Technology
Marketing Don Analyses Twitter’s Outlook Under Elon Musk

By Adedapo Adesanya
Marketing specialist and chief executive officer of A.M.D Consulting Group, an agency specializing in digital marketing, social media & customer acquisition, Mr Assil Dayri, has raised some concerns about Twitter’s outlook following the takeover by billionaire Elon Musk.
After six months of back and forth, the Tesla and Space X CEO completed the purchase of Twitter, paying $44 billion for the acquisition.
“Twitter users, advertisers, and its own employees have been watching closely for signs of what Musk will do in his first week as twitter owner.” Mr Dayri stated.
Twitter has been accused in the past of backing liberal and left-wing, which the company has always denied, and the mogul will attempt to lower the moderation so more voices can be heard freely. Backing this is the decision to bring back some of the controversially banned users.
“Tesla’s chief executive previously said that Twitter should not permanently ban its users and that he would reverse Trump’s ban. He has come forward with more information regarding this issue, stating this process would take at least a few more weeks. His friend Kanye West that was banned because of antisemitic posts, and President Donald Trump, for risk of incitement to violence following the riot at the US Capitol, all must wait to see,” Mr Dayri said.
“Mass account cancellation can be one of his first and disliked moves since he is enraged by the number of fake accounts, although this would likely affect the number of followers of many users. Also, he intends to start charging US$ 8 per month from users for the verified seal on their accounts,” noted the A.M.D Consulting Group chief.
The new CEO of Twitter has created a new “Twitter Blue”, a paid service aimed at anyone that looks for recognition. Musk’s expectation is that Twitter’s new paid plan will provide another source of revenue to pay content creators within the platform.
At the moment, the platform is free for highly visible personalities & celebrities. To differentiate public figures’ accounts from the millions of ordinary users who can get the badge, there will be a secondary tag to indicate the title of these people. Musk wants to bring a more democratic look into Twitter’s current system.
It was noted that although Musk has never been clear about his endgame with his tip-offs, many suggest the future of the app will be a sort of China’s WeChat, a super app for everyday life – with social, messaging, financial features, and much more.
It was also pointed out in the outlook that users could also be seeing the new Twitter setting up for businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments, which is a game-changer for many but is also a risky move. Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook Messenger has this kind of setup, although they are slowly shifting into multi-purpose platforms.
“The millionaire shared in the previous posts that he was interested in buying Twitter because he wanted to help the world and offer a digital ecosystem that everyone could access. He also admitted that this could be a challenge and might fail,” commented Mr Dayri.
“The fact that Musk has made a direct approach to the advertiser on Twitter suggests that he means to keep the business model on digital advertising, at least for now however, many advertisers have paused their campaigns, waiting to learn more about the future of the company and what that involves for its users,” he added.
Although many businesses have been hit hard by the global financial crisis and COVID-19, which means they have less money to spend on marketing, Mr Musk will still have Twitter to continue pursuing their advertising strategy. In July this year, the social network reported a quarterly loss of $270 million, even with the increase in the number of users.
This is a general market trend as Meta is also contending with slowing global economic growth, concerns about massive spending on the metaverse, and the ever-present threat of regulation.
Technology
The Unsung Heroes of Fintech: How Creatives Are Driving Growth and Trust in the Financial Industry

By Samuel Olaniran
Many experts have highlighted the growing impact of creatives—especially those in product and brand design—across the financial industry, and how their work helps financial companies build trust, communicate value propositions, and drive growth.
These creatives shape the overall product and visual identity of financial brands, creating not just logos, colour schemes, and layouts, but also cohesive design systems that convey professionalism and reliability. This is crucial because trust is vital in finance. A strong, consistent brand and product design helps customers feel secure and confident in their financial decisions.
In digital platforms, product designers improve user experience. They ensure mobile apps, websites, and other tools are not only visually appealing but also functional and easy to navigate. A smooth, intuitive interface encourages users to engage more, making digital banking and investing more accessible to a wider audience. This can drive growth, as people are more likely to trust and stick with platforms that are easy to use.
Brand and product designers also simplify complex financial data through infographics and visualizations. Finance can be overwhelming, but clear visuals and product-led storytelling make it easier for customers to understand. Infographics turn complicated reports into digestible, engaging content, which can help customers make better financial decisions.
Marketing in finance also relies heavily on thoughtful brand design. Designers create visually appealing campaigns that catch the attention of potential customers. Whether it’s an ad on social media or an email newsletter, well-crafted design helps companies stand out and build a strong online presence.
In a competitive industry like fintech, where innovation is key, product and brand design can be the difference between success and failure.
As financial institutions grow globally, product designers help adapt their offerings and messaging to different cultures. By adjusting colours, symbols, and user interface elements to fit local preferences, they ensure financial products are accessible to a wider audience. This helps companies expand into new markets while keeping their brand relevant and consistent.
Looking ahead, the role of product and brand designers will only become more important. Their creative work is key to building trust, improving user experience, simplifying data, and leading marketing efforts. As finance continues to evolve, their role will remain essential in helping companies grow and connect with customers.
Technology
Tribunal Orders Meta, WhatsApp to Pay FCCPC’s $220m Fine in 60 Days

By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday ordered WhatsApp and Meta Platforms Incorporated to pay a $220 million penalty and $35,000 to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) within 60 days over data discrimination practices in Nigeria.
The tribunal upheld the $220 million penalty imposed by the FCCPC on WhatsApp and Meta Platforms Incorporated, as well as $35,000 as reimbursement for the commission’s investigation against the social media giant.
The tribunal also dismissed the appeal by WhatsApp and Meta Platforms Incorporated regarding the $220 million penalty imposed by the FCCPC for alleged discriminatory practices in Nigeria.
The tribunal’s three-member panel, led by Mr Thomas Okosun, passed the verdict on Friday.
WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team, led by Mr Gbolahan Elias (SAN), and the FCCPC’s legal team, represented by Mr Babatunde Irukera (SAN), a former Executive Vice Chairman of the agency, made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.
Last year, the FCCPC asked Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, to pay $220 million for an alleged data privacy breach.
According to the agency, Meta was found culpable of denying Nigerians the right to self-determine, unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerians data, discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling.
The FCCPC noted that its decision was reached after a 38-month joint investigation by it and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The regulator also noted that its actions were based on legitimate consumer protection and data privacy concerns. It highlighted that its final order requires Meta to comply with Nigerian consumers and meet local standards.
“Similar measures are taken in other jurisdictions without forcing companies to leave the market. The case of Nigeria will not be different,” the FCCPC added.
Also weighing in on the issue then, Mr Irukera, noted on X that the approach being taken by the platform varied from that it was applying in other places it was operating.
“The same company just settled a Texas case for $1.4 billion and is currently facing regulatory action in at least a dozen nations, appealing large penalties in several countries. How many has it threatened to exit?” he queried.
Technology
Nigeria Achieves Peak One Terabit Per Second Internet Traffic

By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has reached a historic peak in internet traffic, recording one terabit per second (Tbps) for the first time ever due to the rise in streaming interest.
According to Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), the 1 Tbps threshold was finally crossed in March 2025, adding that this significant milestone not only highlighted the nation’s accelerating digital transformation but also brings substantial economic benefits through the efficient exchange of local data.
The journey to this 1 Tbps milestone has been a progressive one for Nigeria. Starting from a modest 5 to 10 megabits per second in 2008, internet traffic saw substantial increases, reaching 126 gigabits by 2019, then 250 Gbps in 2020, and climbing to 900 Gbps by late 2024.
This expansion is attributed to the increasing number of local data centers, enhanced interconnection, and the presence of major international content providers such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, and TikTok, all now connected to the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).
According to Mr Muhammed Rudman, CEO of IXPN, this milestone represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s internet infrastructure development and highlights the crucial role of local internet infrastructure in fostering economic growth, innovation, and connectivity for millions of Nigerians.
According to Rudman, “This milestone is more than just a number. It is a symbol of Nigeria’s digital maturity and our united strides towards becoming a tech-driven nation. By keeping local internet traffic within Nigeria, we reduce costs, improve speeds, and ensure our digital economy thrives with homegrown infrastructure.
Achieving 1 Tbps is a significant victory for Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem, a breakthrough for domestic internet traffic. It serves as a catalyst, enabling millions of Nigerians to enjoy faster, more affordable, and resilient internet connectivity.”
The 1 Terabit per second capacity signifies a transformative leap for Africa’s most populous nation. To illustrate its impact, a speed of 1 Tbps can concurrently support over 1 million Zoom meetings, empowering students, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect and drive Nigeria’s digital revolution.
Furthermore, this speed allows over 200,000 individuals to simultaneously stream high-definition Nollywood or Netflix movies without any buffering or interruptions. It also enables the transfer of the entire contents of 50,000 smartphones—including photos, applications, and videos—in a mere second.
“For Nigeria, hitting this milestone means reducing reliance on international bandwidth, decreasing latency for local services, and strengthening its position as Africa’s digital heartbeat. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a faster, more connected Nigeria. This accomplishment goes beyond technical advancements; it has significant economic implications,” Mr Rudman explained.
“By encouraging local traffic exchange, IXPN reduces dependency on international bandwidth, leading to significant cost savings. By utilizing local data exchange, Nigerian businesses can save millions of dollars annually on international bandwidth fees.”
“It also helps to enhanced speed and connectivity, in that with reduced latency, users experience smoother streaming, gaming, and real-time services, enhancing their overall online experience. It strengthens Nigeria’s internet infrastructure protects against global disruptions, ensuring consistent access to vital services such as healthcare and education and optimizes digital services like fintech, edtech, e-commerce, and e-health, propelling innovation and growth in these sectors.”
The importance of this progress extends beyond mere speed. The Internet Society (ISOC) has revealed that Nigeria is now saving at least $40 million annually by keeping internet traffic within its borders, a cost avoidance achieved by routing data locally instead of relying on expensive international bandwidth.
Despite this achievement, Rudman also drew attention to Nigeria’s underdeveloped internet infrastructure, noting, “With a population comparable to Brazil, Nigeria has only 257 autonomous system numbers (ASNs), far fewer than Brazil’s 10,000 and South Africa’s 770. This is a major indicator of how few networks we have offering services.”
He highlighted the dominance of mobile internet access, stating that 99 percent of internet access in Nigeria is mobile-based, with many regions still limited to 2G or 3G networks.
“Some states with populations in the millions lack a single network with an ASN. That is a crisis. Even institutions with technical capacity remain unconnected. Out of 22 financial institutions, only the Central Bank of Nigeria is connected to IXPN,” he stated, also criticizing the insufficient interconnectivity among Nigerian universities.
Mr Rudman proposed the development of regional hubs, suggesting that a city like Kano could host Hausa language content and attract neighboring countries to connect through Nigeria, similar to South Africa’s role in Southern Africa.
To realize this vision, he advocated for investments in community networks, regulatory incentives, and support for local Internet Service Providers (ISPs). “The number of ISPs in Nigeria is shrinking. That’s a red flag. We need to reverse that trend to truly become a digital leader,” he advised.
He called for greater collaboration among regulators, stakeholders, and the media to identify and address the gaps within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“We are all Nigerians. We want Nigeria to be a better place. Let’s work together to solve this,” he urged.
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