Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

More than 60,000 entries recorded for 2025 Presidency MSME award MSME According to the Presidency, it has received beyond 60,000 applications from small business entrepreneurs for the 2025 National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards, which opened on March 7, 2025. Earlier, the Presidency had announced that the overall winner of the awards would go home with a car, house, shop and cash prize, all valued at N220 million. The Presidency said yesterday that agriculture-based enterprises were leading the pack, closely followed by enterprises in the information and digital technology sector, the creative industry, leather works, furniture and woodwork,…

Gov. Oyebanji launches Senator Opeyemi’s projects, lauds developmental efforts Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji Gov. Oyebanji launches Senator Opeyemi’s projects, lauds developmental efforts Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has praised the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, for his passion for the development of the state and boosting the welfare of his constituents. Oyebanji said at Igede Ekiti and Aramoko Ekiti on Monday while inaugurating two ultra-modern markets with solar-powered lights constructed by Bamidele for the use of people in the communities. The governor, who hailed the senator for numerous developmental projects he had attracted to the state and that Bamidele had…

African airlines see 5.7% reduction in air cargo demand – IATA African airlines see 5.7% reduction in air cargo demand – IATA International Air Transport Association, IATA, Monday, African airlines saw a 5.7 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo in February 2025. IATA also said air cargo capacity decreased by 0.6 per cent year-on-year, stating that it was the first year-on-year decline since mid-2023. In its released data for February 2025 global air cargo markets, IATA stated that total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres, CTK, declined by 0.1 per cent compared to February 2024 levels. Commenting on…

Fidelity Bank reports record ₦385.2b profit, eyes further expansion Fidelity Bank Fidelity Bank has recorded a significant financial milestone, announcing a profit before tax of ₦385.2 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, representing a 210% increase from the previous year. According to the financial results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the bank’s gross earnings surged by 87.7% to ₦1.04 trillion, driven by a 106.9% increase in interest and similar income, which stood at ₦950.6 billion. The money lender attributed this growth to an improved yield on earning assets and a 51.6% expansion in the earnings base, which reached ₦6.3…

Nandap gets approval of tenure extension – Tinubu Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap Nandap gets approval of tenure extension – Tinubu. President Bola Tinubu has approved an extension of Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap’s tenure as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through December 31, 2026. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, explained that Mrs Nandap began her career in the Nigeria Immigration Service on October 9, 1989. Tinubu appointed her as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, to serve till August 31, 2025. “Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant…

Oando acquires $650m Agip deal, considering AfrexInsure’s support Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Mr Wale Tinubu Oando acquires $650m Agip deal, considering AfrexInsure’s support Oando Plc has secured a $650 million deal with Nigerian Agip Oil Company, supported by risk management solutions from AfrexInsure, the speciality insurance subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank. The agreement further enhances the business relationship between Oando and Afreximbank, ensuring the company’s investment in Nigeria’s energy sector is safeguarded through tailored insurance solutions. In a statement released on Monday by the APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership.…

Q4, electricity production growth down while consumption rises – CBN report Electricity Grid Q4, electricity production growth down while consumption rises – CBN report The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024). Average estimated electricity generation, according to a Channels TV report on Monday, rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024. Similarly, electricity consumption saw…

Biola Adebayo gifts Dupe Jayesimi a car on mother’s day Biola Adebayo gifts Dupe Jayesimi a car on mother’s day Nollywood actress Biola Adebayo brought joy to the heart of veteran actress Dupe Jayesimi by gifting her a brand-new car to celebrate Mother’s Day. This heartfelt gesture came after Jayesimi openly shared her emotional struggles with childlessness, a pain that once led her down the path of alcoholism. During an appearance on Biola Bayo’s podcast, Jayesimi recounted the sorrow and challenges she faced, revealing that her inability to have children contributed to the collapse of her marriage. Despite undergoing IVF…

FG, for two months, shuts down Lagos bridge on maintenance FG, for two months, shuts down Lagos bridge on maintenance While essential maintenance and rehabilitation works would be carried out, the Federal Government has said that Independence Bridge (Marina bound) will be closed between April 1 and the end of May. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos. She said that the closure will affect traffic from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku towards Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan by Zone 2. Kesha said with the development, motorists…

Tinubu pleased over Freedom of the City of London honour given Jim Ovia Tinubu Tinubu pleased over Freedom of the City of London honour on Jim Ovia President Bola Tinubu congratulates Mr Jim Ovia, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London. President Tinubu describes this honour as a fitting recognition of Mr Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world. “This honour is a…