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Kano State has strengthened its commercial ambitions with the commissioning of the Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market, a major Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project expected to generate about N50 billion in annual revenue and create more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The market, developed by the Kano State Government in partnership with Hajaj ZOEC Real Estate Limited and ZOEC Construction, is designed to serve as a regional hub for electrical and electronic products, positioning Kano as a key destination for wholesale trade in Nigeria and across West Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of Hajaj ZOEC Real Estate Limited, Alhaji Jamilu Abdussalam, said the facility would reduce the need for traders to travel abroad, particularly to China, to source electrical and electronic goods in bulk.

He said the market, built at a cost of between N25 billion and N30 billion, comprises more than 1,500 shops equipped with modern infrastructure to support efficient trade and investment.

According to Abdussalam, the project has already attracted foreign investors, with companies from China and Egypt establishing permanent showrooms at the complex. He added that between 60 and 65 per cent of the shops had been sold ahead of full operations.

The facility also includes parking space for about 700 vehicles, underground storage capable of accommodating more than 30 forty-foot containers, and modern firefighting and sprinkler systems to support large-scale commercial activities.

Abdussalam said over 1,000 workers were engaged daily during the construction phase, while more than 8,000 people had benefited from the project’s supply chain. He projected that the market would eventually support over 100,000 jobs across wholesale and retail trade, logistics, transportation and other ancillary services.

Representing the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the minister’s Special Assistant (Technical), Kabir Aminu Dutse, said the Federal Government had simplified Public-Private Partnership processes to attract greater private investment in infrastructure.

He noted that the ministry had developed an investor-friendly PPP framework and described the Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market as a model of technology-driven commerce capable of boosting economic growth and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness.

Ata commended Hajaj ZOEC Real Estate Limited, ZOEC Construction, Summit Bank and the Kano State Government for delivering what he described as a landmark investment that would expand commercial activities, attract investment and reinforce Kano’s position as one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial centres.

Business leaders and investors at the commissioning expressed confidence that the market would stimulate regional trade, deepen investment flows and enhance Kano’s role as Northern Nigeria’s leading commercial gateway.

A former Minister of State for Petroleum, Alhaji Umaru Dembo, has called for the creation of an additional geopolitical zone in Northern Nigeria to be known as the North-North zone, comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.

Dembo, a former governorship candidate in Kaduna State, made the proposal in a letter dated July 23, 2026, addressed to the National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), urging the northern socio-cultural organisation to champion the proposal before the National Assembly and the Presidency.

Nigeria currently has six geopolitical zones, namely the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South.

Although the zones have no constitutional status, they are widely used for political representation, appointments, resource distribution and administrative coordination.

In the letter, Dembo argued that while the North currently has three geopolitical zones, the region’s population, landmass and development needs justify the creation of a fourth zone.

‘I write with utmost respect to present a proposal for the creation of an additional geopolitical zone for Northern Nigeria, to be known as the ‘North-North zone’, comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States,’ he said.

According to him, the proposed zone would promote equity, balanced representation and accelerate development across the region.

‘The North currently has three geopolitical zones, while the South has three. In view of our population, landmass, and the yearnings for equity, balanced representation and accelerated development, the creation of a fourth zone in the North has become both necessary and just,’ he said.

‘Kano, Katsina and Jigawa share deep historical, cultural and economic ties. The creation of a North-North Zone will bring governance closer to the people, strengthen regional planning, and ensure fairer allocation of federal resources and political representation,’ he added.

He appealed to the Arewa Consultative Forum to lend its support to the proposal and advocate for its consideration by the appropriate authorities.

‘I therefore humbly solicit the support of the Arewa Consultative Forum to champion this noble cause to the National Assembly and the Presidency. This is in the interest of peace, unity, fairness and progress of our dear region,’ he added.

Dembo, a journalist, publisher, businessman and politician, served as Minister of State for Petroleum under the late General Sani Abacha’s administration in 1997.

The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) and the African Golf Confederation (AGC) have dismissed reports alleging that the Nigerian federation was suspended, describing the claims as false, misleading and aimed at damaging the image of Nigerian golf.

NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, condemned the reports published by some online platforms, insisting they were neither authorised nor verified by the relevant authorities. He warned that those responsible for circulating the story would face legal action.

‘We will not hesitate to seek redress in court against those behind this malicious publication. Journalism must be guided by facts and professionalism, not speculation and misinformation,’ Runsewe said.

He maintained that there was never any basis for suspension, explaining that the NGF had electronically paid its mandatory $1,500 affiliation fee to the AGC before the reports surfaced.

‘The issue of suspension does not arise because the affiliation fee of 1,500 dollars was paid electronically since last week. The information circulated was half-baked and clearly intended to mislead the public.’

Runsewe further explained that international affiliation fees are the responsibility of the National Sports Commission (NSC), which traditionally handles such obligations for national sports federations.

He also disclosed that he contacted AGC President, Ambassador Johnson Omolo, who denied authorising any interview or issuing a statement announcing the suspension.

‘I spoke directly with Amb. Johnson Omolo. He categorically told me that neither the AGC nor its officials granted any interview or issued any press release on the purported suspension of Nigeria.’

Runsewe added that the AGC has no administrative role in the All Africa Challenge Trophy and dismissed claims that the false report could affect Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 championship, insisting preparations remain firmly on course.

The National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced full digital registration of births and deaths in Yobe State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CRVS) system, with the aim of improving legal identity coverage and strengthening demographic data for national planning.

The Federal Commissioner of NPC in Yobe State, Hon. Tonga Betara Bularafa, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Damaturu.

He said the initiative, which took effect from July 1, 2026, is now operational across the 17 local government areas of the state through the VitalReg platform.

Bularafa described the digital transition as a landmark reform in Nigeria’s civil registration system, saying it would ensure that every birth and death in the state is accurately captured through a modern, technology-driven platform.

He noted that the reform followed the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics and the launch of the E-CRVS system by President Tinubu on November 8, 2023.

The commissioner said civil registration remained essential for generating reliable population statistics needed for policy formulation, resource allocation and development planning.

According to him, Nigeria records about five million births annually, but millions of births and deaths are yet to be registered.

He said birth registration coverage currently stands at about 57 per cent nationwide, while death registration is below 20 per cent.

To improve registration, Bularafa said the commission had established 4,011 functional registration centres across the country’s 774 local government areas and was working to increase the number to about 8,000.

He said the VitalReg platform would provide faster registration services, 24-hour online access, and digital certificate issuance where applicable, reduced paperwork, improved data validation and a more secure national civil registration database.

Bularafa also said the commission had signed a partnership agreement with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited to decentralise birth registration services and improve access at the grassroots.

He said the collaboration would enhance community participation, improve data accuracy and expand registration coverage across the country.

The commissioner disclosed that the commission had reviewed fees for specialized administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification requests to sustain the digital infrastructure.

He, however, clarified that birth registration and birth notification services would remain highly subsidised to promote universal registration.

In a statement on Wednesday, the bank disclosed that the partnership aims to expand access to affordable and convenient vehicle financing solutions and promote vehicle ownership among individuals and businesses.

According to the statement, ‘The collaboration covers a range of vehicles distributed by Kewalram Nigeria Limited, including Electric Vehicles (EVs), Hybrid Vehicles, and conventional automobiles, providing individuals and businesses with financing options that meet their mobility and operational needs.

‘Through this partnership, our customers will have access to financing for both walk-in and pre-ordered vehicle purchases from Kewalram Nigeria Limited. Customers will also benefit from negotiated discounts of up to 15 percent on vehicle purchases, which will help cushion the effective interest cost on loans granted by the bank, improve affordability and accelerate vehicle acquisition.’

Speaking at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, Olayemi Sule, Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking at Keystone Bank, said the partnership represents another step in the lender’s commitment to making asset acquisition more accessible to its customers and Nigerians.

‘By combining flexible auto financing with negotiated vehicle discounts, we are creating a proposition that improves affordability while supporting the mobility and business needs of individuals and enterprises.

‘The retail market remains a critical focus for the Bank, and this partnership underscores our strategic commitment to expanding access to consumer and SME financing, fostering sustainable mobility, and strengthening collaborations that deliver tangible value to customers.

‘The partnership is expected to drive increased uptake of the bank’s consumer auto loans, strengthen customer acquisition and retention, create cross-selling opportunities and enhance awareness of Keystone Bank’s retail risk asset products,’ Sule said.

Some Keystone Bank officials present at the ceremony include Helen Maiyegun, Directorate Head, Lagos and West; Gani Adebayo, Directorate Head, Lagos Mainland; Izore Lami Bamawo, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication; Olabimpe Onasanya, Group Head, Corporate Finance; Michael Batan, Group Head, Corporate Support; Alao Ayodeji, Group Head, Financial Institutions; Dr. Akinyemi Euba, Regional Head, Victoria Island; Francis Madukwe, Regional Head, Apapa and Bolajoko Agunlejika, Department Head, Retail Products.

With this partnership, Keystone Bank continues to strengthen its retail and SME lending proposition by developing financing solutions that improve access to productive assets, deepen market penetration, and enhance customer experience.