News
Microsoft and Capdan Partner against Software Piracy
Microsoft Nigeria and Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (Capdan) have announced sealing a partnership deal that will help to combat piracy in the IT sector.
The development follows the participation of Nigeria in the Microsoft Global Anti-Piracy Day (GAPD) held last October. The GAPD was a simultaneous launch of education initiatives and enforcement actions in 49 countries on six continents to combat the sophisticated, illegal trade of pirated and counterfeit software.
The partnership between Capdan and Microsoft will create a platform for intellectual property awareness campaigns, engagements with partner businesses, educational forums, local law enforcement training, and new legal actions against software counterfeiters and pirates.
Mr. Serge Ntamack, licensing compliance manager at Microsoft, disclosed that Microsoft is taking these steps as part of its commitment towards working with communities, national governments and local law enforcement agencies around the world in its bid to protect customers and partners from the adverse effects of piracy and to also promote the value of intellectual property as a driver of innovation.
Mr. Ntamack who described software piracy and counterfeiting as a sophisticated, global trade with a damaging impact on consumers, businesses and economies, expressed the commitment of Microsoft to working with people around the world to curb the activities of this illegal industry. Accordingly, he said Microsoft will work with Capdan and the law enforcement agents to drive anti-piracy efforts across the country through a sophisticated system of business intelligence, forensics and education. “Together, we are working to identify international connection points between software pirates and counterfeiters, help stop them in their tracks, and protect consumers and legitimate businesses from this illegal trade,” said Mr. Ntamack.
Capdan on its part has said the issue of piracy and intellectual property theft is of great concern because of the adverse effects these illegal activities have on the businesses of honest dealers, especially those operating in the Computer Village popularly referred to as Otigba.
Computer Village is a hot spot with local honest dealers working hard to grow their businesses which are constantly hampered by street vendors offering low quality and pirated software. The attendant insecurity and culture of non compliance among these law breakers have combined to give the Computer Village a bad reputation which the new partnership will work to reverse
“The local IT sector has come a long way from being a destination for secondary refurbished PCs to one producing high quality computers for the local and international use. However, as the technology scope has expanded so has the menace of software piracy. In the next few years, it is imperative that we devise a holistic strategy to eliminate counterfeit trade, if we are to receive more international investment”, said Chief Balogun, CEO of Brian Integrated Systems, and chairman, Capdan.
The Capdan/Microsoft partnership will take a long-term approach towards combating piracy. Actions will include the provision of an IT Access Point within the computer village, training for the street vendors, consistent media engagement to help disseminate information, education on compliance and the risks associated with piracy. There will also be information on the value of selling genuine
The partnership, according to a press release from Microsoft, will also engage with government agencies and other stakeholders including Nollywood to provide vocational training, entrepreneurial skills training and enforcement to encourage compliance.
As a first step towards achieving the desired results, Microsoft and Capdan held an intellectual property rights seminar and also launched the Clean Dealer campaign which will provide a platform for showcasing certified dealers in original software. As a follow up to this event, the EFCC will be organizing a workshop with Microsoft to educate the public and businesses about the impact of piracy in Nigeria and the framework to protect Intellectual Property Rights.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
News
Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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