Nigeria Moves To Formalise AI Governance With National Strategy

Nigeria is moving to formally anchor artificial intelligence within its governance framework as a comprehensive national strategy awaits legislative approval.

The Federal Government has completed work on the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a policy blueprint intended to guide the development, regulation and responsible deployment of AI technologies across the country. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, revealed that the strategy has moved beyond the drafting stage and is expected to be presented to the National Assembly within the next one or two weeks for final approval.

He made the disclosure during a keynote address at the Crisis Management Advocacy Month 2026 Conference in Lagos, a gathering of policymakers, technology experts and industry leaders examining emerging digital risks and the evolving systems required to manage them.

At its core, the strategy reflects Nigeria’s ambition to position itself as a leading artificial intelligence hub in West Africa, with a broader goal of emerging as a global AI player by 2030. Minister  Tijani also highlighted a notable milestone: the development of a government-backed large language model, making Nigeria the first African country to build such a system capable of understanding and communicating in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Ibibio, in addition to English. The initiative ensures that Nigeria’s linguistic diversity and local context are represented within the rapidly expanding global AI ecosystem.

First introduced in 2024 and rolled out nationwide in 2025, the strategy is built around five key priorities which includes; establishing foundational infrastructure such as high-performance computing centres, upgraded data centres and clean-energy-powered AI clusters to support advanced research and innovation.

Another pillar focuses on talent development, with plans to create Centres of Excellence and innovation hubs to nurture a new generation of AI researchers, engineers and innovators. The framework also encourages the accelerated adoption of AI across critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, energy, finance and public services, where intelligent technologies could significantly enhance productivity and service delivery.

The policy further embeds ethical safeguards to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability, alongside governance structures designed to provide effective regulatory oversight of AI development and deployment in Nigeria.

Implementation will rely on strong collaboration between public institutions, startups, academic bodies and private-sector partners, supported by funding mechanisms, monitoring frameworks and milestone tracking aimed at expanding AI research capacity and strengthening skills development nationwide.

The initiative is being led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, with technical backing from the National Information Technology Development Agency and its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, while the Nigerian Communications Commission and Galaxy Backbone are also contributing to the effort.

Alex Iwobi Joins 2026 Football Black List Honourees

Nigerian international Alex Iwobi has been recognised among the most influential Black figures shaping British football, earning a place on the 2026 Football Black List, a respected platform that honours excellence and leadership across the game.

The announcement has been welcomed with enthusiasm from both his club and country. Fulham FC confirmed the news on its official social media channels, praising the midfielder’s growing influence within the sport and noting that he will be honoured alongside other recipients at a celebration event scheduled for Tuesday, 14 April, in Westminster.

“Alex Iwobi has been named in the 2026 Football Black List, which recognises the most influential Black individuals in British football. Iwobi and his fellow recipients will be honoured at a celebration event in Westminster on Tuesday, 14th April. Congratulations, Alex!” the club stated.

Nigeria’s national team also joined in celebrating the achievement. In a brief message, the Super Eagles expressed pride in the midfielder’s recognition, writing: “We are proud of you Alex.”

Strong Season Behind the Recognition

Iwobi’s inclusion comes during an impressive 2025–26 Premier League season with Fulham, where the Nigerian midfielder has been a consistent presence in the team’s lineup. Having already made more than 25 league appearances, he has contributed seven goals and assists, underlining his importance in the club’s midfield.

His name appears alongside a notable group of football personalities recognised in the 2026 edition. The list includes Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, England defender Jess Carter, and respected figures in the administrative and coaching spaces such as Omar Berrada and Kolo Touré.

A Platform Celebrating Black Excellence in Football

The Football Black List, created in 2008 by Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, has grown into one of the sport’s most influential initiatives highlighting the contributions of Black professionals across football. The annual recognition spans several areas of the game, celebrating players, coaches, administrators, media professionals, and grassroots organisers who are shaping the sport’s future.

This year’s edition marks a particularly significant milestone: for the first time, women outnumber men on the list, signalling gradual progress in representation within football.

The organisers have also introduced key adjustments to the structure of the awards. The Community and Grassroots category now has Barclays as its first title sponsor, a move designed to highlight individuals who are building football at the local level.

Additionally, the Administration category has been renamed the Lord Herman Ouseley Leaders category, honouring the legacy of the late Herman Ouseley, the anti-racism campaigner and founder of the Kick It Out initiative.

Representation Challenges Remain

While representation on the pitch continues to grow, disparities remain in leadership roles across the game.

According to figures from the Black Footballers Partnership, 43 per cent of Premier League players are Black, while 34 per cent of footballers in the English Football League come from the same background. However, these numbers are not reflected in positions such as coaching, management, and football administration.

The Football Black List aims to draw attention to individuals helping to bridge that gap, while inspiring future generations to see themselves not only as players but also as leaders shaping the sport.

Honourees are selected from public nominations, with the final list decided by a panel representing key football institutions including the Premier League, The FA, the English Football League, and the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Inspiring Visibility Across the Game

Reacting to the latest edition, co-founder Leon Mann emphasised the importance of the increased presence of women on the list.

“I am absolutely delighted to see more women than men on this year’s Football Black List. Black women often face significant barriers in sport and society, so this recognition is a testament to their talent and resilience. I hope their visibility inspires future generations,” he said.

Mann also reflected on how far the initiative has come, noting that seeing top-level executives and elite coaches recognised alongside players once seemed unlikely.

“There was a time when featuring a CEO of one of the biggest clubs in the world, alongside elite-level coaches, felt like a distant dream. In 2026, I now expect to see this. However, while progress has been made, there is still work to do to improve representation in leadership and coaching.”

Co-founder Rodney Hinds echoed that sentiment, describing the initiative as a powerful reminder of the impact Black professionals continue to make across football.

“Once again, the Football Black List highlights outstanding individuals making a real impact. Congratulations to everyone recognised, as well as those nominated. This initiative continues to inspire many, and we are incredibly proud of what it has become. It’s about celebrating the vital role our community plays in the game,” he said.

All honourees will gather in Westminster for the official ceremony, an event supported by the Premier League which spans multiple categories.

For Nigeria, Iwobi’s recognition adds yet another chapter to the country’s enduring contribution to global football, an example of talent, influence and leadership making its mark far beyond the pitch

Advanced Medical Facility Opens in Kogi as Private Investment Strengthens Healthcare Access

Healthcare delivery in Edumo, Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of the Southward Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, a privately developed facility equipped with modern diagnostic technology.

The hospital was officially commissioned on Tuesday by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, who described the new facility as a “lifeline for communities” and a meaningful contribution to improving healthcare services in the state.

Built to expand access to specialised medical services, the centre houses a range of diagnostic tools, including digital X-ray systems, ultrasound services, CT scan equipment, MRI machines, and a fully equipped laboratory. The facility is expected to strengthen early disease detection and treatment, particularly for residents of Kabba/Bunu and nearby communities.

The project dates back to 2018, when construction began under the leadership of Jumoke Bosede Omodara, the Chief Executive Officer of Southward Hospital and Diagnostic Centre. According to Omodara, the hospital was established to support government efforts aimed at improving access to quality healthcare in Kogi State and across Nigeria.

She explained that acquiring advanced diagnostic equipment was made possible through an ₦800 million loan obtained from the Bank of Industry.

Although located in Kabba/Bunu, the facility is designed to serve a broader population across neighbouring states such as Kwara, Ondo, and Ekiti, in addition to communities within Kogi State. By providing advanced diagnostic services locally, the hospital hopes to reduce patient referrals and limit the need for medical tourism.

Governor Ododo commended the promoters for investing in vital healthcare infrastructure and assured the hospital’s management of the state government’s support. He noted that the commissioning aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through expanded access to the Kogi State Health Insurance Programme and upgrades to hospitals across the state, while urging residents to utilise and protect the facility.

Traditional leadership also welcomed the development as HRM Dr Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, praised the initiative and encouraged authorities to intensify efforts to curb quack medical practices in the area.

With its advanced diagnostic capacity now operational, the Southward Hospital and Diagnostic Centre stands as a clear example of how private investment can strengthen healthcare access and improve community wellbeing across Nigeria.

How Aasiyah Abdulsalam is using robotics to transform wig manufacturing

Few segments of the beauty industry reveal the weight of tradition quite like the global wig business. Despite generating more than $8 billion each year and serving millions of users worldwide, much of its production still depends on painstaking techniques developed decades ago. For Aasiyah Abdulsalam, an entrepreneur of Nigerian origin, that disconnect between demand and innovation signaled an opportunity. Through The Renatural, the company she founded, Aasiyah is introducing robotics, biomimetic materials, and precision engineering into wig manufacturing, rethinking how one of beauty’s most enduring products can be made.

Her path toward that innovation began not in a laboratory but through lived experience. Born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in rural Ireland, Aasiyah grew up in an environment where specialized care for textured hair was limited. At the age of twelve, she was diagnosed with incurable scalp psoriasis, a condition that caused severe irritation and eventually led to alopecia, forcing her to confront hair loss early in life.

Wigs and extensions became a practical solution, restoring confidence while also introducing her to the complex ecosystem behind the industry, from stylists and installation specialists to hair brokers and manufacturers. What began as necessity soon turned into curiosity about how wigs were sourced, produced, and installed.

That curiosity followed her into university and while studying geography at the University of Leicester, Aasiyah chose the global wig market as the focus of her undergraduate dissertation, examining the geopolitical supply chains that sustain the industry. Determined to see those systems firsthand, she spent six months working in a wig factory in South Korea, studying manufacturing techniques while speaking directly with wig wearers about their experiences.

The feedback was strikingly consistent as many users faced the recurring cost of professional installations, sometimes spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually. Adhesives such as glue and tape frequently irritated the scalp and, in some cases, contributed to additional hair loss. Other common solutions like tight elastic bands, wig grips, or combs sewn into caps, often placed tension on the hairline, sometimes leading to traction alopecia.

After completing her undergraduate studies and later earning a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, Abdulsalam decided to tackle one of those persistent problems. Teaching herself AutoCAD, she began designing a product that could secure wigs comfortably without relying on glue, tape, or combs.

Early prototypes were produced using 3D printing, before she partnered with a medical silicone manufacturer to refine the design. The result was The Wig Fix, a patented device that anchors wigs securely while protecting the natural hairline.

When Abdulsalam launched The Renatural from her bedroom in London in 2020, the product quickly gained traction and within six months, the company recorded 4,000 orders at $29 each, prompting her to partner with a third-party fulfillment provider to manage demand. Social media collaborations accelerated awareness, including a partnership with YouTuber Patricia Bright, which helped sell nearly 2,000 units within 24 hours.

Much of that early demand came from abroad. Despite shipping costs of roughly $30, about 80 percent of customers were based in the United States. Over time, more than 80,000 units of The Wig Fix were sold, widely regarded as the first patented innovation in the wig industry in over sixty years.

By the company’s third year, Abdulsalam had bootstrapped The Renatural to approximately $3 million in annual revenue. Yet customers continued asking the same question: when would The Renatural begin producing wigs themselves?

The question prompted Abdulsalam to rethink the product category entirely. One of the most persistent limitations she identified was the lace base used in most modern wigs. Even with techniques such as bleaching knots, tinting lace, and carefully plucking hairlines, lace rarely produced a convincingly natural scalp effect.

Searching for alternatives, Abdulsalam turned to biomaterials used in medical skin replacements for burn victims, valued for their thinness and flexibility. From that research, she developed a proprietary bamboo polymer hybrid material designed to replace lace and replicate the appearance of natural skin.

The innovation became The Renatural Base, a patented skin-replica hairline engineered to be three times thinner than traditional lace. The material mimics the look, feel, and breathability of human skin while eliminating the grid patterns that often reveal when someone is wearing a wig.

Improving the material raised another challenge: manufacturing. Traditional wigs rely on hand-ventilating, where artisans knot thousands of individual hair strands into lace caps, a delicate craft that requires years of training but Aasiyah's answer was automation.

In early experiments, she improvised by combining an embroidery machine with a 3D printer, exploring ways to replicate the repetitive precision required to insert individual hair strands. Later, working alongside engineers, she developed more advanced systems capable of performing the task with consistency. Today, The Renatural operates with two patented robots that inject strands of hair into the base through thousands of microscopic openings.

Production now takes place in a warehouse in Brooklyn’s Dumbo district, where a small team oversees robotics-assisted manufacturing, quality control, and shipping. Each wig contains roughly 12,000 micro-pores, allowing hair strands to be inserted in patterns that mimic natural follicle growth. The system eliminates visible knots while enabling natural density transitions from lighter hairlines to fuller crowns and allows the hair to be parted in multiple directions without exposing the cap beneath.

The company’s Signature Collection features wigs crafted from 100 percent virgin human hair, offered in textures such as Gentle Wave, Deep Curl, and Kinky Straight, reflecting the diversity of natural hair patterns.

The Renatural’s technological ambition has attracted growing interest from investors. The company has raised more than $6 million in funding, including $4.2 million in seed investment, with backing from prominent supporters. Aasiyah has also secured $65,000 in non-dilutive funding through a Harvard Business School competition and received $100,000 in investment through Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition initiative.

Among the company’s early believers is Olamide Olowe, founder of skincare brand Topicals, who invested after discovering The Wig Fix while searching for a more effective way to secure her own wigs.

Demand for Renatural products continues to grow rapidly and over the past eighteen months, the company has built a waitlist of more than 40,000 customers, even as it works to scale production to around 100 to 150 wigs per month.

Yet beyond the technology and investment milestones, Aasiyah says the most meaningful feedback comes from the people who wear the wigs. When someone tries on a Renatural wig for the first time, she often notices a subtle shift.

“They roll their shoulders back,” she says. “And I hear the same thing again and again - finally, someone’s created it.”

That reaction brings the story full circle. What began as a personal search for better solutions is now reshaping an industry. By combining engineering, biomimetic science, and entrepreneurial imagination, Aasiyah Abdulsalam is helping move the wig industry into a new technological chapter, demonstrating how innovation connected to Nigerian heritage continues to influence industries far beyond Africa’s shores.

Nigeria launches the National Single Window to cut port delays and boost trade

Nigeria’s push to modernise its trade architecture has taken a significant step forward with the launch of the first phase of the National Single Window (NSW), a digital platform designed to streamline international trade documentation and eliminate costly bureaucratic delays.

The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, represents a major attempt to dismantle what many businesses have long described as the country’s hidden “congestion tax”, the web of administrative delays that slows trade and inflates logistics costs across the economy.

For years, Nigerian ports have struggled with lengthy cargo clearance timelines that put local businesses at a disadvantage. By 2025, the average cargo dwell time at Nigerian ports ranged between 18 and 21 days, a figure that stands approximately 475 percent higher than the global benchmark of four days. According to Minister Edun, the new digital platform is specifically designed to tackle the largest contributor to those delays.

Surprisingly, the biggest bottleneck has not been cranes, berths, or roads as about 73 percent of cargo dwell time is attributed to “transaction dwell time”, the time spent navigating paperwork, regulatory approvals, and multiple agency processes.

The National Single Window seeks to collapse those layers into a single digital gateway. Under the system, traders will be able to submit Licences, Permits, and Certificates (LPCOs) electronically, while digital manifest processing and centralised risk management across government agencies will replace the current patchwork of manual interactions and repeated documentation checks. The goal is simple: fewer desks, fewer delays, and faster trade.

The rollout of the NSW is happening alongside another strategic intervention: the upgrade of Nigeria’s two busiest seaports, Apapa and Tin Can Island. Together, these facilities handle around 70 percent of Nigeria’s total trade volume, making their efficiency critical to the country’s economic competitiveness.

Authorities say the port modernisation programme will tackle long-standing issues including terminal congestion, outdated infrastructure, and inefficient cargo handling. Improvements in these areas are expected to speed up cargo discharge, vessel turnaround times, and truck evacuation from the ports, easing pressure across the supply chain.

Combined with the digital reforms, the government is targeting a dramatic reduction in cargo clearance timelines. The ambition is to cut cargo dwell time from the current 21 days to less than seven days by 2026, bringing Nigeria significantly closer to global efficiency standards.

For businesses, the impact could be substantial especially as manufacturers and importers would gain faster access to raw materials and critical inputs while reducing inventory holding costs and demurrage charges. Exporters, on the other hand, stand to benefit from quicker access to international markets, an advantage that could strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Addressing concerns around the partnerships involved in upgrading port infrastructure, Minister Edun emphasised that the arrangement is not structured as a one-sided deal. According to him, Nigeria gains modern infrastructure, improved productivity, and job creation, while partners participate through financing arrangements and commercial opportunities tied to the upgrades.

At its core, the reform agenda targets a problem Nigerian businesses have quietly absorbed for years: the cost of delay and by confronting the bureaucratic layers responsible for most port inefficiencies, the government hopes to remove a major barrier to trade and unlock new momentum for the economy.

As the Minister put it, the initiative goes beyond a technological upgrade, it signals a broader message about Nigeria’s place in global commerce.

“Nigeria is not just opening a window; Nigeria is opening for business.”

Moniepoint acquires Orda, expanding into Africa’s $50bn food service industry

Africa’s food economy is vast, vibrant, and central to daily life. Across Nigeria’s cities and towns, restaurants, cafés, bukas, and roadside kitchens feed millions while driving one of the continent’s most active sectors. Increasingly, Nigerian technology companies are stepping in to modernise this ecosystem, building tools that help small businesses operate more efficiently and access financial services.

In a move that reflects this shift, Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint Inc. has acquired restaurant management startup Orda Africa, positioning itself to expand into Africa’s fast-growing $50 billion food service industry.

The acquisition will integrate Orda’s cloud-based restaurant software into Moniepoint’s business management platform, Moniebook, allowing restaurants and food vendors to manage orders, payments, inventory, and accounting from a single system. For businesses that still rely on manual records or disconnected tools, the integration promises a more efficient way to manage daily operations.

The deal also highlights a broader evolution within Africa’s fintech sector. Companies once focused solely on payments are increasingly building platforms that support the full operational needs of small businesses, combining transactions, management tools, and access to credit.

For Tosin Eniolorunda, Moniepoint’s co-founder and group chief executive officer, the food sector represents one of the continent’s most active yet underserved industries.

“The food industry is a major source of jobs and daily survival for many Africans,” Eniolorunda said, noting that many businesses still operate with manual systems and fragmented processes.

Restaurants are particularly attractive to fintech firms because they generate high-frequency transactions, rely on steady supply chains, and often require working capital to sustain daily operations.

The sector itself is expanding quickly as urban populations grow and dining habits evolve, Africa’s restaurant industry continues to scale. Nigeria alone is projected to see its restaurant market reach about $19.3 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of more than 11 percent.

Founded in 2020, Orda Africa built software specifically for small and independent restaurants, many of which previously operated without digital infrastructure. Its platform helps businesses track orders, manage kitchen workflows, and monitor stock levels, replacing manual systems with organised digital processes.

According to Guy Futi, Orda’s chief executive officer, the partnership with Moniepoint allows the company to combine operational expertise with financial infrastructure.

“To truly transform the industry, we needed to connect that expertise with comprehensive financial infrastructure,” Futi said, adding that customers will continue using the platform while gaining access to expanded services.

The acquisition also reflects Moniepoint’s rapid rise within Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem. Founded in 2015 by Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, the company says it now serves more than 20 million businesses and individuals and processes over $250 billion in digital payment transactions annually. It has also become one of Nigeria’s largest merchant acquirers, powering a significant share of point-of-sale transactions nationwide.

By integrating Orda’s technology, Moniepoint will gain deeper insight into restaurant operations , including sales patterns, peak demand periods, and inventory cycles. Analysts say such data could support sector-specific lending, helping restaurants access financing based on real operational records.

The deal may also intensify competition in Africa’s growing food-tech ecosystem, where startups are developing solutions for restaurant management, delivery services, and supply chains. Yet much of the continent’s independent food sector still operates offline, highlighting the scale of opportunity that remains.

For Moniepoint, the acquisition forms part of a broader strategy: building a comprehensive financial ecosystem around African small businesses, rather than focusing only on payments.

For millions of food entrepreneurs across Nigeria and the wider continent, from neighbourhood kitchens to established restaurant operators, the convergence of technology and finance could unlock new tools and funding needed to power the next phase of growth in Africa’s food economy.

CBN Wins Global “Central Bank of the Year” Award for Reforms

The Central Bank of Nigeria has received global recognition for a reform programme that has reshaped the country’s monetary landscape, earning the apex bank the “Central Bank of the Year” title at the 2026 Central Banking Awards.

The honour reflects a sweeping set of policy and institutional changes introduced over the past two years to stabilise Nigeria’s financial system and rebuild confidence among investors and businesses. According to the awards committee, the recognition acknowledges a decisive return to orthodox monetary policy, improved governance, and reforms that have strengthened market stability.

The award comes after a period when Nigeria’s economy was under significant pressure. By 2023, inflation had climbed to 22.4 per cent, foreign exchange liquidity had deteriorated, and the country faced about $7bn in unmet foreign exchange obligations. At the same time, the difference between the official and parallel market exchange rates widened to over 60 per cent, reflecting deep distortions within the currency market.

The broader economic context further underscored the urgency of reform. Nigeria, which held the position of Africa’s largest economy in 2014, had fallen to fourth place behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. The combination of monetary financing and subsidy-related interventions had pushed economic management into what the awards committee described as an unsustainable position.

One former senior central bank official, quoted in the committee’s statement, recalled that the situation had become so concerning that analysts feared Nigeria might be drifting toward the economic turmoil experienced in Venezuela and Zimbabwe, as worries intensified over fiscal instability, currency depreciation, and weakening institutional independence.

A shift began in October 2023 when Olayemi Cardoso assumed office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. His administration quickly introduced wide-ranging reforms aimed at restoring credibility to the institution and strengthening macroeconomic stability.

Central to the reform programme was a commitment to end quasi-fiscal interventions, reinforce institutional independence, and restore discipline to monetary policy. Clearing the country’s foreign exchange backlog and improving transparency within the financial system were also identified as immediate priorities.

One of the most visible changes came in the restructuring of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. For years, multiple exchange-rate windows had created inefficiencies and uncertainty for investors and businesses. The CBN replaced this fragmented structure with a unified, market-driven system operating on a willing-buyer, willing-seller framework, supported by an electronic FX matching platform designed to enhance transparency and improve price discovery.

The impact of the reforms became evident in the behaviour of the naira. According to Cardoso, the currency now trades within a much narrower and more stable band, while the gap between official and parallel market rates has reduced dramatically to under 2 per cent, compared with over 60 per cent before the reforms.

Another major step involved clearing outstanding foreign exchange commitments owed to key sectors such as aviation and manufacturing, a move that helped restore liquidity and ease long-standing concerns within the business community.

As liquidity improved, Nigeria’s external buffers strengthened. The country’s gross external reserves rose to $46.7bn by November 2025, representing the highest level recorded in nearly seven years and providing more than 10 months of import cover. The improvement was supported by stronger capital inflows and increased non-oil exports, which helped reinforce stability within the foreign exchange market.

In its July 2025 Article IV assessment, the International Monetary Fund commended the reforms, noting that they had strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s markets and improved liquidity conditions within the foreign exchange system.

At the same time, the CBN pursued an aggressive strategy to rein in inflation where Interest rates were raised from 18.75 per cent in 2023 to 27.5 per cent by November 2024, marking one of the most assertive tightening cycles in the bank’s recent history.

Although inflation initially rose to 34.80 per cent in December 2024, largely due to subsidy removal and currency liberalisation, the tightening measures gradually began to take effect.

By January 2026, inflation had declined significantly to 15.10 per cent, while food inflation moderated to 8.9 per cent, reflecting improved price stability across the economy.

With inflation easing, the central bank cautiously adjusted its stance, lowering the benchmark interest rate to 26.5 per cent in February 2026. Even so, Cardoso has stressed that the bank remains committed to bringing inflation down further, emphasising that double-digit inflation cannot be acceptable in the long term. The CBN is now working toward a more structured inflation-targeting framework, supported by stronger data systems and clearer policy communication.

Beyond monetary policy, reforms also targeted the resilience of the banking sector. In 2024, the central bank introduced a recapitalisation programme requiring banks to meet higher capital thresholds designed to strengthen the financial system.

Since then, more than 33 banks have raised fresh capital, while at least 30 institutions have already met the new requirements ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline. Institutions that fail to comply may face licence downgrades, acquisitions, or liquidation.

Supervisory oversight has also been strengthened through the transition toward Basel III standards, which aim to improve risk management and liquidity monitoring within the banking industry.

Financial inclusion has also expanded during the reform period. Microfinance lending grew by more than 14 per cent, while digital credit products reached over 1.2 million small businesses in 2025, widening access to finance for entrepreneurs and small enterprises across the country.

The digital payments ecosystem has grown rapidly as well. The CBN introduced measures to improve cash management systems, increase ATM efficiency, and enhance supervision of payment agents nationwide. Currently, more than 12 million contactless cards are in circulation, while about 40 fintech companies operate within the CBN’s regulatory sandbox, where new financial technologies are tested under regulatory oversight.

Governance reforms have also played a critical role in restoring international confidence. The central bank established a dedicated compliance department and strengthened anti-money laundering controls, efforts that contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in 2025.

The policy improvements have been reflected in global credit ratings. Fitch upgraded Nigeria’s rating from B- to B with a stable outlook in April 2025, while Moody’s raised its rating from Caa1 to B3 in May, citing stronger economic fundamentals and improved policy credibility.

Investor confidence was further demonstrated when Nigeria returned to the international capital market in 2025, issuing a $2.35bn Eurobond that was oversubscribed more than five times, highlighting renewed global interest in the country’s debt.

Despite the progress, the awards committee cautioned that the reform process is still ongoing. Sustaining disinflation, completing the banking sector recapitalisation programme, and strengthening institutional frameworks remain critical tasks.

Nevertheless, the committee concluded that the transformation achieved by the central bank has been significant. As one former official observed, “What the CBN has achieved is nothing short of remarkable.”

For Nigeria, the recognition marks an important moment in the country’s economic journey, signalling that determined reforms can begin to restore stability, rebuild confidence, and reshape the trajectory of one of Africa’s most influential economies.

Damilola Ogunbiyi Becomes First Nigerian Named to TIME Earth Awards

At a time when the search for credible climate leadership is intensifying, a Nigerian has been recognised among the figures shaping the world’s energy future. Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, has been named to the 2026 TIME Earth Awards, becoming the first Nigerian to appear on the influential list.

Now in its fourth year, the TIME Earth Awards recognise individuals whose work is making measurable contributions to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable energy systems. Ogunbiyi was selected as one of six global leaders honoured for driving progress toward a cleaner and more inclusive energy future.

Her work focuses on one of the world’s most pressing challenges: expanding access to electricity while reducing carbon emissions. Across many developing regions, millions still live without reliable power, forcing countries to balance development needs with environmental responsibility. Ogunbiyi has consistently argued that these goals can advance together, with clean energy serving not only as a climate solution but also as a driver of economic opportunity.

Through her leadership at Sustainable Energy for All, she has helped coordinate international partnerships aimed at accelerating energy transitions, particularly across the Global South. The organisation now works with more than 200 partners and supports over 100 countries in developing strategies to expand electricity access while reducing emissions. These efforts have helped mobilise over $1.6 trillion in energy finance commitments, reflecting growing global momentum behind sustainable power systems.

Responding to the recognition, Ogunbiyi emphasised that the energy transition must remain centred on people and communities whose lives are transformed by reliable electricity. She pointed to progress already underway across the Global South, including Pakistan’s rapid solar expansion to 33 gigawatts and Kenya generating more than 90 percent of its electricity from clean energy. Nigeria, she noted, is also witnessing the expansion of one of the world’s largest distributed renewable energy programmes, improving livelihoods while broadening access to power.

Before stepping onto the global stage, Ogunbiyi built her reputation within Nigeria’s power sector. As Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, she led the $550 million Nigerian Electrification Project, an initiative designed to deliver electricity to underserved communities through decentralised and renewable energy solutions.

The programme has since provided electricity access to more than eight million Nigerians and supported the deployment of over 100 megawatts of decentralised energy projects, supplying power to hospitals, schools and government facilities across the country. By prioritising solar mini-grids and off-grid technologies, the initiative demonstrated how innovative energy solutions could accelerate electrification in communities long beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure.

Ogunbiyi’s inclusion in the TIME Earth Awards adds to a growing list of international recognitions she has received in recent years. Beyond the honour itself, it reflects the rising influence of leaders from the Global South in shaping the global climate and energy agenda.

For Nigeria, the recognition carries deep significance especially as the world navigates the complex transition toward cleaner energy systems and Ogunbiyi’s work underscores a simple truth: Nigerian expertise is not only participating in global solutions but helping to lead them. 

Historic Night for Lookman in Thrilling Madrid Derby

Across Europe’s biggest football stages, Nigerian talent continues to leave its mark and on Sunday night, the spotlight turned to Madrid. Ademola Lookman delivered a historic moment in the fiercely contested Madrid derby, becoming the first Nigerian to score in the fixture during Atlético Madrid’s dramatic 3–2 clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Nigerian forward opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing a beautifully constructed Atlético move. Johnny Cardoso and Matteo Ruggeri helped initiate the attack before Giuliano Simeone produced a clever backheel that released Lookman inside the box. From close range, the forward kept his composure and slotted the ball home to give Atlético the lead.

Beyond the early advantage, the strike carried historic weight. Lookman became the first Nigerian ever to score in the Madrid derby, while also becoming the eighth Atlético player in the 21st century to score on his La Liga derby debut.

For followers of Nigerian football, the moment reflected a broader story, the steady rise of Nigerian players across Europe’s top leagues. Lookman’s growing presence in Spanish football continues to reinforce that narrative.

However, the derby soon shifted after the restart. Vinícius Júnior brought Real Madrid level in the 52nd minute, calmly converting a penalty to ignite the Bernabéu. Momentum quickly swung in Madrid’s favour, and just three minutes later, Federico Valverde fired the hosts into the lead.

Atlético responded with resilience. In the 66th minute, Nahuel Molina produced a superb strike to restore parity and keep the contest finely balanced but the drama was not over as Vinícius Júnior struck again in the 72nd minute, restoring Real Madrid’s advantage with what ultimately proved to be the decisive goal.

Despite the defeat, Atlético manager Diego Simeone praised Lookman’s continued development and impact.

“He’s been improving, working very hard, offering us different options in attack, and that’s exactly what we need from him. We also need him to help us improve defensively, because he has what it takes. With a huge heart and a willingness to learn and try to improve, he’s brilliant, and hopefully he’ll continue to deliver important moments for us, just as he did today,” Simeone said.

For Lookman, the goal marked his second in 12 league appearances in his debut La Liga season, another step forward in his adaptation to Spanish football.

Atlético may have left the Bernabéu without the points, but the night still produced a milestone. 

On one of football’s grandest stages, a Nigerian forward wrote his name into the history of the Madrid derby, another reminder of Nigeria’s growing imprint on the global game.

A New Energy Chapter: Dangote Refinery Begins Fuel Exports Across Africa

For decades, Africa’s energy story carried a striking contradiction: a continent rich in crude oil yet heavily dependent on imported refined fuel. Tankers routinely travelled thousands of miles from foreign refineries to African ports, reinforcing a cycle where raw resources left the continent only to return as finished products. That pattern is beginning to change and Nigeria is emerging at the centre of the shift.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has now exported 456,000 tonnes of refined petroleum products to African markets through 12 cargoes lifted by international trading firms. The shipments consisted mainly of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and were delivered to Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania and Togo.

Industry sources say the cargoes were sold on a Free on Board (FOB) basis, meaning international traders purchased the products at the refinery and handled delivery to the destination markets.

The exports follow a major operational milestone for the refinery. In February, the Dangote refinery reached its full designed capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), becoming the first refinery globally to achieve full nameplate capacity in a single train of that scale.

According to the refinery, the achievement followed the optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and improvements in the Motor Spirit (MS) production block, helping stabilise production at Africa’s largest oil refining facility.

Beyond the engineering achievement, the development marks a turning point in Nigeria’s energy story. For decades, the country paradoxically relied on imported fuel despite being one of the world’s major crude oil producers. The refinery’s export activity now signals Nigeria’s gradual shift from a major fuel importer to a growing regional supplier.

The facility is also producing Euro 5 standard gasoline and diesel, offering higher-quality fuels than many of the products historically shipped into parts of Africa. This is particularly significant for West Africa, a region long criticised as a destination for substandard fuel imports.

Demand for alternative fuel supply within the continent is also rising as reports indicate the Dangote refinery has seen increasing inquiries from African countries seeking fuel supplies following disruptions caused by the Iran war and several governments are exploring new supply options as geopolitical tensions threaten traditional fuel supply routes.

Energy stakeholders say the growing interest reflects concerns about fuel availability rather than pricing, as governments prioritise energy security and seek to diversify supply sources.

Currently, about 75% of refined fuel imports into East and Southern Africa originate from the Middle East, according to energy consultancy CITAC, a dependency that leaves many countries exposed to external disruptions.

Despite growing exports, around 75% of the refinery’s output is reserved for Nigeria, while the remaining capacity is available for international markets. Discussions are already underway to expand those export relationships, with sources indicating that South Africa is seeking a 12-month standard fuel supply contract with Nigeria.

Beyond trade volumes, regional supply could significantly reduce logistics costs, shorten delivery times, and ease the delays associated with long-distance imports. In the process, it could strengthen energy security across West, East, and Central Africa while easing pressure on fuel pricing in regional markets.

What is unfolding is more than the success of a single refinery as it signals the emergence of a new reality, one where Nigeria is not only producing crude oil but increasingly supplying refined energy to the continent.

A long-standing paradox is beginning to fade and Africa’s resources are gradually being refined closer to home, and Nigeria is playing a defining role in that transition.

Nigeria Moves To Scrap Common Entrance Exams

Nigeria may be on the verge of a major change in its education system as the Federal Government considers scrapping the long-standing Junior Secondary School Common Entrance Examination and introducing a system to track every pupil throughout their academic journey.

The proposal was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Saturday. At its core, the reform seeks to strengthen how pupils are monitored as they progress through Nigeria’s education system, ensuring that more children are properly accounted for as they move from primary school into the next stage of learning.

For decades, the common entrance examination has served as the gateway between primary and junior secondary school. Under the proposed changes, however, the single high-stakes exam would be phased out and replaced with Continuous Assessment (CA), which evaluates pupils based on their academic performance over time rather than a one-off examination.

According to the minister, the assessment will capture pupils’ academic progress from Primary One, creating a record that follows them wherever they go. If a pupil transfers to another school, the academic record will move with them.

“The CA will reflect the performance of the pupil from primary one and even if a pupil is transferring from one school to another, he will take it along to his new school,” Alausa explained.

Beyond changes to assessment, the reform is also designed to strengthen how Nigeria tracks pupils as they progress through the education system. While enrolment at the primary school level remains high, the government believes better monitoring will help ensure that more pupils transition smoothly into secondary education.

Officials say improving access to secondary education will also play an important role in strengthening this transition. In many communities across the country, expanding school infrastructure will help ensure that pupils who complete primary education are able to continue their academic journey.

The minister disclosed that discussions have already taken place with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, with a focus on encouraging state governments to build more schools capable of accommodating the growing number of pupils moving through the education system.

“State governments need to build more schools to accommodate more pupils and students,” he said.

Another key element of the reform is the introduction of a Learner Identification Number that will be assigned to pupils from the primary school level. The unique number will remain with each child throughout their schooling, regardless of where they begin their education or whether they later transfer to another school.

The system is expected to give education authorities a clearer picture of pupils’ progress while making it easier to follow their academic journey across different schools and stages of learning.

“If somebody is expected to be in JSS class one and he is not there, we will be able to know the reason why he is not continuing his education,” the minister explained.

Alongside these measures, the government is also considering reviving the school feeding programme, which previously helped strengthen enrolment in public schools. The initiative may be moved to the Federal Ministry of Education to improve monitoring and ensure more effective implementation.

Taken together, the proposed reforms reflect a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s education system, improving access, enhancing how pupils are monitored throughout their schooling, and ensuring that more children are able to progress confidently from primary school into secondary education.

Diaspora Surge Powers Lagos’ Detty December as Spending Climbs to N396bn

 

Every year, as the calendar edges toward December, Lagos prepares for a familiar transformation as flights begin to fill with returning Nigerians, Afrobeats playlists dominate global charts, and social media feeds fill with countdowns to the city’s most anticipated season. What began as a festive homecoming has grown into one of Africa’s most significant cultural and economic movements: Detty December.

The scale of that movement was fully visible during the 2025 season, when diaspora visitors and local revellers together generated N396.54 billion in consumer spending across Lagos. The figures come from a report by MO Africa Co titled The Economics of Euphoria: Lagos’ Detty December 2025, which highlights how the annual celebration has evolved into a major driver of tourism, hospitality, and entertainment in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

One of the report’s most notable findings is a shift in where many of the visitors are coming from. For the first time since the phenomenon began gaining international recognition, the United States overtook the United Kingdom as the leading source of international arrivals. Travellers departing from the U.S. accounted for 27 percent of all arrivals, pushing the UK into second place. Researchers describe this as the most significant travel shift recorded during the 2025 festivities.

The development reflects the growing influence of the Nigerian-American diaspora, estimated at over 700,000 people in the United States. Cities such as Houston and Atlanta, home to large Nigerian communities, emerged as key departure points for travellers making the journey back to Lagos. 

According to the report, the viral success of earlier Detty December celebrations also played a major role in drawing new visitors. Images of packed concerts, beach festivals, and celebrity gatherings circulating on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube created a powerful “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) effect, particularly among younger members of the diaspora.

Beyond the United States and the United Kingdom, participation came from across the world. Europe accounted for 12 percent of arrivals, Canada contributed 11 percent, while African countries made up 10 percent. Visitors from Asia, the Middle East, and other regions represented the remaining 9 percent, underscoring how Lagos’ festive season is steadily gaining global reach.

Between mid-November 2025 and January 10, 2026, the city hosted an estimated 3.6 million participants across concerts, nightlife events, beach gatherings, fashion activations, and cultural festivals during the 55-day celebration window.

Much of the energy came from younger travellers like the Gen Z and Millennial visitors, accounting for more than 70 percent of attendees, reflecting the role of digital culture, influencer travel trends, and the global rise of Afrobeats in shaping the modern diaspora homecoming.

Diaspora visitors were also the biggest spenders as the report shows that 55 percent of all consumer spending during the season came from travellers arriving from abroad.

The largest share of that spending went to hospitality and accommodation, which absorbed N175.40 billion, representing 44.23 percent of total expenditure. Hotels, luxury apartments, and short-let properties across Lagos operated at near capacity throughout the festive period.

Entertainment and nightlife followed closely, generating N129.55 billion, or 32.67 percent of spending, as large concerts, club nights, and beach parties drew crowds from across the world.

Meanwhile, food and dining accounted for 12.91 percent, while fashion, retail, and wellness services captured the remaining share, a reflection of how Lagos’ December season blends music, lifestyle, and commerce.

Even before arriving in Nigeria, visitors were already injecting money into the global travel system as diaspora travellers collectively spent an estimated $384.5 million on air travel, illustrating the scale of international movement tied to the celebrations.

Within Lagos itself, economic activity concentrated heavily around the city’s upscale districts. Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki hosted many of the high-value transactions linked to luxury hotels, premium restaurants, and major entertainment events.

At the same time, mainland districts recorded some of the highest foot traffic, as concerts, street festivals, and community gatherings spread across different parts of the city.

Yet the surge also exposed the strain placed on Lagos’ infrastructure. During the peak of the festivities, the city was estimated to be operating at about 238 percent of its designed human capacity, intensifying traffic congestion, increasing waste generation, and placing pressure on urban transport systems.

Behind the scenes, staging the season required extensive logistical coordination. The report estimates that N19 billion was spent on logistics, security, and operational support, adding another layer of economic activity beyond direct consumer spending.

The momentum behind Detty December did not appear overnight as data from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture shows that the 2024 edition generated $71.6 million across hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors. Hotels accounted for $44 million, while short-let apartments contributed $13 million, driven by strong demand from domestic and international visitors seeking accommodation during the festive rush.

Those gains helped lay the foundation for the larger participation and spending recorded in 2025.

Today, Detty December is far more than a festive catchphrase as it has become a special convergence of diaspora identity, global music culture, tourism, and Nigerian creativity.

Nigeria Advances Talks on $20bn Gas Pipeline to Europe

Nigeria is moving with renewed momentum to unlock one of its most significant economic assets - natural gas. Fresh high-level discussions in London, United Kingdom, have placed the spotlight on an ambitious $20bn transcontinental gas pipeline that could connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves directly to Europe.

If realised, the project would mark a major shift in how Nigerian energy reaches global markets especially as the proposed pipeline is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually, beginning from Nigeria’s southern gas reserves, passing through Chad and Libya, before extending subsea across the Mediterranean to Sicily, Italy, and ultimately feeding into the wider European energy grid.

At the centre of the latest engagement was Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who described the discussions as both timely and significant for the country’s energy future. For Nigeria, the project represents more than infrastructure, it is part of a broader effort to translate the country’s enormous gas potential into tangible economic value.

The Minister pointed to ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector as evidence that Nigeria is steadily building an environment capable of attracting global investment. The Petroleum Industry Act, alongside executive orders introduced to improve the investment climate within the energy sector, has helped position the country as a serious destination for large-scale gas development.

For Nigeria, the logic is clear: with some of the largest gas reserves in the world, the opportunity lies not merely in possession of the resource, but in how deliberately it is utilised.

“We must be intentional in the utilisation of our resources,” Ekpo noted, emphasising that the country must harness its reserves in ways that create economic opportunities and improve the lives of people across the region.

He also expressed optimism about the project’s viability, stressing that with the right financing structure in place, there is little standing in the way of its eventual realisation.

That confidence was echoed by Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energies at NNPC Limited, who reaffirmed the national oil company’s readiness to support large-scale gas investments.

According to Ogunleye, NNPC’s Gas Master Plan and the country’s broader gas-led development strategy are specifically designed to expand opportunities across the gas value chain. The company, he said, is focused on creating viable investment pathways, removing operational bottlenecks, and partnering with credible investors capable of delivering complex energy projects. Simply put, Nigeria’s gas sector is open for business.

From the private sector side, Roger Tamraz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Netoil Inc., is leading efforts to advance the pipeline proposal. He described the initiative as both commercially sound and strategically important, particularly as Europe continues to diversify its energy sources and strengthen supply security.

Supporting voices within the project consortium also highlighted the broader impact such an initiative could deliver. Alain Bolo, Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn, noted that the development could significantly reduce gas flaring while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a reliable supplier in the global gas market.

Meanwhile, Henry Erimodafe, Project Director at Netoil, characterised the project as a “strategic win-win” , one capable of unlocking jobs, attracting significant investment, and delivering long-term value across multiple regions.

The pipeline remains at an early development stage, with a consortium of international industry players currently advancing the concept. Extensive technical, commercial, and regulatory processes still lie ahead before the project can move into full execution.

Yet the vision behind it is unmistakable as it is not merely about exporting gas but about translating natural advantage into strategic influence, positioning the country as a central player in the evolving global energy landscape while opening new corridors of opportunity for the future. 

Where Decisions Become Destiny: The Making of a First-Class Mind at FUTA

At Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), where ambition is constantly tested, Elizabeth Boluwatife Rotimi came to a simple but defining realisation, success is rarely accidental but chosen.

She graduated with a First Class in Computer Science, earning a CGPA of 4.52 in the 2024–2025 academic session but beyond the numbers lies a story shaped by discipline, self-awareness, and deliberate decisions.

“I saw university as a place of independence,” she reflects, “where people are free to make their own decisions and those decisions determine success or failure.” That belief guided her from the very beginning.

Her journey into technology started with curiosity as an early encounter with computers in secondary school sparked questions that gradually turned into purpose and by the time she arrived at FUTA, she wasn’t just exploring, she was intentional.

Still, the journey was not without its challenges and her toughest moment came in 300-level, when her academic performance dipped. “I cried a lot,” she admits. “But I had to reflect, pray, and change my approach.” Instead of retreating, she recalibrated, seeking advice, refining her study methods, and returning with renewed clarity.

The result was a strong comeback, including a GPA of 4.88 that earned her a place on the Dean’s List, clear evidence that setbacks can be reset points, not endpoints.

Academically, she found her strength in areas that demanded precision and deep thinking, fields grounded in logic, mathematics, and problem-solving. That same mindset carried into her final-year project, where she developed an AI-powered web application to monitor Lassa fever trends using social media and news data. In a country where delayed detection can have serious consequences, the relevance of such work is immediate and practical.

Beyond the classroom, her influence has been equally intentional. She has spoken at over 100 events, organised a major youth-focused gathering in Akure with over 1,000 attendees, and built Techies on LinkedIn, a platform that has connected thousands of young Nigerians to opportunities in the tech ecosystem.

Her focus now is clear: expanding access. “I’ve seen how talented young people struggle because they lack exposure or resources,” she says. “I want to build something that changes that.” Her goal is to create a centralised digital platform that opens doors to scholarships, internships, mentorship, and entry-level roles, bridging gaps that often limit potential.

On artificial intelligence, she offers a measured perspective: “AI should support human decision-making, not replace it.” In a rapidly evolving space, that clarity matters.

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue advanced studies in Artificial Intelligence or core Computer Science in environments that will further sharpen her thinking and expand her impact.

At its core, her story is not complex, it is defined by consistency: choosing discipline when it would be easier not to, and meeting setbacks not with surrender, but with the resolve to adjust and move forward.

In many ways, her journey reflects a broader truth, which is, across Nigeria, there are young people making the right choices daily and steadily shaping outcomes that speak for themselves and in those choices lies the future.

Over Sabi Auntie hits ₦1bn, earning Toyin Abraham NFVCB’s Box Office Champion Award

In an industry long driven by bold personalities and even bolder ambitions, a new milestone has been etched into Nollywood’s evolving story, one that signals both creative independence and commercial strength.

On Thursday, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) formally recognised actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham with its Box Office Champion Award, celebrating the remarkable success of her film Over Sabi Auntie. The project has crossed the ₦1 billion mark in Nigerian cinemas, a feat that not only underscores its popularity but also places Abraham in a historic position as the first debut director to achieve such a benchmark.

For the NFVCB, the moment represented more than a personal win as its Executive Director, Shuaib Husseini, framed the achievement as a defining chapter for Nollywood itself, evidence of an industry gaining both confidence and economic weight. Addressing guests at the event, he noted that Abraham’s accomplishment reflects a broader momentum within Nigerian filmmaking, one capable of entertaining millions while inspiring others to think bigger about what is possible.

That sentiment was echoed by the Actors Guild of Nigeria speaking through Don Pedro, who represented its President, Sanusi Yakubu. The guild described the occasion as a turning point rather than a routine award presentation. Abraham, he said, has emerged as a creative force whose work is helping to shape not just narratives, but the financial trajectory of the industry and the performance of Over Sabi Auntie, he added, sends a clear message: Nigerian stories are not only resonating locally, they are commanding attention on a wider stage.

For Toyin Abraham, however, the journey to this moment was deeply personal. Taking the stage, she reflected on the decision that set everything in motion, choosing to step behind the camera herself. Frustrated with constantly working under others’ direction, she resolved to take full creative control. She recalled telling her manager of her intention to direct the film independently before seeking guidance from her industry mentor, Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters, to bring the vision to life.

Her gratitude on the night was equally personal as she acknowledged the support of her husband, thanked the NFVCB for the honour, and paid tribute to the team that helped transform an idea into a box office triumph. For her, the success of Over Sabi Auntie is not just a statistic but a realisation of a long-held dream.

The event drew a cross-section of Nollywood stakeholders, including Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, further underscoring the cultural significance of the occasion.

Beyond the applause and accolades, Abraham’s milestone speaks to something larger: a Nollywood that is increasingly self-assured, commercially viable, and driven by creators willing to take risks on their own terms.

Nigeria rises as an education hub, attracting Coventry University to Lagos

A defining shift is taking shape in Nigeria’s education landscape, one that signals not dependence, but a clear evolution in how the country engages with global learning.

Coventry University’s decision to establish a campus in Alaro City, Lagos, is not a routine expansion but a clear acknowledgement of Nigeria’s growing intellectual weight. Global institutions do not commit to new territories lightly; they respond to talent, demand, and long-term potential and Nigeria offers all three.

For years, Nigerian students have distinguished themselves within the United Kingdom’s education system. According to data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), people of Nigerian origin rank among the most highly educated groups in the country. Across disciplines such as medicine, engineering, law, and finance, Nigerians have built a reputation for academic excellence and consistency at the highest levels.

That global success, however, is only part of the picture as within Nigeria itself, a vast and active university system continues to lay the solid foundation and educate millions. Federal, state, and private institutions remain central to the country’s talent pipeline, producing professionals and innovators who drive sectors across the economy. While challenges exist, Nigeria’s universities have long demonstrated their capacity to deliver quality education and develop globally competitive graduates.

It is within this context, not outside of it, that the Coventry University partnership takes shape.

Under a Transnational Education (TNE) arrangement with the Federal Government, the proposed Lagos campus will offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in key areas including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), Business, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Degrees obtained will be fully equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom, with admissions expected to begin between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

The value of this development lies in what it adds, not what it replaces. For families, it creates access to globally recognised education within Nigeria, significantly reducing the financial pressure associated with studying abroad. For students, it expands choice, offering international curriculum standards alongside existing local options and for the education sector, it introduces a new layer of collaboration and healthy competition that can drive improvement across institutions.

This move also aligns with a broader global shift as the United Kingdom is increasingly extending its education system beyond its borders, aiming to grow education exports to £40 billion annually by 2030 by establishing overseas campuses and partnerships. Nigeria, with its strong academic culture and proven student performance, has naturally emerged as a key destination for such initiatives.

The announcement itself comes amid high-level engagements during President Tinubu's visit to the United Kingdom, underscoring the strategic importance of education within Nigeria’s international partnerships.

Ultimately, the arrival of Coventry University in Alaro City is not about filling a gap in Nigeria’s capabilities but about recognising an existing strength and building on it.

Nigeria has consistently shown that its students can compete anywhere in the world. Therefore, what is now taking shape is a future where more of that excellence can be nurtured at home, within an expanding ecosystem that blends local depth with global reach.

Nigeria repositions correctional centres as thriving food production hubs

Nigeria is charting a more purposeful path for its correctional system, one that blends rehabilitation with productivity and real economic value.

At the heart of this shift is a plan by the Federal Government to transform correctional centres into food production hubs, while equipping inmates with practical skills for life after incarceration. The approach was highlighted in Abuja at a stakeholders’ roundtable on optimising correctional farm centres and strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) for inmate reformation. The event was organised by Hope Behind Bars Africa with support from the European Union (EU) and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stressed that correctional facilities must move beyond confinement to focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. He noted that modern systems globally now prioritise preparing inmates to return to society as productive citizens, making collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society essential.

Agriculture is central to the strategy. With Nigeria’s strong farming potential, correctional farm centres are being repositioned as spaces where inmates learn modern agricultural practices, agro-processing, and value chain opportunities, skills that remain useful long after release. 

PPPs are expected to provide the funding, innovation, and technical expertise needed to upgrade infrastructure, expand training, and improve efficiency, while also extending opportunities into sectors like construction, ICT, and manufacturing.

The Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, revealed that the Service currently operates 18 farm centres and 10 cottage industries across about 10,000 hectares nationwide. These facilities produce crops such as maize, rice, cassava, yam, soybeans, millet, and sorghum, alongside fishery, poultry, and piggery projects. While these activitqies already support inmate welfare and skills development, he noted that stronger private sector partnerships are needed to fully unlock their potential and align them with market realities.

Complementing government efforts, Hope Behind Bars Africa, led by Executive Director Funke Adeoye, is driving the Farming Justice Project in partnership with the NCoS and supported by RoLAC. The initiative is active in custodial centres including Kuje, Kirikiri Female, Dukpa, and Oko, where inmates engage in structured programmes covering behavioural change, financial literacy, and agricultural production such as pepper, okra, watermelon, maize, and fish farming.

Aligned with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, this growing collaboration reflects a clear direction, one where correctional centres are no longer seen as endpoints, but as platforms for rebuilding lives, strengthening food systems, and contributing to Nigeria’s broader development.

£746 Million Boost Set to Transform Nigeria’s Busiest Seaports

Nigeria is preparing for a major upgrade of its busiest seaports following a £746 million financing deal with the United Kingdom, a move that could reshape how trade flows in and out of the country.

The agreement, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), will focus on modernising the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex, two facilities that handle more than 70% of Nigeria’s imports and exports. The development was disclosed in a statement by Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and is expected to be formally signed during a state visit to London on March 18 and 19, 2026.

For years, these ports have carried the weight of Nigeria’s trade but have struggled with congestion, delays, and outdated systems. Despite their importance, both facilities have not kept pace with the demands of modern global shipping. The Lagos Port Complex, established in 1913, remains the country’s oldest and busiest seaport, while Tin Can Island Port, built in 1977 to support it, has also faced similar pressure over time.This new investment is designed to change that story.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, described the agreement as a defining moment for Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that what is planned goes far beyond routine upgrades. According to him, this will be the first full-scale overhaul of the ports since they were built, with the goal of bringing them in line with international standards.

The modernisation plan includes the introduction of advanced cargo-handling systems, expansion of port capacity, and the rollout of digital operations to reduce manual processes. These changes are expected to tackle long-standing bottlenecks that slow down movement at the ports.

With improved systems in place, vessel turnaround time is expected to drop significantly, while cargo will spend less time sitting at the ports. This means goods can move faster, businesses can operate more efficiently, and the overall cost of logistics could reduce. Increased efficiency and transparency are also expected to improve confidence in Nigeria’s port operations.

This project is widely seen as the largest port upgrade effort in nearly 50 years, reflecting how critical the moment is for Nigeria’s trade infrastructure. Beyond the physical improvements, it also signals stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, especially in the areas of infrastructure development and trade. Currently, trade between both countries stands at about £8.1 billion annually.

At its core, this is about positioning Nigeria for the future. Efficient ports are central to economic growth, and with this level of investment, the country is taking a decisive step towards advancement.

If delivered as planned, the transformation of Apapa and Tin Can ports could mark the beginning of a new era, one where Nigeria’s gateways to global trade reflect the country’s true capacity and ambition. Beyond easing congestion, this upgrade positions Nigeria to take its rightful place as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa, unlocking stronger trade flows, attracting investment, and reinforcing its role at the centre of regional commerce.

Ovaltine Launches £24 Million Manufacturing Hub in Lagos

Nigeria’s industrial landscape is drawing fresh global attention, and the latest signal comes from a familiar household name. Twining’s Ovaltine is setting down roots in Lagos with a £24 million manufacturing facility, its first on the African continent, marking a strategic shift toward local production and regional expansion.

The investment represents a calculated move to serve Nigeria’s vast consumer market while positioning Lagos as a springboard for exports across West Africa. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate over 100 direct jobs and deepen the company’s footprint in a region where demand continues to rise.

The announcement emerged within the broader context of ongoing UK-Nigeria trade engagements, reflecting a steady acceleration in economic ties between both countries. British authorities note that companies from the UK are increasingly turning their attention to Nigeria, drawn by its scale, growth potential, and evolving business environment.

According to officials, the Lagos plant will strengthen Ovaltine’s ability to meet local demand efficiently while reducing reliance on imports. At the same time, it opens up new export channels into neighbouring markets, reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a manufacturing and distribution hub in West Africa.

The UK’s Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, framed the development as part of a larger economic alignment between both nations. He pointed to a shared belief in enterprise, innovation, and education as drivers of prosperity, noting that recent commitments on both sides are already translating into job creation and tangible economic outcomes. As Nigerian firms expand into the UK and British companies deepen their presence in Nigeria, the partnership is increasingly delivering mutual benefits.

Ovaltine’s move is only one piece of a broader wave of collaboration especially as financial technology firm Wise is preparing to secure its first Nigerian licence, a step that will allow it to tap into the country’s dynamic remittance market. In the creative sector, the SCALE Creative Entrepreneur Award Programme, backed by the British Council and the UK Department for Business and Trade, is opening international pathways for emerging talent from both countries.

Further initiatives are unfolding across industries as plans are underway for a UK-Nigeria Advertising Summit and a talent exchange programme led by the UK Advertising Exports Group in partnership with Nigeria’s advertising sector. In culture, both countries are preparing for a UK/Nigeria Season of Culture in 2028, alongside a Creative Industries Roundtable at Lancaster House that will bring together key stakeholders.

Nigeria is not just participating in global investment flows, it is shaping them and Ovaltine’s Lagos facility stands as a tangible symbol of that momentum, where local industry, international capital, and regional ambition converge.

Abeokuta plans N350m world’s tallest drum to boost culture and tourism

In Abeokuta, where history and identity often find expression through culture, an ambitious idea is beginning to take shape, one that its promoters believe could redefine how heritage drives economic growth.

At the centre of this vision is Dr. Lai Labode Jnr, founder of Egbaliganza, a cultural movement designed to reshape not only Ogun State’s cultural landscape but also its economic prospects. Speaking during a briefing on Tuesday ahead of this year’s Egbaliganza celebration held in conjunction with the 39th Lisabi Festival, Dr. Labode unveiled plans for a striking project: the construction of what is projected to be the world’s tallest drum, with an estimated cost of N350 million.

Conceived as a “drum of unity,” it is intended to serve as a global tourist attraction capable of drawing attention to Egba land while stimulating local enterprise. According to Labode, the project will not rely on a handful of financiers; instead, it will be collectively funded by contributors from around the world, giving it a shared sense of ownership and global relevance.

“This is not a project for a select few,” he explained. “It is something people across the world will contribute to and identify with.” The structure, to be named the Alake Egbaliganza Drum, will also carry a strong local imprint, as it is expected to be built by an Egba indigene.

The announcement ties into a broader cultural revival effort anchored by Egbaliganza itself, a festival that first took shape in 2024. Its creation, Labode noted, was inspired by a challenge from the Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who had called on Egba sons and daughters to develop innovative ideas capable of advancing both the community and the nation.

Since then, Egbaliganza has carved out a distinct identity by blending fashion with tradition. The festival places a spotlight on Egba heritage through carefully curated displays of indigenous attire, positioning culture not as nostalgia but as a living, evolving asset. This year’s edition promises to expand that vision significantly.

Dr. Labode revealed that delegations from more than 50 countries are expected to attend, joining in homage to the legendary Lisabi Agbongboakala while also paying respect to Oba Gbadebo. The event will feature elaborate parades of locally crafted fashion, with royal figures, including the Alake and the Olowu, Oba Matemilola, participating in showcasing traditional designs.

Amid growing attention around the festival’s expansion, Dr. Labode also addressed concerns about any perceived rivalry with the longstanding Lisabi Festival. He dismissed such notions, emphasizing that Egbaliganza, now evolving into what will be known as Alake Egbaliganza, remains an integral part of the broader celebration, working in harmony to promote Egba culture.

Beyond pageantry, the underlying ambition is clear: to position culture as a driver of investment and tourism. With the proposed drum monument serving as a focal point, the organisers are betting on heritage not just as identity, but as infrastructure, one capable of attracting global interest while reinforcing local pride.

If realised, the project could stand as a towering testament to what is possible when tradition meets vision, an idea rooted in Egba land, but designed to resonate far beyond it.