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BREAKING: Elon Musk’s Firm Set To Test Micro Implants On Human Brains

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A tech startup co-founded by Elon Musk, known as Neuralink, has received approval from the United States’ Food and Drug Administration to test its brain implant on human beings, after the coin-sized implants have been tested on monkeys and pigs. This is according to a statement shared via the company’s official Twitter page on Thursday.

The firm’s announcement stated that: “We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!” the tweet read. “This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people.”

Musk also commented on the post on Friday, tweeting, “Congratulations to the Neuralink team.”

The implants are meant to allow humans to interface directly with computers. Musk had earlier touted the product as a possible solution for persons living with disabilities, as it could help restore vision and movement. He made headlines late last year after stating that he trusted the device enough to implant them in his children.

During a presentation by the company in December last year, Neuralink showed several monkeys playing basic video games or moving a cursor on a computer screen using Neuralink chips implanted in their brains, CBS News reports.

Musk, who also spoke at the presentation said, “We would initially enable someone who has almost no ability to operate their muscles and enable them to operate their phone faster than someone who has working hands.

“As miraculous as it may sound, we are confident that it is possible to restore full body functionality to someone who has a severed spinal cord.”

Employees told Reuters in March the company had earlier sought approval from the FDA in 2022 but the application was rejected. The regulator cited several concerns including the safety of lithium battery powering the device, possibility of the chip’s wires migrating within the brain, and the challenge of safely removing the device without damage to the brain.

Neuralink is currently under several federal investigations including an inquiry by the US Department of Agriculture, into potential animal-welfare violations during the animal tests conducted by the company.

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PoS agents, operators worrying over new CBN policy

Today, there are over 3 million PoS terminals in circulation, and about two million active agents. Many of these agents operate multiple terminals from different service providers to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. The new exclusivity rule will destroy that balance.”

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The National President of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents of Nigeria, Fasasi Sharafadeen, says that the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria on agent banking will likely put 40 percent Point-of-Sale operators out of business.

The CBN released recently a new operational guidelines for agent banking, which pegged the daily cumulative transactions per PoS agent at N1.2 million.

The CBN warned that any agent found using non-designated accounts for operations would be in violation of the regulation and would face sanctions.

Agents involved in misconduct or fraud will be blacklisted or have their agreements terminated.

The framework further limits individual customer transactions to N100,000 daily, while agent devices must be geo-fenced to prevent unauthorised mobile use.

The CBN announced that implementation of the new agent location and exclusivity rules would begin on April 1, 2026.

Reacting, Sharafadeen, said that one of the most worrying aspects of the policy is the introduction of exclusivity, which restricts agents to operate under only one principal or service provider.

He explained that this move would not only reduce the income of PoS agents but also drive many out of business due to the loss of flexibility and customer trust that currently

He emphasised that the introduction of exclusivity, which restricts agents to operate under only one principal or service provider would not only reduce the income of PoS agents but also drive many out of business due to the loss of flexibility and customer trust that currently defines agency banking operations.

“Today, there are over 3 million PoS terminals in circulation, and about two million active agents. Many of these agents operate multiple terminals from different service providers to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. The new exclusivity rule will destroy that balance.”

He added that PoS operators usually relied on multiple platforms to ensure steady transactions when one network fails.

“Some agents choose a particular provider because of incentives like free bank transfers, while they use another provider that is faster in withdrawals,” he explained.

This mix guarantees customer experience because even when one service is down, they can still serve their customers through another provider.

”The association president noted that the CBN’s argument for introducing exclusivity to enable easier monitoring and sanctioning of providers in cases of fraud, overlooks the realities of informal sector operations.

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Forex Trading: Ventezo Winds Up, Blocks Nigerian Clients’ Withdrawals

Last year, many traders from the Philippines and Iran reported issues related to fund withdrawals and poor customer service.

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Cover image: Naira to Dollar

Seychelles-based Ventezo, a forex market trading broker, has ceased its operations, resulting in financial losses for Nigerian clients.

Last year, many traders from the Philippines and Iran reported issues related to fund withdrawals and poor customer service.

“My trading broker, Ventezo, folded up with $1,500 (about N3 million) with them over two months.

Now, we never hear from them.

“They keep promising that they will refund Nigerian clients, but till now, I have never seen anything,” lamented one of its dealers.

Background checks by this Reporter reveal that Ventezo is an electronic communication network (ECN) forex broker offering online trading services in currencies, oil, precious metals, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Established in 2021, Ventezo is registered with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority (SVG FSA).

According to Wikibit, although Ventezo claims to have a team of experienced traders and financial professionals, there is a lack of transparency surrounding its ownership and management structure.

The company’s official website (currently offline), provides minimal information about its founders or key personnel, which is a common trait among potentially fraudulent brokers.

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“Nigeria Is Bigger Than PENGASSAN, Any Trade Union – Shettima

Shettima stated this in Abuja on Monday during the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31), themed: “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030”.

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•Vice President Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima says that Nigeria is bigger than any trade union.

Shettima stated this in Abuja on Monday during the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31), themed: “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030”.

Shettima’s comment comes on the heels of the industrial action by oil workers under the aegis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over a dispute with the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery.

While stating that Dangote Refinery must be protected at all costs, he added that the $20 billion facility is a national asset that must be supported to function.

He said, “Aliko Dangote is not an individual, he’s an institution, and he’s a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament.

And how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now.

“But he opted to invest in his country, and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and protect the interests of this great Nigeria.

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