Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, Abuja. • Action to take effect from May 1. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all international money transfer operators (IMTOs) to deliver remittances through naira settlement accounts held with authorised dealer banks (ADBs). The directive reiterated the position of the bank as contained in an earlier policy issued in 2024. The bank also directed IMTOs to settle remittances using Bloomberg BMATCH real-time rates to enhance market transparency and confidence. The directive, signed by the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, Musa Nakorji, applies to all disbursements to beneficiaries and related…

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the private security firm responsible for protecting the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), has warned its surveillance contractors and guards against negligence following two recent cases of attempted crude oil theft in Rivers and Bayelsa States. The warning came after operatives intercepted two tankers attempting to load crude oil at the Atali axis in Zone 4, an operation the company says was foiled only by its backup intelligence system. Preliminary findings, according to PINL, point to a possible coordinated conspiracy involving insiders. PINL, whose operations also cover the Eastern Gas Network (EGN),…

MFB Alert Microfinance Bank (Alert MFB), in collaboration with CreditCorp and Visaro, have inaugurated a specialised Fly Now, Pay Later (FNPL) service to boost travel financing. This three-way partnership is set to redefine travel accessibility for millions of Nigerians by providing seamless, flexible credit at the point of booking. In an economic climate where rising airfares often limit personal and business travel, the collaboration offers a timely financial solution. The FNPL service enables travellers to book flights instantly and spread payments over a fixed period through manageable, low-interest instalments. This initiative responds to the growing demand for credit-backed lifestyle solutions…

MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (MMPSB), Nigeria’s leading payment service bank, has said that it has further strengthen its mobile banking application to improve the order flow for its airtime and data products to improve customer experience. For airtime, the Moneymaster mobile banking app now has an enhanced visual appeal, thus, providing customers with a cleaner, and more modern interface that streamlines account selection, denomination selection and a dynamic input validation. For its data products, the new interface organizes data into logical tabs of hot, daily, weekly, monthly, exclusive and special. In addition, each data now clearly displays data volume, validity…

Elegbede Abiodun With AI Reshaping PR, EvaluatePR Examines Trust, Truth And The Future Of Communication. P+ Measurement Services, Nigeria’s leading independent media intelligence and PR measurement agency, will play host to the 31st edition of its flagship thought-leadership platform, EvaluatePR, on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (WAT). Themed “PR After the Algorithm: Trust, Truth & Intelligence in 2026,” this virtual session will convene professionals across public relations, communications, and media measurement to explore how algorithms, artificial intelligence, and digital ecosystems are reshaping reputation management, media influence, and audience trust. With the increasing role of automation in communications, the…

The refinery was forced to source preferred Nigerian crude grades from the international market at higher costs. The Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, David Bird, has said the facility is receiving far below its agreed crude oil supply under the Federal Government’s crude-for-naira arrangement. Bird disclosed this during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, noting that the refinery currently gets only about five cargoes of crude monthly, against an expected 13 to 15 cargoes. He said the shortfall has affected the refinery’s ability to fully optimise local crude supply despite existing agreements. “What we see under that agreement,…

Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen gender equity as a business and growth imperative during its 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) event, spotlighting sustained investments in women’s empowerment, financial inclusion, and leadership development. In line with this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlighting a call to action for accelerating gender equality through generosity, collaboration,and investment in women. The speakers emphasized intentional contribution as a catalyst for collective progress. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, underscored the strategic value of the theme, “Gender Equity as a Business Imperative: The Give to Gain Advantage.” He noted that…

Manny Ita  – The European Union has announced a €290 million investment package targeted at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and agricultural sectors, in what officials describe as a strategic move to deepen economic cooperation and support sustainable development in Africa’s largest economy. The funding initiative is expected to prioritize innovation, infrastructure, and value-chain development, with a focus on job creation and inclusive growth. According to EU representatives, the investment will be deployed through a mix of grants, technical assistance, and blended financing mechanisms designed to attract additional private sector participation. “This package reflects our long-term commitment to Nigeria’s development and…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria has strengthened its international diplomatic engagements with the signing of a broad-based agreement with Switzerland, aimed at enhancing cooperation across trade, security, and cultural exchange, while also concluding a separate arrangement with the United Kingdom on the repatriation of failed asylum seekers. The multi-faceted agreement with Switzerland was formalized following bilateral discussions between officials of both countries, with a focus on expanding economic ties, improving security collaboration, and fostering cultural diplomacy. Government representatives described the pact as a strategic step toward diversifying Nigeria’s foreign partnerships and unlocking new opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange. A senior…

Manny Ita  – The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, alongside ten state governors, formally welcomed Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, into the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday. The reception, held at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, attracted a large crowd of supporters, members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, and the governor’s cabinet. According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the Vice President arrived earlier at the newly constructed Gusau International Airport before proceeding to the venue. Governors in attendance included Umar Namadi, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Uba Sani, Caleb Mutfwang, Dapo Abiodun,…