As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming Nigerian Economic Summit (NES), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is ramping up public engagement efforts to ensure broader citizen participation, policy relevance, and collective ownership of national development goals. The NESG, a private-sector-led think tank renowned for influencing economic reform and promoting public-private dialogue, is introducing a range of initiatives designed to deepen engagement ahead of the summit. This year’s summit comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with pressing economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, youth restiveness, and declining foreign investment. In response, the NESG is expanding its approach beyond traditional policy…
Author: Temitope N.
In a profession long dominated by men, one Nigerian pilot is taking bold steps to inspire young girls to take to the skies. Helicopter pilot Okechukwu Onuchukwu is leading a passionate campaign to woo Nigerian girls into aviation careers, challenging outdated stereotypes and igniting a new wave of ambition in classrooms and communities across the country. Speaking at a recent aviation awareness seminar in Lagos, Onuchukwu emphasized the urgent need for more women in the cockpit, not just for the sake of gender equality but for the growth and innovation of the aviation industry itself. He highlighted how early exposure,…
In a powerful demonstration of corporate social responsibility and humanitarian commitment, Arik Air has announced a strategic partnership with the United States-based non-governmental organization Hospitals for Humanity (HfH) to provide free open-heart surgeries for at least 150 Nigerian children each year. This initiative is aimed at tackling the alarming rise in untreated congenital heart diseases among children in Nigeria, many of whom face slim chances of survival without timely medical intervention. According to the World Health Organization, congenital heart defects are among the most common birth abnormalities, and in Nigeria, access to pediatric cardiac care remains severely limited. A combination…
In a landmark move to drive technological innovation and development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch a $7.5 million Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub. The initiative, announced this week, is aimed at accelerating the deployment of AI solutions in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. The Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub is a central component of the country’s broader ambition to become a leader in AI-driven development across Africa. With the Gates Foundation providing financial support over the next three years, the project is expected to serve as…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of selfless service as a guiding principle for national development. Speaking at a public event held in Ogun State, the elder statesman emphasized that true progress can only be achieved when citizens, especially leaders, prioritize collective good over personal gain. Obasanjo, who has remained a vocal figure in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse since leaving office, called on both public office holders and private individuals to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth by placing service above self-interest. According to him, the current challenges facing the country — ranging from insecurity and…
The recent hike in internet tariffs has led to a significant decline in the number of internet subscribers across the country, triggering a sharp drop in overall internet usage. This development has raised alarm among industry watchers, policymakers, and everyday consumers who rely on affordable internet access for everything from education and work to social interaction and business. Since the announcement and subsequent implementation of higher data prices by major internet service providers, many subscribers have either reduced their data consumption drastically or canceled their subscriptions altogether. This rapid shift is reflected in data from telecom regulators and independent market…
Standard Insurance Consultants Limited (SICL), one of Nigeria’s foremost insurance and reinsurance brokerage firms, recently celebrated a remarkable milestone—its 45th anniversary. Founded in 1980 in Ibadan, Oyo State, SICL has grown over four and a half decades into a powerhouse within Nigeria’s insurance sector. The anniversary event, held on May 24, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), insurance companies, international partners, and valued clients. This grand celebration marked not only SICL’s longevity but also its enduring commitment to professionalism, integrity, and service excellence. SICL’s journey is a…
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has restated the federal government’s commitment to securing the country’s airspace, emphasizing that improved aviation safety and security are key to boosting tourism and expanding the national economy. Speaking during a ministerial meeting in Abuja, Keyamo explained that safer skies would encourage greater international and domestic travel, leading to increased revenue across several sectors. According to the minister, a secure and efficient aviation system does more than just protect passengers and airline infrastructure—it acts as a catalyst for national growth. “When people feel safe traveling to and within Nigeria, tourism will…
Investors on the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a massive gain of N1.9 trillion in the final week of May 2025, marking one of the most bullish weeks for the alternative exchange platform in recent months. The impressive gain was driven largely by strong performance in the oil and gas sector, supported by growing investor confidence and improving macroeconomic indicators. The NASD All-Share Index (NSI), which tracks the overall market performance of the OTC exchange, rose by 1.86%, closing the week at 3,248.00 points from 3,188.76 points recorded the previous week. This sharp upward movement translated to an increase…
The newly elected president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Haruna Yahaya, has unveiled a bold and future-focused agenda aimed at transforming the accounting profession in Nigeria through digital innovation, youth inclusion, and global competitiveness. His plan, introduced during his inauguration as the 61st president of the institute, is centered on building a more modern, responsive, and globally aligned ICAN. In his address, Dr. Yahaya emphasized that the accounting profession must adapt quickly to the realities of the digital age if it is to remain relevant and effective. At the heart of his strategy is a…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has issued a call for public and stakeholder feedback on its revised insurance standards, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s financial safety net and enhance trust in the banking system. In a statement released this week, the NDIC said it is reviewing its existing guidelines and policies governing deposit insurance in order to align them with international best practices. The corporation emphasized that input from banks, financial experts, regulators, and the general public is essential to ensure the updated standards are practical, inclusive, and responsive to the current realities of Nigeria’s…
A recent economic report has offered a mixed assessment of Nigeria’s current economic performance, highlighting both signs of recovery and persistent structural challenges. The report, compiled by a team of local economists and analysts, examines the country’s fiscal health, inflation trends, and GDP growth over the past year. According to the report, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by a modest 2.98% in the first quarter of 2025, driven largely by growth in the services and telecommunications sectors. While this represents an improvement from previous quarters, it remains below the government’s annual growth target of 3.5%. Analysts note that oil…
A recent economic report has offered a mixed assessment of Nigeria’s current economic performance, highlighting both signs of recovery and persistent structural challenges. The report, compiled by a team of local economists and analysts, examines the country’s fiscal health, inflation trends, and GDP growth over the past year. According to the report, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by a modest 2.98% in the first quarter of 2025, driven largely by growth in the services and telecommunications sectors. While this represents an improvement from previous quarters, it remains below the government’s annual growth target of 3.5%. Analysts note that oil…
Amid rising interest in migration among Nigerian youths, a growing number of experts are urging prospective migrants to thoroughly evaluate their motivations and understand the realities before making the life-altering decision to leave the country. This advice comes at a time when the “Japa” phenomenon—a local slang meaning “to flee” or “run away”—has taken firm root in the national psyche, with thousands of Nigerians relocating annually in search of better opportunities abroad. While the aspiration for improved living conditions, higher education, better healthcare, and secure employment is entirely legitimate, experts warn that many Nigerians, particularly the youth, are venturing into…
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has formally reiterated that practicing human resource management in Nigeria without its certification is illegal. This reaffirmation, rooted in the provisions of the Act establishing the Institute, is a direct move to professionalize HR practice nationwide and ensure that only qualified and certified individuals are allowed to manage human capital in both private and public organizations. The CIPM Act, CAP I15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, clearly defines the Institute’s mandate to regulate and control the practice of human resource management in Nigeria. The law grants CIPM the exclusive…
At the BRICS Trade Forum held recently in Brazil, Nigerian lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Wole Oke, called on member states of the BRICS alliance to intensify trade among themselves using their respective local currencies. His remarks come amid growing momentum within the bloc to reduce reliance on the US dollar in global trade and financial transactions, a sentiment echoed by other BRICS representatives during the high-level meeting. The BRICS group—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—has long expressed interest in challenging the dominance of Western financial institutions and currency systems. With Nigeria attaining…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through its Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has made a significant breakthrough in its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of 11 used vehicles and a variety of smuggled goods, all valued at over ₦1.28 billion. The seizures were made during a series of coordinated operations across the southwestern states of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo within just two weeks, marking a major success in the Service’s efforts to protect Nigeria’s economy from illegal trade. Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the head of the FOU Zone A, revealed the details of the operation during a media briefing in…
From June 3, 2025, Nigerian bank customers will begin paying for USSD transactions through deductions from their airtime balance instead of their bank accounts. This directive, issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), marks a major shift in how digital banking services are billed and is intended to resolve the long-standing dispute between banks and telecom operators over unpaid USSD charges. Previously, banks deducted USSD transaction fees directly from customers’ bank accounts, a method that led to accumulated debts exceeding ₦250 billion owed to mobile network operators (MNOs). The new approach will place the billing responsibility on the end-user and…
Indonesia has suspended its fully online visa renewal system for foreign nationals, shifting to a hybrid model that now requires an in-person visit to immigration offices across the country. The move, announced by the Directorate General of Immigration, affects all types of visa extensions, including Visa on Arrival (VoA), electronic VoA (e-VoA), and Temporary Residence Permits (KITAS). Effective immediately, foreign nationals seeking to renew their stay must first submit applications online and then appear in person for biometric data collection and a short interview. The decision is part of a broader effort by Indonesian authorities to tighten immigration procedures and…
Ontario is preparing to introduce comprehensive labour and immigration reforms by August 2025, aiming to better align the province’s immigration system with its evolving labour market needs and enhance protections for workers. These changes will be enacted through the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, a piece of legislation designed to modernize how Ontario manages immigration nominations and workplace standards. The reforms reflect Ontario’s intent to create a more responsive, transparent, and secure system that benefits both employers and workers, as well as prospective immigrants seeking opportunities in the province. A central focus of the reforms is the modernization…