By Deborah Coker

Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta) says his Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) Amendment Bill is meant to protect Nigerians from illegal access to their data, fake news, defamation and online bullying.

Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said the bill did not seek to restrict Nigerians’ access to data or social media space as being speculated in some quarters.

He said for too long the country had allowed big tech companies, social media giants and digital platforms to operate freely without accountability.

“They make billions of dollars from our people yet they do not pay the right taxes, they do not create enough jobs for our youths, and when we have issues, we don’t even know where to find them.

“The bill will mandate social media platforms and online businesses to establish physical offices in Nigeria. It is time the nation took control of its digital space.

“It is not against businesses, but for the good of Nigerians. Other countries are doing it. Why not Nigeria?

“Some countries have gone as far as shutting them down until they comply. So, what is stopping us from making them respect our laws? he queried.

According to him, the bill stipulates that if you want to do business in Nigeria, you must register in Nigeria, pay taxes in Nigeria, and create jobs for Nigerians.

“It is time to take control of our digital space. This bill is not against businesses — it is for the good of the Nigerian people. Anyone who says otherwise is not being honest,” Nwoko told NAN.

The lawmaker, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Reparations and Repatriation, added that if the bill became law, it would ensure repatriation through taxation.

“Every year Nigeria loses at least $10 billion in taxes from these companies because they refuse to set up offices here. In the last 10 years alone, we have lost more than $50 billion. This cannot continue.

“If these companies want to operate in Nigeria, they must pay their fair share of taxes like every other business.

Nwoko further said this would ensure technology transfer and compliance with Nigerian standards.

“They will also bring knowledge and expertise to our people. That is how countries grow; by learning and improving on global best practices. It would also ensure accountability and legal redress.

Nwoko, who is also a member of Senate Committee on Communication, further said that the bill would help regulate bloggers and digital content creators.

“Some of them think I am fighting them. No, I am not fighting anyone. But we must do things properly,” he said.

“Bloggers should belong to a recognised media union. Lawyers have the NBA; doctors have the NMA; journalists have the NUJ. So why should bloggers operate without any standards?

“If there is a complaint against a blogger, there must be a professional body to hold them accountable.

“Bloggers are making money too and should pay taxes if they earn enough in line with the new tax laws of President Bola Tinubu.

“When bloggers are registered with CAC and belong to a known union, they can easily access loan facilities to expand their businesses,” Nwoko told NAN. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, has unveiled sustainable energy with Electric Vehicle Charging Station in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charging station was unveiled at the headquarters of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in Abuja.

It was done in collaboration with Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC).

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said that it was a pivotal step in advancing Nigeria’s transition to sustainable energy solutions.

Nnaji said that the project was an infrastructure milestone and a testament to the nation’s resolve to embrace technological advancement in energy and transportation.

According to him, the partnership will pave the way for a more sustainable, eco-friendly future, reducing carbon emissions and aligning Nigeria with global trends in electric mobility.

“I am proud to witness this bold stride toward cleaner mobility.

“It is a direct reflection of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, enhancing energy security, and promoting green innovations.

“As we commission this charging station today, let us collectively work towards expanding this initiative across the nation, ensuring that electric mobility becomes a viable, widespread reality in Nigeria.

“The ministry remains committed to policies and initiatives that drive technological advancement, attract investment, and create sustainable employment in the green economy,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said that the project was an Electric Vehicle Charging Station designed for sustainable running, to stand the test of time.

Abdullahi said that the project was in line with the presidential declaration on climate change and Nigerian clean energy policy toward net zero GHG emissions, through the use of solar energy.

He said that the design was a fast-charging technology with which a typical electric vehicle could be fully charged in about 30 minutes.

“It is a Skilowatt Solar-Powered facility that has capacity to run on both power supply from the public grid when preferred, as well as Solar PV.

“It is designed with a 20-kilowatt Lithium Battery and BVA intelligent inverter, to ensure quick charging, maintainability,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to the Minister, technical partner of the ECN, the Electric Motor Vehicle Company, the first in Nigeria.

He also commended the management and staff of the ECN for their support towards the actualisation of the project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Kadiri Abdulrahman

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr Fene Osakwe on winning the Cyber Personality of the Year award at the 2025 Cyber Security Awards in the UK.

Osakwe is the chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the first African to win in the Cyber Security Awards category.

He was recognised for his exceptional leadership, advocacy and expertise in cybersecurity and data privacy, clinching the prize ahead of other finalists from the United States, the UAE, Qatar, the Netherlands and the UK.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, on Sunday said, “President Tinubu celebrates Dr Osakwe’s achievements, underscoring his immense contributions to cybersecurity and his efforts to evolve new horizons in the field.

“The President describes the 2025 Cyber Personality of the Year as an exceptional Nigerian and a worthy representation of Nigeria’s talented, innovative, and pace-setting youth.

“While extolling the youth as Nigeria’s greatest asset, President Tinubu states that Dr Osakwe’s nomination and subsequent win foreground the global impact of young African professionals in cybersecurity.”

The President wished Osakwe more success in his endeavours. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has urged that Executive Orders 003 and 005 be made laws to ensure full compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Dr Kazeem Raji, Director–General of NBTI, made the appeal to the National Assembly during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Executive Orders are not laws but once issued, remain in force until they are cancelled, revoked, adjudicated unlawful, or expire on their terms.

The Executive Order 003 on ICT and local content was signed by former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo.

It stipulates that all MDAs shall grant preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in the procurement of goods and services.

Similarly, Executive Order 005 signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, directs all MDAs to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy.

“This is in the spirit of current efforts of the Federal Government to boost domestic production, grow domestic talents and reform the economy.

“However, turning these Executive Orders into laws or Act of Parliament will make them more effective and enforceable,’’ Raji said.

Raji said Orders 003 and 005, if turned into laws will encourage Nigerians to embrace their own technology and innovations.

“It is not just enough for them to remain Orders alone. They have to become Act of Parliament. So that if they become laws, Nigerians will embrace the indigenous technology,’’ he said.

He said this would lead to increase in patronage with attendant benefits to the nation’s economy.

“If Executive Orders 003 and 005 are made laws, you will be rest assured that capital flight will become a thing of the past.

“We can shore up our foreign reserve, increase GDP, local content production; have more employment opportunities leading to economic development.

“These Executive Orders will no longer be flagrantly violated because there will be consequences,” he said.

He said the Executive Order 003 and 005 exemplified the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to grow domestic production through the patronage of locally produced goods. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne/Joseph Edeh