First Trustees, a subsidiary of First HoldCo Plc., and a leading provider of trust solutions for individuals, corporates, and government institutions, is proud to announce its 8th Islamic Estate Planning Clinic, scheduled to take place on February 7, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria.

This highly anticipated forum is designed to educate and empower participants on structuring Islamic wealth transfer in today’s evolving world. The Clinic will provide practical guidance on how to secure and preserve legacies in accordance with Islamic principles, ensuring that wealth is managed and passed on responsibly across generations.

The event is being hosted in partnership with The Metropolitan Law Firm and will feature an esteemed lineup of speakers, including: Professor Isah Ali Pantami, Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Professor Adam Abubakar, ESQ, Professor of Islamic Banking and Finance, Yobe State University; Professor Dauda Abubakar, Founder and Director, Dawood Research Institute; HE Aisha Babangida, Chairperson, Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman; Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Managing Partner, Metropolitan Law Firm; Barrister Mohammed Yunusa, Partner at The Metropolitan Law Firm; Ismail Rufai, Managing Director/CEO, One17 Financial Services Limited; Mutiat Olatunji, Al-ameen Trustees Limited; and Rotimi Obende, Head, Private Trust, First Trustees Limited.

Together, these thought leaders will share insights on the importance of Estate Planning within Islamic law, highlighting strategies for safeguarding family wealth and ensuring continuity.

First Trustees remains committed to providing innovative trust solutions that help clients preserve their legacies while staying true to their values.

Telecom operators in Nigeria invested more than $1 billion in 2025 to deploy over 2,850 new sites, boosting nationwide coverage and capacity, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NCC

The investment details emerged in the just-released 2025 Network Performance Reports, announced by NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Aminu Maida.

Speaking at an engagement on the reports, Dr. Maida emphasised the regulator’s focus on transparent, data-driven oversight. “Through our collaboration with Ookla, we are providing independent insights into real-world network performance and the lived experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways, and emerging 5G zones,” he said.

The Q4 2025 reports highlight steady gains in network quality, including improved median download speeds in urban and rural areas compared to Q3. The video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural zones has also narrowed, bolstered by a stronger 4G backbone.

Dr. Maida noted ongoing challenges, such as 5G service gaps and upload speed disparities. “We are actively engaging with operators to address these issues, including gaps in mobile service coverage,” he added.

Operators have committed to surpassing their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure rollout set to intensify.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with industry stakeholders as we translate these insights into better connectivity, improved service quality, and a more inclusive digital future for all Nigerians,” the EVC concluded.

Nigeria’s data privacy ecosystem has generated an estimated ₦16.2 billion in less than two years, according to the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji.

NDPC

Speaking during a virtual press conference at a capacity-building engagement held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Olatunji said the figure reflects the growing importance of data protection in Nigeria’s digital economy.

He noted that the Commission’s initiatives have created jobs, boosted compliance, and strengthened trust in digital transactions.

Olatunji explained that Nigeria’s journey in data protection began in 2019 with the establishment of the NDPR framework, which later evolved into the NDPC.

Since then, the Commission has focused on building awareness, strengthening compliance, and creating a robust ecosystem that integrates technology, collaboration, and sustainability.

He highlighted Nigeria’s active role in the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NARPA), stressing that the country has emerged as a continental leader in privacy regulation.

In December 2025, the NDPC won the Picasso Award as Africa’s most outstanding data protection authority, a recognition he said underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in the global privacy space.

Responding to questions from journalists, Olatunji assured that the Commission is committed to protecting the rights of data subjects, including the ability to correct or ratify personal details on government platforms.

He urged citizens to report violations to the NDPC for immediate intervention.

On concerns about international data transfers, particularly agreements involving Nigeria and foreign governments, Olatunji said the Commission would continue to monitor such arrangements to safeguard national interests and ensure compliance with data protection laws.

He concluded by stressing that data privacy is central to Nigeria’s future economy, calling for sustained investment in human capital, technology, and regulatory frameworks to build trust and confidence in the digital space.