Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Polaris Bank has boosted its push to deepen Nigeria’s non-oil export base with its backing for the launch of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Export Support Call Centre, a move aimed at improving exporters’ access to information, markets and financing. The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with NACCIMA, is designed to provide real-time advisory and operational support to Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium-scale players navigating the complexities of cross-border trade. It comes at a time when policymakers and financial institutions are intensifying efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and unlock foreign…

MTN, UBA, Others Seal Payments Alliance On Cardless Financial Access. United Bank for Africa (UBA), MTN’s MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB) and RedTech Limited have formalised a strategic partnership to expand access to digital payments, targeting millions of Nigerians without debit cards or reliable Internet access. At the signing ceremony yesterday, Group Head, Digital Banking of UBA, Kayode Olubiyi, described the collaboration as a significant shift in the financial services ecosystem, driven by the combined strengths of banking, fintech and telecommunications. He said: “Today we are seeing something great happening in our industry, what I call the ecosystem power.…

Nestoil Limited yesterday rejected what it described as a coordinated campaign of blackmail allegedly driven by First Bank of Nigeria and its Chairman, following publications in The Guardian, The Nation, Leadership, Vanguard, Nairametrics, TheCable, and some other online platforms linking banks’ dividend suspension to a purported debt owed by the company. The indigenous energy firm said the reports were “misleading and a calculated distortion of facts,” insisting that a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory directive was responsible for the halt in dividend payments. In a statement, Nestoil warned that unless the alleged blackmail and publication of falsehoods cease immediately,…

Nigeria Revenue Service NRS …designed to simplify tax processes, provide real-time visibility into transactions, and enhance the overall experience for taxpayers. Nigeria’s fiscal authorities have long grappled with the challenge of widening the tax net, improving compliance, and boosting government revenues in a complex and largely informal economy. But recent reforms by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) suggest a decisive shift toward a more modern, technology-driven tax system. The latest milestone in that journey is the launch of Rev360, a next-generation tax administration platform that signals the agency’s transition to what it describes as “Tax Administration 3.0.” Beyond its technical…

File photo: Davido Afrobeats star, Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has unveiled a 43-man youth committee to drive the re-election campaign of his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election. At a brief event held in Ede on Tuesday, Davido also announced he would be taking a two-month break from music to focus on the campaign. The committee, christened the Imole Youth Campaign Mobilisation Team, is chaired by Davido, with coordinators appointed across the three senatorial districts, nine federal constituencies, the 30 local government areas, and the Modakeke Area Office to lead grassroots…

Manny Ita  – Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the establishment of a study centre for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Aba, while urging Nigerians to embrace digital and distance education as a necessary shift in modern learning. Speaking during a meeting with NOUN’s leadership, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Uduma Orji Uduma, Otti noted that virtual learning has become inevitable in a world driven by technology and global connectivity. He emphasized that online platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet now define how people interact and learn, making distance education a practical solution for many.…

Left: Mustafa Bello and Jim Ovia Zenith Bank has announced the retirement of its founder and group chairman, Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his tenure. The announcement was made on Tuesday during the bank’s ongoing 35th Annual General Meeting and further communicated in a statement. The bank said Ovia stepped down after completing the mandatory 12 years as a non-executive director and chairman, in compliance with the corporate governance guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Ovia became the bank’s chairman on July 16, 2014. He returned to the position after previously serving as the bank’s founder and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it had concluded major preparations for the conduct of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, assuring residents and stakeholders of a credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti while briefing journalists and stakeholders on the level of preparedness of the commission. He said the commission was strictly adhering to its election timetable and had put in place necessary measures to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise. According to him, the finalisation of the voter…

Elegbede Abiodun • Initiative was driven by the need for more precise, transparent and efficient regulation in a fast-growing economy.  Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has launched a digital directory for practitioners and billboard assets, alongside the LASAA One App, to simplify advertising services in the state. Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Managing Director, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, said the initiative provides a digital backbone for the growing out-of-home (OOH) advertising sector. “For years, the OOH landscape has grown in scale and complexity. What we introduce today is a digital backbone that brings structure to that growth,”…

Dangote Cement Plc has recorded a strong performance in the first quarter of 2026, growing its cement and clinker exports from Nigeria by 71.6 per cent, as the Group’s total installed production capacity reached 55 million tonnes per annum (MTA) across Africa. During the period under review, the company completed 10 clinker shipments from Nigeria to neighbouring markets, further consolidating its position as Africa’s leading cement exporter. According to the company’s unaudited Q1 2026 financial results, total sales volumes increased by 13.8 per cent year-on-year, driven by growth of 11.5 per cent in Nigeria and 19.5 per cent across its…