Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

After more than a decade, WhatsApp has finally launched a version made specifically for the iPad.  The app became available worldwide on Wednesday through the Apple App Store, allowing users to enjoy the full features of WhatsApp directly on their iPads without needing a browser. For a long time, WhatsApp users who owned an iPad could only access the platform through the web version, which had many limits. They couldn’t make proper video calls, use the cameras, or enjoy a smooth experience. Now, with this new release, users can make video and voice calls with as many as 32 people.…

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has started a full investigation into an alleged data breach involving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).  The incident is believed to have exposed the personal details of nearly 380,000 candidates who took part in exams at 157 centres across Lagos and the South-East. The move comes after rising concerns that the private information of these candidates may have been accessed without permission.  It was reported that hackers might have broken into systems due to weak security at some exam centres. As a result, the NDPC is now looking into how the candidates’…

The Nigerian Army’s mobile application, NA iReport, is no longer available on the Google Play Store, while the Nigeria Police Force’s emergency reporting app has been facing major issues. This has raised concerns about how well security agencies in the country are using technology to improve public safety. NA iReport, launched in October 2018 alongside the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, was created to help citizens report suspicious activity and misconduct by soldiers without revealing their identity. It was introduced under the leadership of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), with the aim of improving…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has told mobile network operators and internet providers to inform their customers when a major service disruption is about to happen.  This notice must include the areas affected, how long the outage might last, and what steps are being taken to fix the issue. The Commission gave this instruction in a circular sent to telecom firms. It explained that operators must use public media to share details of any major disruption. If the outage is planned, customers must be informed at least one week before it begins. The NCC said this move is aimed at…

Elon Musk has announced that he is stepping away from his recent role in government work to return fully to managing his companies—Tesla, X, xAI, and others. After months of involvement in United States President Donald Trump’s administration, Musk said he is now dedicating all his time to his businesses, which are entering a busy phase with important projects. The move came shortly after his social media platform, X, experienced a major outage. Musk revealed that he is now back to working around the clock, even sleeping in offices and factories to stay close to developments. His focus is especially…

Many users across the world were unable to use X, the social media platform once known as Twitter, after it experienced another major outage on Saturday, May 24. The disruption began around 1:30 p.m., affecting both the app and website. The problem quickly drew attention as reports flooded in from frustrated users. DownDetector, a website that tracks online service issues, showed that complaints jumped from a few dozen to over 11,000 in just a short time. The peak was recorded around 1:39 p.m., as many people could no longer send messages, log in, or browse their feeds. This is not…

The Federal Government of Nigeria will open three new cancer centres on May 29, 2025, marking the first phase of a plan to establish ten cancer treatment facilities across the country. These centres are located at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Nsukka, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. This initiative aims to expand cancer care services nationwide and improve access for patients. The government has partnered with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to build what will become one of the largest networks of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa. The…

Mixed reactions have trailed the announcement that the Port Harcourt Refinery will be shut down once again, just months after it was declared operational. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) disclosed that the facility will go offline starting Saturday, May 24, 2025, for what it called “temporary maintenance.”  According to the company, the shutdown is necessary to carry out planned repairs and assess the condition of the facility to ensure continued optimal performance following its recent revival. NNPC added that it is collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth…

Starlink is reaching out to more Nigerians by offering a one-month free internet subscription for new customers who buy a Standard or Mini Kit.  The satellite internet service, owned by SpaceX, is currently boosting its network across Nigeria to meet growing demand, with improved coverage in Rivers, Delta, and Edo states.  However, Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and some areas in Ogun are temporarily at full capacity. The company said more slots will soon be available in those places as upgrades continue. This move is part of Starlink’s plan to reach more users and make high-speed satellite internet more available…

United States President Donald Trump has stated that Apple may face a 25 percent tariff if the iPhones sold in the United States are not produced within the country.  He posted this message on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he mentioned that he had already told Apple CEO Tim Cook about his demand for American-made iPhones. Trump’s warning is part of his ongoing campaign to bring more manufacturing back to the US.  During a recent visit to Qatar, he repeated his request for Apple to move production away from countries like India and focus on building its products…

Ahead of the 2027 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained how artificial intelligence will be used to fight the spread of fake news, manage risks, and improve the overall conduct of the polls.  The commission said it has now set up a special Artificial Intelligence division under its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department to carry out this task. INEC made the decision during a meeting held on Thursday, where it reviewed how AI can help improve the electoral process. The electoral umpire said AI will help it take faster and better decisions, track risks, and handle…

Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by SpaceX, has stopped taking new customers in Nairobi since November 2024 when demand surpassed what its network can handle. Six months later, this limitation remains in place, leaving many who bought the Starlink hardware unable to access the internet service. This problem has raised questions about whether satellite internet can meet the growing needs of busy city areas like Nairobi. Starlink promised fast and dependable internet, but the current situation shows the limits of satellite networks in places with rapidly rising demand. Customers who tried to sign up after November last year have…

The UK government has announced pay increases for various public sector workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers, and military personnel.  This decision follows recommendations from independent review bodies and offers raises between 3.6 and 4.5 percent, which is higher than the government’s original budget of 2.8 percent. NHS employees in England under Agenda for Change contracts, except doctors, dentists, and senior managers, will receive a 3.6 percent raise. Doctors, dentists, teachers, and prison workers are set to get a 4 percent increase, while members of the armed forces will benefit from the largest raise at 4.5 percent. Senior NHS managers and…

In Nigeria, major disruptions in telecommunications networks became more frequent in May 2025, causing widespread problems for millions of users.  The main reasons behind these interruptions were fibre cable cuts, power failures, and system breakdowns. Data collected by Uptime, a platform that monitors network performance, showed that 9mobile and MTN Nigeria experienced the highest number of outages, raising concerns about the state of telecom services in the country. From the start of the year until May 19, 9mobile faced 31 network failures in several regions, while MTN Nigeria reported 25 similar incidents. Most of these problems—around 70%—were due to fibre…

Google has introduced a range of new features to improve user experience and support developers on the Play Store. These updates include curated topic pages, audio previews, and upgraded tools for managing subscriptions. The topic pages will let users explore apps based on specific shows, movies, or sports events, while developers can now add content-rich elements like hero image carousels and YouTube playlists to their app listings. Google said audio previews for apps, already live in the Health & Wellness category in the U.S., have helped triple install rates in early tests. Subscription tools have also been enhanced. Developers can…

Authorities in Tanzania have cut off access to the social media platform X after hackers took over the official account of the country’s police and used it to spread false news about President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The trouble began when the compromised police account on X posted a message claiming that the president had died.  The post quickly gained attention online and caused confusion among users, prompting a strong reaction from the government.  In response, access to X was blocked across major internet providers in the country, according to online activity monitoring service Netblocks. Tanzania’s police force later issued a…

A major phone network failure hit Spain early Tuesday, May 20, cutting off access to emergency lines in several parts of the country for hours.  The issue came just weeks after the nation experienced a major power outage that affected transportation and daily activities. The disruption happened during the early hours of the morning and was caused by a planned system upgrade by Telefónica, one of Spain’s top telecom providers. The company confirmed that the update affected fixed communication services, including landlines and internet connections. Many people across different regions, such as Valencia, Aragón, and the Basque Country, were unable…

Meta is testing a new reward programme in the United States, offering creators the chance to earn as much as $20,000 by referring new users to Instagram.  The initiative began in May and will run through June, with only a few selected creators invited to participate. The company confirmed the move as part of its ongoing efforts to attract and retain creators on the platform. Participants in this limited trial can receive payments when someone either visits Instagram or opens a new account using the referral links they share. These links must be shared outside of Instagram, with other platforms…

A new report has shown that Nigerians are using less internet data even though more people are online.  The Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that data usage slightly dropped in March 2025, falling to 995,876 terabytes. This was a small decline compared to the 1,000,930 terabytes recorded in January, but still higher than February’s figure of 893,054 terabytes. The number of active mobile internet users grew to 142.05 million in March, up from 141.25 million in February. This means that while more people had access to the internet, many were cutting down on how much data they used because of rising…

The Federal Government is planning a $2 billion fibre optic network across Nigeria in the last quarter of 2025.  This was made known by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, who explained that the project will cover 90,000 kilometres across the country. Tijani shared this during an interview for a documentary that reflects on President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office. He said the digital sector has seen large growth under the current administration, pointing to a rise in foreign investments. According to him, the sector drew in $191 million in foreign direct investment (FDI)…

Officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have uncovered a group pretending to offer free medical help in the Abuloma area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  The group was reportedly acting like missionaries and giving out fake and unregistered drugs to the public. The arrest followed a tip-off from residents who noticed unusual activities at a town hall in the area. Acting on the information, NAFDAC officials raided the venue last Friday and found several people waiting to receive the supposed treatment. A middle-aged woman, identified as Mrs. Gladys Theophilus, was caught administering the…

Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The diagnosis came on Friday after he visited a doctor due to urinary symptoms. His office confirmed the development in a statement released on Sunday. Biden, 82, had been experiencing discomfort before deciding to see a doctor last week. Medical checks revealed a prostate nodule, and further tests confirmed the cancer. The illness is described as a more aggressive type, based on a Gleason score of 9 out of 10. This score, used to grade the severity of prostate cancer, suggests that the…

China is set to partner with Nigeria to build electric vehicle factories as part of a broader plan to deepen cooperation in the solid minerals sector.  This was made known when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, visited the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in Abuja over the weekend. During the meeting, the Chinese envoy noted the wealth of natural resources in Nigeria and said that China sees the country as an important partner. He recalled the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to boost bilateral relations and…

The recent reduction in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Dangote Refinery has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians especially in Lagos. Recall that President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. He stated that the subsidy was removed to reduce the heavy financial burden on the government and to redirect funds towards critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Since then, the prices of petrol and other crude oil products have risen, leading to a corresponding increase in the cost of living and widespread economic hardship. Following NNPC’s decision…

South Africans will have to pay more to stream content on Netflix, as the company has increased the prices of three of its four subscription plans.  The changes, which have already taken effect for new users, will soon reflect in the bills of existing subscribers. The Mobile plan, which used to cost R49 ($2.67), now goes for R59 ($3.21) per month. This is its first increase since it was introduced. The Standard plan has moved from R159 ($8.70) to R179 ($9.78), while the Premium plan has risen from R199 ($10.87) to R229 ($12.53). Only the Basic plan, priced at R99…

People searching for mental health support or medical advice on Spotify are now facing an unexpected and troubling threat.  Dozens of fake podcasts, disguised as helpful health shows, have been found promoting the illegal sale of prescription drugs through suspicious online pharmacies. These shows are easy to find, and in many cases, they appear among the top search results when users look for terms like “Adderall,” “Xanax,” or “Valium.” The situation has alarmed parents and health experts, especially because teenagers are among those most at risk. Some families have already suffered tragic losses after young people ordered pills online and…

TikTok has introduced a new feature to help users, especially teenagers, get better rest at night. These in-app guided meditation exercises are designed to calm users and reduce the habit of staying up late while endlessly scrolling. The company tested the feature earlier in the year with a group of teenagers and is now rolling it out to everyone. The meditation exercises come with a soothing screen, soft background music, and breathing techniques to help users relax. For under 18 teenagers, this tool will automatically be active. If they are using TikTok past 10 p.m., the app will pause the…

Netflix announced on Wednesday that 94 million users now subscribe to its ad-supported plan, an increase from 70 million in November.  This lower-cost option has attracted many customers during a time of economic uncertainty worldwide. With over 300 million total subscribers globally, Netflix continues to see steady spending across all its subscription levels. The company shared in April that there have been no major changes in how people are choosing to spend on streaming despite economic challenges and shifting trade policies in the United States. Last month, Netflix revealed that more than half of its new subscribers in markets where…

The website of Poland’s ruling Civic Platform party was attacked by hackers on Friday. This happened just before a quiet period began ahead of Sunday’s presidential election, when political parties are no longer allowed to campaign. The attack started around 9 a.m. and caused the party’s main website, along with a second one used to collect campaign money, to stop working. The Civic Platform party said they are trying to fix the problem with help from Poland’s cyber experts. The election will see Warsaw’s Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski compete with historian Karol Nawrocki and far-right politician Slawomir Mentzen. This is not…

YouTube has announced a new advertising method that places ads right after the most engaging parts of a video.  This update, revealed during an event in New York on Wednesday, is called “Peak Points.” The idea behind this new feature is to make use of Google’s Gemini AI to detect moments in videos that draw the most attention from viewers. Once such a moment is identified—like a dramatic reveal or a touching scene—the system automatically recommends placing an ad immediately afterward. This new strategy is designed to take advantage of the time when viewers are most focused on what they’re…