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Finally, US Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban Over National Security Concerns.

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Washington, In a landmark decision, the US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok in the United States, potentially blocking access to the popular video-sharing app for 170 million users. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant defeat for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, as it contended that the ban infringed upon free speech rights.

The court determined that the US government had sufficiently demonstrated legitimate national security concerns regarding a Chinese company owning TikTok. “For more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression,” the justices acknowledged. However, they concluded that “Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.”

Despite calls from lawmakers and officials for a delay, the ban is set to take effect on Sunday. Congress had previously passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell the platform or cease operations in the United States by January 19, amid fears that the app could be used by China for espionage or propaganda.

White House officials indicated that they would not enforce the ban, leaving enforcement decisions to President-elect Donald Trump, who assumes office the following day. Trump mentioned discussing TikTok in a recent conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz assured Fox News that measures would be implemented to prevent TikTok from “going dark.” He noted that the legislation allows for an extension if a viable deal is in negotiation, giving the Trump administration time to keep TikTok operational while addressing data protection concerns.

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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged for the ban’s delay, emphasizing the need for more time to secure an American buyer and prevent disruptions to the livelihoods of millions of TikTok users and influencers.

To enforce the ban, the US government plans to direct Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, halting new downloads before Trump’s inauguration. TikTok lawyer Noel Francisco warned that the platform would “go dark” on Sunday if the ban is not blocked, with reports indicating that the company is preparing to suspend its US operations.

As Trump prepares to take office, his administration will decide whether to implement or delay the ban, despite Congressional support for the legislation. TikTok has been actively lobbying against the ban, and CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.

TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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National Assembly Ask FG To Suspend Telecom Tariff Hike

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By John Audu, Abuja.

The House of Representatives has called on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani and the Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC), to suspend the impending hike in telecommunications tariffs until their service improved.

The call followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Obuku Offorji at the plenary on Tuesday.

Presenting the motion, he recalled that the minister had, after a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, 8th January, announced that telecommunications tariffs would soon be increased by the telecom operators in the country.

According to the minister, consultations are ongoing as there have been agitations from some of these companies to increase tariffs to as high as 100 percent.

He however said it would not be a 100 percent increase and that the NCC would approve the new tariffs and announce them in due course.

However the lawmaker faulted the arguments of the telecommunications companies for the hike which include, the cost of investment, better networks, increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, banking and healthcare.

Offorji said, “The telecommunications companies have been advocating for the hike for the last 11 years, according to the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). They argued that the telcos need cost-reflective tariffs in the face of adverse economic reality like a record inflation of 34.6 percent in November 2024 and losses resulting from foreign exchange fluctuations.

“The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery.

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“It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery, which Nigerians have been yearning for, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.

“The far reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower income families the hardest.

“Affordable connectivity is a must for progress in critical sectors like digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture and e- governance. Informal sector workers who depend on affordable mobile data to access gig work opportunities may find it harder to stay connected.”

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NLC declares nationwide protest against telecom tariff hike on February 4

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By John Audu.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, to oppose the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The decision was reached during the ongoing National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of the NLC, to send a strong warning to the government that workers will resist policies that worsen economic hardship.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement titled “50% Telecom Tariff Hike: Another Burden Too Harsh!”, condemned the move, calling it an “assault on workers’ welfare.”

He argued that the tariff increase comes at a time when Nigerians are already struggling with unprecedented economic challenges.

“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10% of their wages on telecom charges.

“With this hike, workers earning the N70,000 minimum wage will see their monthly telecom expenses rise from N7,000 to N10,500—an unsustainable burden,” Ajaero stated.

The protest, backed by other labour and civil society organizations, is expected to take place across major cities, with workers and citizens voicing their opposition to the hike.

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NLC Threatens Nationwide Telecom Boycott Over 50% Tariff Hike.

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By John Audu

Abuja – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to resist a recent 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, threatening a nationwide boycott of telecom services if the government does not reverse the decision.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the Nigerian government for prioritizing corporate profits over the welfare of its citizens. He accused lawmakers of failing to adequately represent the interests of Nigerians and hold the government accountable for its policies.
“This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats,” Ajaero stated.
He emphasized that telecommunications services are essential for daily life and questioned the timing of the hike amidst soaring inflation and the high cost of living.
“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of ₦70,000, this means an increase from ₦7,000 to a staggering ₦10,500 per month or 15% of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable,” Ajaero said. “This glaring disparity underscores a troubling reality: the government appears more aligned with the interests of wealthy corporations than with the needs of the workers and citizens it is meant to serve.”
The NLC has urged all Nigerian workers and citizens to reject the tariff hike and prepare for collective action, including a potential nationwide boycott of telecom services.
“We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality,” Ajaero declared. “Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.”
This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs on Monday, citing prevailing market conditions.

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Fintech Transactions Propel FG’s EMTL Revenue to Record N31.2 Billion in December 2024

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Anastasia John E.

The Federal Government’s revenue from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) soared to an unprecedented N31.2 billion in December 2024, marking its highest monthly collection to date. This surge follows the incorporation of fintech platform transactions into the EMTL framework.

According to the latest data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), December’s EMTL revenue reflects a 107% increase from the N15.046 billion reported in November. The total revenue shared among the Federal, State, and Local governments for December 2024, which includes statutory revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), and EMTL, amounted to N1.424 trillion.

Fintech companies such as PalmPay, OPay, and Moniepoint began EMTL deductions from transactions on December 1, 2024. This levy applies to transfers of N10,000 and above, marking a shift from the previously free transaction landscape offered by some platforms. OPay clarified to its users that the EMTL charges are remitted entirely to the Federal Government, without any profit retained by the company.

The expansion of EMTL to include fintech platforms is part of the government’s strategy to enhance its revenue streams, as evidenced by the significant growth in December’s figures.

Understanding EMTL

The Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) is a N50 charge applied to electronic money transfers or receipts within Nigerian banks or financial institutions, with specific exceptions:

  • Transfers below N10,000
  • Money deposited into one’s own account
  • Transfers between accounts owned by the same person within the same bank

Introduced in the Finance Act 2020, the EMTL aims to promote electronic funds transfers in Nigeria, with its revenues distributed among the three tiers of government: 15% to the Federal Government, 50% to state governments, and 35% to local governments.

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In December 2023, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) mandated the deduction and remittance of EMTL on foreign currency transactions by banks, extending the levy beyond local currency transactions. This directive included deductions on past foreign currency transactions from 2021 to 2023, further bolstering government revenue.

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