By Elvis Eromosele For years, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) banking in Nigeria has been a lifeline for millions of Nigerians. It was simple, fast, and accessible even on the most basic mobile phones. From transferring money to paying bills, and checking balances to buying airtime, USSD provided seamless access to banking without the need for internet access. But now, a terse, polite message from banks may have sounded the death knell of the service. In what feels like a final move in a long-standing tussle between telecom service providers and banks, the new directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Let’s face it – we’re living in noisy times. From Instagram reels to sponsored tweets, and TV ads to WhatsApp broadcasts, people are being bombarded with messages every single second. And in all that noise, there’s one thing every brand is trying to earn: trust. But here’s the truth – trust is hard to earn, and even harder to keep. In this digital age, where one PR misstep can go viral in minutes, brands can’t afford to get it wrong. Consumers are watching. They’re listening. And they’re comparing notes. So how do you rise above the clutter and connect with…
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, June 12, 2025, as a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration. This announcement was made in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. According to the statement, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated Nigerians on the commemoration of 26 years of unbroken democratic governance in the country. “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, peace is sustained, and our future assured,” Tunji-Ojo said.…
The Federal Government of Nigeria is pressing ahead with the implementation of a ¥15 billion (approximately $110 million) emergency loan facility from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aimed at bolstering the nation’s food security. This development follows a crucial meeting on Wednesday involving Mr. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, with senior JICA officials. The high-level discussion focused on accelerating the “Food Security Emergency Loan Support Programme,” a vital initiative designed to enhance Nigeria’s food production systems and build resilience amidst persistent global…
Akinwale Akingbade, technology advocate and public policy analyst, has called for the urgent adoption of digital transformation initiatives as a cornerstone for development in Ondo State. In a comprehensive address shared with stakeholders and the public, he outlined a vision to reposition the state as a leader in innovation, digital governance, and economic inclusivity. According to Akingbade, Ondo State, like many others in Nigeria, continues to grapple with systemic challenges in education, healthcare, governance, agriculture, and economic growth. He argued that embracing technology across all sectors will fast-track development, enhance service delivery, and ensure transparency. “Integrating technology into governance and…
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…
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…