WhatsApp has launched a new privacy and security feature called Strict Account Settings, designed to better protect users from scams, cyberattacks, and account takeover attempts.
The update arrives as messaging apps increasingly become targets for fraudsters who exploit unsuspecting users through phishing links, scam calls, and malicious file sharing. With this new feature, WhatsApp aims to make account protection easier by allowing users to activate stronger security controls with a single switch.
Strict Account Settings is an optional privacy mode that automatically applies several high-security protections at once. Instead of adjusting multiple settings manually, users can enable stricter controls instantly.
The feature focuses on reducing interactions with unknown contacts and limiting common scam entry points that attackers use to reach users.
Once activated, Strict Account Settings adjusts how your account interacts with unknown users and suspicious activity. Key protections include:
Media and attachments from unknown contacts are blocked to reduce malware risks.
Calls from unsaved numbers are silenced to prevent scam or harassment calls.
Link previews are disabled to help users avoid deceptive URLs.
Message flooding from unknown accounts is limited to reduce spam.
Two-step verification is automatically enforced, adding an extra layer of login protection.
Profile details such as profile photo, About info, and Last Seen become visible only to saved contacts.
Group invitations from unknown users are restricted, preventing unwanted group additions.
Online scams continue to grow globally, with messaging platforms frequently used to trick users into sharing personal details or verification codes. While WhatsApp already offers end-to-end encryption, encryption alone cannot stop social engineering scams or phishing attempts.
Strict Account Settings addresses this gap by proactively limiting how attackers can contact users in the first place. It also simplifies security by removing the need for users to understand multiple privacy controls.
WhatsApp notes that the feature is particularly useful for people who may face higher risks, such as journalists, public figures, business owners, and users managing sensitive information. However, everyday users can benefit just as much.
How to Turn It On
To enable Strict Account Settings:
Open WhatsApp and ensure your app is updated.
Go to Settings.
Tap Privacy.
Open Advanced settings.
Turn on Strict Account Settings.
The feature is rolling out gradually, so some users may see it before others.
For most users, enabling Strict Account Settings simply means fewer interruptions from unknown contacts and better protection against scams. The only trade-off may be reduced convenience when interacting with new contacts, but many users may find the added security worth it.
As messaging scams continue to evolve, WhatsApp’s latest update represents a move toward making stronger privacy protection easier and more accessible to everyone.
In a significant shift from its traditional ad-based model, Meta; the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp has announced plans to test premium subscription options across all three platforms in the coming months. According multiple reports from global news outlets, these subscription tiers will introduce exclusive features, enhanced tools, and expanded AI capabilities while keeping the core services free for all users.
This publication explores what the subscriptions are, why they matter, what features are expected, and how they could affect everyday users and creators.
Meta confirmed that it will begin testing premium subscription tiers on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp that give users access to exclusive and advanced features not available in the free versions. The company emphasised that basic functions like messaging, posting, and browsing will remain free for all users, and the paid options will be optional extras.
Importantly, these premium plans will not be one single package across all apps. Each platform will have its own distinct set of features and bundles, reflecting how people use Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp differently.
What Premium Features Might Include
While Meta has not released full details yet, industry reports based on leaks and platform code insights suggest some likely features:
Instagram
Subscribers may get tools aimed at creators and power users, including:
Unlimited audience lists for segmented engagement.
Follower insights showing who doesn’t follow you back.
Ability to view Stories anonymously without notifying the poster.
Facebook
Details are still emerging, but premium features may focus on:
Enhanced content discovery tools
Better group and community management controls
More analytics for engagement and performance.
WhatsApp
Premium plans for WhatsApp could include:
Advanced messaging controls
Tools aimed at business communication and automation
Possibly additional privacy and productivity options beyond the standard app.
A central part of Meta’s subscription play involves artificial intelligence:
Meta plans to integrate Manus, a suite of advanced AI agents it recently acquired, into its subscription offerings. Users could access AI assistants for content creation, research, audience analysis, and more.
Another AI feature is Vibes, an AI-powered short-form video creation tool. Vibes is currently free, but subscriptions may unlock more video creation options and capabilities each month.
Meta already offers Meta Verified, a paid service focused on verification badges, support, and safety features for creators and businesses. The new premium subscriptions are separate and broader. They aren’t about verification status but about giving users functional advantages and advanced tools that could enhance creativity, productivity, privacy, and analytics.
Meta is expected to begin testing these subscriptions soon with availability likely rolling out gradually and varying by region. As users interact with premium tools, Meta will collect feedback and refine the offerings before any broader launch.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially upgraded the operating licences of several leading fintech companies and microfinance banks, including Opay, Moniepoint, Kuda Bank, PalmPay and Paga, granting them national operating status. While the announcement may appear administrative on the surface, it represents a significant shift in how Nigeria’s financial regulators now view fintechs no longer as peripheral disruptors, but as core players in the country’s financial system.
For years, these platforms have operated far beyond the limits of their original licences. Through mobile apps and vast agent networks, they already serve customers across all 36 states, powering everyday payments, savings, and business transactions. The CBN’s decision essentially aligns regulation with reality, formally recognising the nationwide reach these companies have long maintained.
By granting national status, the apex bank is also tightening oversight. Fintechs and microfinance banks at this level are subject to stronger regulatory requirements, including higher capital thresholds, more robust risk management standards, and stricter reporting obligations. The move is designed to reduce regulatory gaps as fintechs grow larger, handle more deposits, and play an increasingly important role in the financial lives of millions of Nigerians.
Consumer protection sits at the heart of this upgrade. Digital finance is no longer a convenience add-on; for many Nigerians, fintech apps are their primary banking tools. As usage grows, so do expectations around service reliability, dispute resolution, and data protection. National licensing gives the CBN clearer authority to enforce standards that safeguard users and promote system stability.
The decision also carries implications beyond regulation. Despite being digital-first, nationally licensed institutions are expected to maintain a physical presence in key locations. This could improve access to in-person support, particularly for users in informal sectors or regions where digital literacy and connectivity remain uneven. For small businesses and merchants who depend on platforms like Moniepoint and Opay for daily operations, the upgrade adds a layer of reassurance around continuity and accountability.
Agent banking, a major driver of financial inclusion in Nigeria, stands to benefit as well. With clearer national oversight, agent networks may become more structured and standardised, strengthening trust between fintech operators, agents, and the communities they serve.
More broadly, the CBN’s action signals a maturing financial ecosystem. The traditional divide between banks and fintechs continues to narrow as digital platforms expand into savings, lending, and business banking, while conventional banks deepen their digital offerings. By elevating fintechs to national status, regulators are acknowledging this convergence while reinforcing the need for responsibility at scale.
For users, the shift may come with gradual changes; updated policies, tighter verification processes, and clearer complaint channels. While regulation cannot eliminate all risks, it creates a stronger framework within which innovation and consumer protection can coexist.
Ultimately, the CBN’s upgrade of Opay, Moniepoint, Kuda, PalmPay, Paga and other financial institutions is more than a licence adjustment. It is a clear statement about the future of finance in Nigeria, one where fintechs are firmly embedded in the national system, innovation is balanced with accountability, and digital banking is treated as essential infrastructure rather than an experiment.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a sweeping, industry-wide offensive against the growing threat of digital fraud, introducing new measures aimed at slashing fraud response times across Nigeria’s financial system to under 30 minutes.
The initiative was unveiled at the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) Technical Kick-Off Session, bringing together regulators, commercial banks, fintech firms, payment service providers, and law enforcement agencies in a coordinated push to strengthen fraud prevention and response mechanisms nationwide.
At the heart of the new framework is speed. The CBN has directed financial institutions to significantly shorten the time it takes to detect, escalate, and respond to fraud incidents, warning that delays allow criminals to move stolen funds across multiple platforms before recovery efforts begin.
By enforcing a sub-30-minute response window, the apex bank aims to improve recovery rates, limit customer losses, and reduce systemic risk within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem.
The initiative emphasizes deep collaboration across the financial ecosystem, requiring banks, fintechs, and payment processors to break down operational silos and share intelligence in real time. According to the CBN, coordinated monitoring and joint response protocols are now critical as fraud schemes become more sophisticated and cross-platform.
Stakeholders are also expected to align their internal systems with shared industry standards for fraud detection, reporting, and escalation.
Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly, driven by mobile banking, instant transfers, and fintech adoption. While recent reports indicate a moderation in electronic fraud cases, the CBN has stressed that cybercriminals continue to evolve, making proactive regulation and faster intervention essential.
The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to stronger identity verification frameworks, including the continued integration of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN), alongside advanced analytics and real-time transaction monitoring tools.
CBN officials signaled that compliance with the new response-time benchmark will be closely monitored. Banks and payment service providers are expected to invest in robust fraud prevention infrastructure and staff capacity to meet the regulator’s expectations.
The move reflects a firmer regulatory stance as the CBN seeks to protect consumer confidence, strengthen financial stability, and support long-term growth in Nigeria’s digital financial services sector.
By framing digital fraud as a collective industry challenge, the CBN’s latest initiative marks a strategic shift in how Nigeria confronts financial crime. If fully implemented, the sub-30-minute response target could redefine fraud management standards and significantly weaken the operating space for digital fraudsters.
Nigeria is emerging as one of the world’s most active users of artificial intelligence, according to a new Google-Ipsos study. The report reveals that 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, placing the country far ahead of the global average of 62%.
Titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, the study highlights how Nigerians are already integrating AI into education, work, and income-generating activities not as a future concept, but as a practical everyday tool.
The data positions Nigeria among the highest adopters of AI chat tools globally, with usage rising sharply over the past year. Google notes that chatbot adoption in Nigeria increased by 18 percentage points, a growth rate that outpaces most regions surveyed.
This level of engagement suggests that AI tools are no longer niche technologies in Nigeria. Instead, they are becoming mainstream digital utilities, used across age groups and professional backgrounds.
One of the strongest use cases identified in the report is learning.
According to the survey: 93% of Nigerians use AI to learn or understand complex topics, compared to a global average of 74%.
Students, professionals, and self-learners are increasingly turning to AI chatbots to:
Break down difficult subjects
Explain concepts in simpler terms
Support exam preparation and research
Learn new digital and professional skills
Beyond education, AI is playing a growing role in workplace productivity.
The report shows that: 91% of Nigerian respondents use AI to assist with work tasks
These tasks range from:
Writing and editing content
Research and information gathering
Planning and organising projects
Brainstorming ideas and presentations
Perhaps most notably, the report highlights AI’s role in entrepreneurship and side hustles, a critical part of Nigeria’s economy.
Google’s findings reveal that: 80% of Nigerians use AI to explore business ideas or career opportunities, nearly double the global average of 42%.
In a country where many people combine multiple income sources, AI is becoming a low-cost tool for experimentation and growth.
MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the appointment of Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 2026, marking a major leadership transition at one of the country’s most influential media and entertainment companies.
Omotosho succeeds John Ugbe, who is set to retire after nearly 15 years at the helm of MultiChoice Nigeria, a period defined by subscriber growth, local content expansion, and the consolidation of platforms such as DStv and GOtv as household staples across the country.
Kemi Omotosho brings over two decades of experience spanning media, telecommunications, and digital services across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, she is not new to the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Her previous roles within the MultiChoice Group include:
Executive Head, Customer Value Management (Nigeria)
Group Executive Head, Customer Value Management (Rest of Africa)
Regional Director, Southern Africa, where she oversaw operations and full profit-and-loss responsibility across a seven-country portfolio
Nigeria remains MultiChoice Group’s largest and most strategic market in Africa, both in subscriber base and cultural influence. Omotosho’s appointment signals continuity, but also a renewed focus on customer engagement, innovation, and sustainable growth.
In her response to the announcement, Omotosho described the role as a privilege, emphasizing her commitment to:
Strengthening customer relationships
Championing local storytelling and Nigerian creators
Supporting the broader creative economy
Building a future-ready, resilient organization
John Ugbe’s retirement closes a significant chapter in MultiChoice Nigeria’s history. Under his leadership, the company expanded its local content slate, navigated regulatory and economic pressures, and maintained its dominance in a fast-evolving media landscape.
As Omotosho prepares to assume office in January 2026, attention will turn to how MultiChoice Nigeria adapts to changing viewer habits, rising content costs, and competition from global streaming platforms.
For the first time in history, FIFA has partnered with TikTok to bring official World Cup 2026 content directly to fans on a social media platform. The landmark deal, which names TikTok as FIFA’s first-ever Preferred Platform for video content, promises a mix of live match clips, highlights, behind the scenes access, and interactive fan features.
This move signals a major shift in how football fans engage with the world’s biggest sporting event, blending traditional broadcasting with digital-first experiences tailored for mobile and social audiences.
What the FIFA-TikTok Deal Means
The agreement between FIFA and TikTok is designed to expand the reach of the World Cup to millions of digital-native fans around the world. Here’s what the deal offers:
Live Match Clips: TikTok will stream segments of official matches via a dedicated World Cup hub inside the app. Fans can catch real-time action without waiting for TV highlights.
Curated Highlights: Quick, shareable clips of goals, saves, and major moments will be easily accessible.
Behind-the-Scenes Access: Selected TikTok creators will provide coverage of press conferences, training sessions, and exclusive off-field content.
Interactive Features: Stickers, filters, and fan challenges will make following the tournament more engaging than ever.
Note: TikTok will not broadcast full 90-minute matches. Traditional TV and official streaming partners retain full-match rights.
The TikTok World Cup Hub: Your New Digital Stadium
Central to this deal is the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub on TikTok, which serves as a one-stop destination for fans:
Live match segments and highlights
Match schedules and updates
Official FIFA creator content
Fan engagement tools and interactive features
This hub transforms TikTok into a digital stadium, giving fans a unique way to stay connected with the World Cup in real time.
Fans will now be able to experience World Cup 2026 content in ways never possible before. With live clips, highlights, exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, and interactive features all available on TikTok, FIFA is bridging the gap between traditional broadcasting and the digital-first generation.
While TikTok does not replace full-match coverage, this record deal marks a historic shift in football media and could redefine how fans engage with the World Cup forever.
OPay has quietly introduced a ₦9,999 preset transfer option in its app, and Nigerians are paying close attention. The move comes amid growing concerns over the ₦50 stamp duty now applied to electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above, a policy that officially took effect at the start of 2026.
While ₦50 may seem insignificant on its own, frequent transfers mean the cost adds up quickly. For millions of Nigerians who rely on fintech apps for daily transactions, even small deductions matter.
OPay’s new transfer option appears to offer a simple workaround, staying just below the threshold where stamp duty applies.
Understanding the ₦50 Stamp Duty on Bank Transfers
Under Nigeria’s updated stamp duty framework:
Electronic transfers of ₦10,000 or more attract a ₦50 stamp duty
The charge is deducted from the sender
Transfers below ₦10,000 are exempt
The rule applies across banks and fintech platforms
The policy is part of broader government efforts to improve tax compliance and generate revenue through digital transactions. However, its rollout has been met with mixed reactions, especially from users who make multiple transfers daily.
What the ₦9,999 Transfer Option Does
OPay’s ₦9,999 button allows users to send money without triggering the stamp duty charge. Instead of manually typing an amount, users can now select a preset value that keeps the transaction just under the ₦10,000 mark.
The feature:
Reduces friction for users trying to avoid extra charges
Speeds up transfers with a one-tap option
Reflects how Nigerians already adjust spending habits around policy thresholds
OPay has not officially stated that the feature was designed to bypass stamp duty, but the timing and amount strongly suggest a response to user behaviour and concerns.
On social media, many users say they were already sending ₦9,999 manually before the update. The difference now is convenience.
Some users also admit to splitting larger transfers into multiple ₦9,999 transactions. While this is not illegal, financial experts advise moderation, as excessive micro-transactions can sometimes raise flags on financial platforms.
Why This Decade of Technological Advancement Matter for Nigerian Small Businesses
For many small business owners in Nigeria, growth often feels slow and uncertain. Rising operating costs, intense competition, poor infrastructure, and limited access to funding make scaling difficult. For years, technology felt like something only large companies could afford.
That is changing real fast today.
As we close 2025 and moving to 2026, technology and artificial intelligence are becoming more accessible to Nigerian businesses of all sizes. Tools that once required large budgets are now available through mobile phones, cloud platforms, and simple software subscriptions. This shift means small businesses now have the opportunity to grow faster, operate smarter, and compete more effectively.
The businesses that succeed will not necessarily be the biggest. They will be the ones that understand how to use technology and AI as practical tools, not abstract ideas.
What Scaling Really Looks Like in Nigeria
Scaling is often misunderstood as simply increasing sales. In reality, scaling means growing in a way that does not break your operations. For Nigerian businesses, this means improving efficiency, reducing manual work, and creating systems that can handle more customers without increasing stress.
Technology and AI help small businesses do more with less. They allow business owners to automate repetitive tasks, understand customer behaviour, and make better decisions based on data instead of guesswork.
Using AI to Simplify Daily Business Operations
Many Nigerian entrepreneurs spend a large part of their day responding to messages, writing captions, tracking orders, and managing records manually. These tasks are important, but they slow growth when done without support.
AI tools help simplify these daily operations. Businesses can now use AI to respond to customer inquiries automatically, generate marketing content in minutes, and organize business information more efficiently. This does not replace human effort; it supports it. By reducing time spent on routine tasks, business owners can focus on strategy, sales, and expansion.
In 2026, automation will no longer be a luxury. It will be a basic requirement for any business that wants to scale sustainably.
Understanding Customers Better With Data and AI
One of the biggest advantages technology offers is clarity. Many small businesses struggle because they do not fully understand their customers. AI-powered tools help change this by analyzing sales patterns, customer behaviour, and engagement trends.
With these insights, businesses can see which products perform best, identify peak buying periods, and understand why customers return or stop buying. This leads to smarter pricing, better inventory planning, and more effective marketing.
When decisions are based on data rather than assumptions, growth becomes more predictable and less risky.
Building a Strong Digital Presence That Drives Growth
By 2026, customers expect businesses to be visible and accessible online. A strong digital presence is no longer optional. Whether through a website, an online store, or social media platforms, businesses must meet customers where they already spend their time.
AI plays a quiet but powerful role here. It helps businesses improve search visibility, recommend better content ideas, and optimize marketing campaigns. This means small businesses can reach more people without spending excessively on advertising.
A well-structured online presence allows a business to attract customers consistently, even outside normal working hours.
Improving Customer Experience With Smart Technology
Customer experience has become one of the strongest competitive advantages in modern business. Nigerian customers value fast responses, clear communication, and smooth service delivery.
AI-powered tools help businesses meet these expectations by supporting faster replies, automated order updates, and personalized follow-ups. When customers feel heard and valued, they are more likely to return and recommend the business to others.
As competition increases in 2026, businesses that invest in customer experience will stand out more than those that focus only on pricing.
Reducing Costs and Scaling Sustainably With Cloud Technology
Scaling does not always require heavy spending. One of the biggest mistakes small businesses make is investing in expensive systems too early. Cloud-based technology offers a more flexible alternative.
With cloud and AI software, businesses can pay only for what they use. They can upgrade tools as they grow and avoid the burden of maintaining expensive hardware. This approach reduces financial pressure while supporting long-term expansion.
For Nigerian businesses facing fluctuating costs and currency challenges, this flexibility is especially valuable.
Expanding Beyond Your Immediate Market
Technology has removed many of the traditional limits on business growth. Nigerian small businesses can now reach customers beyond their local environment, and even outside the country.
AI helps with market research, audience targeting, and content adaptation, making it easier to explore new markets without losing focus. At the same time, businesses that understand local culture and customer behavior can use technology to strengthen their local advantage.
Scaling in 2026 will be about balancing local relevance with wider reach.
You Do Not Need to Be a Tech Expert to Scale
A common fear among business owners is that AI is too complex. In reality, most modern tools are designed for everyday users. You do not need to know how to code or build software.
What matters is understanding your business problems and choosing tools that solve them. Learning gradually, testing solutions, and training staff in small steps makes tech adoption manageable and effective.
The goal is not to become a tech company, but to run a smarter business.
Technology and AI are reshaping how small businesses grow in Nigeria. In 2026, success will depend less on working harder and more on working intelligently.
Small businesses that adopt tech early, focus on efficiency, and prioritize customer experience will be better positioned to grow sustainably. The opportunity is not in using every tool available, but in using the right ones at the right time.
Scaling is no longer about size. It is about systems, strategy, and smart use of technology. Take the right step to grow your business today!
Agentic AI is one of the most important tech trend of 2025. This new generation of artificial intelligence doesn’t just respond to prompts, it plans, takes action, and completes tasks independently. For creators, entrepreneurs, and young professionals, this shift is unlocking new levels of productivity and opportunity.
WHAT EXACTLY IS AGENTIC AI?
Agentic AI is a smarter and more capable form of AI that can break goals into steps, execute tasks, and improve performance over time. Instead of giving instructions one by one, you set a goal, and the AI figures out the rest.
Examples:
“Grow my TikTok to 20k.”
“Create a weekly trend report.”
“Organize my brand’s content calendar.”
HOW AGENTIC AI BENEFITS CREATORS AND BUSINESSES
Faster Workflows
Agentic AI automates repetitive tasks like scheduling posts, drafting emails, responding to customers, and generating analytics saving hours every week.
Better Decision Making
It analyzes trends, performance, and competition, making it easier to refine strategies and avoid errors.
Stronger Content Creation
Agentic AI generates ideas, drafts captions, tracks engagement, and supports consistency across platforms.
A Boost for Small Businesses
It handles customer interactions, admin tasks, marketing basics, and competitor updates, acting like an affordable digital team member.
Accessible to Everyone
Anyone with a phone or laptop can tap into this technology, making it especially valuable for young African creators and entrepreneurs.
Agentic AI is transforming how individuals work, create, and scale. As these tools become more integrated into daily life, they will continue empowering creators, professionals, and small businesses to achieve more with less effort.
It’s not just enough to know about this tools, you have to take the next step of knowing how to use them. Follow Streamdorm to stay updated on topics relating to tech and AI.
