Nigeria has completed 60 per cent of its planned 90,000-kilometre national fibre-optic deployment, marking a major step in the country’s drive to expand broadband access and power its digital economy. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at an event to mark Global Privacy Day, attended by technology leaders, policymakers and data protection advocates. The fibre project, unveiled in August 2025, is one of the most ambitious digital infrastructure initiatives in Nigeria’s history. According to Tijani, significant groundwork has already been completed, with funding fully secured for the entire project. “When I…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Moniepoint Inc. has crossed a major milestone in Nigeria’s financial services landscape, disbursing over ₦1 trillion in credit to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2025, as it marks a decade of supporting small businesses and deepening financial inclusion. The disclosure forms part of the company’s 2025 Year in Review, which highlights a year of rapid growth and expanding impact across Nigeria’s informal and formal business ecosystem. Moniepoint revealed that businesses accessing its credit facilities recorded average growth of over 36 per cent, underlining the transformative effect of accessible financing on small enterprises. With more than 6 million active businesses…
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has admitted a total of 15,077 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, marking the largest intake in the institution’s history. Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN), Vice-Chancellor of the institution, disclosed this on Thursday during the university’s matriculation ceremony held in Benin City. According to the Vice-Chancellor, the ceremony was particularly significant as many of the newly admitted students are pioneers of about 20 newly introduced courses and academic programmes. “At this ceremony, a total of 15,077 students are being formally admitted into the various faculties, schools, centres and programmes of the University of Benin,” Omoregie said.…
Former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has urged Christians in business and public service to embrace conviction-driven leadership, stressing that faith must translate into ethical conduct and moral responsibility across all sectors of society. Anyim made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the official logo for the 2026 Lagos National Convention of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Nigeria. The logo unveiling, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, marked a major milestone in preparations for the national convention, which is expected to attract members and stakeholders from across Nigeria and other…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that the Q4 2025 Network Performance Reports indicate a clear and steady improvement in network quality. Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, who revealed this at the launch of the Report on Wednesday, explained that the reports, produced in collaboration with global network analytics firm Ookla, provide independent insights into real-world network performance and the everyday digital experience of Nigerians across cities, rural communities, highways and emerging 5G zones. According to him, the Q4 2025 data shows clear and steady improvements in network quality, particularly in median download speeds across…
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has approved a significant upward review of pensions for 2,116 retirees under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), increasing their combined monthly pension payments from ₦12.56 million to ₦159.95 million – a 1,173 per cent increase. In addition to the enhanced monthly payouts, the affected retirees have also received ₦8.70 billion in pension arrears, translating to an average of about ₦3 million per beneficiary. The approval, granted by the Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, marks the first pension increase for NSITF retirees in 21 years, correcting long-standing disparities and restoring the real value…
The FATE Foundation has announced a major leadership transition, appointing Ayomide Akindolie-Igwe as its incoming Executive Director, effective January 12, 2026, as the organisation positions itself for a new decade of digital growth and stronger policy advocacy. The appointment, approved by the Board of Directors, reflects the Foundation’s ambition to deepen its impact within Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and scale its digital initiatives to reach five million Nigerians by 2030. Akindolie-Igwe brings extensive experience in enterprise development and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a background the Board says will be critical as FATE expands its footprint in digital innovation, research and…
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has commended Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS), describing it as a critical reform capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening national safety and boosting trade competitiveness across Africa. Speaking at the presentation of the TRS Report at Tin Can Island Port on January 26, 2026, Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary-General, said the study provides Nigeria with objective, evidence-based insights into its cargo clearance processes and identifies areas for targeted improvement. Implemented with support from the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, Saunders noted that the TRS translates policy goals into measurable operational outcomes, helping Customs administrations improve…
The FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and ARM Investment Managers, has launched a single-digit mortgage scheme aimed at reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit while driving economic growth and job creation. Unveiled in Abuja, the initiative is designed to expand access to affordable home ownership by offering long-term mortgages at significantly lower interest rates than those currently prevailing in the market. Speaking at the launch, Olusegun Alebiosu, FirstBank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, described the scheme as both an economic and social intervention capable of transforming Nigeria’s housing and construction sectors. According to…
In the early hours of Friday, in the dusty border town of Damasak in northern Borno State, a routine military patrol turned into yet another grim reminder that Nigeria’s war against insurgency is far from over. A major in the Nigerian Army, the commanding officer of the Damasak military base, was killed after fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ambushed his patrol. The officer had been leading about 30 soldiers on foot, a task that has become a familiar, if dangerous, part of military operations in the region. By daybreak, the patrol had scattered. Some soldiers…