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Lagos Telecom Subscribers Borrow ₦4.6trn Airtime in 2025 Amid Rising Cost of Connectivity

Optasia report shows Africa accounts for 94% of global airtime credit, as fintech sector faces regulatory review

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Optasia report shows Africa accounts for 94% of global airtime credit, as fintech sector faces regulatory review

Millions of mobile phone users in Lagos and across Nigeria borrowed a record ₦4.61 trillion in airtime credit in 2025, according to new figures from fintech company Optasia. The company’s latest financial report, released on Monday, revealed that demand for telecom-based lending surged throughout the year as living costs continued to rise and access to traditional banking remained limited for many Nigerians.

The data showed that customers across emerging markets borrowed $3.18 billion (₦4.61trn) in airtime on credit, with Africa accounting for more than 94 percent of the total amount. According to Optasia, the value of airtime credit issued through telecom operators increased by 12.3 percent compared to $2.83 billion (₦4.38trn) recorded in 2024. Lagos remains one of the largest urban markets driving this demand, alongside other major cities across Africa.

Experts say the figures highlight how millions of Nigerians are increasingly depending on small-value digital loans—popularly known as nano-loans—to stay connected and manage daily expenses. “Airtime credit services represent service fees charged on airtime credit amounting to $3,176.34m (2024: $2,829.2m) granted to subscribers of the telecom operators during the year,” Optasia stated in its financial summary.

The report also revealed that nano-loan transactions more than doubled within the year, reaching $2.30 billion globally in 2025 from $967.9 million in 2024. Africa accounted for $1.41 billion (61 percent) of these loans, while Europe and Asia contributed $888.9 million combined. Optasia explained that its technology platform enables telecom operators and financial institutions to assess customer eligibility for these credits through behavioural analysis and automated scoring systems.

While this rapid growth has boosted revenue—Optasia’s earnings jumped by 75 percent to $265 million in 2025—the company faces regulatory uncertainty as authorities consider opening Nigeria’s airtime lending sector further to local fintech firms. The National Communications Commission (NCC) is expected to release new guidelines later this year to increase competition and consumer protection within the sector.

With profit after tax rising to $43 million and total assets more than doubling, industry analysts believe the trend will continue as economic pressures persist and more Nigerians seek quick digital solutions for essential services like mobile connectivity.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/airtime-credit-hits-naira46tn-as-millions-of-nigerians-borrow-to-stay-connected-2026061506461058179

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Army Arrests 46 Suspected Illegal Immigrants in Ogun State During Security Operation

Major Akari says suspects from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal held without valid documents after six months’ stay

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June 15, 2026

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Major Akari says suspects from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal held without valid documents after six months’ stay

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have arrested 46 suspected illegal immigrants during a targeted operation in Ogun State that began on June 11, 2026. The suspects—comprising nationals from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal—were apprehended at various locations in Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and surrounding communities.

Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Abeokuta. According to Akari, the group included 18 people from Burkina Faso, 23 from Côte d’Ivoire, four from Togo and one from Senegal. Among those detained are 36 males and 10 females.

Major Akari explained that the operation followed actionable intelligence regarding the presence of foreigners living in the state without proper immigration status. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had been residing in the state for approximately six months without valid immigration documentation,” he stated.

The arrest highlights concerns over border management and internal security within Ogun State—a South-West zone that shares boundary with neighbouring countries. Security agencies have increased monitoring following reports of illegal entry points along Nigeria’s borders with Benin Republic and other West African nations.

Army officials say further investigation is ongoing to determine if any of the suspects are linked to wider security threats or criminal activities. The arrested individuals are expected to be handed over to appropriate immigration authorities for further screening and possible repatriation. As at press time, there was no immediate response from Nigeria Immigration Service on the development.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/soldiers-nab-46-suspected-illegal-immigrants-in-ogun/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Fire Outbreak Destroys Aka God Petrol Station in Umuahia North, Losses Run Into Millions

Abia State Fire Service deploys emergency response as residents struggle to contain blaze; adjoining properties suffer damage

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June 15, 2026

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Abia State Fire Service deploys emergency response as residents struggle to contain blaze; adjoining properties suffer damage

A major fire outbreak gutted Aka God Petrol Station in Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday night, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira. The incident, which started around 6:30 p.m., followed an explosion involving a petrol tanker inside the station’s premises.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire rapidly spread across the facility, sending thick smoke and flames into the sky and causing panic among nearby residents and business owners. Efforts by members of the Nkwoegwu community, including local youths and sympathisers, to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful as repeated explosions from the tanker overwhelmed their attempts with buckets of water and sand.

The Abia State Fire Service was alerted to the situation and arrived at the scene by 7:00 p.m., deploying firefighting equipment to tackle the inferno. While no lives were lost in the incident, several adjoining properties were partially affected before firefighters succeeded in containing the flames. The value of goods lost is estimated in millions of naira as shop owners and workers lamented extensive damage to merchandise and infrastructure.

Petrol station fires remain a significant concern for many Nigerian communities due to inadequate safety infrastructure and delayed emergency response times. Last year, similar incidents led to calls for stricter regulation of fuel storage and transportation within urban areas. Stakeholders have urged authorities to improve monitoring of petroleum depots and enforce compliance with safety standards.

Officials from Abia State Fire Service have advised residents and business operators around fuel stations to maintain heightened vigilance, especially during fuel deliveries. Investigations into the cause of Sunday’s explosion are ongoing, while local authorities assess the extent of damage for possible relief interventions.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/panic-in-umuahia-as-inferno-razes-petrol-station/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Plateau Confirms 5 Deaths, 11 Cholera Cases as State Deploys Emergency Teams

Health commissioner says rapid response teams and expanded treatment centres mobilised in Mangu LGA after outbreak

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June 15, 2026

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Health commissioner says rapid response teams and expanded treatment centres mobilised in Mangu LGA after outbreak

Plateau State government has confirmed five deaths and 11 cases of cholera following an outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, with officials moving to contain further spread through intensified emergency measures. Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, disclosed the figures on Sunday while addressing journalists in Jos.

According to Baamlong, the fatalities and confirmed cases were recorded alongside 53 suspected cases across Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 communities in the affected LGA. The commissioner explained that the state Ministry of Health had scaled up its response by deploying additional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to impacted wards, expanding treatment centres and isolation facilities, and commencing emergency procurement of diagnostic kits, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease commonly linked to consumption of contaminated food or water. It tends to thrive in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water—conditions prevalent in some rural communities within Plateau’s North-Central zone.

Baamlong said the Incident Management System (IMS) had been activated to coordinate the outbreak response. “Government has intensified public health interventions in all affected areas,” he stated during the press briefing. He also appealed for community cooperation with health workers carrying out contact tracing and sensitisation campaigns.

The commissioner urged residents to prioritise proper hygiene practices and seek immediate medical attention if they notice symptoms such as frequent stooling or vomiting. As at Sunday, no official comment had been received from opposition parties regarding the government’s handling of the outbreak.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/cholera-claims-five-lives-in-plateau-11-cases-confirmed/

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