Business
Nigeria to Partner with Google on AI and digital innovation
President Bola Tinubu is currently in talks with Google to strengthen the country’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
Announcing the discussions on X after meeting Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, Tinubu said the partnership would expand cloud infrastructure, upskill workers, foster AI research, boost cloud adoption, and position Nigeria as a global tech hub.
The President cited Nigeria’s AI progress, including work with Awarri Technologies and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) to develop AI tools and a Large Language Model (LLM) for Nigerian languages.
Tinubu said the talks with google aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Communications Ministry and NITDA providing oversight and overseeing implementation.
Tinubu, who is currently in Paris on a private visit, will also attend the AU Summit in Addis Ababa before returning to Nigeria.
Business
Cybercriminals cloning DStv, other brands to steal bank accounts across Africa
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals are impersonating popular companies and government agencies across Africa in a campaign designed to take over smartphones and bank accounts.
More than 100 fake websites linked to the malware campaign have been identified since August 2025.
Brands including DStv, Takealot and South African Airways, as well as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are being used to make fraudulent messages and websites appear legitimate.
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
The attacks are particularly concerning in South Africa, where Android dominates the mobile operating system market.
NordVPN said the attacks typically begin with social engineering, where criminals send convincing messages through SMS, WhatsApp or social media.
The messages may contain urgent offers or requests involving job opportunities, tax refunds, identity renewals or pension verification.
Victims are then directed to fake websites designed to closely resemble the official websites of trusted organisations.
The sites encourage users to download an Android application. Once installed, the malicious software can operate quietly in the background, including after the smartphone is restarted.
Business
Cement price hits N16,000 per bag
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
• Chairman of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR)
Cement dealers across Nigeria have announced fresh price increases, with a 50kg bag now selling for as much as N16,000 in some markets, up from N13,000 recorded by buyers just days earlier.
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
By the third quarter of 2025, that had risen to about N9,000 before reaching the N12,000 to N16,000 range now seen across different locations.
Other building materials have followed a similar upward path. Blocks have climbed from around N600 to N1,100 each.
Sand has gone from N165,000 to N250,000 per 30 tonnes. Granite has risen from N530,000 to N780,000 per 30 tonnes.
Reinforcing steel now costs N1.15 million per tonne, up from N850,000.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Friday, August 21
BLACK MARKET RATES
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410
Great British Pound(GBP) Buy ₦1,890 Sell: ₦1,915
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,590 Sell ₦1,610
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90Ghana CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
West African CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,374.63
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,838.70
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574.97
Swiss Franc (CHF) ₦1,687.70
Chinese Yuan (CNY) ₦200.42
Japanese Yen (Yen) ₦8.49
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.37
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,848.41
Saudi Riyal (SAR) ₦358.91
South African Rand (ZAR) ₦83.35
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Tinubu Diverts EFCC Funds to NELFUND
-
Opinions2 days agoBREAKING: Lagos Govt Declares Today, Thursday Work-Free to Mark 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day
-
News3 days agoMilitary Pensioners Protest Exclusion from Tinubu’s Salary Increments
-
News2 days agoUPDATE: Isese Day — Ogun, Oyo Join Lagos to Declare Today Work-Free
-
Politics3 days ago2027 Political Campaign Begins Today
-
News3 days agoTinubu Appoints Abel Enitan Head of Civil Service
-
News3 days ago83 Nigerians Return from South Africa (Video)
-
International2 days agoBREAKING: No Survivors in Kenya Safari Helicopter Crash
