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Stakeholders Seek Stronger Data Sovereignty Initiatives for Nigeria

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Nigeria joined the global community this week to mark international data privacy day. January 28 is dedicated as international data privacy day; this year’s theme is “Own Your Privacy.” Each year, data breaches continue to grow in size and scope – exposing consumers’ sensitive, personal information and businesses’ valuable data.

Against this backdrop that stakeholders urged federal government to ensure a stranger data sovereignty initiative for the country, this they said would help build greater confidence in local technology.

“With firmer laws and implementation, Nigerians will be more confident about the security of their information. This sense of security will ease interaction with digital platforms, and ensure that opportunities in the budding technology space will continue to be exploited by local businesses,” they said.

Data sovereignty refers to the rights of countries to regulate the sharing of data that’s generated within them with entities in other nation-states.

In the past few years, countries across the world have increasingly insisted on this right. They are preventing global agencies from sharing their citizen’s information with foreign governments and implementing laws that restrict such companies from doing so.

Engr. Olusole Teniola, president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) explained that data sovereignty is not about introducing more laws but a philosophy in how we see and use data belonging to an individual.

“In the case of locally generated data and more importantly data sets, then it is considered that this data is treated as data residing in Nigeria under Nigeria’s jurisdictions and covered by data protection laws or regulations in the case of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), which is referenced by global tech companies, insurance companies, financial institutes and health organisations and other data mining companies on how they should use data originating from Nigeria.

“It is very relevant to our digital economy in that data is not like Oil and hence a society that is a knowledge based one can thrive in driving value out of data through the adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Data analytics, Machine Learning, Smart Cities and Smart X and other heavily dependent e-structures that are data driven,” he said.

Teniola however, stressed the need for the country to domicile its data in the country rather than host them outside of the country. “This is necessary, so that we can control our sensitive DNA and reduce the overall cost of governance, create employment now and into the future, define the shape and form of our digital economy and protect our digital borders,” he noted.

He said Nigeria can effectively deal with data sovereignty issues by building digital infrastructure that enables the storage (Data Centers) and processing of our personal and private data in a sensitive manner.

“Key to this is trust in between the citizens, and Government at all tiers and effective enforcement of any laws or regulations that will ensure compliance. Finally underpinning all this is the availability of 24/7 power, affordable broadband and digital literacy,” he stated.

Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, speaking at an event organised by the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) to mark this year’s International Data Privacy Day, said his administration will ensure that data is not abused in the country.”

“Any data under the control of the government or individuals will not be abused under my watch as the Minister. As the Chief ICT policy maker in Nigeria, I am here for telecom operators, regulators and consumers.”

Pantami said the entire digital economy relies on data “as such, data protection is key to driving a digital economy for Nigeria.”

 


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E-Business

Black Friday: How Konga Yakata is Defying Global Inflation

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We have been taught that economics is a force of nature, an invisible hand that giveth and, more recently, taketh away. We watch global indices, inflation charts, and the shrinking purchasing power of our currency with a sense of resigned inevitability. But what if a company decided to push back? What if, instead of merely responding to market forces, it created a counter-force?

That is the story of Konga Yakata, Nigeria’s boldest retail response to inflation. Far from being a shopping festival, Yakata has evolved into a nationwide economic intervention. In the face of rising prices and tightening wallets, Konga’s month-long sales event has emerged as a stabilizing force, helping households stretch their Naira further.

For years, the traditional 24-hour Black Friday rush has felt misaligned with Nigerian realities. A single day of discounts cannot solve month-long financial pressure. Yakata changes the model, transforming it into a 30-day strategic purchasing window. This isn’t a marketing gimmick; it is economic practicality. It gives families time to plan, prioritize, and purchase essentials without panic or strain.

Nigeria’s inflation has driven up the cost of food, housing, and household essentials. Konga Yakata provides relief. By offering genuine products at real and sustained discounts, the campaign helps families save, spend wisely, and maintain their quality of life.

Independent retail analytics show that households that shopped strategically during last year’s Yakata saved up to 35% on essential items: refrigerators, generators, laptops, and groceries. These are not luxuries; they are investments in stability and productivity, made possible by Konga’s pricing and flexible payment options.

Beyond savings, Yakata has reshaped consumer behaviour. It has taught shoppers to anticipate value, plan ahead, and expect quality without compromise. It has evolved into a trusted national tradition.

Industry data reinforces its scale. The 2024 edition generated over ₦12 billion in transaction value across electronics, fashion, appliances, and groceries, with small and medium sellers benefiting through Konga’s marketplaces.

In essence, Konga Yakata is not just a sales event, it is a market stimulus. It challenges the narrative of helplessness in the face of inflation by creating a commercial environment built on trust, affordability, and value. Through innovation, efficient logistics, and consumer-focused fintech, Konga has turned Yakata into a lever of national economic resilience.

As global prices rise and budgets tighten, Konga Yakata stands firm, not only as a celebration of shopping, but as a purposeful act of support for Nigerian households.

Indeed, Konga Yakata 2025 is more than Black Friday Reloaded, it is proof that innovation, empathy, and strategy can rewrite the rules of economics, one household at a time.


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Report Reveals DLL Hijacking Attacks have Doubled since 2023

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Dynamic link library (DLL) hijacking is a common technique in which attackers replace a library loaded by a legitimate process with a malicious one.

It is used by creators of mass-impact malware, like stealers and banking Trojans, as well as by APT (advanced persistent threat) and cybercrime groups behind targeted attacks. Kaspersky reports that DLL hijacking attacks have doubled in the past two years.

Kaspersky has observed this technique and its variations, like DLL sideloading, in targeted attacks on organisations in Russia, Africa, South Korea, as well as other countries and regions.

To further enhance its protection capabilities against this threat, Kaspersky SIEM has introduced a specialised AI-based subsystem that continuously analyses information about all loaded libraries.

The new feature has already proven effective, helping to detect an attack by the APT group ToddyCat. It enabled the threat to be identified and blocked at an early stage, preventing any impact on the targeted organisations. The model also uncovered attempts to infect potential victims with an infostealer and a malicious loader.

“We are seeing DLL hijacking attacks become more common, where a trusted program is tricked into loading a fake library instead of the real one. This gives attackers a way to secretly run their malicious code.

“This technique is difficult to detect, and this is where AI can help. Using advanced protection techniques empowered with AI is now essential to staying ahead of these evolving threats and keeping critical systems safe,” says Anna Pidzhakova, Data Scientist at Kaspersky’s AI Research Center.

Securelist has published two related articles: the first explains how a machine-learning model was developed to detect DLL hijacking attacks, while the second describes how this model was integrated into the Kaspersky SIEM platform. The updated Kaspersky SIEMnow features AI functionality for detecting signs of DLL hijacking attacks, improving detection efficiency.

 


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Meta, NDPC Resolve $32.8m Privacy Dispute Out of Court

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Meta Platforms, Inc., has, reconciled its differences with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in the suit it filed to challenge NDPC’s $32.8m fine imposed against it.

Meta, NDPC Resolve $32.8m Privacy Dispute Out of Court

The legal dispute between Meta and the NDPC ended after both sides agreed on terms to settle the $32.8 million fine earlier imposed on the company.

On February 18, 2025, the NDPC fined Meta $32.8 million and issued eight corrective orders for allegedly violating the privacy rights of Nigerian users through behavioural advertising practices on Facebook and Instagram.

At Monday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Fred Onuobia, SAN, Meta’s counsel, informed the court that the parties had signed terms of settlement dated October 30 and filed on October 31.

“We adopt the terms of settlement and ask my lord to enter them as the judgment of the court,” Onuobia said.

Adeola Adedipe, SAN, Counsel for the NDPC, did not oppose the application.

Justice Omotosho then adopted the agreement as the court’s judgment and commended both parties for choosing to resolve the matter amicably.

“The terms of settlement entered by the parties in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025, dated October 30 and filed October 31, 2025, are hereby adopted as the judgment of this court,” the judge ruled.

The decision ends months of litigation after Meta challenged the NDPC’s fine and enforcement orders through a judicial review, claiming the agency acted beyond its powers and failed to follow due process.

After several adjournments to allow for discussions, both sides eventually reached a mutual resolution.

The NDPC’s case against Meta is one of its major enforcement actions under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, which seeks to strengthen the protection of Nigerians’ data privacy rights.

 


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