The Federal Government, has warned Nigerians against the growing threat of cyber slavery within the West African sub-region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued in Abuja by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson, noted with grave concern the alarming rise of cyber slavery across parts of West Africa, targeting Nigerian citizens, particularly vulnerable youths.

The government said many young Nigerians, including underage teenagers, were lured out of the country under the false promise of lucrative employment opportunities abroad, particularly in crypto-related operations.

According to the government, “In reality, these individuals are trafficked into sophisticated scam operations and enslaved to work in criminal “call centres” — often referred to as “419 cyber-scam factories.” There, they are forced under coercive and inhumane conditions to send thousands of fraudulent emails, text messages, and calls aimed at defrauding victims worldwide.”

The government also noted with dismay, a recent incident where the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) in Accra, Ghana, rescued and detained a group of Nigerians forced to engage in cybercrime activities under inhumane conditions.

“This incident highlights the severe exploitation and abuse associated with cybercrime operations. It also underscores the need for enhanced efforts to combat such multibillion-dollar criminal networks and mitigate the susceptibility of victims.

“The Ministry strongly warns all Nigerians, especially the youths and parents, to exercise the utmost caution when presented with job offers, particularly those promising easy money, overseas travel, or remote work involving cryptocurrencies.

“Nigerians are therefore advised to verify all employment offers through official channels and report suspicious cases to relevant authorities for necessary investigation and action to curtail the activities of the perpetrators.

“The Ministry wishes to assure the general public that, as a precautionary measure to address this unfortunate situation, the Federal Government is working closely with regional partners, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to tackle this heinous crime, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to justice.

“The Ministry remains committed to protecting Nigerian citizens at home and abroad and will continue to raise awareness about emerging threats to the welfare and dignity of our people,” the statement read.

ALX Nigeria is once again proving that when African talent meets the right opportunity, magic happens. In a celebration of innovation, grit, and ambition, ALX officially launched its 2025 Ventures Incubator Cohort, an elite group of startup founders handpicked from across the country, while simultaneously premiering the grand finale of the pan-African “Do Hard Things Challenge” at its Lagos hub.

From tech founders solving community challenges to creatives turning ideas into global solutions, ALX is backing the bold and building the infrastructure to help them scale. The ALX Ventures Incubator is the next big leap for graduates of the Founder Academy, providing them with hands-on mentorship, investor access, and the resources to grow sustainable businesses that shape the future of the continent.

“The launch of the ALX Ventures Incubator is proof of our unwavering commitment to building the infrastructure for African innovation to thrive,” said Ruby Igwe, Country General Manager at ALX Nigeria. “We witnessed incredible potential at our Founder Academy, and this next step ensures that these promising startups receive the support they need to grow into high-impact ventures. It’s about translating potential into lasting impact.”

These new ventures are powered by the same spirit that drove the Do Hard Things Challenge—a bold initiative that saw ALX travel to eight African cities in search of the continent’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. The final stop? Mauritius, where top finalists pitched in a high-stakes finale, now screened live for the Lagos tech and media community.

The challenge took ALX across Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kigali, Accra, Cairo, Casablanca, and Addis Ababa, shining a spotlight on resilience, creativity, and unstoppable drive.

“The ‘Do Hard Things Challenge’ embodies the spirit we cultivate at ALX: resilience, ambition, and the courage to tackle complex problems,” said Joshua Ebinabo, ALX Ventures Country Entrepreneurship Development Manager.

“Showcasing the finale from Mauritius here in Lagos connects our local innovators to the broader African story. It inspires our learners, reassures parents about the future of tech, and shows business leaders the investment-ready talent right here in our ecosystem.”

The event brought together founders, business leaders, creators, and media influencers—all gathered to witness what happens when African talent is seen, celebrated, and supported. The energy was electric, the vision was bold, and the mission was clear: empower Africa’s brightest minds to build global solutions from right here on the continent.

Whether you’re a startup founder looking to scale or a dreamer looking for your big break, ALX continues to be the launchpad for Africa’s digital and entrepreneurial revolution.

Learn more about ALX’s tech and business programmes at alxafrica.ng, and follow the movement on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram via @alxnigeria.

Nick Turley, OpenAI’s Head of Product, testified in Washington that the company would be interested in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if antitrust enforcers succeed in forcing Alphabet to sell the popular web browser.

This testimony was part of a high-profile trial in which the US Department of Justice is pushing to break up Google’s monopoly in the online search and advertising markets, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

The DOJ’s case centres on Google’s dominance in online search, which it argues unfairly stifles competition. A key aspect of the DOJ’s proposed remedies includes requiring Google to divest assets, including its Chrome browser, to restore a more competitive search environment.

According to the report, Turley’s statement provided insight into OpenAI’s competitive positioning within the generative AI space.

He noted that Google’s refusal to partner with OpenAI for access to its search technology within ChatGPT had pushed the company to explore alternative partnerships, particularly with Microsoft’s Bing.

Turley had previously written that ChatGPT leads the consumer chatbot market and did not consider Google its biggest competitor, according to an internal OpenAI document presented by Google’s lawyers during the trial.

He clarified that the document was meant to inspire OpenAI employees and emphasised that the company would still benefit from distribution partnerships, Reuters reported.

Earlier in the day, Turley testified that Google rejected OpenAI’s bid to use its search technology within ChatGPT.

OpenAI had reached out to Google after experiencing issues with its own search provider, Turley said, though he did not identify the provider. ChatGPT currently uses Microsoft’s Bing for search.

“We believe having multiple partners, and in particular Google’s API, would enable us to provide a better product to users,” OpenAI had told Google in an email shown at the trial.

OpenAI first reached out in July, but Google declined the request in August, citing concerns about competition. “We have no partnership with Google today,” Turley said.

The trial also highlighted Google’s internal strategy, including efforts to secure exclusive search agreements with major Android device manufacturers like Samsung.

According to Turley, such exclusivity could hinder the development of competing AI technologies, like ChatGPT, which depend on a range of search and data sources.