Telecom
NCC Stresses Need to Protect Internet Users from Cybercrime
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stressed the need for the over 114 million internet users in the country to show interests in getting constant enlightenment to ensure the proper protection against cybercrime.
Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, stated on Sunday that there was a need for awareness programmes where consumers were informed on the dangers of cyber crimes.
Mrs Onwuegbuchulam said that such programmes would ensure that internet users learnt and observed skills through which they could be protected while on the internet.
She said, in a statement, that the commission recently held the 47th edition of its monthly Consumer Town Hall Meeting (CTM) in Abia, where it discussed cyberspace issues.
According to her, cyberspace covers everything consumers do online or with computing devices, including mobile phones, tablets and personal computers.
“The internet touches almost all aspects of human lives.
“There is, therefore, need for the consumers to show interests in getting constant enlightenment and be conscious of fraudulent tendencies by some internet users while online.
“As at February this year, there are over 114 million internet users in the country, with over 63 million of them accessing broadband services on 3G and 4G networks.
“The need to constantly educate is further underscored by the large numbers of Nigerians online, with even more to come online.
“The commission is intensifying efforts towards implementing its various initiatives aimed at deepening connectivity across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
“As access to internet increases, the dimension of cyber-criminal activities is also becoming more sophisticated,’’ she said.
Mrs. Onwuegbuchulam urged consumers to take the skills learnt through consumer engagement programmes very seriously and apply them, in order to be safe in the cyberspace.
The director said that the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry in 2001 led to unprecedented growth in the usage and dependence on Internet-based solutions, services and applications.
According to her, as the internet is being used for legitimate, positive engagements, some individuals also use it for criminal activities in the cyberspace.
She, however, said that aside from the continuous monthly consumer enlightenment programmes, the commission had also initiated a process to establish an Internet Industry Code of Practice for Internet Service.
”The Internet Code is a regulatory intervention that will help to secure the country’s cyberspace against imminent threats from cyber attackers.
“It will also address such issues as online child protection, privacy and data protection, contents, among others,’’ Mrs Onwuegbuchulam said.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief Enterprise business officer, MTN Nigeria, has assured the network subscribers that the new end-user billing system for the use of USSD services will jot affect them.
USSD, otherwise Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes are commonly used for banking transactions, airtime recharges, and other mobile services.
The telco said that there is no significant impact or change other than the fact that they will now pay the same N6.98 per session (120 seconds) with their airtime instead of direct bank debit.
Saint-Nwafor, said this during a chat with MTN MIP fellows, explaining that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered telecom operators to ensure that the new billing model resolves trust issues and ensures transparency in the billing process.
“Our regulator insisted that at the end of every month, we are going to be providing history and statistics on the performance of the service across the board”, she explained.
Saint-Nwafor added that the new billing model has standardized messaging across all operators and ensures consistent communication with customers.
“We will take all the error codes and map them into messages that are standardised across the board. So, if you initiate a transaction, you will know if it is failing. And, when the transaction fails, you will know if it is from your bank or the telco,” she explained.
The U.S. government has recovered $225 million in what is now the largest seizure of funds linked to a cryptocurrency investment scam.
In a statement released Wednesday, June 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the recovery followed an extensive investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, using blockchain analysis and other forensic tools. The statement did not confirm whether any arrests had been made.
According to the authorities, the stolen funds originated from fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes that tricked victims into believing they were making legitimate investments. More than 400 individuals around the world, including dozens in the United States, were reportedly affected.
The operation involved a sophisticated money laundering network that carried out hundreds of thousands of blockchain transactions to obscure the source and ownership of the stolen assets.
“These scams prey on trust, often resulting in extreme financial hardship for the victims,” said Shawn Bradstreet, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service office in San Francisco.
Bradstreet added that U.S. officials hope the recovered funds can eventually be returned to the rightful victims.
Cryptocurrency investment fraud accounted for over $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024 alone, according to the statement.
In a rousing declaration that is electrifying minds across the continent, Hon. Nnaemeka Ani, Special Adviser on ICT to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for a homegrown digital revolution under the banner “Africa Will Rise: By Code, By Courage, By Us.”
Hon. Nnaemeka Ani
The message, part challenge, part philosophical—seeks to galvanize African innovators to move beyond buzzwords and build technology with impact and legacy in mind.
“Let’s stop building for hype. Let’s start building for legacy,” Ani urged while speaking to ICT journalists over the weekend. “Let’s stop waiting for someone else. Let’s start creating the future—on our own terms.”
At the heart of Ani’s vision is a shift from tech consumerism to tech authorship. With innovation hubs sprouting across cities like Enugu, Lagos, Kigali, Jo’Burg, and Nairobi, and a growing community of developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs determined to solve Africa’s unique challenges, the movement is already taking shape.
Ani emphasized that Africa’s future lies not in flashy apps or international admiration but in persistent, intentional solutions that uplift communities—solutions that digitize public services, bridge rural-urban divides, empower women and youth, and build resilience in food and climate systems.
“We have the talent,” he said. “Now it’s time to harness it—to stop building for likes and start building for lasting impact.”
With support from leaders like Ani and rising momentum in Africa’s tech corridors, it seems that a new chapter is being written—one line of code at a time.
MTN Says New N6.98 USSD Charge Won’t Affect Airtime Recharge
Sofri Rejigs Digital Platforms for Better Customer Experience
DLM Group Unveils Innovative Sovereign Bond Backed Composite Notes
Study Reveals 7% of Industrial Organizations Tackle Vulnerabilities Only When Necessary
NITDA, NCFRMI Forge Strategic Alliance for Inclusive Digital Transformation of Displaced Nigerians
General News3 days agoNASRDA, Galaxy Space Firm Sign MoU on Satellite Connectivity
Telecom3 days agoOver 1m Nigerians Reached through MTN Staff’s Digital and Community Outreach
Telecom3 days agoMafab Gets 0724 Number Series, Launches Mcom 5G Brand
News3 days agoDBN Awards N13m in Grants to Tech Startups
Telecom3 days agoNCC to Name, Shame Telecom Infrastructure Vandals
News3 days agoFCCPC Shuts France, Belgium, and Italy Visa Centres in Abuja Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations
Telecom3 days agoWSIS Review: Nigerian ICT Leaders Urged to Shape Global Digital Future
E-Financial3 days agoBank Customers Petition CBN over Illegal Deductions, Demand Action