By Ayomide Otitoju began as a week of optimism for Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has quickly turned into a credibility test, as the financial services giant faces regulatory sanctions barely 24 hours after unveiling its new Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokocha. On October 2, 2025, the group formally announced Nwokocha’s appointment as substantive…
By Ayomide Otitoju The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Niger have signed a $144.7 million financing agreement to enhance energy access and strengthen private sector competitiveness under the Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Programme (PAGSEC). The agreement, signed in Abidjan by AfDB President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah and Niger’s Prime Minister…
By Ayomide Otitoju Africa’s oil and gas sector is on the verge of a fresh exploration renaissance, fueled by advances in seismic imaging, enhanced frontier data, and faster permitting processes, according to industry leaders at the Africa Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference in Cape Town on Wednesday. Emmanuelle Garinet, Vice President…
By Ayomide Otitoju Nigeria’s banking sector faces a stark reality: the combined market capitalisation of its 33 licensed banks pales in comparison to Standard Bank Group of South Africa, which alone is valued at around ZAR 384 billion ($21.8 billion). For a nation of over 200 million people, this disparity exposes deep structural weaknesses in…
By Ayomide Otitoju Airtel Nigeria has launched a celebratory video marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, highlighting its employees as symbols of the nation’s resilience, optimism, and shared future. The colourful production, released across Airtel’s social media platforms, was accompanied by a one-day nationwide promotion offering customers 20% extra data on all bundle purchases, reinforcing the…
By Ayomide Otitoju Funso Aina, Senior Manager of External Relations at MTN Nigeria, has been named the Outstanding Public Relations and Corporate Communications Personality of the Decade at the 2025 EDGE Awards, recognising his lasting impact on Nigeria’s communications sector. The accolade celebrates over two decades of excellence in shaping narratives, building corporate reputations, and…
By Ayomide Otitoju African industrialist Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, on Thursday spearheaded the groundbreaking of a $2.5 billion fertiliser plant in Gode, Ethiopia, marking a major milestone in the continent’s industrial landscape. The project, a partnership between Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), will produce three million metric tonnes of…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclosed that the recent nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) caused a sharp decline in Nigeria’s oil and gas production, triggering widespread economic and energy ripple effects. According to NNPCL, the industrial action led to an…
By Ayomide Otitoju The U.S. Energy Association has expressed optimism about stronger partnerships in Africa’s oil, gas, and critical minerals sectors, citing the lifting of restrictions on the Export-Import Bank and other U.S. financing agencies as a major boost for future deals. Speaking at a recent energy forum, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources…
