Telecom
Fake Mobile Phones Dominate African Market –SON
Dr. Joseph Odumodu, director-general, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has said that about 80 per cent of mobile phones at the said largest technology market in Africa (Computer Village in Lagos) are fake products.
Odumodu said officials of SON discovered this after series of investigations and surveys.
He said the findings showed that the larger percentage of sales from brands including Hewlett Packard, Nokia, Samsung, and others, were not coming from their manufacturers directly but through counterfeiting.
The SON DG made this disclosure when asked on the organisation’s contribution to the ongoing war being waged by Hewlett Packard against product counterfeiting in Nigeria.
He said, “Some dealers of the global brands appoint agents locally that engaged in counterfeiting, by so doing, doing more damage to the brands and the market.”
According to him, people make more money by copying; becoming more powerful than the owners.
He said, “This is the battle we are currently fighting as an agency and we shall win the fight.
“Already, the one week deadline we gave to dealers of fake phones, computers and other accessories in Computer Village has expired and we shall storm there again in no time for a final cleansing.”
The District Manager, English Africa, Printing and Personal Systems, HP, Jean-Paul Pinto, had earlier told our correspondent that though new style of Information Technology is emerging in mobility; cloud, social and big data, counterfeiting has remained a major threat.
Pinto, who said Africa is important to HP not only because of the money, but also to impact lives with technology, disclosed that the Nigerian market accounts for 20 per cent of HP’s sales globally.
He said, “HP sells two Personal Computers and one printer every minute in Africa, with major sales coming from Nigeria, reason we know that if we succeed in tackling counterfeits in Nigeria, we can equally succeed in other part of the continent.”
Lead Investigation for HP Anti-counterfeiting Programme for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Geofrey Eyles, said counterfeiting feeds from huge investments of businessmen and women. “So, everyone must collaborate against these rings in other to protect the economy,” he said.
He added, “All international crimes are a local crime somewhere. So, there is need for global approach to fight counterfeiting.”
Only recently, Reuters had reported that security researchers have revealed two separate threats that could put up to 90 per cent of the world’s two billion plus smartphones at risk of password theft, stolen data and in some cases let hackers take full control of devices.
According to analysts, if users of genuine smartphones can be at risk, those with fake mobile phones are fully at risk.
The Reuters report entitled, ‘Smartphone management flaws puts users at risk,’ which was published on July 31, said that one vulnerability involved flaws in the way scores of manufacturers of Apple, Google Android and Blackberry devices, among others, have implemented an obscure industry standard that controls how everything from network connections to user identities are managed.
The threat could enable attackers to remotely wipe devices, install malicious software, access data and run applications on smartphones, Mathew Solnik, a mobile researcher with Denver-based cyber security firm Accuvant, said in a phone interview.
A separate threat specifically affecting up to three-quarters of devices running older Android software has been unearthed by researchers at Bluebox Security of San Francisco. Dubbed “Fake ID”, the vulnerability allows malicious applications to trick trusted software from Adobe, Google and others on Android devices without any user notification, the company said on Wednesday.
“Essentially anything that relies on verified signature chains of an Android application is undermined by this vulnerability,” Bluebox said in a statement referring to devices built before Google updated its core software late last year.
These risks could not be independently verified by Reuters.
In the true spirit of the festive season, Globacom has introduced “Glo Take a Guess,” a new value-added service designed to entertain, engage, and reward subscribers across Nigeria.
The interactive trivia game lets customers test their knowledge of everyday topics and lifestyle trends for a chance to win airtime, data, and exciting cash prizes.
According to Globacom, subscribers can join the fun by dialing 209992# and choosing from daily, weekly, or monthly plans. Once subscribed, they’ll receive an SMS confirmation with a link to play.
“Participants stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, including airtime, data, and cash prizes, when they answer trivia questions correctly,” the company explained. “It’s a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.”
Subscription costs ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month — with corresponding rewards of ₦10,000 daily, ₦100,000 weekly, and up to ₦1 million monthly. The more subscribers play, the greater their chances of winning.
Globacom added that “Glo Take a Guess” is more than just a game — it’s a lighthearted way to stay entertained and earn rewards while easing the pressures of rising living costs.
It was a display of brilliance and composure as young Nigerians, aged 9 to 15, showcased their spelling prowess in the Enugu regional final of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee on Saturday, November 1, 2025, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. After an electrifying one-hour showdown among 20 contestants, seven young spellers earned the right to compete in the grand finale in Lagos.
These excited champions, Nelson Ede Chidubem, Praise Ihionu, Emeka Nwaokocha Samuel, Treasure Oyibosu, Michelle Atanu Ufedo, Munachimso Onyemaechi, and Oyingba Douglas-Naingba, have been presented with their tags for the grand finale and will advance to Lagos, where they will join other regional winners to contend for the national title.
As part of the event, gift vouchers were presented to children and parents through questions and answers, adding a festive touch to the competition.
In his remarks, Honourable Emeka Nelson Nwagbo, Senior Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu West, said, “This initiative has not only encouraged academic excellence but also inspired our young leaders to pursue knowledge with confidence and pride. To the organisers, teachers, parents, and participants, thank you for making this event a success. Your dedication and support have truly made today memorable.
Once again, we say a big thank you to MTN Nigeria. We are happy that the brand is working in line with the vision of the Governor concerning smart schools. We look forward to more collaborations that will continue to empower our kids and youths,” he concluded.
Honourable Paul Ogbewe Okechukwu, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation, Enugu East, also commended MTN for fostering literacy and healthy competition among teens, and for hosting the first physical regional finals in Enugu.
Addressing the participants, Temilolu Salako, Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, Youth, Women, & Teen, MTN Nigeria, said, “At MTN, we believe in the power of connectivity and technology to transform lives and build a brighter future for everyone. My team and I are here to inspire, support, and guide you on your journey to success. Together, we can achieve great things and make a lasting impact.”
With the seven winners from the Enugu regional final now advancing to the grand finale in Lagos, attention shifts to the next rounds of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee regional finals, scheduled to hold in Abuja on November 8 and Ibadan on November 15, 2025.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.
Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
Nigeria’s $618m Tech Incubator Debuts
Senate Denies $10m Bribe to Obstruct Confirmation of NERC Nominee
NSE, Indian Firm Donate Design Software to Universities
Ventures Platform, Nigerian Firm Raises another $64m
Flutterwave CEO @ CNN Global Perspectives Summit, Envisions Building Africa’s ‘Payment Superhighway’
Broadcasting2 days agoOluwaseun Dania Unearths How AI will Shape Africa’s Creative-AI Future @ World Bank Forum
E-Business2 days agoBlack Friday: How Konga Yakata is Defying Global Inflation
E-Financial1 day agoFlutterwave CEO @ CNN Global Perspectives Summit, Envisions Building Africa’s ‘Payment Superhighway’
News2 days agoTax Ombudsman is to Protect Businesses from Harassment—Oyedele
News2 days agoLassa Fever’s Death Toll in Nigeria Hits 176- NCDC
News2 days agoFG Okays Biometric Upgrades @ Airports, Others
Telecom2 days agoGlo Rolls Out ‘Take a Guess,’ Bringing Fun and Big Wins This Season
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Tasks Registrars, Other CMOs on Innovations