Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

OPay Drives Financial Inclusion as Nigeria Aims 95% Access by 2028 As Nigeria targets approximately 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2028 under Payment System Vision (PSV) 2028 of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), fintech company, OPay, is increasingly being recognised as a key enabler of the country’s drive towards a more inclusive and digitally connected economy. CBN recently unveiled PSV 2028, a comprehensive framework, under the core message, “Empowering People, Connecting Markets, Growing the Economy,” designed to strengthen Nigeria’s payment ecosystem through enhanced infrastructure, innovation, interoperability, security, and financial inclusion. At the heart of the vision is the recognition…

Nigerians in Diaspora Laud Contactless Passport Initiative. Nigerians living in the United Kingdom have lauded the Federal Government over reforms in the country’s passport application process, saying the introduction of the contactless renewal system has dramatically cut waiting times from several months to as few as five days. Speaking from different cities across the UK, diaspora Nigerians described the new system as a significant departure from what they called years of frustrating delays, long-distance travel, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that once defined the passport renewal experience abroad. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community figure based in Birmingham, said he experienced both systems…

Paystack, one of Africa’s leading payments technology companies, has launched a programme to support Nigerian small businesses through a range of initiatives designed to help them grow, connect with relevant opportunities and access funding. The scheme known as Paystack Small Business Programme will support businesses as they start, manage and grow their operations, starting with Paystack Small Business Bundle. The bundle gives eligible Nigerian merchants access to up to N4 million in discounts on tools and services from selected partners across key areas of business operations, including commerce, bookkeeping, logistics, design, workspace, customer communication and digital tools. Small businesses play…

Out of 4m Nigerian Youths in Labour Market Yearly, 300 Employed — Report The World Bank has raised concerns over Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment challenge, revealing that about 4 million young Nigerians enter the labour market every year while only between 300,000 and 400,000 jobs are created annually, leaving millions without productive employment opportunities. The warning was issued at the African Foundational Week (AFW) Youth Week, held across six Central African countries, including Nigeria, under the theme, “Youth Works, Africa Thrives.” The event brought together government officials, development partners, youth advocates and entrepreneurs to discuss pathways to employment, skills development…

FAAN On October Deadline Extension For Airport Taxi Upgrade Policy. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), disclosed that it is considering extending the deadline for its airport taxi upgrade policy to October, following concerns raised by the Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators. The development was disclosed on Monday in Lagos by Mr Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN. Agbebire said the possible extension followed complaints and concerns from airport cab operators, even as the authority maintained that the policy was designed to improve service standards across Nigerian airports. “The policy aligns with international…

Gala Reiterate Osimhen’s Worthiness, Turn Down €125m Offer For Osimhen. Galatasaray have turned down a bid of €125 million for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, reaffirming their determination to hold onto the Nigerian forward despite mounting pressure from European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. The offer, reported by Forza Cimbom, was immediately turned down by the Turkish champions, who have also previously rebuffed a €120 million proposal from Atletico Madrid. Manchester United, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all remain in pursuit of the 27-year-old, but Galatasaray have made clear that no offer below their asking price will be entertained.…

US Opens Applications To Fully Fund Nigerian Students Seeking Admission. The United States Mission in Nigeria has opened applications for the 2026 cohort of the EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Programme, inviting qualified Nigerian students seeking higher education opportunities in the US to apply. The application window is open from June 15 and will close on June 30, 2026, according to a notice published by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. The programme, coordinated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission through EducationUSA Nigeria, is designed to assist academically outstanding Nigerian students with leadership potential in pursuing higher…

MILO Recovers Over 1 Million Wrappers Through Elevate Recycling Initiative More than 60,000 children across 100 primary schools in Lagos State recovered over 1 million used MILO wrappers through the MILO Elevate Recycling Initiative to mark World Environment Day 2026. The Initiative combined sustainability education with a school-based recycling competition. In addition to the collection of used wrappers, the children received lessons on responsible waste management and practical exposure to recycling and circularity principles. For 26 years, MILO has contributed to youth development through grassroots sports programmes. Through the Elevate Recycling Initiative, the brand is extending its commitment to nurturing…

Elegbede Abiodun Customs Strengthens Tax Compliance With Training, Emphasises Importance Of New Fiscal Reforms. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), observed a two-day training programme for officers and men of NCS on the Federal Government’s new tax policies, as part of efforts to ensure that personnel fully understand their obligations under the country’s evolving tax system. The training, which began on Wednesday, 17, and ended on Thursday, 18 June 2026, at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, attracted members of the Management Team, Comptrollers, Superintendents and other junior cadres. Declaring the training open…

Andy Burnham  Andy Burnham Becomes New MP, Sworn In. Andy Burnham has been officially sworn in as Makerfield’s new MP. Hours earlier, Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as both prime minister and Labour leader. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election by 9,000 votes last week after seeing off a challenge from Reform UK, has confirmed he wants to succeed Starmer. The by-election was triggered when Labour’s Josh Simons stood down to make way for Burnham, who represented the neighbouring Greater Manchester constituency of Leigh between 2001 and 2017, when he became mayor. Burnham bowed his…