Nigeria is overhauling its credit system by linking loan histories to citizens’ National Identity Numbers. The move aims to curb defaults, encourage responsible borrowing, and expand credit access, especially in underserved areas. Experts warned that the system must be backed by strong data protection and inclusive financial infrastructure.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Video - Nigeria revamps credit system to reduce defaults
Nigeria is overhauling its credit system by linking loan histories to citizens’ National Identity Numbers. The move aims to curb defaults, encourage responsible borrowing, and expand credit access, especially in underserved areas. Experts warned that the system must be backed by strong data protection and inclusive financial infrastructure.
Video - Nigeria attempts to curb illegal arms trade
Nigeria is facing a growing security threat as arms intended for its military and police are being sold to insurgents and criminal gangs. Experts blame poor welfare, lack of accountability, corruption, and weak enforcement for helping facilitate illegal weapons sales.
Starlink Fully Resumes New Activations in Nigeria, Expands Access to Major Cities
The company had halted new residential kit orders in November 2024, with prospective users receiving a notice that activations were temporarily on hold pending regulatory clearance from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Since then, Nigerians were unable to place new orders, particularly in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos.
Over the past month, users in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe began reporting renewed access to Starlink’s sign-up portal, suggesting a phased return of services. At that time, however, Abuja was still listed as unavailable. Recent checks now indicate that Starlink is once again accepting new orders in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and other urban areas.
Neither SpaceX nor the NCC has issued an official statement on the development, but the resumed access to residential kits signals that earlier restrictions may have been eased or lifted.
This quiet return marks a notable shift in Nigeria’s broadband landscape, where demand for reliable, high-speed internet—especially in underserved and congested areas—continues to grow.
Nigeria theme park offers escape from biting economy
Nigeria's fragile middle class has been battered by two years of soaring prices amid the country's worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
At Magicland, one content creator from Borno state -- where international headlines typically centre on jihadist attacks -- filmed TikTok dances as a brightly coloured big wheel towered behind her.
Others took to the carnival rides, including 26-year-old public health worker Mary Adeleke, who said she'd once been an adventurous person.
"But as I grew up, with how the country's structured and all the struggles, I lost that part of me," she said, adding she was on a quest to regain it, one roller coaster at a time.
The west African nation is, by some metrics, a success story: a tech powerhouse, a major exporter of global cultural staples like Afrobeats, and the continent's leading oil producer.
But rampant inflation, a cost of living crisis and continued insecurity have proven hard for much of the country's 228 million people.
Walking out of a swinging pendulum ride, Victor Bamidele, 28, offered a review.
"I thought it was something that would take my soul out of my body," the medical device supplier said in typically colourful Nigerian English.
"But it definitely did not," he added. "It was quite enjoyable."
Victoria Friday drove 30 minutes from Nasarawa state. She paid the 1,500 naira ($1) entry fee, but seemed less keen on buying ride tickets.
In a move relatable to budget-conscious young people the world over, the 20-year-old stylist said she "just came to snap my friend" -- taking photos for social media among the colourful backgrounds.
"Our prices are still very low," said park manager Paul Oko.
"Those who don't earn much can still come," he added, though he admitted the number of visitors has declined.
Dozens of Ghanaians trafficked in football job scam rescued in Nigeria
Some 76 Ghanaians who were trafficked to Nigeria under a fraudulent recruitment scheme have been rescued, Ghanaian police say.
The victims, mostly young men, were lured with promises of football contracts with top foreign teams, job placements abroad or assistance with visa processing.
Upon arrival, their travel documents and mobile phones were seized, and they were housed in overcrowded rooms under poor conditions, police say.
The victims were forced to contact their families to solicit about $1,000 (£727) in the guise of paying training or facilitation fees. The fraud masterminds also allegedly used the victims' phone contact lists to scam their friends and relatives.
Seven Ghanaian suspects have been arrested in connection with the trafficking.
The head of Ghana's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor, said at a press briefing that the rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with Interpol and Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
The victims were rescued from different states in Nigeria between 19 May and 27 June this year, and are yet to be repatriated to be reunited with their families in Ghana.
The CID boss cautioned families to verify lucrative job offers and educational opportunities abroad before taking them up.
She said once the victims are convinced into the scam, they are usually instructed to travel by road to an unfamiliar country.
They are later transferred to "holding camps" - rented rooms where as many as 40 people are forced to live in substandard conditions. Under pressure, they are coerced into recruiting others, deceiving even their own families and friends, Ms Donkor said.
"The psychological and economic harm caused to these victims and their families is devastating," she said, adding that in many cases, the victims are "so malnourished and psychologically affected" that they are unable to resume their normal lives.
QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness marketing company allegedly linked to the recruitment scam, has been banned from operating in Ghana since 2022 for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme.
The company has repeatedly denied any involvement in fraudulent activities.
Cases of individuals being lured with false job promises and getting into internet fraud schemes are not uncommon in Ghana and Nigeria.
The police say efforts are ongoing to arrest all of those behind the scam.
By Thomas Naadi, BBC
The victims, mostly young men, were lured with promises of football contracts with top foreign teams, job placements abroad or assistance with visa processing.
Upon arrival, their travel documents and mobile phones were seized, and they were housed in overcrowded rooms under poor conditions, police say.
The victims were forced to contact their families to solicit about $1,000 (£727) in the guise of paying training or facilitation fees. The fraud masterminds also allegedly used the victims' phone contact lists to scam their friends and relatives.
Seven Ghanaian suspects have been arrested in connection with the trafficking.
The head of Ghana's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor, said at a press briefing that the rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with Interpol and Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
The victims were rescued from different states in Nigeria between 19 May and 27 June this year, and are yet to be repatriated to be reunited with their families in Ghana.
The CID boss cautioned families to verify lucrative job offers and educational opportunities abroad before taking them up.
She said once the victims are convinced into the scam, they are usually instructed to travel by road to an unfamiliar country.
They are later transferred to "holding camps" - rented rooms where as many as 40 people are forced to live in substandard conditions. Under pressure, they are coerced into recruiting others, deceiving even their own families and friends, Ms Donkor said.
"The psychological and economic harm caused to these victims and their families is devastating," she said, adding that in many cases, the victims are "so malnourished and psychologically affected" that they are unable to resume their normal lives.
QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness marketing company allegedly linked to the recruitment scam, has been banned from operating in Ghana since 2022 for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme.
The company has repeatedly denied any involvement in fraudulent activities.
Cases of individuals being lured with false job promises and getting into internet fraud schemes are not uncommon in Ghana and Nigeria.
The police say efforts are ongoing to arrest all of those behind the scam.
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