L -R: Hon Justice Habeeb A.O Abiru, Justice of the Supreme Court; Hon. Justice Babatunde A. Adejumo, Administrator, National Judicial Institute; Barr. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman Governing Board NCC; Hon. Justice Ibrahim M.M Saulawa, Justice of the Supreme Court, representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mrs Chizua Whyte, Head Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC and Hon Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, Justice of the Supreme Court, during NCC’s 2026 Workshop for Judges on Legal Issues in Telecommunications on the 14th May 2026 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR-Nigeria’s communications regulator,Nigerian Communications Commission,(NCC), has emphasised the need for judges to better understand telecommunications and digital security matters as the country increases its reliance on technology-driven systems.
At a judicial workshop in Lagos, Aminu Maida, represented by Rimini Makama, said telecom infrastructure now plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy, security, and public services.
He explained that these systems have become critical national assets that support financial operations, public safety, governance, and citizen communication.
Maida noted that the rapid expansion of digital platforms has created new legal issues involving cybersecurity, online abuse, digital identity, consumer rights, and artificial intelligence.
He added that growing incidents of telecom vandalism, cyberattacks, and infrastructure disputes require judges to develop stronger knowledge of telecommunications laws and regulations.
The workshop was organised by the National Judicial Institute in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The event focused on the judiciary’s role in connectivity, online safety, and the protection of digital infrastructure in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
Speaking at the programme, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun said courts must adapt to increasing cases involving cybercrime, data governance, privacy concerns, and online misconduct.
She stressed that technology-related disputes can no longer be treated as minor issues because governance, commerce, education, and financial transactions now depend heavily on digital connectivity.
Kekere-Ekun also stated that judicial decisions are important in shaping Nigeria’s digital legal framework, especially as the country seeks stronger broadband expansion, digital inclusion, and protection of its telecom ecosystem.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—More than 700 employees of AXA Mansard have participated in a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at combating child abuse and gender-based violence, reinforcing the company’s commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society.
The initiative, held across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, formed part of the 2026 AXA Week for Good, the company’s global employee volunteering programme under AXA Hearts in Action, which encourages staff to support social causes through community service.
This year’s campaign, themed “Being a Child Shouldn’t Be a Risk,” focused on raising awareness about the prevention, identification and reporting of domestic and sexual violence affecting children and women.
As part of the outreach, employee volunteers carried out door-to-door sensitisation, community engagement and educational activities designed to help residents recognise signs of abuse, encourage reporting and promote collective responsibility for protecting vulnerable groups.
Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health, Tope Adeniyi, said the campaign reflects the company’s belief that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to safer and more inclusive communities beyond providing insurance services.
According to him, the large turnout of employees demonstrates AXA Mansard’s culture of compassion and commitment to making a meaningful social impact, particularly in addressing issues that affect children and families.
Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Mansard, Adebola Surakat, said the initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission of promoting safety, dignity and wellbeing, adding that sustained advocacy is essential to tackling abuse and violence in society.
The week-long programme concluded with a commemorative walk across participating cities, while the company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that address critical social challenges and create lasting value for communities across Nigeria.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has confirmed that Nigeria has accessed the first $1.5 billion from its $5 billion financing arrangement with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
Mr Oyedele disclosed this while speaking to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
He said the financing facility, which had earlier received approval from the National Assembly, is intended to refinance expensive debt, fund infrastructure projects and support budget implementation.
“The approval for that loan went to the National Assembly, so everybody is aware of it. It’s for refinancing of expensive debts, financing of infrastructure, as well as budgets,” he said.
He added that, “So, we don’t want to start making press releases each time we do a drawdown. It is not different from any other loan.”
The minister’s comments provide the first official confirmation that the government has begun drawing on the financing package.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Nigeria had accessed about $1.5 billion through a Total Return Swap with First Abu Dhabi Bank, marking the first utilisation of the broader $5 billion facility.
Mr Oyedele said the government deliberately structured the financing arrangement to allow funds to be accessed in tranches rather than all at once.
According to him, the approach is intended to reduce borrowing costs by ensuring Nigeria only pays interest on funds that have been drawn.
“The loan is meant to be a drawdown in tranches, and one of the advantages of that is, if you need $5 billion and you take everything at once, you start paying interest, even though you’re not spending all of it now. So, this has been structured in a way that makes us even more efficient in the cost of borrowing by taking what we need part time,” he explained.
Mr Oyedele said the phased approach forms part of the government’s broader debt management strategy aimed at lowering financing costs while meeting critical funding needs.