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FirstBank has announced the inaugural public lecture of the FirstBank Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance scheduled to hold at the University of Lagos on September 3, 2026.

The lecture, themed: ‘Business Ethics and the Future of Nigeria’s Economy,’ will bring together academics, students, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the critical role of ethics, integrity, accountability, and sustainability in shaping Nigeria’s economic future and fostering long-term national development.

The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair in Business Ethics and Governance was created in honour of Samuel Asabia, the Bank’s first indigenous Managing Director. The Chair has served as a platform for promoting scholarly research, teaching, and thought leadership in business ethics, corporate governance, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, will serve as Chairman of the Lecture.

Speaking on the significance of the lecture, Olusegun Alebiosu stated: At FirstBank, we believe that sustainable economic progress is anchored on ethical leadership, strong governance, and responsible enterprise. The Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair represents our enduring commitment to advancing thought leadership and fostering meaningful dialogue on issues that shape the future of business and society. Through this inaugural public lecture, we are bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and other stakeholders to explore how integrity-driven leadership can strengthen institutions, enhance economic resilience, and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. We are proud to support this important platform for knowledge exchange and nation-building.’

The initiative further reflects FirstBank’s belief that sustainable development extends beyond financial performance to encompass ethical decision-making, responsible corporate citizenship, strong governance, and the development of future leaders capable of driving positive societal change.

The Chair is currently occupied by Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, an internationally recognised scholar whose work spans Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance, Business Ethics, and Economic Development.

Through enduring investments in education, research, and thought leadership initiatives such as the Samuel Asabia Professorial Chair, FirstBank continues to contribute to the development of ideas, institutions, and leadership principles that support a more prosperous, ethical, and sustainable Nigeria.

Transcorp Power Plc has won the Power Generation Excellence Company of the Year award at the Business Times Awards 2026 for its operational performance and contribution to Nigeria’s power generation sector.

The company received the award at the Grand Gala Award Ceremony on Thursday at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, where it received a golden plaque and an Award Certificate of Recognition.

The Business Times Awards Editorial Board cited Transcorp Power’s leadership, innovation and impact on the power sector as reasons for the recognition.

Speaking on the award, the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ikenga, said the recognition reflected the commitment of the company’s board and employees to maintaining reliable power generation.

‘This award belongs to the board and every member of the Transcorp Power team whose commitment keeps our turbines running and power flowing to homes and businesses across Nigeria,’ he said.

Ikenga said the company would continue to focus on improving generation reliability, strengthening relationships across the power value chain and creating sustainable value for shareholders and the country.

Transcorp Power Plc is a power generation subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), with investments across the power, hospitality and energy sectors.

A youth-led non-governmental organisation, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), launched the SheBuilds AI Fellowship on Thursday, a six-month intensive programme funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to train young women in Kaduna State in artificial intelligence, data science, and digital entrepreneurship.

The launch, held at a press conference in Kaduna, also featured the public presentation of the organisation’s new issue brief, titled ‘Bridging the Gender Digital Divide: Artificial Intelligence as a Safe Driver of Economic Growth in Nigeria,’ which warns that the country’s fast-growing digital economy is leaving women behind.

Speaking at the event, the Global Director of BBYDI, Mr Olasupo Abideen Opeyemi, said the fellowship attracted 473 applications, of which 52 candidates were shortlisted for interviews and 20 young women were finally selected as the pioneer cohort. A second cohort of 20 will follow, bringing the total number of direct beneficiaries to 40.

‘This number alone is evidence that demolishes a dangerous myth – the myth that young women in northern Nigeria are not interested in technology. They are interested. What they lack is not ambition; it is access,’ Abideen said.

Citing figures from the organisation’s issue brief, Abideen noted that although the information and communications technology sector contributed 11.31 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2026, Nigerian women remain 26 per cent less likely than men to use mobile internet – one of the widest gaps in the world – while women hold fewer than one in five technology jobs in the country.

‘Analysts have warned that if this exclusion continues, Nigeria risks a gendered recession – a future in which the sectors driving growth draw on only half the nation’s talent. Nigeria does not face a choice between growth and inclusion. It faces a choice between inclusive growth and diminished growth,’ he said.

The BBYDI boss also raised the alarm over the safety of women online, referencing projections that as many as 70 million Nigerian women and girls could be exposed to AI-facilitated online abuse annually by 2030 if current trends continue. He stressed that ‘digital inclusion that is not safe is not sustainable.’

According to him, the fellows will learn Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI over six months, before building and pitching working AI solutions to real Nigerian problems in areas such as health, agriculture, education, and governance. He added that the curriculum was rigorously validated by AI practitioners and industry experts.

Beyond technical training, Abideen said the programme includes leadership development, communication skills, personal branding, CV writing, mental health support, excursions to technology hubs, and a rotating ‘Class Governor’ system designed to give every fellow hands-on leadership experience.

He further disclosed that after graduation, the organisation and its partners would connect the fellows to internships, jobs, and remote work opportunities within and outside Nigeria, sponsor their attendance at technology conferences and hackathons, and link them to national and international programmes for which their new skills qualify them.

In the issue brief, the organisation called on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to embed clear gender targets, budgets, and sex-disaggregated reporting in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme; urged the National Assembly to strengthen laws against technology-facilitated gender-based violence; and challenged technology companies to audit their algorithms for gender bias and set measurable targets for hiring women.

The organisation also appealed to parents, community leaders, and religious leaders to support the digital participation of their daughters, declaring that ‘every girl kept offline is a national asset kept idle.’

Abideen expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada and the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria for funding the project, and gave special appreciation to the Yandytech Community and other technology stakeholders for their support to the initiative and to the technology ecosystem in northern Nigeria.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the 20 selected fellows, goodwill messages from government representatives and stakeholders, remarks by the fellows, and a question-and-answer session with journalists. The fellows had earlier participated in an orientation programme on Monday, where they met their facilitators and mentors ahead of the commencement of classes.

The full issue brief, the organisation said, has been published on its website.

Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC), in partnership with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), ETIN Power Limited and Gbelebu Community, has commissioned a solar hybrid mini-grid to provide reliable and affordable electricity to households and businesses in Gbelebu, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The facility, comprising 61kWp of solar generation capacity, a 50kW inverter and 154kWh of battery storage, will initially provide electricity to 100 households and micro, small and medium enterprises.

The project is expected to reduce residents’ reliance on diesel and petrol generators, improve household welfare, and support the growth of local businesses.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, commissioned the mini-grid, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.

The project forms part of OOPC’s ?1.2 billion, three-year partnership with PIND, formalised in 2025 to support peacebuilding, youth employment, agricultural development, access to finance and renewable energy across the company’s host communities.

Funded under OOPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, the project was delivered through an implementation framework agreed by OOPC, PIND, ETIN Power and Gbelebu Community in May 2026.

The framework covers a Power Purchase Agreement, Land Transfer Agreement, and Sustainability and Operations and Maintenance Framework.

OOPC provided the investment and served as the host partner, while PIND facilitated the project from concept development through community engagement, technical planning and implementation oversight. ETIN Power designed and installed the facility and will operate the system.

Speaking at the commissioning, Idahosa commended OOPC, PIND and ETIN Power for the initiative, describing it as an investment in the community’s livelihoods, economic opportunities and quality of life.

OOPC Managing Director, Dr Graham Hefer, said the project demonstrated the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable benefits to its host communities.

‘Investing in energy infrastructure is an investment in the future of neighbouring communities. This project demonstrates how corporate investment, technical expertise, and community ownership can come together to deliver meaningful and sustainable development,’ he said.

PIND’s Programmes Director, Dr Effiong Essien, described the project as an example of how strategic partnerships could improve access to essential infrastructure in underserved communities.

‘Reliable electricity is more than infrastructure; it is an enabler of livelihoods, enterprise growth, and community resilience,’ Essien said.

He, however, stressed the importance of community ownership in ensuring the sustainability of the facility, urging residents to protect the infrastructure and use the electricity productively.

The Chief Executive Officer of ETIN Power Limited, Prof Yinka Omorogbe (SAN), reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing residents and businesses in Gbelebu with reliable and quality electricity.

A Community Power Committee has also been established, while local operators will receive training in customer engagement, system management and routine maintenance.

The commissioning marks the commencement of commercial electricity services in Gbelebu and is expected to provide a model for expanding renewable energy access to other underserved communities neighbouring OOPC’s operations.

PIND and OOPC said they would continue to support stakeholder engagement and monitor the project’s impact on household welfare, business productivity, employment and community resilience.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted a broader political realignment in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying more politicians will soon join what he described as a ‘larger Rainbow Coalition’ in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja during an inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT, Wike said the recent visit of Osun State Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke to President Tinubu pointed to the emerging political configuration ahead of the presidential election.

The minister, who has remained one of the most vocal figures in the political camp supporting President Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the development should not be interpreted simply as an opposition alliance or partisan realignment.

According to him, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, with politicians from different parties increasingly finding common ground around the Tinubu presidency.

Wike said Adeleke’s engagement with Tinubu showed that political actors can belong to different parties and still work together to secure the President’s victory in 2027.

‘What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he (Adeleke) is supporting Mr President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition,’ Wike said.

He predicted the coalition would grow in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch for further political moves ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘And in the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,’ he said.

The FCT Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with politicians across party lines positioning themselves for the next electoral battle.

While opposition parties and political groups have continued efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike argued that the opposition was currently too fragmented and weakened by internal crises to constitute a serious threat to Tinubu.

He dismissed the notion of a clearly defined ‘leading opposition’ party, insisting that the political landscape had changed considerably.

‘When you say opposition, I’ve told you I don’t know what you call opposition, as far as there is no opposition now,’ he said.

The minister also took a swipe at members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who, according to him, have claimed credit for Adeleke’s electoral success in Osun State.

Wike said such claims amounted to an attempt to reap political benefits from work they did not undertake.

‘All those ADC who are talking about ‘they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted,’ he said.

He maintained that Adeleke remained a member of the PDP despite securing his governorship ticket on the platform of the Accord Party, adding that the governor-elect’s political engagement with Tinubu was part of the wider realignment taking place across the country.

Wike’s remarks are significant coming from a senior PDP figure who has consistently supported Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, despite the PDP being one of the major political platforms expected to challenge the President in 2027.

The minister has repeatedly justified his support for Tinubu on the grounds of political principles and national interest, while remaining critical of elements within his own party whom he blames for the PDP’s continuing crisis.

On Friday, he again argued that the PDP, which ordinarily should provide the strongest opposition to the ruling party, had been weakened by internal disagreements.

‘Ordinarily, it should have been PDP, but because of the crisis we’ve had, you can’t see a formidable party that you will call the leading opposition party,’ Wike said.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to questions about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, would interpret his interaction with Adeleke and the growing support for Tinubu.

Wike said he was not concerned about how political opponents viewed the emerging alliance.

He said, ‘I have told you when you say ‘leading opposition,’ I’ve told you that there’s no opposition.

‘What you have are people who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant’.

The minister further suggested that the political contest ahead of 2027 would be more favourable to Tinubu than some opposition figures might expect, given the fluidity of political alliances and the opposition’s inability to present a united front.

For Wike, the priority is victory, not political accommodation with opponents.

He said politicians should not expect him to make decisions based on whether such actions would be convenient for their political interests.

The minister’s position reinforces his increasingly prominent role in the political coalition backing Tinubu, despite his continued association with the PDP.

Wike was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election cycle, demanding equity and internal reforms within the party.

The dispute eventually deepened divisions within the PDP, with Wike and his allies refusing to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Since Tinubu assumed office, Wike has maintained a working relationship with the Federal Government and has repeatedly expressed support for the President’s administration.

His latest comments suggest he expects more opposition politicians to cross party lines in support of Tinubu as 2027 draws closer.

While opposition groups have been exploring possible alliances, Wike argued that the absence of a dominant opposition platform has created room for the President to consolidate support across party lines.

One of the projects inspected was the N5 Extension in Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work and said the road was expected to be completed and handed over in December.

He also inspected the N1 Road project being executed by Arab Contractors.

Wike praised the quality of work on the project and confirmed that it was also scheduled for completion and handover in December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

He said the rehabilitation had become necessary, particularly because of complaints from members of the diplomatic community over its prolonged closure.

Wike directed that the facility must be reopened before the end of the year.

‘This golf course must be ready and be reopened by December. So we are giving it to Julius Berger to ensure that everything is done. And by December this year, the golf course will be reopened,’ he said.

According to him, Julius Berger was re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and therefore possessed the necessary technical knowledge of its design and standards.

He said physical work was expected to be completed by November, paving the way for the official reopening of the golf club in December.

Wike explained that the golf club was shut following an internal crisis, which eventually led to the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.

He commended the committee for its role in resolving the crisis and creating the conditions for the facility’s rehabilitation.

The minister, however, warned that the government would not continue to fund the club’s operations after its reopening.

He said the management must develop a sustainable revenue model capable of funding maintenance and other operational expenses.

‘I would believe, this time around, that when this is done, they should be able to raise funds by themselves to run this place. The government should not use public funds to come back to do it,’ he said.

Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue to facilitate payments to contractors to ensure that the rehabilitation programme remained on schedule.

He stressed that the December reopening deadline for the IBB International Golf Club was sacrosanct.

The 2026 NPFL Super 6 Invitational Pre-Season Tournament continues today with two matches scheduled for Matchday Three.

Mighty Jets FC will take on Katsina United at 2pm before Plateau United FC face Rangers International at 4pm.

Both matches are expected to provide another opportunity for the participating clubs to assess their squads and fine-tune their preparations ahead of the new NPFL season.

The tournament has brought together six clubs divided into two groups, with the competition also serving as an important pre-season exercise before the commencement of the league campaign.

Nigerian-American gospel artist, Evangelist John Kola-Idowu, has urged Nigerian youths to reject attempts by politicians and other interest groups to use them to perpetrate violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kola-Idowu warned that involvement in electoral violence could jeopardise the future of young Nigerians and undermine the country’s democratic process.

He spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, at the launch of the Psalms 1-150 Global Concert, Global Choir and Global Indigenous Worship Project.

The clergy urged youths not to trade their future for financial inducements from politicians, calling on them to embrace values that promote peace and peaceful coexistence.

‘At a time when our world faces conflicts, insecurity, social division and economic challenges, we need initiatives that encourage love, understanding, hope and peaceful coexistence,’ he said.

Kola-Idowu described spiritual songs as a potential tool for addressing insecurity, social division, hopelessness and moral decline.

He said the messages contained in the Psalms could inspire young people to choose hope over despair, unity over division and positive engagement over destructive behaviour.

The gospel artist also called on governments at all levels and world leaders to prioritise peace-building, youth empowerment, cultural inclusion and moral development in efforts to tackle insecurity.

‘The fight against insecurity should go beyond security operations to address the social and moral conditions that contribute to violence, including hopelessness, intolerance and hatred,’ he said.

He added that the Psalms could provide spiritual encouragement and moral inspiration while promoting peace, justice, righteousness and love.

‘We must pray that the 2027 general election will not divide us, but rather strengthen our commitment to unity, justice and peaceful coexistence,’ he said.

Kola-Idowu also urged religious leaders to preach peace and discourage their followers from participating in electoral violence.

He said the Psalms 1-150 Global Concert, Global Choir and Global Indigenous Worship Project was designed not only as a musical initiative but also as a platform to preserve languages, empower young people, promote peace, celebrate diversity and foster unity through worship.

According to him, the global concert will feature established and emerging gospel singers, worship leaders and choirs from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and other parts of the world.

He said the project would begin with online participation before expanding to physical concerts in different countries.

The initiative will feature gospel ministers including Evangelist Bola Are, Yinka Alaseyori, Woli Agba and Mike Abdul, alongside other gospel singers.

George Ilenikhena has opened his goal scoring account in Saudi Arabia in impressive fashion, but the young Nigerian striker could still leave Al-Ittihad before the end of the transfer window.

Ilenikhena scored twice as Al-Ittihad defeated Al Najma 3-0 in a King’s Cup tie, finding the net in the 16th and 39th minutes.

The 20-year-old striker joined Al-Ittihad from AS Monaco in February 2026 for a reported pound 30 million plus pound 3 million in bonuses.

Despite his recent brace, Ilenikhena is reportedly interested in returning to Europe, with several clubs showing interest in signing him.

Bologna submitted a loan proposal with a pound 22 million option to buy, but Al-Ittihad immediately rejected the offer.

Turkish club Trabzonspor also made a loan proposal containing a pound 15 million purchase option, which was similarly rejected.

Al-Ittihad are open to selling the striker but reportedly want around pound 20 million.

Spanish side Sevilla have also made an oral offer of pound 10 million, with a further pound 3 million in bonuses and a significant sell-on percentage.

Ilenikhena, who has chosen to represent Nigeria at senior international level after previously playing for France’s age-grade teams, initially struggled after joining the Saudi club.

His two-goal performance has, however, provided a timely reminder of his goal scoring ability as the transfer speculation surrounding his future continues.

The old guard and the new arrivals in England

In West London, stability remains the key objective for Fulham, where Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey continue to serve as core anchors. Both players were integral to the club’s consistency last campaign, and manager Marco Silva is once again relying on the duo to carry regular, heavily taxing roles throughout the grueling Premier League calendar. Bassey’s physicality and tactical versatility at centre-back provide a modern platform for Fulham’s build-up play, while Iwobi’s creative versatility, ability to progress the ball through central zones, and relentless work rate continue to make him an irreplaceable presence in the starting XI.

Further north at Nottingham Forest, Ola Aina enters the new campaign adjusting to life under fresh leadership following the appointment of head coach Oliver Glasner. Known for demanding intense mobility and tactical discipline from his wide players, Glasner’s arrival seems to have sparked fresh ambition in the full-back. Aina has publicly set himself an ambitious personal target of scoring five goals this season. For a player who operates predominantly as a full-back or wing-back, it is a bold statement, yet it reflects the remarkable growth in his attacking confidence over recent campaigns at the City Ground. Aina, who recently committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension through 2028, remains key to Forest’s tactical setups on either flank under Glasner.

The most high-profile intra-league transfer of the summer involving a Nigerian international belongs to Taiwo Awoniyi. The powerhouse striker departed Nottingham Forest to complete a marquee switch to newly promoted Coventry City for a base fee reported around £9 million (pound 19.9m). Awoniyi is on course to make his competitive debut for the Sky Blues in Friday’s high-stakes Premier League opener away at Arsenal, a fixture rich in personal history for the forward. Across six previous encounters against the Gunners during his time with Forest, Awoniyi has netted three times. Crucially, it was his late strike against Arsenal that matched Stan Collymore’s 28-year-old club record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches.

The transfer represents a vital fresh start for Awoniyi. His previous campaign at Forest was hampered by fitness struggles, limiting him to just three starts and 17 total appearances, though he still managed four goals in that restricted time frame. He completed his first full training sessions this week at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge under manager Frank Lampard, where he aligns with fellow countryman Frank Onyeka. Onyeka’s loan extension and continued presence give the Sky Blues two experienced Super Eagles figures to rely upon in their quest for top-flight survival.

Beyond England’s borders, Victor Osimhen continues to dominate headlines despite remaining outside the Premier League for now. Continuing his spell at Galatasaray, where his goal scoring record in Turkey has kept him among the elite strikers in Europe, Osimhen remains the subject of relentless transfer speculation, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United frequently linked with a move for his signature.

The persistent media chatter formed the backdrop for a light-hearted moment during the week when Forest defender Ola Aina put Osimhen on the spot during an Instagram Live broadcast. Aina directly asked his national team colleague which Premier League destination he would choose if given the option. Osimhen jokingly brushed off the public interrogation, telling Aina to inform viewers that he would have to call back privately due to it being a private matter. Aina let his teammate off the hook, steering the conversation back to Osimhen’s sharp goal scoring form in Turkey instead. While Osimhen has previously maintained that he does not hold a single favourite English side, he has admitted to owning both Chelsea and Manchester United shirts growing up due to his older brother’s influence.

A growing contingent in Italian Serie A

While Ademola Lookman opted for a high-profile exit from Serie A earlier in the calendar year by completing a transfer from Atalanta to La Liga contenders Atlético Madrid, the Nigerian presence in Italian football has nevertheless swelled significantly ahead of the new campaign.

At AC Milan, winger Samuel Chukwueze has made an emphatic early statement during pre-season preparations. Entering his second full campaign at the San Siro, Chukwueze delivered a standout performance in a marquee pre-season friendly against Manchester United, scoring a goal and providing two assists to stake a firm claim for a permanent starting role on the right wing.

Meanwhile, in Udine, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continues his steady growth as Udinese’s trusted number one, looking to build upon a series of commanding defensive displays from last term.

Newly promoted Venezia produced the biggest individual transfer splash among the Nigerian contingent in Italy, shattering their all-time transfer record to secure striker Akor Adams from Sevilla. The Venetian side agreed to a deal worth pound 17 million plus performance-related bonuses, signing the forward to a four-year contract valued at pound 1.5 million per season. Adams built a strong reputation in Europe after moving to Sevilla from French club Montpellier in January 2025. During the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, he finished as Sevilla’s leading league scorer, registering 10 goals and 3 assists across 36 appearances to help the club navigate a tough campaign and preserve its top-flight status.

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa publicly lauded the arrival of his new focal point up front, confirming that Adams is an important profile who will give the squad a big hand, while making clear that defensive stability remains the club’s next market priority alongside sporting director Antonelli.

Fellow promoted outfit Frosinone focused their recruitment on defense, securing versatile centre-back Kevin Akpoguma on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at TSG Hoffenheim. The 31-year-old signed a deal running through June 2028. Akpoguma leaves Hoffenheim after earning 179 Bundesliga appearances, scoring three goals, and recording five assists. Born in Germany and a former international at various German youth levels, Akpoguma officially switched his allegiance to Nigeria in October 2020 and has earned eight senior caps for the Super Eagles. A move to Serie A presents him with a consistent platform to compete for a spot in head coach Eric Chelle’s national squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rounding out the Italian movement is young midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who has joined Monza on a season-long loan from Inter Milan. The deal includes a purchase option set at pound 7.5 million, which can convert into a mandatory obligation under specific sporting conditions, while Inter have secured a 10 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.

Having spent the prior campaign building match experience on loan at Pisa, Akinsanmiro now gets his opportunity to test himself regularly in Italy’s top division.

With Nigeria’s Premier League stars establishing their roles and a fresh wave of talent stepping into key positions across Serie A, the Super Eagles’ European contingent enters the season with clear objectives. Whether battling for domestic silverware, fighting for top-flight survival, or securing places in the national setup, both fronts of the legion are set for another huge campaign.

Nigeria’s Pamela Bawa and Esther Mbah will take on Egypt’s Mariam/Rana in the Round of 16 of the women’s main draw at the 2026 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Senior Championship in Alexandria, Egypt, today.

The Nigerian pair are scheduled to face the Egyptian duo on Court 3 at 12 noon local time, according to the official match schedule.

The encounter is one of eight women’s Round of 16 matches listed for today as the championship enters a crucial stage.

Other matches on Court 3 will see Nadia/Verónica of Mozambique face Lu/Jany of Cape Verde, Amina/Diouma of Senegal meet Amelou/Bechar of Algeria, while Donne/Joanita of Mauritius take on Njie/Gambou of Gambia.

On Court 2, Marwa/D. Eghotashy of Egypt will play Tofolvi/Chapole of Lesotho, while Alexandra Erhardt/Darham of Morocco face Dania/Adeline of Seychelles. Cameroon’s Irina/Nina will meet Vanessa/Sinaportar of Mozambique, with Una/Yatku of Madagascar taking on Sena/Wavinya of Kenya.

The women’s competition is part of the African Beach Volleyball Championship being held in Alexandria from August 18 to 22.

The tournament has brought together leading beach volleyball teams from across Africa, with continental honours and qualification opportunities for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games among the major objectives.

For Nigeria, Esther and Pamela will be hoping to advance beyond the Round of 16 when they meet the Egyptian combination today.