provided currency speculation services. The FIRS is seeking declarations that Binance is liable for corporate income tax, must file income tax returns for 2022 and 2023, and is bound by FIRS’s income tax assessment. They are also seeking orders compelling Binance to pay outstanding income taxes, penalties, interest, and compensation for economic losses. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case to March 3, 2025, after granting a motion for substituted service
EFCC arraigns four Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud in Lagos
Four Chinese nationals have been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos for their alleged involvement in cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and cryptocurrency scams. The suspects, Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, Zhang Xue Hui, and Lu Yubo, appeared before Justices M. Kakaki and Ayokunle Faji at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Tuesday. This legal action follows the EFCC’s extensive “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted in December 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 792 individuals linked to various fraudulent activities. This operation is recognized as the largest single-day raid in the agency’s history. The charges against the four men are serious. They include identity theft and accessing computer systems with the intent to destabilize Nigeria’s economy. Specifically, Zhang Xue Hui is accused of using a computer system to harm Nigeria’s economic stability, an offense under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015. Lu Yubo faces additional charges for allegedly recruiting Nigerian youths into fraudulent schemes disguised as legitimate employment through a company called Genting International Co. Limited. During their arraignment, all four defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. The prosecution requested that they be held in custody while awaiting trial dates. Defense attorneys asked for a short adjournment to file bail applications. Justice Kakaki set Zhang Xue Hui’s trial for March 18, 2025, while Justice Faji scheduled Lu Yubo’s trial for March 31 and April 3, 2025. Until their trials begin, all four suspects will remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. The arrests stem from a significant operation carried out by the EFCC on December 10, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, EFCC operatives raided a seven-story building on Oyin Jolayemi Street in Victoria Island. The building was found to contain high-end computers and over 500 SIM cards that were allegedly used for fraudulent activities. The operation led to the arrest of not only Chinese nationals but also individuals from other countries, including the Philippines and Kazakhstan. The EFCC revealed that foreign members of the syndicate trained their Nigerian counterparts in executing scams while using their identities as cover. This case highlights the increasing challenge of cybercrime in Nigeria and underscores the need for ongoing vigilance against such threats. The EFCC has been intensifying its efforts to combat fraudsters exploiting digital platforms for illegal activities.
TikTok banned in the U.S. as apple and google remove app from stores
TikTok has been banned in the United States as of January 19, 2025, following the enforcement of a federal law aimed at addressing national security concerns. Apple and Google have removed TikTok from their app stores, meaning users can no longer download the popular social media platform. This action comes after the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in April 2024. The legislation requires ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its ownership of the app or face a complete ban in the U.S.Users trying to access TikTok were met with messages indicating that the app is no longer available. In a notice to its users, TikTok acknowledged the ban and expressed hope for a resolution under President-elect Donald Trump, who has suggested he might work on a solution to reinstate the app once he takes office. The decision to ban TikTok reflects ongoing concerns about data privacy and national security, with lawmakers citing fears over potential Chinese government influence through the app. As this situation unfolds, many are left wondering what this means for TikTok’s millions of American users and whether the platform will find a way back into their hands.
TikTok warns: ‘We will go dark’ on sunday without U.S. government intervention
TikTok, the wildly popular video-sharing app, has announced that it will “go dark” in the United States on Sunday, January 19, unless the government steps in to prevent a ban. The move comes after the U.S. The Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations to a neutral party by this weekend, or face an outright ban. In a statement released late Friday, TikTok said it had not received the assurances it needed from the White House or the Department of Justice to keep operating. Without immediate action, the app will become unavailable to its 170 million U.S. users starting Sunday. The Supreme Court’s decision means TikTok will be removed from app stores and hosting platforms unless ByteDance finds a buyer in time, a scenario that now seems unlikely. While it was initially thought that users with the app already installed could continue using it, TikTok’s latest statement suggests otherwise. The platform may become inaccessible to everyone, including existing users, as soon as the ban takes effect. This marks a major turning point for creators and fans of the app, which has become a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., particularly among younger audiences. Many influencers have already begun saying emotional goodbyes to their followers and directing them to other platforms like RedNote, a lesser-known Chinese video-sharing app. The U.S. government has long expressed concerns about TikTok’s ties to China, citing potential risks to national security. Critics worry that ByteDance could be pressured by Beijing to share user data or manipulate content on behalf of the Chinese government, claims both ByteDance and China have denied. The controversy reached its peak last April when President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill giving ByteDance six months to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. TikTok challenged the law in court, arguing it violated free speech protections for its users and creators. But on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the law, effectively sealing TikTok’s fate unless a last-minute deal is struck. For many creators, TikTok isn’t just an app, it’s their livelihood. Nicole Bloomgarden, a popular influencer, told the BBC that losing TikTok would mean a significant financial hit for her and others who rely on brand deals and ad revenue from their content. Erika Thompson, another creator, said the platform’s educational value would be one of its biggest losses.“TikTok gave people opportunities they wouldn’t find anywhere else,” said Thompson. “It’s heartbreaking.” The impending ban lands just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on Monday. Interestingly, Trump, who supported banning TikTok during his first term, has softened his stance this time around. On Friday, he told reporters he needs more time to review the situation but hinted he might oppose the ban altogether.“I have a warm spot for TikTok,” Trump said in December, crediting the app with helping him connect with young voters during his 2024 campaign. ByteDance has repeatedly refused to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations and now says it plans to shut down its services in America if no resolution is reached by Sunday. The clock is ticking for both ByteDance and millions of users who have made TikTok an integral part of their daily lives.