Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Book Buzz Foundation, organisers of the renowned Ake Arts and Book Festival, has announced a nationwide call for writers aged 21 to 30 to participate in the Nigeria Picture Book Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s children’s publishing ecosystem. The project, which is funded by the European Union, seeks to build what organisers describe as a “world-class ecosystem” for Nigerian children’s literature across the six geopolitical zones of the country. In a statement announcing the initiative, the foundation said the project is designed to identify and nurture emerging writers with a passion for storytelling…

Manny Ita  – A public hearing at the House of Representatives has generated divided opinions over a bill seeking to establish a Nigerian FinTech Regulatory Commission (NFRC), with lawmakers defending the proposal as a necessary reform while industry operators warn of potential regulatory overlap. The bill, which was considered over two days, proposes the creation of an independent body to regulate financial technology companies in Nigeria, a space currently supervised by multiple agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency. Sponsors of the legislation argued that the present structure…

Manny Ita  – Dr. Suji Ogundele, Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, has described his recent meeting with the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), Segun Julius Agbaje, as “a conversation worth billions.” Ogundele disclosed that the 25-minute meeting with Agbaje focused on entrepreneurship, resilience, banking relationships, and brand positioning amid prevailing economic headwinds. According to Ogundele, he shared the journey of his company over the past 12 months, highlighting the operational and financial challenges faced, and how the business remained focused despite the economic storm. Agbaje, in response, offered strategic advice on banking relationships,…

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African financial services group Ecobank Group, has unveiled a significantly enhanced version of its multi-award-winning gender financing initiative, Ellevate by Ecobank, as part of activities commemorating International Women’s Day 2026. The upgraded programme reinforces the bank’s long-term commitment to advancing women-led enterprises in Nigeria and across Ecobank’s pan-African footprint. Originally launched to improve access to finance for women-owned, women-led, and women-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within its Commercial Banking segment, the enhanced Ellevate programme now adopts a broader, more inclusive structure. The new framework extends across all business segments, positioning Ellevate as…

In celebration of the Easter season, Adron Homes and Properties Limited has announced the launch of its much-anticipated Easter Fiesta Promo, offering Nigerians a unique opportunity to secure land ownership with a 30 percent discount and flexible payment plans of up to 36 months. The promo, which runs for a limited period, is designed to make property acquisition easier and more rewarding for families, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking to build long-term wealth through real estate. According to the company, the Easter Fiesta covers its estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja (FCT),…

File photo: FAAN The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria says it has issued more than 70,000 Go Cashless cards as part of efforts to ease congestion and stabilise operations following disruptions caused by the rollout of its nationwide cashless payment policy at airports. Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, acknowledged the initial difficulties and apologised to affected passengers. “I think first I should start by apologising. We express our profound apology for the distress some of our road users and passengers have gone through in the last…

The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal…

Manny Ita  – Key government agencies and international partners have convened in Lagos to advance Nigeria’s commitment to developing an integrated climate, health and environmental early warning system under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). The impacts of climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation are already contributing to respiratory illnesses, water- and vector-borne diseases, food insecurity and disaster-related health risks across the country, prompting renewed calls for climate-resilient health systems supported by inclusive early warning and risk management services. In 2025, the Federal Government published its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), which commits to “delivering a national integrated climate…

Elegbede Abiodun INEC promotes 82 as directors, raises 2,257 others to higher positions. The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the promotion of 2,339 personnel in its 2025 Senior Staff Promotion Exercise, underscoring its commitment to career progression, institutional continuity and organisational stability. The decision was taken at the commission’s meeting held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, according to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi. Eighty-two Chief Officers of the commission on GL 14–15 advanced to Assistant Directors. Similarly, at GL 15–16, 91 Assistant Directors were promoted to the rank of Deputy Directors. At the…

File photo of the World Bank Group, whose 2025 Global Findex report highlights record growth in formal saving and mobile-money use across developing countries. The World Bank Group has warned that developing economies are heading towards a significant employment crisis as millions of young people prepare to enter the workforce without enough jobs to absorb them, raising concerns about economic stability, migration pressures and global security risks. In a blog post published on its official platform, the Washington-based institution said demographic shifts unfolding across developing countries represent one of the most consequential but underappreciated forces shaping the global economy over…