Telecom
Cyber Crooks Threatens National Security with RAT
Despite recent moves by Nigeria to enact a cyber crime law to combat the global scourge, a study by Symantec – the leading security firm, shows the rogues are inventing more ingenuous routes to unleash terror on government infrastructures and multinational operations.
Katie Beck, Symantec’s group PR manager, EMEA Mid-Size & Growth Countries Corporate Communications stated that cyber criminals are getting more sophisticated in their deployment of technology at beating the system.
“Cybercriminal operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated, a trend that is likely to continue in the future.”
The Symantec study on new trends of cyber attacks show criminals deploying remote access Trojan (RAT). In one instance, RAT was configured to contact a command-and-control (C&C) server located in Ukraine (one of the nations from the defunct Soviet Union legacy).
Using the RAT, the attacker immediately took control of an office administrative assistant’s infected computer. This way, “they logged keystrokes, viewed the desktop, and browsed and exfiltrated files.”
Nigeria’s vulnerability is made worst by the fact that government businesses are conducted via open email infrastructure across the nation.
Most ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) rather than use dedicated platforms for official government-to-government businesses, use open sources like yahoomail for official transactions.
According to the Symantec study, “Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots act like GSM cellular radios (equivalent to a GSM phone) that can provide Internet access to a computer system through the mobile phone network.
This potentially provides anonymity for the attacker if the GSM SIM card for the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is purchased in cash at a bazaar or private sale. Many 3G providers around the world allow the purchasing of a prepaid data plan without verifying the identity of the buyer. As a result, telecom records will not lead to an individual.”
But a senior corporate communications staff of a leading mobile operator in Lagos pleading anonymity told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek it was unlikely to have some purchase a prepaid data plan without his details properly verified.
When confronted with facts that pre-registered SIM cards are sold in the open market across operators platforms, he insisted that it was not possible.
Roselyn Isimeto, a Computer Science lecturer at the University of Lagos noted that cyber crime is a scourge of the new age and nations need to invest in IT infrastructure to keep attacks at minimal levels.
She noted that Nigeria’s critical economic infrastructure in key sectors like oil and gas, telecommunications, electricity, aviation and finance are at risk of major knock down by cyber crooks.
Beck noted that attackers usually begin by “compromising systems within an organization using their RAT. Once the systems were infected with the RAT, the attacker retrieved identifying information, including disaster recovery plans, of the organization’s bank and telecom providers, its points of contact with both providers and its bank and telecom account data.
“Using this data, the attacker was able to impersonate a company representative and called the organization’s telecom provider. They proved their authenticity to the telecom provider, claimed that a physical disaster had occurred and said that they needed all of the organization’s phone numbers to be redirected to attacker-controlled phones.”
But Nigeria said it is working on a law to curb the menace.
Labaran Maku, minister of information stated that the “objective of the (new) cyber crime law (2003) is to prove an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cyber crimes in Nigeria – promote cyber security and ensure the protection of critical national information infrastructure.”
Maku says “there is need for cooperation and international coalition to combat cyber crimes. Cyber crimes are species of cross-border crimes perpetrated in time and space from any geographical spot in the world.”
Consequently, he noted that the new Nigerian cyber crime law is bring the country to the fulfillment of the ‘Budapest Convention on Cyber crime and reflects Nigeria’s obligations under the soon-to-be fomalised African Union (AU) Convention on the subject matter.”
MTN Foundation hosted its annual Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Conference on July 9, 2025, at the MTN Rooftop in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders from government, healthcare, education, security, civil society, and the private sector to address the growing challenge of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.
L-R: Tobe Okigbo, Chef Corporate Services Officer, MTN Nigeria; Archieabia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, representative of Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/CEO, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, (representative of His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu); RT. Honourable Princess Lasbat Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State Assembly; Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, and Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health (representative of Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State) during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Lagos Conference held in commemoration of World Drug Day at the MTN Rooftop, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Prominent attendees included Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of MTN Foundation; Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government; and Dr. Tolu Ajomale of the Lagos Ministry of Health, among others. Also present were representatives of NDLEA, UNODC, academia, psychologists, recovery advocates, and youth leaders.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Salu-Hundeyin reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to safeguarding its youth and fostering a future free from substance abuse. Dr. Olusoga emphasized that drug addiction extends beyond health, touching families, communities, and national well-being, calling for proactive, united action.
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobe Okigbo, stressed the company’s long-standing dedication to youth development through initiatives like ASAP. NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archieabia Ibinabo, representing Brigadier General Buba Marwa, commended MTN Foundation as a vital ally in drug prevention efforts.
The conference featured personal stories of recovery in a session titled “Journeys Through the Fire,” followed by a panel discussion on multi-sectoral solutions to substance abuse. It concluded with a dramatic performance, “Just One Breath,” by LASU’s WADA Club, illustrating the personal and societal toll of drug use.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, closed the event with a powerful call to action, urging media, communities, and policymakers to drive sustained investment in youth empowerment and early intervention.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to building resilience among young Nigerians and catalyzing cross-sector partnerships for a drug-free future.
MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was filled with music, pride and emotion on Thursday, July 4, as the Class of 2025 of the MTN Foundation–MUSON Diploma in Music graduated in a ceremony that celebrated discipline, artistry and the power of partnership in nurturing young Nigerian talents.
The event marked the culmination of two years of intensive training for the graduating scholars, supported by the MTN Foundation–MUSON Scholarship Programme. This partnership has provided full scholarships to hundreds of talented Nigerians, giving them access to world-class music education and helping them hone their skills as professional musicians.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mosun Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation, praised the graduates for their resilience and dedication. “Despite personal and financial obstacles, you showed up with determination, supported one another and embodied the values of excellence and empathy. You are stepping into the world as teachers, performers and cultural advocates. Nigeria and the world need your music now more than ever,” she said.
Chairman of MUSON’s Board of Trustees, Louis Mbanefo, SAN, reflected on the legacy of MUSON and the impact of its partnership with MTN. “Through the generosity of MTN and the dedication of our faculty, MUSON has produced more than 500 graduates who are making significant contributions to Nigeria’s cultural scene and beyond. As you join this vibrant alumni community, remember your responsibility to give back, uphold excellence and enrich the nation’s musical heritage,” he said.
Director of the MUSON School of Music, Princess Banke Ademola, described the graduates as ambassadors of discipline and artistry. “Today, we are not just sending graduates into the world; we are releasing ambassadors of discipline, creativity, and cultural excellence. Each of you has proven that with hard work and resilience, music can transcend challenges and inspire change. Go out there and let your music heal, connect, and transform lives.”
In her speech, Chief Mrs. Joke Chukwuma, Yeye Oba Iye of Ekiti Kingdom, encouraged them to use their music to inspire change and heal communities. “Music is the heartbeat of our culture, and today’s graduates are its future custodians. You are not just musicians; you are storytellers and architects of emotion. Carry your craft with pride and remember that your sound has the power to give voice to the voiceless and light to the world.”
As the graduates received their diplomas to loud applause, the event highlighted the impact of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s creative industries. The MTN Foundation–MUSON partnership continues to inspire hope for the future of music in Nigeria, turning dreams into reality and passion into excellence.
Nvidia has become the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market valuation, surpassing tech giants Apple and Microsoft. Shares rose 2.5% in early trading on Wednesday, July 9, lifting the chipmaker’s market cap past the historic milestone.
Nvidia’s rapid rise reflects its dominant role in powering the global artificial intelligence boom. The company’s chips run the data centers behind AI models and cloud services for Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and more. Global spending on AI infrastructure is expected to top $200 billion by 2028, driving further demand.
Nvidia’s revenue for the quarter ending in April soared 69% year-over-year to $44.1 billion. Its stock has climbed nearly 20% this year, despite facing export restrictions and fresh competition from China’s DeepSeek, which briefly rattled markets. Nvidia shares dropped as much as 37% from January to April, before roaring back to gain almost 74% since early April.
Analysts say Nvidia’s success cements it as the backbone of the AI revolution. “There is one company in the world that is the foundation for the AI revolution, and that is Nvidia,” wrote Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives. He predicts Microsoft, currently valued around $3.77 trillion, will also cross the $4 trillion threshold later this summer.
Nvidia rose to prominence through graphics cards loved by gamers, but now leads in AI hardware, from autonomous vehicles to next-gen chips like the Blackwell Ultra, which promises to support more advanced reasoning in AI models.
The company’s surge has also made CEO Jensen Huang one of the world’s richest people, with a net worth of roughly $140 billion. Huang has met with President Trump and joined other tech leaders on trips abroad, as Nvidia partners in major initiatives like Project Stargate, a $500 billion push to expand US AI infrastructure.
Despite challenges from new players and US-China trade tensions that cost it an estimated $2.5 billion last quarter, Nvidia’s outlook remains bright. On a May earnings call, Huang said AI would become essential for “every country” and “every industry,” from software and healthcare to manufacturing and transportation.
Some on Wall Street believe Nvidia’s rise is only beginning. Loop Capital analysts recently projected the company could reach a staggering $6 trillion valuation by 2028, calling it “essentially a monopoly for critical tech” in the AI space.
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