Nigeria News (Standard)
MTN Subscribers in Lagos Audit Lines After ₦100 Deductions Spark Viral Outrage
No official statement from telecom giant as thousands use NCC codes to block unsolicited services, citing widespread billing fears
No official statement from telecom giant as thousands use NCC codes to block unsolicited services, citing widespread billing fears
Thousands of MTN Nigeria subscribers in Lagos and other major cities have begun urgently checking their mobile lines following widespread claims of unauthorised ₦100 airtime deductions, which surfaced online on Monday. The panic was triggered by a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user alleged being enrolled into a paid subscription without consent, leading to a midnight debit for a service named ‘Mega Wins – Slot Daily.’
The incident unfolded after the subscriber posted screenshots showing an SMS confirmation of the unsolicited service activation just after midnight, with no immediate charge but an auto-renewal scheduled for the next day. Twenty-four hours later, a second SMS allegedly confirmed the deduction of ₦100 from their airtime balance. As the post gained traction, thousands of MTN users across Lagos and beyond began running audits on their accounts, sharing similar experiences and urging others to check for hidden value-added services (VAS) that may be silently draining their airtime.
This development comes at a time when telecom users in Nigeria are grappling with rising costs and concerns over data transparency. The claim that such automated deductions—if scaled across millions—could generate massive undisclosed revenue has heightened public anxiety. However, as at Tuesday morning, there is no independent evidence that MTN’s system is automatically subscribing users without consent, and MTN has yet to issue any official response addressing the viral thread or confirming any system breach.
Industry guidelines from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) provide remedies for affected subscribers. Customers can dial *305# on their MTN line to view and cancel all active third-party subscriptions instantly. In addition, texting ‘STOP’ to 2442 activates the full Do-Not-Disturb (DND) mode, blocking all promotional subscription requests and minimising accidental charges. Consumer rights advocates say these measures are effective if consistently used but stress that operators must do more to ensure transparency.
While many subscribers continue to share screenshots of successful opt-outs via social media, calls persist for MTN and other network operators to clarify how such activations occur and what safeguards exist against future occurrences. As at press time, opposition parties and consumer groups have not released official statements, but pressure is mounting on regulatory authorities to enforce stricter oversight of third-party billing practices within Nigeria’s telecom sector.
How To Cancel Auto-Renewal on MTN Nigeria (2026)
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/mtn-unauthorized-deduction-check-code-2026062410204052442
Nigeria News (Standard)
Timini Egbuson Reignites Dating Rumours with Bimbo Ademoye at Lagos Event
Nollywood stars fuel speculation after public appearance and resurfaced interview; fans question ‘just friends’ claims
Nollywood stars fuel speculation after public appearance and resurfaced interview; fans question ‘just friends’ claims
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has once again sparked relationship rumours with fellow star Bimbo Ademoye following their joint appearance at a corporate event in Lagos over the weekend. The development comes after a resurfaced interview where Egbuson suggested he would consider dating Ademoye if she were single, renewing longstanding speculation about the nature of their relationship.
The two actors, both known for their roles in popular films such as The Kujus, Breaded Life, Big Love, Reel Love, Kamsi, and Love Is Yellow, were seen arriving hand-in-hand at the Lafarge Africa rebranding ceremony in Lagos. They spent much of the event together, smiling and chatting closely. Ademoye later posted photos from the outing on social media with the caption, “I got a parking lot and my favourite TV guy,” drawing further attention from fans.
Public interest in Egbuson and Ademoye’s relationship has grown since August 2024, when Egbuson posted a video of the pair in bed together and joked about a “big announcement,” hinting at a possible child and naming ceremony. In February this year, Ademoye herself added to the speculation by jokingly telling Egbuson that she would only marry him if his film Love and New Notes crossed ₦500 million at the box office, and that they could only have children if it reached ₦1 billion.
The speculation intensified when a fan commented on Ademoye’s recent post from the Lafarge event, saying, “If you guys don’t get married, I will cry.” Ademoye replied, “You will not cry in Jesus name,” which did not confirm or deny any relationship but kept fans guessing. The appearance of both actors together at high-profile events and repeated playful exchanges have made many Nigerians question whether they are simply leveraging attention for publicity or if there is more to their friendship.
As at press time, neither Egbuson nor Ademoye has officially confirmed any romantic involvement. However, their consistent public teasing continues to generate widespread discussion online. Industry observers say this ongoing narrative keeps both stars firmly in the spotlight, with fans waiting to see whether their off-screen chemistry will ever translate into an official relationship.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/timini-bimbo-every-time-they-sparked-dating-rumours-2026062412384908558
Nigeria News (Standard)
BOA MD Partners Women Affairs Ministry to Unlock ₦1.7trn Agriculture Potential for 30 Million Women Farmers
Ayodeji Sotinrin leads Bank of Agriculture team to Abuja, urges targeted financing for women to drive $1 trillion economy goal
Ayodeji Sotinrin leads Bank of Agriculture team to Abuja, urges targeted financing for women to drive $1 trillion economy goal
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Ayodeji Oludare Sotinrin, has called for increased investment in Nigeria’s over 30 million women farmers as part of efforts to build the nation’s projected $1 trillion economy. Sotinrin made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by the BOA management team to the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Sotinrin stated that women account for nearly half of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, stressing their critical role in national food security and poverty reduction. He emphasised that empowering women through access to finance and support services is key to unlocking opportunities across the agricultural value chain. The meeting signalled a new partnership between BOA and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs aimed at providing targeted loans and investment products specifically designed for women farmers.
The BOA chief explained that supporting women in agriculture would not only enhance household incomes but also contribute significantly to achieving government’s economic diversification agenda. He noted that with proper financing, women can expand production, adopt modern farming techniques, and participate more actively in agribusiness ventures. “Our engagement with the Ministry is geared towards removing barriers for female farmers so they can contribute fully to Nigeria’s economic growth,” Sotinrin said.
Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely given current challenges around food inflation and rising unemployment. She assured the BOA management of her ministry’s readiness to collaborate on projects that will boost capacity-building, land access, and market linkages for women across all six geopolitical zones.
The two agencies are expected to develop joint programmes targeting improved financial inclusion for rural women farmers in the coming months. Stakeholders say such interventions could help drive Nigeria closer to its $1 trillion economy target while addressing long-standing gender gaps within the agriculture sector.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NCC Approves 9mobile’s Rebranding to T2 in Lagos as Subscriber Base Drops by 21 Million
New owner LH Telecommunications pledges $3bn investment after network shrinks from 23.5 million to 2.4 million users
New owner LH Telecommunications pledges $3bn investment after network shrinks from 23.5 million to 2.4 million users
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the rebranding of 9mobile to T2, following a dramatic fall in the telecom operator’s subscriber base from 23.5 million in 2015 to just 2.4 million as at June 2025. The announcement was made during an official event at the Marriott Hotel, Lagos, on August 8, where the company unveiled its new identity and outlined a four-year recovery plan.
Etisalat Nigeria, which launched operations in 2008 with strong backing from UAE-based Etisalat Group, grew rapidly to become a key player in the telecoms sector, attracting millions of young Nigerians with flexible data plans and innovative marketing. However, after securing a $1.2 billion loan from a consortium of Nigerian banks in 2013 for network expansion, the company struggled to service its debt by 2017 due to naira devaluation and rising operational costs during Nigeria’s recession.
As the naira weakened against the dollar, Etisalat’s repayment obligations soared beyond sustainable levels, leading its UAE parent company to withdraw and demand an end to use of the ‘Etisalat’ brand. This forced a hurried rebrand to ‘9mobile’ in July 2017 under NCC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) supervision. Despite these interventions, network quality declined sharply after technical partners exited and promised investments failed to materialise. By end of 2024, the subscriber base had plummeted by over twenty million as MTN, Airtel and Globacom consolidated their dominance.
LH Telecommunications Limited, led by Thomas Etuh, acquired a controlling stake of 95.5% in July 2024 with regulatory approval from NCC. The company announced a $3 billion investment plan and entered a roaming partnership with MTN aimed at reviving network coverage and quality nationwide. At the rebranding event themed “Tech Meets Tenacity”, Chief Executive Officer Obafemi Banigbe acknowledged past challenges: “We have endured as a business… but like Nigeria, we always bounce back stronger,” he said.
Industry observers say T2’s comeback will depend on timely capital injection and improved service delivery as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s telecoms sector. The operator is targeting network modernisation over four years but faces scepticism after previous failed acquisition attempts and prolonged underinvestment. The NCC has reiterated its commitment to protecting subscribers’ interests during this transition.
Timini Egbuson Reignites Dating Rumours with Bimbo Ademoye at Lagos Event
BOA MD Partners Women Affairs Ministry to Unlock ₦1.7trn Agriculture Potential for 30 Million Women Farmers
Ụlọ Akụ Nigeria Kwupụtara Mmezi Isi Ego, Mana Ụmụ Obodo Ka Na-enweta Ego Ọrụ Nfe
NCC Approves 9mobile’s Rebranding to T2 in Lagos as Subscriber Base Drops by 21 Million
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