Access Bank Plc has successfully secured a substantial €50 million credit facility from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This funding is earmarked to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as businesses led by women, furthering financial inclusion and driving economic growth in Nigeria. The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), reflects a strategic collaboration between Access Bank and the European Investment Bank. This partnership aims to provide long-term financing support for SMEs and mid-cap businesses in critical sectors such as transport, agriculture value-chain, manufacturing, tourism, and services. In alignment with the “2X Challenge” initiative, the credit…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
The Nigerian government has announced a N1 billion partnership with IHS Towers to build learning communities across the federation for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani posted: “I am excited to announce a N1 Billion partnership between the @FMoCDENigeria and IHS Towers to establish the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community. This initiative, which is in support of our recently launched 3MTT programme, will facilitate the set-up of learning communities in the 36 states and the FCT. The N1 billion funding from IHS Towers also includes a commitment…
By Elvis Eromosele It has been five years since Aunty Mary relocated to Canada with her immediate family. The extended family here were hoping she would be able to support them by now. She claims things are not as easy as they appear. The family thinks that she just wants to disappear. This is one of the dilemmas of the growing global migration. Migration, the movement of people from one place to another, typically involving a change in residence or location, is on the rise globally. Global migration, however, is a complex and multifaceted trend influenced by various factors including…
State governments are owing pensioners benefits and gratuities of about N1 trillion. A review by The Nation indicated that despite the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004, repealed by PRA 2014 that led to the establishment and commencement of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for all workers in 2007, successive governors have failed to fully embrace the CPS. While the 25 states are at various stages of implementation of the scheme, some are still in disarray. Six states were at the bill stage while another six have laws on the Contributory Defined Benefits Scheme (CDBS). Also, 16 states have established pension bureaux…
Schweppes, sparkling premium beverage has introduced a new sleek and vibrant 40cl PET bottle into the Nigerian market. The recently introduced 40cl bottle is an extension of the elegance of the three Schweppes brand variants: Virgin Mojito, Chapman, and Pineapple with malt extract. The exclusive launch event was held at the prestigious W Bar, Ikoyi, Lagos. The event was well attended by Nigerian celebrities from the entertainment industry as well as many corporate executives. It was a night of music and fun even as the audience was treated to a sip of their favourite Schweppes in the new bottle. Top…
300 young Nigerian entrepreneurs are set to receive N90 million in equipment grants from the MTN Foundation, following the conclusion of the sixth phase of the ICT and Business Skills training. The entrepreneurs were announced during the closing ceremony held virtually. Present at the ceremony were the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. William Alo, chief technology officer, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Jonas Nzeagwu and special adviser, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Enugu State Government, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, among others. In his goodwill message during the…
The Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS) trading as 9mobile has announced its 15th anniversary in Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in its journey of providing exceptional services to customers across the country. The brand which commenced its journey into the Nigeran market on October 23, 2008, with the disruptive ‘0809ja’ campaign, has been at the forefront of innovation, delivering cutting-edge telecommunications solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals. Over the past 15 years, 9mobile has affirmed its heritage as a truly Nigerian company renowned for youthfulness, innovation, reliability, and outstanding customer service. Throughout its journey, the company…
By Elvis Eromosele Optimizing a new week is like having a fresh canvas to paint your aspirations and goals. It’s an opportunity to realign, refocus, and reimagine what’s possible. Embrace it with intention, setting clear objectives, prioritizing tasks, and eliminating distractions. Each new week is a chance to learn from the past, improve your strategies, and move one step closer to your long-term vision. To optimize your week is to make it a productive week. To achieve this, it’s important to establish a plan and make some changes to your routine and mindset. Here are five things you can change…
Over 2,000 programmers have signed up for the upcoming First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Hackathon, slated for October 27 to 29. The high enrolment numbers show the programme’s appeal among techies and confirm the commitment of FCMB and its parent company, the FCMB Group, to nurturing innovation. A partnership with Ingressive For Good, the 50-hour virtual Hackathon is set to harness the power of FCMB APIs in advancing open banking initiatives. It will unite a diverse group of tech enthusiasts to collaboratively construct proofs of concept and minimum viable products (MVPs) aimed at solving a specific, predefined challenge. What sets…
The naira has maintained its slide against the dollar in the midst of forex scarcity, reports from the markets indicate. At the parallel market, naira commenced trading at 1,175/$ and closed at 1,190/$ on Friday. Two weeks earlier, the naira had traded at 1,100/$ at the parallel market. It, however, appreciated slightly on the Investor & Exporter forex window after it sold at 808.28/$ at the close of trading on Friday, from 810.05/$ on Thursday, according to figures obtained from the FMDQ. The naira had continued to maintain devaluation following the CBN’s order to the lending institutions to allow the…