Nigeria’s labour market remains heavily tilted against women in formal employment, with only 10.5 per cent of employed women engaged in wage and salaried jobs as of 2025, according to the latest gender data report by the World Bank. The figure underscores the overwhelming concentration of women in informal and vulnerable work, despite their strong participation in the labour force. According to the report, about 80.7 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 and above are economically active. However, the majority are engaged in low-quality jobs that offer limited income security, stability, or social protection. The disparity becomes clearer when…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Nigeria’s business environment remained in expansion territory in March 2026, but momentum weakened significantly as economic pressures intensified across key sectors. This is according to the latest Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) released by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, which showed that the Current Business Performance Index fell sharply to 101.2 points in March from 117.2 points recorded in February. Although the index remains above the 100-point benchmark that signals expansion, the steep decline underscores a slowdown in the pace of growth. Compared to March 2025, when the index stood at 106.6 points, current performance also reflects softer year-on-year growth. The…
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to open the Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge to the public this week, marking a significant milestone in efforts to ease traffic congestion across key corridors in the state. The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Monday by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. According to the statement, the bridge is among several landmark projects scheduled for commissioning during the two-day visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Lagos on Wednesday and Thursday. The Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge is designed to address persistent traffic bottlenecks along the Ojota,…
By Ishola N. Ayodele, fimc-CMC, ME “The burden of understanding in communication does not lie with the audience; it lies with the communicator.” Ishola Ayodele In April 2017, employees of United Airlines forcibly removed Dr. David Dao from a fully booked United Express flight. The CEO’s initial defensive response describing the brutalised passenger as “disruptive and belligerent” was widely decoded as callous, amplifying outrage on social media far beyond the incident itself. Within weeks, the company lost $1.4 billion in market value. That episode marked the beginning of my Communication without Communicating series. Similarly, the recent post titled “HOW EL…
Nigeria’s data protection regulator, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, has opened an investigation into Remita Payment Services Ltd. and Sterling Bank over a suspected large-scale data breach. The Commission disclosed that a formal Notice of Investigation was served on both organisations on April 1, 2026, following reports that sensitive personal and financial data of Nigerians may have been exposed. In a statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, the NDPC said the probe will determine: The types of personal data involved The scale and nature of the alleged breach Potential risks to affected individuals Measures taken to mitigate the incident The…
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has facilitated the release and return of three Nigerians who were stranded at an airport in South Africa following an immigration incident. The development was confirmed in a statement shared on the commission’s official X account on Sunday. According to NIDCOM, the affected individuals have now been cleared by South African authorities and are expected to arrive in Lagos on Monday. The commission, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the detention but welcomed the safe resolution of the matter. The incident gained attention after a social media user, Just_Yemi (@YemiFirstson),…
Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) database has grown to 68.6 million as of March 2026, according to the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System. However, the latest figures point to a slowdown in new registrations, coming just weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced stricter regulations governing enrolment and usage. Data from NIBSS shows that BVN registrations increased by 754,128 between January and March 2026, up from 67.8 million recorded at the end of 2025. This represents a slower pace compared to 2025, when 4.3 million new BVNs were added, largely driven by the Non-Resident BVN (NRBVN) initiative, which enabled…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has increased its planned borrowing for 2026 to N29.20 trillion, following a widening fiscal deficit and expansion of the national budget. The revised figure marks a sharp rise of N11.31 trillion from the earlier projection of N17.89 trillion outlined in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued in December 2025. According to details in the 2026 Appropriation Bill approved by the National Assembly, the fiscal deficit is now projected at N31.46 trillion, with total expenditure estimated at N68.32 trillion and revenue at N36.87 trillion. The widening gap between government spending and revenue has significantly…
Nigeria’s banks are under fresh regulatory pressure as the Central Bank of Nigeria sets an April 30 deadline for lenders to submit Board-approved Risk-Based Capital (RBC) stress test reports. The directive marks a tougher phase of oversight following the recent recapitalisation exercise, shifting focus from the size of bank capital to its ability to withstand economic shocks. Issued on March 6, 2026, the directive requires banks to evaluate how their capital positions would perform under adverse credit scenarios, including detailed assessments of methodology, compliance, and capital impact. In a joint statement signed by Olubukola Akinwunmi and Hakama Sidi Ali,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission has directed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) nationwide to suspend all publicity and logistical preparations for the planned voter revalidation exercise. The directive was contained in a letter dated April 4, 2026, and signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony. According to the notice, RECs are to halt all external activities related to the exercise and await further instructions from the commission. “RECs are directed to step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives,” the letter stated. However, the commission instructed officials to continue internal preparations, including…