News
FG Invites Private Sector to Partner SON on Testing Centres

Federal government has called on the organised private sector to partner with the Standards organization of Nigeria (SON) in the setting up accredited testing laboratories across the country.
Anyim Pius Anyim, secretary to the Government of the Federation, who stated this at ground-breaking ceremony of SON’s ultra modern laboratory complex at Ogba in Lagos, stated that the enormous responsibility of implementing the Federal Government’s policies to curb the worrisome infl ux and distribution of substandard products has been placed on SON.
“All these activities rely to a large extent on results of relevant tests and analysis from well equipped and accredited laboratories. I therefore seize this opportunity to call on stakeholders and other development partners particularly the organised private sector to continue to support and collaborate with SON for the greater benefi t of the Nigerian consumers,” he said.
Anyim who was represented by Dr. Jamila Shuara, permanent secretary, stated that the provision of better equipped laboratories for SON was part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, to encourage foreign direct investments, SME growth as well as industrial cluster sectors to strengthen the purchasing capacity of the average Nigerian consumer.
Underscoring the enormous capital outlay for the implementation of the unique project and assured government support, the SGF stated that it was pertinent that SON and the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment continue to explore public-private-partnerships to upscale infrastructural development.
Dr. Joseph Odumodu, director general of SON, stated that the completion of the project comprising of facilities for testing 22 various activities and the training of its staff will increase the agency’s effi ciency in delivering its mandate to the Nigerian public which is primarily to rid the country of substandard products.
“There is no internationally accredited laboratory in the country and in the sub-region presently but with this edifi ce, the name of Nigeria will be written among those countries with accredited laboratories,” he enthused.
He noted that setting of accredited laboratories would ensure self-sustainability, in that without the help of government in the next 5-10 years, the agency could afford to train its staff and keep the laboratories running very well.
He added that the SON will continue to ensure products’ traceability through its e-product registration initiative and that full enforcement will commence from month of October, warning that any product found wanting will be immediately removed from the market.
Abubakar Mustapha, chairman, governing council of SON, noted that the agency requires stable funding to enable it really work. He also pledged the unfl inching support of the council to the DG’s campaign of zero tolerance to sub-standard products and the recent e-product registration exercise.
Adeyemi Foluonsho, a representative of the manufacturers association of Nigeria (MAN) congratulated SON on the laudable initiative and pledged manufacturers’ total support and cooperation in complying with the new e-products registration exercise.
The group managing director of Wempco Nigeria limited, Lewis Tung, noted that the development was good for the country’s image as it would send a strong signal to other countries that products bearing made-in-Nigeria were up to international standards.
News
China Expands Zero-Tariff Trade for Nigeria, 52 Other African Nations

China has announced the full implementation of a zero-tariff scheme for 53 African countries, including Nigeria, under the Changsha Declaration, further strengthening economic ties within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The announcement, made by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed a high-level meeting between Chinese officials and African foreign ministers in Changsha. The initiative stems from commitments made during the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC, which focused on building a stronger China-Africa partnership in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
According to a statement released after the meeting, the representatives of China, 53 African nations, and the African Union Commission affirmed their commitment to creating an “all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”
The declaration highlighted the rising influence of the Global South and underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing development, multilateralism, and equitable global governance. It also criticized growing unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion, calling on countries, particularly the United States, to resolve trade disputes through mutual respect and dialogue.
The ministry stressed that African nations face pressing economic and developmental challenges that demand urgent international attention. It urged for increased development assistance, rather than cuts, to support poverty reduction and infrastructure growth across the continent.
In a significant move, China committed to expanding zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing, excluding Eswatini, which has no official diplomatic ties. This will allow greater access for African goods to the Chinese market.
For Africa’s least developed countries, the plan includes enhanced market access measures, streamlined inspection and customs procedures, and increased technical training and trade facilitation.
Additionally, China pledged support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063, with a focus on modernization and sustainable development.
The Chinese government also announced plans to implement the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, deepen cooperation in green industries, e-commerce, science and technology, artificial intelligence, finance, and legal frameworks.
The statement also reaffirmed plans to strengthen people-to-people ties, including initiatives like the “2026 Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”
In September 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed five memoranda of understanding during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking at the Beijing summit, Tinubu described the China-Africa relationship as a “true testament” to the strength of mutual respect and cooperation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar later confirmed that the agreements signed with China are in various stages of implementation.
News
Aliko Dangote Signs out @ Dangote Sugar Refinery as Chairman

In a major leadership transition, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (DSR) has announced the retirement of Aliko Dangote, its founder and chairman, from the Board, effective June 16, 2025.

Aliko Dangote
The announcement was made in a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd on June 11, highlighting the company’s commitment to sound corporate governance and structured succession planning.
In a statement signed by Mrs. Temitope Hassan (FCIS), company secretary and legal adviser, the Board praised Dangote’s extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to the company.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote is one of the founding Directors of the Company and has served with exceptional leadership, integrity, and vision since 2005,” the statement read.
“Under his stewardship, Dangote Sugar Refinery transformed significantly, navigated industry changes, consistently delivered value to shareholders, and upheld strong governance principles.”
Widely regarded as Africa’s most influential industrialist, Dangote led DSR’s evolution into a dominant player in Nigeria’s sugar value chain.
His strategic initiatives, particularly the Backward Integration Projects (BIPs) across Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, advanced the company’s self-sufficiency goals and aligned with the federal government’s national sugar master plan.
While stepping down from DSR, Dangote will continue as President of Dangote Industries Limited.
His legacy at DSR is marked by industrial innovation, strategic foresight, and sustained operational excellence.
To ensure a seamless transition, the Board has appointed Mr. Arnold Ekpe, a seasoned independent non-executive director, as the new chairman, effective June 16.
Ekpe is renowned for his tenure as Group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, where he championed pan-African financial inclusion and institutional growth.
His extensive experience in banking and corporate governance is expected to strengthen DSR’s next phase of development.
The leadership change signals continuity of vision, with DSR reaffirming its focus on operational efficiency and long-term value creation in a dynamic market.
For shareholders and industry observers, Dangote’s exit from the Board marks the end of a transformational era—one defined by bold ambition and strategic execution—while opening a new chapter under Ekpe’s leadership.
News
Report Reveals New Malware Posing as an AI Assistant Steals User Data

Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis Team researchers have discovered a new malicious campaign which is distributing a Trojan through a fake DeepSeek-R1 Large Language Model (LLM) app for PCs.
The previously unknown malware is delivered via a phishing site pretending to be the official DeepSeek homepage that is promoted via Google Ads.
The goal of the attacks is to install BrowserVenom, a malware that configures web browsers on the victim’s device to channel web traffic through the attackers servers, thus allowing to collect user data – credentials and other sensitive information. Multiple infections have been detected in Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, India, Nepal, South Africa and Egypt.
DeepSeek-R1 is one of the most popular LLMs right now, and Kaspersky has previously reported attacks with malware mimicking it to attract victims. DeepSeek can also be run offline on PCs using tools like Ollama or LM Studio, and attackers used this in their campaign.
Users were directed to a phishing site mimicking the address of the original DeepSeek platform via Google Ads, with the link showing up in the ad when a user searched for “deepseek r1”.
Once the user reached the fake DeepSeek site, a check was performed to identify the victim’s operating system. If it was Windows, the user was presented with a button to download the tools for working with the LLM offline. Other operating systems were not targeted at the time of research.
After clicking on the button and passing the CAPTCHA test, a malicious installer file was downloaded and the user was presented with options to download and install Ollama or LM Studio.
If either option was chosen, along with legitimate Ollama or LM Studio installers, malware got installed in the system bypassing Windows Defender’s protection with a special algorithm.
This procedure also required administrator privileges for the user profile on Windows; if the user profile on Windows did not have these privileges, the infection would not take place.
After the malware was installed, it configured all web browsers in the system to forcefully use a proxy controlled by the attackers, enabling them to spy on sensitive browsing data and monitor the victim’s browsing activity.
Because of its enforcing nature and malicious intent, Kaspersky researchers have dubbed this malware BrowserVenom.
“While running large language models offline offers privacy benefits and reduces reliance on cloud services, it can also come with substantial risks if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the popularity of open-source AI tools by distributing malicious packages and fake installers that can covertly install keyloggers, cryptominers, or infostealers.
These fake tools compromise a user’s sensitive data and pose a threat, particularly when users have downloaded them from unverified sources,” comments Lisandro Ubiedo, Security Researcher with Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team.
- General News3 days ago
AfDB to Provide $184.1mfor Africa’s Largest Solar Energy, Battery Storage Project
- General News3 days ago
Court Declines Access Bank’s Request to Freeze MTNN Account over N180Bn Claims
- News3 days ago
Report Reveals New Malware Posing as an AI Assistant Steals User Data
- Telecom3 days ago
MTN Mulls Establishment of Fintech Firm in Nigeria, Others
- News3 days ago
Aliko Dangote Signs out @ Dangote Sugar Refinery as Chairman
- E-Business3 days ago
FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps
- E-Financial3 days ago
FG to Train 100,000 Youths Annually in Forex Trading and Financial Skills
- E-Financial2 days ago
Sterling Bank Pledges ₦2bn to Fully Fund University Scholarships