E-Business
Samsung Excites Nigerians with Galaxy Note 3, Gear
Samsung Electronics has unveiled the latest addition to its Galaxy Note family, the Galaxy Note 3, in Nigeria.
The highly-anticipated product was unveiled alongside an innovative complement, the Galaxy Gear, a wrist-worn device that connects to the Note 3 for what the company describes as ‘an even more outstanding mobile experience.’
The devices, which have been available for purchase at Samsung stores and accredited dealers in Nigeria since October 1, 2013, were formally unveiled to the public at an elaborate ceremony at Intercontinental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest device in the Note category yet. It features a screen larger than that of its predecessor, the Galaxy Note II while maintaining the same width as the previous Galaxy Note version and delivering on a larger, better viewing and multi-tasking experience.
The device is equipped with a 13 megapixel camera that features Samsung’s proprietary Smart Stabilization which enables high performance photography even in low light conditions with motion. It also features the industry’s largest 3GB RAM for a faster and more powerful performance.
The device’s S Pen features new innovations that reinvents and modernizes consumers’ note-taking experience by providing them with the ability to complete more tasks with just one click.
A simple click of the S Pen button while hovering over the device’s screen introduces users to Air Command, a palette of five powerful features that make tasks easier and faster to accomplish. The feature frees users of the need to toggle between screens, memorize commands or look up different menus.
In addition to its innovative technological advancements, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 also delivers a new premium look and feel, expanding on the modern Samsung Galaxy design approach with a new, soft and textured-touch back cover and delicate stitching. It also features a serration pattern on the side of the device that evokes a connection to classic notebooks and planners.
To complement the Galaxy Note 3’s unparalleled features, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Gear, a voice-controlled, wrist-mounted device that connects to premium Samsung smartphones.
The Galaxy Gear can make phone calls, take pictures as well as record videos and conversations. With 70 android apps available for download, the device has a solid touchscreen and can sync with smartphones to display text messages and e-mails and also access the internet.
It features a 1.9 megapixel camera and built-in speakers that allow users to make hands-free calls. In addition, the device boasts a battery life of 25 hours on just a single charge.
According to Mr. Brovo Kim, managing director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, the Galaxy Note 3is positionedto meet the demands of consumers desirous of larger screens and more user-friendly display.
“In 2011, we introduced the original Galaxy Note and launched a whole new smart device category. The undeniable success of the Galaxy Note category strengthened our conviction that consumers want higher quality features on their devices and they want those new features to positively impact their quality of life. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is a powerful, original approach that enables its users to tell the stories of their lives through dynamic and seamless expressions of their passions across work, play and life experiences,” he said.
Kim reiterated Samsung’s commitment to fulfilling its brand promise of inspiring the world and creating the future through its commitment to bringing new and meaningful innovations to the doorstep of consumers.
The new Galaxy Note 3 also comes with enhanced privacy and security protection options with Samsung KNOX.
Samsung KNOX allows users to run and store security-sensitive applications and data in a protected folder inside the device. In addition to this, the Galaxy Note 3 is equipped with an improved Find My Mobile feature that allows users to disable the phone, remotely track or erase the data from their lost or stolen device.
Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, director, Hand Held Products for Samsung Electronics West Africa, described the Galaxy Note 3 as a testament to Samsung’s innovation leadership in the smartphones market and its commitment to developing the best products to meet the ever-changing needs of its consumers.
“Once again we have proven our commitment to offering state-of-the-art technology by introducing the Galaxy Note 3, which takes mobile device performance, screen and content to a whole new level. A great number of innovations were injected into the product towards delivering new value to enhance the lives of our consumers and also provide them with the ultimate communication experience. Today, we are excited to present Nigerians with the world’s most powerful mobile device,” he said.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has opposed a bill seeking to compel major global social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria.
The rights advocacy group urged the National Assembly to discard the proposed legislation, warning that it could become a tool for censorship and undermine citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, despite being presented as a measure to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and improve corporate accountability.
The position was contained in a presentation submitted yesterday by Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator, HURIWA, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, has already passed second reading in the Senate and is before the committee for further legislative consideration.
HURIWA said it carefully reviewed the proposed legislation and concluded that compelling global technology companies to establish offices in Nigeria was unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.
The organisation argued that while the firms generate substantial revenue from Nigeria’s vast digital market, they already engage Nigerians through existing structures, including paying eligible content creators, working with local technology professionals and participating in legal proceedings whenever required.
According to the group, appointing local representatives where necessary would adequately address concerns about engagement with regulators and users without forcing the companies to maintain physical offices.
It also dismissed claims that mandatory country offices would significantly improve consumer complaint resolution, technology transfer or employment generation.
HURIWA maintained that the platforms already have effective feedback mechanisms for resolving users’ complaints and routinely appear before Nigerian courts through their representatives whenever litigation arises.
The group, however, said its greatest concern was the potential for the proposed law to be used as an instrument for restricting freedom of expression.
It argued that establishing local offices could expose global social media companies to pressure from government authorities to remove online content considered critical of those in power.
According to the rights group, the presence of social media companies in Nigeria could become an avenue for authorities to pressure them into abandoning internationally recognised digital rights standards in favour of politically motivated content moderation.
It recalled previous attempts to regulate social media in Nigeria that generated widespread concerns over possible restrictions on free speech, stressing that any legislation affecting the digital space must contain clear safeguards against abuse.
The organisation warned that the proposed law should never become “a backdoor mechanism for government surveillance, arbitrary content removal or political censorship.
Nigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).
The report, the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, showed that Africa’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.
However, only $5.2 billion (23 per cent) was generated by licensed operators, while $17.8 billion (77 per cent) remained in the unregulated market.
In West Africa, total online gambling revenue rose to $4.8 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion in 2024. Of the 2025 figure, regulated operators accounted for $1.5 billion (31 per cent), while $3.3 billion (69 per cent) flowed to unlicensed platforms, highlighting the region’s persistent enforcement challenges.
Nigeria stood out as the region’s strongest performer, recording the lowest unregulated market share at 56 per cent, compared with the West African average of 69 per cent and the African average of 77 per cent.
The study also found that online gambling participation across Africa increased from 198 million people (13 per cent of the population) in 2024 to 215 million (14 per cent) in 2025.
Despite this growth, GCI estimated that illegal operators deprived African governments of about $3.55 billion in tax revenue in 2025. The number of unlicensed gambling platforms targeting African consumers also rose to 4,129, up from 3,644 in 2024.
Commenting on the findings, Matt Holt, chief executive officer, GCI, said the report provides regulators with the first continent-wide benchmark for strengthening oversight and consumer protection.
Ismail Vali, president, GCI, urged governments to develop competitive and well-regulated markets that encourage consumers to patronise licensed operators, boost public revenue and attract greater investment.
Online gambling in Nigeria is regulated by the Nation Lottery Regulatory Commission.
At the height of the Northern Hemisphere tourist season, demand for communications and mobile Internet services rises sharply. Kaspersky’s security experts have uncovered scams that target anyone purchasing mobile connections or SIM cards worldwide.
Fraudsters create counterfeit websites that look like the portals of major regional and international telecom providers to trick users into revealing their phone numbers, personal details or banking information.
Kaspersky is sharing several examples of these fake login pages that mimic legitimate telecom operator sites and giving recommendations on how not to be deceived.
In the first case, scammers exploit the brand name of an international telecommunications company operating services in Asia, Africa and Europe. Fake authentication pages encourage users to put in their phone number and credentials.
While the first example shows the different design, the second scam site closely mimics the original log in page, making it hard for users to tell the difference and spot a fake. Entering authentication or payment data on fraudulent web sites may result in money or data loss and become a reason for more frequent spam and fraudulent calls.
Another example is a scam page which poses as another international communications company, working in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In this scheme scammers encourage users to top up their mobile data/Internet plans by entering their personal information and bank cards details.
Kaspersky experts have also identified a scam when cyber criminals suggest users enter their personal data to check and pay a bill inquiry. Such scam schemes are usually aimed at gaining victims’ personal data for further fraud or account hacking and stealing money.
“Because of the active use of AI, scammers can now create fake pages with ever increasing accuracy and speed, targeting the most popular user interest areas. We constantly see scams revolving around sports events, music concerts, seasonal sales and holidays. Unfortunately, the telecoms industry is no exception.
To keep your data and money safe, be vigilant when purchasing mobile or Internet plans online. Using an eSIM – purchased through an official app – is one way to avoid fake telecom sites, as it eliminates the need to enter personal details on questionable web pages.
If you’re unsure about a site’s legitimacy, search for the brand name directly in a search engine and enable a security solution that blocks phishing links for you,” comments Tatyana Kulikova, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
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