Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Wema Bank Plc has restated its commitment to deepening customer engagement as it celebrates the ninth anniversary of its digital banking platform, ALAT. The bank, in a statement, said the milestone underscores its continued drive to enhance user experience and expand access to innovative financial services through digital channels. Launched in 2017 as Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT was designed to address challenges associated with conventional banking by providing a seamless platform for account opening, transactions and financial management without the need for physical interaction. Wema Bank noted that over the years, the platform has evolved into a robust…

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended 31st March 2026, with a 6% growth in Gross Earnings, from N950 billion reported in Q1 2025 to N1.01 trillion in Q1 2026. This is despite the challenging operating environment and tightening monetary policy stance. From the unaudited statement of account submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Thursday, 30th April 2026, this growth was driven by increase in interest income and non-interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to the expansion of the Bank’s risk asset portfolio, supported by disciplined, risk adjusted pricing.…

Nigeria’s leading digital payments platform, OPay, is taking a major step toward global expansion as it prepares for a potential United States listing targeting a valuation of about $4 billion. To drive the planned Initial Public Offering (IPO), OPay has appointed global financial heavyweights including Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, and JPMorgan Chase as lead advisers. While the listing could happen later in 2026, timelines and deal size are still subject to market conditions. The move represents a significant leap from OPay’s last major funding round in 2021, when the company raised $400 million at a $2 billion valuation. Achieving the new…

Aims to ease Lagos congestion and support the growing population.  The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has unveiled an ambitious long-term mobility strategy aimed at transforming transportation across the state, marking a decisive shift from road expansion to a fully integrated mass transit system under its updated Strategic Transport and Mobility Master Plan projected through 2050. At a high-level stakeholders’ workshop supported by the French Development Agency, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said reliance on road construction alone is no longer sufficient to tackle the city’s mounting congestion challenges. The LAMATA 2050 transport master plan outlines a…

Manny Ita – NNPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese firms to support the rehabilitation and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries in a renewed effort to restore Nigeria’s refining capacity. The agreement was signed in Jiaxing City, China, involving NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside representatives of Sanjiang Chemical Company and Xinganchen Industrial Park. The partnership is aimed at completing outstanding rehabilitation work at the refineries while also managing their future operations and maintenance. It also includes plans to improve efficiency, raise product quality, and boost overall profitability. Beyond refining,…

Elegbede Abiodun * Says conferment serves as an inspiration to do more for the Nupe Kingdom.  Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been honoured with the traditional title ‘Soniyako Nupe’ by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, in Bida. The recognition celebrates her contributions to national development, unity, and humanitarian service. Speaking at the ceremony, the Etsu Nupe described President Bola Tinubu as a friend of the Nupe Kingdom and assured him of continued support and prayers for the success of his administration’s policies and programmes. In her response, Mrs Tinubu expressed appreciation for the honour and pledged her continued support…

Nigeria’s telecommunications operators have commenced compensation to subscribers for poor network service, following a directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission, even as millions of users continue to grapple with persistent connectivity challenges. The development marks a rare regulatory enforcement in a sector long criticised for dropped calls, slow internet speeds and unreliable service delivery. Findings indicate that major operators, including Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria, have begun issuing airtime credits to affected subscribers for service disruptions recorded between November 2025 and January 2026 While Airtel users are the latest to be instructed to check balances via designated USSD codes. Over…

Manny Ita  – Former U.S. President Barack Obama has revealed that political pressures linked to Donald Trump have caused “genuine tension” in his marriage to Michelle Obama. In a recent interview, Obama explained that ongoing expectations for him to publicly respond to Trump-era policies and political developments have kept him actively engaged in politics long after leaving office. He said this continued involvement has been a source of frustration for Michelle, who would prefer he step back and spend more time enjoying life outside politics. According to Obama, Michelle wants him to slow down and focus more on their personal…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned former Skye Bank chairman Tunde Ayeni over an alleged ₦15.6 billion fraud. Ayeni was brought before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, and diversion of investors’ funds. Prosecutors allege that the offences occurred during his tenure at the now-defunct Skye Bank Plc. According to the EFCC, Ayeni allegedly diverted large sums from depositors’ funds, including ₦3.2 billion moved from a bank suspense account to a private company, and another ₦5.07 billion transferred…

The St. Charles College Onitsha Old Boys Association, Class of 2001, has officially announced plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary following graduation, marking a significant milestone of brotherhood, impact, and legacy. This announcement was made during a press briefing held on April 18, 2026, at St. Charles College, Onitsha, by the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr. Chukwuebuka Anyaduba, alongside members of his team. The highly anticipated celebration is scheduled to take place on January 2nd and 3rd, 2027, and is designed as a weekend-long event filled with commemorative activities and impactful initiatives. Speaking at the briefing, Mr. Anyaduba…