For many businesses in Nigeria and across Africa, the biggest threat to IT equipment is not a hacker. It is the power supply. Sudden outages, voltage swings when the grid returns, spikes when a generator starts and lightning-induced surges all take their toll. The damage is not always dramatic. Often it shows up as a router that keeps rebooting, a desktop power supply that fails after a year, or a corrupted accounting file after the lights went off mid-save.

The good news is that protecting your equipment does not require an engineering degree. This guide explains the main types of power protection, what each one does, and how to put together a sensible setup for a small office.

Know the power problems you are protecting against

• Blackouts: power drops completely. Unsaved work is lost and files or databases that were being written can be corrupted.
• Surges and spikes: very short bursts of high voltage, for example when grid power is restored, when large motors switch off, or during storms. These can damage power supplies and network ports.
• Sags and brownouts: voltage drops below normal for a period. Equipment may reset, overheat or behave erratically.
• Over-voltage: sustained high voltage, which is particularly harmful to electronics.
• Noisy generator power: some generators produce unstable voltage and frequency, which sensitive equipment does not handle well.

Different devices protect against different problems, which is why one product rarely covers everything.

The main protection options

Surge protectors

A good surge protector diverts short voltage spikes away from connected equipment. It is the minimum every computer, printer and network device should have. Look for a clear surge rating (usually given in joules, where higher is better), an indicator light that shows the protection is still working, and protection for network or phone lines if you connect those through it. Remember that a cheap multi-socket extension is not necessarily a surge protector, and that surge components wear out after absorbing large spikes.

Stabilisers (AVRs)

An automatic voltage regulator, often called a stabiliser, corrects voltage that is too high or too low and feeds the equipment a steadier supply. It is useful where voltage regularly swings, but it does nothing when power cuts out completely.

UPS (uninterruptible power supply)

A UPS contains a battery that takes over instantly when power fails, giving you time to save work and shut down properly, or to ride through short interruptions such as the gap while a generator starts. There are three common designs:

• Standby (offline): the simplest and cheapest. It switches to battery when power fails. Suitable for a single home or office PC.
• Line-interactive: adds voltage regulation, correcting sags and over-voltage without draining the battery. A good choice for most small offices.
• Online (double conversion): constantly powers equipment from its own inverter, giving the cleanest, most stable output. Best for servers, network cabinets and sensitive equipment, but more expensive and noisier.

Many modern PC power supplies work best with a UPS that produces a pure sine wave output. If you are protecting desktops, workstations or servers, check that the UPS specifies pure sine wave on battery.

Inverters and solar systems

Inverter systems with battery banks, often combined with solar panels, are designed for long outages and can run an office for hours. They are not automatically the same as a UPS: some take a noticeable moment to switch over, enough to restart a PC. If you use an inverter, check its transfer time and consider keeping a small UPS on critical equipment as well.

How to size a UPS

1. List what must stay on. Typically the PC, monitor, router, modem, network switch and any server or NAS. Printers, especially laser printers, should usually not go on a UPS because they draw large bursts of power.
2. Add up the power draw. Check the labels or manufacturer specifications for each device’s wattage.
3. Compare with the UPS rating. UPS units list both VA and watts. Make sure the watt rating comfortably exceeds your total, leaving headroom rather than running the unit near its limit.
4. Decide on runtime. Do you need a few minutes to save and shut down, or enough time to keep the internet running until a generator starts? Manufacturer runtime charts show how long the battery lasts at different loads.

Put together a sensible setup

• Every workstation: a quality surge protector at minimum, and a UPS for anyone handling important data.
• Network equipment: put the router, modem and main switch on a UPS so internet, VoIP and POS connections survive short cuts.
• Servers and NAS: use a line-interactive or online UPS, and connect its USB or network cable so the server shuts down automatically before the battery runs out.
• Whole office: where outages are long, combine an inverter or generator with UPS units on critical devices, and make sure the electrical installation is properly earthed by a qualified electrician.

Maintenance that keeps protection working

1. Test monthly. Use the UPS self-test button or briefly unplug it from the wall to confirm it switches over.
2. Watch battery health. UPS batteries wear out and typically need replacing after a few years. Replace them when the unit warns you or runtime drops noticeably.
3. Keep units cool and ventilated. Heat shortens battery life. Do not hide a UPS in a closed cupboard or stack papers on it.
4. Do not daisy-chain. Avoid plugging extension boards into each other or into a UPS’s surge-only sockets for critical gear.
5. Replace tired surge protectors, especially after a storm or a known power spike, or when the protection light goes out.
6. Unplug during severe storms where practical, including network cables from outside lines.

The bottom line

Power protection is one of the cheapest forms of IT insurance a small business can buy. A few surge protectors, a properly sized UPS for your network and key PCs, and a simple monthly check will prevent many of the hardware failures and data losses that unstable power causes, and extend the life of the equipment you have already paid for.

Featured image: Photo: “Outlet panels, converters, power strips and a vacuum cleaner.” by AstroSamantha, CC BY 2.0, via Openverse — source

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun an enhanced verification exercise for phones, tablets and other SIM-enabled devices used on Nigerian mobile networks. The aim, according to the regulator, is to keep fake, cloned, substandard and stolen devices off the networks and to make sure equipment sold in Nigeria meets technical standards.

The exercise was explained at a media briefing in Abuja on 13 October 2026, a few days after some subscribers started receiving SMS alerts from a sender called “NCC-Checker” saying their device was not verified. If you or your staff received one of these messages, here is what it means and what to do.

What the NCC is doing

The checks run under what the NCC calls its enhanced Type Approval compliance framework, which builds on the Type Approval Business Rules it issued in August 2024. Type Approval is the NCC’s confirmation that a particular device model meets Nigerian technical requirements.

Each phone has a unique 15-digit identifier called an IMEI. According to TechAfrica News, the NCC’s Device Management System checks a device’s IMEI against a central equipment register to see whether the model is type approved. The NCC has worked with the Nigeria Customs Service, manufacturers, importers and market associations so that devices already in stock can be onboarded and future imports can be verified before they reach shops.

At the briefing, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity said about 231 million existing devices had been registered automatically and that subscribers whose devices were already on the networks did not need to take any action, Nairametrics reported. He also stressed that the system is not a surveillance tool: the NCC says it keeps device identification data such as IMEI numbers, but does not access the contents of users’ phones or their personal communications.

What the “not verified” alerts say

From 10 October 2026, some users of iPhones, Google Pixels, Tecno, Infinix and other brands reported receiving alerts saying their device was not verified and could lose network access after 30 days. TechAfrica News explains that the countdown counts only days when the device is actively used on a Nigerian network, not 30 calendar days in a row.

Many of the devices being flagged appear to be imported or grey-market phones, meaning genuine models bought abroad or from sellers who never submitted them for Nigerian approval. Commentators have pointed out that the system does not yet publicly separate these legitimate imports from counterfeit or cloned phones, and that the steps for registering a phone bought overseas have not been clearly published. Unofficial figures for registration fees are circulating on social media, but they have not been confirmed by the NCC, so do not rely on them.

How to check your device

1. Find your IMEI. Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI appears on screen. Note it down or take a screenshot.
2. Run the NCC check. Dial *315# from the phone and choose the device check option. Nairametrics also mentions an NCC Device Checker portal.
3. Read the result. A verified device returns a confirmation that it is type approved and verified for use on Nigerian networks.
4. Keep evidence. If you get a warning, screenshot it along with your receipt or proof of purchase.

If your phone is flagged

• Bought locally? Go back to the seller. The NCC advises asking for a replacement if a device you bought turns out not to be verified.
• Bought abroad? The NCC has indicated that a registration route exists for devices bought overseas. Watch the NCC’s official website and social media channels for published instructions and fees.
• Still unresolved? Call the NCC’s toll-free 315 consumer helpline.

Watch out for scammers using this news

Any change that worries large numbers of people is an opportunity for fraudsters. Expect fake “phone unblocking” agents, look-alike messages and social media posts offering to verify your phone for a fee. The NCC’s check is done by dialling *315# from your own phone; you should not need to send money or your personal details to anyone who contacts you first.

What businesses should do

For companies that issue phones to staff or run POS terminals and other SIM-enabled devices, a lost connection can stop sales or field work. Treat this as a small asset audit:

• List every SIM-enabled device your business owns, with its IMEI and where it was bought.
• Run the *315# check on each one and record the result.
• Raise any flagged devices with the supplier now, while the 30-day window is still open.
• Before buying new devices, ask the seller to confirm in writing that the model has NCC Type Approval.

What you should do

1. Dial *315# today to check your phone, and *#06# to note your IMEI.
2. If you received an alert, contact your seller first, then the 315 helpline.
3. Ignore anyone who calls or messages offering paid “unblocking”.
4. Before buying any phone, ask whether it is NCC type approved, and keep your receipt.

Sources

• allAfrica: NCC Moves to Block Fake, Cloned Devices From Nigerian Networks
• Nairametrics: NCC registers 231 million telecom devices as Nigeria begins phone verification
• TechAfrica News: Nigeria’s Phone Crackdown

Featured image: Photo: “he was waiting his parents to stop looking at a smartphone shop” by giacomo.gasperini, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Openverse — source

A laptop can serve well for many years with a little care. Knowing when to upgrade and when to replace saves money and avoids security risks.

Everyday care

Keep vents clear of dust, use the laptop on hard surfaces and avoid leaving it in heat. Update firmware and drivers, and avoid keeping the battery at full charge or fully drained for long periods.

Upgrade before replacing

• Add memory if the system is slow with many programs open
• Swap an old hard drive for a solid-state drive
• Replace a worn battery rather than the whole machine
• Reinstall the operating system to remove clutter

Know when to replace

Replace the device when the manufacturer no longer provides security updates, when it cannot run the software you need, or when repairs cost more than half the price of a new one. An unsupported laptop is a risk even if it still feels fast. Back up your data and securely erase the drive before recycling or selling.

Key takeaway: maintain and upgrade first, but retire any device that no longer receives security updates.

The router is the front door to your business network, yet it is often left on default settings for years. Choosing a good one and configuring it properly is a quick security win.

What to look for

Choose a model with WPA3 support, automatic firmware updates, a guest network, VPN features and a clear commitment from the vendor about how long it will receive security updates.

Secure it

• Change the default administrator username and password
• Turn off remote administration unless you truly need it
• Use WPA3 or WPA2 with a long passphrase
• Disable features you do not use, such as old plug-and-play options

Separate your devices

Put visitors and smart devices, such as cameras and TVs, on separate networks from your work computers. If one is compromised, the attacker cannot easily reach the rest. Check for firmware updates regularly and replace routers that are no longer supported.

Key takeaway: change the defaults, keep the firmware current and separate your networks.