The students of Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic are currently protesting at the main gate of the institution, located on Sango/Eleyele Road in Ibadan, Oyo State.
PUNCH Online had reported that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of the late former governor of the state, Omololu Olunloyo, who died at the age of 89.
Despite the earlier warning by the institution’s management that the students should shelve their planned protest, a large number of students came out to express their grievances, calling on the governor to rescind his earlier decision.
Academic and other activities in the institution are now put on hold, while the Sango en route Eleyele axis is temporarily blocked.
The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has called on his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, to account for the state and local government funds.
The former governor was reacting to the statement attributed to a faction of the All Progressives Congress, which he suspects is affiliated with the governor, an excerpt of which Kula Tersoo, media aide to Governor Alia, posted online recently.
This statement read that the governor “has increased local government security votes from the one million naira paid by his predecessor to ten million naira monthly…”
However, Ortom in a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, took a swipe at his successor, requesting that he declares how much his administration is receiving as monthly local government allocations from the federation’s account before announcing how much he is giving the councils as security votes.
Ortom equally demanded that Governor Alia should go a step further and explain why he is still the one providing the third tier of government funds, despite the Supreme Court judgment granting full financial autonomy to local governments.
“The fact that none of the 23 local governments under him has constructed even a single culvert shows how they have been starved of their own funds,” the former governor said.
The former governor decried the situation that his successor, who is in his third year in office had never responded to calls for transparency and accountability regarding the huge resources accruing to the state following the removal of fuel subsidy.
“He has suddenly decided to celebrate a claim that he has increased security votes for local governments in the state.
“The starting point should be for Governor Alia to declare how much he is receiving as monthly local government allocations from the federation’s account before announcing how much he is giving the councils as security votes.
“The question to ask Governor Alia is, given reports that the Federal Government is now sending 500% increased allocations to the local governments in Benue State, which automatically makes a council such as Gboko receive a monthly allocation of N624,447,191.53.
“Why is Gboko only receiving a mere N10 million out of over N624 million as security vote? Where is the rest of the money going?
“When the Benue State governor is done accounting for how much the 23 local governments are receiving from the federation’s account in the subsidy removal era.
“He should extend the accountability to the state coffers and tell the people how much his government is receiving and what is being done with the funds.
.
“This explanation should include the over N3 billion he is reported to be taking every month as security vote in the face of frequent attacks and killing of hundreds of Benue people by Fulani terrorists.
While Alia denied that under his watch, only N1 million was being released to local governments in the state as security vote, Ortom claimed that he granted autonomy to the local governments.
He said that was the reason all of the councils were actively executing projects and tackling insecurity in their respective domains.
Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, on Sunday, responding to a similar request made by a group known as Benue Advocacy Network, directed those interested in knowing the financial obligations to the state to approach the Budget Office in the state.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has defended his administration’s plan over the ongoing flyover projects in Warri and Effurun.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, was reacting to criticisms by former Ethiope West Local Government Chairman and All Progressives Congress chieftain, Chief Wilson Omene.
The APC chieftain had, in a recent interview, described the ongoing flyover projects in Warri and Effurun as “ill-informed and misleading.”
Defending the project, Oborevwori said the flyover and road expansion projects were strategic interventions aimed at decongesting traffic in Warri and Effurun.
Oborevwori said, “The flyovers, road expansions and sleepway interchange are not cosmetic.
They are long-term investments in urban mobility, ease of doing business, and economic growth.
“These are gateway cities connecting the ports, industries, and the hinterland. The projects are unlocking commercial potential and creating an enabling environment for further private-sector participation. Perhaps, Chief Wilson Omene may have to check the meaning of enabling business environment,” the statement read.
The governor argued that the Warri-Effurun corridor served a fast-growing population and played a pivotal role in Delta’s economy, stating that only those out of tune with modern urban planning would fail to grasp the significance of the projects.
Responding to Omene’s claim that such funds should have been channelled into building industries in Delta Central, the governor labelled the argument as narrow-minded and sectional.
“Delta State is bigger than any single senatorial district. The M.O.R.E agenda—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—is being implemented equitably across Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South. No part of the state has been left behind,” the statement read.
On the governor’s defection to the APC, Ahon said the decision followed wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across Delta and was geared towards attracting federal support and deepening development.
“Governor Oborevwori’s alignment with the APC was not for personal benefit but to synergise with the Federal Government in delivering more dividends of democracy to Deltans.
“Chief Wilson Omene is merely acting out a script written by those who view the governor’s move as a threat to their political interests,” the statement added.
Ahon urged Omene and other critics to embrace constructive engagement rooted in facts, rather than divisive commentary and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and lasting infrastructure.
“Constructive criticism is welcome, but it must be rooted in facts and guided by a sincere desire to move Delta State forward,” he concluded.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has handed over 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.
During a brief ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Monday, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, reiterated the Company’s commitment to support the Federal Government’s gas aspirations.
The GCEO stated that the move was in line with NNPC Ltd.’s efforts to drive the adoption of CNG as a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable fuel alternative.
He added that the company has recorded significant progress on gas supply, infrastructure, distribution, and retail outlets.
“I am proud that NNPC Ltd is playing a pivotal role in driving the Federal Government’s gas agenda towards energy transition,” the GCEO stated in a statement signed by the
NNPC Ltd on Monday in Abuja.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the CNG buses represent not just vehicles but serve as instruments of economic relief, social equity, and environmental responsibility.
“They signal a future where the ordinary Nigerian can commute safely, affordably, and efficiently,” he added.
The Minister described the initiative as a direct reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a bold step to reduce the cost of transportation, lessen dependence on petrol, and ensure the utilisation of the Nation’s abundant natural gas resources for the benefit of the people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd, Mumuni Dagazau, said the adoption of CNG as a fuel alternative has significant economic benefits for the Nation by reducing reliance on PMS and AGO as automotive fuels which also leads to substantial cost savings and supports the growth of local gas industry.
The Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said through the initiative, NNPC Ltd was advancing and shaping a new energy future that will purposefully serve people, communities, and the planet.
The Programme Coordinator/CEO, Presidential CNG Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, commended NNPC Ltd for supporting the Initiative, stressing that the company has been a reliable partner for the Initiative since its commencement.
The General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Kaduna Region, Nasir Mansur, has urged communities to act fast in curtailing vandalism, saying that the firm was overwhelmed by vandalism.
He made the call on Monday during a sensitisation and public awareness campaign tagged: ‘Encroachment of the TCN Right of Way and Vandalisation of High-Tension Installations’, at Mando, Kaduna State.
He stated that vandalism was the greatest challenge in Nigeria’s power sector, saying, “Traditional leaders and the members of the communities are critical stakeholders that will help in curbing the menace.
“This trend is dangerous, if we continue like this, I am afraid, electricity cannot be sustainable.
“The consequences of vandalism include interrupted power supply, huge losses, and other associated damages; we expect all patriotic citizens to protect these facilities,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that technical presentations were done by the Health, Safety and Environment’, Electrical and Maintenance Department, as well as Systems Lines Departments of TCN.
Mr Yakubu Abdulrazak from EMD, explained that the right of way for high voltage power lines were 25 meters left and 25 meters right, adding that it was dangerous to farm or build on the right of way.
“People encroaching the company’s right of way may suffer electrocution, fire hazards, and structural collapse, leading to deaths and loss of properties, ” he said.
Also, traditional leaders at the event, pledged their support for the cause, saying they would ensure the dissemination of information to their subjects and collaborate to report any issue of vandalism.
One of them, Adamu Saleh, the Sarkin Jaji, commended TCN for the sensitisation programme, saying it has armed the community leaders with information on the dangers of encroaching right of way, as well as vandalisation.
Saleh said, “Security must be strengthened along these facilities; traditional leaders and security must collaborate to fight against encroachment of right of way and vandalism.”
Another ruler, the Sarkin Mando, Sani Musa, stated that his Palace had been reporting suspected moves to vandalise TCN equipment or erect a structure on the right of way.
“We will continue to support authorities in ensuring businesses and houses on the right of way are evacuated to avoid tragedy, ” Musa said.
NAN reports that TCN provided hotlines to report damages or vandalism, to call or send emails, which include: 07016839880 or affairs.public@tcn.org.ng.
Ondo State Governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on the stakeholders to come together and give more support to the Niger Delta Development Commission in order to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region of the country.
The governor also commended the ongoing President Bola Tinubu administration for its commitment to the development of the region by ensuring that the NDDC received the needed support to deliver its mandate.
Aiyedatiwa stated this on Sunday, at the Thanksgiving service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the commission, held at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
According to the governor, the NDDC had made significant impacts in the development of the mandate areas, but said much still needed to be done, hence the call for more collaboration.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to Mr. President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. His interest in the NDDC and its activities has been more than passing, and we appreciate his leadership in ensuring that the commission receives the support it needs to deliver on its mandate.
“As we celebrate the silver jubilee of the NDDC, it is imperative that we acknowledge the progress we have made and also recognise that there is still much work to be done as the Niger Delta region continues to face significant development challenges and we must work together to address these issues.
“I urge the NDDC to continue to improve on its activities, ensuring that projects are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve. Let us work together to unlock the potential of our region, promote economic growth and enhance the lives of our people. We are partners in progress, unity and development.”
The governor also commended the NDDC board and management for their outstanding work. He lauded the representatives of the state on the board of commission for their dedication, saying, “I look forward to continued collaboration and progress in the years ahead.”
In his remark, the Managing Director of the DDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the commission had undertaken major road construction and rehabilitation projects to improve connectivity and accessibility in the Niger Delta region.
He noted that the commission had prioritised youth empowerment through training programs, educational scholarships, and capacity-building workshops to equip the local workforce with necessary skills.
“Ondo State was chosen for the anniversary because of its principle, which believes that ‘Work is the Antidote for Poverty’. We are also here to spread the dividends of renewed hope. We have been accountable and we will be accountable at the end of our tenure,” the MD said.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is engaging with Anambra indigenes in the United States and North America as part of his tour on accountability and inclusive governance and his administration’s progress report to professionals and business leaders and other citizens of the state living in those countries.
In a statement released on Saturday, Soludo’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the US/North America meeting is a continuation of the governor’s noble tradition, which demonstrates that he sees governance as a continuous contract with the people, not just a seasonal obligation tied to election cycles.
Aburime said the Diaspora meeting is a strategic engagement that reinforces Soludo’s belief in participatory governance, adding that Anambra’s global citizens deserve to be carried along in the state’s progress, and this meeting ensures they remain stakeholders, not just spectators from afar.
He said that as the 2025 Anambra State governorship election draws closer, while opposition candidates are deep in campaign mode, Soludo is taking a different approach, one that demonstrates his commitment to good governance over routine politics.
This, he said, demonstrates how statesmen and visionary leaders are separated from politicians, adding that visionary leaders are mindful of leaving an enduring positive impact while politicians are desperate to just win the next election.
The statement read in part, “On Sunday, July 6, the governor will engage with the Anambra Diaspora community in the US and North America at a town hall meeting in Maryland. This is not an election campaign stop; it is another chapter in his administration’s untiring dedication to accountability and inclusive governance that has been the trend in the past three years.
“Soludo’s decision to embark on this Diaspora engagement at a time when others would be focusing solely on the upcoming election speaks volumes about his leadership philosophy.
“Unlike typical politicians who flood the airwaves with their usual empty promises as elections approach, Soludo is choosing to let his record speak for itself. His administration has held similar town hall meetings this year: first in Lagos, then Abuja, and later in the UK/Europe, where he presented his achievements, addressed concerns, and outlined his vision for the future of Anambra State.
“This upcoming US/North America meeting is a continuation of that noble tradition. It demonstrates that Prof. Soludo sees governance as a continuous contract with the people, not just a seasonal obligation tied to election cycles. While his opponents are busy making grand declarations or criticising his government, Governor Soludo is busy reporting back to the people, proving that his administration values transparency and performance over political theatrics.”
According to Aburime, since the assuming office, Soludo has pursued an ambitious “Solution agenda” anchored on economic transformation, security, infrastructure, and human capital development.
He pointed out that the governor’s administration has made a significant impact in areas such as security, massive road construction and urban renewal projects, education, overhauling the public school system, economic growth, empowering youths, among others.
“These achievements are tangible results that directly impact the lives of Anambra citizens. By engaging the Diaspora, Soludo recognises their critical role in the state’s development. In fact, many Ndi Anambra in the US and Canada are key investors, professionals, and philanthropists whose contributions can further accelerate the state’s growth.
“This town hall is an opportunity to align their expertise and resources with the state’s developmental goals. Moreover, it sends a powerful message that Governor Soludo is not a leader who governs in isolation. He listens, he reports, and he collaborates.
“While opposition candidates scramble for attention with their usual empty promises, Governor Soludo’s confidence in his performance allows him to focus on governance. He understands that true leadership is not about loud campaigns but about measurable impact.
“As he meets with Ndi Anambra in Maryland with his scorecard, the message will be ringing loud and clear: performance will always outweigh propaganda. It is also a reaffirmation that accountability should never take a back seat, even in an election season. In the end, that is what will matter most to the people of Anambra State,” the statement added.
The Federal Government has said a number of financial institutions have shown eagerness to participate in the execution of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and similar landmark road projects.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made the disclosure while addressing journalists after inspecting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and some bridges in Lagos.
“I have had meetings with a lot of financial institutions, and they are very eager to participate.
“We are doing everything to complete Section 1 by December and have it approved, and that will open a floodgate for other financial aids.
“One thing that I must commend the President for and, of course, beat my chest and say glory be to God, is that the international funders came and they saw the quantum of the job we are doing.
“That, for me, is a pass mark,” Umahi said.
He said that the recently-inaugurated 30km portion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would not be opened to motorists until completion of an additional 17.47km portion of the Section One, Phase One, of the road project.
“We completed 20km at the beginning, and then we completed 10km,” Umahi said.
He noted that the contractor, Hi-Tech Construction company, was working hard to complete the 17.47km.
Umahi said, “This is what we are working to join, and when we have joined it, if you are travelling from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Free Zone, then you can use the coastal highway.”
The minister said that the road would be tolled to ensure constant maintenance.
“Whether these roads are tolled or not, they need constant maintenance,” he added.
Is MTN Nigeria Running a Data Empire or a Criminal Scheme?
MTN CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s effort to open up the digital economy is facing serious challenges, which are coming in the form of data exploitation. The move is having a negative telling effect on many, especially at a period when the economy is obviously struggling. It is obvious that data is the currency of participation in the government-planned digital economy drive.
It is therefore surprising that MTN Nigeria, a company that promises to be a partner in this revolutionary drive, has been engaging in underhand tactics to derail the growth of the country’s digital growth drive, as investigations have revealed it is manipulating usage metrics to inflate data consumption and extract more value from unsuspecting Nigerian users.
A growing body of evidence suggests that Africa’s largest mobile operator, valued at over ₦5.98 trillion as of May 2025, has been neck-deep in practices that amount to consumer fraud on a national scale, and at the center of the unfolding controversy is Mojisola Savage, a computer science student and aspiring AI engineer whose personal investigation is now exposing what she believes to be systemic manipulation by MTN.
Her journey began on May 1, 2025, when she purchased 165GB of data from MTN to support her studies in technology and machine learning. Surprisingly, the telecommunication company sent her a message within just seven days that the data was fully exhausted despite what she describes as minimal usage.
MTN Service Center
Systematic Testing on MTN Router That Uncovers MTN Discrepancies
Annoyed and determined, Mojisola Savage on May 9 repurchased 165GB of data, but this time, she decided to conduct a detailed test, monitoring her data usage through three independent sources available:
Actual usage logs from her Huawei 4G router,
Daily SMS usage summaries sent by MTN, and
Data balance readings from the official MTN mobile app.
Initial findings of her investigation revealed inconsistencies; SMS alerts were erratic, with missing updates, especially on May 10, when no update was sent, and, as anticipated, it was declared on May 16 that the data she purchased about seven (7) days earlier was depleted, even though her logs showed far less usage. The contradictions of the recorded data usage were so obvious and alarming; for example, on May 16, when MTN claimed her entire 165GB was used up, her router logs indicated only about 17GB had been consumed.
Date MTN SMS MTN App
May 9 22GB 22GB
May 10 (No SMS) 77.98GB
May 11 4GB 4GB
May 12 2GB 2GB
May 13 6.9GB 6.7GB
May 14 6.1GB 5.9GB
May 15 48GB 47GB
May 16 (No data) 17GB
The Confrontation
Believing she had gathered enough evidence to demonstrate a major fault in MTN’s system, Savage visited the MTN service center at Shoprite, Victoria Island, presenting full screenshots of her router logs, MTN SMS alerts, and app records.
But to her surprise, the MTN staff claimed that on May 10, the exact day no usage alert was sent, Apple Services alone had consumed 80GB of data. What the staff is saying is that despite the fact that she’s not using Apple TV or upgrading her Apple phones, her phone was said to have consumed a whopping 80 GB in a day, which incidentally was the day they skipped sending usage SMS.
This further confirmed her suspicion of a carefully orchestrated data fraud racket by the telecommunication company, as it seems more than just a billing error but a manufactured justification to cover up a much deeper problem.
MTN Service Center
In the course of seeking clarification on the initial discrepancies, Mojisola Savage later discovered another contradiction in the readings of the 3rd independent monitoring source while still at the MTN center: when her MTN-issued router dashboard showed zero, the MTN mobile app reported she still had 19 GB remaining, whereas the two (2) sources are both being operated by MTN, and the fact that they completely contradicted each other means there is indeed something fishy.
“Right there, I realized something was very wrong,” she said. “MTN’s claims didn’t just fail to add up; they actively canceled each other out.” She concluded.
A Controlled Experiment: The 200GB Test
Determined to remove any remaining doubt, Mojisola Savage takes her investigation a notch higher. While still at the MTN service center, she purchased 200GB of data and configured her Huawei MTN-issued router with precise internal bandwidth management rules:
Limit total usage to 50GB out of the 200GB.
Trigger a notification once 80% of that limit (40GB) was reached.
Automatically cut off internet access when 50GB was fully consumed.
This setup would ensure that no more than 50GB could possibly be used under any condition.
According to her, “This time, I wanted to monitor every byte directly from the device, isolated from any external interference, especially from MTN.”
But like the proverbial witch that cries a day before a death occurs, just five (5) days later, MTN once again claimed that the full 200GB had been consumed. Whereas, the router’s own dashboard reported a mere 12GB of actual usage, making it convincing that data usage fraud is actually being perpetrated by the telecommunication company.
Below is what the daily breakdown from data reading that MTN SMS and App showed:
Date MTN SMS MTN App
May 16 2GB 212MB
May 17 (No SMS) 47GB
May 18 28GB 28GB
May 19 (No SMS) 27GB
May 20 (No SMS) 112GB
“According to MTN, I used over 40GB per hour between 1am and 3am on May 20,” Savage said. “That’s impossible. What can one person possibly do to burn through 40GB in an hour? Stream? Maybe I was watching 100 8K movies simultaneously?” she queried.
Suspicious and frustrated, Savage did what any basic network engineer would do: she pulled the internal usage logs directly from the router.
What she found was damning, because as of the time of writing this article, the router shows just 28GB total usage, a far cry from MTN’s claim of 200GB consumed. And unlike MTN’s invisible systems, the router’s logs can be audited, verified, and tested.
To validate her findings, we reached out to a network infrastructure expert, a certified Cisco and Huawei systems engineer with 12 years of experience in enterprise-grade broadband networks, to give us an expert and independent opinion about contradictions, and he explained that the routers are reliable.
In his words, “If properly configured, routers with bandwidth controls are highly reliable. They don’t just track traffic; they enforce limits.” He explained further. “In a case where the router shows 28GB and the provider claims 200GB, I would trust the router, especially when there’s a hard cutoff configured. For MTN’s numbers to be right, either the router is lying or something more concerning is going on.” He concluded.
Mojisola Savage, when contacted about the expert’s opinion, also gave her view. “We all know that a router can be audited. But can MTN’s accounting be audited the same way?” Savage asked. “Because if the router is right and all signs point to that, then MTN has some serious explaining to do.”
MTN Head Office
A Pattern of Evasion and Silence
Since the discrepancies first emerged, Mojisola Savage has made multiple formal requests to MTN, asking for a detailed breakdown of her data usage, something that includes timestamps, application logs, IP addresses, and traffic volumes. Till the time of publishing this report, the telecommunication company has refused to provide any such report.
All efforts to get the side of MTN have also proved futile, as the company is maintaining total silence; even messages sent to their social media handles were left unattended. This, we believe, is with the hope that the discovered fraud will die with the silence, but rather Savage keeps pressing on, seeking answers on their continuous silence. In her statement, “Why won’t they release a breakdown?” she asks. “Because it would have to match the router’s bandwidth logs, and it won’t. That’s why they’re hiding behind silence.” She suggested.
In the process of her investigation, she had meticulously preserved every piece of evidence: SMS alerts, screenshots from the MTN app, daily usage reports, and router bandwidth logs directly from the admin interface. She even maintained a full timeline of her activity, down to the minute.
She further revealed that “Since this started, I haven’t touched the router. I’ve kept everything intact,” she said. “If MTN tries to challenge me, I have the facts. I can show exactly what happened.”
Despite repeated follow-ups, MTN’s only responses have been generic messages and contradictory claims, none of which address the specific evidence Mojisola Savage has documented. The silence, in her view, is no longer just frustrating; it is a confirmation of a misdeed by the company.
Fraud, Incompetence, or Both?
At the heart of this controversy lie two questions. Savage argues that
Either the Huawei router’s bandwidth tracking is severely flawed, which is improbable, given the device’s global reliability and its complete independence from MTN’s internal systems,
Or MTN is knowingly fabricating usage data, attributing inflated consumption to vague background processes like the “Apple Services” to justify premature data depletion.
The question is why MTN is not releasing the logs if they are sure they have nothing to hide. It is expected they will treat her case as an example by releasing the logs to counter the claim together with a powerful press statement to back it up and clear the image of the company, but instead, they were hiding behind silence to shrug off accountability.
Another point is taking into cognizance the fact that Huawei’s routers have been tested by governments, corporations, and telecom providers worldwide, and they were found to be dependable and hardly a candidate for arbitrary failure. Whereas in contrast, MTN has offered no third-party verifiable data, no access to internal traffic reports, and no plausible explanation for the discrepancies.
Thinking about the MTN staff’s explanation, a bemused Mojisola Savage quipped, “Apple Services? On a non-Apple network setup? That’s not just suspicious; it’s absurd,” she said. “This isn’t a glitch. It feels like a system that’s been optimized for silent overcharging.”
Not an Isolated Case
Savage’s story is far from unique. Across social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), thousands of Nigerians have reported eerily similar experiences: abrupt data exhaustion, conflicting usage reports between the MTN app and SMS notifications, and a deafening silence from MTN when pressed for explanations.
“I bought data on March 19. No usage. No refund. MTN is ripping Nigerians off,” wrote one user on June 2.
Others were more blunt, calling the telco’s operations “digital extortion,” and one even described it as “a Ponzi scheme with airtime.”
Even public figures aren’t exempt. Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti recently took to Instagram to complain about losing over 1 terabyte of data. While he was out of the country
Since beginning her investigation, Savage claims to have uncovered at least 10 friends and acquaintances with similar unexplained data losses often dismissed by MTN without accountability or remedy.
“This isn’t anecdotal anymore. It’s systemic,” she said.
Regulatory Inactions: Aiding or Ignoring?
What makes this situation even more troubling is the deafening silence from the very institutions meant to protect Nigerian consumers. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the nation’s telecom regulator, has yet to issue a single public statement, let alone demand accountability from the telecom company, despite a growing volume of complaints and evidence.
“How can millions of Nigerians complain, and the regulator say nothing? Either they’re complicit, or they’ve abandoned their role.” Savage retorted in anger.
Critics argue that the NCC’s failure to act is not just negligence; it’s enabling. Without routine audits of telecom data systems, independent verification of consumer usage, or mandatory public disclosures, mobile operators are effectively left to self-regulate.
And in an environment where transparency is optional, exploitation becomes inevitable.
The Case for a Forensic Audit
In light of mounting discrepancies and public outcry, Mojisola Savage, along with a growing number of Nigerians, is calling for a full forensic audit of MTN Nigeria’s data billing infrastructure. The demand is simple: transparency, accountability, and truth.
This audit, she insists, must be conducted independently, under the supervision of a coalition that includes digital rights organizations, consumer protection agencies, and certified cybersecurity experts.
At a minimum, such an investigation should:
* Cross-examine MTN’s claimed data usage with actual router-level bandwidth logs.
Identify and explain inconsistencies between SMS/app usage reports and real-world consumption.
Review the basis of so-called automatic consumption by background services like “Apple Services.”
* Determine whether discrepancies are due to technical faults or deliberate overbilling.
Every Nigerian deserves to know the truth. Is our data being stolen byte by byte, or are they truly unable to explain where it’s going? For a country with one of the world’s most vibrant digital populations that truly wants to open up the digital economy in line with the goals of the President, the answer has never mattered more.
Legacy at Risk
For decades, MTN has positioned itself as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital evolution, powering commerce, education, and innovation across the country. But this unfolding crisis raises a stark and uncomfortable question:
Can a company claim to be a driver of digital progress while facing credible allegations of digital exploitation?
For Mojisola Savage, the answer is unequivocal.
“If they can’t explain where my 530GB went,” she said, “then they’ve already lost something more important than data trust.”
As the evidence mounts and public pressure intensifies, MTN now stands at a crossroads: defend its integrity with transparency or watch its reputation unravel byte by byte.
Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, has revealed he wants to show his love for Celtic by opening a burger van outside the home of the Scottish champions.
The American music icon has previously expressed interest in buying a stake in the Glasgow club after being inspired by the success of Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at English second-tier side Wrexham.
But the 53-year-old has now set his sights on a more modest connection with a team he has long admired.
Snoop Dogg, who has published a recipe book called ‘From Crook to Cook’, once described Celtic supporters as “special” and said he identified with the club’s mascot, Hoopy the Hound.
He told the Sunday Mail that Celtic fans would flock to the burger van and that it would become a foodie “Paradise”, the nickname given to the club’s Parkhead stadium.
“I would love to bring a pop-up burger van to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good,” he said.
“It’s got to be Celtic Park, man. The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon.
“The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.”
Snoop Dogg worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year, has launched two youth football leagues, and has been a vocal advocate for pay equality for female athletes.
He claimed he would not be taking his culinary ventures to Celtic’s arch rivals Rangers.
“Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss,” he said.
