In a significant boost to financial inclusion and retail banking innovation, FirstBank of Nigeria has recorded a landmark achievement with the disbursement of N1 billion in a single day through its Firstmonie Agent Credit Scheme. The Firstmonie Agent Credit Scheme is a digital lending solution designed to support Firstmonie Point-of-Sale (POS) agents—primarily low-income individuals who often face challenges accessing credit through traditional channels. The initiative enables agents to overcome liquidity issues by providing instant, digital loans that can be accessed via the Firstmonie app. The scheme offers agents quick access to loans of up to N1.5 million, with disbursements processed…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The European Union has announced a funding initiative to the tune of €2,080,000 each in five Nigerian states as part of efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption across Nigeria. Tinyan Ogiehor, Stakeholder Engagement Expert and Technical Assistant for Nigeria Solar for Health Project, disclosed this while giving the overview of at a Project Developers Roundtable Workshop which held in Abuja. He said the amount which when put together amounts to €10.4 Million, represents 70 per cent funding of the project while each of the benefiting state governments would contribute 30 per cent approximately €624,000 in equivalent local currency, and developers…
Nestlé is pleased to announce an ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to launch a Dairy Technical Skills Development Program. This initiative, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed today in commemoration of World Milk Day 2025, aims to enhance the quality and volume of milk production in Nigeria, addressing critical needs within the dairy sector. The LOI reflects a shared commitment to develop mid-level technical and vocational skills essential for strengthening Nigeria’s dairy value chain, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. The partnership will focus on: Establishing capacity-building programs centered on milk…
In a strategic move to address Lagos State’s food security challenges and harness the creative potential of its youth, the Lagos State Government has launched Lagos Agrithon 2025, pledging ₦150 million to support at least 35 agrifood startups across the state. The announcement was made during a press briefing by the Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, who described the initiative as more than a competition, calling it a movement to transform Lagos’s food systems through youth-led innovation. The Lagos Agrithon, an agricultural hackathon, seeks to discover bold and practical solutions to the city’s growing food demands.…
In order to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, the Federal Government has announced the deployment of 7,000 new telecommunications towers across underserved communities, targeting more than 20 million Nigerians who currently lack access to any form of telecommunication services. The announcement was made by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, during a joint ministerial appearance on Channels TV alongside Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, on Thursday. Dr. Tijani said: ‘This initiative marks a critical move toward nationwide digital inclusion. We launched the first of these towers just yesterday in Kura, a village near Abuja…
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has officially launched the ‘Fibre 2 Hostel’ project. It is an ambitious broadband connectivity initiative aimed at delivering high-speed internet directly to student hostels across seven key federal universities. This is a major step towards bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and advancing inclusive education, The initiative is powered by Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) in partnership with Tizeti, Huawei, and the National Broadband Alliance Nigeria (NBAN). It is designed to provide secure, high-speed broadband that enables online learning, digital research, and innovation. It will also enable authenticated digital platforms for more than 260,000…
By Omonaye Okoro As Nigeria continues to grapple with pressing economic and social challenges, it is imperative that our public policies are grounded in data, logic, and a full understanding of our unique national context. One of such policies currently under debate is the call for increased taxation on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), led by internationally funded advocates such as the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), who argue that taxing SSBs will reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity and diabetes. While CAPPA’s recent report, “Junk on Our Plates,” attempts to portray this tax hike as a bold step toward…
A report by the World Health Organisation says 20 million Nigerians, representing 20 per cent of the country’s population, live with mental health conditions. Dr Azubike Aliche, the Secretary, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria-American Institute for Mental Health (NAIMH), said this at a mental health GAP Action training programme organised by the institute, in Owerri, on Tuesday. The training was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE), a Non Governmental Organisation. Aliche said that the training, sponsored by the Nigeria Mental Health Practitioners (NMHP) USA Incorporated, would equip non-psychiatrists to be able to…
In an era where Nigeria’s industrial transformation is more urgent than ever, one company is proving that indigenous engineering capacity can not only deliver global-standard results but also empower people, communities, and institutions. That company is Altex Engineering Services Limited, a subsidiary of Felak Concept Group. And its driving force? One of Nigeria’s most formidable industrial minds, Mrs. Aisha Achimugu. With an ambitious vision and a steady hand, Achimugu is transforming Altex into a central player in Nigeria’s evolving technical ecosystem. Altex doesn’t just construct infrastructure or manage projects, it engineers empowerment through cutting-edge solutions across construction, project and facility…
By Elvis Eromosele In the first quarter of 2025, a curious paradox is playing out across Nigeria’s economic landscape. Discerning observers will notice that the nation’s economic landscape tells a story of stark contrasts. On the one hand, households groan under the weight of runaway inflation, forex instability, fuel price hikes, and an unrelenting surge in the cost of living. On the other, a stream of earnings reports from banks, telecoms, FMCGs, and even manufacturing firms show a steady rise in revenues and profits. It almost feels surreal: while the average Nigerian tightens their belt to survive, boardrooms are raising…