The smartphone market, after enduring over two years of decline, exhibited a noteworthy resurgence in October, marking a significant turning point. Counterpoint Research, in a report that diverges from the prolonged downtrend narrative, revealed that global smartphone sales experienced a 5% year-on-year growth in October. This positive trajectory represents the first annual upswing since June 2021, signaling the end of a challenging period spanning approximately 27 months. The prolonged slump in the smartphone market over the past couple of years can be attributed to a confluence of factors. The macroeconomic landscape, characterized by uncertainties, played a pivotal role. Additionally, challenges…
Author: Temitope N.
In a recent report by Netcraft, a global company specializing in fraud protection solutions, alarming trends in online fraud have been unveiled, showing a substantial surge in fake online stores, with a staggering 135% increase recorded at the close of October 2023. This surge is particularly concerning, especially during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping frenzy when authentic websites generously offer significant discounts on legitimate products, creating an ideal environment for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting consumers. Netcraft’s findings reveal that these fraudulent online stores often masquerade as the official websites of renowned luxury brands and established retailers. Furthermore, these…
Infostride News reported on Wednesday, November 22, that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has unveiled plans for a potential partnership with Argentina in the realm of gas exploration and production. The official announcement, made through the Commission’s Twitter handle, highlighted Argentina’s expressed interest in collaborating with Nigeria in the oil and gas sector. The statement from NUPRC underscored the significance of this partnership, characterizing it as a notable achievement in attracting increased investments to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The Argentinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alejandro Herrero, played a pivotal role in conveying his country’s enthusiasm for engaging…
Brent crude oil prices experienced a sharp decline to $78 per barrel in the aftermath of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announcing the postponement of its scheduled meeting from November 26 to November 30. The fall in prices was confirmed at 3:40 PM, GMT+1, with Brent crude settling at $78.86, a notable drop from the late September 2023 value of $98 per barrel. The postponement, as reported by Infostride News, is attributed to ongoing discussions between Saudi Arabia and other producers who have not met their expected production quotas. This development underscores the complexities and challenges within OPEC+,…
In a recent interview with Professor Chike Ogbonna, a distinguished figure in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at the University of Jos, the alarming cost of malaria treatment in Nigeria was brought to light. The revelation disclosed that the government allocates a substantial N75.5 billion for each cycle of malaria treatment. This revelation surfaces amidst a growing call for intensified efforts to stimulate the local production of Artemisia Annua, a plant abundantly rich in artemisinin—a vital component in malaria treatment. The potential of cultivating and processing Artemisia Annua locally presents an opportunity to diminish the nation’s reliance on imports for medicinal…
In a strategic move aimed at fortifying the African startup ecosystem, Sola and Ibukun Adeyinka, the visionaries behind the SIA Foundation, have joined forces with the Metropolitan School of Business and Management UK (MSBM UK) to introduce a groundbreaking initiative—the SIA Startup Foundry. This revolutionary incubator program transcends conventional funding avenues; it stands as a comprehensive platform, offering intensive training and mentorship to foster the growth of early-stage startups. Africa is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in entrepreneurial enthusiasm, buoyed by a flourishing economy and an influx of groundbreaking startups. Recognizing this dynamic landscape, the SIA Startup Foundry is poised…
In a groundbreaking development within Nigeria’s financial sector, ARM Pension Managers, a leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), has achieved a significant milestone by securing funding for over 24 contributors, enabling them to acquire residential mortgages. This strategic move has seen the disbursement of a substantial sum, totaling N258,162,261.56 (Two hundred and fifty-eight million, one hundred and sixty-two thousand, two hundred and sixty-one naira and fifty-six kobo) in pension funds to these esteemed clients. This transformative initiative aligns seamlessly with the 2022 directives of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), reflecting ARM Pension Managers’ commitment to facilitating innovative financial solutions and empowering…
Infostride News reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recently unveiled a forward-looking five-year strategic and implementation plan covering the period 2023-2027. This significant initiative was announced by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, during the Health Security Partners’ meeting held in Abuja, with the theme “Vision to Action.” Dr Adetifa emphasized that the unveiling of this strategic plan is a testament to the NCDC’s unwavering commitment to the broader ministerial agenda for the health sector. This agenda notably places health security as its fourth pillar, reflecting a holistic approach to healthcare in…
Abdul Samad Rabiu, the esteemed billionaire and chairman of BUA Group, marked a significant milestone on a Sunday by officially handing over the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to the University of Maiduguri. This remarkable initiative, built with a dedicated investment of N1 billion by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa foundation, was unveiled during the university’s 24th Combined Convocation. The ceremony not only celebrated the inauguration of this cutting-edge facility but also bestowed upon Rabiu an honorary degree, recognizing his exceptional contributions to national development, education, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. During the convocation, which was…
In the span of the last three months, a remarkable financial narrative has unfolded across various states in Nigeria, as revealed by data extracted from the third-quarter budget implementation report spanning from July to September. This insightful information, now brought to light by Infostride News, unveils the significant foreign exchange revaluation profits amassed by no less than 13 state governments, collectively amounting to an impressive N71.59 billion. The genesis of this extraordinary financial windfall can be traced to foreign exchange revaluation gains, a direct consequence of the depreciation of the Nigerian Naira. At the time of reporting, the Naira stands…
Rice consumption in Nigeria has witnessed a consistent upward trajectory, surpassing local supply capacities and resulting in an annual supply deficit of approximately two million metric tonnes, according to a recent report by Infostride News. This escalating demand has led to a notable 37% surge in the commodity’s price within the first half of 2023, as highlighted in the ‘AFEX Wet Season Crop Production Report for 2023. The report elucidated, “Rice consumption in Nigeria has been steadily increasing, aligning with the consistent growth of the rice market, nearly matching the annual population growth projection of 2.6 per cent at two…
On May 29, 2023, the Nigerian economic landscape underwent a seismic shift initiated by President Bola Tinubu. The announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of foreign exchange rates set off a chain reaction, impacting businesses and consumers across the nation. What started as the end of a subsidy quickly escalated into a cost-of-living crisis, disproportionately affecting the poor and economically vulnerable. Fuel prices skyrocketed, reaching over N600 per litre by May 31, doubling the prices of goods and services nationwide. The World Bank warned of a dire situation, revealing that 7.1 million Nigerians were at risk of…
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) wing of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is on the verge of a significant organizational shakeup. In a bold move, the PTD has issued a threat to withdraw from NUPENG, citing dissatisfaction with the current leadership. The crux of the matter revolves around the demand for the resignation of NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, and its General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi. Expressing their discontent, the tanker drivers, represented by Gbenga Olawale and Adekunle Rufai of PTD’s Ibadan Depot, released a statement in Abuja detailing their grievances. Across the nation, these drivers…
Infostride News, in its latest report, highlighted the remarkable growth experienced by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc in the third quarter of 2023. According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the average daily clearing and settlement value witnessed a notable 23% increase, reaching approximately N10.7 billion during this period. Jalo-Waziri made this announcement during the Capital Market Committee (CMC) Meeting held in Lagos. Providing further insights, he revealed that on a year-on-year basis, the growth rate as of October 2023 stood at an impressive 60%. This surge was attributed to bullish…
The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted approval to Air Peace Airline, Nigeria’s carrier, to operate direct flights to and from Dubai. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this announcement at the conclusion of the 2023 Dubai Airshow in the UAE. Keyamo, during his visit to the event, also explored the pavilions of leading aviation and aerospace industries, assessing technologies that could contribute to advancing his Five Point Agenda for the aviation sector in Nigeria. In addition to the approval for Air Peace, Keyamo disclosed that Emirates Airlines, which had ceased operations in Nigeria…
Iowa State University is thrilled to unveil its scholarship initiative, the Borel Global Fellows Program, designed to empower students from Sub-Saharan Africa pursuing graduate studies within the College of Agriculture and Life Science. In collaboration with the generous scholarship fund established by ISU alumni Jim and Marcia Borel in 2018, this program is poised to make a significant impact on addressing food and nutrition insecurity in the region. The primary objective of the Borel Global Fellows Program is to foster a cadre of educated scientists at Iowa State University who will serve as knowledge leaders dedicated to enhancing food security,…
In October 2023, Nigeria witnessed a surge in headline inflation, reaching 27.33%, marking a 0.61% increase from the previous month. This substantial year-on-year rise of 6.24% compared to October 2022 raised concerns about its impact on investments, particularly its erosion of the purchasing power of money over time. Understanding the implications of inflation on investments goes beyond focusing on nominal returns. While nominal returns represent the actual percentage gain or loss on an investment, real returns, which account for inflation, provide a more accurate reflection of the increase in purchasing power. In an inflationary environment, traditional asset classes like bonds…
Infostride News recently reported on Nigeria’s inflation landscape, revealing a surprising downturn in transport inflation for the first time in over two years, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In October 2023, Nigeria’s transport inflation decelerated to 27.04%, marking a notable drop from the two-year high of 27.18% recorded in the previous month. The last instance of transport inflation decline was observed in July 2019. This unexpected downturn occurred despite a surge in transportation costs nationwide, triggered by the removal of the petrol subsidy and a concurrent increase in crude oil prices. The removal of…
Infostride News reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has once again delayed a scheduled meeting of its monetary policy committee (MPC), leaving investors and analysts eagerly anticipating the strategies new Governor Olayemi Cardoso may employ to address the escalating inflationary pressures. In a report published by Bloomberg on Monday, the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa Abdulmumin, stated in a text message response that the MPC would not be convening this week, marking the second postponement since Olayemi Cardoso assumed the role of governor in September. Providing additional context, the CBN had initiated a series of interest…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has recently highlighted concerns regarding the allocation of high capital spending in Lagos and its impact on the city’s poorest residents. This revelation is part of a comprehensive report titled ‘From Millions to Billions: Financing the Development of African Cities,’ obtained by Infostride News. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, Lagos State boasts an approved budget of $2.1 billion, with a significant portion of $1.3 billion (58% of the total budget) allocated to capital projects. Despite this substantial capital expenditure, the report expresses dissatisfaction, emphasizing that the funds often fail to translate into fundamental infrastructure and…