Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Airlines criticized for rejecting naira payments …over 30 airlines now conduct business in naira. The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies has expressed dissatisfaction over the continued insistence of three international airlines on selling tickets exclusively in United States dollars in Nigeria, describing the practice as both disrespectful to the country’s sovereignty and damaging to the naira. NANTA President, Yinka Folarin, spoke against what he described as an arrogant stance by a few foreign carriers who have refused to reintroduce the naira into their ticketing platforms despite improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. According to him, while the broader aviation…

Stanbic IBTC Insurance Redefines Financial Security, Inaugurates Manifold Endowment Plan Stanbic IBTC Insurance, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings has launched the Manifold Endowment Plan, an innovative blend of insurance and investment designed for Nigerians who want to protect what matters, grow their wealth, and enjoy peace of mind. With life cover up to ₦1 billion, partial maturity payouts, and end-of-term bonuses, Manifold is for the modern Nigerian working hard today, planning boldly for tomorrow. The Manifold Endowment Plan is uniquely designed for Nigerians aged 18 to 64, providing them with flexible policy durations ranging from six to fifteen years.…

FG Cancels Nigeria’s Independence Day Parade • Says country on path of recovery • Adeboye will intercede for Nigeria on first Sunday The Federal Government has said that Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary should be a moment of sober reflection, declaring that the country remains a “work in progress” but on the path of recovery and inclusive growth under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Cancelling the previously scheduled parade to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, it declared tomorrow, October 1, as a public holiday for the event. As the country clocks 65, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God…

FirstBank hosts FMCG distributors to boost partnership With the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector serving as a lifeline for millions of Nigerians, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the industry by hosting a Key Distributors Forum in Lagos. The event, held in Lagos, brought together leading distributors from across the South West to discuss business financing, supply chain efficiency, and innovative tools designed to deepen growth in the sector. It also featured an award presentation to various companies under different categories. FirstBank’s Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the forum as an extension of the bank’s…

Unity Bank Explains AMCON Stake Sale Unity Bank Plc has made further clarifications regarding the sale of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) 34 percent equity stake in the bank, confirming that the shares were acquired by an existing shareholder and not by Providus Bank Limited. The development was said to signpost stakeholders’ confidence in the future of the merger of Unity Bank with Providus Bank. The newly enlarged Providus Bank will now boast expansive branch network across Nigeria and stronger capital adequacy ratio. A statement yesterday, explained that the Chairman of Unity Bank Plc, Hafiz Mohammed Bashir, made…

Ticket payment now available for Abuja-Kaduna train journey – NRC Ticket payment now available for Abuja-Kaduna train journey – NRC The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says the online ticketing platform for the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) is now open for payment. The Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Umyimadu said that passengers were therefore encouraged to book their tickets online ahead of resumption on Oct. 1 via https://nrc.tps.ng or visit any of the designated stations to purchase their tickets. According to him, in preparation for the resumption of services,…

Dangote/PENGASSAN : Power supply drops below 4,000MW as dispute continues Power supply drops below 4,000MW as dispute continues Nigeria’s power supply dropped below the 4,000 megawatt threshold on Tuesday morning as the strike by oil and gas workers over a dispute with Dangote Petroleum Refinery entered its second day. The face-off between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the $20 billion Dangote Refinery stems from the reported sack of 800 workers by the company. Checks on grid supply showed that as of 7 a.m., load allocation to electricity distribution companies had dropped to 3,656MW,…

NELFUND closes 2024/2025 loan portal, sets timeline for next application The Nigerian Education Loan Fund said the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session will officially close on Tuesday. The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday. Sawyerr said this was to allow the Fund to conclude processing of pending applications and upkeep payments. He also announced timelines for the 2025/2026 academic cycle, in line with its mandate to expand access to higher education through interest-free student loans. According to him, the loan portal will reopen in the second week of…

Tinubu to inaugurate renovated National Arts Theatre on Independence Day President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House President Bola Tinubu has been scheduled to unveil the newly renovated National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos on Independence Day. This was disclosed in a statement from the Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday. The renovation of the National Theatre has been undertaken by the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee as part of their commitment to giving back to the nation, marking a bold investment in Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative future. According to the statement, Tinubu, who in July 2024 renamed the edifice the…

China Presents K Visa To Attract Tech Talents China has unveiled a fresh visa category to lure foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates. The decision is a strategic move to boost Beijing’s technology workforce as America tightens access to its H-1B programme. K visa, first announced in August, and set to take effect on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, will grant its owners entry, residence and the right to work in China without the need for a sponsoring employer – a clear opposite of the U.S. H-1B system, which requires employer sponsorship and is subject to an annual lottery. After…