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  • We Are Hiring – Content Creators / Bloggers Needed – Apply Now (Remote Work)

    About the Role

    Nigerpress is seeking talented and passionate Content Writers / Bloggers who can create high-quality, engaging, and original content focused on Nigeria. If you have strong writing skills, understand online trends, and enjoy telling stories that inform, educate, or entertain Nigerians, we want you on our team.

    Responsibilities

    • Write engaging articles on Nigerian news, lifestyle, business, entertainment, politics, culture, and trends.
    • Publish content directly on Nigerpress using our editor.
    • Ensure accuracy, originality, and readability.
    • Apply basic SEO practices to increase visibility.
    • Stay updated on Nigerian happenings and trending stories.
    • Share your posts to grow engagement.

    Compensation

    Fixed Monthly Pay ₦120,000 – ₦180,000 monthly

    Requirements

    • Strong writing and storytelling skills
    • Good knowledge of Nigeria’s culture, politics, entertainment, and online trends
    • Ability to write original, plagiarism-free articles
    • Smartphone or laptop with stable internet
    • Ability to meet deadlines
    • Experience writing online is a plus but not required

    Preferred (Not Mandatory)

    • Basic SEO knowledge
    • Familiarity with Nigerian youth culture and trending topics

    Benefits

    • Flexible remote work
    • Grow your writing portfolio
    • Chance to become a Verified Creator or Premium Author
    • Earn money doing what you enjoy
    • Join a fast-growing Nigerian blogging and creator community

    How to Apply

    Submit the following:

    1. Your Nigerpress username and a short bio about yourself to
    2. Publish at least one post or article on Nigerpress. Your submission will be reviewed to ensure it meets our quality standards.
  • The Awakening of the Modern Man: Why Self-Mastery Matters More Than Blind Trust

    The Awakening of the Modern Man: Why Self-Mastery Matters More Than Blind Trust

    In today’s world, many men feel confused, unheard, and uncertain about where they stand. Movies, fairy tales, and social media often paint a polished picture of love, loyalty, and relationships—one that rarely reflects real life.

    The truth is this:

    Most men are taught to love blindly, while very few are taught to protect their emotional well-being.

    And because of this imbalance, many walk into relationships unprepared, unguarded, and unaware of the realities of human behavior—both theirs and others’.

    This article is not about blaming women.

    This is about strengthening men, sharpening awareness, and breaking the illusion that vulnerability without boundaries is noble. It isn’t.

    It’s dangerous.

    The Myth of Guaranteed Loyalty

    One of the most harmful beliefs modern men grow up with is the assumption that love automatically equals loyalty.

    But loyalty—true loyalty—is a choice, not a guarantee.

    Human beings, men and women alike, act from self-interest, survival instincts, and emotional patterns.

    Understanding this does not make you bitter;

    it makes you aware.

    When men ignore this, they get hurt.

    When they understand it, they grow.

    Why Men Must Protect Their Emotional Space

    Many men are raised to give, sacrifice, and protect without protecting themselves.

    But in a world where emotions are powerful tools, you must learn:

    • what to give,
    • who to trust,
    • and when to guard your heart.

    This is not weakness—it is wisdom.

    Being emotionally open is valuable.

    Being emotionally reckless is destructive.

    The Cost of Sleeping Through Your Own Life

    History is full of men who fell because they were unprepared, distracted, or overly trusting—not because someone else was evil, but because they abandoned their own vigilance.

    Empires, businesses, reputations, and families crumble when a man stops paying attention.

    The lesson is simple:

    > If you don’t lead your life with clarity, your life will lead you into chaos.

    Power, Identity, and the Modern Man

    To rise in today’s world, a man must rebuild:

    • his discipline,
    • his emotional intelligence,
    • his self-respect,
    • and his boundaries.

    This isn’t about controlling anyone.

    This is about controlling yourself.

    No man becomes powerful by blaming others.

    He becomes powerful by mastering:

    1. his emotions
    2. his habits
    3. his reactions
    4. his choices

    This is the foundation of masculine strength.

    Why Awareness Is Not Hatred

    Understanding human behavior does not require hostility.

    It requires clarity.

    Not every woman will hurt you.

    Not every woman has an agenda.

    But every man must understand the reality that people—men and women—act based on their needs, fears, and desires.

    When you are aware, you choose better.

    When you choose better, you live better.

    Your Responsibility as a Man

    If this message shakes you, good. It means you’re waking up. Your mission is not to fear the world—

    your mission is to navigate it with strength and intelligence.

    1. Wake up.
    2. Build boundaries.
    3. Develop emotional discipline.
    4. Know yourself.
    5. Strengthen your mind.

    Because the man who controls himself cannot be controlled by anyone.

    Final Message: Rise Above the Illusion

    This is a call to self-mastery, not anger.

    A call to awareness, not war.

    A call to strength, not bitterness.

    If you feel the fire rising in you, use it.

    Become better.

    Lead yourself.

    Shape your life with power, clarity, and purpose.

    The world needs strong men—

    not fragile ones.

    Not blind ones.

    Not sleeping ones.

    Awaken. Strengthen. Lead.

  • Mega churches in Nigeria and the business of selling salvation

    Mega churches in Nigeria and the business of selling salvation

    The word of God is the gateway to the world of wealth. This shows that the churches count money, lots of money. What if I told you that you could start a business that was exempt from paying any federal, state, local or property taxes? Your customers treat you like holy divinity and showering you a cash every time you walked into the room. Your customers will willingly pay for you to live multi-million naira homes tax free. And you’re in a position where you’re able to openly ask your customers to pay for multi-million naira private jets so you can travel the world in comfort without having to put up with a petri dish that is commercial airliners.

    We’ll get your Bibles out, loosen up those morals, because this is how to be a preacher profiteer. Being a preacher profiteer is just like any other business helps if you understand your customers and your market. And much like the business of war and the business of religion is as primal as it gets. Since the days of our ancestors fearing Mother Nature, fearing and believing in a higher power has been part of what makes humans human. And whether you’re religious or not, you and the other almost eight billion people or shall I say customers on this planet, have this  emotion, this primal instinct of divinity. And as the famous historian and philosopher Will Durant puts it.

    The function of religion is quite different, it is to give man a belief that will enable him to tolerate life, to enable man to bear reality.

    This is the business we’re in. We’re not selling sermons. We’re not selling church choirs. No, no, no, no. We’re in the business of selling hope, selling salvation, selling communities, selling the ability to tolerate the difficulties of life. And when you’re viewed as the benevolent authority on hope, the afterlife, salvation, your customers are going to take you pretty seriously. In fact, it’s pretty safe to say that the customers of religion on the most enthusiastic customers of any industry. See, in business, the more dire the need, the more people are willing to pay. You may not be willing to pay thousands of naira for a glorified wrist watch. But what about for a cancer treatment or a potential cure for blindness? That is the power of religion. Not only is it so deep in the human condition, but you get the sell to society’s most vulnerable people with the most dire needs. For example, The Copelands in the US, along with other televangelists, preached the concept of the prosperity gospel.

    The idea that the more you donate on, the bigger the seed you sow, the more prosperity in, the more blessings you’ll get back. So when an individual gets cancer, why go get cancer treatment where you can just donate all your money to the church? After all, the more you donate, the higher the chance you’ll get healed directly from God. Got it. But the benefits don’t stop there because you’re also protected by people’s sentimental beliefs. Now I know you’re thinking the only logical path forward is to become a preacher profiteer, but now what are the actual steps that you can take to make money in the name of whatever God you choose?

    Step 1 – The Scripture

    First and foremost, we can’t sell religion if we don’t have a religion. Now, being that the IRS is intentionally vague with a definition of what qualifies as a church, we have a lot of wiggle room to work with. The name of the game is making money, so we want to stay on the safe side.  So if you go with a more mainstream religion like Christianity, people have already accepted It’s a thing and you’ll have less of a wall to break through to get people through the doors to open their hearts to you. And most importantly, to open their wallets to you. Christianity, Catholicism, Mormonism. All are fair game. Just take your pick.

    Step 2 – More Pain More Gain

    Now, picking the religion or the specific sect is the easy part, the hard part is actually delivering and getting people through the door and getting them to come back and getting them to bring their friends. People generally go to church for the same reasons. Something is lacking in their life and they believe church might fill it, maybe the church left a sense of community. Maybe they’re looking for answers. Maybe they’re looking for hope, motivation, someone to guide them through the troubles of life, to know that they’re not alone. These are the emotions and deep rooted pain points that we need to go after. The worst thing that you can do is let people leave church feeling bored, people have to be lifted up energized and brought together by the end of every session or else they won’t come back. Or in other words, you have to ignite the emotion of divinity that we all have within us. The stronger the emotions you elicit, the more success and the more contributions you’ll have. See, in this line of work, you know, a preacher, you’re not a pastor. You’re a divine motivational speaker, the leader that the disciples will gladly follow to the ends of the earth. The men with all the answers, anything less. And our whole scheme falls apart. You have to be a master of emotions. Get this right and everything else will follow.

    Your customers will look at you as a demigod. People will keep coming back. They’ll bring their friends. The size of your congregation will continuously grow. You’ll have the money to open new locations, fund new projects and marketing returns will start to compound over each other. And of course, the size of your church donations will follow suit. And if you’re a really charismatic leader, you’ll get to experience the same blessings as other preacher profiteers. You’re disciples will shower you with cash. You can ask your customers to fund your private jet collection and the majority of them won’t even bat an eye. For example, a parishioner Mary Jones in the US, who takes the bus to church, says she’d happily give two dollars jet drive. Most definitely. Most definitely. We support our pastor. That’s what we’re here for. Because in their mind, they’re not giving you money. They’re giving the lord money to spread his message. Which brings us to the next step in our divine journey.

    Step 3 – Monetization

    Now, church donations can be very profitable. But why stop there? Our entire journey has been building up to this point. You have the audience, the personal brand, the influence. Now it’s time to monetize, publish books, get paid to speak, sell information products, collaborate with other megachurches, have that glorious housing allowance. Get on TV like the other televangelists, because we all know that that is where the real money is at. Even though typically these other business ventures will be taxed, is still very lucrative. And you always have your church donations to fall back on. And to use as funding for these projects. So enjoy raking in that dough, but don’t enjoy too much because next up, it’s time to protect the wealth that we rightfully earned.

    Step 4 – Hide & Protect Your Wealth

    It’s usually at the monetization stage that many preacher profiteers will start to run into some friction with those pesky nonbelievers. Those are criticizing how much money you make, your business practices and your greed. So we have to do everything in our power to protect ourselves and our business. The number one thing you have to do at all costs is hide your wealth. Do not flaunt around and try to show off, It will only build animosity. And don’t get me wrong. Get the multi-million naira house with a housing allowance and enjoy yourself, but build a house in the middle of the woods so it’s hidden from public view. Obscure your house and other real estate holdings inside a trust or any other corporate entity site and your name is not on any of them. Have all your churchgoers and employees sign a very strict NDA (Non disclosure agreement) saying that if they disclose any of the church’s finances, you’ll sue them. Have measures in place that make your church look transparent but never give away any of the important financial numbers like how much money you take home. Always, always set aside a portion of your revenue to donate to good causes and charity for that sweet PR, a portion that will make the average person think you’re a saviour. But you know, you’re taking home much more than that. And at the end of the day, you have to remember you can have all the money in the world. But if the general public despises you, they’ll eventually take you down. So protect yourself. And welcome to the elite club of preacher profiteers.

    Thanks for reading follow me on Nigerpress for more in depth discussions

  • Money laundering in Nigeria – The lifeblood of crime and corruption in Nigeria

    Money laundering in Nigeria – The lifeblood of crime and corruption in Nigeria

    So let’s say theoretically, you’ve got some good rackets going on. You’ve done some legal gun running traffic, some drugs, robbed a few banks or jewelry stores. Done some insider trading. The point is, you’re a professional criminal who’s only loyal to one thing, money. You’ve got some illegal businesses on your hands are doing really well. And now you’re literally drowning in cash. Great right. Wrong. Here’s the problem. Unless you can show that all the illegal money came from a legitimate source, like a regular business, for example. Then you and all the dirty money that you worked so hard to make are screwed.

    If you just use the dirty money to fund your lavish lifestyle eventually, not necessarily right away, but eventually you’ll catch the attention of those pesky Nigerian government agencies like the EFCC, NPF, IRS and many others. But new problems are a good thing. It shows that you’ve been taking a fair amount of action. But if you don’t continue taking massive action, you’re probably going to end up in prison for up to a few decades with some hefty fines. We need a way to clean that money, to disguise it and the various origins of how we earned it. So now we can spend it on real estate, legitimate businesses and of course, to fund the lavish lifestyle that you rightfully deserve. We need to learn the game of one of the biggest industries in the world. We need to learn how to be laundrymen.

    The Laundrymen – How to clean dirty money

    Money laundering in Nigeria is the lifeblood to our profession of organized crime and corruption in Nigeria. Without it, there’s no point to committing our crimes in the first place. If the money we get isn’t usable and back in the good old days, cleaning the money you got from the criminal enterprise was pretty easy. Since banks get suspicious and have to report large sums of cash, that get deposited. You just send out a bunch of errand boys also known as laundry agents or smurfs. Once the laundry agents collected the day’s cash from their contacts, they’d worked their territory just like door to door salesmen going to different banks in their area and depositing small sums of cash. But not just any area will do. Too small of a town would mean that there wouldn’t be too many banks or customers and the tellers would be able to remember faces. Too big of a city and there would be long lines making the laundry agents a lot less efficient. So affluent suburbs being just the right balance for laundering. And with the simple system alone, if each laundry agent deposited just 50,000 naira into 20 different bank accounts each, which is very reasonable to do in one day, a mere 10 laundry agents could allow you to launder 10 million naira in dirty cash every single day.

    But today it’s different. Law enforcement have realized just how vital money laundering is to us and have severely cracked down on it. They’re a lot stricter with bank statements or any business dealing in cash has to report transactions over 5 million naira, and they use algorithms to catch onto suspicious transactions, among other things. And although they barely made a dent in the money laundering world, it does raise the stakes. If you get caught with the postman being at 35 years or more in prison and fines up to three times the amount laundered. And just like any other business or industry, as the landscape evolves, so do the tactics. But the fundamentals on how to launder money are still the same.

    1. We obviously don’t want people to know where the money came from.

    So we have to conceal the ownership and the source of the money.

    2. We want to change the money’s form.

    If you have three million naira to wash, you don’t want to end up with the same three million naira bills. You want to consolidate that three million naira into, say, a thousand naira bills. This reduces the bulk and helps conceal the origin of it. At the same time,

    3. Money laundering doesn’t work if a nosy detective can just follow the trail of money right back to you.

    So we have to obscure the trail.

    4. Dealing with tons of cash requires a ton of manpower.

    And the more the manpower, the more opportunities for people to skim off the cash and says you can’t just call the police or sue someone if they stole dirty money from you. You have to have complete control over the process and the people. So now, you know, the fundamentals of laundering.

    Let’s get into the actual wash

    Before we can make dirty money look as if it came from a clean source, we have to get the dirty money into the banking system in the first place since we’re at the beginning of the money trail. This is where we’re most vulnerable and we are dealing with a lot of cash. One of the most popular ways to go about doing this is by using legitimate businesses as fronts for your laundering. It’s probably why a lot of holes in restaurants and drug trafficking areas only accept cash. The goal with fronts is for legitimate customers to walk in and out of the front door while dirty money sneaks in from the back by a restaurant, bar or retail store or any other business, then deals a lot in cash and carefully inject, a little extra cash into the business’s books every single day. If you do this gradually, you’ll be next to impossible to spot an extra 50,000 naira coming in daily for a restaurant that caters to hundreds of customers a day. That’s 18,250,000 naira a year of dirty money that all of a sudden, it looks like it came from your legitimate business. People also, will not raise any eyebrows, if you eventually scaled up to let’s say, 5 restaurants, that all happened to have 50,000 naira added to it every single day at that scale. That’s 91,250,000 naira every single year in safe, clean money going into your pocket. Now, before you get too excited, this is usually the part where laundry men get into trouble. They’ll think to themselves, oh, if I just sneak in extra dirty money and before you know greed sets in.

    And then you try to get your local banker in on the scheme and then prison sets in.

    large sums of cash to fronts like restaurants, raises the central bank’s antenna. It looks like one big money laundering machine. That’s not what you want there’s no way to win. Smaller sums of cash with more frequent deposits through my fronts fly right under the radar of the central banks. You know why? Because all of my fronts are legitimate.

    Greed is what will attract the wrong attention. Greed is what will get you killed in the scheme. So don’t get greedy. Keep it gradual

    Now let’s move on to step number two of the wash after dirty money is brought into the financial system. It’s time to hose off all that blood with some heavy soaping. This is where all of our work has been leading up to making our illegal money look like it came from a legal source. And the way we do this is by sending the dirty money through as many accounts as possible in our restaurant example, this is as simple as jacking up the receipts of what customers paid. So the dirty money is hidden into the customer’s transactions to make it look like it came from them. If you need to launder lots of money, it gets a little bit more complicated. But all it really entails is setting up a bunch of dummy companies around Nigeria in areas where the economy is stable and they don’t enforce money laundering as heavily. Since you chose areas where banks have a lot more secrecy and don’t have to disclose as much about their clients, a meddling detective trying to follow the money back to you will be out of luck. And once you’ve successfully obscured the trail leading back to you, it’s time for the fun part.

    Spin dry the dirty cash

    And just like that, by loading dirty money into the financial system and hosing out all the blood by sending the money through a series of hard to follow transactions, we’ve concealed the illegal origin of it. We’ve changed the money’s form. We’ve obscured the trail leading back to us and all the while maintaining complete control over the entire process. And now it’s time for the moment you’ve been waiting for with drawing that newly washed money from her accounts back into circulation. A as sweet taxable. And most importantly, legal income that you can spend on whatever your heart desires. And if you did your job right. Those vultures and law enforcement won’t be able to do anything about it, even if they’re suspicious, simply because they can’t trace the money back to you. Now I am compelled to give you this warning, since this is an underground illegal business, Laundrymen aren’t too keen on sharing their tips and secrets with the public. So everything we went over in this article is based on what law enforcement has found or in other words, is based solely on the people who’ve already been caught. So if you have the hopes of being a successful laundrymen, you better innovate and not just copy what everyone else has done or else you end up with the same fate prison and fines. Society is also gradually getting more and more cashless. And although cash won’t be going anywhere for a while. Crypto currencies have already taken over the criminal world by storm. Now, though, they’re not anonymous 100 percent of the time. It sure does make the job of an inspiring laundrymen a lot easier, with the law enforcement world still struggling to catch up. Well, whatever direction the moral of currency goes, the basics of laundering will always stay the same. Making illegal money look legal.

    Different basic methods of money laundering in Nigeria

    • cash removal from the country with couriers or money concealment in the cargo for the further repatriation through foreign banks
    • passage of cash accounts, significantly exceeding the client’s actual capabilities
    • multiple funds transfers to the account during the day by different persons
    • transactions on a particularly large scale in the interests of third parties, for example, huge amounts exchanging
    • contracts making with foreign companies for the various information and reference services
    • personal information with knowingly distorted data; large amounts depositing in cash
    • fictitious lease contracts and other contracts making for the supply of non-existent goods
    • appointing trustees to manage funds held in accounts; securities purchase with their transfer to another bank
    • concealment of the true money origin (accounts in foreign banks and cash placement in investment companies, an organization of fictitious companies, securities acquisition, antiques, overseas property, etc.)
    • cash transfer to frontmen accounts with a breakdown of amounts

    Causes of money laundering in Nigeria

    • a high share of the population and business unofficial income, the “black market” existence
    • the imperfection of mechanisms for activities of financial institutions monitoring, non-compliance with international financial management standards developed by specialized international organizations
    • corruption among state executive, law enforcement, and judicial authorities
    • impossibility or limitation of opportunity for financial information exchanging with foreign law enforcement agencies
    • inadequate procedure for the establishment of financial and non-financial institutions, an opening of branches outside the country and the licensing of financial activity with not taking into account or improperly taking into account the necessity to identify the true company owners (especially when possession can be carried out by nominal holding)
    • legislative securing of the financial transactions secrecy, insufficient requirements for transparency of financial transactions and ownership of assets
    • miscalculations in the regulation of foreign exchange transactions and other transactions with cash; wide use of operations by enterprises, banks with offshore companies involving
    • anonymous cash accounts and financial instruments, including shares and bonds, with the payment of “bearer” funds
    • access of financial institutions to international trading centers for gold bars, trade in precious stones and metals.

    Anti-money laundering

    There are many global and regional organizations and programs to combat this type of criminal activity in the world. In 1997, the UN established the Global Program for anti-money laundering. Money laundering remains a very serious problem both in the FATF and GIABA member countries and others.

    It’s difficult enough to determine the amount of laundered capital, although, according to experts, it’s about hundreds of billions US dollars a year. Nigeria is a member of Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). It’s a regional group of the FATF (RGTF) type established in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on December 10, 1999.

    Nigerian government issued the first legislative Act against money laundering. It was Nigerian NDLEA Decree 48 in 1989. Later the government amended Decree 48 with the Money Laundering Decree in 1995 as it limited crimes of money laundering caused by incomes of illegal drug distribution. In 2000, the UN accepted the so-called Palermo Convention. After the ratification of Palermo convention, Nigeria replaced the Money Laundering Decree (1995) with the Money Laundering Prohibition Act (2003). Then it was replaced by Money Laundering Prohibition Act (2004).

    Moreover, the government issued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act (2004). Thus EFCC, NDLEA, and CBN were authorized to investigate allegations of money laundering and check bank accounts to assist in solving crimes. The mentioned act introduced the term ‘Designated Financial Institutions.’ They included activities as the Federal Ministry of Commerce or adequate regulatory authorities may denote occasionally. Later, National Assembly adopted the Money Laundering Prohibition Act (2011), and after signing by the President, it became the present Nigerian anti-money laundering law.

    Besides, The Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 and the Criminal Matters Bill 2016 were issued to provide adequate punishment for money laundering and enough anti-money laundering agencies. Thus, according to the Section 15 of MLPA Act (2011), a person who committed money laundering activities faces imprisonment from 7 to 14 years. A company involved in money laundering is liable to a 100% fine of the received benefits for unlawful activity and annulment of the license.

  • Time Management Is Actually a Waste of Time

    Time Management Is Actually a Waste of Time

    A lot of us struggle with time management problems. Unfortunately, we believe that time management is a silver bullet. Merely manage your time correctly, and you’ll be a more productive business owner. You’ll finally be able to spend quality time with your family or start that hobby you’ve been putting off. I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But, time management won’t solve all of your problems. It may be a waste of time for the following reasons. If time management isn’t working for you — then you’ll want to try these four options instead.

    Time management is turning us into stressed-out and unproductive zombies.

    “The quest for increased personal productivity — for making the best possible use of your limited time — is a dominant motif of our age,” writes Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian. “And yet the truth is that more often than not, techniques designed to enhance one’s personal productivity seem to exacerbate the very anxieties they were meant to allay,” continues Burkeman. “The better you get at managing time, the less of it you feel that you have.” Burkeman has a point. Time management can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution. One interesting fact to note is that the same advice about time management hasn’t changed much since then. How people work has drastically changed. For example, the suggestion to wake up earlier (when you already are doing that) or closing your office door to prevent distractions can be counterproductive. Those little tidbits of information will only help if you’re a morning person or you have an office. The point is this: When it comes to time management, we’re fed the same advice over and over again. Even worse, it’s suggested that there’s a one-size-fits-all time management strategy. As a result, we blindly follow these time management tips that aren’t always effective, which causes stress and decreased productivity.

    The solution? Find your own way to work style.

    Carson Tate, the author of the “Work Simply” strategy, recommends finding your own-personal-productivity style. You can then adjust your work style and find the right tools to fit your style. Tate says that there are four major styles:

    • Prioritizers. They want fact-based analysis and debate. They’re also goal-oriented, consistent, and decisive.
    • Planners. They thrive on details, as well as schedules and action plans.
    • Arrangers. They want to be appreciated, and they love acknowledgment. They also like discussing questions and concerns.
    • Visualizers. They are innovative and open-minded. But, they’re not fans of excessive details.

    Time management is inhumane.

    “Time management may be a great system for a machine, but for the rest of us who are emotionally driven human beings — we need to take account for our energy levels,” writes Mayo Oshin. “Plus your willpower and self-control reduce with every choice you make throughout the day.” Having your willpower or self-control reduce with the execution of many choices can be one of the main problems with time management. Time analysis and prioritization of tasks “fails to take into account these emotional, mental, and energetic factors that make us human,” adds Oshin.

    The solution? Schedule around your energy levels and not your time.

    We all have different times of the day when we have the most energy and concentration. For some of us, that could be the first thing in the morning. For others, however, it could be midmorning or early afternoon. It depends on your ultradian rhythm (that occur throughout the day). Different than the circadian rhythm, the ultradian rhythm means that we should work on the right tasks at the right time of day. For example, I wrote this article in the morning, starting around 9 a.m. to be exact. The reason? That’s when I have the most creative energy. However, I’m in a lull after lunch. After lunch, I spend time on tasks or activities that require less brainpower, like conference calls, responding to emails and working other lighter jobs. However, there are some ways that you can gain energy when you feel fatigued:

    • Get more than seven hours of sleep each night.
    • Eat nutritious foods and exercise to get the blood pumping.
    • Disconnect and unplug so that you can rest and recharge.
    • Lighten your cognitive load by making fewer decisions. For example, delegate and automate tedious tasks.
    • Set realistic goals instead of wearing yourself thin, trying to achieve the impossible.

    Time management isn’t interchangeable with productivity.

    “Being prolific is not about time management. There are a limited number of hours in the day, and focusing on time management makes us more aware of how many of those hours we waste,” Adam Grant, a professor at The Wharton School of business and an organizational psychologist, writes in The New York Times. “A better option is attention management: Prioritize the people and projects that matter, and it won’t matter how long anything takes,” he explains. “Attention management is the art of focusing on getting things done for the right reasons, in the right places and at the right moments.” “If productivity is your goal, you have to rely on willpower to push yourself to get a task done,” adds Grant. To motivate yourself, Grant recommends paying more considerable attention “as to why you’re excited about the project and who will benefit from it.” If you need help with prioritization, Kayla Sloan in an article for Calendar has the following ideas you could try:

    • Start with a task list and then order them. “Assign numbers to each item listed starting with the most pressing duties first,” adds Sloan. “Conversely, the bottom of your list should include items that are less pressing or could be done another day.”
    • Everything is not a crisis. Stop that fearful, wearing thinking. Even if everything on your list is of equal importance, it doesn’t mean every task has to be all have to be done right now. Begin with the ones that will prevent a potential crisis.
    • Use a calendar app. You could schedule everything on your list into your calendar and then set reminders so that you won’t forget.
    • Don’t take on other’s priorities. Protect your time and only accept time requests if you have the availability or it’s helping you move closer to your goals.

    You commit to more and more.

    With time management, you can find a technique or tool that will help you get more done in a day — you’ll feel like a superhero. As a result, you take on additional work or RSVP to every social function that comes your way. Again, this might work for a little while, but, it can’t last. Eventually, you’ll spread yourself too thin, and you’ll be overworked and over-committed.

    One of the easiest fixes is to simply say, “no.”

    Don’t take on a new project if you’re already working at full capacity. If a job is time-sensitive, refer the work to someone else. If you’re already attending a party on Saturday evening, then don’t accept an invite to a party that starts two hours earlier on the same day. I get that you don’t want to offend anyone. But, as long as you’re honest and transparent, they’ll understand.

    Source – https://www.entrepreneur.com

  • Turning Dreams into Reality: A Blueprint for Success

    Turning Dreams into Reality: A Blueprint for Success

    How to Turn Dreams into Reality: A Step-by-Step Blueprint

    Introduction

    Dreams are the seeds of innovation and progress. They inspire us to aim higher and envision a better future. But to truly transform dreams into reality requires more than imagination — it demands determination, strategic planning, and consistent action. In this guide you’ll find a comprehensive blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements.

    1. Clarify Your Vision

    Begin by defining your dream clearly. Vague wishes tend to stall; clarity fuels progress.

    • Set specific goals: Break the dream into smaller, measurable objectives (e.g., “I will launch my blog in 90 days”, “I will publish one article per week”).

    • Visualise success: Imagine the outcome in detail — how it looks, feels, what changes. This helps solidify your vision and increases motivation.

    2. Develop a Strategic Plan

    A dream without a plan is just a wish. Create a roadmap that will guide you toward your goals.

    • Prioritise tasks: Identify the most critical steps and tackle them first (80/20 rule).

    • Set deadlines: Assign realistic timelines to hold yourself accountable.

    • Stay flexible: Be prepared to adjust your plan as circumstances change.

    3. Cultivate the Right Mindset

    Your attitude and mindset often determine your success. Cultivate habits and perspectives that empower you.

    • Embrace resilience: View setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as failure.

    • Stay motivated: Remind yourself of why your dream matters to you — fear of missing out or passion for change.

    • Practice self-discipline: Commit to daily habits aligned with your goals, even when motivation wanes.

    4. Build a Support System

    Success is rarely achieved in isolation. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your journey.

    • Seek mentors: Find people who have achieved what you aspire to — learn from their experience.

    • Collaborate with peers: Work alongside others with similar goals or passions — you’ll benefit from shared ideas and accountability.

    • Engage in communities: Join groups or networks aligned with your vision (online forums, social media groups, professional associations).

    5. Take Consistent Action

    Execution is the most crucial step in transforming dreams into reality. Without action, plans remain ideas.

    • Start small: Begin with manageable tasks to build momentum and confidence.

    • Stay persistent: Progress may be slow, but consistent effort over time yields results.

    • Measure progress: Regularly assess your achievements, revisit your plan, and adjust your approach as needed.

    6. Anticipate and Overcome Obstacles

    Challenges are inevitable—but they don’t have to derail your efforts.

    • Identify potential barriers: Think ahead about what might block you (limited time, resources, skills) and prepare solutions.

    • Stay adaptable: Be open to changing your methods or tools when things aren’t working.

    • Celebrate small wins: Recognising even minor progress helps maintain motivation and reinforces that you’re moving forward.

    7. Never Stop Learning

    The path to success is an ongoing process of growth, discovery, and evolution.

    • Upgrade your skills: Continuously improve your knowledge and expertise, so you’re better equipped for each next step.

    • Seek feedback: Learn from others — mentors, peers, or audience — to refine your approach and improve.

    • Stay inspired: Read, listen, and engage with content that fuels your passion and keeps your vision alive.

    Conclusion

    Turning dreams into reality is a journey that combines vision, planning, action, and perseverance. By following this blueprint, you can transform even the most ambitious aspirations into tangible achievements. Remember—the only limit to what you can achieve is the one you set for yourself. So start today, take that first step, and watch your dreams become your reality.

  • Dangote Refinery Shares Open to Nigerian Public Within Five Months

    Dangote Refinery Public Share Offering to Open for Nigerian Investors

    Dangote Refinery Announces Timeline for Public Share Offering

    In a significant development for Nigeria’s capital markets, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has announced that the Dangote Refinery will be open for share purchases by ordinary Nigerians within the next four to five months. The announcement was made on Saturday, February 21, 2026, during a facility tour by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). This move towards a public listing marks a pivotal moment for one of the world’s largest single-train refineries, valued at approximately $20 billion.

    Dangote underscored the strategic partnership with NNPC, which holds a 7.25% equity stake in the refinery on behalf of the Nigerian public. He described the relationship with the new NNPC leadership as highly promising, stating, “the sky is the limit” for future collaboration. The refinery’s impending Initial Public Offering (IPO), for which a 10% stake is planned to be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), is designed to prioritize broad-based participation from Nigerian retail investors. This approach to Nigeria’s urban growth in financial inclusion aims to prevent ownership concentration among large institutions.

    A key feature of the offering will be the option for shareholders to receive dividends in either Nigerian Naira or US Dollars. This structure is made possible by the refinery’s substantial foreign currency earnings from exports, projected to reach about $6.4 billion annually from products like polypropylene and fertilizer. This dollar-denominated dividend option is positioned to provide a potential hedge against currency volatility for local investors. Final details are being coordinated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the NGX.

    The listing is anticipated to significantly bolster investor confidence and deepen the Nigerian equity market. By allowing citizens direct ownership in this critical national asset, the initiative stands in contrast to other resource-dependent economies’ strategies, such as Venezuela’s oil gambit, by promoting domestic investment and wealth distribution. As the refinery prepares for this landmark offering, it signals a new chapter of public partnership in the nation’s industrial landscape, a commitment that resonates with the steadfast dedication seen in fathers everywhere building a legacy for future generations.

  • Nigeria Wins $6.2 Million Arbitration Against European Dynamics in Tech Contract Dispute

    Nigeria Secures Legal Victory in $6.2M Arbitration Against European Dynamics

    Nigeria Prevails in $6.2 Million International Arbitration Case

    An international arbitration tribunal has dismissed a $6.2 million claim brought by European Dynamics UK Ltd against the Federal Government of Nigeria concerning a national e-Procurement project. The ruling, disclosed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation on February 22, 2026, represents a significant legal outcome for the country. The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, formally presented the tribunal’s award to the Attorney General, Prince Lateef Fagbemi.

    The Attorney General described the complex proceedings as a notable victory for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, achieved through the diligent work of the Bureau of Public Procurement. He emphasized that this win sends a clear message that Nigeria has reset its standards for contractual engagements. The Tinubu administration has demonstrated genuine commitment to institutional strengthening within the justice sector, a factor credited in this success.

    The dispute centered on a stalled technology project inherited by Dr. Adedokun. European Dynamics had claimed approximately $2.4 million for alleged milestone completions, $3 million in general damages, and $800,000 in settlement claims. Contrary to suggestions for an out-of-court settlement, the Bureau insisted on continuing the arbitral process, arguing that payments must be strictly tied to demonstrable value delivered—a principle that guided their strategy the right way. Crisis was averted by adhering to this firm stance.

    Central to Nigeria’s successful defense was the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) conducted by the BPP, which identified critical functional deficiencies and errors in the delivered system. The Bureau maintained that software customization contracts require rigorous validation, unlike conventional supply agreements. This expert-driven approach underscored the importance of clear milestone definitions and robust delivery standards in public technology projects.

    The Justice Ministry highlighted that the ruling safeguards public funds, preventing the loss of billions of naira that can now be directed toward critical national development. Nigeria’s legal team was led by the firm Johnson & Wilner LLP, with Basil Udotai, Esq., heading the arbitration. This outcome provides a robust framework for public sector contracting, ensuring accountability and value for the nation.

  • NAFDAC Warning: Revalidated SMA Gold Infant Formula Poses Health Risks in Kaduna

    NAFDAC Issues Critical Alert on Tampered Infant Formula in Kaduna

    NAFDAC Warns Public Over Revalidated Infant Formula in Kaduna

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a critical safety alert to healthcare providers and consumers regarding a suspected revalidated batch of SMA Gold First Infant Milk Formula found for sale in Kaduna State. The alert follows a consumer complaint that the product allegedly caused gastrointestinal distress in a four-month-old infant. This incident highlights ongoing public health risks associated with product tampering and altered expiry dates, a concern that parallels the vigilance required in other national health matters, such as the protocols for treating a snake bite.

    A physical examination of the product sample revealed clear evidence of date alteration. NAFDAC investigators found a preprinted sticker with manufacturing and expiry details that were inconsistent with the originally printed markings beneath it. The agency emphasized that altering shelf-life information without authorization constitutes product adulteration and consumer deception, misleading buyers about the product’s true freshness and safety. Such deceptive practices in consumer goods echo the gravity of legal accountability seen in cases like Meta face trial proceedings for alleged misinformation.

    Consuming expired infant formula poses severe health risks, NAFDAC warned. The product may harbor harmful microorganisms and suffer from nutrient degradation, potentially leading to acute gastroenteritis, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, and secondary infections in infants with developing immune systems. In severe cases, contamination could have fatal outcomes. The agency has initiated nationwide surveillance to remove any revalidated products from circulation and has urged distributors to source stock only from authorized suppliers while rigorously verifying packaging authenticity.

    This enforcement action is part of NAFDAC’s broader crackdown on counterfeit and substandard products across Nigeria. In recent operations, the agency intercepted 16 containers of fake and banned regulated products in Port Harcourt, with an estimated value of N20.5 billion. Furthermore, in Ibadan, NAFDAC destroyed unwholesome and expired medical products valued at over N15 billion. This sustained regulatory effort, crucial for public safety, operates with the same decisive authority expected of high offices, akin to when Akpabio heads Supreme committees or when prominent figures like Ghana’s former first lady engage in public advocacy. The agency’s work remains vital, just as political analyses continue, including when Atiku says 2025 political strategies are being discussed, underscoring the importance of robust institutions in all sectors of national life.

  • Nigerias N5 Trillion Post-Harvest Loss Crisis: The Cold Chain Problem Explained

    Nigeria’s N5 Trillion Post-Harvest Crisis: OTACCWA Warns of Systemic Failures

    Nigeria Records N5 Trillion in Post-Harvest Losses, Threatening Food Security

    The Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA) has revealed that Nigeria incurred staggering post-harvest losses estimated between N3.5 trillion and N5 trillion in 2025. The disclosure, made by OTACCWA President Mr. Alexander Isong in Lagos, underscores a critical vulnerability within the nation’s agricultural sector. Isong attributed these catastrophic losses directly to pervasive inefficiencies across major agricultural value chains and a severe deficit in cold chain infrastructure.

    The economic impact, as warned by OTACCWA, extends far beyond the farm gate, detrimentally affecting overall national productivity. Quantifying the physical waste, Isong stated Nigeria lost an estimated 30 to 40 million metric tonnes of food. This wastage was particularly concentrated in perishable commodities including tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, fish, and root crops—all sectors where weak cold chain systems lead to rapid spoilage. He emphasized that these losses represent a complete erosion of prior investments in land preparation, seedlings, fertilizer, labour, irrigation, and transport, devastating farmer incomes and national output.

    This alarming data aligns with earlier warnings of a potential severe food crisis. Reports indicated farmers, especially in the North-Central and North-West regions, are facing escalating production costs, insecurity, and massive post-harvest losses, pushing many to consider abandoning agriculture. The situation explains why bandits are not the only threat to food production; systemic failures pose an equal danger. Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has projected that approximately 34.7 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season without timely intervention.

    The compounding crises highlight why stable policies are key to enabling long-term investment in agricultural logistics. While initiatives like FG inaugurates committees to address sectoral challenges are a step, OTACCWA’s report presents mounting evidence that without urgent and targeted investment in cold chain infrastructure, Nigeria’s food security challenges will intensify. This need for foundational reform is as critical in agriculture as it is in other sectors, akin to calls for Sanwo-olu: tax reforms designed to stimulate economic growth. Just as in Anambra guber: early political focus on issues matters, early and decisive action on cold-chain development is imperative to prevent the annual cycle of monumental waste and safeguard the nation’s food future.

  • Conoil Appoints Bolaji Owolabi as Acting Company Secretary: Profile and Career Path

    Conoil Appoints Bolaji Owolabi as Acting Company Secretary

    Conoil Announces Appointment of Bolaji Owolabi as Acting Company Secretary

    Conoil Plc has formally announced the appointment of Mr. Bolaji Owolabi as its Acting Company Secretary, effective from November 12, 2025. The disclosure was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited and signed by the company’s Finance Director, Mr. Ismail Salam. This leadership transition follows the resignation of the former Company Secretary, Mr. David Lanre-Leke, whose tenure concluded on September 8, 2025.

    The Board and Management of Conoil expressed their appreciation for Mr. Lanre-Leke’s service and confirmed that Mr. Owolabi will serve in an acting capacity pending a substantive appointment. This move underscores the company’s commitment to robust corporate governance during a period of significant economic scrutiny, not unlike the fiscal challenges prompting initiatives such as the Presidential committee pushes back on certain economic policies or the operational adjustments seen when FAAN raises cargo handling standards.

    Mr. Owolabi brings over two decades of corporate experience, predominantly within the telecommunications sector. An alumnus of Lagos State University (LL.B) and the University of Lagos (LL.M), he lectured in business law before being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999. His legal career began at Dapo Abudu & Co., followed by a role at the chambers of Prof. I. O. Smith (SAN). From 2005 to 2008, he served as a Specialist in Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Airtel, managing contracts and corporate processes. He later joined Globacom in 2023, rising to the position of Senior Manager, Legal Services, prior to his departure.

    Conoil’s Board is chaired by Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), GCON, with Mr. Hardeep Singh Kheterpal as Managing Director. The board includes non-executive directors Dr. Moses Ebietsuwa Omatsola, Mr. Mike Jituboh, Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu, Engr. Babatunde Okuyemi, Mr. Joshua Ariyo, and Mr. Ademola Idowu. Executive directors are Miss Abimbola Michael-Adenuga and Mr. Ismail Ajani Salam. The appointment comes at a time when the company reported a profit before tax of N2.53 billion for 2025, a decrease from N11.00 billion the previous year.

    As corporations nationwide seek innovative stability, from the Anambra Introduces Solar energy projects to the integration of a Coinspaid crypto payment gateway by fintech firms, Conoil’s strategic appointment aims to leverage deep legal expertise. The focus on seasoned governance is critical in a complex market, where strategic decisions are as pivotal as those in a high-stakes Anambra Guber: cash-based political economy.

  • AI Chip Demand Sparks Smartphone Price Surge: Memory Shortage Explained

    AI-Driven Memory Chip Shortage Threatens Global Smartphone Price Hikes

    AI-Driven Memory Chip Shortage Threatens Global Smartphone Price Hikes

    A structural shortage in memory chips, propelled by unprecedented demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure, is poised to increase global smartphone prices by 15 to 20% in the coming months. This potential price hike, detailed in market data and analyst reports, stems from a critical supply constraint for DRAM and NAND memory, essential components in consumer electronics.

    Spot prices for DRAM have surged by over 600% recently, with NAND prices also climbing sharply. This inflation is driven by a fundamental industry shift: semiconductor manufacturers are prioritizing production of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI accelerators, thereby tightening supply for conventional memory used in smartphones and laptops. Industry observers label this a memory “supercycle,” breaking historical patterns in both duration and intensity.

    The shortage is beginning to have tangible corporate impacts. Major Chinese smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi and Oppo, are reportedly trimming shipment targets for 2026. This trend mirrors concerns raised by global tech leaders about the crisis affecting profits and corporate planning. Meanwhile, as the global billionaire population continues to invest heavily in technology, their firms’ massive AI infrastructure investments further accelerate demand for advanced memory, diverting resources from standard devices.

    For consumers, the implications are direct. Memory is central to modern smartphone features like AI capabilities and high-resolution cameras. Higher component costs directly increase manufacturing expenses, which are likely to be passed to buyers. Markets heavily reliant on imports, such as Nigeria’s, remain particularly vulnerable to these global price swings. Mid-range devices face the greatest pressure, potentially leading to higher retail prices, reduced base storage, or delayed upgrades.

    This crisis emerges even as preliminary data shows a 2% year-on-year growth in worldwide smartphone shipments for 2025. However, the current chip scarcity may reverse this recovery in 2026, prompting device makers to cut shipments. The situation presents a complex challenge for the industry, akin to navigating the stringent policies seen in scenarios like the US halts asylum processes, where external pressures force significant operational adjustments. While sectors from agriculture, such as when Agroeknor secures strategic investment, show growth, the smartphone industry contends with this critical supply chain disruption. The broader economic landscape, including discussions involving figures like Senator Okey Ezea’s policy focuses, must account for such technological market volatilities. For consumers seeking value, thorough analysis, similar to a discerning Redbridge Nexvia review, will become increasingly important when making future purchasing decisions in this evolving market.

  • Ellah Lakes N235 Billion Public Offer Fails, Investors to Receive Refunds

    Ellah Lakes Plc to Refund N235 Billion Public Offer Subscriptions

    Ellah Lakes Concludes Unsuccessful N235 Billion Public Offer, Initiates Investor Refunds

    Ellah Lakes Plc has formally closed its N235 billion public offer and will refund all subscription monies to applicants after the offer failed to meet the minimum subscription threshold required for share allotment. The company made the announcement via a statement on its website dated February 20, 2026, confirming the closure of the offer period.

    The public offer, which opened on November 10, 2025, sought subscriptions for 18.8 billion ordinary shares at N12.50 per share. Initially scheduled to close on December 5, 2025, the subscription window was extended to December 19, 2025. Despite the extension, investor participation fell short of the mandatory minimum, rendering the capital raise unsuccessful. In line with the offer documents, no shares will be allotted, and all received funds will be returned to investors through stipulated procedures.

    Ellah Lakes emphasized that this outcome does not halt its broader corporate growth strategy. Notably, the company confirmed that its proposed acquisition of Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN) remains ongoing and is expected to conclude by the end of the first quarter of 2026, pending final approvals. The acquisition, agreed upon in October 2025, is described as a strategic milestone intended to enhance long-term value and competitiveness within Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector.

    The intended proceeds from the offer were earmarked for expansion initiatives, including plantation development and processing capacity upgrades. Prior to the offer, market sentiment appeared positive, with the company’s share price rising from approximately N11.05 to N13.85. However, subscription levels ultimately did not meet the required threshold. This development occurs amidst other significant business news in the region, such as strategic moves by Air Peace strikes in the competitive aviation sector and discussions on how Nigeria set become a more dominant player in African agriculture. While the capital raise was unsuccessful, Ellah Lakes continues to pursue its strategic objectives independently of this specific financing round.

  • Lagos Government Denies Reports of Resumed Monthly Sanitation Exercise

    Lagos State Denies Resumption of Monthly Sanitation Exercise

    Lagos Government Clarifies Status of Monthly Sanitation Exercise

    The Lagos State Government has officially denied circulating reports claiming the resumption of its monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The clarification was issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who stated that no official commencement date has been announced. This denial addresses significant public interest in the state’s waste management strategies, which has intensified alongside concerns over clogged drains and indiscriminate refuse disposal.

    Commissioner Wahab explained that stakeholder engagements are currently ongoing to determine a suitable and effective schedule for the exercise. The monthly sanitation, historically held on the last Saturday of each month, was suspended in November 2016 following a legal ruling against the restriction of movement. Despite the suspension, the state government has repeatedly expressed intentions to revive the program, with announcements noted in both 2024 and as recently as June 2025. During these announcements, Wahab emphasized that sanitation should be a sustained lifestyle, not a seasonal campaign, urging residents to support the vision for a cleaner Lagos.

    Calls for the exercise’s return have grown louder in recent years, driven by worsening environmental challenges. Issues such as blocked drainage channels and rampant refuse dumping contribute directly to flood risks and public health hazards. The situation underscores a broader need for consistent environmental policy, a challenge not unique to Lagos, as seen in sectors like aeropolitics: without policy backing, initiatives often struggle to gain traction. While the monthly exercise remains on hold, the state continues to implement complementary waste management strategies, including enhanced refuse collection, drainage maintenance, and public education campaigns aimed at mitigating sanitation and flood risks.

    This focus on environmental management occurs within a complex national economic landscape, where other sectors face their own pressures. For instance, while Lagos debates sanitation schedules, events like Presco shares hitting new valuations or the Nigerian Exchange sheds points reflect the volatile interplay of market forces. Similarly, discussions on Nigeria’s crude oil production or traditional governance, such as a Kwara monarch addressing community issues, highlight the multifaceted challenges of governance and development. The Lagos government’s current stance reaffirms that any resumption of the sanitation exercise will follow a formal, structured announcement after concluding necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

  • FG Plans Armed Forces College of Medicine to Boost Military Healthcare

    Federal Government Advances Plans for Armed Forces College of Medicine

    Federal Government Advances Plans for Armed Forces College of Medicine

    The Federal Government has announced significant progress in its plan to establish an Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences. This strategic initiative aims to bolster military healthcare services and substantially expand Nigeria’s national capacity for medical training. The disclosure was made in an official statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, underscoring the project’s alignment with broader human capital development goals.

    According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the proposed college is a direct response to critical manpower shortages within the armed forces and the nation’s wider deficit of medical professionals. He emphasized that the institution is integral to the government’s reform agenda for strengthening science, technology, and medical sciences education. The minister revealed these developments during a high-level consultation with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior officials.

    Nigeria’s healthcare sector faces a profound crisis, with a reported deficit of approximately 340,000 doctors for a population exceeding 240 million. In response, the government has already increased annual medical school admissions from about 5,000 to nearly 10,000, with a target of 19,000 in the coming years. The Armed Forces College of Medicine is envisioned as a pivotal component in achieving this expansion, with the FG taking necessary steps to ensure its success. A Technical Working Group, comprising representatives from key ministries, the Nigerian Defence Academy, and regulatory bodies, has been formed to guarantee quality and compliance.

    The minister also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing projects that enhance national security and workforce development. This move comes amid persistent challenges in the health sector, including the emigration of skilled personnel. Notably, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors reported that 3,974 doctors left the country in 2024 alone, a trend that exacerbates the strain on medical infrastructure. While financial systems grapple with issues like banks’ non-performing loans and the reality that cash remains indispensable for many, the government’s focus on medical training represents a critical investment in the nation’s foundational health and security.

  • SCM Capital Frontier Fund Announces N18 Per Unit Distribution for 2025

    SCM Capital’s Frontier Fund Announces N18 Per Unit Distribution for 2026

    SCM Capital’s Frontier Fund Declares N18 Distribution, Highlights 2025 Growth

    SCM Capital Asset Management Limited has announced a significant distribution for unitholders of its Frontier Fund. The open-ended unit trust scheme will pay N18.00 per unit to registered members on its register as of February 27, 2026. This declaration was formally communicated via a disclosure filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

    Payment to eligible unitholders is scheduled for March 6, 2026, and will be processed electronically. To facilitate a seamless transaction, beneficiaries must have completed the e-dividend registration process with the fund’s registrar, Pace Registrars Limited. The registrar also noted that unitholders with outstanding dividend warrants or unclaimed share certificates should submit the required documentation to enable payment.

    This distribution follows a period of robust financial performance for the fund in the 2025 financial year. Total income surged to N158.9 million, a substantial increase from N79.5 million recorded in 2024. Audited financial statements reveal this growth was largely driven by N68.1 million in trading income from proprietary activities. While analyzing broader economic strategies, such as the 2026 Budget, Fg officials often emphasize the importance of a strong investment sector for national growth.

    The fund’s balance sheet also strengthened considerably, with total assets growing to N593.4 million from N477.3 million the previous year. Financial assets measured at amortized cost constituted the largest portion at N252.5 million. Operational efficiency improved, as net cash flow from operations rose to N94.8 million from N34.2 million. However, this was partially offset by a N100 million cash outflow from investing activities, a strategic move akin to how a Us lawmaker might advocate for long-term fiscal investments over short-term gains.

    The Frontier Fund, managed by SCM Capital, maintains the objective of achieving long-term capital growth and providing income through a diversified portfolio of financial assets. This recent performance and distribution underscore its commitment to that goal, navigating market conditions that can shift as unpredictably as rain forces changes to major outdoor events. The fund’s strategy remains focused on its core mandate, distinct from isolated incidents like the Guinea-bissau Incident Not directly impacting its portfolio, and is guided by a long-term vision similar to the 2027: Onaiyekan Urges for forward-thinking planning in other spheres of society.

  • Nigerian Stock Market Soars: All-Share Index Breaks 194,000 as Fidson Leads Top Gainers

    Nigerian Equities Surge: All-Share Index Breaks 194,000 Barrier

    Nigerian All-Share Index Enters New Territory, Led by Healthcare and Finance Stocks

    The Nigerian equity market sustained its bullish run on February 20, 2026, as the benchmark All-Share Index (ASI) gained 0.99% to close at a historic 194,989.8 points. This performance propelled the index firmly past the 194,000 psychological barrier, marking a significant milestone and bringing the year-to-date return to over 25%. The day’s advance added 1,916.2 points from the previous close of 193,073.6 points, while total market capitalization rose to N125.1 trillion from N123.9 trillion.

    Sectoral gains were spearheaded by notable advancers, with Fidson Healthcare Plc, Jaiz Bank Plc, and MPF Microfinance Bank each hitting the 10% daily gain limit. In a manner distinct from a Nigeria Police arrest or political declarations when PDP elders accuse opponents, the market’s movement was driven by pure investor sentiment. Trading activity, though slightly lower in volume at 820 million shares compared to the prior session’s 898 million, remained robust with 63,507 deals executed. Mutual Benefits Assurance led volume trading with 79.02 million units, while Zenith Bank dominated value traded at N3.7 billion, followed by MTN Nigeria, Aradel Holdings, Seplat, and Nestle.

    The session underscored continued confidence in heavyweight stocks, particularly within the SWOOTs category—companies with market capitalizations above N1 trillion. This sustained momentum suggests the index could soon test the 195,000 and 196,000 levels, although analysts note the market is currently in an overbought state. The situation demands careful monitoring, much as the WHO warns Africa about health vigilance or as the US Supreme Court carefully considers constitutional matters. The market’s current trajectory, while positive, operates independently of external critiques, such as when ASUU accuses FG of failing to meet agreements, highlighting the distinct drivers of financial performance.

    Overall, the day’s trading reinforced the market’s strong bullish trend, driven by liquidity and investor appetite for key stocks. The breach of the 194,000 mark represents a critical technical achievement, setting a new foundation for potential further gains as the market continues to exhibit strong momentum.

  • Orbita by Bluebulb: The Self-Service Treasury Platform Solving Africas Costly Cross-Border Payments

    Bluebulb Launches Orbita: A Unified Treasury Platform for African Businesses

    Bluebulb Announces Orbita: A Self-Service Treasury Platform for African Businesses

    Cross-border payments within Africa are notoriously complex and expensive. Businesses on the continent pay an average of 7.4% to 8.3% in transaction fees, a figure that more than doubles the global Sustainable Development Goals benchmark of 3%. For finance teams operating across multiple markets, this complexity is compounded by the need to manage between four and ten different payment platforms to handle various currencies and corridors. This fragmentation has turned treasury management into a significant daily operational hurdle, with payment data scattered and real-time visibility elusive. The fundamental question of “where is our money right now?” has become disproportionately difficult to answer.

    Addressing this critical challenge, Bluebulb, a B2B cross-border payments company, has announced the upcoming launch of Orbita. This self-service treasury platform is engineered specifically for African businesses managing global payment operations. Orbita is designed to provide finance teams, treasurers, and CFOs with enhanced control, visibility, and efficiency. Unlike standard payment tools focused solely on execution, Orbita centralizes treasury management. The platform allows businesses to fund digital wallets, convert currencies, settle with international vendors, and track all global payments from a single, unified dashboard. This consolidation directly tackles the fragmentation that has long characterized cross-border payments for African enterprises.

    Ola Daramola, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bluebulb, explained that Orbita was developed from a deep understanding of the operational realities at scale. “As African businesses scale beyond their home markets, the complexity around currencies, settlement cycles, and visibility increases fast,” Daramola stated. The platform aims to give financial leaders clarity and confidence over cross-border fund movements in real time. This initiative is part of Bluebulb’s broader commitment to building reliable payment infrastructure for African businesses as they compete globally. The launch of Orbita positions the company not merely as a payments provider, but as a builder of essential financial infrastructure for African participation in global trade.

    By resolving persistent issues in visibility and reconciliation, Bluebulb seeks to streamline treasury operations and reduce the friction that has historically impeded cross-border commerce. In a global economic landscape where efficient capital movement is as compulsory as core business disciplines, such innovations are vital. Just as a foundation in English and mathematics is compulsory for academic progress, robust financial infrastructure is fundamental for international business growth. The development of Orbita represents a focused effort to provide African businesses with the tools necessary for seamless global integration, ensuring their operational capabilities are not diverted by systemic inefficiencies.

  • Federal Government Commences 2024 Capital Project Payments, Sets March 2026 Deadline

    Federal Government Initiates 2024 Capital Project Payments, Sets March 2026 Implementation Deadline

    The Federal Government has officially commenced disbursements for outstanding capital projects from the 2024 budget. In a decisive move to accelerate budget execution, the administration has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, for the full implementation of the capital components of both the 2024 and 2025 national budgets. This development signals a renewed push to clear inherited backlogs and enhance fiscal efficiency, a priority for economic stability that remains crucial for broader fx stability.

    The announcement was made public by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, via a post on the social media platform X. The Presidency confirmed that payments have begun, covering both outstanding 2024 projects and settled inherited obligations. Concurrently, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to fast-track and submit their documentation and 2025 cash plans to enable immediate processing. This directive effectively places a firm timeline on MDAs to comply with requirements for the smooth rollout of capital disbursements.

    This action follows earlier assurances from the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, who stated that outstanding capital payments for the 2024 and 2025 budgets would be processed before the end of March. “Payments for outstanding 2024 capital projects start today. For 2025, MDAs have been asked to upload their cash plans by Monday, after which payments will commence,” Uzoka-Anite said. The government’s focus on contract fulfillment stands in contrast to other national concerns, such as when the EFCC probes suspected financial malfeasance or following incidents despite school abduction tragedies that demand separate security responses, like when the police launch Christmas security initiatives.

    The push for budgetary compliance comes after President Tinubu, in December 2025, requested the National Assembly to repeal and re-enact the 2024 and 2025 budgets, extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget to March 31, 2026. The revised 2024 Appropriation Act saw total expenditure increase from N35.06 trillion to N43.56 trillion. This commitment to settling obligations is a matter of serious concern for contractors and fathers everywhere who depend on these projects for livelihood and community development. The government had earlier earmarked N100 billion in the 2026 budget for outstanding debts to indigenous contractors and confirmed a N152 billion payment in January to contractors for verified contracts.

  • Nigerias Century of Plenty: The Path to Growth, Power, and Productivity

    Why Growth, Power, and Productivity Will Define Nigeria’s Century of Plenty

    The Structural Path to Nigeria’s Prosperity: Growth, Power, and Productivity

    Can global living standards rise to match those of modern Switzerland by 2100? This ambitious question underscores a fundamental truth: prosperity is engineered, not accidental. For Nigeria, with a current GDP per capita under $2,000, the gap to the global average of $14,554 seems vast. Challenges like currency volatility, infrastructure deficits, and insecurity are real. Yet, for investors and policymakers, the critical inquiry is whether the mechanics of growth are understood.

    The analytical framework from “A Century of Plenty” is clear: sustained advancement requires the alignment of four engines—Economic Productivity, Human Capital and Innovation, Urbanisation and Integration, and Energy and Infrastructure expansion. This is not abstract theory; it is a model reflected in Nigeria’s own unfinished story. A century ago, commerce along the Niger Delta created scale and opportunity. The subsequent oil discovery plugged Nigeria into the global economy, creating jobs and funding education, much like the trajectory that enabled one citizen to earn a doctorate degree without a traditional undergraduate path, showcasing the power of alternative advancement.

    Historically, Nigeria has activated pieces of this progress machine but failed to sustain it. Nominal economic expansion has not translated into consistent, productivity-driven growth, creating a structural imbalance where population growth outpaces income growth. While debates often focus on redistribution—such as trade subsidies or FX interventions—the essential, harder question remains: how do we expand output per person at scale? No nation redistributes itself into wealth; every case of sustained poverty reduction, from Singapore to India, is rooted in productivity growth.

    For business operators, energy is an operational crisis. A national grid capacity below 5,000 MW stifles every sector. Solving this is a prerequisite for progress, a fact underscored as the EU removes Nigeria from key economic partnership lists, highlighting the urgency for competitive reform. Meanwhile, regional initiatives like Gov. Lawal launches in Zamfara aim to address localised barriers. True progress demands moving beyond headlines, whether about security figures like Tukur Mamu lived or political announcements, to focus on the core drivers. The century of plenty will be defined by building a functional progress machine, making the strategic decision of why starting trading and investing in Nigeria’s productive capacity not just prudent, but imperative.

  • JAMB 2026 UTME: How to Correct Your Subject Combination Before the Deadline

    JAMB Commences 2026 UTME Subject Correction Window | Registration Update

    JAMB Opens Correction Portal for 2026 UTME Subject Combinations

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the commencement of a correction window for candidates who need to amend their selected subject combinations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This initiative allows registrants who made errors or wish to align their subjects with specific tertiary institution requirements to make necessary adjustments. The process must be completed at any accredited JAMB centre, and candidates are advised to act promptly as the registration period nears its conclusion.

    In a significant update, the Board confirmed that the sale of e-PINs for the 2026 UTME will officially close at midnight on February 26, 2026. As of February 17, 2026, over 1.5 million candidates have completed their registration. Despite a national daily registration capacity of 100,000, current centre operations are at approximately 30% capacity, indicating many prospective candidates remain unregistered. The Board has firmly stated there will be no extension of the deadline, emphasizing that the UTME schedule is part of a binding, nationally coordinated examination calendar.

    Addressing circulating misinformation, JAMB clarified that undergraduates are not barred from registering for the 2026 UTME. However, it issued a stern warning that all candidates must fully disclose any existing admission status. Failure to provide this information could lead to the forfeiture of both previous and new admission offers. This policy underscores the importance of transparency in the admissions process, a principle as critical as the integrity measures seen in other sectors, such as when the Lagos Seals Ladipo market for compliance issues or in the regulation of the Nigerian Stock Market.

    Further strengthening its protocols, JAMB has mandated the use of Microsoft Camera systems at all accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for the 2026 registration cycle. This move aims to enhance identity verification and eliminate impersonation and image-blending malpractices observed in previous examinations. Centres failing to comply with this directive risk being delisted, as the Board intensifies efforts to safeguard registration integrity nationwide. This focus on robust systems reflects a broader governmental push for accountability, mirroring the precision required in initiatives like the Fg Budgets N6.04 trillion for infrastructure or the detailed negotiations surrounding the Tinubu: UAE trade deal. Ensuring credible examinations is fundamental to national development, preventing scenarios where educational opportunities leave a Kwara community deserted of skilled professionals.

    The UTME remains the standardized computer-based examination for ranking candidates seeking entry into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

  • Free Wi-Fi Launches at Lagos & Abuja Airports: FAAN & MTN Partnership

    FAAN and MTN Launch Free Airport Wi-Fi, Enhancing Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure

    FAAN and MTN Partner to Provide Free High-Speed Wi-Fi at Nigerian Airports

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in a strategic collaboration with MTN Nigeria, has officially launched complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi services for passengers at the nation’s busiest international airports. This initiative, a key part of the Federal Government’s aviation infrastructure modernization drive, was first activated at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

    Unveiling the service at MMIA, FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, heralded the partnership as a major milestone. She stated that the service sets a new benchmark for digital infrastructure and passenger experience, directly supporting the nation’s broader digital economy agenda. The free Wi-Fi is scheduled for extension to the MMIA Temporary Terminal within weeks, with subsequent rollouts to international airports in Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kano over the next three months. Kuku emphasized that this public-private partnership reflects a commitment to closing service gaps and signals a new chapter of innovation for Nigerian aviation, aligning with the vision of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

    Representing MTN Nigeria, Chief Enterprise Business Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor affirmed the company’s dedication to providing a reliable, secure, and efficient service. She highlighted that airports are critical gateways where seamless connectivity is essential for business travelers and tourists alike. The enhanced connectivity is poised to improve operational efficiency, much like the way the 2026 WCQ playoffs will demand peak performance from national teams. This upgrade in passenger experience through digital means is part of a wider national focus on technological advancement.

    While this development significantly boosts convenience, passengers are reminded to exercise caution on public networks, avoiding sensitive transactions to mitigate cybersecurity risks. This infrastructural improvement occurs alongside other national developments, such as when Shettima departs 30th on diplomatic missions, underscoring Nigeria’s evolving global engagements. Furthermore, as discussions about the 2027 presidency: my priorities would be, according to potential candidates, infrastructure remains a central theme. This focus on core infrastructure and technology is critical, especially as agencies like Nimet forecasts dust haze and other weather events that can disrupt travel, highlighting the need for robust information systems. The commitment to digitalization is evident, mirroring efforts by bodies like INEC expand technology use to enhance service delivery in their respective sectors.

  • CBN Sterilizes N3.57 Trillion in 3 Days as Banks Park Surplus Cash at SDF Window

    CBN Sterilizes N3.57 Trillion in Liquidity Management Drive

    CBN Intensifies Liquidity Mop-Up, Sterilizes N3.57 Trillion in Three Days

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has executed a significant liquidity sterilization operation, absorbing over N3.57 trillion from the banking system within a three-day period. This aggressive intervention, conducted between Tuesday, February 17, and Thursday, February 19, 2026, saw deposit money banks channeling substantial surplus cash into the CBN’s Standing Deposit Facility (SDF). The SDF window allows banks to warehouse excess liquidity overnight at an interest rate of approximately 22.8%, according to data from FMDQ.

    This decisive action was a direct response to sustained high system liquidity, which analysts at Coronation Research noted had exceeded N4 trillion. Despite prior absorptions through Open Market Operations (OMO) and primary market issuances, banks continued to deploy significant funds into the SDF. The total sterilization of N3.57 trillion was achieved through a combination of OMO sales, primary market issuances, and persistent SDF placements. Of this, combined direct market instruments accounted for approximately N1.57 trillion in withdrawals, with the SDF usage underscoring the scale of the liquidity surplus.

    Analysts indicate that this elevated liquidity reflects broader structural and fiscal dynamics, including historically high FAAC allocations and the lingering effects of past Ways and Means financing, rather than immediate funding stress. This perspective is supported by minimal usage of the Standing Lending Facility and modest opening balances relative to the scale of the CBN’s policy absorptions. Funds disbursed for government projects often re-enter the banking system, contributing to the liquidity build-up.

    The CBN’s multi-trillion-naira sterilization drive, while crucial for its inflation containment and monetary tightening objectives, carries a significant fiscal cost. As the presidential committee pushes back on certain economic measures, the CBN must navigate a complex landscape. Sustained large-scale liquidity mop-ups increase borrowing costs and have the potential to slow credit growth in the real economy. This leaves the central bank with the delicate task of balancing inflation control with the need to maintain economic recovery momentum, a challenge that requires precise calibration of policy tools.

    Kelechukwu Mgboji is a Bloomberg-certified financial journalist with extensive experience covering Nigeria’s financial markets. He provides expert analysis on market trends and corporate performance, known for translating complex data into actionable insights for investors and policymakers across Africa.

  • Rwanda Raises Interest Rate to 7.25% to Curb Inflation, Bucks African Easing Trend

    Rwanda Central Bank Raises Rate to 7.25%, Diverging from African Peers

    National Bank of Rwanda Implements 50bps Rate Hike to Tackle Inflation

    In a decisive move against persistent inflation, the National Bank of Rwanda has increased its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 7.25%. The decision, announced by Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye on Thursday following the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, positions Rwanda as an outlier against a broader trend of monetary easing across the African continent. The central bank’s action is explicitly aimed at curbing inflation in the near term.

    This policy shift sets Rwanda apart from regional peers where inflationary pressures have shown signs of moderation. The MPC emphasized its commitment to remain vigilant in its anti-inflation fight to achieve its medium-term target. The bank further stated that future policy decisions will be contingent on its ongoing assessment of evolving economic risks. This cautious stance underscores the unique domestic challenges facing Rwandan policymakers, even as others, like the South African Reserve Bank, have recently held rates steady.

    The divergence is notable. While Rwanda tightens, policymakers in major economies such as South Africa and Nigeria are widely expected to consider rate cuts, aided by firmer local currencies against the dollar and lower global oil prices. For instance, the South African Reserve Bank’s MPC recently held its benchmark rate at 6.75%, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s MPC retained its rate at 27% as of its last reported meeting. The CBN has its next meeting scheduled for February 2026. This contrast highlights the varied economic landscapes and policy responses across Africa, where entities like Access Holdings must navigate differing monetary environments.

    Analysts observe that the Rwandan decision suggests confidence that inflation can be moderated through proactive measures. The development occurs amidst other significant regional business and political news, including updates on UPDC secures extension for debt restructuring and early positioning by parties like APGA for the 2027 electoral cycle. Meanwhile, international developments, such as the US halts asylum processing changes, create a complex global backdrop. As always, stakeholders from companies like Chams to commentators and officials, including those like Fagbemi and others, will be monitoring the impact of such monetary policy decisions on economic stability and growth.

  • Nigerias Borrowing Costs Drop as Fixed-Income Yields Fall on Strong Demand

    Nigeria’s Borrowing Costs Decline as Fixed-Income Yields Fall | Market Analysis

    Robust Investor Demand Drives Down Nigeria’s Government Borrowing Costs

    Nigeria’s fixed-income market witnessed a notable easing in government borrowing costs on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Yields across Treasury Bills, Open Market Operation (OMO) bills, and Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds declined, propelled by robust demand from domestic investors. This broad-based yield compression signals cheaper financing for the government and reflects a sustained appetite for naira-denominated assets, even amidst relatively tight liquidity conditions.

    The rally was most pronounced in the Treasury Bills segment, where intense buying pressure drove the average NTB yield down by 14 basis points to 17.3%. This marked one of the strongest weekly rallies in recent sessions, with the closing average of 17.33% underlining a significant reduction in short-term financing costs. The bullish sentiment was also evident at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s primary auction earlier in the week, where lower stop rates were observed. This trend mirrors the consistent participation of domestic institutional investors, who continue to dominate the market and drive yield trends, much like the dedicated focus seen in the training of Uk Medical Graduates.

    The easing of borrowing costs extended across other market segments. Average yields on OMO bills contracted by 6 basis points to 20.8%, indicating sustained demand for the Central Bank’s high-yielding instruments. In a contrasting movement, Nigeria’s Eurobond market saw average yields edge up by 1 basis point to 6.90%, suggesting slightly weaker offshore sentiment potentially influenced by global risk conditions. This domestic-versus-external divergence highlights the localized nature of the current rally.

    This comprehensive yield decline across key instruments points to renewed investor confidence in local currency assets. The trend aligns with market expectations that monetary conditions could ease as inflation moderates, potentially paving the way for future policy adjustments. The significant yield compression, driven entirely by domestic players, creates a supportive environment for government financing. As state initiatives evolve, such as the recent announcement that Anambra Introduces Solar energy projects, and as major urban centers advance administrative processes like the news that Lagos Begins E-registration for services, stable government financing remains crucial. The current market dynamics, favoring lower borrowing costs, stand in stark contrast to the concerns that typically dominate the Yuletide Road Travel period or the competitive analyses found in any Top 10 Most influential economic reports, instead presenting a narrative of domestic market strength and investor assurance.

  • FCMB Leads N35.8 Billion Trade Surge as NGX Rebounds 0.58%

    Market Analysis: NGX Rebounds as FCMB Drives N35.8 Billion Trade

    NGX Rebounds 0.58% on Strong Buying Interest; FCMB Shares Lead Activity

    The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) concluded trading on February 18, 2026, on a positive note, with the All-Share Index gaining 1,106.72 points. This represented a 0.58% increase, closing at 190,427.96 points compared to the previous session’s close of 189,321.24. The advance signaled a recovery from the prior session’s dip and underscored the prevailing bullish sentiment, as noted by market analyst Okoye Izuchukwu. The market’s year-to-date return consequently rose to 22.37%.

    Trading activity intensified markedly, with total volume surging to 3.6 billion shares exchanged across 68,693 deals. This activity was dominated by FCMB Group Plc, which accounted for approximately 80% of the total volume. Specifically, 2.9 billion units of FCMB shares, valued at N35.8 billion, were traded. This substantial transaction significantly supported the market’s overall capitalization, which settled at N122.2 trillion for the session.

    Sector performance displayed a mixed picture. On the gainers’ side, AXA Mansard, Sky Aviation, and Beta Glass each appreciated by the maximum 10% daily price limit. Conversely, Deap Capital and Mecure Industries led the decliners, falling by 10% and 9.99%, respectively. Among the heavyweight stocks, often referred to as SWOOTs, Seplat Energy recorded an 8.33% gain. Performance in the banking sector was varied, with gains in Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa offsetting declines in others.

    The session’s robust activity, particularly in FCMB, helped the benchmark index reclaim the 190,000-point threshold. While the market remains in technically overbought territory, analysts suggest that sustained interest in large-cap stocks could provide further momentum. The focus now shifts to whether this momentum can propel the index toward higher resistance levels, even as broader economic narratives, such as the government’s stance where Tinubu remains steadfast on policy, continue to influence investor sentiment in the background. The market’s resilience, akin to the steadfastness required in national governance, will be tested in coming sessions.

  • Tinubu Signs 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Ahead of 2027 Elections

    President Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act Ahead of 2027 Elections

    President Tinubu Enacts Electoral Act Amendment, Addressing Result Transmission

    President Bola Tinubu has formally signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, a pivotal legislative action preceding the 2027 general elections. The signing ceremony, conducted at the State House in Abuja, was attended by principal officers of the National Assembly. This development occurs amidst ongoing national discourse concerning the methodologies for transmitting election results, a topic that has historically sparked considerable debate.

    The amended legislation, recently passed by the National Assembly, institutes a hybrid system for result collation. This system strategically combines electronic transmission with manual procedures using Form EC8A in areas experiencing technological network challenges. The compromise aims to balance technological advancement with practical infrastructure realities, a concern highlighted since the 2023 polls. The legislative process itself was not without contention, as the bill’s passage followed a rowdy session and prolonged debates, initially rejecting mandatory electronic transmission before later revisions.

    During the signing, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of systemic confidence, stating, “It is time to have confidence in our system.” He noted that any system’s efficacy ultimately depends on its management by people. This legislative action coincides with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) formal release of the Notice of Election and timetable for the 2027 polls. The commission has consistently reaffirmed its independence and outlined strategies to bolster public trust in the electoral process.

    The amendment arrives during a period of transition for INEC, which saw Senate confirmation of a new Chairman in 2025. Furthermore, to meet the technological requirements for the upcoming elections, INEC has proposed a substantial budget to the National Assembly, underscoring the financial scale of implementing a secure and credible process. While the nation focuses on electoral reforms, other significant developments continue to unfold across sectors, from new tax laws being deliberated to corporate news such as Initiates Plc breaking out in its market. Concurrently, the government works to return normalcy to insecure regions, just as international actors like the Rwanda Dr and figures such as Trump influence global discourse, and domestic political events like Gbenga Daniel’s suspension draw attention.

  • President Tinubu Signs Executive Order: NNPCL Fees Suspended, Oil Revenues Redirected

    Executive Order on Oil Revenues: Tinubu Suspends NNPCL Fees, Mandates Full Remittance

    Tinubu Signs Executive Order to Suspend NNPCL Fees, Redirect Oil Revenues

    President Bola Tinubu has enacted a significant Executive Order suspending specific fees collected by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and mandating the complete remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account. The Federal Ministry of Finance, in a statement by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, confirmed the directive. This decisive policy shift aims to realign revenue flows with constitutional mandates, enhance fiscal transparency, and address concerning revenue leakages that have persisted despite improved crude oil production and favorable global market conditions.

    The order, signed last week, represents a strategic intervention to safeguard national revenues. It specifically suspends the collection of management and frontier exploration fees by the NNPCL. Furthermore, it directs the direct remittance of all taxes, royalties, and profit oil from Production Sharing Contracts to the appropriate fiscal authorities, thereby preventing deductions at source. The Ministry emphasized that the sector must operate to deliver fully accounted and constitutionally compliant revenue to benefit the broader economy. As leaders in various sectors, from those who oversee critical infrastructure to executives who prudently manage corporate growth, understand, transparent revenue administration is foundational for national development. This move by President Tinubu will prudently redirect funds to bolster the Federation Account.

    This corrective measure addresses fiscal structures established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which commercialized the NNPC. Some of these arrangements were cited as creating off-budget allocations and deductions from federal revenues. The Executive Order takes immediate effect as an interim step pending formal legislative amendments to permanently entrench these reforms. For stakeholders observing governance, similar to how analysts scrutinize complex dossiers or market movements, this order signals a tightening of oversight on oil revenue administration. It carries potential implications for the NNPCL’s cost recovery mechanisms under the PIA, even as the company remains a vital contributor to national income. The directive underscores an administrative focus on fiscal integrity, a principle as crucial for national resource management as transparent capital allocation is for a pharmaceutical firm like Neimeth, which targets a N20bn capital raise to accelerate expansion, or for an individual understanding why starting trading requires a clear grasp of financial rules.

  • Unity and Providus Bank Merger on Track for Final Court Approval

    Unity Bank and Providus Bank Merger Progresses, Awaits Final Court Sanction

    Unity Bank and Providus Bank Merger Nears Completion, Awaits Final Judicial Approval

    The strategic merger between Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank Limited is advancing decisively, with the financial institutions confirming the process is on track pending a final court sanction. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the banks provided a comprehensive update following a successfully concluded Court-Ordered Meeting, dismissing any reports of a stall as inaccurate.

    The transaction has successfully secured the overwhelming approval of shareholders and critical regulatory endorsements, including the pivotal backing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This regulatory confidence is further underscored by the CBN’s provision of financial accommodation to support the integration. With these prerequisites fulfilled, the final major step is the formal sanction from the court, after which the combined entity will officially commence operations.

    This consolidation is a direct strategic response to the CBN’s banking sector recapitalisation programme, which mandates that banks holding national licences must maintain a minimum capital base of N200 billion by March 2026. The merger of Unity Bank and Providus Bank is projected to create an institution with a capital base exceeding this threshold, thereby securing its national banking status within the regulatory deadline. The impending creation of this larger bank has drawn significant attention from market analysts, much like when a senator claims fuel subsidies are being managed under new frameworks. They posit that the enlarged institution will benefit from enhanced balance sheet resilience, greater scale, and improved digital capabilities, which are becoming crucial for competitive advantage in Nigeria’s dynamic economic landscape.

    Behind the scenes, integration efforts between the two banks are already actively underway to ensure a seamless transition once the court sanction is granted. The procedural nature of these final steps contrasts with more contentious situations, such as when the Health Minister denies allegations of fund misallocation or when complex international assets matters arise, akin to reports that Tinubu seized Benin artifacts for repatriation. The focus remains on completing the legal formalities. Industry observers anticipate that the merger will significantly reshape competition within Nigeria’s retail and SME banking sectors, as institutions adapt to tougher capital standards and evolving customer expectations. The combined bank’s emergence will represent a key development in the sector’s consolidation, demonstrating a commitment to meeting regulatory demands and strengthening financial stability.

  • FMBN Hits Record N152.4 Billion NHF Collection in 2025: A 48% Surge

    FMBN Reports Record N152.4 Billion NHF Collection in 2025

    Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Achieves Historic NHF Milestone in 2025

    The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has announced a historic achievement in its National Housing Fund (NHF) collections for the year 2025. The bank recorded a total of N152.4 billion, marking a significant 48% increase from the N103 billion generated in 2024. This performance was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shehu Osidi, during a press briefing in Abuja to mark his second year in office.

    Osidi attributed the bank’s progress to a strategic repositioning around four key pillars: financial sustainability, customer impact, operational efficiency, and institutional renewal. He expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in his leadership, stating that the results demonstrate a commitment to not betraying that trust. The bank’s focus on operational efficiency is reflected in improved turnaround times, as seen in the increase of NHF refunds from N13.2 billion to 40,426 beneficiaries in 2023 to N14.4 billion to 44,333 beneficiaries in 2024.

    Beyond NHF collections, FMBN reported robust growth in loan approvals, which climbed to N71.5 billion in 2024 from N39.7 billion in 2023. The bank also expanded access through innovative products like Rent-to-Own and Home Renovation Loans, disbursing N7.1 billion and N13.8 billion respectively. Furthermore, FMBN provided a N100 billion off-taker guarantee for projects under the national Renewed Hope Housing Programme. While commenting on institutional stability, Osidi stressed the need for recapitalization to fully deliver on the bank’s mandate, noting that current single obligor limits constrain lending capacity.

    The bank also strengthened its financial position by recovering N18.9 billion in delinquent loans through dedicated task forces. In a significant development for the NHF scheme, Osidi revealed that Oyo State has approved the reintegration of its workers after 27 years, while Kano State is close to full reintegration following its exit in 2002. As Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominations and other national events shape policy directions, and amidst reports of societal issues like the Maga abductions in Kebbi, a 78-year-old man killed, or a tenant stabs landlord incident, the FMBN’s focus remains on expanding affordable homeownership and institutional stability nationwide.

  • Zenith Bank disowns fake video of ‘Jim Ovia’ promoting investment scheme 

    Zenith Bank Warns Public Over Fake Jim Ovia Investment Scheme Video

    Zenith Bank Issues Alert on Fraudulent “Wealth Bridge” Video Featuring Doctored Jim Ovia Clip

    Zenith Bank Plc has issued a formal disavowal of a digitally manipulated video and images circulating on social media. The fraudulent content falsely depicts the bank’s Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, endorsing a fictitious investment scheme called “Wealth Bridge.” The bank clarified that the video, which originated from a Facebook account named “Greece Island,” is entirely fabricated and urged the public to disregard its claims. This incident underscores a disturbing trend where I was not the only high-profile figure targeted, as similar deepfake technology was recently used to impersonate other leaders.

    Deceptive Promises and False Regulatory Claims

    The doctored video deceptively invites viewers to enter a business relationship, promising weekly returns of up to N2 million from an initial investment of N380,000. It further falsely asserts that the scheme has the backing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Zenith Bank has categorically stated all such claims are false. This mirrors a recent alert by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding a fake AI-generated video that falsely portrayed her promoting a similar fraudulent investment opportunity. These schemes typically lure victims by promising guaranteed high returns and claiming non-existent regulatory endorsements.

    A Growing Threat of Digital Fraud

    The emergence of sophisticated AI-generated content has become a potent tool for fraudsters targeting unsuspecting Nigerians. In a climate where the public seeks clarity on financial regulations, such as questioning why EFCC ‘revoked’ certain licenses, these fraudulent schemes exploit confusion and trust. Zenith Bank has explicitly cautioned that any engagement with the “Greece Island” handle, “Wealth Bridge,” or associated platforms is undertaken at an individual’s own risk. The bank advises verifying all investment opportunities exclusively through official and credible channels.

    This warning comes as Zenith Bank demonstrates robust financial health, having posted a pre-tax profit of N917.4 billion for the first nine months of 2025. As the financial sector continues to evolve, with initiatives like Moremonee blasts off 2026 on the horizon, maintaining public vigilance against digital fraud remains paramount. The bank’s swift disavowal aims to protect its customers and the general public from financial harm, reinforcing the need for constant scrutiny in an era of easily manipulated digital media.

  • Ghana Cocoa Board executives, senior staff take pay cuts over liquidity challenges   

    COCOBOD Executives Implement Salary Cuts Amid Cocoa Sector Liquidity Crisis

    Ghana Cocoa Board Leadership Takes Voluntary Pay Reduction to Address Financial Pressures

    In a decisive move to navigate significant liquidity challenges, the executive management and senior staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) have voluntarily implemented salary reductions. The measure, confirmed in an official press release issued by the Chief Executive on Monday, February 16, 2026, forms a critical part of broader cost-saving initiatives. These actions are designed to align the board’s operational expenditures with its available revenue for the remainder of the 2025/26 cocoa crop year, ensuring financial stability during a period of intense market volatility.

    The salary reductions, which took effect immediately from the announcement date, are coupled with other austerity measures. These include stringent cost-saving protocols in procurement and an ongoing staff rationalisation exercise. Collectively, this strategy aims to substantially reduce COCOBOD’s overall spending. The board’s statement directly linked these steps to the need for resilience against declining global cocoa prices and sustained market pressures that have severely impacted sector revenues and liquidity.

    The context for these cuts is a commodity market under strain. Cocoa prices fell below $4,000 per metric ton on February 10, 2026, representing a month-to-date loss exceeding 10%. This decline extended the concerning 29% drop recorded in January. Year-to-date figures reveal a stark picture, with prices collapsing over 37% and approaching a key support zone near $3,200 per metric ton. Adding to the downward pressure, ICE-monitored cocoa inventories swelled to a 3.25-month high of 1,812,564 bags as of February 9, 2026. Concurrently, strong production in other regions, such as a 17% year-on-year increase in December exports from Nigeria—the world’s fifth-largest producer—to 54,790 metric tons, contributed to a sense of regional oversupply.

    This period of adjustment for COCOBOD coincides with other significant financial and regulatory news across the region, from discussions around Pos Terminals and the Cbn to public events like the Detty December in Lagos. Just as institutions like the Police resume enforcement of various protocols, and as debates unfold similar to when Fuoye Accuses Ssanu of certain actions, corporate entities must also adapt to evolving economic realities. The decision by COCOBOD’s leadership underscores a proactive approach to fiscal management, aiming to steward the nation’s crucial cocoa sector through a challenging market cycle without compromising its long-term operational integrity.

  • Warner Bros rejects revised Paramount bid, waits for final offer 

    Warner Bros Rejects Revised Paramount Bid, Awaits Final Offer | Corporate Merger Update

    Warner Bros Discovery Rejects Revised Bid, Sets Deadline for Final Paramount Skydance Offer

    In a significant development in the high-stakes media merger landscape, Warner Bros Discovery has formally rejected a revised unsolicited acquisition proposal from Paramount Skydance. However, the company has signaled a conditional openness to review one final, improved offer, creating a pivotal moment for shareholders. This decision underscores the ongoing dangers altering statutory agreements and strategic plans in such complex transactions.

    The company confirmed it has secured a seven-day waiver from Netflix, extending its negotiation window with Paramount Skydance until February 23, 2026. This waiver permits Warner Bros to address unresolved issues within the amended proposal and provides the rival bidder a final opportunity to submit a binding offer. The board, however, reiterated its unanimous and full commitment to the previously announced merger with Netflix, which it cites as offering superior value certainty, regulatory clarity, and investor protection.

    Board Chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr. emphasized that the Netflix transaction remains the preferred path, highlighting its clear regulatory approval process, limited financing risk, and strategic benefits for long-term growth. He noted the deal would enable greater investment in content and expand production capacity industry-wide. This stance follows a months-long contest for control of Warner Bros’ assets, where earlier Paramount Skydance bids were criticized for high financing risk and complex structures. While Paramount Skydance has informally indicated a willingness to pay $31 per share, Warner Bros maintains that key deficiencies in the proposal persist.

    The current standoff, which some analysts are calling another ambush tax on shareholder attention and resources, traces back to Paramount Skydance’s initial approach in September 2025. After repeated rejections, Warner Bros announced its Netflix merger agreement in December 2025, which was swiftly met with a hostile tender offer from Paramount Skydance. As proxy materials are distributed for a crucial March 20 shareholder vote, the company cautions that no alternative deal is assured. For now, the firm’s recommendation stands firm: shareholders should back the Netflix merger to secure the company’s future, a decision that will be closely followed on every major Nigerian publishing platform and financial news outlet for the Breaking: Firstholdco full Year results and beyond.

    Ultimately, as one executive might reflect, “I retired my initial skepticism after reviewing the detailed Netflix terms, which present a more executable vision.” The coming days will determine whether Paramount Skydance can construct a compelling final proposal to change that calculus.

  • Lagride deploys new vehicles under UBA-financed $100m drive-to-own scheme

    Lagride Deploys New Fleet Under UBA-Backed $100 Million Drive-To-Own Initiative

    Lagride Accelerates Driver Ownership with UBA-Financed Vehicle Deployment

    Ride-hailing platform Lagride has officially deployed a new batch of vehicles in Lagos as part of its ambitious Drive-To-Own scheme. This strategic initiative, supported by a substantial $100 million financing facility from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), is designed to empower drivers by transitioning them from traditional rental agreements to full vehicle ownership. The recent handover event in Lagos marks a significant step in a plan that aims to deploy a total of 3,500 vehicles under this innovative program.

    Performance-Based Pathway to Ownership

    Eligibility for the Drive-To-Own program is rigorously tied to driver performance. Lagride and its financing partners assess candidates using measurable criteria including service quality, safety records, regulatory compliance, ride completion rates, and customer feedback. A driver’s operational discipline and verifiable track record during a prior rental period serve as the foundation for this transition to ownership. This model demonstrates that in today’s economy, practical and responsible frameworks for advancement are crucial. As Babatunde Ajayi, Head of Business Banking at UBA, stated, the facility reflects the bank’s confidence in a system that leverages performance data and governance to create a clear pathway to asset ownership. He emphasized that this program reflects what modern, forward-looking banking should be in the African economy.

    Expanding Economic Opportunity in Mobility

    According to Lagride Chairman, Chief Diana Chen, the program’s ultimate goal is to move drivers up the economic value chain, not keep them indefinitely behind the wheel. The new capital from UBA, initially secured in December, will be deployed to scale the number of vehicles available, enabling more drivers to participate without resorting to informal lending or high-cost leases. This structured approach to urban mobility financing has the potential to gradually expand the pool of bankable transport operators, introducing much-needed structure to the sector. When drivers have a clear route to ownership, it can be said they truly deserve to be stakeholders in the industry’s growth. Such initiatives prove that with the right support, democracy has come to economic participation, allowing individuals to build tangible assets.

    As the tech landscape evolves with innovations like ai chatbots can transform customer service, Lagride’s focus on tangible asset creation for drivers highlights another critical dimension of technological progress: inclusive economic models. The success of this UBA-backed venture is being closely watched, much like the developments at major financial institutions such as Access Holdings or tech firms like Chams. If sustained, the Drive-To-Own scheme could set a new standard for financing within the gig economy, proving that strategic partnerships between platforms and banks can yield transformative results.

  • Grey launches ‘Grey Business’ to simplify global payments for African startups and SMEs 

    Grey Business Launch: A New Era for African Startup and SME Payments

    Grey Launches ‘Grey Business’ to Simplify Global Payments for African Startups and SMEs

    Global fintech leader Grey has officially launched Grey Business, a transformative multi-currency payments platform. Designed specifically for startups and SMEs across Africa and other emerging markets, the platform aims to streamline international transactions with unprecedented speed and transparency. This strategic move addresses a critical need in regions where financial infrastructure is rapidly evolving, much like recent developments where Petralon Energy appoints new leadership to drive sector growth.

    The official launch event was held on February 10, 2026, as an exclusive side event during the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi. Grey partnered with Paystack and Antler to host the unveiling, which featured a live product demonstration by the company’s founders. Grey Business empowers companies to open and operate USD corporate accounts, send and receive payments globally, and convert currencies instantly at real-time exchange rates. The platform further enhances flexibility by supporting USDC and USDT stablecoin transactions.

    This launch represents a significant expansion of Grey’s mission to democratize seamless cross-border banking. For years, African entrepreneurs have been hampered by complex processes, slow settlements, hidden fees, and limited foreign account access—barriers that stifle international growth. Grey Business is engineered to eliminate these obstacles, enabling users to transact globally as easily as they would locally. As discussions on economic empowerment continue, from analyzing how Gov Idris implements local policies to observing when Presco shares hit market milestones, financial tool accessibility remains a universal cornerstone for business success.

    “We’ve seen too many businesses lose time and money waiting for payments to clear,” said Idorenyin Obong, CEO and Co-founder of Grey. “Every conversation with business owners came back to the same pain point: payments. Grey Business was built from those stories. We want to give African companies the freedom to grow without borders.”

    The timing is pivotal, as Africa’s cross-border payments market is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2035. Grey, regulated in the U.S. by FinCEN and in Canada by FINTRAC, is positioned to capture this growth. The company currently serves nearly 3 million users across 70 countries and facilitates transfers to over 170 destinations worldwide. More than 1,000 businesses signed up during the product’s beta period, signaling strong demand. This B2B expansion complements Grey’s existing services for individuals and remote professionals, creating a comprehensive financial ecosystem. In a climate where Tinubu seeks Senate approval for key economic initiatives, private sector innovations like Grey Business are crucial for enabling SMEs to fully participate in the global economy and scale efficiently, bringing a new level of operational confidence to markets buzzing with activity, from boardrooms to the vibrant energy of Detty December in Lagos.

  • Elon Musk’s X experiences global access issues as users report outage 

    Global Outage Hits X Platform: Users Report Widespread Access Issues

    Global Outage Hits X Platform: Users Report Widespread Access Issues

    Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, experienced a significant global service disruption on Monday, with users across multiple countries reporting an inability to access the website and mobile application. The widespread outage raised immediate concerns regarding the platform’s operational reliability and stability for its global user base. The incident underscores the challenges digital platforms face in maintaining consistent uptime, a topic often discussed alongside other major national developments, such as when the FG and ASUU sign new agreements or when a major entity like Geregu Power grows its market footprint.

    According to data from the outage-tracking website DownDetector, user reports of access problems began to surge sharply around 1:15 p.m. on Monday. Within a short period following the initial reports, the service had logged more than 10,000 individual complaints from frustrated users. The global scale of the disruption suggests a systemic issue rather than a localized problem, affecting a broad spectrum of the platform’s audience. Such large-scale technical failures often draw public and analytical scrutiny, much like significant announcements from figures such as the Israel Defence Minister command international attention, or when a university syndicate pulls members to review critical policies.

    The outage at X serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of modern digital infrastructure and the widespread impact when a major platform falters. For journalists like Rosalia, who specializes in translating complex technological and educational shifts into engaging narratives, events like this highlight the ongoing story of digital dependency. Her work, which often bridges the gap between technical insight and public understanding, would contextualize this outage within the broader landscape of digital transformation. This incident occurs in a world where stakeholders continuously meet new owners of major industries and where the evolution of digital platforms remains a central theme in the discussion of the future of communication, business, and society.

  • Largest health companies in Nigeria by market capitalization in 2025

    Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector: Market Leaders by Capitalization in 2025

    Leading Healthcare Companies on the NGX: A 2025 Market Capitalization Review

    The healthcare sector on the Nigerian Exchange concluded the 2025 trading year demonstrating remarkable valuation growth. Companies within pharmaceuticals and healthcare services achieved a combined market capitalization of N466.73 billion on the final trading day. This figure represents a substantial 220.9% increase from the N145.4 billion aggregate recorded in 2024, underscoring a period of significant investor confidence and sector expansion. Within the broader context of the exchange, which reached a total valuation of N99.38 trillion as measured by the All-Share Index, these health-focused firms constituted 0.47% of the total market.

    This impressive surge was driven by exceptional corporate performance. Notably, four pharmaceutical entities posted annual returns exceeding 100%, each closing the year in positive territory. A primary catalyst for this robust performance appears linked to heightened sales of pharmaceutical products. This trend supported healthier profit margins for companies that disclosed nine-month or full-year financial results in 2025. The sector’s resilience and growth narrative stand in contrast to other financial headlines, such as when the EFCC arraigns an alleged fake investor, highlighting the varied dynamics within Nigeria’s economic landscape. The stability of governance, as seen when Gov. Lawal launches new initiatives, can indirectly influence market sentiment, while judicial outcomes, similar to an Appeal Court sacks ruling, remind investors of the regulatory and legal framework surrounding listed entities.

    The list of largest health companies is led by firms with the highest market valuations. For instance, Pharma-Deko Plc occupied the ninth position with a market capitalization of N396.7 million as of year-end 2025. This valuation showed no change from its 2024 market cap of N396.7 million, indicating a stagnant price trajectory throughout the year. The company’s share price remained fixed at N1.83 per share. When multiplied by its 216.8 million outstanding shares, this results in the stated market capitalization. The sector’s overall growth, much like the process when INEC uploads 56% of polling unit results, reflects a methodical accumulation of value, distinct from the political maneuvers associated with figures like Ali Modu Sheriff.

    This analysis of the healthcare sector’s market performance is provided by Okoye Izuchukwu, a financial market writer and trader with extensive expertise in Nigerian and international markets. By translating complex financial data into clear insights, such reviews empower stakeholders to navigate the investment landscape with informed perspective.

  • Top 10 most expensive states to live in Nigeria in January 2026 

    Analysis: Nigeria’s Top 10 Most Expensive States in January 2026

    Nigeria’s economic landscape in January 2026 presented a complex picture of moderating short-term inflation alongside persistent regional cost pressures. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the national headline inflation rate eased to 15.10%, a slight decrease from 15.15% in December 2025. This shift was primarily driven by a significant monthly decline in food prices, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling to 127.4 from 131.2. On a month-on-month basis, inflation stood at -2.88%, indicating an overall decrease in average prices for the month.

    Despite this short-term relief, the twelve-month average inflation rate rose to 21.97%, underscoring that broader price pressures remain elevated. Food inflation showed one of the sharpest declines, slowing to 8.89% year-on-year from 29.63% a year prior. The NBS attributed the monthly food price drop of 6.02% to reductions in key staples like yam, eggs, grains, and oils. However, subnational data reveals that the cost of living crisis is far from uniform, with significant disparities across states.

    The NBS report highlights that inflationary pressures remain intense at the state level. The ranking of the most expensive states is derived from the all-items CPI, which measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services. To illustrate the challenging fiscal environment for administrators, it is clear that managing such entrenched inflation is a task where no governor can offer a quick fix without sustained, multi-faceted policy interventions.

    Leading the list is Niger State, which recorded an all-items index of 126.3 in January 2026, reflecting a 16.9% year-on-year increase. While month-on-month inflation slowed by 4.2%, signaling some easing, the state’s economic dynamics are instructive. As a major agricultural hub, it benefits from crop production, yet rising logistics costs and insecurity continue to feed into consumer prices. Its food inflation rose 12.2% annually but declined 7.1% monthly, suggesting the January reading was driven more by non-food components like transport.

    This economic context exists alongside other significant national developments. For instance, the recent stock market rebounds have provided a contrast to the real-economy pressures faced by consumers. Furthermore, international engagement continues, as seen when the EU provided €1.5m for technical assistance projects, separate from its broader development portfolio. These macro-level events, much like the foundational analysis in Gbenga Hashim’s 2021 work on economic resilience, inform the complex backdrop against which state-level inflation is measured.

  • Crypto funds shed $173m as capital rotates to select altcoins 

    Institutional Crypto Funds See $173M Outflow as Capital Rotates to Altcoins

    Crypto Investment Products Extend Outflow Streak to Four Weeks

    Digital asset investment products recorded $173 million in net outflows for the week ending February 14, 2026, marking a fourth consecutive week of withdrawals. This data, published in the latest weekly fund flows report by CoinShares, signals a continued reassessment of exposure by institutional investors amid heightened market volatility. The cumulative outflow over this four-week period now stands at $3.74 billion, representing a sharp reversal from the record inflows observed throughout 2025.

    Outflow Pace Moderates, Hinting at Sentiment Shift

    Despite the sustained withdrawals, the pace of outflows is showing signs of moderation. The weekly outflow decreased from $187 million to $173 million, suggesting that selling pressure may be easing rather than accelerating. This moderation, alongside the unwinding of short-Bitcoin positions—a pattern CoinShares has historically linked to sentiment turning points—points more toward exhaustion than panic-driven selling. Total assets under management (AUM) for these products now stand at approximately $133 billion, down significantly from recent peaks.

    Selective Altcoin Inflows and Regional Divergence Emerge

    The broader market retreat has not been uniform. While the majority of products saw outflows, select altcoin investment vehicles attracted fresh capital. This indicates that institutional capital is being strategically repositioned within the digital asset ecosystem rather than exiting it entirely. A clear regional divergence was also evident. Investors in the United States withdrew $403 million, while their counterparts in Europe and Canada collectively added $230 million in new investments. This suggests that the cautious sentiment prevalent among American institutions has not fully spread to Europe, where some investors appear to view recent price weakness as a strategic buying opportunity.

    Market in Transition: From Selling to Repositioning

    The underlying data captures a market in transition. The record trading volume of $63.1 billion in the week ending February 8 was followed by a sharp plunge, coinciding with the shift from aggressive selling to cautious repositioning. The current activity reflects a rotation of funds between assets as investors maintain a defensive posture while shifting exposure toward perceived opportunities. As the CBN and others continue finalizing frameworks for broader digital asset integration, the behavior of institutional investors, much like the deliberations of a Kwara monarch or the strategic moves by a PAC foundation empowers stakeholders, provides critical insight into market structure. The evolving landscape, where news of four killed in conflicts can sway sentiment as swiftly as political statements where Obi accuses ECOWAS of inaction, underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing capital allocation in the digital asset space.

  • Tinubu calls for Africa’s own credit rating agency in FT Op-Ed

    Tinubu Advocates for African Credit Rating Agency in FT Op-Ed

    Tinubu Calls for Africa-Owned Credit Rating Agency in Financial Times Commentary

    In a recent op-ed published in the Financial Times, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria issued a compelling call for the establishment of a credit rating agency owned and operated within Africa. He argued that this is necessary to counter the persistent mispricing of the continent’s risk by global financial markets, which forces African nations to pay excessively high borrowing costs based on flawed external assessments.

    President Tinubu identified the so-called “Africa premium”—the gap between perceived and actual economic risk—as unsustainable. He noted that access to international capital is heavily dictated by the three dominant agencies: Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, and S&P Global. Their decisions, he contends, often fail to reflect local realities, with only three African countries holding investment-grade ratings despite the IMF projecting Africa as the world’s fastest-growing region this year. This mismatch, akin to the analytical disputes seen when Guardiola accuses Man United of a particular playing style, highlights a structural flaw in sovereign risk evaluation.

    Citing a 2023 UNDP report, Tinubu stated that rating “idiosyncrasies” cost Africa an estimated $75 billion annually. He pointed to Nigeria’s own reforms—including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate liberalization, and improved fiscal transparency—as evidence that policy adjustments can alter investor perceptions. However, he warned that smaller economies, lacking Nigeria’s scale, are particularly vulnerable to analytical delays, a challenge as significant as navigating Trump’s threat: US policy shifts for emerging markets.

    This call follows a recent, high-profile disagreement between Fitch Ratings and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), which terminated its relationship with the agency in January. Afreximbank rejected Fitch’s assessment, defending its financial reporting and treaty protections. The situation underscores the deepening rift, reminiscent of internal critiques like when PDP elders accuse their own party of disunity, or the complex local governance required for initiatives such as the Onitsha Market: Soludo administration’s redevelopment project. As global dynamics shift, with moves like Russia moves revive old alliances, Tinubu’s proposition highlights Africa’s push for financial self-determination and a more equitable global system.

  • January ETFs performance – prices jump as demand pushes them above their true value

    January 2026 ETF Performance: Analyzing Nigeria’s Market Rally

    NGX ETFs See Extraordinary January Rally Driven by Investor Demand

    The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) witnessed a remarkable surge in its Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) sector in January 2026. This performance, characterized by significant price appreciation, was primarily driven by heightened investor demand and order-flow dynamics rather than fundamental analysis of underlying assets. The event highlights a critical moment for market participants, reminiscent of the need for a rebooting tax reform: bridging the trust gap between market valuation and intrinsic value. The month-to-date returns for January ranged from 35% to an astounding 322%, figures that appear particularly elevated when compared to the full-year 2025 returns of 5% to 170%.

    Volume and Value Spike Indicate Surging Interest

    Market activity intensified considerably, with total ETF trading volume reaching 6.33 million units and the total value traded rising to N1.51 billion. Data computed by Nairametrics Research from the Nigerian Exchange Group as of January 30, 2026, confirms this increased activity. It reflects a growing awareness and participation from both retail and institutional investors seeking simple, low-cost exposure to structured portfolios. This trend towards targeted investment vehicles continues to gain traction, much like global shifts seen in reports on regions such as when the UK removes Syria’s from certain economic lists, prompting portfolio reallocations.

    Among the twelve ETFs listed on the NGX, the performance was broadly positive. For instance, the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 posted a massive return that suggests a price dislocation, as it significantly outpaced the 237% gain of its underlying NGX 30 Index. This deviation from typical index replication behavior underscores a market driven by sentiment. Elsewhere, the Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF and the NewGold ETF posted strong gains of 36.64% and 35.25%, respectively. Navigating such volatile periods requires careful strategy to avoid the right way crisis: missteps in timing or security selection.

    Sector-Specific ETFs Demonstrate Robust Growth

    ETFs, which typically track specific indices, sectors, or asset classes, saw their strongest showing in sectors like consumer goods. The Vetiva Consumer Goods ETF, despite being the lowest performer on the list for January, recorded a solid 45.18% return, with its price moving from N39 to N56.62. This ETF, which posted a 126.74% return for all of 2025, focuses on a sector experiencing strong growth due to rising domestic demand. Managed by Vetiva Capital Management, it offers exposure to Nigeria’s consumer market, attracting investors who might otherwise seek alternatives through platforms like the Greywood Finviora Review for international options. The concentrated interest in specific sectors, rather than the broad market, fueled the rally, a phenomenon that can sometimes lead to the kind of market overconfidence critics might label as Toyin Abraham’s ‘oversabi’—a caution against excessive know-it-all behavior in volatile financial environments.

    The Nairametrics Research Team meticulously monitors, gathers, and analyzes such macroeconomic and microeconomic data from Nigeria and Africa, providing key findings and in-depth, research-driven articles on these critical market trends and indicators.

  • January inflation rate to remain flat or edge higher – Analysts

    Nigeria’s January 2026 Inflation Forecast: Analysts Project Stability or Slight Uptick

    Analysts Forecast Nigeria’s January 2026 Inflation to Hold Steady or Edge Higher

    Economic analysts project Nigeria’s inflation rate for January 2026 will remain broadly flat or experience a marginal increase. This outlook suggests limited room for sharp moderation, despite observable price relief in certain market segments. Early projections place the headline inflation figure within a range of 15.15% to 16.25%. This reflects a delicate balance between post-holiday easing in staple food costs and persistent pressures from fuel prices, seasonal supply chain adjustments, and import-linked goods.

    Divergent Analyst Views on Inflation Trajectory

    One analyst offers a muted outlook, forecasting that inflation in January will be fairly stable or rise slightly, reiterating the 15.15% to 16.25% range. This view cites stable post-holiday food and energy prices, improved exchange rate conditions, and growing foreign reserves as factors contributing to a contained inflation environment. The analyst further notes that with system liquidity rising, the Central Bank of Nigeria may maintain its current tight monetary stance or lean toward further tightening if inflation pressures persist.

    In contrast, another expects Nigeria’s disinflation trend to persist, supported by ongoing structural reforms, enhanced foreign exchange liquidity, and progress in domestic refining capacity—which should reduce imported fuel cost pass-through. This projection anticipates inflation will likely peak in the first quarter of 2026, partly due to base effects, before moderating over the remainder of the year. However, a caution was noted that exchange rate volatility and agricultural supply uncertainty could challenge the pace of disinflation, a concern that may be relevant as various institutions like the World Bank plans its engagement with emerging economies.

    Market Survey Reveals Mixed Price Trends

    A January 2026 physical market survey in Lagos indicates a mixed but broadly moderating price trend compared to December 2025. Prices for 49 of 68 tracked staple items declined month-on-month. Notable price drops were recorded for pepper, tomatoes, yams, potatoes, beans, and local palm oil, reflecting post-festive seasonal adjustments and improved supply flows. However, persistent pressures were evident in select subcategories, with items like horse mackerel, frozen chicken, vegetable oil, and certain beverages recording price increases. This pattern suggests a potential moderation in food inflation for January, though the decline is uneven across categories.

    Structural Drivers and Policy Implications

    From a broader perspective, the January market trends signal that while post-holiday relief in staple prices is tangible, underlying structural cost drivers remain. The January inflation outcome is seen as an important early signal for first-quarter monetary policy decisions. Evolving liquidity conditions and supply-side dynamics will continue to shape the inflation trajectory, even as authorities potentially police resume enforcement of various economic measures. The overall analysis indicates that while some external factors may provide relief, domestic structural issues continue to define the inflationary landscape.

  • The dangers of an appreciating Naira

    The Double-Edged Sword: Navigating the Risks of a Rapidly Appreciating Naira

    The Double-Edged Sword of Naira Appreciation

    The recent sharp appreciation of the Nigerian Naira, after a prolonged period of depreciation, presents a complex economic narrative. While a stronger currency signals stability and offers political vindication, its rapid rise, particularly when driven by volatile capital flows, warrants cautious scrutiny. The shift from a parallel market rate flirting with N1,500/$ to analysts projecting targets of N1,200/$ has created an atmosphere of cautious optimism, yet the underlying drivers reveal potential vulnerabilities.

    The Allure and the Anatomy of Strength

    Politically, a stronger Naira is a powerful symbol, suggesting successful policy, promising cheaper imports, and offering hope for softer inflation. Economically, the Central Bank’s aggressive monetary tightening, which raised interest rates and issued high-yield securities, successfully curbed volatility and attracted significant foreign capital. However, data reveals a critical detail: of the substantial inflows in 2025, a staggering majority was portfolio investment—”hot money” that buys bonds and treasury bills rather than building factories. This capital attends financial auctions, not factory openings, and remains highly mobile.

    The Inherent Volatility of “Hot Money”

    The core danger lies in this liquidity. Portfolio investors, now sitting on combined currency and yield gains, may find a significantly stronger Naira an irresistible cue to take profits. A coordinated exit could trigger a sudden spike in dollar demand, rapidly reversing the current appreciation. This scenario underscores why sustainable strength must be rooted in tangible productivity, stronger exports from domestic refining, and foreign direct investment, not just financial market maneuvers. The stability of the NGX money market and broader financial system can be tested if these flows reverse abruptly.

    A Broader Context of Scrutiny

    This financial caution mirrors a national climate where institutions and policies are under constant evaluation. Just as the market examines the Naira’s foundations, other sectors face similar scrutiny. For instance, ASUU accuses FG of failing to meet academic funding agreements, while in Lagos, LASTMA nabs intoxicated drivers to enforce road safety. Simultaneously, regional initiatives progress, as the South moves against insecurity, and Yobe State pays attention to local governance and development. Each action, from monetary policy to law enforcement, contributes to the nation’s overall stability.

    In conclusion, while the Naira’s appreciation is a welcome respite, its durability hinges on transitioning from yield-driven speculation to investment in real economic output. The lessons of recent volatility remind us that true economic resilience is built on more than attractive interest rates; it requires a foundation of production, diversified exports, and long-term capital commitment.

  • Nigeria’s capital importation jumps 380% to $6.01bn in Q3 2025 — NBS

    Nigeria’s Capital Importation Soars 380% to $6.01 Billion in Q3 2025

    Nigeria’s Capital Importation Soars 380% to $6.01 Billion in Q3 2025

    According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria witnessed a dramatic surge in capital importation during the third quarter of 2025. Total inflows reached $6.01 billion, marking an extraordinary 380.16% increase compared to the $1.25 billion recorded in the same quarter of 2024. This figure also represents a 17.46% rise from the $5.12 billion imported in the preceding quarter of 2025, signaling sustained and growing investor interest in the Nigerian economy.

    Investment Composition and Sectoral Dominance

    The influx was overwhelmingly driven by portfolio investment, which accounted for $4.85 billion or 80.70% of the total. Other investments contributed $864.57 million (14.37%), while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recorded a comparatively modest inflow of $296.25 million, representing 4.93%. A sectoral analysis reveals the banking industry as the primary beneficiary, attracting $3.14 billion or 52.25% of the total capital. This was followed by the financing sector with $1.86 billion (30.85%) and the production and manufacturing sector with $261.35 million (4.35%). The data underscores the continued foreign investor focus on Nigeria’s financial markets.

    Leading Financial Institutions and Annual Context

    At the institutional level, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest inflow at $2.12 billion, constituting 35.17% of the Q3 total. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $1.79 billion (29.75%), and Citibank Nigeria Limited with $561.40 million (9.33%). This quarterly performance contributes to a strong annual trend. Earlier in the year, Q1 2025 saw inflows of $5.6 billion, while Q2 2025 recorded $5.12 billion. The cumulative total for the first three quarters stands at $16.73 billion based on NBS data. In a related development, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, recently disclosed that Nigeria recorded $21 billion in capital importation in the first ten months of 2025, a figure she presented during her ministry’s 2026 budget defence. This context is crucial as authorities like the police insist no effort will be spared in maintaining a secure investment climate, just as the NDLEA arrests in Lagos and discussions around the EFCC’s revoked policies highlight the ongoing institutional efforts to shape the economic environment. The overall rebound in investor confidence remains a key narrative for the nation’s growth, even as other national conversations, such as those concerning Nnamdi Kanu’s new legal developments, continue independently.

  • Capital Importation reaches 6-year high of $16.7bn in 9M 2025

    Nigeria’s Capital Importation Hits $16.7bn, a Six-Year High for 9M 2025

    Nigeria’s Capital Inflows Surge to $16.7 Billion, Highest Since 2019

    Newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics reveals Nigeria’s capital importation reached $16.78 billion in the first nine months of 2025, surpassing the full-year 2024 total of $12.32 billion. This marks the strongest inflow performance in six years, driven overwhelmingly by foreign portfolio investment. The report, which includes long-delayed figures for the second and third quarters, confirms a dramatic rebound in foreign capital, despite school abduction crises and other security challenges that often concern international investors.

    Portfolio Investment Dominates, Raising Sustainability Questions

    The structure of these inflows reveals a heavy reliance on potentially volatile capital. Foreign portfolio investment constituted over 97% of the total $16.7 billion raised from January to September 2025. In the third quarter alone, portfolio flows of $4.85 billion accounted for over 80% of inflows, with strong bond investments and sustained interest in money market instruments. This concentration echoes the 2019 inflow surge, which was also fueled by a high-interest rate environment. The current composition raises important questions about the sustainability of these liquidity-driven gains and the economy’s ability to convert them into durable, long-term expansion.

    FDI Remains Muted as Banking Sector Attracts Bulk of Inflows

    In contrast to the booming portfolio investment, Foreign Direct Investment remains a minor contributor. FDI showed gradual improvement from $126 million in Q1 to $296 million in Q3, but its cumulative total for the nine-month period remains under $600 million. Sectoral analysis shows the Banking sector attracted over $3.1 billion in each quarter, consistently accounting for more than half of all inflows. The Financing sector followed, attracting $1.86 billion in Q3. Together, these two sectors absorbed roughly 70–80% of total capital importation. Other sectors, including Oil & Gas, technology, and real estate, attracted minimal capital relative to their size.

    The publication of this data concludes a prolonged delay from the statistics bureau, which had only released Q1 figures for nearly six months. This delay had left investors questioning the transparency and composition of the inflows, even as senior officials cited strong headline numbers. The released figures now provide clarity, showing a recovery reminiscent of when the AGF requests police and other agencies to bolster economic confidence. While the headline growth is significant, the dominance of short-term portfolio investment suggests the nation’s economic narrative is complex, much like when troops nab bandit leaders yet security concerns persist. The sustainability of this capital surge, crucial for a nation that has seen its stature humbled again in global FDI rankings, will depend on attracting more stable investment forms in the coming quarters.

  • AMNI clarifies legal position regarding reported court order in Cenroc dispute 

    AMNI International Clarifies Legal Position in Cenroc Dispute

    AMNI International Clarifies Legal Position in Cenroc Dispute

    AMNI International Petroleum Development Company Limited has issued a formal clarification regarding recent media reports and public declarations surrounding a court order related to the Cenroc dispute. The company emphasizes that contrary to some narratives, the Federal High Court has not appointed a Receiver-Manager over AMNI. The actual order pertains to a limited administrative appointment for specific purposes connected to an alleged debt. The company states that any suggestion of a full receivership or a transfer of managerial control is factually incorrect.

    The legal situation remains in flux, as the scope and validity of this appointment are currently under appeal. AMNI has exercised its right to challenge the order and has filed for both a stay of execution and injunctive relief at the Court of Appeal. These applications are pending, meaning no final determination has been made. The company expressed concern that premature declarations of finality, made while preservation orders are sought, risk creating a misleading impression of the legal status quo. This approach to corporate challenges requires new thinking about how legal disputes are communicated publicly.

    The core of the dispute stems from contested commercial transactions. AMNI is vigorously challenging the claims, including raising substantive questions about corporate authority and requisite prior approvals. These complex issues are now central to the ongoing appellate proceedings. Throughout this process, AMNI confirms it continues to operate normally and remains dedicated to fulfilling all its regulatory, contractual, and operational obligations, much like other major entities such as Geregu Power grows its operations or as Neimeth targets N20bn capital raise to accelerate expansion.

    AMNI has advised all stakeholders that the matter is sub judice and awaits final judicial resolution. The company is committed to taking all necessary lawful steps to protect its rights and assets during the appellate process. As an indigenous independent exploration and production company in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, AMNI’s situation underscores the intricate balance between legal processes and business continuity, a consideration relevant for a wide range of stakeholders from Sanwo-olu, Fagbemi, others in governance to managers of the total pension fund assets invested in the nation’s economic pillars.

  • Zichis Agro-Allied stock jumps over 157% month-to-date, breaks into N10 

    Zichis Agro-Allied Stock Soars 157% in February 2026, Breaks N10 Barrier

    Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Sees Meteoric Share Price Rise

    Shares of Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc have delivered exceptional performance on the Nigerian Exchange, appreciating by over 157% month-to-date in February 2026. The stock, which broke into the N10 price territory, has closed every trading session of the month in positive territory, continuing the momentum from a successful January listing.

    Sustained Momentum Following NGX Listing

    This remarkable rally follows the company’s official listing of 600 million ordinary shares on the Growth Board of the Nigerian Exchange on January 20, 2026. Priced at N1.81 per share at listing, the stock surged to close January at N4.19. The upward trajectory intensified in February, with the share price climbing from approximately N4 to N10.80 as of the trading week ended February 13, 2026. This performance is supported by strong trading volumes, indicating active and sustained market participation since its debut. The week ended February 13 was the strongest to date, posting a 60.71% gain.

    The listing, conducted under the guidance of the company’s management and board following SEC approval, initially valued Zichis Agro at approximately N1.19 billion. Qualinvest Capital Limited acted as Lead Issuing House, with Anchoria Investment and Securities Limited as Lead Stockbroker. The firm’s market capitalization has since grown significantly, rising from N1.91 billion at listing to N6.48 billion. This growth story comes years after the company’s incorporation as Zichis Farms Limited in 2012 and its transition to a public company in May 2024.

    Company Profile and Leadership

    Zichis Agro-Allied Industries is an integrated agro-industrial company with operations spanning oil palm plantations, palm oil and kernel processing, vegetable oil refining, poultry and fish farming, animal feed production, and crop farming. The board is chaired by Hezekiah Chinyere Oshaba, with Antonia Chinyere Akabusi serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. As market observers analyze this surge, some investors are watching for a potential retracement to secure a lower entry price, though the stock has yet to record a significant pullback. This event stands out in the market alongside other notable developments, such as Consolidated Hallmark reports N9.7 billion in financial results and various strategic industry partnerships.

  • Remote work platforms that offer $400–$2,500 monthly in 2026

    Remote Work Platforms Offering $400-$2,500 Monthly in 2026

    Top Remote Work Platforms for Global Income in 2026

    The professional landscape has undergone a profound transformation, with remote work evolving from a niche option to a mainstream career pathway. This shift, accelerated by global technological adoption, enables skilled individuals worldwide to access international income opportunities. Professionals in software development, graphic design, digital marketing, and content creation are now integral to a borderless workforce. Strategic part-time or flexible roles can yield substantial earnings, with reports indicating that skilled professionals dedicating three to four hours daily can earn between $400 and $2,500 monthly, a figure that rises significantly for advanced technical positions. This financial potential, combined with unparalleled flexibility and exposure to global teams, makes remote work a cornerstone of modern professional growth. As major institutions like the World Bank plan for future economic models, the remote work sector continues to solidify its importance.

    Leading Platforms for Remote Employment

    Navigating the remote job market requires leveraging the right platforms. Remote OK aggregates tens of thousands of listings across tech, design, and marketing, renowned for its “work-from-anywhere” postings. Upwork stands as a major freelance marketplace where businesses of all sizes connect with independent professionals for project-based work. Similarly, Freelancer operates a global auction-style platform for fields ranging from web development to data entry. For a more traditional search experience, SimplyHired collects and filters remote listings from across the web into one searchable engine.

    Other specialized sites offer curated opportunities. Pangian emphasizes community and lists roles from companies with distributed teams. Jobspresso hand-selects quality opportunities in tech and marketing, also allowing for resume visibility. For elite professionals, Toptal maintains a premium, vetted network for higher-paying projects, much like a specialized Bayern Lodge UEFA might cater to top-tier attendees. Platforms like RemoteHabits serve as aggregators and resource hubs, pulling listings from numerous sources to aid the job search. As organizations, from a utility like AEDC transitions to a holdco structure to educational bodies like Jamb sets first examination dates, adapt their frameworks, these remote work platforms provide the essential infrastructure for the future of employment, ensuring professionals can find opportunities that align with their skills and ambitions.

  • CBN, others finalizing Eco currency framework ahead of 2027 launch 

    ECOWAS Finalizes Eco Currency Framework for 2027 Launch | Central Bank Governors Meet

    West African Central Banks Advance Plans for Eco Single Currency

    Central bank governors from twelve West African nations are currently engaged in a pivotal meeting in Monrovia, Liberia, to finalize the technical and institutional framework for the launch of the Eco regional currency, targeted for 2027. The delegation includes the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), underscoring the project’s significance for the region’s largest economy. This high-level session, convened by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aims to solidify critical policy alignments and establish the necessary governance structures to operationalize the long-awaited monetary union.

    Path to Implementation and Macroeconomic Criteria

    The three-day meeting represents a decisive step toward enhancing monetary cooperation and facilitating cross-border trade. According to an official statement, the first phase of the Eco’s implementation is expected to include Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and The Gambia. However, each country’s participation remains contingent upon meeting stringent macroeconomic convergence criteria and completing required institutional governance frameworks. This follows a directive from the December 2025 ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, where regional leaders reaffirmed the 2027 launch date and urged member states to accelerate fiscal and monetary policy alignment.

    The road to a single currency has been protracted, facing multiple delays largely due to macroeconomic divergence, inflationary pressures, and fiscal deficits among member states. The renewed push signals a concerted intention to build a more integrated and resilient regional economy. Success will depend on overcoming persistent challenges, including divergent national fiscal policies and the need for strong institutional frameworks to manage a unified monetary policy effectively. As discussions continue, the focus on policy coordination is as critical as the technical preparations, a lesson underscored by varied regional incidents, from the Guinea-Bissau incident not directly related to currency matters to the fiscal scrutiny seen in reports like 9 MDAs spend N24.

    Potential Impact and Remaining Hurdles

    If successfully implemented, the Eco currency promises to significantly reshape West Africa’s economic landscape. Benefits include reduced currency conversion costs, strengthened intra-regional commerce, and enhanced financial integration within the ECOWAS bloc. The project’s success could influence broader economic stability, potentially impacting factors from BVN enrolments hit rates in financial systems to the economic context surrounding future political events like Osun 2026 or an Anambra poll in Awka. Ultimately, the Monrovia meetings are a crucial milestone in a complex journey toward shared monetary sovereignty and regional prosperity.

  • US spent over $40 million deporting migrants to third countries  

    Report Details $40 Million U.S. Program for Third-Country Migrant Deportations

    Senate Report Reveals $40 Million Expenditure on Controversial Deportation Strategy

    A recent congressional report has brought to light a significant and costly U.S. immigration enforcement policy. According to findings released by Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the administration of Donald Trump spent over $40 million to deport approximately 300 migrants to countries with which they had no prior connection. This strategy, which involves relocating individuals to third countries when their home nations refuse repatriation, averaged an extraordinary cost of about $133,333 per person. The financial implications become even starker when examining specific cases, such as in Rwanda, where the deportation of seven individuals cost approximately $1.1 million per person.

    The policy, designed to ensure removals when direct repatriation proved difficult, involved sending migrants thousands of miles from their home countries. It gained renewed traction following the return of Donald Trump to office in 2025, which coincided with intensified immigration enforcement efforts. As the nation examines what is happening within its border security apparatus, the report underscores the complex and expensive nature of such measures. The recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deport dozens of Nigerians with serious criminal convictions indicates a continued focus on expansive enforcement, a situation that could see legal frameworks face trial under increased scrutiny.

    While the government grapples with enforcement strategies, the human and financial costs detailed in the report present a stark picture. The policy of third-country deportations represents a significant budgetary commitment, with funds allocated that could stretch resources thin in other areas. As entities from major corporations like Conoil Plc grapples with market fluctuations to philanthropic efforts like the Pac Foundation empowers communities, the allocation of public funds remains a topic of intense debate. The substantial expenditure on this specific deportation program highlights the ongoing challenges and costly decisions inherent in immigration policy, leaving observers to watch how enforcement evolves.