Bennett Oghifo

Former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Gashua Pro-Chancelor, Bingham University brings Decades of Academic Leadership to Nigeria’s
National Knowledge Infrastructure Platform

RDIC Africa has announced the appointment of Professor Andrew Haruna as Board Chairman of Iwemi — Nigeria’s first national AI-powered academic publishing, research archiving, and knowledge commercialisation platform.

The appointment marks a defining moment in Iwemi’s evolution from a pioneering technology platform into a nationally recognised academic institution with governance leadership of the highest order.

Iwemi, operated by RDIC Africaand accessible at www.iwemiresearch.org, www.iwemischool.com and www.iwemi.com, is a tripartite digital ecosystem that addresses three of the most critical and longstanding failures in Nigerian tertiary education simultaneously: the permanent destruction of academic research output, the absence of a commercial publishing pathway for Nigerian lecturers, and the near-total inaccessibility of locally authored academic content to the students who need it most. Nigeria’s 313 universities, polytechnic and Colleges of Education produce between 40,000 and 60,000 original research papers every academic year. Fewer than five percent of that output is ever permanently preserved, globally indexed, or financially rewarded. The remainder is printed once and discarded. Iwemi permanently ends this cycle: every research paper, thesis, and dissertation uploaded to the platform is permanently archived, globaly indexed, and earns its author royalty income on every subsequent download — indefinitely. Nigerian lecturers, meanwhile, gain a commercial pathway to publish locally authored, curriculum-matched textbooks that students can purchase at affordable prices, financed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The platform also provides universities with a direct, automatically generated Internally Generated Revenue stream from their own academic output — at zero capital cost to the institution.

Professor Haruna is one of the most distinguished academic leaders Nigeria has produced. A Professor of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, he served as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua from 2016 to 2021 , and currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Bingham University. His internationally recognised research in Linguistics has been conducted in partnership with the University of London, the Johann Wolfgang Goethe Institut, the German Research Foundation, and the Austrian Science Fund — placing him among the most globally credentialled Nigerian academics of his generation.

As Board Chairman, Professor Haruna will provide strategic academic governance to the Iwemi platform, chair the Academic Oversight Board, and preside at the INARIC 2026 Grand Award Ceremony in Abuja on 8 December 2026.Iwemi is currently in active engagement with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), the Nigeria Education Repository and Data Bank (NERD), the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Federal Ministry of Education, and TETFund — positioning Iwemi as the private sector technology partner at the heart of Nigeria’s national education infrastructure reform agenda.

The platform is deployed in partnership with Interswitch and Wema Bank (ALAT).The CEO of RDIC Africa, Mr. Ejimofor Akah expressed delight that “Professor Haruna’s appointment signals to every Vice-Chancelor, every regulatory body, and every development partner engaged in Nigerian education that Iwemi is not a technology experiment. It is a national academic institution. His chairmanship is the most powerful endorsement we could receive, and we are honoured by his confidence in our mission.”

About RDIC Africa / Iwemi: RDIC Africa (RDIC Limited, RC966105) operates the Iwemi Education Engine — Nigeria’s first national AI-powered academic publishing, research archiving, and e-learning ecosystem comprising www.iwemiresearch.org, www.iwemischool.com, and www.iwemi.com.
Iwemi is deployed in partnership with Interswitch and Wema Bank, and is in active engagement with NUC, NCCE, NERD, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NELFUND, TETFund, and the Federal Ministry of Education.

By Ugo Aliogo

A new boutique hospitality destination, Zee Residence, is set to commence operations in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, with its official opening scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2026.

The development adds to the growing residential hospitality segment, offering accommodation designed to cater to business travellers, leisure guests, families and visitors seeking extended stays.

According to the developers, the property comprises 19 furnished suites, including studio apartments, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences, with facilities aimed at combining the comfort of residential living with hotel services.

Amenities at the residence include uninterrupted power supply, treated water, high-speed internet access, a fitness centre, in-house dining, housekeeping, laundry services and security.

Speaking ahead of the opening, the Chairman of Zee Residence, Dr. Babatunde (Tunde) Rufai, said the project was conceived to meet the changing preferences of travellers seeking greater privacy, comfort and personalised service.

“Today’s traveller is looking for more than a room. They want somewhere they can arrive, settle in comfortably, conduct business, spend quality time with family or simply unwind in complete peace of mind. Zee Residence was created to deliver exactly that experience,” he said.

Rufai added that the company aims to build a hospitality brand anchored on operational excellence, consistency and quality service.

“Our ambition is not merely to operate another hospitality facility. We are building a brand that will be recognised for consistency, trust and exceptional guest experiences,” he said.

According to the company, the residence operates under seven core values—guest service, respect, accountability, confidentiality, excellence, integrity and professionalism—which are intended to guide service delivery.

The official opening is expected to bring together invited guests, business leaders, partners and stakeholders in the hospitality industry.

The launch comes as demand continues to grow for accommodation that offers longer-stay options and

Bennett Oghifo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) R.S 8 Zonal Command comprising Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states, has commenced a three-day special intervention patrol across the three states as directed by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Mohammed Shehu, as part of renewed efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and improve compliance with traffic regulations nationwide.

The exercise in the states, code-named “Operation Kasolayo” (Safe Arrival), began on Monday, July 20, and will run until Wednesday, July 22, 2026, targeting major highways, strategic transport corridors and identified crash-prone locations within the FRSC Zone RS8 Command.
The Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) for the three states, Assistant Corps Marshal Ann Oladayo, led a team on Monday to patrol the Oko Olowo- Olooru- Bode Saadu – Jebba axis, the scene of the recent crash where multiple deaths were recorded as a result of overloading.
In her interaction with the press, the ZCO said the operation was approved by the Corps Marshal following an analysis of road traffic crashes recorded between January and June 2026.

According to her, the six-month assessment revealed that human-related factors remain the leading causes of road crashes, necessitating a combination of strict enforcement and intensive public education to promote safer driving habits.

Oladayo explained that enforcement teams will target offences including excessive speeding, dangerous and reckless driving, overloading of passengers and goods, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the use of worn-out tyres and other traffic violations that endanger lives.
To ensure effective implementation, the FRSC has deployed about 1,500 personnel supported by 50 patrol vehicles, patrol motorcycles, two heavy-duty tow trucks, one light tow truck, ambulances and other rescue equipment positioned at strategic locations for rapid emergency response.
The ZCO added that mobile courts have been arranged to enable the swift prosecution of motorists found violating traffic laws during the operation.
The FRSC appealed to motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to cooperate with its personnel and strictly observe traffic regulations, stressing that the exercise is designed to save lives rather than punish road users.

Members of the public were also encouraged to report road crashes and traffic emergencies through the FRSC’s toll-free emergency line, 122, or the Zone RS8 Command and Control Centre for prompt assistance.

Bennett Oghifo

Most marketing accounts get taught after the fact, once the results are safely in and the risk has been sanded off the story. “Radio Is Dead” deserves to be taught differently, not as a tidy success story, but as a masterclass.

Here’s what actually happened: a Nigerian radio network convinced its own country, for a week, that radio might be finished. It let strangers hold up placards with no explanation. It let its own social media accounts play dumb. It let two opposing camps of influencers argue in public, neither of them aware they were working for the same campaign. And it did all of this without spending a naira on traditional advertising, before revealing the entire thing was the launch of a new breakfast show. That is a campaign that could have gone badly wrong in half a dozen ways, and the fact that it didn’t is exactly why it deserves serious study and not just admiration. A snapshot of the online debate that played out in real time, before anyone knew a brand was behind it.
A Masterclass in Withheld Information. Most marketing training teaches students to lead with clarity: know your message, state your value proposition, make sure the audience

understands what you’re selling. “Radio Is Dead” did the opposite on
purpose, and it worked precisely because it broke that rule with discipline.

There is a real, teachable skill in knowing what not to say, and for how long, and to whom. That’s a harder skill to teach than copywriting, and this campaign is a rare, fully documented example of it done well.

It’s a case study in risk that most brands may never approve.

Somewhere in a boardroom, someone had to sign off on a campaign whose core message was “our product is dying” with no brand name attached to soften it, for a week, with no guarantee the public would land on the right side of the joke. That is the kind of risk most marketing agencies are structurally built to avoid. Studying why this one got approved, and how the risk was actually managed behind the scenes, the NDAs, the activator briefings, the standby crisis messaging, is more instructive than studying campaigns where nothing was ever really on the line. Nigerian marketing curricula are full of paid-media case studies: reach, frequency, cost-per-impression. “Radio Is Dead” generated a nationwide, multi-platform, week-long trending conversation without paying for a single placement during the week it mattered most. This not an argument against paid media. It’s an argument that most brands reach for paid media too early, before exhausting what a well-built, well-paced organic moment can do on its own.

It’s also a case study in what could have gone wrong and that matters just as much. A responsible classroom treatment of this campaign wouldn’t just celebrate

it. It would sit with the real risks: the possibility of the message being
misread as genuinely anti-radio, the reputational cost if the deception had landed as manipulative rather than clever, thechance that the reveal simply wasn’t strong enough to justify the wait. Those risks were managed, and understanding how they were managed is the more valuable lesson than the win itself.

Nigerian marketing education leans heavily on international case studies, because they are the ones written up and packaged for teaching. But a campaign engineered entirely for a Nigerian audience, using Nigerian street culture, Nigerian Twitter behaviour, and Nigerian Pidgin as a genuine creative asset, deserves a seat at that table.

“Radio Is Dead” wasn’t just a good campaign to bring about a different narrative. It’s a Nigerian-built example of a hard, high-risk marketing
discipline, executed at a level worth teaching properlyrisks, near-misses, and all.

Bennett Oghifo

A Lagos-based real estate developer, Obinna Anthony Chukwuneta, has urged industry stakeholders to adopt a more realistic assessment of the resources needed to deliver premium housing in Nigeria’s commercial capital, warning that rising construction costs and macroeconomic pressures are narrowing the margins available to developers committed to quality.

Chukwuneta, Managing Director of Attarhi Nigeria Limited, a boutique development firm with projects including Tusk Tower, Riva Estate, Marina Del Ray and Grace Pointe, said the conversation about Nigeria’s housing deficit risks becoming abstract unless grounded in the practical realities of project delivery.
“When people quote figures of 15 or 20 million units, the numbers are so large that they lose meaning,” he said. “What is more useful is to discuss what it takes to deliver one project well, and then to ask whether the conditions on the ground allow developers to do so sustainably.”

His comments come amid sustained pressure on the construction sector. The price of a 50kg bag of cement has risen from approximately ₦9,000 in December 2025 to ₦12,500–₦15,000 as of July 2026, depending on brand and location. Steel, sand and other critical inputs have followed similar upward trends, with a recent industry report noting a 30 per cent increase in construction input costs in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
In January 2026, the National Housing Data Technical Committee revised Nigeria’s housing deficit to 14.9 million units, with Lagos alone facing a shortfall of more than 2.7 million units. Chukwuneta said developers in the premium segment face particular pressure because their buyers expect standards that cannot be compromised when input costs rise.

“Your job as a developer is to absorb cost pressures and improve efficiency across your procurement, project management, and the way you run your site,” he said. “That is where the discipline lies. You cannot tell a buyer that finishes are lower because cement prices have risen.”

He called on government at all levels to look beyond digital reforms and faster approvals, recommending instead a structured partnership between the public and private sectors to stabilise the cost of key building materials and to improve access to development finance for compliant developers.
“What the sector needs is a framework that rewards developers who build to standard with better access to finance and lower regulatory costs,” he said. “That kind of incentive structure would do more for housing delivery than any single policy intervention because it aligns quality with viability.”

Despite the challenges, Chukwuneta expressed confidence in Lagos’s long-term outlook, describing the city’s growth trajectory as irreversible.

“Lagos is not going to stop building. The question is whether it continues in a way that produces buildings people can trust and an industry that serious developers and investors want to join. That is the only version of growth worth sustaining.”

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Following their landmark $20 million acquisition of the Abo FPSO deep-water infrastructure in September 2023, STAC Marine partnered with Flip Visuals as their full service brand communications agency. As their trusted visual communications partner, we were tasked with developing a comprehensive brand identity for the Nigerian deep-water energy operator, aligning their visual narrative with their massive operational expansion.

Rather than treating branding as a finishing touch, STAC Marine’s leadership recognized early that operating an asset of this scale, one that puts them in direct contact with global energy companies, regulators, and partners, meant the company needed a brand identity built specifically for that stage from day one. STAC Marine engaged Flip Visuals to build that identity from the ground up.
STAC Marine came to us with a clear understanding of where they were headed,” said Austine Nwaojei. Co-Founder and Creative Director at Flip Visuals. They didn’t need to be convinced that brand visibility mattered a lot in building a business. They already knew. Our job was translating their operational ambition into a visual and communications system that matches it.

Flip Visuals approached the engagement as a positioning exercise: identifying what genuinely differentiates STAC dMarine in a market often dominated by larger international operators. The agency’s insight was that STAC Marine’s edge lies in being responsive, locally grounded, and operationally disciplined, qualities that can be harder for global competitors to deliver at the same speed.
That positioning shaped every element of the identity Flip Visuals developed: a logo informed by FPSO pipeline structure, a visual system built to convey technical sophistication and operational precision, and a website designed around STAC Marine’s actual operations. The engagement also included a corporate communications strategy positioning STAC Marine as a thought leader in FPSO asset management, alongside social media management and motion/visual content.

“We saw this as developing a brand from scratch, not fixing something broken,” said the CEO at STAC Marine Offshore Ltd. We were challenged to use their original assets to create their brand identity. We went to work and delivered an exceptional brand presence for STAC MARINE OFFSHORE LTD.
The engagement reflects a broader approach Flip Visuals has taken across the energy, maritime, and fintech sectors it serves: pairing brand strategy with integrated execution design, digital presence, and communications delivered as a single system rather than separate deliverables.
About Flip Visuals

Flip Visuals is a full-service brand management and visual communications agency based in Lagos, offering brand strategy, visual identity design, web development, corporate communications, social media management, and video production. The agency works with clients across energy, maritime, fintech, and emerging-growth sectors.

Bennett Oghifo

France and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral economic cooperation in agriculture, with both countries seeking to unlock new agribusiness opportunities and increase agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), currently estimated at about 25 per cent.

The renewed commitment was announced on Thursday at the France-Nigeria Agri-������Ƶ Dialogue held in Lagos, where government officials, agribusiness leaders, investors and other stakeholders explored strategies for transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and attracting greater investment into the sector.

Speaking at the event, the Consul General of France in Lagos, Laurent Favier, described agriculture as one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria’s economy, stressing that the long-standing relationship between France and Nigeria offers an opportunity to combine the comparative strengths of both countries for sustainable economic growth.

According to him, stronger collaboration between Nigerian and French stakeholders would create greater value than isolated efforts, noting that both countries possess complementary expertise capable of driving agricultural transformation.
He observed that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has expanded market opportunities across the continent, making Nigeria an increasingly strategic partner for France because of its vast agricultural resources and enormous investment potential.

Favier said France remains committed to supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation, revealing that approximately €27 billion was recently committed during an international summit to accelerate agricultural value chain development across the continent.
He disclosed that €300 million from the fund has been earmarked specifically to support entrepreneurs, agribusinesses and enterprises operating within agricultural value chains across Africa.

As part of efforts to institutionalise cooperation, the French envoy announced the integration of agribusiness into the activities of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and formally unveiled the France-Nigeria Agri-������Ƶ Club.
According to him, the new platform is designed to strengthen collaboration among businesses, investors and other stakeholders from both countries while promoting trade, innovation and investment in agriculture.

Favier also highlighted the objectives of FARM+, a French-led agricultural initiative established in 2022, explaining that the programme extends beyond financial intervention to provide technical expertise, business development support and capacity building for agricultural enterprises across Africa.

He noted that the initiative was launched during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to combine financial resources with technical know-how aimed at strengthening agricultural businesses rather than merely funding equipment or infrastructure.
Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s agricultural prospects, Favier said the country’s enormous potential, when combined with French expertise, could significantly enhance productivity, value addition and export competitiveness.

Also speaking, the Agriculture Counsellor for Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon at the French Embassy, Rachid Benlafquih, described Nigeria as a strategic market for France, particularly in agricultural production and exports.

He explained that France is working to bridge both countries’ agricultural ecosystems by promoting innovation, knowledge transfer and stronger value-chain development capable of improving productivity and competitiveness.

Benlafquih said the partnership would also provide technical assistance to help organise Nigeria’s agricultural value chains more efficiently while strengthening the country’s capacity to compete in international markets.

He, however, pointed out that Nigerian agricultural exports seeking access to European markets must comply with the European Union’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards, acknowledging that meeting those requirements remains a major challenge for many producers.

To address the challenge, he said France is prepared to support Nigerian institutions and agribusiness operators with technical expertise, including training on pest management, animal health systems and other sanitary measures required for international trade.

Speaking on strategies to increase agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP, Benlafquih maintained that sustainable growth would require coordinated action involving government, private sector operators, technology providers and research institutions.

According to him, the development of sound public policies in collaboration with the private sector remains essential, adding that technological innovation alone would not be sufficient without institutional reforms and capacity building across the agricultural ecosystem.

He stressed the importance of strengthening veterinary services, improving animal health management and addressing structural challenges affecting agricultural production to enhance the sector’s overall contribution to economic growth.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Coordinator of the dialogue and Chief Executive Officer of JR Farms, Mr. Rotimi Olawale, said the forum was organised to celebrate the enduring partnership between France and Nigeria while exploring fresh opportunities for collaboration in agribusiness.
Olawale, who noted that he had collaborated with the French Embassy for about six years, described Nigeria as France’s largest trading partner in Africa and urged both countries to leverage their strong economic relationship to drive investment, innovation and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Baye Homes has reinforced its position in Abuja’s real estate market with the successful allocation of plots to subscribers at its Nevada Residence estate in Kuje, a development the company says reflects its continued commitment to transparency, timely project delivery and sustainable real estate development.

The allocation ceremony, attended by subscribers, management, business partners and other stakeholders, marked another milestone in the company’s growth journey as beneficiaries formally took possession of their plots.

Over the years, Baye Homes has expanded its footprint across the Federal Capital Territory through a portfolio of more than 20 residential developments, focusing on providing investors and prospective homeowners with verified property titles, transparent documentation and structured estate development.

Speaking during the event, the company’s management said its philosophy extends beyond land sales to creating planned communities capable of delivering long-term value for homeowners and investors.

According to the company, maintaining transparency throughout the acquisition process and ensuring that subscribers receive value for their investments have remained central to its operations.

Nevada Residence, one of Baye Homes’ flagship developments, is strategically located in Kuje, one of the fastest-growing districts within the Federal Capital Territory. The estate is situated approximately 15 minutes from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and enjoys easy access to the Abuja expressway.

Industry analysts have identified Kuje as one of the capital city’s emerging investment destinations, driven by rapid infrastructure expansion, increasing institutional presence and growing private sector investment.

The district has witnessed considerable development in recent years with improved road networks, expanding educational institutions, manufacturing activities and new residential estates. The anticipated growth around the Centenary City project is also expected to further stimulate commercial and residential development within the axis.

Against this backdrop, Baye Homes said Nevada Residence was conceived to meet the growing demand for well-planned residential communities in locations with strong long-term appreciation potential.

The company noted that the successful allocation exercise demonstrates its determination to fulfil commitments to subscribers through visible project execution and efficient service delivery.

Leading the organisation is the Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mrs. Zubeidah Coker, whose leadership has continued to shape the company’s strategic direction and operational growth.

Supporting the company’s operations is the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Joy Afinotan, alongside the Operations Manager, Ms. Deborah Obieje; Community Manager, Ms. Wandoo Iorwuese; Head of Administration, Ms. Zara Asema; Project Manager, Mr. Uche Madu; and Brand Ambassador, Ms. Zuleihat Asema.

Management said the company’s growth has been driven by a collective commitment to professionalism, innovation and customer satisfaction, values it intends to sustain as it expands into new locations across the Federal Capital Territory.

Looking ahead, Baye Homes said it will continue to identify strategic investment corridors within Abuja while delivering projects that respond to the city’s increasing demand for quality housing and secure real estate investment opportunities.

As Abuja’s real estate sector continues to evolve, the company believes transparency, regulatory compliance and consistent project delivery will remain key factors shaping investor confidence and long-term industry growth.

For Baye Homes, the allocation of plots at Nevada Residence represents not only another completed milestone but also a reaffirmation of its commitment to building sustainable communities that combine accessibility, quality infrastructure and lasting investment value.

By Bennett Oghifo

The Chief Executive Officer of Winter Place, Engr. Obi Njoku, has been conferred with the title of Ezinwa of St. George’s Anglican Church, Lorji, in recognition of his contributions to the church and community.

The honour, which was bestowed on June 21, 2026, came days after Njoku was recognised with the Most Outstanding Igbo Personality of the Year in ������Ƶ award.

According to the church, the title was conferred in appreciation of his commitment to supporting church activities and his contributions to humanitarian and community development initiatives.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Njoku expressed gratitude to the leadership of St. George’s Anglican Church for the recognition.

“I receive this honour with gratitude to Almighty God and sincerely thank the Church for finding me worthy of this recognition. I see it as a call to greater service and a reminder of the responsibility to continue supporting God’s work and contributing to the well-being of society,” he said.

Njoku is the Chief Executive Officer of Winter Place, a subsidiary of Njame Consulting Limited, which provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions, as well as home appliance services for residential, commercial and industrial clients.

A graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he has more than 15 years of experience in engineering, project management and business development.

He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

By Bennett Oghifo

MyPassyApp, a digital finance platform offering cryptocurrency trading, gift card transactions, airtime purchases and bill payment services, has officially launched after several years of development.

According to the company, the platform was developed over a three-year period, during which its founder, Paschal Offor, popularly known as Passy, said the product underwent further refinement before its public release.

Speaking at the launch, Offor said the decision to delay the rollout was intended to allow additional time for product development.

“Three years ago, we could have launched. We chose not to because we wanted to continue improving the platform before making it available to users,” he said.

MyPassyApp builds on the operations of Passyxchange, a digital asset business through which the company has previously provided cryptocurrency and related financial services.

The launch event, hosted by media personality Uti Nwachukwu, was attended by customers, business associates, family members and guests, including content creators Valking and Mbah.

Activities at the event included demonstrations of the platform’s features and promotional giveaways for attendees.

The company said the application has attracted more than 1,500 users since becoming publicly available on May 15, adding that it intends to continue expanding its range of digital financial services.

MyPassyApp provides users with services including cryptocurrency transactions, gift card trading, airtime purchases and bill payments through a single digital platform.

Bennett Oghifo

Times Heroes Award (THA) Council, has unveiled names of 90 individuals and entities nominated by Nigerians at home and the Diaspora for the Times Heroes Award which is being planned as part of centenary celebration of Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, The Daily Times, which started on June 1st 2026.

The nominees where unveiled Thursday during a press conference at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos and include categories like DTN @100 Man of the Century, Woman of the Century, Africa Rising Award, Global Icon, Climate Responsibility, Social Impact, Community Development, Bank of the Year, Manufacturing Company of the Year, Outstanding Governors and Ministers, among others.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Times Heroes Awards Council, Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, said the awards were conceived to celebrate Nigerians and institutions whose contributions have shaped the nation’s history over the past century.
According to him, the awards reflect the newspaper’s enduring legacy of documenting Nigeria’s evolution since its establishment and its commitment to recognising excellence across governance, business, media, public service, gender advocacy and other sectors.

Okusaga said, “Daily Times has been in the business of not just news gathering, but also serving as the conscience of the nation”

He noted that the newspaper played a significant role in Nigeria’s journey from colonial rule to independence and has continued to chronicle the country’s development.

He explained that the awards would distinguish themselves through an independent selection process anchored on global best practices.

He said “We believe that the Times Heroes Awards will be worthy of its name. This is set to be different. It will ensure independence, conform with global best practices and recognise those who truly deserve the honour, not serve as a platform for monetisation.”

Okusaga also disclosed that the centenary celebrations would feature the unveiling of a commemorative publication The Nigerian Grand Book- which is a documentation of Nigeria’s history through the archives of Daily Times, while celebrating notable personalities whose contributions have positively projected the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Bonaventure Melah, said the awards ceremony, slated for September 3, was designed to honour outstanding individuals, institutions, companies and other entities that have impacted society positively through quality leadership and service to communities and Nigeria in general.

Melah said the awards is being planned and implemented in a most transparent manner to ensure it becomes the most credible award in the nation’s history, and therefore a model for others to emulate.

He revealed that one of the award categories is the DTN @100 Journalist of the Year which would attract N10m to the winner stating that a check of N10m would be handed over to the winner at the award venue and that the winner of that category would be decided by journalists themselves, urging them to key into the dedicated website and vote.
He described Daily Times centenary as a milestone that would reconnect Nigerians with their shared history, values and democratic ideals, saying it would bring back the Nigerian consciousness to the citizens and explained that the awards would feature 35 categories while veterans of Daily Times like Babatunde Jose, Segun Osoba, Onyema Ugochukwu and others would be honoured.

He said that with the unveling, the nomination process has closed while voting has commenced, to last for three weeks when final winners would be announced. He urged the public to go to www.timesheroesawards.com to vote for those they consider most qualified for the categories already nominated.

According to him, names like President John Mahama of Ghana, Zambian President, former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonatthan, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Zenith Bank CEO, Senator Ali Mdume and others including some serving and former leaders, are among the over 86 names nominated in the 35 categories.

Speaking at a side event interview, Bonaventure Melah praised the management of Folio Africa, Publishers of Daily Times for the resilience that saw top the preservation of Daily Times and its legacies, saying without the intervention of Folio which bought the brand during the privatization exercise in 2006, the paper would have being dead and forgotten.
“Remember that Daily Times was completely dead and forgotten due to mismanagement by government appointees which made President Obasanjo to put it out for sale first in 2004. But nobody showed interest. In 2006, the government again advertised bidding for the newspaper, and after a very rigorous but competitive and transparent process, Folio Communications Limited won the bidding and was declared the preferred winner.

“However, Folio and its owner, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, have endured years of bitter legal battles orchestrated obviously by vested interests who became envious and wondered how such a young man (Anosike was 32 years then), would be allowed to take over Daily Times. Although Folio has spent over N2billion in legal battles alone, the company has successfully managed Daily Times, which makes the centenary celebration and awards a worthy project,” Bonaventure said.

Bennett Oghifo

Under the banner of its new campaign, Claiming Tomorrow, Nsibidi Fables has officially launched its operations in Lagos.

The company in a statement on Wednesday that it is introducing a three-pronged business model designed to rewrite how African history is told and how the next generation is educated. Operating across AI-driven, human-centered Media & Entertainment, Technology, and Nsibidi Academy, the company ensures that while technology handles the scale, a human eye, touch, and editorial standard drive the soul of the process.
The studio’s launch anchors on three clear divisions:

Nsibidi Academy: An educational arm teaching children practical skills in custom AI programming, coding, robotics, and animation through flexible home learning.

Media & Entertainment: A production studio creating original animation rooted in African history, mythology, and culture, while providing high-impact visibility solutions for modern businesses.
Technology: A division building proprietary software and custom AI workflows to scale local production and bypass traditional distribution bottlenecks.

Grounded in the Lagos Creative Community

To drive this mission forward, Nsibidi Fables is actively collaborating with local Lagos schools. Through Nsibidi Academy, the team shares its internal workflows to train young Nigerians in digital world-building and AI engineering, ensuring local talent is equipped to compete globally.

Beyond Nsibidi Academy, Nsibidi Fables is leveraging these exact technical workflows to help local businesses scale. In a marketplace that is now heavily digital, the studio’s media and production branch provides local enterprises with the high-end animation, production, and storytelling tools they need to solve visibility challenges and stand out in a crowded digital economy.

“Africa has always been a continent of storytellers,” noted Tony Effik (Managing Director, Google; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University). “What we teach in classrooms, what we place on screens, and the technology we develop all serve the same mission—ensuring the next generation inhabits both the stories and the tools to tell them.”

“Whether you are engineering a beautifully structured garment or designing proprietary software, the core philosophy remains the same: it requires meticulous craftsmanship, a respect for our narrative, and tools built with absolute intention,” added Perky Noah-Effik (Chief Brand Officer, Nsibidi Fables). “The artifacts of African pride are no longer buried—they are animated.”

Showcasing the Tech: The Story of Queen Amanirenas

As a powerful proof of concept for its production capabilities and local team, Nsibidi Fables is previewing its flagship animation series centered on Queen Amanirenas, the one-eyed Kandake (Queen Mother) of the Kingdom of Kush (modern-day Sudan). Two thousand years ago, she famously led her armies against the invading forces of the Roman Empire, refusing to bow to the superpower.

By prioritizing figures like Amanirenas over the standard historical narratives often favored by Hollywood, the studio demonstrates the depth of Nigerian creative talent while giving young audiences real, historical anchors of bravery and leadership.

“This is an African story that belongs in African hands,” says William Ezefuna, (CEO of Nsibidi Fables). “This studio and academy ecosystem was intentionally built in Nigeria because it’s a creative powerhouse. It’s a nation that intimately understands how colonization can disrupt a mindset, yet it remains definitely proud of its deep roots, celebrating its cultural richness and heritage proudly.”

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Nsibidi Fables (https://nsibidifablesng.com/) is a next-generation entertainment, technology, and Nsibidi Academy company. By pairing local creative talent with advanced generative AI tools, the company produces premium global content and runs practical technical literacy platforms designed to give parents flexible educational tools and prepare children for a tech-driven future.

Bennett Oghifo

Cleaques Sports, a technology-driven sports platform, has unveiled plans to connect grassroots sports talents across Africa and the Caribbean with international opportunities through a digital ecosystem designed to increase visibility, scouting and career development.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Saint Agomeze, Vice President Strategic partnership and eco system Growth, said the organisation was committed to creating pathways that would expose African athletes to global competitions, partnerships and professional opportunities.

He said Cleaques Sports is actively exploring participation in the Prime Minister’s Cup in Barbados as part of efforts to provide local athletes with international exposure.

He said the competition would offer talented African players an opportunity to compete on a global stage, gain valuable experience and showcase their abilities before a wider audience.

“Cleaques Sports will be participating in the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Summit in Lagos as part of our broader vision of building strategic international partnerships that can accelerate the growth of African sports,” he said.

According to him, the organisation intends to engage investors, sports organisations, governments, brands, media institutions and other stakeholders through the summit to create new opportunities for local athletes.
He added that Cleaques Sports aims to build Africa’s leading digital sports ecosystem by creating pathways that transform local talents into globally recognised athletes while positioning African sports as a major force in the international marketplace.

Tolu Ajayi, Cleaques Vice President, ������Ƶ Development, described Cleaques as an integrated digital ecosystem created to support event organisers, promoters, businesses and creators.

Charity Owoh, Head of Marketing, said Cleaques Sports was established to address the challenge of talented athletes remaining undiscovered due to limited access to established clubs and scouting networks.

“We realise that there are so many talents in Africa that are unseen. What we’re doing at Cleaques Sports is to make sure people can actually see that there’s talent in Africa,” she said.

Aisha Oladunjoye, Cleaques Product Manager, said sport has become more than recreation, serving as a source of opportunity, hope and community for young people.

She noted that many talented athletes playing on streets, community fields and school grounds often lack the visibility required to advance their careers.

“We are documenting your journey, your story and everything that needs to be put out for people to see. We want to ensure every local sports talent is given the global recognition they deserve,” she said.
Oladunjoye explained that Cleaves Sports would initially focus on football before expanding to other sporting disciplines.

She described the platform as a digital space where athletes can register, upload videos, share their progress and engage with fans, scouts and clubs.

Ojediran Adewale, Cleaques Sport Director, said the initiative would target street football teams and local talents identified through the platform.

“We are going from street to street to look for talents and get them together on our platform so that they can be seen and showcase their abilities,” he said.

He explained that participating teams would register through the platform and compete under established football regulations, while scouts and agencies would have access to identify promising players.

Officials disclosed that prizes worth up to N10 million would be available for the competition, with details of the prize structure and competition schedule to be announced later.

He noted that the said registration on the platform and participation in competitions would be free and that the athletes would have access to a digital wallet feature through which fans and supporters could contribute directly to their development.

Bennett Oghifo

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has sealed a major automotive partnership with Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, BAIC FOTON, culminating in a vehicle order exceeding 1,000 units for operations across Nigeria.
The landmark agreement, facilitated by Kewalram Autos — the automotive arm of the Kewalram Chanrai Group — is expected to significantly strengthen Dangote Cement’s logistics and distribution network across Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan region.

The high-level meeting, just held in Beijing, China, was organised by the Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer of Kewalram Mobility, Mr. Anil Sahgal. It brought together a Dangote Group delegation led by Aliko Dangote and senior executives of BAIC FOTON, including the General Manager of BAIC Group and Chairman of BAIC FOTON, Chang Rui; Executive Vice President, Lu Zhenghua; and Vice President and President of BAIC FOTON International, Fu Jun.
During the meeting, Chang Rui commended the Dangote Group for its role in advancing industrialisation across Africa, while reaffirming BAIC FOTON’s commitment to deepening its footprint on the continent.

Fu Jun outlined the company’s global expansion strategy and advances in new energy commercial vehicle technology, stressing its customer-focused approach and drive to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient transport solutions worldwide.
Dangote, in his remarks, praised BAIC FOTON’s technological strength, particularly in the development of compressed natural gas-powered trucks, describing the partnership as aligned with Africa’s sustainable development goals and energy transition agenda.

Under the agreement, Dangote Group will acquire a broad portfolio of CNG-powered tractors and semi-trailers aimed at boosting the capacity and efficiency of its cement haulage operations.

The deployment of CNG vehicles is also expected to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions, reinforcing the conglomerate’s commitment to cleaner energy solutions.

Sahgal assured that Kewalram Autos would provide full lifecycle support, including after-sales service and the development of local assembly infrastructure, to guarantee seamless fleet operations.
Industry observers say the deal signals growing confidence in alternative fuel technology within Nigeria’s heavy-duty transport sector and underscores Dangote Group’s continued investment in logistics capacity to sustain its expanding industrial operations.

Bennett Oghifo

In a move aimed at strengthening the delivery and marketing of affordable housing under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Estates initiative, QShelter Limited yesterday signed a Real Estate Agency and Marketing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with M.I. Okoro & Associates, a foremost firm of estate surveyors and valuers.

The joint press briefing and signing ceremony, held in Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing and finance ecosystem, including the Chairman of QShelter Limited, Mr. Kola Sowande; President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Mr. Victor Alonge; Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, Mazi Innocent C. Ike; the Chief Operating Officer of QShelter, Mr. Adegbenga Alamu; and the Principal/CEO of M.I. Okoro & Associates, Dr. Chief Innocent Mechson Okoro.

Also present were directors and board members of QShelter, the Chief Commercial Officer of the company, Mr. Oludare Makinde, senior management and staff of both organisations, and members of the press.

Addressing journalists, the QShelter chairman said the MOU would guide the collaboration between the two firms in the marketing of various housing units being delivered by QShelter as sole agent under the Renewed Hope Housing Estates in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

He noted that the partnership was in alignment with the Federal Government’s housing agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the Renewed Hope Housing Policy as a long-overdue intervention in Nigeria’s chronic housing deficit.

“Housing is one of the basic needs of man, alongside food and clothing. Yet, for decades, Nigeria paid insufficient attention to housing delivery,” he said. “The Renewed Hope Housing Policy is a decision in the right direction, particularly as it targets the middle class and is supported by innovative funding mechanisms.”

Sowande highlighted the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), National Housing Fund (NHF), mortgage and rent-to-own schemes, which offer interest rates of six and seven per cent respectively, with mortgage tenures of up to 30 years and access of up to ₦50 million per subscriber.
He also referenced the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), under which ₦250 billion has been earmarked for disbursement to Nigerians seeking homeownership at a mortgage rate of 9.75 per cent, with up to ₦100 million per beneficiary.

According to him, these interventions, if sustained, could significantly reduce Nigeria’s housing deficit within the lifespan of the Tinubu administration, while also generating employment across the construction value chain.

QShelter’s Role and Track Record

Providing background on the company, QShelter Limited was described as an emerging leader in digital real estate and housing finance in Africa, leveraging technology to connect developers, buyers and mortgage providers on a single platform.

Through partnerships with institutions such as FMBN and several primary mortgage banks, QShelter facilitates access to affordable housing through NHF, rent-to-own and other sustainable financing options.

The company also partners with pension fund administrators, including Access ARM Pension Fund, Leadway Pension and Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, while recently onboarding Providus Bank and FirstBank of Nigeria as partner institutions.

QShelter’s portfolio of completed projects includes the Main Tejuosho Shopping Complex in Yaba, Lagos; a 100,000-ton agricultural storage silo project in Ekiti State; a two-million-ton cement bagging plant in Lagos; a steel pedestrian bridge for the Lagos State Government; and the 132KV Ikorodu–Odogunyan–Sagamu transmission line in Ogun State. Ongoing projects include housing developments at Army Command Estate and the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana, Abuja, Janguza in Kano State, and the 2004 Estate Monastery along the Coastal Road in Sangotedo, Lagos.

The Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, covers 53 hectares and is projected to deliver up to 2,800 housing units, with flexible payment options including outright purchase, instalment plans and NHF-backed mortgages. In Kano, the Renewed Hope City in Janguza spans approximately 67 hectares, with a planned capacity of about 2,000 housing units across multiple phases, offering bungalows, terraces and duplexes.

The Coastal Road Sangotedo project in Lagos is expected to deliver thousands of housing units with proximity to Victoria Island, Novare Mall, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, and proposed transport infrastructure.

In the Strategic Marketing Partnership with M.I. Okoro & Associates, Sowande described

M.I. Okoro & Associates as a “vintage and celebrated” real estate consultancy with over 30 years of industry experience. He praised Dr. Okoro as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, and the Society of Construction Industry Arbitrators, noting his extensive professional exposure and contribution to public education on real estate through the long-running NTA programme, Real Estate AM Express.

“The Board and Management of QShelter are proud to present Dr. Chief M.I. Okoro as our estate agency and marketing partner,” he said, urging the media to support the collaboration in promoting the Renewed Hope Estates nationwide.

Global Outreach and Diaspora Engagement

Both firms disclosed plans to extend marketing efforts to Nigerians in the diaspora through international exhibitions and strategic engagements. These include participation in a building exhibition in Liverpool during the Nigerian–UK Golfing Association tournament, collaboration with Access Bank Plc around its London polo event in 2026, and representation at the OTC World Oil Institutions Conference in Houston, United States.

The initiative, they said, is aimed at ensuring that Nigerians at home and abroad benefit from the Renewed Hope Housing programme, regardless of location.
Okoro’s Policy Recommendations

In his professional input to the Federal Government, Dr. Okoro commended the Renewed Hope Housing initiative and its associated mortgage funding framework but stressed the need for sustainability beyond the current administration. He called for improved land allocation, government-led infrastructure provision to reduce housing costs, incorporation of renewable energy solutions such as solar power, and stronger regulatory oversight of mortgage disbursement to prevent past failures.

He also emphasised the importance of clean land titles for mortgage viability, discouraged speculative purchases by government officials, and advocated for tax incentives and employer-supported housing schemes to help workers access homes early in their careers.

According to him, expanding the Renewed Hope Housing strategy across all states and local governments would increase housing supply, moderate prices, and generate steady revenue for governments through land use charges and ground rents.

As the briefing drew to a close, the organisers expressed confidence that the QShelter–M.I. Okoro partnership would redefine estate agency practice and marketing in Nigeria, while accelerating access to decent and affordable housing under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Bennett Oghifo

Carloha Nigeria, the exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles, made a powerful statement of commitment to excellence and innovation through its premier sponsorship of the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Golf Tournament held at the scenic Ibom Golf Resort.

The high-profile tournament, a highlight on Nigeria’s corporate golf calendar, brought together top executives, engineers, and industry leaders from across the oil and gas value chain. Carloha’s headline sponsorship not only strengthened its relationship with the nation’s vital energy sector but also showcased how the brand continues to add value across multiple fronts, from the fairway to the factory floor.

Carloha’s presence brought new energy to the tournament. The much-anticipated Hole-in-One Challenge at Hole 12, featuring a Chery Tiggo 8 Pro as the grand prize, captivated participants and added a thrilling competitive edge to the game. While no golfer achieved the elusive shot, the activation became one of the event’s most talked-about moments, reinforcing Carloha’s message of rewarding excellence and inspiring high performance.

Beyond excitement on the course, Carloha used the tournament as a platform to engage decision-makers, build partnerships, and highlight how Chery’s robust vehicle lineup supports the mobility needs of Nigeria’s oil and gas professionals, where reliability and efficiency are non-negotiable.

By backing the NAPE Golf Tournament, Carloha also demonstrated its dedication to promoting golf as a sport of precision, discipline, and connection. The company’s involvement is helping sustain the growth of golf as a networking and wellness platform for Nigeria’s corporate and technical elite, further integrating the sport into the nation’s professional culture.

Carloha’s sponsorship spotlighted Chery’s cutting-edge technology and reliability, key traits that align with the energy sector’s demand for dependable fleet solutions. Through initiatives like the CarlohaCare 6-6-7 service package – offering six years of free service, six years of warranty, and a seven-day repair promise – Carloha continues to raise the bar for after-sales service and customer satisfaction in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

This forward-thinking approach underscores the brand’s mission to provide mobility solutions that enhance productivity, minimize downtime, and deliver lasting value.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Felix Mahan, General Manager of Marketing at Carloha Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s long-term vision:

“Our investment in this tournament goes beyond sponsorship; it’s a celebration of partnership. The energy sector drives Nigeria’s growth, and Carloha is proud to support that momentum by delivering vehicles and services that match the industry’s high standards of reliability and performance.”

Carloha’s engagement with NAPE’s flagship event underscores its strategy to be more than a vehicle distributor—it’s a partner in progress. By connecting with key industry stakeholders, the company continues to build meaningful collaborations that advance both mobility innovation and operational excellence across Nigeria’s most critical sectors.

From the lush greens of Ibom Golf Resort to the demanding terrains of oilfield operations, Carloha is driving a shared vision of precision, resilience, and innovation—adding tangible value to the event, the sport, the automotive industry, and every stakeholder involved.

Bennett Oghifo

Nord Automobiles Limited has launched Tavet Motion, a new subsidiary focused on electric vehicles (EVs), and unveiled three new models—Luto, Garent, and Vant—at a high-profile event in Lagos, recently.
The unveiling at the prestigious Oriental Hotel drew top military officers, senior government officials and industrial leaders, signalling what experts described as a major leap in Nigeria’s auto industry and a strong statement for sustainable transportation.

Nord’s Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatobi Ajayi, described Tavet as “the future of mobility,” saying the company was determined to make Africa an active participant—not a spectator—in the global EV revolution.

“Welcome to the future of mobility,” Ajayi declared. “Tavet is about innovation, sustainability, and progress. Nord gave birth to Tavet—and together, we’ll ensure Africa isn’t left behind in the electric revolution.”

The three models—Luto, a compact urban sedan; Garent, a luxury EV; and Vant, a logistics van—are all assembled in Nigeria and designed for African roads.

Ajayi said Tavet’s vision went beyond vehicle sales. “We’re not just selling cars,” he said. “We’re building an entire EV ecosystem—from charging stations to battery health programmes and renewable energy integration.”

Industry watchers say the launch could redefine Nigeria’s auto sector, long hampered by fuel price instability and dependence on imports.

By assembling locally and exploring Nigeria’s emerging lithium reserves, Tavet is expected to create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, research, and renewable energy support services.

Ajayi also hinted at partnerships with renewable energy firms to deploy solar-powered fast chargers nationwide, aligning with Nigeria’s clean energy transition goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“Tavet is proof that technology, when localized, can transform lives,” Ajayi said. “Nord is proudly Nigerian—and Tavet will redefine what it means to build world-class vehicles in Africa.”

Analysts project Tavet could capture up to 15 per cent of Nigeria’s emerging EV market within two years, positioning the country as West Africa’s leading hub for electric mobility.

For a nation battling high fuel costs and mounting environmental concerns, yhe Nord boss said the latest innovation could well be the spark to power Nigeria’s next industrial revolution.

Luto, he said, is viewed as Nigeria’s first compact electric city vehicle designed for young professionals, students and those tired of high fuel price and traffic stress.

The four-door fully EV seats four people comfortably. It is smart, stylish and agile, making everyday mobility simple as it can be parked everywhere and charged anywhere such as home, office and public station.

Its range is up to 200km per charge with power peak of 20kw and 100km/h top speed.
It has electric steering, power window, reverse camera abs hill-start assist, among others.
The Garent is Tavet’s flagship electric sedan and it competes with global EVs in technology and performance.

It has a couple-inspired lift-back design with optional scissor window.

Its other features are adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking
He said Vant is Nigeria’s first practical electric logistics van for delivery businesses, ecomerce platforms and fleet operators as fast charging keep the fleet working without waiting.

The Vant model, with a range of 305km per charge, is positioned as a game-changer for logistics operators seeking a cheaper, cleaner alternative to diesel-powered vans.

Its battery range is 41.88kwh and 20-80% chargingin 45 minutes, payload up to 1,440kg and massive 2.8m cargo volume.

It has ABS, hill-start assist, reverse camera, LCD control screen, GPS navigation, AC plus heater.
With entry-level prices starting around ₦16m and premium variants for ₦32m, Tavet aims to make electric mobility accessible to both individuals and businesses.

Bennett Oghifo

Capitas Partners, and Savannah Capital, are collaborating to design a practical capital-raising programme for marginal field operators and independent companies seeking to scale up production.

Founder and Managing Partner, Capitas Partners, Dr. Abimbola Agboluaje stated this at this year’s edition of the ‘License to Energy Series—Pitching Nigerian Gas to Global Capital.’

This platform, he said, “is dedicated to exploring one key question: What must we do to make Nigerian energy companies more capable of inspiring investor confidence—confidence strong enough to attract capital into energy projects across Nigeria?

“In short, we want to see more Nigerians producing oil and gas—not just holding licenses. That’s why this series is aptly titled From License to Energy.
“As a company, over the past 14 years, I’ve worked with people like Mr. Toyin Akinosho to help foreign investors gain clarity on the risks they face when investing in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. These risks exist at multiple levels—country, political, policy, and regulatory risks—as well as company-level risks such as technical, legal, financial, and governance issues.

“The License to Energy Series is our modest attempt to convert more investor inquiries into actual investments. While I don’t have the exact statistics, experience tells me that if 10 potential investors approach us for risk assessments, perhaps only two or three actually proceed with an investment. We need to change that. Ideally, when 10 Nigerian energy companies pitch to investors, seven or eight should receive a “yes.”
Approaching foreign investors, he said, “is often like sitting for an exam without fully understanding the syllabus or marking scheme. You don’t always know what’s required to pass—or fail—and most times, investors don’t come back to explain why they declined to fund a project. Sometimes, it’s for very small reasons.

“That’s why we’re partnering with Savannah Capital, a London-based business advisory firm that helps African corporates access global capital through effective structuring and targeted introductions to investors.”

He said the Savannah Capital’s team consists of professionals who have built their careers in the City of London—arguably the world’s leading hub for fundraising. “They understand what investors look for and can guide companies on how to prepare and position themselves to increase their chances of success.

“What’s also significant is that Savannah Capital has African ownership and interests. That matters because the conversations needed to raise capital must be honest and frank—and it helps when those conversations happen among fellow Africans who understand the context and challenges.”
He said this is a great time for such efforts because Nigerian regulators and policymakers have made meaningful progress, adding, “There’s now greater clarity, consistency, speed of execution, and predictability in the sector.

“Additionally, fiscal incentives for both investors and operators are far more generous than before. So, in many ways, the oil and gas landscape in Nigeria has changed for the better in the last two years.

“We’re also grateful to Good Governance Africa (GGA) for their support since 2024. I’m pleased that Dr. Diran Bello, Executive Director of GGA, is here to deliberate with us and share why they’ve continued to back the License to Energy initiative.”

He thanked the regulators—the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)—for their active engagement and alignment with their goals.

“And of course, a big thank you to our distinguished industry leaders—Gbite Falade of Aradel Holdings and Mr. Segun Olujobi of Vertex Energy—for generously sharing their time, insights, and experience despite demanding schedules. Their mentorship and openness reflect true leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector.”

The Executive Director, Good Governance Africa, Dr. Diran Bello said it was both an honour and a responsibility to co-organise this dialogue for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“I believe what we’re doing here has the potential to shape Nigeria’s path forward—to help us make hay while the sun shines. I’m generally an optimist, and I believe Nigeria’s prospects have never been brighter. “We are a large nation with immense opportunities in a rapidly changing world. The question before us is: How do we position ourselves to seize these opportunities?

“We began this dialogue months ago at a roundtable on regulatory reform in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The findings from our survey were positive—Nigeria is broadly heading in the right direction. But we must not rest on our oars.”

On Nigeria’s Macroeconomic Environment, he said, “For anyone looking to invest—especially in a foreign-exposed industry like oil and gas—the macroeconomic environment matters deeply. I believe Nigeria’s economic outlook is more stable now than it has been in the past two decades. The government’s recent reforms, while painful, have begun to restore confidence and clarity around forex policies, investment windows, and market predictability. Over time, these benefits will trickle down to households and businesses.

“Learning from Qatar’s Model

Benjamin Netanyahu recently described Israel as “Little Sparta.” Borrowing that analogy, can Nigeria become “Little Qatar”? While our scale is larger, Qatar offers a model of readiness—preparing well in advance to take full advantage of global energy opportunities. With the global slowdown in the energy transition away from hydrocarbons, Nigeria now has a second chance to shine—if we act fast.

“Global Geopolitics and New Openings: We are living in a more fragmented, multipolar world. Conflicts—from Ukraine to the Middle East—are disrupting traditional energy flows, reducing the availability of Russian oil and gas on global markets. Such disruptions create a unique window for Nigeria to fill that gap and command higher premiums. But we can’t sell what we haven’t produced.

“So, our mission here is to move the needle forward—help Nigeria finally produce and monetize its full potential in gas.”
The CEO, Aradel Holdings, Mr. Gbite Falade said, “When it comes to gas and Nigeria’s broader energy journey, progress has been slow—but understanding the context helps us appreciate why.

“Our industry has historically been oil-centric. Until the PIA came into effect about three years ago, there was no clear commercial framework for gas monetisation. The early industry players focused primarily on oil to meet their home countries’ energy security goals, while gas was considered a nuisance—something to flare off.
“Over time, limited gas gathering projects began, mostly to support power generation. But these were often executed more as CSR initiatives than sustainable business ventures. Gas suppliers were paid as little as ₦10 per thousand scf—far below cost recovery. Still, some producers continued out of national commitment.

“Today, things are beginning to shift. With improved fiscal terms and regulatory clarity, Nigeria is better positioned to transform gas from a byproduct into a central driver of industrial and economic growth.

“A franchising model was introduced for last-mile gas distribution to commercial heartlands, with four major hubs established. Lagos was designated for Gaslink, Aba for Shell Nigeria Gas, Ikorodu for Falcon, and Gasland served other industrial centers. These hubs were primarily commercially priced and catered to industrial users. However, over time, many of these industrial customers began to move toward self-generated energy solutions.
“Around 2010, the sector witnessed its first major round of gas price legislation through a pronouncement by the then Minister of Power. This brought some structure to gas pricing—defining rates for critical sectors such as power, which remained undervalued, and separate pricing for commercial users. Gradually, this provided the foundation for more bankable gas investments.

“However, the major challenge for large-scale gas penetration across Nigeria remained the inadequate transmission pipeline network. At that time, the country had only one major trunk line: the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System. These pipelines were financed from the balance sheet of an NNPC subsidiary, which was insufficient to support the massive infrastructure expansion needed nationwide.

“As this journey progressed, the sector continued to suffer from systemic issues—particularly unpaid debts owed by power generation companies (GenCos) to upstream gas suppliers. During the buildout of NIPP power plants, gas supply often lagged behind because the entire gas-to-power value chain was not viewed as an integrated system. Power was subsidized, consumers underpaid, and GenCos could not meet their obligations to gas producers. “Consequently, gas suppliers were unwilling to make new investment decisions. This is the background we inherited. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) came as a turning point, introducing clearer and more stable regulatory frameworks for midstream infrastructure and gas pricing. It provided guidelines that improved system transparency, stability, and bankability—encouraging more credible long-term investments.

“More recently, the government has introduced executive directives providing clarity on dollar-denominated transactions, resource classification, and fiscal terms, especially in Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and deepwater operations. This regulatory maturity has fostered investor confidence.”

Bennett Oghifo

In a move that underscores growing resilience within Nigeria’s financial system, Greenwich Merchant Bank has successfully met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) N50 billion minimum capital requirement for merchant banks, following a well-executed recapitalization drive that strengthens its balance sheet and positions it for accelerated growth.

The development – confirmed in a CBN letter dated September 22, 2025 – marks a significant milestone in the institution’s evolution from a legacy investment firm into one of Nigeria’s most respected and forward-looking merchant banks.

From Greenwich Trust to a Modern Merchant Bank

Founded in 1992 as Greenwich Trust Limited, the institution established its reputation through excellence in capital market advisory, securities issuance, and investment services. Over the years, it became synonymous with financial integrity, executional precision, and long-term client partnerships.

In 2020, the company transitioned into a full-fledged merchant bank, a transformation that reflected both strategic ambition and the growing sophistication of Nigeria’s banking landscape. Today, Greenwich Merchant Bank operates across five core verticals – corporate banking, investment banking, treasury & global markets, asset and wealth management and securities trading serving corporates, institutions, and high-net-worth clients.

“Our journey has always been guided by a commitment to prudent growth, sound governance, and client trust,” said Mr. Kayode Falowo, Chairman of the Board. “This recapitalization represents not just compliance with regulatory expectations but a renewal of our confidence in the Nigerian economy and the opportunities ahead. We are building an institution designed for resilience, relevance, and impact.”

The Capital Raise: Strength, Stability, and Investor Confidence

Greenwich’s =N=50 billion capitalization was achieved through a Rights issue and private placement that collectively raised =N=22.6 billion in fresh equity, taking the bank above the CBN’s prescribed minimum. The approval cements its position as one of Nigeria’s strongest and best-capitalized merchant banks.

Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, the recapitalization reinforces strong investor confidence, enhances liquidity buffers, and expands the bank’s capacity for large-ticket transactions across energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors.

“We see this capital raise as a strategic enabler,” noted Mr. Benson Ogundeji, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “It allows us to take a bigger role in financing Nigeria’s productive sectors – from infrastructure and manufacturing to energy and technology – while providing innovative solutions that create measurable value for our clients.”

The move aligns perfectly with the CBN’s renewed recapitalization directive, designed to fortify banks’ capital adequacy and strengthen the entire financial ecosystem. For Greenwich, it is both a strategic leap and a statement of intent – an affirmation of its capacity to compete, lead, and deliver in an evolving economy.

Unlocking New Revenue Streams and Client Solutions

The strengthened capital position opens fresh opportunities for Greenwich to diversify its earnings and deliver comprehensive financial solutions to clients. With the enhanced capacity, the bank is now positioned to underwrite and lead larger, more complex structured and project finance deals across key sectors such as infrastructure, power, and industrial development. It is also expanding its wealth and asset management offerings, with a broader product suite designed for institutional and private clients, aimed at achieving deeper market penetration and increasing assets under management. In addition, Greenwich’s fortified balance sheet enables it to provide bespoke corporate advisory, risk management, and liquidity solutions, further reinforcing its position as a one-stop merchant banking partner.

“Our clients remain at the center of our strategy,” Ogundeji added. “We’re investing in stronger digital infrastructure and product innovation to ensure speed, sophistication, and value in every transaction.”

This capital flexibility will enable Greenwich to pursue more fee-based, non-interest income opportunities – critical in a sector where diversification and efficiency drive profitability.

Governance, Leadership, and Institutional Vision

Under the leadership of Chairman Kayode Falowo and CEO Benson Ogundeji, Greenwich Merchant Bank has demonstrated a consistent blend of strategic foresight and governance discipline.

The Board, composed of seasoned professionals across banking, finance, and industry, provides the right mix of expertise and oversight. This governance culture – anchored in transparency and accountability – continues to differentiate Greenwich in a competitive financial landscape.

“Good governance is the foundation of institutional longevity,” Falowo emphasized. “Our Board remains steadfast in upholding integrity, accountability, and transparency – the pillars that have sustained Greenwich for more than three decades.”

The management team is executing a refreshed three-year strategic roadmap, focused on optimizing the bank’s balance sheet, enhancing operational efficiency, and scaling its product portfolio through innovation and digital transformation.

A Vote of Confidence from the Market

Even before the recapitalization, Greenwich had earned positive market confidence, with Agusto & Co. recently upgrading the bank’s credit rating to ‘A-’ in recognition of its solid liquidity profile, sound risk management, and growing capitalization. Analysts view this upgrade as a strong endorsement of Greenwich’s stability and investor appeal, reinforcing market optimism around its recapitalization drive. Beyond signaling confidence, the improved rating also lowers the bank’s cost of funds and enhances its capacity to attract institutional investors, structure large-ticket financings, and play a more active role in Nigeria’s fixed income and capital markets.

Industry observers note that Greenwich’s move sets a benchmark for other mid-tier banks seeking to strengthen capital buffers and expand lending capacity. It also reflects a broader trend of proactive recapitalization ahead of the CBN’s 2026 deadline.

Broader Impact on Nigeria’s Banking Sector

The implications of Greenwich’s =N=50 billion recapitalization extend beyond its balance sheet. For Nigeria’s banking sector, it reinforces the message that local institutions can rise to meet tougher prudential standards while remaining profitable and innovative.

By enhancing its capital base, Greenwich has positioned itself to play a larger role in funding Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda – from infrastructure to sustainable industries. This development also strengthens confidence among depositors, investors, and regulators in the soundness of the financial system.

Furthermore, the move demonstrates how indigenous banks can adopt forward-thinking strategies that balance capital strength with customer-centric growth, setting a new standard for governance and sustainability in merchant banking.

The Road Ahead: Sustaining Growth and Value

As Greenwich transitions into its next phase, execution will be key. The bank’s leadership is focused on efficient capital deployment, disciplined risk management, and generating strong risk-adjusted returns for shareholders.

The refreshed capital structure provides the foundation for a more agile, scalable, and future-ready institution – one capable of competing effectively within Nigeria’s dynamic financial services space and expanding its reach across the continent. “Our ambition is simple,” Ogundeji concluded. “To be the most trusted merchant bank in Nigeria – admired for our expertise, our integrity, and our ability to help clients achieve their goals.”

Greenwich Merchant Bank’s N50 billion recapitalization is far more than a regulatory exercise – it is a declaration of purpose and a reaffirmation of strength. It represents a blend of heritage and innovation; of discipline and vision.

As Nigeria’s financial system evolves to meet the demands of a complex global economy, Greenwich stands as a model of what modern merchant banking should represent resilience, relevance, and responsibility.

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, will represent Nigeria at the International Roundtable on “Shaping the Future of the Mining Industry: Relevant Competencies and a New Standard,” taking place on October 31, 2025, at the Mining University, St. Petersburg, Russia. The event is organized by the International Center of Competence in Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO and the National Association of Mining Engineers (Russia).

The high-level global forum will explore the competencies and professional standards required for the next generation of mining Engineers, focusing on international collaboration, education quality, and mobility within the Engineering profession.

The NSE President will deliver a presentation on “Regional Cooperation and National Regulation: The Nigerian Experience in Strengthening the Engineering Profession Across Africa,” highlighting Nigeria’s leadership in capacity building, professional regulation, and regional integration within the African Engineering ecosystem. The President will be accompanied by Engr. Prof. Salawu Abdulrahman Asipita, Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining, and Materials Engineering (a Division of NSE), among others.

Other prominent speakers include Dr. Francis Davis, Director-General of the UNESCO Category II Centre for Engineering Education (Ghana); Dr. Shammah Kiteme, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya; and Dr. Enyonam Kpekpena, Chair of the WFEO Women in Engineering Committee. The session will conclude with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and the adoption of a Roundtable Declaration aimed at harmonizing competency standards for mining Engineers across regions.

This international engagement further underscores the Nigerian Society of Engineers’ active role in shaping global Engineering policies and promoting African representation in international dialogues on sustainable development, capacity building, and technological advancement.

In his remarks, Hanna Frangieh, representing the Partner, Number One Lagos, said, “At Number One Lagos, collaboration has always been at the heart of what we do. Today, we are proud to launch the state-of-the-art workspace in partnership with IWG–Regus”.

Adding, “This space is more than walls and furniture; it’s a creative ground where innovations, entrepreneur, and professionals can build, connect, and thrive. Together, we are welcoming businesses and companies of all sizes to a smarter way of working”.

The IWG ND Property Director, Oyebimpe Oyedeji, while projecting ahead, said, “At the start of this year, we have 10 locations In Nigeria, and by the end of the year, will we have 22 locations.”

Bennett Oghifo

The Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), will discuss how to strengthen and advance their profession at the institution’s 38th Annual General Meeting & Conference (“Lagos2025”), which will take place in Lagos on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The theme of the conference is, “Strengthening and Advancing Structural Engineering Practice in Nigeria,” according to the President of NIStructE, Engr. Johnson Adegboyega Adeyoye, who addressed a hybrid press conference, along with members of the Executive Council.

Condemning the very frequent incidences of building collapse in the country, Adeyoye stated that only qualified professionals should be engaged in the construction of buildings in the country.

He said only engineers certified by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and NIStructE should be engaged in construction.

According to him, no Structural Engineer has so far been indicted in all the cases of collapsed buildings in the country.

He, however, called on the government to implement and enforce laws that guide building construction to stem building collapse.

Bennett Oghifo

Property tax remains one of the most underutilised sources of internally generated revenue in many parts of Nigeria, including Lagos.
The Dean, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos

Professor Adenuga Olumide stated this at a special session of the 2025 International Week, which was held at the University of Lagos, recently. The theme was: “Digital Innovation and Property Tax in Lagos.”

He said, “In a rapidly urbanising city like Lagos, the challenge of sustainably managing land, property, and infrastructure is immense. Yet, within this complexity lies an unprecedented opportunity — an opportunity to leverage digital innovation to make governance smarter, tax systems more transparent, and public service delivery more effective.”

The story, he said, “is beginning to change — thanks to the advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital land registries, remote sensing technologies, and Al-driven data analytics. These tools are revolutionizing how properties are identified, valued, and taxed.

“But innovation is not just about technology — it’s also about policy, people, and purpose. It’s about ensuring that systems are inclusive, equitable, and transparent. It’s about training a new generation of professionals — like the brilliant minds we nurture here at the University of Lagos — to build and manage these systems with integrity and insight.

“This forum today presents an incredible opportunity for us to 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 from leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. We will examine case studies, debate policy frameworks, and explore collaborative pathways toward a more digitized, efficient, and fair Property tax regime in Lagos one that supports sustainable development and enhances urban resilience. Let me also commend the organizers of this International Week for choosing » theme that is not only intellectually stimulating but also directly relevant to the development challenges we face 𝘢𝘴 a megacity and as a nation. A𝘴 we proceed with today’s 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘐 𝘦ncourage us all to engage with open minds, bold ideas, and a shared commitment 𝘵𝘰 progress, Let this not be just a 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 but the beginning of meaningful action, pol𝘪𝘤y reform, and Innovative partnerships, Once again, | warmly welcome you all and wish us a most fruitful and impactful programme.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatal, said, “We must note that the increased pull to Lagos bring new challenges: greater housing demand, infrastructure pressure, informal developments, and the perennial need for sustainable revenue to support our growth. This 𝘪𝘴 where property tax, and indeed, innovation — become critical tools for urban governance.

“For too long, property taxation in many developing cities has been hampered by manual systems, incomplete records, and limited coverage. Many properties remain unidentified, undervalued, or untaxed, resulting in significant revenue losses that could have been channelled toward public housing, urban regeneration, and infrastructure provision.

“In Lagos, we recognize that to manage a megacity efficiently, data must replace guesswork, and digital tools must power decision-making. Our administration, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has therefore embarked on an ambitious journey to digitize property information and integrate technology into urban management.

“One of our landmark initiatives is the Digital House Numbering and Addressing System — a transformative effort to assign every property in Lagos a unique digital identity.

“Each property is tagged with a QR-coded address plate, linked to a central database containing information on ownership, land use, and valuation. This innovation enhances the ease of locating properties, facilitates efficient service delivery, and forms the backbone for accurate property taxation.
“The system is being piloted in select areas, and the results are encouraging: improved property visibility, better data integration, and enhanced civic engagement. Once fully deployed, this initiative will revolutionize how we administer land, collect taxes, and plan our communities.

“Digital innovation in property tax is not merely about boosting revenue; it is about equity, transparency, and governance.”

He said, “Through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and automated valuation models, the State can ensure that assessments reflect the true market value of properties.

“For property owners, this means fairer taxation — no arbitrary assessments, no hidden processes. For government, it means increased revenue and reliable data to support planning and service delivery.

“For urban planners and environmentalists — many of whom are seated here today — it opens up new frontiers in data-driven planning, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development.

“Digital transformation 𝘪𝘴 not an end in itself. It is part of a larger vision to make Lagos a smart, inclusive, and resilient city.

“When every property is mapped and registered, we can: Deliver public utilities more effectively; Enhance emergency response times; Improve housing policy and urban design; and Integrate climate resilience into land-use decisions.

“This is how innovation translates into better quality of life for all residents.

“Of course, we must also acknowledge the challenges — Data quality and integration across agencies; Privacy and data security concerns; Public sensitization and willingness to comply; and Capacity building for continuous system management.

“But these are challenges we can overcome through collaboration — between government, academia, and the private sector. The University of Lagos, with its world-class faculty and research strength, 𝘪s a vital partner in this journey. Together, we can create a model for other African cities to emulate.
“We need you to design the algorithms, develop the software, and refine the policies that will make our city smarter and more efficient. To my colleagues in government: let us continue to embrace innovation — not as a luxury, but as a necessity for effective governance.

“And to the citizens of Lagos: paying property tax is not just a civic duty — it is an investment in the infrastructure, housing, and services that sustain our collective well-being.

“The fusion of digital innovation and property taxation represents one of the most powerful instruments for sustainable urban development in Lagos.

“By leveraging data, technology, and collaboration, we are not only improving revenue; we are building a smarter, fairer, and more inclusive city.”

Professor Diana Mitlin, African Cities Research Consortium, University of Manchester, UK, said, “There is a recognition that the state needs to be more effective in generating revenue from those who are able to pay and in finding new ways to redistribute that revenue to deliver services, my optimism for today is that the key people involved in building, in planning and developing the city come together in that discussion to identify how they can draw out revenue, how they can find. Ways to redistribute that revenue, and how they can make sure that all of those who pay tax, be it through property or indeed, consumption based taxes, all of them are represented in choices that will take the city forward.”

Bennett Oghifo

The Lagos State Government has bemoaned the state of housing deficit it is grappling with, saying though “reliable data is scarce”, but it needs “at least 500,000 additional housing units annually to meet demand. Delivery falls short at less than 20,000 units per year.”

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Housing (Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Agency LASRERA), Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, stated this in a speech she delivered at the Seminar of the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter). She presented the “Government’s Perspective on Issues and Concerns of the Real Estate Agency and Regulatory Consultancy in Lagos.”

The Special Adviser, who was represented by the Director of Lands, Monitoring and Compliance Development, LASRERA, Mrs. Akibola Temitope Adenike, said, “Without accurate data on housing stock, land availability, and property transactions, both government and practitioners operate in the dark.”

Another concern, she said, “is affordability. A significant portion of Lagos residents – almost 70% by some estimates – live in rental accommodation. Access to housing finance remains difficult, and where mortgages exist, interest rates are often too high for the average citizen. This pushes people toward informal arrangements and unregulated operators.”

The government then complained about the nuisance caused by unregistered real estate agents.

The key issues and concerns, according to the Special Adviser, are the proliferation of quacks, adding, “The presence of untrained and unlicensed individuals continues to undermine the profession. According to LASRERA’s records, while over 1,000 practitioners have registered in Lagos, the number of unregistered operators is far higher. These quacks are responsible for many fraudulent transactions – from multiple sales of the same property to collecting rent for apartments that do not exist.”

She said reports reaching LASRERA show that real estate–related complaints rank among the top five consumer complaints in Lagos. Tenants complain of unfair rent hikes and hidden charges, while buyers face title fraud and delays in property delivery.”

She said, “Despite the LASRERA Law, compliance remains a challenge. Many practitioners either do not know about the law or deliberately ignore it. Government is therefore strengthening monitoring and sanction mechanisms, while also engaging stakeholders to encourage voluntary compliance.”

The government, she said, was also responding in practical ways, by “Strengthening LASRERA – expanding registration, simplifying online verification of agents, and providing platforms for reporting fraudulent practices.

“Public Sensitisation – campaigns toeducate citizens on the importance of engaging registered practitioners.“Dispute Resolution Mechanisms –promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to quickly and fairly resolve property disputes without prolonged court cases. “Affordable Housing Initiatives –ongoing housing schemes through the Ministry of Housing and joint ventures with private developers to deliver new homes across Lagos. “Digitisation and Transparency –deploying digital platforms to improve title registration, transaction recording, and data collection to foster investor confidence.

Discussing ‘Property Law and Regulation Affecting Real Estate Agency and Consultancy in Nigeria’, Akinboyo Ayorinde Esq, quoted the National Bureau of Statistics for 2025, which says real estate has contributed 15.9% to the GDP of the country thereby making it the third largest contributor in Nigeria. Ayorinde said, “Enacting laws to regulate real estate and its business is therefore pivotal in order to maintain and enhance a better environment. It is worthy to note that without laws regulating this lucrative and income generating area in our society, the breakdown of law and order is imminent.”

Bennett Oghifo

The Lagos State Government has presented a grand plan to process about 6,500 tons of organic waste generated in the state daily to cut the emission of methane, a contributor to global warming.

The Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, announced the launch of the project, which is being done in collaboration with Proganics Limited, during a of stakeholders, recently.

The stakeholders included; hospitality companies, eateries, event centers, hotels, and manufacturers of food and beverages, among others.

The LAWMA Chief Executive said, “Sorting of organic waste is very critical for us to achieve the clean Lagos of our dreams. This is because 50% of our waste in Lagos is organic, and that means we have about 6,500 tons of organic waste daily. And if we continue to take this organic waste straight to the landfill, what happens is that we will continue generating large quantities of greenhouse gas, specifically methane, which is a major contributor to global warming, to climate change, this is something we need to stop as a matter of urgency.” Gbadegesin said, “Waste, in general, contributes about 20% to the increase in global temperatures that we’re all experiencing. So that’s why the policy of the administration is to lower this organic waste. That’s lowering methane. Mr. Governor, made a commitment to this at COP 28 in Dubai. What we’re doing here is to put that into action by inviting stakeholders, facilities like hospitality, eateries, event centers, hotels and also manufacturers of food and beverages, who are some of the major generators of organic waste, and we’re enlisting them in collection of this organic waste, separate collection sorted. They are going to be sorting it separately, and then we’re going to take that to an organic waste processing facility.” He said, “Proganics has established a processing plant that can take about 200 tons of organic waste daily. So, it’s a small plant, but it’s something that will provide a good alternative treatment source for organic waste from the hospitality sector.

“The technology is quite innovative. It’s something called black soldier fly technology. Black soldier flies organic material into animal feed. It’s quite an advanced technology which is becoming more and more adopted in some developing countries like Kenya and Rwanda, and we’re introducing it to Nigeria.” He said in addition another technology would be introduced and this is the containers that will be used to sort the organic waste. “I mentioned that we’re going to be sorting the organic waste separately. So the state has smart bins. And the green smart bins are for organic waste, for food waste and organic waste. And these bins come with RFID tags. And we’re going to introduce IoT devices to tell when they’re full, so that they can be scheduled for pickup and transported to the processing plant.”

On payment for this service, he said, “One of the immediate incentives, especially for businesses, is that they are being charged according to the volume of waste they’re generating. So, if you are reducing the volume of waste you’re generating by sorting the organic waste and taking it to another facility, then that already reduces how much you’re going to pay to the PSP operator; so that’s an immediate benefit. But we are also looking at introducing other incentives as well, maybe rebates if you sort your food waste. For the residential customers we’re looking and we haven’t concluded on that, but we want to make it attractive to people, because as a society, it’s good for all of us.”

The Head Corporate Strategy For Progranics Limited, Ogee Augustine,

who described the company as a Research and Development Center, said they have been operating for about seven to eight years, and “we have taken our time to go through the opportunities we have with waste management in Lagos State, looking at what we’ve done here so far, with the data we have at our disposal, we’ve seen that Nigeria as a whole, generates tons of organic waste yearly, and there’s an opportunity in that market. Through Our R and D effort we’ve discovered that we can channel our end products in health, in agriculture, as well as the environment. That’s the more reason why we started to partner with LAWMA, knowing that LAWMA happens to be the biggest waste management agency in the country at the moment, with what they’ve done, the partnerships they have with the milestone they’ve created when it comes to channeling different types of waste, mesmerises one. We decided to partner with them to further make these things easier for us to process and to enjoy the benefits in all these industries.”