By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has ordered an immediate investigation into the data processing activities of Chinese-owned e-commerce platform, Temu, over alleged violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).

The decision raises fresh concerns about how foreign technology companies collect, store, and transfer Nigerians’ personal data.

In a press release dated February 16, the NDPC said its chief executive, Mr Vincent Olatunji, authorised the probe following mounting concerns around online surveillance, excessive personal data collection, lack of transparency, weak accountability mechanisms, and cross-border data transfers.

“The investigation of Temu was triggered by concerns around online surveillance through personal data processing, accountability, data minimisation requirement, transparency, duty of care and cross-border data transfer,” the statement read in part..

Preliminary findings by the commission indicate that Temu processes the personal data of an estimated 12.7 million Nigerian users, while serving about 70 million daily active users globally, raising serious questions about how Nigerians’ data are collected, stored, shared, and protected.

“The National Commissioner warned that processors who engage in processing activities on behalf of data controllers without verifying their compliance with the NDP Act may be liable under the NDP Act,” the Commission added.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital markets with millions of its citizens relying on mobile apps, social media platforms, fintech services, and e-commerce sites for daily transactions often with little understanding of how their personal information is being used.

For Temu, this marks the latest government probe into its activities. The e-commerce company has faced investigations, lawsuits, and regulatory scrutiny across multiple continents, focusing primarily on data privacy, product safety, unethical labor practices, and unfair competition.

The European Commission opened formal proceedings against Temu in October 2024 and issued preliminary findings in July 2025, accusing the platform of failing to prevent the sale of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products while a 2023 US House Select Committee report highlighted an “extremely high risk” that products on Temu are made with forced labour.

Other countries including Germany, South Korea, South Africa, and Brazil have also probed into Temu’s activities.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

An opportunity has opened for cooks in the country to win something substantial for doing what they have passion for.

This is because an African media giant, Primedia, has brought the adaptation of the world’s most renowned reality television cooking show, MasterChef Nigeria, to the country.

A statement from the organisers disclosed that the winner would go away with N73 million and the coveted title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef.

Entries are now open for this life-changing opportunity, with the closing date on Friday, February 27, 2026.

“Home cooks who want to enter MasterChef Nigeria must be Nigerian citizens aged 18 or above, hold a valid passport, and have not earned a living as professional chefs. Interested applicants can submit their entries via www.masterchefnigeria.com, where the complete eligibility requirements and the application form are available. The show will air on DStv’s Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family.

The MasterChef format, created by Franc Roddam and first launched in 1990, has catapulted the careers of countless culinary stars across 720 countries while showcasing the unique food culture of each territory.

As recognised by the authoritative Guinness World Records, it is the most successful cookery show in the world. Over 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes have aired to date.

In MasterChef Nigeria, diverse home cooks from across the country will compete in a series of food-making challenges designed to test originality, technique, flavour mastery and presentation.

Throughout the season, these contestants will prepare both traditional and contemporary dishes, drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage while demonstrating global culinary standards.

At each challenge, the MasterChef Nigeria judges – esteemed Nigerian chefs who will be announced in due course – will evaluate the dishes to determine the best and least successful servings, and ultimately.

“MasterChef Nigeria is a major Nigerian television milestone that will celebrate the country’s exquisite cuisine, innovative food culture and vibrant culinary traditions as never before, whilst unearthing, mentoring and nurturing talent with the potential to become Nigeria’s next generation of distinguished chefs.

“We encourage all home cooks who want to make a name for themselves in the dynamic Nigerian food industry to enter this profound competition,” the Managing Director at Primedia Africa, Tamara van Eeckhoven, stated.

Also commenting, the chief executive of Africa Magic, Ms Kemi Omotosho, said, “MasterChef Nigeria reflects our continued commitment to investing in premium local content that showcases the richness of Nigerian culture and creativity to audiences across Africa and the world.”

On her part, the VP for the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Greece and Cyprus for Banijay Rights, Ms Sarah Mottershead, said, “We are incredibly proud this world-beating culinary format continues to expand its global footprint. Through our wider partnership with Primedia, Nigerian viewers are set for a real treat when they get their first taste of this iconic TV experience.”

The Group Media Manager for Tolaram, Adeola Amosun, said, “We are proud to partner with MasterChef Nigeria as the headline sponsor of its first-ever edition in the country. MasterChef is a globally respected platform that celebrates culinary excellence, creativity, and skill – values that align strongly with Power Oil’s commitment to quality and healthier cooking.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Global leader in transformational household products, d.light, has extended the warranty on its off-grid solar products to five years from two years.

The company, in a statement on Monday, said this reinforces its long-standing commitment to quality leadership, after it became the first company in the sector to introduce a 2-year warranty 15 years ago, a move that fundamentally shifted customer expectations and pushed the industry toward higher quality standards.

The energy firm disclosed that the new 5-year warranty underscores its confidence in its product quality and reinforces its mission to transform the lives of customers by delivering products they can trust for years to come.

The 5-year warranty is available on all d.light solar home systems and solar inverters, effective February 14, 2026, and will be extended to existing customers who purchased their product after December 31, 2023.

“At d.light, quality is not just a feature — it is a commitment to our customers. Launching the industry’s first 5-year warranty reflects nearly two decades of investment in engineering, manufacturing excellence, and real-world product testing.

“We believe customers who depend on our products every day deserve long-term reliability and peace of mind,” the Chief Product and Strategy Officer of d.light, Mr Karl Skare, said.

“Quality leadership requires long-term thinking. We have always believed that pushing quality standards forward is good for customers, good for partners, and good for the entire industry. This 5-year warranty is another step in our commitment to lead from the front,” he added.

Over the last 20 years, d.light has manufactured over 40 million solar products and continually invested in product design, supply chain quality control, and field performance monitoring.

The company’s products are designed to perform reliably in some of the world’s most demanding environments, supporting families and small businesses with dependable access to energy and digital connectivity.