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Adebayo Lawal, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, has said that the State Government will leave no stone unturned in order to strengthen security in the entire linking roads of the Oke Ogun zone, entry and exit points, and other strategic locations in the zone.

While reassuring residents of adequate security to boost economic growth of the region, he said all hands are on deck to fish out any miscreant and use the instrumentality of the law to deal with them.

Lawal however urged Oke-Ogun residents to come up with relevant submissions into the proposed 2026 budget, just as it reassured them of adequate security.

The Deputy Governor, who spoke during the 2026 Stakeholders Consultative meeting held at Saki Township Hall, said the exercise would give citizens of the State a voice in the budget preparation while also providing updates on the performance of the 2025 budget.

Reassuring residents that previous suggestions had been integrated into earlier budgets, Lawal however promised that all projects embarked on, after the 2025 stakeholders consultative meeting, will be completed before the expiration of the present administration’s second term.

Musibau Babatunde, Professor and the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, encouraged continued civic cooperation, saying that the budget’s effectiveness relies on citizens fulfilling civic duties, including paying taxes.

He added that the consultative session is part of a larger series across the zones in the state, underscoring the forum as key to shaping the 2026 budget.

‘Let me assure you that Governor Seyi Makinde has your interest at heart. What we are doing here is a foundational part of the 2026 budget presentation and it will ensure residents’ needs guide the present government’s planning’, he said.

Various communities, religious bodies, market women, artisans, students’ leaders among others came forward to present their requests.

Present at the programme were top government functionaries, from the region and traditional rulers.

A new era in Financial Reporting

The world of finance is undergoing a dramatic shift. For decades, businesses relied on manual systems and traditional bookkeeping to prepare their accounts. Today, cloud accounting and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving a new wave of transformation. These technologies are no longer futuristic ideas; they are actively changing how companies record, analyse, and present financial information.

According to a 2023 OECD report, over 65 percent of firms in emerging markets consider digital finance adoption critical to their long-term survival. Closer to home, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), under the leadership of its current president, Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, has consistently emphasised the need for accountants to embrace emerging technologies as part of professional development. With over 65,000 members and 300,000 students in training, ICAN continues to champion capacity building, certification, and global competitiveness for Nigerian accountants. This reflects ICAN’s recognition that financial reporting must evolve to meet the challenges of a rapidly digitising economy.

Cloud-based platforms enable businesses to process transactions and generate reports in real time, eliminating the delays that once slowed down decision-making. Meanwhile, AI and machine learning tools are automating complex tasks such as fraud detection, predictive analysis, and compliance monitoring. Together, they are redefining financial reporting, making it more accurate, transparent, and accessible than ever before.

The role of Cloud Accounting in modern finance

Cloud accounting is more than just moving financial data online; it is about creating an ecosystem where information is available anytime, anywhere. For organisations, this means financial reporting no longer has to be tied to physical offices or localised servers.

The benefits are clear: lower operational costs, real-time collaboration, and seamless integration with other digital tools such as mobile banking apps and payment gateways. For countries like Nigeria, where financial inclusion remains a pressing challenge, cloud platforms can help extend services to underserved regions by enabling fintech companies and microfinance institutions to operate without expensive infrastructure.

By providing instant visibility into transactions and balances, cloud accounting also strengthens governance and accountability, which are critical in a business environment where transparency is increasingly demanded by investors, regulators, and the public. ICAN’s continued advocacy for technology-driven financial reporting reinforces this commitment to transparency and professional excellence.

Artificial Intelligence and the future of reporting

Artificial intelligence is now playing a vital role in financial reporting. Instead of accountants spending weeks reconciling data, AI-driven tools can process thousands of records in seconds. A Gartner survey noted that by 2026, over 60 percent of large enterprises will use AI in finance functions, cutting manual workload by nearly half.

Machine learning algorithms can detect unusual patterns in transactions, reducing the risks of fraud and error. Predictive models allow businesses to forecast cash flows, market risks, and even customer behaviour with greater accuracy.

This does not mean that accountants will be replaced. Instead, their roles are shifting from routine data entry to higher-value tasks such as interpretation, strategy, and advisory. By combining human judgement with AI insights, organisations can make better decisions and respond quickly to market changes.

Moreover, AI has the potential to revolutionise audits and regulatory reporting. Automated systems can ensure compliance with accounting standards, generate instant reports for regulators, and provide investors with up-to-date financial performance. In an era where trust is essential, this level of transparency is a powerful advantage.

Blockchain, fintech, and digital assets in reporting

Beyond cloud and AI, other emerging technologies are reshaping finance. Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies bring a new level of transparency and security to transactions. Every entry on the ledger is time-stamped and tamper-proof, creating reliable records that can transform auditing and assurance.

Digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and tokenised securities, are forcing financial institutions to rethink valuation and reporting standards. For businesses, this means financial reports must now capture both traditional and digital forms of value. Nigeria, for example, has seen steady growth in digital asset adoption, making it one of the key players in Africa’s fintech ecosystem.

Fintech innovations, from mobile banking to digital wallets, further expand the reach of finance, ensuring that even remote communities can participate in the digital economy. Together, these technologies are expanding the scope of financial reporting, moving it from a backward-looking exercise to a real-time, forward-looking tool for decision-making.

Building trust in a digital future

As cloud accounting, AI, blockchain, and fintech reshape the financial landscape, one theme stands out: trust. For businesses, regulators, and investors, trust is the foundation of financial reporting. The shift to digital platforms raises important questions about data security, ethical use of AI, and regulatory oversight.

To build trust, financial institutions must adopt best practices in cybersecurity, data governance, and ethical AI deployment. Regulators, including ICAN and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, have a central role to play in setting frameworks that balance innovation with accountability. With the right policies, digital finance can deliver not only efficiency but also fairness, transparency, and inclusion.

Conclusion

Cloud accounting and artificial intelligence are not simply modern tools; they are redefining financial reporting as we know it. By combining automation, transparency, and accessibility, these technologies are helping businesses operate more efficiently while giving investors and regulators greater confidence.

When integrated with blockchain, digital assets, and fintech innovations, the potential for transformation becomes even greater. The challenge for businesses and policymakers is to embrace these changes wisely, ensuring that technology strengthens, not undermines, the principles of trust, transparency, and accountability that financial reporting is built upon.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria deserves recognition for championing this digital shift and preparing Nigerian accountants to lead in a technology-driven future. As the President of ICAN has rightly noted, embracing innovation is not optional but essential if Nigeria is to remain competitive in the global economy.

As global supply chains fracture and reconfigure under the weight of geopolitical tensions, climate imperatives, and digital disruption, Nigeria finds itself at a strategic crossroads. The 2025 Nigeria Supply Chain Leadership Summit (NSCLS) arrives not as a ceremonial gathering, but as a high-stakes intervention-designed to chart a new course for Africa’s most populous nation and its regional partners.

The summit’s keynote theme, ‘Africa Supply Chain Renaissance: Nigeria’s Path Forward,’ delivered by Dr Alban Igwe, DG, Dangerous Goods Academy, sets the tone for a continental awakening. His address will explore how Nigeria can leverage policy reforms, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships to modernise its supply chain ecosystem-unlocking efficiency, reducing costs, and catalysing trade and investment across borders. Dr. Igwe’s roadmap includes strategic levers for transformation such as infrastructure, technology, skills, and financing, alongside Nigeria’s evolving role in AfCFTA and regional integration.

Mr. Adeola Oduntan, GM -Global Sourcing and Supply Chains at MTN Nigeria, will tackle one of the summit’s most urgent questions: ‘Nigeria at the Crossroads-Protectionism or Pan-African Trade Integration?’ His keynote will dissect the tension between safeguarding local industries and embracing regional competitiveness under AfCFTA. With MTN’s procurement transformation as a backdrop, Oduntan will offer a nuanced view of how businesses can navigate policy trade-offs while positioning Nigeria as both a national and continental powerhouse.

The concept of glocalisation-strategically adapting global practices to local realities-will be explored in depth by two influential voices. Ms Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President at Afreximbank, will discuss the institutional and financial dimensions of glocalisation, drawing on her leadership in advancing intra-African trade and industrialisation. Her perspective will highlight how regional value chains can be strengthened through policy harmonisation, trade finance, and strategic partnerships.

Joining her is Mr. Greg Akhibi, Chief Procurement Officer at Renaissance Africa Energy Corporation, who will examine glocalisation through the lens of energy and infrastructure. His address will spotlight how African industries can balance global standards with indigenous strengths-especially in the Energy and Energy services industry. Together, their insights promise a strategic roadmap for building competitive, inclusive, and sustainable regional value chains.

NSCLS is not designed for passive listening. Its architecture blends keynote provocations with practitioner-led case studies, regulatory deep dives, and investor roundtables. The goal is to move from ideas to execution, from policy to practice. Whether it’s rethinking port logistics, scaling e-commerce platforms, or embedding ESG principles in regional supply chains, the summit offers a rare opportunity to co-create solutions that are scalable, sovereign, and systemically sound.

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to legacy-driven impact. The summit’s convener, Emeka Eboagwu, has long championed the strategic alignment of global best practices with local realities. His work across Banking, Oil and Gas, infrastructure, Sustainability and regional integration reflects a deep commitment to empowering stakeholders and building capacity for systemic change. The NSCLS reflects that ethos-designed not only to convene, but also to catalyse.

The NSCLS event is billed to hold on the 14th of November, 2025, at the Radisson Blu, Anchorage, Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria

In a world where supply chains are no longer back-office functions but front-page headlines, NSCLS offers Nigeria a chance to lead with purpose, precision, and partnership within the emerging African supply chain ecosystem.

A quiet shift is underway in Nigeria’s beverage market. Once dominated by sugar-laden soft drinks and imported energy beverages, the space is now welcoming a new wave of health-focused products driven by a growing national consciousness around preventive healthcare.

Across cities and homes, Nigerians are increasingly embracing a ‘health first’ mindset , seeking natural, functional beverages that support immunity, relaxation, and everyday wellness. This awareness, experts say, is redefining consumer behavior and opening vast opportunities for local brands rooted in nature and wellness.

One such brand riding this wave is Organic Garden Ltd, a homegrown tea company that has become synonymous with Nigeria’s growing appetite for healthy living. Founded in January 2020, a time when the pandemic forced many to re-examine their health choices, Organic Garden is championing a preventive approach to wellness through carefully crafted herbal and fruit tea blends.

‘Organic Garden was inspired by the power of nature,’ said Abimbola Ige, Managing Director of Organic Garden Ltd. ‘As a lifelong tea lover, I wanted to share the wellness potential I found in everyday natural ingredients. Every herb and spice carries something beneficial – our goal was to make those benefits accessible to everyone, one cup at a time.’

Preventive health as the new lifestyle

The shift toward preventive healthcare , a lifestyle that prioritises maintaining wellness rather than merely treating illness , has taken hold among Nigerian consumers, particularly in urban centers. This is fueling demand for beverages that combine enjoyment with measurable health benefits.

Organic Garden’s success is built on this insight. Each blend is designed not just for taste, but for function: teas that calm, rejuvenate, aid sleep, balance hormones, or strengthen immunity. From the Tangy Berry Hibiscus rich in antioxidants, to the Meno Delight Tea crafted for women’s hormonal balance, the company’s offerings align with real wellness needs of its growing customer base.

‘Our teas begin with a commitment to quality and health,’ Ige said. ‘We don’t use preservatives or artificial flavors. Every cup is a small act of self-care – and that’s what preventive wellness is really about.’

Empowering local farmers for sustainable health

Beyond consumer health, Organic Garden’s business model ties preventive wellness to economic sustainability. The company sources most of its ingredients directly from Nigerian farmers, creating a ripple effect that supports rural livelihoods and strengthens local agriculture.

‘We collaborate closely with farmers to ensure fair pricing and consistent quality,’ Ige explained. ‘It’s a partnership built on trust – because a healthy community starts from the ground up.’

Some ingredients, like cardamom and star anise, are responsibly imported, but the heart of the product remains Nigerian. The brand’s eco-friendly packaging – including biodegradable tea bags – also aligns with its holistic approach to health and sustainability.

From Lagos to the world: A global vision for Nigerian wellness

As health awareness deepens across Africa and beyond, Organic Garden is preparing to take its ‘Naija wellness’ ethos global. The company is conducting pilot tests and market research in select regions to position its blends for export.

‘We’re exploring international markets because we believe Nigerian-made wellness products can compete globally,’ Ige said. ‘The world is turning toward natural living – and Nigeria has something unique to offer in that space.’

A new chapter in Nigeria’s beverage story

The rise of brands like Organic Garden underscores a broader cultural shift: Nigerians are no longer waiting to fall ill before taking care of themselves. Preventive health is becoming a shared value – one cup, one sip, one mindful choice at a time.

In this evolving market, the future of Nigeria’s beverage industry may not lie in the next soda formula, but in a teacup – brewed with intention, rooted in nature, and powered by a growing consciousness of wellness.

The Federal Government has welcomed Shell Nigeria’s $2 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) for a new offshore project in Nigeria’s HI Field, located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 144, approximately 50 kilometres offshore.

The significant investment was communicated to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, by the Country Chair of Shell Nigeria, Marno de Jong.

A statement by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister on Tuesday, said the development represented another major milestone in the nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the energy sector and boost production.

The FID was taken out between Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Sunlink Energies Resources Limited.

It marks a strong demonstration of confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas investment climate and the government’s commitment to driving sustainable energy growth.

Lokpobiri described the development as a direct outcome of the bold reforms and transformative policies implemented by the federal government, which continued to enhance Investors’ confidence and attract substantial capital inflows into oil and gas industry.

‘This two billion dollars investment reaffirms Nigeria’s position as a preferred destination for energy investment and highlights the value of collaboration

‘We anticipate that more Final Investment Decisions from other investors will follow in the coming months as confidence in our sector continues to grow,’ he said.

He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to foster an enabling environment for investment, ensuring that the benefits of such strategic partnerships translate into increase national prosperity and sustainable energy development.