General
NLC, SERAP Reject Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Levy
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the planned cybersecurity levy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on all electronic transactions as another burden on Nigerians.
According to a circular issued to various financial institutions, including commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy would come into effect from May 20.
The fee’s introduction has sparked widespread criticism among Nigerians and civil society organisations, including NLC and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Rejecting the policy, the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, said such deductions directly affect the disposable income of workers and further diminish the purchasing power of the common citizens.
He said the directive by the apex bank is another gang up by the ruling elite to continue its extortion and exploitation of helpless workers and the masses.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress recognises the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age,” the labour leader admitted.
“However, imposing such a levy on electronic transactions without consideration for its implications on workers and vulnerable segments of society is unjustifiable.
“This levy stands as another tax that is too much for Nigerians, burdening them with additional financial responsibilities.
“We see this levy as another gang-up by the ruling elite to continue its extortion and exploitation of hapless and helpless workers and the masses,” he said.
Also, SERAP urged President Bola Tinubu to use his “good offices to immediately direct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withdraw the cybersecurity levy on Nigerians as it patently violates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations and commitments.”
It asked Mr Tinubu “to stop Mr Nuhu Ribadu and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) from implementing section 44 and other repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 as it flagrantly violates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The organisation appealed to the President “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) to immediately prepare and present a bill to amend section 44 and other repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 to the National Assembly so that those provisions can be brought in line with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
In the statement signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the group said: “The Tinubu administration must within 48 hours withdraw the patently arbitrary and unlawful CBN directive purportedly imposing cybersecurity levy on Nigerians.
“Section 44(8) criminalizing the non-payment of the cybersecurity levy by Nigerians is grossly unlawful and constitutional,” noting that it was already preparing the necessary court papers should the administration fail or neglect to act as recommended.
“The administration must urgently take concrete and effective measures to ensure the repeal of section 44 and other repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2024.”
“If the unlawful CBN directive is not withdrawn and appropriate steps are not taken to amend the repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes Act within 48 hours, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the Tinubu administration to comply with our request in the public interest,” it said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sanity, has uncovered and destroyed multiple illegal crude oil storage pits in Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operation, carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta), dealt another major blow to the organised network of illegal crude oil refining syndicates operating in the Niger Delta.
According to the Navy, the dug-out pits, hidden deep in the creeks, were filled with a significant but unspecified quantity of stolen crude oil.
This latest action follows earlier raids in the same community between June 1 and 5, during which Naval forces dismantled 28 illegal crude oil pits and seized numerous sacks of stolen oil.
The Navy emphasized that Tuesday’s raid reinforces its warning to oil thieves that there will be no hiding place.
“This discovery is part of our sustained effort to dismantle the infrastructure of crude oil theft in the region. These operations will continue relentlessly,” an official statement noted.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic assets and called on local communities to support the ongoing campaign by providing credible intelligence.
“We urge citizens to stand with us in this fight. Crude oil theft is a national economic crime, and we will continue to act decisively against it,” the Navy added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom has reiterated its strong support for Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which involves tapping into various sustainable energy efforts, including hydro, solar, and others renewables to complement its hydrocarbons options to create enough value in its energy sector.
The First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy in the British High Commission, Ms Samantha Harrison, during a visit to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in Abuja, emphasised the United Kingdom’s commitment to partnering with Nigeria on climate and energy initiatives.
Discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration to reduce gas flaring, an essential component of Nigeria’s decarbonisation strategy.
The visit highlights the UK’s ongoing dedication to supporting Nigeria’s sustainable energy goals and fostering climate-resilient development as a pathway to long-term economic growth.
In his remarks, the chief executive of NUPRC, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, reaffirmed the agency’s leadership role in driving decarbonisation within Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
Mr Komolafe stated that the commission is implementing a dual strategy to address gas flaring: by decarbonising flare sites, and by converting flared gas into valuable economic assets.
This approach not only mitigates environmental impact but also enhances national revenue generation.
Business Post reported recently that Nigeria lost over N710 billion to gas flaring.
A key initiative in this effort is the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) which currently includes 49 identified flare sites.
The programme is designed to harness previously wasted gas resources and channel them into productive use, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Mr Komolafe also acknowledged the support received from multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and Net Zero World and expressed optimism about future collaboration with the British High Commission to further enhance the Commission’s decarbonisation efforts.
During the visit, officials of the commission and the British High Commission delegation held a technical session towards fostering a robust partnership.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian airline operator, Air Peace, has condemned the action of a former Governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, who disrupted its operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) on Wednesday.
Business Post reports that the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly caused a scene today after he reportedly missed his flight.
In a statement on Wednesday, Air Peace condemned what it described as the “unruly conduct.”
Mr Oshiomole reportedly forced the closure of the Zulu Terminal at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos after arriving late for his flight to Abuja.
According to verified videos, Mr Oshiomhole was seen blocking the entrance to the Zulu Terminal of the GAT after arriving at the terminal well past the scheduled departure time.
Air Peace claimed that Mr Oshiomhole was scheduled to travel on an early morning Air Peace flight. His departure time for the flight to Abuja was 6:30 am, but when he was informed that he had missed the flight, the Senator became physically aggressive, allegedly assaulted airline staff, and blocked the terminal entrance, preventing other passengers from accessing the departure hall.
“Upon being informed of the missed flight, the politician resorted to violence, physically assaulting our staff and forcefully barricading the terminal’s entrance. He went as far as sealing the entry gate and manning the access point, effectively obstructing other passengers from gaining entry into the terminal,” Air Peace said.
The disruption reportedly caused significant delays for other passengers. In response, the airline activated a contingency plan to reroute travelers through an alternate terminal to minimise the chaos.
Air Peace expressed disappointment that a public figure of Mr Oshiomhole’s stature could act in a way they described as unbecoming and disruptive.
“We are deeply saddened that such a high-profile figure displayed conduct so unbecoming and disruptive to fellow passengers and our personnel. Air Peace maintains a zero-tolerance stance on violence or any form of aggression against our staff and passengers,” it stated.
Air Peace added that it is preparing formal reports on the incident to be submitted to the Nigerian Senate, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
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