Nigeria’s inflation rate slowed for the third consecutive month in September 2025, falling to 18.02 percent from 18.56 percent recorded in August, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The decline, though marginal, has been described by economists as a welcome development, suggesting that ongoing monetary and fiscal policy measures may be gradually yielding results. The NBS report showed that both headline and core inflation figures recorded slight decreases, driven largely by moderation in food and energy prices across major urban and rural centers. Month-on-month inflation also eased, indicating a relative slowdown in the…
Author: Temitope Nlewemchi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to strengthen professionalism and ethical standards within its ranks by launching a new round of leadership and capacity-building training for its newly promoted officers. The programme, which focuses on accountability, innovation, and effective service delivery, aligns with the ongoing reform agenda under Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. In what has been described as one of the Service’s most structured leadership training drives in recent years, the NCS rolled out a series of workshops and retreats for officers across different commands. The sessions are designed to equip newly elevated officers with modern management skills,…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Nigeria’s economic growth forecast upward for 2025, citing stronger oil production, resilient trade activity, and improved macroeconomic stability as key factors driving optimism. According to the Fund’s latest assessment, Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by 3.9 percent in 2025, compared to earlier estimates of 3.3 percent, with growth expected to further accelerate to 4.2 percent in 2026. The IMF attributed the positive revision to a combination of oil sector recovery and stronger non-oil activities, which together have bolstered Nigeria’s fiscal position and foreign exchange earnings. Improved security in oil-producing…
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Sunlink Energies have sealed a landmark $2 billion agreement to develop the long-anticipated HI offshore gas project in Nigeria. The deal, which follows a Final Investment Decision (FID) between both firms, marks a major step toward increasing the nation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity, boosting domestic energy supply, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in global gas markets. Discovered in 1985, the HI field is located about 50 kilometers off Nigeria’s coast in water depths of approximately 100 meters. The field holds an estimated 285 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources. Under…
The Project Management Institute (PMI) has lauded the Dangote Refinery for its remarkable execution, describing it as a model of effective project management and a transformative infrastructure milestone for Africa. The global professional body for project managers said the successful completion and commissioning of the multi-billion-dollar refinery reflect world-class coordination, planning, and leadership that align with international standards. In a statement, PMI praised the refinery’s project execution team for delivering one of the largest industrial complexes in the world despite multiple challenges, including logistics, financing, supply chain disruptions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PMI, the Dangote Refinery demonstrates “Africa’s…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted petroleum products worth ₦80.4 million being smuggled across the border into the Republic of Benin. The interception, made by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, underscores the Service’s intensified efforts to combat cross-border fuel smuggling and protect Nigeria’s economic interests amid ongoing reforms in the downstream petroleum sector. According to Customs officials, the operation followed credible intelligence reports on the movement of large volumes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from border communities in Ogun and Oyo States toward illegal export routes. The smuggled fuel, concealed in large containers and jerry…
The World Bank has stated that Africa’s ability to achieve sustainable job growth is directly tied to access to affordable and reliable electricity. According to the global financial institution, insufficient and expensive power supply remains one of the biggest obstacles to industrial expansion, small business development, and economic transformation across the continent. In a recent report, the World Bank stressed that reliable power is a fundamental enabler of productivity in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Millions of African businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are said to lose significant operating time and revenue due to…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved a ₦28 billion bailout fund for electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to accelerate the rollout of free prepaid meters across the country. The initiative, introduced under the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) Scheme, is designed to close Nigeria’s long-standing metering gap, reduce estimated billing, and enhance accountability within the power sector. According to NERC, the funds will be disbursed to the 11 DisCos in proportion to their market performance and operational coverage. The intervention, tagged MAF Tranche B, mandates DisCos to immediately begin the transparent procurement of meters through accredited…
The House of Representatives has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and chief executives of major deposit money banks over allegations of arbitrary and excessive charges imposed on customers’ accounts. This follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during plenary, amid growing public concern over unexplained deductions by banks across the country. The motion, sponsored by Hon. Tolani Shagaya, highlighted the rising frustration among Nigerians who continue to experience unauthorized or excessive charges in the form of card maintenance fees, SMS alerts, transfer commissions, account upkeep fees, and other deductions that are often…
OPay has made history by becoming the only fintech to win three major accolades at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, reinforcing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most innovative and high-performing digital finance platforms.At the awards gala, OPay took home Mobile Payment Solutions Provider of the Year, Business Solutions Provider of the Year, and Fintech Security Innovation of the Year, distinguishing itself from peers and earning the title of Nigeria’s most awarded fintech at the event. In presenting these honors, the award panel cited OPay’s strong blend of scale, safety, and service features as key…
Moniepoint Inc. has reinforced its position as a leading player in Nigeria’s drive toward a digital economy through a combination of strategic initiatives focused on innovation, capacity building, and financial inclusion. The fintech company continues to play a crucial role in supporting the Federal Government’s vision of using technology to drive sustainable economic growth, enhance productivity, and improve access to digital financial services across all regions of the country. One of Moniepoint’s most notable efforts is its DreamDevs Bootcamp, a training initiative designed to bridge the gap between academia and the rapidly evolving tech industry. The program equips young Nigerian…
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has reiterated the pivotal role of the insurance industry in addressing the economic and environmental challenges posed by climate change. The Commission emphasized that insurance must move beyond traditional risk coverage to become a strategic tool for climate resilience, disaster risk management, and sustainable development across Nigeria and West Africa. Speaking at the 2025 West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference in Lagos, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, stated that climate change has evolved from being merely an environmental concern to a significant macroeconomic issue that affects financial systems, national budgets,…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded an impressive ₦658.6 billion revenue for September 2025, underscoring the positive impact of ongoing institutional reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trade facilitation. The remarkable performance comes as the Service continues to roll out key modernization initiatives under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adeniyi, in its drive to strengthen non-oil revenue and sustain economic stability. According to the NCS, the achievement was driven by a combination of technological upgrades, policy realignments, and improved coordination among customs commands nationwide. The introduction of the new “One-Stop-Shop” clearance platform, a flagship reform initiative, played…
Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has cautioned that persistent allegations of monopoly against his conglomerate could deter both local and foreign investors from committing capital to Nigeria’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. Speaking in Lagos at an industry stakeholders’ forum, Dangote argued that unfounded monopoly claims send the wrong signal about the country’s business environment, particularly at a time when Nigeria is striving to attract fresh investment to boost economic growth and job creation. Dangote emphasized that his company’s success was built on decades of hard work, strategic investment, and long-term planning, not government favoritism or…
Nigeria’s crude oil production slipped to an average of 1.39 million barrels per day (mbpd) in September 2025, signaling a decline in the country’s upstream output and renewing concerns about the resilience of Africa’s largest oil producer. According to the latest data from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the figure represents a drop from 1.43 mbpd recorded in August, underscoring the challenges confronting the nation’s oil sector despite ongoing government reforms. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) attributed the decline to operational disruptions caused by a three-day strike organized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff…
The Dangote Group has revealed plans to list its multibillion-dollar refinery on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in the near future, paving the way for Nigerians to own shares in one of the country’s most transformative industrial projects. The company said the move would strengthen transparency, broaden ownership, and invite public participation in the operation of the refinery, which has been described as a “national asset” by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Speaking at the 2025 Inaugural Downstream Petroleum Week, Dangote’s representative, Aliyu Suleman, confirmed that the listing process is already being considered as part of the company’s broader expansion and…
Nigeria’s vital agricultural sector is poised for a significant injection of capital following the announcement of a major financing package from the European Union. In a crucial move aimed at boosting food security, enhancing export competitiveness, and supporting economic diversification, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU’s financing arm, has approved a credit line of million, equivalent to approximately billion. This substantial financial backing, which will be channelled through Nigerian commercial banks and development finance institutions, is specifically designed to expand lending and bolster agribusinesses across the country, marking a new chapter in the partnership between the EU and Nigeria.…
Nigeria’s oil and gas host communities are reaping tangible benefits from the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) scheme, as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has revealed that over ₦373 billion has been set aside for community development projects, with 536 projects currently ongoing across oil-producing regions.The NUPRC disclosed this in its latest update on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, emphasizing that the initiative has transformed the dynamics between oil companies and host communities by promoting inclusivity, accountability, and sustainable development. According to the Commission’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, the host community fund—representing 3% of…
Nigeria’s private sector activity expanded further in September 2025 as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported that the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surged to 54.0 points, signaling sustained business growth and improved economic momentum across key sectors. The rise, which reflects higher output, new orders, and stronger business confidence, represents one of the highest PMI readings in the past 18 months. According to the CBN’s September PMI report, the composite index — which measures manufacturing and non-manufacturing activity — rose from 52.6 points recorded in August to 54.0, surpassing the 50-point threshold that indicates expansion. The improvement was driven…
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has reiterated its dedication to driving innovation and delivering personalised financial solutions as it joins the global community to mark Customer Service Week (CSW) 2025. The bank reaffirmed its commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences through technology, empathy, and continuous service improvement. This year’s celebration, themed “Empowering Service Excellence,” underscores FCMB’s mission to build stronger relationships with customers by leveraging digital transformation and human-centred service. The bank stated that it views Customer Service Week not merely as a symbolic event but as a vital platform to appreciate customers’ loyalty while reinforcing its brand promise of…