The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have joined forces to introduce a unified framework aimed at curbing failed airtime recharges and data transactions on electronic platforms.

The initiative, announced last week, seeks to enforce accountability among telecom operators, payment processors, and financial institutions, ensuring that millions of subscribers get timely redress for failed or incomplete transactions.

The Centre for Digital Justice and Consumer Rights (CDJCR) has applauded the move, describing it as a landmark in consumer protection. In a statement on Monday, October 20, 2025, the group’s Executive Director, Dr Kenechukwu Opara, said the collaboration between the two regulators was long overdue.

“For far too long, consumers have borne the brunt of system failures that are neither their fault nor within their control,” Opara said.

Opara noted that failed recharges and data purchases are among the most frequent complaints by telecom users, with many left stranded due to delayed or unresolved reversals. The new framework, he said, would protect millions of Nigerians who rely on mobile platforms for daily microtransactions.

Consumers are not just users; they are the backbone of the telecom and financial systems. By ensuring that customers get full value for every recharge and data purchase, the NCC is not only protecting rights but also deepening trust in Nigeria’s cashless and digital inclusion policies,” he added.

The CDJCR praised the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, for prioritising consumer welfare and for pushing a proactive regulatory agenda.

While commending the regulators, Opara urged them to go a step further by enforcing clear timelines, transparent processes, and strict sanctions against operators who fall short of agreed standards.

“We encourage both regulators to publish the service level expectations for all stakeholders — telecom operators, payment processors, and financial institutions — so that consumers know who to hold accountable when transactions fail,” he said.

The group also applauded the CBN for embedding consumer rights in its financial protection framework, especially for low-income Nigerians who depend heavily on digital services for daily payments.

Beyond telecoms, Opara argued that the NCC–CBN partnership should become a model for other sectors where technology, finance, and service delivery intersect.

“This kind of inter-agency collaboration shows that government institutions can truly work in the interest of citizens. What matters now is strict compliance and constant review of the framework to adapt to new technologies and emerging consumer issues,” he said.

As the rhythmic clatter of wheels echoed along the Lagos–Ibadan railway route, a different kind of journey unfolded inside some of the coaches. Nigerian actor Shawn Faqua and his partner, Sharon Ifunnaya, an event planner, made history by exchanging vows on a moving train, marking the first wedding of its kind in Nigeria.

The ceremony took place aboard a train departing from the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Alagomeji-Yaba, Lagos. The coaches, normally a functional passenger compartment, were transformed into a wedding venue, with guests seated at tables, floral arrangements along the windows, a small aisle, and a distinct sense of movement beneath the couple’s feet.

Videos and photos quickly circulated online, showing the train in motion, guests seated, the bride and groom exchanging rings, all of these happening while the train sped past skylines and small towns outside the windows, adding a cinematic touch to the celebration.

A viral clip captures the bride, announcing cheerfully, “Hey guys, we’re getting married on the train!” And Shawn adds with a grin: “First ever! Breaking record!” This light-hearted tone sets the affair apart as a bold idea executed with joy rather than a stiff and strictly formal event.

In a country where weddings often follow a popular route of banquet halls, churches, and lush locations, Shawn and Sharon’s choice stood out for its novelty and playful spirit. Instead of a stationary venue, they chose to literally move. The train symbolised motion, journey, and progress, which can be interpreted as a very clever metaphor for beginning a life journey together.

On top of that, the event subtly highlighted Nigeria’s rail travel, which is still bouncing back. The renovation and revitalisation of train lines, especially those linking Lagos with neighbouring cities, has brought trains back into the public eye. This wedding transformed that infrastructure into a setting for romance and celebration.

The wedding caught social-media attention, both for its uniqueness and the celebrity names involved. On Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, various video clips and images of the couple prompted jokes, praises, and reactions.

Weddings in Nigeria often carry a strong cultural and social load that includes multiple ceremonies (traditional, civil, white, religious), large guest lists, elaborate halls, and aesthetics. But this train wedding offered something different. It didn’t abandon tradition as the couple still held a traditional Igbo ceremony. But it added an unexpected and modern twist to the venue and setting.

This is probably a sign of how wedding culture in Nigeria is evolving. Couples increasingly seek personalisation, memorable experiences, and Instagram-worthy moments that reflect their personality, rather than simply replicating a standard format.

Tiwa Savage has, once again, left fans stunned. The 45-year-old music star, recently appeared as a guest on the popular Lip Service podcast.

During a candid discussion on love, dating, and intimacy, Savage delivered a bombshell: she is open to a polygamous marriage.

“If I can meet somebody who can really marry me, they are either in their 50s or already married. So, I don’t know, maybe I could be a second wife. I think so. I could be a second wife.”

She added, “I’m very respectful. I know that you are the first wife, and I would accord you that respect.”

Savage’s relationship history is inseparable from her public narrative, often overshadowed by her tumultuous marriage to her ex-husband, Teebillz

The couple had a high-profile, fairy-tale wedding in 2013, and welcomed their son, Jamil Balogun, in 2015.

However, their marriage collapsed publicly and dramatically in April 2016.

Teebillz posted a series of alarming messages on social media, making shocking accusations against the ‘Holding It Down’ singer and hinting at potential suicide.

Tiwa responded days later in an explosive 2016 interview with ThisDay’s Azuka Ogujiuba, where she offered her side of the story.

She detailed a marriage riddled with heartbreak, alleging infidelity, financial mismanagement, and drug abuse on her spouse’s part.

In the interview, she emphatically denied allegations of her own infidelity, stating, “I will say for the record, I have never cheated on my husband, NEVER!”

The couple officially divorced in 2018. Despite the separation, both Savage and Balogun have managed to maintain a cordial co-parenting relationship for their son, Jamil.

Post-divorce, Tiwa Savage has remained intensely private about her personal relationships, though she has often spoken candidly about the difficulties of dating as a high-profile figure.

The most viral moment of her recent past, the leak of an intimate video in 2021, only intensified the scrutiny on her private life.

However, Tiwa’s recent remarks suggest she has since moved on from the past and is open to walking down the aisle again.