Category: Business Day

Bloocloud Tek Consult, a business management solution provider, has launched BlooHR, a next-generation payroll and human resources management platform tailored to meet the demands of today’s dynamic workforce.

Speaking during the launch, James Ida, Head of Business and Marketing at Bloocloud Tek Consult, described BlooHR as a timely innovation designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and employees in today’s digital economy.

According to him, the platform integrates payroll automation, employee data management, performance tracking, and compliance reporting into a single solution, removing the inefficiencies often associated with traditional HR processes.

‘Human capital is at the heart of every successful business. Yet, many organisations still struggle with outdated systems that waste time, drain resources, and frustrate employees.

‘A truly effective HR solution must go beyond basic record keeping. It should automate payroll, centralise employee data, track performance, and ensure regulatory compliance, all while empowering employees with transparency and timely access to their information,’ Ida said.

He further emphasised that the decision to launch BlooHR was informed by Bloocloud’s market research, which revealed that many small, medium, and large enterprises across Nigeria and Africa face the same challenges of compliance, record keeping, and payroll accuracy.

‘Our goal is to provide a solution that is not only affordable but also scalable, meeting the needs of startups, SMEs, and corporates alike,’ he added.

Also commenting on the innovation, Israel Atoe, MD/CEO of Bloocloud, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation, saying that ‘At Bloocloud, we believe technology should work for people, not against them. BlooHR is our contribution to building workplaces where efficiency and employee satisfaction go hand in hand.’

Industry experts at the event highlighted that digital HR solutions are becoming increasingly critical as organisations embrace hybrid work models, tighter labour regulations, and the growing demand for data-driven decision-making. They pointed out that businesses that fail to adopt technology-driven HR systems risk losing competitiveness in a fast-changing workforce landscape.

BlooHR positions Bloocloud as a key player in Africa’s HR technology space. With its user-friendly interface and cloud-based deployment, the platform is designed to adapt seamlessly to organisations of varying sizes while providing secure, real-time access to data.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has announced a drop in power generation from over 4,300MW recorded in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.

The operator stated that industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain triggered widespread gas shortages, leading to a generation shortfall on the national grid.

‘The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the national grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

‘These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.

‘In response, the NISO promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the national grid. Key interventions include hydropower optimisation, generation dispatch and load balancing, and voltage and frequency support,’ NISO said in a statement issued to journalists.

The operator added that it applied selective load shedding as a last resort to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution.

These timely actions, it said, enabled the NISO National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.

‘The system operator reaffirms its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation,’ it added.

PENGASSAN commenced its strike action on Monday despite calls for calm from the federal government.

Nigeria is rewriting its governance story through the steady leadership of three women whose work is moving the country from promise to proof. In parliament, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara is turning representation into results. She treats consultation as a discipline, keeps citizens in the room, and converts their priorities into credible parliamentary asks. Her hearings are purposeful, her follow-up is visible, and her message is clear: legitimacy grows when people are heard and policy is grounded in evidence. In an era of flood risks, cost-of-living pressures, and rapid urbanisation, that kind of citizen-centred law-making helps lower tensions, align MDAs around shared outcomes, and accelerate delivery where it matters.

On the nation’s highest bench, Hon. Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, JSC anchors confidence in the rule of law. Predictable jurisprudence is not a luxury, it is the bedrock of investment, innovation, and social protection. Her careful reasoning signals that rights are real, contracts have consequences, and the vulnerable are not invisible. In a time of digital disruption, climate shocks, and intense political competition, her work shows how an independent, development-minded judiciary safeguards both liberty and growth. Justice becomes infrastructure, and infrastructure invites enterprise.

Within the executive, Fatima Ango offers a masterclass in execution. Recently elevated to Deputy Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, she has championed learning systems, competency frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation that link training to performance and policy to service quality. Capability is her strategy. By hard-wiring standards, skills, and feedback loops into daily work, she helps institutions move faster, learn quicker, and serve better. That is how service delivery becomes consistent, and how confidence in government compounds.

Together they form a clean arc of national renewal. Parliament gives inclusive voice. The courts provide steady verdicts. The executive delivers value at scale. This is the alignment Nigeria needs to tackle today’s biggest tests: resilience in the face of climate risks, productivity in a tightening global economy, probity in public finance, and inclusion that leaves no community behind. It is also why their leadership is newsworthy. At a moment when citizens demand performance as well as vision, these three women show that excellence is attainable, measurable, and repeatable.

Celebrate them, because they are modelling how Nigeria wins: empathy with standards, vision with systems, ambition with accountability. Their example is not just inspiring. It is a practical blueprint for good governance, nation-building, and inclusive, sustainable development that reaches every ward and every household.

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), in a bid to advance the Nigerian energy landscape has signed an agreement with Granville Energy (PTY) Limited to design, build, finance, and operate a 100MW floating solar power plant at the Kainji hydro power plant.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Sani Bello, Chairman, Board of Directors, Mainstream Energy Solutions, said that the project is a significant step forward in the company’s mission to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape.

He explained that when fully operational, the project would provide thousands of Nigerian homes and businesses with clean, reliable energy, supporting economic developmen while minimizing environmental impact. ‘We are proud to partner with Granville Energy (PTY) Limited, to design, build, finance, and operate a 100MW floating solar power plant at the Kainji hydro power plant. This pioneer project, embodies our unwavering commitment to increasing power generation in Nigeria while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

‘As an organisation. we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to renewable energy, aligning this with our mission statement and the focus areas of our Corporate Social Responsibility interventions. This MOU signing is a testament of our resolve to drive positive change and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth. ‘This aligns perfectly with our core objective: powering Nigeria’s economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner,’ he said.

Abba Aliyu, Managing Director, Renewable Electrification Agency (REA) noted that Nigeria currently has a highest number of people without electricity, with most of these people located in the rural and urban areas of the country.

For him, the most economically viable means of providing them this electricity is through distributed renewable energy, through the deployment of renewable sources.

‘For us to have an opportunity where 100 megawatts of renewable energy can be injected into the grid, for us this is a huge and significant increase in the renewable mix of the country. I will say that apart from the Azura that was 450 megawatts that was added as a Greenfield, and Zungeru, which mainstream is very much active in managing that, there is not any significant renewable capacity that is added into the grid.

‘Initially Rural Electrification Agency currently is working on injecting about 188.4 megawatts through interconnected mini-grids, one of which we intend to be the first that will do the floating solar in the University of Lagos, where we will put the panels by the side of the lagoon to power the University of Lagos.

‘But definitely, the commitment of mainstream and the partners Granville Energy, is something that the federal government will always have pleasure and will always key into it’, he added.

Access Bank has launch of its Womenpreneur Pitch-a-Ton 2025 programme, empowering female entrepreneurs across Africa with essential skills, knowledge, and resources to drive business growth and self-sufficiency.

Applications for the program commenced on Friday, September 19, 2025, and will close on Friday, October 3, 2025.

In a statement, Nene Kunle-Ogunlusi, Group head, Women Banking, said the Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton has empowered hundreds of women with business training, mentorship, and access to funding since its launch in 2019. ‘This year, the program is back and better, offering women entrepreneurs the opportunity to scale their businesses, gain visibility, and connect with like-minded trailblazers across the continent. The 2025 edition promises a rich and rewarding experience for women in business. Selected participants will undergo an intensive Mini-MBA program designed in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), equipping them with the knowledge and tools required to grow sustainable businesses. In addition, participants stand a chance to access significant financial support, with over N17.5 million to be awarded in grants to the most outstanding businesses. The program also ensures that the impact goes beyond the winners, as other finalists will enjoy consolation benefits and other business support services to help strengthen their brands and operations’ she said.

Reiterating Nene’s comments, Oyeyipo Ifeoluwa, project manager, Womenprenuer Pitch-a-ton said ‘We have trained 878 women and awarded grants of up to $175,000.00 since the launch of Womenprenuer pitch-a-ton since 2019. The programme is not just about competition; it is a holistic journey designed to transform women-led businesses and contribute to Africa’s economic development.

The program is open to women entrepreneurs whose businesses are registered, have been existing for more than one year and own at least 50 percent shareholding in their business’ Oyeyipo concluded.

Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Plc has disclosed that the bank is out of any form of forbearance loans.

Forbearance is a temporary arrangement, typically with a lender, to lower or suspend loan payments for a set period due to financial hardship, allowing the borrower to resume payments once his financial situation improves.

The CBN in June directed banks to temporarily suspend the payment of dividends to shareholders, defer the payment of bonuses to directors and senior management staff. The apex bank also asked banks to refrain from making investments in foreign subsidiaries or embarking on new offshore ventures.

‘There is no forbearance loan in UBA books. CBN has already approved the payment of dividend which will be paid in next couple of days,’ the CEO said on Tuesday during the bank’s investor conference call. UBA said that some of the write-off for forbearance were taken off before H1’25 and finally erased in H1, which made it have less impact on its profitability. The CBN justifies the measures as necessary to strengthen capital buffers, enhance balance sheet resilience, and ensure prudent internal capital retention during this transitional period. The apex bank noted that suspension will remain in effect until banks fully exit regulatory forbearance and demonstrate compliance with capital adequacy and provisioning standards through independent verification.

Alawuba, who led the bank’s excos in responding to questions from participants at the conference further said, ‘It is important to note that UBA tries to ensure that we remain competitive on the total dividend yield for the year.’

The bank CEO noted that the CBN has also approved its dividend payment for the half year (H1). The Africa’s global bank recently released its financial performance for the half-year (H1) ended June 30, 2025, posting a N335 billion in profit after tax (PAT). The audited financials released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) showed a remarkable growth across its major business segments, driven by strong earnings.

The bank recorded significant growth in its gross earnings and profit after tax, signalling robust balance sheet expansion.

Speaking on the capital raising and its deployment, he said, ‘the second round of the right issue was very attractive,’ adding that they bank is waiting for regulatory approval for the capital raise.

The bank had raised N234billion in its first capital raise. It just concluded the second capital raise -rights issue of N154billion, which it hopeful of raising as it awaits regulatory approvals.

He’s optimistic that the price of the shares of UBA will reroute north after the rights issue. The bank used the opportunity to disclose its revised growth guidance which include: deposit (20 percent), and loan (10 percent). Alawuba also noted that UBA committed to building Africa’s global bank.

At the end of the first two quarters of the year, and despite the tough global macroeconomic climate in Nigeria and major countries in Africa where the bank operates, UBA’s gross earnings grew by 17.28 percent, rising from N1.371 trillion in June 2024 to N1.608 trillion in the period under review.

Interest income also increased by 32.89 percent from N1.003 trillion in June last year to N1.334 trillion, while total assets went up by 9.71 percent to N33.3 trillion up from N30.3 trillion recorded in December 2024. Total Customer deposits also leapt by 11.9 percent in the same period to close at N27.6 trillion up from N24.6 trillion recorded at the end of 2024.

The results also showed that profit after tax which stood at N316.36 billion in June 2024, rose by 6.06 percent to close the half year at N335.53 billion, while profit before tax dropped slightly from N401 billion to N388 billion in the period under consideration. However, the banks’ shareholders’ funds remained strong as it increased by 23 percent from N3.41 trillion in December 2024, to N4.22 trillion in June 2025.

The Reddington Multi-Specialists Hospital, Lagos, brought vital healthcare services directly to the heart of the Oniru Community through a free medical outreach held at the Oniru Palace.

The initiative, a collaboration with His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iruland, provided free consultations, health screenings, nutrition counseling, pharmacy services, and referrals to over 500 residents.

A 53-member medical team from Reddington Hospital, comprising doctors, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, dentists, physiotherapists, and ophthalmologists, anchored the event. The team’s comprehensive approach ensured that men, women, and children received quality care, addressing a wide range of health concerns, from high blood pressure to dental and eye care. Dr, Abiodun Osibamowo, the medical director of The Reddington Multi-Specialists Hospital, at the event,

harped on the importance of regular medical screening and counselling as key to sustainable health and general wellness.

‘You don’t wait until you start seeing symptoms of diseases before you come to the hospital. By that time, it may be too late and the doctors would be constrained in saving the patient’, Osibamowo told the crowd that had gathered at the Palace for the health screening.

He said the management of Reddington Hospital was partnering with the Oniru-in-council for the free medical services because of the excellent leadership Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal has provided for the residence of Iru Kingdom since he ascended the throne five years ago.

‘When the Kaabiyesi visited The Reddington Hospital earlier this year as part of the activities marking his fifth anniversary on the throne, he sought for our collaboration in providing quality and affordable health care for the people of his community. This medical outreach marks the beginning of such partnership,’ Osibamowo said. His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, commended the management of The Reddington Hospital for sending a very strong team of multi-specialists to the free medical outreach, nothing that it afforded most of his subjects who would otherwise have been unable to afford such services to get quality health counselling and care at zero cost.

‘I am very passionate about the health and wellbeing of my people that is why the Oniru-in-council is partnering with a very reputable hospital like The Reddington Hospital to provide free medical services to them and ensure we have a healthy community able to work and earn a living’, Lawal said.

The questions and answers session anchored by the Osimabowo was very enlightening and educative as he answered questions on broad range of health issues, causes and prevention, such as high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, cancer, ulcer, etc. He talked about the importance of eating right, regular exercise and regular health screening and counselling.

No fewer than 500 residents comprising men, women and children benefitted from the free medical outreach. Some of the beneficiaries expressed their feelings.

‘I am happy about this programme and I pray to God to keep our Oba because visiting the hospital these days is very expensive. I also learnt a lot from the Medical Director during the questions and answers session especially the causes of high blood pressure and stroke and how to prevent it’, said Mrs Ige Salako. For Abdullatif Ogunbambi Abisogun, the free medical outreach should be more regular ‘because we need to be checking our health status from time to time. Prevention is better than medication’.

The Reddington Multi-specialists Hospital, Lagos has been at the fore of cutting-edge medical technology backed by very experienced consultants providing world class affordable services thereby reducing medical tourism and capital flight out of Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the murder of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a news anchor with Arise News Television, directing security operatives to fish out her killers.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential Spokesman, said Maduagwu was killed during an attack by robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

President Tinubu extended his condolences to the family of Maduagwu, the management and staff of Arise News Television, and the entire Nigerian media fraternity over the loss. According to the President : ‘ Ms Maduagwu was a promising professional journalist whose life was cut short in a cruel and condemnable manner.

‘ Security and law enforcement agencies should conduct a quick and thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay,’ he said.

The President, while also commiserating with the bereaved family, assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to strengthen measures aimed at combating crime in all its forms.