Category: Business Day

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called on the federal government to give greater attention to the development of port facilities outside Lagos state.

The call followed the federal government’s recent approval of $1 billion (?1.5 trillion) for the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos.

Obi noted that the development once again highlighted ‘a longstanding concentration of our port development only in Lagos.’

Writing on his X handle on Saturday, Obi said that while efforts to improve efficiency and embrace technology in the nation’s maritime sector are commendable, such initiatives must be guided by accountability, transparency, and equity for all Nigerians.

His remarks came amid similar appeals by leaders of the Arewa community, who urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise to complete the Baro dry port in Niger State.

According to Obi, ‘Nigeria’s infrastructure investment remains excessively concentrated in Lagos, often at the expense of other strategic ports such as Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne.’

He noted that if fully developed, these ports could enhance productivity, drive trade, create jobs, and open new economic corridors that would lift millions out of poverty across the federation.

‘Around the world, countries that have decentralised port development are reaping immense economic benefits,’ he said.

He cited the case of Vietnam, which operates over 300 ports – from Haiphong in the north to Da Nang in the centre and Ho Chi Minh City in the south – ensuring nationwide connectivity. ‘Indonesia boasts about 111 commercial ports distributed across its territory to guarantee balanced access to trade,’ he added.

According to him, South Africa also maintains eight major seaports – from Durban and Richards Bay on the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and Saldanha Bay on the Atlantic – reflecting a vision of maritime inclusion. ‘Egypt runs about 15 commercial ports along both the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts; Morocco has about 14 ports open to international trade, including Casablanca, Tangier Med, and Agadir, distributed along its Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines; while Algeria operates about 10 commercial ports spread across its extensive Mediterranean coast.

‘Even Ghana, with only two major ports – Tema and Takoradi – has ensured they are geographically decentralised on opposite ends of its coastline.

‘These nations have grasped a simple truth: no country seeking to maximise its blue economy concentrates all maritime activities in a single city. Decentralisation reduces congestion, improves logistics, enhances national security, and promotes balanced economic growth.’ In the case of Nigeria, Obi noted that more than 70 per cent of port activities are still concentrated in Lagos, burdening the city with chronic congestion, high demurrage costs, environmental degradation, and delays that discourage investors and inflate the cost of goods nationwide.

‘Developing other ports is, therefore, not merely an infrastructural necessity but a national imperative. Revitalising Warri, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Onne would decongest Lagos, reduce shipping costs, attract investment, create employment, and stimulate regional economies.

‘As one who understands the critical link between infrastructure, trade, and national growth, I believe that a truly national blue economy must carry every region along. Beyond physical infrastructure, reform must also address corruption,’ he said.

He added that such initiatives would also help reduce bureaucracy and embrace technology to create a seamless, paperless port system that enhances turnaround time and global competitiveness. If prudently managed, the Lagos modernisation project could become a model for broader maritime transformation – a reference point from which similar development radiates across the nation.

‘Now more than ever, Nigeria must rebuild with fairness, guided by equity, integrity, and a clear vision to transform our nation from one of consumption to one of production and shared prosperity,’ Obi stated.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled the suspended party’s national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.

Expelled alongside Gabam were the suspended national youth leader, Uchechukwu Chukwuma, Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, Abubakar Dogara, Nuraddeen Bisalla, Solsuema Osaro, Ambo Ekpeyong, Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Humphrey Unwukaeze and Judith Israel Shuaibu.

The resolutions and decisions to expel the party members were taken on Thursday, October 23, by the NWC after considering the report of the disciplinary committee that was set up to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and disloyalty.

Members of the NWC who signed and endorsed the expulsion included Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, the acting National Chairman; Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (South); Olu Agunloye, National Secretary, Aderemi Abimbola, National Legal Adviser, and seven other national officers.

The party had earlier in July, suspended Gabam, the national auditor, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, and the national youth leader, Chukwuma over allegations of financial misappropriation in July, and subsequently set up a committee to investigate the allegations.

According to the NWC, the other expelled seven members were also found guilty of disloyalty by a disciplinary committee set up by the party to look into allegations of nonconformity and disloyalty.

Part of the statement read: ‘The National Working Committee also considered another report which detailed how some nonconforming and disloyal members of the party, comprising Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, Abubakar Dogara, Nuraddeen Bisalla, Solsuema Osaro, Ambo Ekpeyong, Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Humphrey Unwukaeze and Judith Israel Shuaibu, gained unlawful entry by force into the National Secretariat of the Party at 17 Nairobi Street, Wuse II, Abuja in unholy hours of Monday, 28 July 2025 and were caught in the act by the law enforcement agencies.

‘These daring intruders were arrested and detained along with burgled items found in their possession including sensitive official documents and valuables carted from the SDP Secretariat and are currently answering to their crimes in a court of law on arraignment against them by the Nigerian Police. ‘Arising from all the above, the National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has, therefore, resolved at its meeting held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja as follows:

‘That Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, the suspended National Chairman, is hereby formally relieved from the position of National Chairman of SDP and removed from office.

‘That Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu, the suspended National Youth Leader, is hereby formally relieved from the position of National Youth Leader of SDP and removed from the office.

‘That Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam and Mr. Ogbonna Chukwuma Uchechukwu are expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party.

‘That Clarkson Nnadi, the suspended National Auditor, is hereby relieved of his position as National Auditor on the ground of his letter of voluntary resignation. Nnadi wrote to the National Working Committee, through the acting National Chairman, Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, to resign his appointment and his resignation has been accepted by the National Working Committee.

‘That Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, Alhaji Abubakar Dogara, Nuraddeen Bisalla, Mr. Solsuema Osaro, Ambo Ekpeyong, Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry, Humphrey Unwukaeze and Miss Judith Israel Shuaibu, are hereby expelled from the membership of the Social Democratic Party.

‘That other recommendations of the White Paper on administrative safeguards, measures and procedures will be implemented administratively in moving the party forward.’

Amid growing concern over the rapid spread of banditry and terrorism into states once considered peaceful, President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced sweeping changes in the hierarchy of Nigeria’s armed forces – a move analysts say signals a decisive attempt to overhaul the country’s faltering security architecture.

Over the past two years, Nigeria’s security situation has deteriorated sharply, marked by unrelenting violence, mass kidnappings, and persistent acts of terrorism and banditry. The worsening trend, which has severely tested the Tinubu administration’s security strategy, is believed to have triggered the shake-up at the top of the military command.

In a statement on Friday, Sunday Dare, special adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, announced the appointments of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. The President also appointed Major General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

President Tinubu, while expressing ‘profound appreciation’ to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs for their patriotic service and leadership, charged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them. He urged them to ‘enhance the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.’

The statement added that ‘all appointments take immediate effect.’

A top military officer who spoke to BusinessDay on condition of anonymity said the removal of the service chiefs should be viewed as part of a regular military exercise.

‘Every December, the Nigerian military undergoes a round of promotions and retirements to refresh its command structure and create room for younger officers to advance,’ the source explained. ‘Once a new set of chiefs are appointed, their predecessors must retire to pave the way for career progression within the ranks.’

He added that the reshuffle was ‘necessary’ because ‘the outgoing chiefs had each spent about 35 years in service, the statutory limit for officers of their ranks, by military tradition.’

Lawrence Alobi, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), however, described President Tinubu’s decision as ‘timely.’

‘The outgoing Service Chiefs did their best, and the President knew there was a need to inject fresh ideas into the battle to deal with growing insecurity,’ Alobi said. Alobi, who also served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urged the new military leadership to act swiftly.

‘They must quickly recover communities under the control of bandits,’ he said. ‘They must flush them out of those places and also stop them from spreading to other areas.’

The appointments, coming against the backdrop of escalating insecurity despite repeated assurances from defence authorities, underscore the urgency of revitalising Nigeria’s security structure.

Worsening insecurity and shifting epicentres of violence

From Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies in the Northeast to the rise of new armed groups such as Lukarawas and Wulowulo in the Northwest – alongside the growth of kidnapping-for-ransom networks in the central belt – the state’s monopoly of force is being challenged on multiple fronts. Just last Thursday, BusinessDay reported that ISWAP fighters launched coordinated and simultaneous attacks on three local government areas of the Borno state within 24 hours.

The terrorists, BusinessDay gathered attacked four communities, including Mafa, Dikwa, Marte, and Ajiri. According to local sources, the terrorists first arrived late Wednesday in Mafa riding on more than 100 motorcycles and four gun trucks, heavily armed with weapons of mass destruction.

Experts say the spread of terrorism to areas previously considered safe likely reinforced the President’s decision to inject new ideas into the military command.

Recent reports of an alleged coup attempt – swiftly denied by the Defence Headquarters – have deepened public unease, reflecting how insecurity and political uncertainty are fuelling anxiety nationwide. A 2023 report by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) found that non-state actors were responsible for 3,841 killings and 4,243 abductions nationwide, with the North-Central zone overtaking the long-troubled Northeast as Nigeria’s new epicentre of violence. Similarly, data from Nextier Intelligence covering January 2023 to March 2024 documented 5,319 casualties, 3,110 kidnappings, and more than 1,500 violent incidents across the country – a clear sign of violence diffusing into previously stable regions.

The crisis worsened in 2024-2025. Amnesty International reported that over 10,200 people were killed in attacks by armed groups during the first two years of the Tinubu administration. Between July 2023 and June 2024, at least 7,568 people were abducted, with ransom demands exceeding ?10.9 billion, though only a fraction was paid.

In the following year, another 4,722 abductions were recorded, with ransom payments totalling ?2.57 billion.

Nowhere is the crisis more visible than in the North-West and North-Central regions, where heavily armed bandit networks raid villages, abduct commuters, and burn farmlands almost with impunity. Zamfara State alone recorded 854 kidnap victims in 2023, the highest nationwide.

Analysts describe kidnapping as both a ‘lucrative funding mechanism for armed groups’ and a ‘tool of mass terror’ enabled by weak policing and the proliferation of small arms.

In the Northeast, Boko Haram and the ISWAP remain active despite intensified military offensives. The June 2024 multiple suicide bombings in Gwoza, Borno State – which killed dozens during a wedding and funeral – underscored the insurgency’s persistence.

While the Defence Headquarters claims to have neutralised over 1,900 terrorists in a single quarter, security analysts argue that the insurgency endures due to deep-seated structural problems, including porous borders, mass displacement, and limited state presence in remote areas.

The Middle Belt continues to suffer from deadly herder-farmer clashes, especially in Plateau and Benue states. In May 2023, over 100 people were reportedly killed in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, while renewed violence in Benue in early 2025 claimed at least 42 lives.

Experts say competition over land and water – worsened by climate change and population growth – has turned these disputes into recurring humanitarian crises. The ethno-religious dimension, often pitting predominantly Muslim herders against largely Christian farming communities, further complicates resolution.

The digital space has also emerged as a new frontier of insecurity. As Nigeria’s economy becomes increasingly digital, cybercrime, fintech fraud, and illicit financial flows have surged. Financial institutions reportedly lost ?52.26 billion to fraud-related activities in 2024 alone.

In the oil-rich Niger Delta, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining continue to drain national revenue, eventhough recent months have brought some reprieve.

Despite the deployment of surveillance drones and new monitoring technologies, oil theft remains a multi-billion-naira criminal enterprise sustained by local grievances, corruption, and weak governance.

An overstretched security system and the road ahead

Nigeria’s security forces are operating under immense strain. Analysts blame the crisis on inadequate funding, corruption, and poor coordination among security agencies. The federal police, in particular, have been criticised as bloated and overly centralised – lacking the flexibility to respond swiftly to local crises.

This has fuelled growing calls for state police, with proponents arguing that localised law enforcement would be more responsive to regional realities and better equipped to address crime prevention.

Against this backdrop, the resurgence of coup rumours in 2024 and 2025 points to deeper institutional fragility. In February 2024, media reports claimed the Guards Brigade had been placed on high alert following ‘unusual movements’ – allegations swiftly dismissed by the Defence Headquarters as ‘malicious and unfounded.’

A similar episode occurred in October 2025, when social media buzzed with rumours of a foiled coup linked to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade and the detention of 16 senior officers.

Once again, the military branded the claims ‘entirely false and intended to cause unnecessary tension.’

Experts, however, say the rumours reflect a broader national mood of uncertainty.

‘They mirror the anxiety of a populace confronting insecurity and economic hardship while losing confidence in the state’s ability to protect them,’ one security analyst told BusinessDay.

For many observers, the cumulative picture explains why President Tinubu opted for a decisive overhaul of the military hierarchy.

The reshuffle, they argue, is both a political and operational necessity – a signal that the administration recognises the urgent need for fresh energy, new ideas, and restored public confidence in the armed forces.

Whether the new service chiefs can meet that challenge will depend on how quickly they move to stem the tide of insecurity sweeping across the country – from rural communities under siege to urban centres gripped by fear.

And as Alobi warned, ‘They must flush them out of those places and also stop them from spreading to other areas.’

Where many saw barriers, she built bridges of light, law, and learning. Her story is proof that resilience can power a generation. Summer Okibe is a climate and energy policy specialist, attorney, and doctoral researcher whose work spans academia, governance, and community empowerment.

Based in Canada, she serves as an Energy Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta, while pursuing a PhD in Law at the University of Victoria, where her research focuses on energy, climate, environmental, and Indigenous issues. She has also served as a Just Energy Transition Analyst with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Okibe’s trajectory has been shaped by both personal experience and systemic barriers. Early in her career in Canada, she faced over 500 rejections, spanning study abroad applications and job opportunities. Reflecting on these experiences, she explains that ‘every ‘no’ became a learning curve for me, forcing me to not just refine my résumé but my resilience.’

Those early setbacks taught her that merit alone is rarely enough, and that access, networks, and persistence are equally critical. ‘Each rejection taught me how to stand up again, to rewrite my story better, and to open doors for others who are still knocking,’ she adds. Today, her leadership is rooted in empathy and persistence, informed by lived experience and a deep understanding of the obstacles young Africans face.

This combination of personal motivation and social vision underpins her ongoing project, Aderayah Academy, a tuition-free, solar-powered school currently being developed in Enugu, Nigeria. Okibe describes the initiative as ‘born from pain and gratitude,’ reflecting both her deep appreciation for the scholarships that shaped her journey and her empathy for children in her community whose dreams are limited by poverty.

The Academy merges education with renewable energy, creating a space where children can study without disruption, dream without limits, and experience sustainability in practice. ‘The most transformative moment for me was seeing the video of the land for the first time. I pictured the classrooms and realised that it’s not just charity, but a legacy. Every child who walks through those gates will know that brilliance, resilience, and intelligence can come from any village.’

Central to Okibe’s vision is the concept of energy as a tool for justice. She frames energy access not only as a technological or economic issue but as a matter of dignity and equity. ‘It’s about whether a woman can cook without choking on smoke, whether a hospital can power an incubator at night, or whether a student can read after sunset,’ she says.

Clean energy, she insists, requires law and policy to ensure fairness and accountability, to empower communities, and to respect Indigenous rights. In the African context, she argues that energy law must be reimagined to be people-centred, embracing local knowledge, ownership, and sustainability. ‘True climate justice must speak with an African voice. Without that voice, there is no justice, there is no transition.’

Alongside energy access, Okibe has invested in advancing women in law and policy. The Summer Okibe Prize, an annual ?500,000 award for the best female law graduate at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, is intended not merely as financial support, but as a statement. ‘Many women still face invisible ceilings, not because they lack talent, but because the spaces weren’t built with them in mind,’ she notes.

The prize signals that women can lead legal pipelines, draft energy legislation, and sit at decision-making tables. She envisions winners becoming judges, policymakers, or clean energy entrepreneurs, continuing the cycle of mentorship and leadership. ‘When women rise, systems shift. If we keep investing in them early, the next generation won’t just break glass ceilings, they’ll build new roofs.’

Okibe’s mentorship extends beyond scholarships. She has guided thousands of young Africans in accessing global opportunities, observing patterns in the next generation of climate and development leaders. She notes their fearlessness and strategic approach, understanding that talent alone requires bridges to reach opportunity.

One initiative, the International Passport Fee Grant, addressed a small but critical barrier, allowing students to meet deadlines and pursue fully funded programmes abroad. ‘These young people are purpose-driven. They want to build, not just make money. What they need is access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities that match their passion,’ she explains. For Okibe, facilitating these connections is a means of ensuring that Africa’s energy and development solutions are invented at home.

Balancing multiple high-demand roles, Okibe continually challenges herself to grow. Dividing her time between her work with the Government of Alberta and her PhD research, she intentionally positions herself in complex spaces that refine both her expertise and capacity. ‘Each role sharpens a different blade,’ she explains. ‘My policy work, among other things, teaches me how to turn good ideas into bankable, job-creating projects for Indigenous peoples, marginalised communities, and women.’

Among her projects, Aderayah Academy remains a personal commitment. She funds it personally, explaining, ‘Not because I’m rich, but because it’s a promise I made to God and to myself. I want laws that lower bills, policies that power clinics, and programmes that turn talents into salaries. I’m stubborn enough to keep going until the community can run without me.’ Her guiding principle is to move communities from ‘beneficiary to decision-maker,’ transforming external assistance into local empowerment.

Summer Okibe’s work demonstrates that education, energy, and policy are interconnected instruments of justice. Through her initiatives, mentorship, and scholarship, she continues to shape a vision of African leadership that is inclusive, innovative, and unapologetically determined.

Pedro was a young hardworking upcoming chef, he worked really hard but didn’t get promoted, Till one day a stray dog comes into the kitchen disrupts the entire cooking process on a day when they had the biggest critic was in the room, that day became his lucky day as his kind act of saving the dog from the main chef made the main chef angry, he resigned and Pedro became the new chief chef, he was allowed to try all his new recipes and that won the heart of the food Critic. Suddenly Pedro was stuck with Caramelo the strain dog, who became his best friend throughout his health crisis. Few weeks after his promotion, Pedro discovered he had a terminal illness, this put a toll on his new role, you will need to check out the movie to see if he survived and how he managed all that life threw at him. The 101m family film, Brazilian, drama, comedy, emotional, sentimental movie was directed by Diego Freitas, they featured actors like Rafael Vilti, Amendoin, Ariane Boteko, Kelzy Ecard, Bruno Vincius, Ademara, Nemia Oliveira, Carolina Ferraz etc.

THE FARMER’S BRIDE (2025) Funmi was a very young girl, who was betrothed to an old farmer to become his new wife after he lost his wife; she also didn’t have any children for him. The old farmer loved Funmi, he was lonely and needed a wife, a companion and children to take over his wealth when he is gone. Funmi had no choice but to live with him and learn to cope. One day, the old farmer’s nephew walks in, he was young, handsome and charming, Funmi had to hold herself strongly to avoid falling for him. Well, you will need to watch the entire movie to find out if Funmi fell for the farmer’s nephew, and if she later fell in love with her new husband. The 112m Nollywood, drama African movie was directed by Adebayo Tijani, Jack’enneth Qpukeme, they featured actors like Gbubemi Ejaye, Tobi Bakre, Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, Efe Irele, Wunmi Toriola etc

HIGH INFEDELITY (2025)

Larissa worked with a life insurance company. She had a very close colleague at work and they assisted each other. One day, she gets home only to find ger husband cheating with another woman, rather getting upset, angry and leaving the house, she decides to forgive her husband, allow things slide and move on. This singular act came as a huge surprise to her husband and his girlfriend. Well, Larissa decides to work with her husband to save their marriage and fight the intruder. This they did and left us confused, Well, you need to watch the entire movie, pay attention to totally grasp who was really played and who played the other; honestly the end left me hanging and confused as there were so many loop holes in the movie for me. The 88m South African, crime drama, thriller, romance, African movie was directed by Aze Ugah, they featured actors like Ayanda Borotho, Buyile Mdladla, Ngobile Nunu Kitti, Nkosana Samane, Sir Jet Novuka etx

Sunderland stunned Chelsea with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, as Chemsdine Talbi’s stoppage-time strike lifted the promoted side to second in the Premier League table.

Back in the top flight for the first time in eight years, the Black Cats continue to defy expectations, showing the resilience and tactical discipline that have defined their impressive return to the Premier League.

Chelsea made a bright start and looked set to climb into second place themselves when Alejandro Garnacho fired home his first goal for the club after just four minutes. However, the Blues, missing Cole Palmer through injury and with teenage star Estevão starting on the bench, struggled to break down a well-organised Sunderland defence. Sunderland capitalised on Chelsea’s frailty at set-pieces in the 22nd minute, when Wilson Isidor bundled in from close range after a long throw caused chaos in the box.

Despite Enzo Maresca introducing Estevão in the second half, Chelsea lacked their usual spark in attack. Sunderland held firm and completed a stunning comeback deep into stoppage time, as Brian Brobbey broke on the counter and set up Talbi, who curled a superb finish into the bottom corner.

The victory moves Regis Le Bris’ side up to second in the table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal, while Chelsea drop to seventh, a setback that dents their early-season title hopes.

Lucrestack co-founders Damilola Parkinson and Olajide Bakare are rethinking how individuals and businesses across Africa send and receive money globally through their new platform, LupoFi.

For years, cross-border transactions have remained one of the biggest pain points for African entrepreneurs. Now, two Nigerian founders, Damilola Parkinson and Olajide Bakare, are tackling that challenge head-on with a new platform that aims to make global payments faster, safer, and more inclusive.

Their company, Lucrestack, recently launched LupoFi, a cross-border payment platform designed to help individuals and businesses send, receive, and settle international transactions seamlessly. The platform currently connects users across Africa with countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe, with plans to expand into other regions.

Parkinson, Lucrestack’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said the launch marks the next phase of their mission to simplify global financial connectivity.

‘We have spent years building and refining infrastructure that powers cross-border payments for banks and fintechs,’ he said. ‘LupoFi represents the evolution of that work, extending our enterprise-grade systems to individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses that need reliable access to the global economy.’ While Africa’s digital economy continues to grow, many businesses still face friction when sending or receiving funds due to slow settlements and compliance challenges.

Bakare, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, explained that the company’s solution is built around resilience and interoperability. ‘Our goal has always been to build systems that empower institutions to scale confidently,’ he said. ‘With LupoFi, we are extending that reliability to those driving trade and innovation across Africa.’

Unlike most fintechs that depend on external processors, LupoFi is powered directly by Lucrestack’s proprietary infrastructure. The platform leverages blockchain technology and an OmniChain engine that enables instant settlement across multiple currencies, while its automated compliance layer ensures every transaction is verified in real time.

For Parkinson and Bakare, this innovation is more than technology. It is a tool for inclusion. ‘LupoFi is not just a product; it is a movement toward financial equity,’ Parkinson said. ‘We are giving Africans the tools to participate fully in the global economy.’

As both founders put it, their mission is simple: to make it possible for Africans to trade and thrive without borders.

Bruno Guimaraes scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Newcastle United battled to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Eddie Howe’s side looked set for another frustrating afternoon after Sasa Lukic cancelled out Jacob Murphy’s first-half opener, but Guimaraes struck late to secure a crucial three points for the Magpies.

Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Murphy found space on the right and finished clinically past Bernd Leno. Fulham, however, refused to back down and levelled through Lukic, who reacted quickest to a rebound after Raul Jimenez’s thunderous volley struck the crossbar.

As the game appeared to be heading for a draw, substitute William Osula tested Leno with a powerful strike, and the Fulham goalkeeper’s parry fell perfectly for Guimaraes to slot home from close range, sparking wild celebrations inside St James’ Park. The win follows Newcastle’s midweek Champions League triumph over Benfica and lifts Howe’s men up the Premier League table as they continue to build momentum.

Fulham’s woes, meanwhile, deepened as Marco Silva’s side slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat.

‘I feel unbelievable. We were very tired from Wednesday’s game, but we fought until the end. My family was here, and to score in front of the Gallowgate End was very special. This is the Newcastle I know, we fight until the end,’ Guimaraes said during a post-match briefing

The Premier League remains the world’s most popular and money-spinning football league. The league is home to the most valuable clubs and some of the best-paid managers in the game.

Interestingly, six of the ten highest earners currently manage London-based clubs, a testament to the city’s dominance in English football.

Below is the ranking of the highest-paid Premier League managers in the 2025/26 season, with data from the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola – Manchester City (£20m annual salary)

Spanish tactician Pep Guardiola tops the list, earning around £20 million annually. The Spaniard tactician continues to justify his massive salary, having guided Manchester City to multiple Premier League and Champions League titles. Guardiola remains the benchmark for tactical brilliance and success in modern football.

Mikel Arteta – Arsenal (£10m annual salary)

Former Guardiola assistant Mikel Arteta has emerged as one of Europe’s top young managers. Since taking over Arsenal in 2019, he has transformed the club into a consistent title contender. Arteta signed a lucrative contract extension in September 2024, nearly doubling his wages as he looks to end the Gunners’ 21-year title drought.

Unai Emery – Aston Villa (£8m annual salary)

Unai Emery’s career resurgence at Aston Villa has been remarkable. After short-lived spells at Arsenal and PSG, the Spaniard rebuilt his reputation at Villarreal before taking over at Villa Park. He has since guided the club to the Champions League for the first time in 41 years, earning a deserved £8 million annual salary.

Ruben Amorim – Manchester United (£6.5m annual salary)

Appointed in November 2024, Ruben Amorim is tasked with restoring Manchester United’s fading glory. The Portuguese tactician, who impressed at Sporting Lisbon, earns £6.5 million per year under a deal running through 2027. United fans are hopeful his progressive style can bring back the club’s winning mentality. Dutch manager Arne Slot replaced Jrgen Klopp and has adapted quickly to life in England. Known for his attacking philosophy and calm demeanour, Slot earns £6.2 million annually and has already guided Liverpool back into European contention.

David Moyes – Everton (£5m annual salary)

After returning to his former club, David Moyes has stabilised Everton and brought discipline and structure back to Goodison Park. His experience and longevity in the Premier League make him one of the most respected managers in English football.

Thomas Frank – Tottenham Hotspur (£5m annual salary)

Thomas Frank’s managerial stock continues to rise. Having impressed with Brentford, he made the move across London to Tottenham. The Dane earns £5 million annually, leading Spurs’ long-term rebuild with his attacking brand of football.

Oliver Glasner – Crystal Palace (£4.5m annual salary)

Austrian tactician Oliver Glasner has brought structure and modern tactics to Crystal Palace since his appointment. His £4.5 million salary reflects Palace’s growing ambition to consistently challenge mid-table and top-eight finishes.

Enzo Maresca – Chelsea (£4.2m annual salary)

Enzo Maresca, one of the Premier League’s youngest managers, is leading Chelsea’s new era of youth and rebuilding. Despite the club’s ups and downs, the Italian’s £4.2 million salary highlights the Blues’ faith in his long-term project.

Marco Silva – Fulham (£4m annual salary)

Rounding out the list is Marco Silva, whose steady leadership has kept Fulham competitive in the Premier League. The Portuguese manager’s tactical discipline and man-management have earned him a £4 million annual deal at Craven Cottage.

Tomilola Adeniran a playwright and performer, who is known as the viral valedictorian from Pan-Atlantic University has turned the regular Lagos bus banter into musical magic in his debut original musical play ‘The Wait’ at the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) on the 15th and 16th of November at MUSON Center.

The Wait is a humorous and heartfelt 30-minute production set entirely at a Lagos bus stop, where three strangers, each in a rush for very different reasons, find themselves united by the frustrations, hopes, and humor of everyday Nigerian life. Through song, banter, and unexpected moments of connection, the play explores resilience, shared humanity, and the bonds that form in the most ordinary places.

‘I wrote The Wait as a story about Lagos – its chaos, its laughter, and its humanity. Having it come alive at LITF, surrounded by audiences who live these experiences daily, feels like the perfect beginning.’Tomilola said, speaking about the upcoming premiere. LITF, spearheaded by Bolanle Austen-Peters in collaboration with Lagos State, is Nigeria’s newest global stage for theatre and live performance. Premiering in 2024, the festival has gained recognition as a hub for storytelling, cultural exchange, and artistic innovation, with a diverse program of plays, workshops, and international collaborations.

Beyond its festival debut, The Wait is also available as a licensable production for theatres, universities, and community groups looking to stage fresh, Nigerian stories with global resonance.