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The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a suit filed by ten Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-governed states challenging President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

A seven-member panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, reserved judgment after the parties adopted their written submissions during Tuesday’s proceedings.

The suit (SC/CV/329/2025) was originally filed by eleven states-Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa but Delta State withdrew during the hearing.

Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), counsel for the plaintiffs, stated that the case does not dispute the President’s general power to declare a state of emergency but questions the legality of suspending the governor, deputy governor, and members of the state assembly under such a declaration.

The suit follows President Tinubu’s March 18, 2025, proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers State due to a political crisis.

The President suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and state lawmakers, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as Sole Administrator for six months.

The PDP states asked the Supreme Court to determine whether the President has constitutional authority to suspend elected officials and appoint an administrator in their place.

They also argued that the process used to declare the emergency violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, urged the court to dismiss the case, calling it speculative and without merit.

He argued that the President acted within his constitutional powers to restore order in the state.

Fagbemi said the officials were not removed but temporarily suspended to maintain governance and order.

He accused the plaintiffs of overstepping in their legal challenge.

Counsel for the National Assembly, Charles Yohila, supported Fagbemi’s position and also asked the court to dismiss the suit.

Justice Okoro said the hearing by stating that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to the parties.

Ahead of the seventh session of the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) in Lagos on 4 and 5 November 2025, convener Ms Ummahani Ahmad Amin is unequivocal: ‘Islamic finance has proven to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global financial system, and AICIF offers a unique platform to bring together policymakers, regulators, scholars, investors, and practitioners to shape that future on the continent.’

Barrister Ummahani Ahmad Amin is a prominent promoter and advocate in Nigeria for Islamic Finance and all its aspects. Notably, Sukuk and its derivatives are at the forefront.

The Sukuk Catalyst: Building Infrastructure and Trust

Ummahani Amin recalls, ‘Advising on Nigeria’s first sovereign Sukuk issuance has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Over the years, we have been involved with several other issuances (Taj, Family Homes, etc.). These issuances have demonstrated that infrastructure financing can be ethical, transparent, and participatory. Beyond the roads and bridges they have financed, Sukuk has changed public perception – showing that Islamic finance is not limited to religion but is a credible tool for national development. Each Sukuk has strengthened investor confidence and expanded financial inclusion in ways we could only imagine a decade ago.’

Profoundly driven by the conviction that ‘finance can be both ethical and inclusive,’ Amin elaborates: ‘From my legal practice, I witnessed first-hand how non-interest finance-rooted in risk-sharing, asset-backing, and ethical investment-aligns seamlessly with sustainable development goals. Islamic finance, to me, is neither a mere alternative nor a parallel system. It is a reimagining of finance as a tool for inclusion, social responsibility and nation-building. This conviction continues to motivate me.’

The forthcoming AICIF conference arrives on the heels of unprecedented regulatory collaboration. Barrister Ummahani Amin explains, ‘We have seen notable progress from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Insurance Commission and others in creating an enabling environment for non-interest finance. The SEC’s proactive support for Sukuk and other Islamic capital market instruments has been especially encouraging. However, further coordination between agencies is necessary, particularly in harmonising tax and accounting frameworks. There is also scope for additional incentives to promote product innovation and to mainstream Islamic finance education within regulatory bodies.’

Africa’s Islamic Finance Future

Hajia Amin believes in an African financial landscape that is green and Sukuk.

She asserts that ‘Africa is ripe for growth in non-interest finance. Cross-border Sukuk for infrastructure, agriculture, and renewable energy are particularly promising. We are also seeing opportunities for collaboration in fintech-driven Sharia-compliant products that can scale financial inclusion more quickly than traditional channels.’

She notes approvingly the growth in the non-interest finance market in Nigeria.

‘For Nigeria, we have observed tremendous growth – from a single Sharia-compliant bank to about six fully-fledged banks and one or two windows (we now have around five), along with several microfinance banks, fund managers, issuing houses, and many more – and that is just within Nigeria. Other African countries are also making significant progress in this area, so over the next decade, I envisage a more interconnected African Islamic finance ecosystem – one that leverages regional cooperation to fund shared prosperity.’

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There is significant room for growth. ‘Africa’s infrastructure gap offers a considerable opportunity. Cross-border Sukuk can fund regional projects such as transport corridors, renewable energy, and healthcare systems under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’, she affirms. ‘We also foresee strong growth in green and social Sukuk, which aligns perfectly with Africa’s sustainable development agenda. The future belongs to collaborative financing models that combine ethics, innovation, and impact.’

Ummahani Ahmad Amin: Leadership and Legacy

Ummahani Ahmad Amin is the Managing Partner of The Metropolitan Law Firm and Chairperson of the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) Planning Committee. A leading voice in Islamic finance law, she has advised on several of Nigeria’s sovereign Sukuk issuances and has championed ethical and inclusive finance across Africa. Through Metropolitan Skills, she promotes capacity building for professionals, regulators, and emerging leaders in the non-interest finance ecosystem. Her work reflects a vision of finance as a force for fairness, inclusion, and sustainable development.

Her pioneering work has transformed non-interest finance from concept to policy and from aspiration to institution. Working closely with the Regulators and the finance ecosystem, she has been part of developing frameworks that integrate ethical finance into Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda.

In 2013, she founded the African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF)-today the continent’s leading platform for promoting thought leadership, innovation, and collaboration in Islamic and ethical finance. Under her visionary leadership, AICIF has become a conduit connecting policymakers, investors, regulators, and scholars towards a shared vision of sustainable development and financial justice for Africa.

Through The Metropolitan Skills, the firm’s training and professional development division, Ms Amin has empowered hundreds of bankers, lawyers, regulators, and entrepreneurs across West Africa, fostering a new generation of professionals equipped with both technical expertise and moral integrity.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms Amin exemplifies grace, faith, and integrity. A fervent supporter of women in leadership, she mentors young female professionals in law and finance, demonstrating that competence and compassion can flourish together at the highest levels of influence. Her advocacy highlights her belief that women’s inclusion in finance is a moral duty and a driver of sustainable national progress.

Renowned for her eloquence, humility, and intellectual depth, Ms Ummahani Ahmad Amin embodies a new generation of African leaders redefining finance as a force for justice, inclusion, and human dignity. Her legacy is one of courage and conviction-a lifelong commitment to building a financial system rooted in fairness, transparency, and shared prosperity.

She serves on the board of the Almajiri Child Rights Initiative. She is also on the board of NGX and One 17 Capital.

Indeed, she is rightfully recognised as one of the pioneers of Islamic finance in Nigeria, a pathfinder, and a builder of ethical finance for a new Africa.

The promise of Islamic finance for MSMEs particularly excites this Shuwa Arab woman from Borno State.

Hajia Amin states that ‘Non-interest finance is naturally inclusive. Its prohibition of interest and focus on partnership-based contracts resonate with many who have historically distrusted formal banking. Instruments such as Mudarabah and Musharakah offer models for joint ownership, shared profits, and reduced collateral pressure for women and small-scale entrepreneurs.’

She adds that ‘By designing community-based micro-Sukuk and digital non-interest products, we can empower market women, artisans, and young innovators to access capital ethically-and with dignity.’

Set up by the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act of 1992, NHF offers all Nigerians above 18 years of age and working in the public, private and informal sectors eligibility to register and participate by contributing 2.5 percent of their monthly incomes to the fund. It is targeted mainly at Nigerians within the low and medium-income levels, especially civil servants, who cannot afford commercial housing loans.

The fund is currently supervised by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), which was established with a clear social mandate to ensure that Nigerians, particularly those in the low- and middle-income brackets, have access to affordable housing finance.

Many years on, FMBN has continued to serve as Nigeria’s foremost bridge to homeownership, helping ordinary workers turn their housing dreams into reality through the NHF scheme. FMBN had suffered slow growth until recently, when the mantle of leadership of the apex mortgage bank fell on Shehu Usman Osidi, the managing director/chief executive, and his dedicated management team.

Osidi revealed recently that, since their inauguration, they have embarked on bold reforms to reposition the Bank, deepen transparency, and enhance service delivery. ‘One visible result of these efforts is the marked increase in NHF registrations nationwide,’ he said.

According to FMBN’s January to July 2025 operational performance report recently released, more than 76,000 new workers joined the scheme within the past seven months, a significant jump that underscores growing confidence in the Fund.

‘But when set against Nigeria’s massive workforce, which is estimated at over 70 million people, this figure is still a drop in the ocean. The reality is that millions of Nigerian workers remain outside the NHF ship, either due to scepticism, misinformation or sheer lack of awareness,’ the managing director noted.

He lamented that misconceptions about the Fund continue to thrive, discouraging participation and denying workers access to one of the most affordable mortgage products in Africa. This, he said, has necessitated the need to demystify the Fund to let Nigerians know what it is all about.

What NHF was designed to do

The NHF scheme was created as a solution to Nigeria’s chronic housing challenge. The idea behind its establishment was simple: if Nigerian workers each contributed a small fraction of their monthly income, the pooled resources could create a revolving fund for affordable housing loans. The scheme was therefore the government’s strategic effort at democratising access to homeownership, ensuring that even workers on modest incomes could aspire to own a home.

The scheme is, therefore, not just a savings programme but also a form of social security for Nigerian workers. It is designed to protect workers from the vulnerability of rent dependency, housing insecurity and the high cost of commercial mortgages provided by other mortgage and financial institutions.

With repayment periods stretching as long as 30 years and interest rates capped at six percent per annum, the NHF remains the most worker-friendly housing finance product in Nigeria. This is in addition to an opportunity to access up to N50 million for housing development or outright purchase of a property. Over the years, many Nigerian workers have taken advantage of the opportunity and realised their homeownership aspirations through this scheme.

Contributor’s age, financial requirement and products:

The scheme is designed in a way that any Nigerian up to the age of 18 is eligible to register and begin a contribution of 2.5 percent of his monthly income immediately. As a registered contributor to the NHF Scheme, it opens up the window for the contributor to access any of FMBN’s range of products after consistently contributing for a minimum period of six months.

These products include the NHF Loan, Rent-To-Own and Home Renovation Loan. Others are the Individual Construction Loan and Cooperative Housing Development Loan. In addition to these products, FMBN recently announced plans to launch the Diaspora Mortgage Loan and Non-Interest Loan. All these products have been designed to ease the struggles of homeownership faced by the majority of Nigerians who fall within the low- and middle-income segments.

Correcting misconceptions about the scheme: NHF is not for civil servants alone.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the NHF is the assumption that it is exclusive to government employees. While civil servants form a large portion of contributors, the NHF was designed for every Nigerian worker above the age of 18. Private-sector employees, traders, artisans, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals can all register and contribute. This way, the scheme promotes inclusivity.

The inclusivity of the NHF is one of its greatest strengths. By widening the contributor base, the scheme pools more funds for housing development and ensures that the benefits are not limited to one segment of the workforce. It targets all Nigerian workers, not only those in government employment. More recently, it has expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders, enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to participate and benefit from it.

NHF deductions are not taxes.

Another widespread misconception that has stood as a barrier to Nigerians’ getting on board the NHF scheme is that its contributions are simply another government tax that workers will never benefit from. This belief has discouraged many from even asking questions about the scheme. In reality, the deductions are not taxes but mandatory savings that remain tied to the worker’s name.

Workers who contribute to this scheme build eligibility to access loans for housing. They get the ticket to access affordable mortgage finance or housing. Those who never apply for a loan are entitled to a refund of their contributions with a 2-percent interest at the point of retirement or disengagement from service. Far from being ‘lost money’, NHF deductions are a form of enforced savings with either a home or a refund as the outcome.

Access to mortgage loans is possible for everyone.

Scepticism about access is perhaps the most damaging misconception surrounding the NHF Scheme. Many workers assume that NHF loans are shrouded in bureaucracy and reserved for the privileged few.

While challenges with processing times and documentation have existed in the past, the system has been deliberately structured to ensure fairness. But even this challenge is being overcome today, with the Bank’s full deployment of its Core Banking Application.

Workers apply through accredited mortgage banks, known as Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs), rather than directly to FMBN. These MLOs guide contributors through the requirements, such as proof of income, title documents and building approvals, ensuring that loans are processed transparently. Importantly, the property being financed serves as the security for the loan, which means workers are not required to produce assets beyond the house they intend to own.

NHF loans are not only for new buildings.

Many workers wrongly believe the NHF scheme is only useful if they are starting construction from scratch. In truth, the scheme supports a wide range of housing needs. Contributors can use their loans to buy existing homes, purchase properties in accredited estates, construct new houses or give their existing homes a new look with the Home Renovation Loan. The only restriction is refinancing, which involves using NHF funds to pay off existing loans, which is not allowed.

This flexibility means the scheme accommodates different housing realities. A worker in Lagos may use the loan to buy an apartment, while another in Enugu may choose to build a family home on ancestral land or move into an apartment funded by FMBN and pay by installments as rent till he/she completes the total cost of the property and becomes an owner. This way, the NHF adapts to workers’ diverse needs and circumstances.

The requirements are not ‘overly complicated’ but necessary.

Documentation for mortgage loans can seem daunting, but the requirements are no different from any standard mortgage process anywhere in the world. They exist to protect contributors from fraud and ensure the value of financed properties. Items such as a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), building plan approval and a valuation report by a registered estate valuer safeguard both the worker and the Fund.

‘What may appear as complicated is, in fact, a safeguard,’ Osidi assures, saying that with the guidance of accredited mortgage banks, contributors can navigate the process with clarity. ‘Increasing digitisation by FMBN has further simplified the process, reducing timelines and increasing transparency,’ he added.

NHF loans have easy repayment terms.

Another enduring misconception about the NHF scheme is that the repayment burden will cripple workers’ finances. This is not in any way true. NHF loans are deliberately designed to be affordable. The 6 percent annual interest rate is far below what commercial banks charge, and the repayment can be spread across as many as 30 years.

This structure ensures that repayments fit comfortably within workers’ income brackets. Unlike landlords who can arbitrarily increase rent, the NHF repayment terms remain stable, predictable and fair throughout the tenure of the loan.

An easy path to homeownership

Osidi here stresses that NHF is not a tax, not a scam and not a privilege reserved for a few, but a lifeline for Nigerian workers who desire to escape the trap of rent and claim the stability of homeownership.

According to him, though misconceptions have long obscured the value of the scheme, the facts are clear: 6 percent every contributor stands to gain, whether through a home loan or a refund with interest.

‘The challenge now is not whether this scheme works; it does, but whether more workers will embrace it. For those who have yet to register, the message is simple: do not let misinformation rob you of an opportunity that is both affordable and attainable. Join the NHF, secure your right to a home, and help build a future where decent housing is not a privilege but a shared reality for all Nigerian workers,’ the managing director said.

Why every Nigerian should join the scheme

At a time when the average 3-bedroom bungalow in a city like Lagos or Abuja will cost upwards of N30 million to buy or build, every worker outside the NHF scheme is missing out on an opportunity to turn small monthly deductions into life-changing assets.

The progress FMBN has made in expanding registrations shows that more Nigerians are beginning to realise this truth, but the numbers are still far too small compared to the country’s workforce.

Housing is more than shelter. It is a form of dignity, stability and security. For workers who spend decades of their lives in service to the nation or the private sector, a permanent home should not be a luxury. It should be a right, and the NHF is one of the surest ways to claim that right.

The FMBN management team has shown that reforms and renewed energy can inspire progress. By improving transparency, deepening accountability and expanding outreach, the current management team is restoring workers’ trust in a scheme that was once dismissed with cynicism. The rise in new registrations is evidence of shifting perception.

An NGO, Sightsavers International says over 4.24 million Nigerians are affected by blindness or visual impairment, mainly due to preventable or treatable conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the the organisation’s Advocacy Coordinator, Esther Bature, representing Country Director, Joy Shuaibu, said this on Tuesday in Kano.

She spoke on Day 2 of a workshop attended by journalists from North-West Nigeria.

It is aimed at boosting collaboration between the media and sightsavers on health, disability inclusion, and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Bature said that access to eye care remained a challenge, with only 4.4 per cent of Nigerians getting eye health services as against 38 per cent in middle-income countries.

She said that sightsavers, established in 1950, had over 50 years’ presence in Nigeria promoting healthcare, education and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Bature urged the government and stakeholders to boost awareness and investments in eye health via the ‘4Ps Approach’ – Preserve, Prioritise, Prevent and Protect_.

She stressed bridging gaps between tertiary institutions and the rural communities, advocating inclusive policies for women, children and persons with disabilities.

Sightsavers also reaffirmed commitment to supporting national initiatives prioritising disability inclusion and eye health.

A United States District Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of a California property belonging to Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now NNPC Limited, after finding he acquired it with proceeds of bribery.

The ruling, issued by Judge John Walter on October 3, followed Okoronkwo’s September conviction on charges of transactional money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors alleged that Okoronkwo received a $2.1 million bribe from Addax Petroleum, a Switzerland-based subsidiary of China’s state-owned Sinopec, in exchange for granting favourable drilling rights in Nigeria during his time at NNPC.

According to U.S. court documents, the payment made in October 2015 was wired to Okoronkwo’s law firm trust account in Los Angeles and disguised as consultancy fees. Investigations, however, revealed the funds were bribes facilitated by Addax executives who allegedly falsified records, misled auditors, and dismissed staff who questioned the transaction.

Prosecutors further told the court that Okoronkwo, who practiced immigration, family, and personal injury law in Koreatown, Los Angeles, used nearly $1 million of the illicit funds as a down payment on a luxury home in Valencia, California. He also failed to declare the income in his 2015 tax returns, violating U.S. tax laws.

The forfeiture order covers the property located at 25340 Twin Oaks Place, Valencia, California 91381, described as Tract Number 45433, Lot 12, with Assessor’s Parcel Number 2826-143-004. The court found a ‘clear nexus’ between the property and the crimes listed in Counts 1 through 3 of the indictment, which involved money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1957.

In its judgment, the court ruled that ‘any right, title, and interest of the defendant’ in the Valencia property ‘is hereby forfeited to the United States.’ It also authorized the U.S. Attorney General or a designee to seize the property pursuant to federal forfeiture laws.

The U.S. government has since published a public notice calling on any individual with a legitimate claim or interest in the property to file a petition within 60 days of the announcement.

Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 1, where he faces potential prison time and further financial penalties. The case has drawn attention in both Nigeria and the U.S., spotlighting renewed international efforts to combat corruption in the oil and gas sector and trace illicit financial flows across borders.

If upheld, the forfeiture will mark another major U.S. enforcement action targeting foreign bribery linked to Nigeria’s oil industry an ongoing challenge for authorities seeking to recover assets looted through corporate and political corruption.

About 85 percent of retail cryptocurrency investors in Nigeria report monthly incomes below N250,000 which places them firmly in the low- to mid-income bracket, according to The State of Crypto Adoption in Nigeria 2025 report.

The report published by Quidax in collaboration with IFS Insights revealed that young people and students dominate as students comprise 43 percent of Nigeria’s crypto investor base; many others are self-employed professionals and freelancers.

‘Although Lagos accounts for nearly a quarter of survey respondents, other states such as Kaduna, Enugu, Abuja, and Osun also showed notable crypto activity, indicating that usage has expanded beyond Nigeria’s economic hubs,’ it noted.

The report estimates that 26.3 million Nigerians now use or have used cryptocurrency which reflects one of the largest population shares of crypto users globally.

Rather than purely chasing short-term gains, many investors turn to crypto for savings, payment use, and as a hedge against naira depreciation. Stablecoins are the most commonly used cryptocurrencies in Nigeria, it noted.

It said, ‘while Africa has become one of the fastest-growing regions in terms of crypto adoption, its total crypto economy remains relatively small on the global scale.

‘Between July 2022 and June 2023, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for just 2.3 percent of global crypto transactions.’

Years ago, a female client asked me to include her husband’s name on a property title even though she had paid for it in full. When I asked why, she smiled and said quietly, ‘That’s how we’ve always done it.’

Meanwhile, her husband had just registered another property, in his own name and his brother’s.

That story still moves me, not because of the paperwork, but because of what it revealed about how women often make decisions about money and ownership.

Too many women confuse sentiment for strategy.

They mistake loyalty for legacy.

This may sound unbelievable until you realise how often it repeats itself, from women who start businesses and assign majority shares to their spouses ‘for peace’ to those who stay silent as their names are erased from documents.

At the time, it feels like love or unity or trust. But when the business grows beyond expectation, or the marriage faces storms, that same decision becomes a lifelong loss.

You end up wrestling for what you built or walking away from it for peace’s sake.

It’s not just a legal issue. It’s a leadership one.

And it’s costing women not only money, but also power, agency, and legacy.

The unspoken tension in African homes

Across Africa, more women are earning more than ever before – leading businesses, heading corporate divisions, and outpacing men in industries once dominated by them.

But quietly, many are fighting an invisible battle at home – especially when their success outpaces their partner’s.

One woman told me she hides her true income from her husband. She earns multiple times his salary but downplays her achievements to keep the peace. She deposits only part of her pay into their joint account and quietly manages her investments on the side.

Her reason was simple: ‘I don’t want him to feel less of a man.’

She is not alone. From Nigeria to Kenya, and South Africa to Rwanda, many women who out-earn their partners find themselves in a silent tug-of-war, not with money, but with ego, culture, and expectation.

Success becomes something to manage rather than embrace. And in the process, both families and economies lose.

The threat of fragile egos

Why does a woman’s success still feel like a threat instead of an asset?

Culturally, men have been raised to see themselves as providers, while women are conditioned to be modest about their financial wins.

Religious interpretations often reinforce the idea that male headship equals sole financial authority. And fragile egos mean that some men feel diminished instead of inspired when their wives earn more.

Even men who earn more sometimes undermine their partners’ financial independence to stay in control.

The result is predictable. Many women hide, shrink, or decline opportunities that could transform their families’ future.

Entire households lose the benefit of her full capacity while society continues to reward restraint instead of results.

The cost of shrinking

When women play small, everyone pays:

Wealth creation slows down. Families miss out on investments that could multiply over time.

Generational progress is delayed. Children learn distorted lessons about money, power, and gender roles.

National growth suffers. Imagine the economic impact if every African woman brought her full earning power to the table without fear or guilt.

This is not a domestic issue. It’s an economic one.

Studies across emerging markets confirm what women already know: higher earnings don’t always lead to higher decision-making power.

Even among senior executives, many women negotiate cautiously or avoid visibility to prevent domestic or cultural backlash.

That’s not weakness; it’s conditioning – the kind that limits everyone’s potential.

From sentiment to strategy

Sentiment says, ‘Keep the peace.’

Strategy says, ‘Secure the future.’

The most financially empowered women I know are not loud; they are structured. They separate emotion from ownership. They make decisions guided by clarity, not guilt.

They register assets in their names or set up appropriate vehicles to hold those assets with clearly defined ownership and governance guidelines.

They create family constitutions that outline how wealth is earned, managed, and transferred.

They seek legal and financial advice before emotion clouds judgement.

And they mentor other women to do the same, because when wisdom goes unshared, progress is delayed for all, which is one of the philosophies behind Radiant Collective Capital, helping women design wealth through clarity, structure, and courage.

These women are not cold or calculating. They are courageous.

They understand that protection is not a lack of trust. It is foresight.

The new wealth script

Every time the topic of women earning more arises, someone inevitably says, ‘But she must stay humble.’

It’s time to retire that script.

African women don’t need another lecture on humility – they’ve mastered it for centuries.

Most already know that wisdom is essential in any partnership.

What’s needed now is strategy, structure, and self-assurance to build wealth and manage success without apology.

When women earn more, families should not collapse under the weight of ego. They should rise on the strength of partnership.

A woman’s income is not a threat to her marriage. It is a multiplier for her family, her community, and her nation.

The question is not what happens when women earn more.

The real question is: what happens when women start building differently, with clarity, confidence, and strategy?

Because in the end, the strongest homes and the wealthiest nations are not built on fragile egos or emotional decisions.

They are built on shared vision, mutual respect, and sound structure.

OpenAI has officially launched ChatGPT Atlas, a web browser built around its flagship generative AI, with the goal of reshaping how we navigate the web and putting pressure on the likes of Google Chrome.

This browser built around ChatGPT was released globally on October 21, 2025 for macOS users.

ChatGPT Atlas replaces the traditional address bar paradigm with a browser interface centered on the ChatGPT experience itself. Rather than toggling between tabs or copying and pasting text, users can interact with ChatGPT continuously while browsing, receiving context-aware assistance.

An optional agent mode available to users on paid tiers (ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business), enables the AI to perform searches, analyze content, and even automate tasks based on the browsing context.

Behind the scenes is a feature called ‘browser memories,’ which allows ChatGPT to remember and recall contextual information from sites visited if the user elects to enable it.

To ease adoption, OpenAI lets users import bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history directly from their current browsers upon first use.

In September 2025, Google Chrome commanded approximately 71.9 percent of global browser market share.

OpenAI’s rollout of Atlas arrives amid an aggressive growth and capital expansion phase. At its DevDay event earlier this month, it disclosed that ChatGPT now has 800 million weekly active users, up from 400 million earlier in 2025.

To bolster its product and infrastructure ambitions, OpenAI has also made notable acquisitions as the AI coding tool company Windsurf (formerly Codeium) in a deal worth $3 billion, and the product-testing firm Statsig for $1.1 billion.

It further secured a $300 billion, five-year cloud computing arrangement with Oracle to support its AI workloads.

OpenAI plans to roll out Atlas to Windows, iOS, and Android devices in the near future.

The House of Representatives says its interest is to protect strategic economic investments in the country from adversarial unionism with economic sabotage undertone.

The house’s resolution was made following a motion under urgent national importance by Rep. Alhassan Doguwa representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State and seconded by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki for Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a rift between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos which resulted to strike action recently.

The strike disrupted the operations at the 20 billion dollars refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker recalled with dismay the recent nationwide strike embarked upon by the PENGASSAN which impacted negatively on the Dangote Refinery and on the nation’s economy.

He said there is the need for national cognisance of the economic role and importance of Dangote Refinery to Petroleum production and distribution.

The lawmaker warned against industrial actions that are capable of impeding economic development and eroding public trust.

‘Note that the industrial action led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over a period of three days.

‘Further note that the disruption worsened the fuel supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, thereby causing severe hardship for ordinary Nigerians,’ he said.

The lawmaker who described Dangote Refinery as one operating under Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), called for compliance with the NEPZA Act.

‘Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act clearly states: ‘Employment in the Free Zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters.’

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to relevant committees for further legislative action.

Stakeholders at a conference organised by HACEY Health Initiative have called for greater investment in digital literacy, safety, and inclusive education to equip Nigerian girls with the skills and confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping Tomorrow: Girls’ Leadership and Digital Power,’ the event brought together adolescent girls, educators, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore how digital innovation can drive inclusion, leadership, and long-term empowerment for young women across Nigeria.

The conference, which also marked HACEY’s 18th anniversary and the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated the transformative potential of young girls to shape society through technology, creativity, and purposeful leadership.

Delivering the keynote address, Victoria Ajayi, group managing director and chief executive officer of TVC Communications, urged the girls to see technology as a tool for transformation. ‘They saw a problem, they became curious, and they used technology and creativity to solve it,’ she said. ‘That’s how you should use the internet better.’

Ajayi encouraged the participants to take initiative beyond the event. ‘When you leave here, you have to be determined to make a mark in this digital world. We live in an extraordinary time where a girl with a smartphone and an idea can change the world,’ she said.

A panel session on ‘Bridging the Gender Digital Divide’ featured Ayodele Olojede, division head of retail and SME at Wema Bank, who highlighted the role of digital literacy in economic empowerment. ‘Exposure to digital platforms and financial literacy is a means to an end – economic empowerment,’ she said. ‘Women need to be economically empowered to make a difference in their communities. That’s why we are intentional about initiatives like ALAT Explore, which introduces teenage girls to digital banking, budgeting, and online safety with parental guidance.’

Rhoda Robinson, executive director of HACEY, emphasised that empowerment also requires structural support. ‘We need to ensure menstrual hygiene policies are properly implemented in schools,’ she said. ‘Safety must also be prioritised, so girls can attend school and return home without fear of harassment. When girls feel protected, they are better positioned to make the right choices for themselves.’

A highlight of the summit was the award ceremony for the top ten winners of HACEY’s national creative competition. 15-year-old Nusaybah Abdulhake, a senior secondary student from Iwerekun Community Senior High School, Lakowe, clinched the top spot with an essay addressing menstrual health stigma, earning a laptop and a cash prize.

Second and third place winners, Khadija Alhassan and Oreoluwa Ogunsola, also received cash prizes. All ten finalists will join HACEY’s Girls’ Advisory Board, gaining access to mentorship and leadership development opportunities.

The conference also marked a major milestone for HACEY, which is celebrating 18 years of championing gender equality, health, and social inclusion across Africa. Through its work, the organisation continues to empower young girls with the skills, confidence, and voice to lead in a digital world.