Category: Business Day

Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, began their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 campaign on a disappointing note, falling 4-1 to Canada in their opening Group D match on Sunday in Salé, near Rabat.

Canada took the lead inside two minutes when Gabriela Istocki finished off Molly Hale’s strong run down the left. The early goal jolted Nigeria into action, with captain Shakirat Moshood twice testing goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse, while Chisom Nwachukwu and Kaosarat Olanrewaju also went close.

The Flamingos’ persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Queen Joseph capitalised on a rebound after Cisse failed to hold Olanrewaju’s shot, bundling in the equaliser to make it 1-1.

However, Canada regained control in the second half, punishing defensive lapses.

Substitute Melisa Kekic restored their lead in the 73rd minute, before another substitute, Julia Amireh, struck twice late on, first in the 80th minute after goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface spilt a loose ball, and again six minutes later with a composed finish to seal a commanding 4-1 victory.

The result leaves the Flamingos at the bottom of Group D, while Canada top the standings after an impressive attacking display.

Nigeria will look to bounce back when they face France on Wednesday evening, needing a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may be the most pressing health security threat of our time, yet it remains one of the least understood by the public and least prioritised by policymakers. Unlike pandemics that erupt suddenly and dominate headlines, AMR is a silent pandemic: slow-moving, largely invisible, but far deadlier in the long run. Without decisive policy action, it threatens to reverse decades of medical progress, rendering common infections untreatable and routine procedures unsafe.

At its core, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the medicines designed to kill them. This makes once-treatable infections harder and sometimes impossible to cure. It also undermines the foundation of modern medicine, as routine surgeries, cancer chemotherapy, and safe childbirth all depend on effective antibiotics.

According to a 2022 Lancet study, AMR is responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths globally each year and is associated with nearly 5 million more. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the heaviest burden, and Nigeria, like other African countries, bears a disproportionate burden. Estimates suggest drug-resistant infections claim over 200,000 Nigerian lives annually. If left unchecked, AMR could cost the global economy $100 trillion by 2050, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria suffering the most.

Nigeria’s unique challenge

Nigeria’s AMR challenge is rooted in decades of weak regulatory enforcement and the widespread normalisation of informal antibiotic sales, where self-medication and unverified dispensing have become routine public health risks. Yet this challenge is not merely contemporary; it is historical. Since the colonial era, Nigeria has struggled to build a culture of prescription control.

The 1949 Pharmacy Act, the country’s first regulatory effort, focused largely on professional conduct rather than antibiotic governance. This early oversight created a structural vacuum that allowed informal dispensing and self-medication to take root, setting the stage for the AMR crisis we face today.

For many Nigerians, healthcare costs further reinforce this behaviour. With only about 7 percent of the population covered by health insurance, visiting a doctor is often unaffordable. As a result, people turn to community pharmacies or roadside Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), where antibiotics are sold without prescriptions despite regulations. Treatments are started and stopped midway, dosages are improvised, and drug choices are rarely guided by laboratory testing.

Deeply ingrained habits, such as cutting doses short once symptoms ease, seeking advice from friends instead of clinicians, and relying on unlicensed vendors, continue to accelerate resistance across communities.

Adding to the crisis is the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, which deliver sub-therapeutic doses that train microbes to resist future treatment. Weak market surveillance and insufficient disposal systems have allowed such drugs to persist, eroding public trust and fuelling antimicrobial resistance.

This widespread misuse creates a vicious cycle: the more antibiotics are abused, the less effective they become. Patients then seek stronger or newer antibiotics, driving up costs and accelerating resistance even further. Compounding the problem, the antibiotic pipeline is drying up, meaning fewer new drugs are being developed to replace those that are losing their effectiveness.

The consequences are not only medical but also economic. A Nigeria where antibiotics routinely fail would face plummeting productivity, rising maternal and child mortality, worsening surgical outcomes, and weakened investor confidence in the health sector. AMR is therefore not just a health issue; it is a development and national security threat.

What has Nigeria’s response to AMR been?

Recognising the scale of the threat, Nigeria, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which coordinates the country’s National AMR One Health response, has taken commendable steps to confront AMR in collaboration with key One Health sectors, including the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, and Environment.

The country has developed its second National Action Plan on AMR and is scaling up laboratory-based surveillance nationwide. Public campaigns continue to be used to help raise awareness about the dangers of inappropriate antibiotic use.

But the government cannot succeed alone. Surveillance networks remain underfunded, diagnostic capacity is limited, and enforcement of prescription-only policies for antibiotics is weak. Without strong collaboration with financing authorities, frontline providers, and the private sector, progress will stall.

Tackling AMR requires a One Health approach, recognising that resistance is not confined to hospitals but extends into agriculture, food production, and the wider environment.

In the fight against AMR, health insurance goes beyond financing and becomes a powerful vehicle for influencing behaviour towards antimicrobial use. This is where the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) must take on a truly transformative role in line with its mandate to expand health insurance coverage, reduce out-of-pocket spending, and guarantee financial protection. When patients are insured, they are far more likely to seek care at accredited facilities, undergo proper diagnostics, and receive prescriptions from qualified professionals. Insurance packages can also be designed to explicitly include diagnostics and antibiotic stewardship programmes, ensuring antibiotics are used in accordance with a doctor’s prescription and guidance.

Another overlooked piece of the puzzle is integrating community pharmacies and PPMVs into NHIA’s service network, given their role as the first point of care for many Nigerians. Rather than being left unchecked, enrolling them as accredited providers could turn today’s drivers of misuse into tomorrow’s partners in antimicrobial stewardship, ultimately enforcing dispensing standards while expanding access to quality healthcare.

Simple but enforceable measures, such as ensuring antibiotics are sold only in complete treatment packs and tying reimbursement or supply to diagnostic testing, can help reshape antibiotic use at the community level.

Leveraging the private sector: The role of HFN

With over 60 percent of healthcare in Nigeria delivered through private providers, their role in scaling access to quality healthcare is increasingly gaining recognition, just as it is indispensable in the AMR fight. As the umbrella body for private healthcare stakeholders, the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) is uniquely positioned to coordinate and amplify private sector contributions in several critical ways:

Expanding coverage through insurance partnerships: Working with NHIA, HFN member hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, PPMVs, and HMOs can expand coverage through micro-insurance, tech-enabled enrollment, and fintech integrations, reaching underserved populations and reducing self-medication.

Pulling the private sector into National AMR Surveillance and Implementing Stewardship and IPC Programmes: Private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and PPMVs can participate in the national AMR surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs aligned with NCDC guidelines. Also, by adopting digital prescribing and dispensing platforms, private providers can both reduce misuse and contribute real-time data to national surveillance systems.

Scaling Diagnostics: Nigeria’s private diagnostic labs can expand rapid testing and culture-based services, allowing clinicians to prescribe based on evidence rather than guesswork. Pharmacies and PPMVs can also be linked with point-of-care diagnostic tools to guide treatment at the community level.

Driving Awareness Campaigns: Private providers interact with millions of patients every day, giving them a powerful platform to influence behaviour. Hospitals, pharmacies, PPMVs, and corporate CSR initiatives can reinforce NCDC’s public campaigns by turning every drug purchase or consultation into a teachable moment about proper antibiotic use. This consistent, community-level messaging can significantly reduce misuse.

Global Engagement: HFN’s leadership continues to elevate Nigeria’s presence on the global stage. Its president, Njide Ndili, serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council on AMR, contributing to global policy dialogues that align closely with Nigeria’s domestic priorities. Nigeria was also represented on the council by Dr Tochi Okwor, who leads the AMR and IPC Programme at the NCDC. At the recent meeting of Council Members in Dubai, October 14-16, 2025, one of the discussion points was local resource mobilisation to fund National Action Plans on AMR and the role the private sector could play to bridge the funding gaps. Lessons from Nigeria’s Covid-19 response were highlighted, where the private sector mobilised substantial resources to support government action. The council members also agreed on a roadmap structure and tangible milestones to be presented at the 2026 Ministerial Summit on AMR to be held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The urgency of now

Without urgent action, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could undo decades of progress in health and development. Common infections may once again become deadly, surgeries riskier, and cancer treatments unsafe. Yet Nigeria still has a window of opportunity to lead Africa’s response.

Tackling AMR will also demand sustained investment. Global projections suggest an annual commitment of about $63 billion is needed to combat AMR worldwide; Nigeria’s proportional share could be roughly ?35 billion per year. This would cover expanded surveillance, stewardship training, regulatory enforcement, and public awareness campaigns, a modest cost compared to the human and economic toll of inaction.

By strengthening collaboration among the NCDC, NHIA, HFN, and frontline providers such as community pharmacies and PPMVs, Nigeria can build a coordinated model that integrates surveillance, financing, and responsible drug use. The NCDC should lead surveillance and stewardship efforts; the NHIA can work to expand insurance coverage to reduce self-medication; HFN and the private sector can drive awareness, innovation, and accountability; while pharmacies and PPMVs serve as trusted frontline stewards of appropriate antibiotic use.

As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2026 Ministerial Summit on AMR, the message is clear: AMR is not just a health threat but a test of national resolve. The cost of inaction will be counted in lives lost and credibility diminished. Nigeria must act now, decisively, collaboratively, and boldly.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has suffered a major disruption at one of its largest locations, affecting ChatGPT, Snapchat, Reddit, Fortnite and Amazon, among others.

AWS, in its latest updates stated: ‘increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS Services in the US-EAST-1 Region.’

The root cause was later identified as issues with DNS resolution of the DynamoDB API endpoint in that region, and the incident rippling into other AWS services.

AWS first posted a notification at 3:11 a.m. ET, stating it was engaged in mitigation and investigation. By about 5:27 a.m. ET announced ‘significant signs of recovery’ though they warned that the backlog of requests to the affected services could mean that it would take time for everything to get back to normal.

‘We are actively engaged and working to both mitigate the issue and understand root cause. We will provide an update in 45 minutes, or sooner if we have additional information to share,’ Amazon said.

The cause of the outage hasn’t been confirmed, and it is unclear when regular service will be restored.

‘We are actively engaged and working to both mitigate the issue and understand root cause. We will provide an update in 45 minutes, or sooner if we have additional information to share,’ Amazon said.

Later at 5:27 a.m. ET, Amazon reported ‘significant signs of recovery. Most requests should now be succeeding. We continue to work through a backlog of queued requests,’ it said.

AWS outages in the US-EAST-1 region had caused wide-spread disruptions in 2020, 2021, and 2023, leading to extended downtime for various sites and applications

The Global Impact Business Community (GIBC) has announced the Call for Applications for the Impact Conference 2025, scheduled to hold 28 – 30 November 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The initiative aims to provide ?15 billion in growth funding and business-development support to more than 10,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide. Beyond access to capital, selected entrepreneurs will receive capacity-building, financial-literacy training, and investor linkages to help them scale sustainably.

Applications close Friday, 7 November 2025.

Driving inclusive growth for SMEs

According to Benjamen Oladokun, Lead at GIBC, ‘The enormity of under-utilised potential in Nigeria is alarming. Our mission is to empower small businesses through an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and access adequate capital to grow and maximise opportunities.’

Adeshina Adewumi, Chief Executive Officer of Trade Lenda, added that the programme reflects both organisations’ shared goal to unlock Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential:

‘With ?15 billion in funding, 10,000 businesses will not only receive support but also contribute to building Africa’s next wave of success stories.’

Who should apply

MSMEs in retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and services

Startups offering innovative solutions

Entrepreneurs with viable business ideas ready to pitch

Both registered and unregistered ventures with clear growth potential

Benefits for selected participants

Access to funding across multiple sectors

Tailored capacity-building sessions by industry experts

Exposure to investors, mentors, and potential partners

Opportunity to pitch live during the conference

How to apply

1. Create an account on Trade Lenda App via

Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tradelenda.app

iOS App Store: apps.apple.com/us/app/trade-lenda/id6447363171

Web: www.tradelenda.com/sign_up

2. Submit your application through tally.so/r/w22jWD

3. Click Submit to finalise your entry

4. Prepare supporting documents for the due-diligence stage

Interested entrepreneurs can also register to attend the Impact Conference at www.gibc.ng.

The social media was alive last week with the news that one Adebayo Ogunlesi has described Nigeria as an ‘exciting’ investment destination and, by implication, tacitly endorsed Tinubu’s economic reforms. ‘Nigeria is now an exciting place to invest in. Many more opportunities have opened up.’ So declared Adebayo Ogunlesi.

For those who might be living on Mars or don’t know much about international investment, Bayo Ogunlesi is almost as big as they come. Now in his early 70s, he has spent the better part of his life packaging investments around the world, mainly in ports – air and sea – and in energy.

Although he has been a silent but effective global player, he came into public awareness when he led a consortium to buy one of the biggest and busiest airports in Europe. He had invested in Africa before and, by his own admission, had come as near as Cotonou, but he had never until now touched Nigeria with a long pole. This makes his current decision to invest in Nigeria a big deal because of its likely domino effect, especially since he also has the ears of some Western economic and political leaders.

I sent the video clip of his tacit endorsement to a close friend of mine who is also Ogunlesi’s friend. Not only were they classmates at Kings College Lagos, but they also both took the same course at the prestigious Oxford University in the UK on Federal Government scholarships. Thereafter, they both went to the US for higher education. Both were obviously academically proficient, if not actually brilliant.

While my friend came back to Nigeria after obtaining his master’s from another Ivy League university in the US, Bayo Ogunlesi stayed put in America. And the tale of these two gentlemen from a similar background – Yoruba and Ijebu – took a slightly different turn. One became a global player, the other a local one. Although my friend often lamented his decision to come back to Nigeria, citing Ogunlesi’ achievements, I know he has done well for himself. At least, better than most. It now gets interesting.

While Ogunlesi has now embraced Tinubu’s reforms, and he is urging others to do the same, my friend does not and cannot be made to see anything good in Bola Tinubu. Yet, I first heard of Bola Tinubu’s gubernatorial ambition, years back, through my friend. They had worked together to effect this ambition, and he was to take a prominent position in the cabinet. Then they had a massive fallout. More than 25 years later, he has neither forgotten nor forgiven Tinubu. So now, while one gentleman is a new convert to Tinubu, the other was an erstwhile convert who has distanced himself completely.

The tale of these two gentlemen can be extended to Nigeria’s larger society. Over the years, I have met many people who stood by Tinubu and swore by him in the past, especially during the Chicago University palaver, who have now distanced themselves. Some are bitter at the way they felt they were ‘used and dumped’. Many have simply moved on. It can’t all be the fault of Asiwaju Tinubu, however, as no relationship is ever one-sided. Besides, twenty children cannot play together for twenty years, according to a Yoruba adage.

It is simply not easy to manage the expectations of so many people for twenty-five years and more. Especially political expectations. Many in today’s opposition fall into the category of erstwhile political colleagues who had dined and wined with the President while in the trenches but have now fallen out largely due to unfulfilled political expectations. It is easy, human even, to exaggerate one’s contributions to a cause or a relationship. It is perhaps worse in politics, where ego plays a major role. After all, permanent interests, as opposed to permanent friendships, are what politicians live by.

Where I draw the line, however, is with people who de-market the country because of their soured relationship with its leadership. Those who discourage foreign investments and capital flow and yet go ahead to lament insecurity and unemployment in the country. Those who rejoice at bad news but discount or completely ignore good news about the country. These are people who will expect patriotism and unity if they get to power and yet are the chief architects of disunity and unpatriotic attitudes in the polity. Among them are sponsors of banditry and terror.

Among them are amplifiers of all that is bad with the country just because they want to make the current leadership look bad. I am not against opposition, as it keeps leadership on its toes and could prevent a country from sliding into fascism. But there is a daylight difference between a country and its current leadership. One is permanent; the other temporary. The preachers of hatred should listen to and heed what Hakeem Belo-Osagie, another global investor and another King’s College Old Boy, said: ‘If Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, don’t invest in the country, we should not expect others to do it.’ In other words, if Nigerians give up on their country, they should not expect foreigners to salvage it for them.

Meanwhile, to hear these people talk at different fora during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations, one would think this government has done nothing positive since it came to power despite the positive turn in the economy and attendant favourable comments from international organisations. Worse, one would think Nigeria at 65 is a massive failure, forgetting the roles each played in Nigeria becoming what it is today. It is true that Nigeria has not fulfilled its massive potential. It is true that leadership has been a problem, and that includes many of those decrying the country today. But it is not all gloom and doom with the country, as some people would want us to believe.

This same country has produced a Nobel Laureate and several literary giants. This same country has produced a Commonwealth Secretary General and many continental leaders in ECA and ADB. The country has produced a WTO top boss and many in the World Bank and the UN. Our doctors and engineers are making waves all over the world. International investors like Ogunlesi and Belo-Osagie abound. These are people who have risen above limitations and barriers. They are people who have not allowed themselves to be swayed by naysayers from achieving personal goals. They are people who have blossomed where they have been planted by God. It is not an accident that God planted you in Nigeria. Dig deep and find your niche.

There are people like Ogunlesi who believe that exciting opportunities have opened up in the country. There are people like his friend and classmate, who believe the country has taken a turn for the worse. The side you join and the choices you make can determine where you will be in a few years’ time. Make no mistake, new billionaires, entrepreneurs and technocrats will continue to be made in the next few years. You can envision yourself as one of them, or you can choose to wallow in negativity. Either way, the world – and Nigeria – will move on.

CivicHive, a CivicTech and innovation hub nurturing civic-tech leaders and promoting participatory governance, has announced the formation of its inaugural Advisory Board, a move that marks a new phase of strategic growth and expanded impact across Nigeria and Africa.

The newly inaugurated Advisory Board, which will serve from 2025 to 2027, brings together five professionals with global and local expertise in urban development, artistic activism, climate strategy, technology, and intellectual property.

The board will provide strategic guidance to amplify CivicHive’s initiatives aimed at empowering citizens, strengthening civic institutions, and leveraging technology and creativity for social change.

The appointed members include Oluwaseun Muraina, lecturer and researcher in real estate and infrastructure finance and DAAD Scholar, who will serve as board chair; Stephen Duncombe, professor of media and culture at New York University and co-founder of the Center for Artistic Activism; Michaela Koke, senior manager (award selection) at Climate Breakthrough; Austin Ifedirah, co-founder and managing partner at Bandika IoT; and Shukurat Amosa, founder of Dintangible Nugget Intellectual Property Academy (DINIPA).

Also joining the board as observing members from CivicHive’s leadership are Joseph I. Amenaghawon, Oluseun Onigbinde, and Joseph Agunbiade.

Joseph Amenaghawon, head of CivicHive, described the establishment of the Advisory Board as ‘a testament to CivicHive’s growth and our commitment to sustainable, strategic impact.’

‘We have moved from a simple idea to a robust ecosystem of fellows, tools, and initiatives,’ Amenaghawon said. ‘The diverse expertise of Oluwaseun, Stephen, Michaela, Austin, and Shukurat will be invaluable as we navigate this next chapter of scaling our work and strengthening our influence in the CivicTech landscape.’

According to CivicHive, the board’s formation builds upon the organisation’s 2022-2024 report, which highlights its role as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s CivicTech ecosystem. The advisory board will further help refine CivicHive’s programmatic approach, strengthen its research and sustainability models, and build on its momentum in regional and international collaborations.

As the innovation arm of BudgIT Foundation, CivicHive was established in 2017 to build the next generation of civic-tech leaders and create data-driven solutions for better governance.

Through fellowships, research, and community-building programs, the organisation continues to foster citizen participation and drive public interest in governance and accountability.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned the federal government not to exploit reports of an alleged coup plot as an excuse to suppress opposition leaders or carry out unlawful surveillance on dissenting voices.

In a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s national publicity secretary, the party said it views any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order with utmost seriousness.

The party however, warned that the federal government must not exploit this moment to instil fear, silence dissenting voices, or engineer political advantage under the guise of national security.

The ADC said it has been closely monitoring the reports of an alleged coup plot involving arrested military officers and subsequent media claims that a former southern governor is under investigation for allegedly funding the suspects.

‘While we vehemently oppose any effort to undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order, we are equally concerned about the potential misuse of such allegations to justify political witch-hunts, suppress dissent, or manipulate public sentiment.’

The party expressed concerned about the conflicting signals coming from government sources, especially as the Defence Headquarters has publicly denied ever mentioning a coup plot, despite widespread media reports to the contrary.

‘Such inconsistency raises serious fears that the coup narrative may have been politically engineered.’

The ADC said it is particularly concerned that the federal government has not deemed it fit to make a categorical statement on this very serious matter, especially after the military authorities had repeatedly denied that there was such a threat to the government. By keeping quiet, the government has deliberately allowed the coup story to fester for whatever reason.

The ADC however accused the government of ‘exploiting the coup story to divert attention from the real issues of misgovernance in the country and to curry sympathy. Even more significantly, subsequent unattributed media reports purportedly implicating unnamed politicians in the so-called plot now provide a pretext for the government to clamp down on opposition figures or mount undue surveillance on them.

‘We understand that the APC government is desperate. But such desperation must never be allowed to endanger our democracy or undermine the democratic rights of citizens.’

The party therefore calls on the federal government to immediately clarify the true nature of the alleged coup. ‘Government has a duty to decisively quash the swirling rumour. Conversely, if indeed there has been any such threat to national security, the government has a duty to be transparent about it and brief the nation accordingly.

‘Government must desist from weaponising national security as a pretext to silence opposition and political dissent.’

The ADC disclosed that it remains resolute in its opposition to dictatorship of any form, whether military dictatorship or its civilian variant.

‘We therefore support any legitimate action that may be taken in defence of our constitution and our democracy. In the same vein, we oppose any ploy by the government to intimidate legitimate voices under the guise of national security.’

When Desperados touched down in Ibiza, the island didn’t know what hit it. Nigerian energy collided with Elrow’s legendary vibes and the result was unforgettable.

Desperados has just wrapped up one of its boldest cultural takeovers yet, flying some of Nigeria’s biggest creators and five lucky winners from the Desperados x Element House experience in Lagos straight to the legendary Elrow party in Ibiza. And trust us, Naija energy lit up the island like never before.

From the moment SoftMadeIt, Purple Speedy, EllaLey, Crispdal, and Iyke Nnaman touched down, the excitement was palpable. Alongside the five winners, they dove headfirst into the Elrow spectacle: outlandish costumes, non-stop electronic beats, and immersive party chaos that the festival is famous for. Only this time, Nigerian dance moves, wild content, and unapologetic vibes stole the spotlight.

‘Desperados has always been about creating bold, unforgettable experiences that truly connect with young people,’ said Onyebuchi Allanah, Senior Brand Manager, Desperados, Nigerian Breweries Plc. ‘Taking both some of Nigeria’s most loved creators and everyday consumers to the Elrow party in Ibiza was not only about showing up, it was about proving that Naija energy belongs on the biggest global stages. We wanted the world to feel the creativity, confidence, and unapologetic vibe that defines our community, and that’s exactly what happened.’

The cultural crossover was impossible to miss. Videos of SoftmadeIt and Moyo dancing through Elrow’s confetti storms, EllaLey and PurpleSpeedy capturing behind-the-scenes chaos, and Iyke Nnaman repping hard for the Trybe flooded timelines, sparking a wave of FOMO back home. The five winners became the true heroes of the moment: proof that Desperados doesn’t just take you to the party, it puts you at the center of it.

This global move also cements Desperados’ position as the favourite party beer for Gen Z, a brand that taps into the boldest cultural moments and keeps its Trybe plugged into experiences that go beyond borders. From Lagos to Ibiza, the beer with Latin Vibe continues to break limits and redefine how the next generation celebrates. One thing is clear: Naija didn’t just attend the Elrow party. They owned it.

The Federal Government has commended the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) for its proactive advocacy aimed at expanding the Nigerian economy to a $1 trillion valuation, through strategic engagement with capital market opportunities.

Speaking at the 29th Annual Stockbrokers’ Conference held in Abuja over the weekend, Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President in the Office of the Vice President, praised the Institute’s commitment to national economic growth.

The conference, themed ‘Capital Markets in a Digital, Ethical, and Sustainable Era: Charting Pathways for Economic Transformation,’ brought together key stakeholders in the financial sector to discuss the future of Nigeria’s capital market markets in a rapidly evolving global market.

‘On behalf of the Federal Government, I wish to commend the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers for its bold and forward-looking advocacy aimed at positioning the Nigerian economy on the path to achieving a $1 trillion GDP.

The journey to a $1 trillion economy is ambitious, but with strategic collaboration between government, regulators, and market operators, it is entirely achievable. We commend CIS for its leadership, and we look forward to continued partnership in building a stronger, more inclusive, and globally competitive Nigerian economy. The capital market remains one of the most powerful engines for sustainable economic transformation’, Hadejia said.

Emomotimi Agama, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), delivered a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite. He presented insights from the ongoing implementation of the Capital Market Master Plan (2015-2025), and the strategic outlook extending to 2035.

‘Through initiatives like Risk-Based Supervision (RBS) and the National Investor Protection Fund (NIPF), we’ve raised regulatory standards and investor confidence. Digital tools such as e-Dividend and Direct Cash Settlement have improved market efficiency and transparency. However, enforcement must be faster and more decisive to deter misconduct effectively.

Agama emphasised that while significant strides have been made in institutional strengthening and governance through instruments like the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (2018), true market transformation.

The Capital Market Master Plan was a call to action not to rest on potential, but to pursue purposeful performance. As we approach a new decade, the focus must shift from aspiration to execution.’

In his address, Oluropo Dada,13th President and Chairman of Council of the Institute spoke on the convergence of technology, ethics, and sustainability as transformative forces reshaping global capital markets.

‘Technologies such as blockchain, AI, and fintech are revolutionising the way markets function, making them more efficient and inclusive. This conference aims to explore how Nigeria can harness these trends to retool the capital market for stronger economic and social outcomes.

‘Since the COVID-19 disruptions in 2020, our capital market has delivered some of the highest verified returns on investment globally. With continued collaboration, we can reposition the economy towards double-digit’, stated Dada.

At the event, 48 members, including the former spokesman of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX), Sola Oni were conferred with the Fellowship status of the Institute while 220 others were inducted as Associate Members.

In his goodwill message, Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of NGX Group Plc, stressed the importance of sustainability as a guiding principle for financial markets saying: ‘The future of finance is green. We must channel capital into climate-resilient initiatives, renewable energy, and the broader low-carbon transition. NGX remains committed to integrating ESG principles across the market.’

Sam Onukwue, chairman, Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) echoed the call for clear regulation and product innovation: ‘Stable, predictable policies are crucial to attracting investment. Diversifying instruments, including non-interest and alternative products, iskey to broadening investor participation. Furthermore, liquidity and smooth exit mechanisms are essential to maintaining investor confidence.’

History is again about to be made by the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, umbrella body for all registered insurance brokers in Nigeria, as the Council would produce its third female President in its 63 years of existence.

Ekeoma Ezeibe, a consummate insurance lawyer and Insurance Broker of distinction, would be sworn in on Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Landmark Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ezeibe who had previously occupied responsible positions on the Governing Board of the Council, among others as Vice President and Deputy President, would be bringing her rich knowledge of insurance law, integrity and solid social capital to bear in further consolidating the position of the Council in the front row of the professions in Nigeria.

She would also be cresting on her wide industry acceptance and contributions to all constituent arms where she had been adding significant value in past years.

Born, a princess, Ekeoma attended Holy Rosary Secondary School, Umuahia, Abia State and Our Lady of Mount Carmel College, Emekuku, Owerri , Imo State where she obtained her West African School Certificate and went on to the old Imo State University, now Abia State University forty-three (43) years ago where she read Law.

She obtained her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree thirty-nine (39) years ago and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos where she obtained her Barrister at Law (B.L) and was called to the Nigerian Bar thirty-eight (38) years ago. She obtained her Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos.

Ekeoma Ezeibe started her insurance career with the Legal Department of the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (Nigeria Re) during her National Youth Service Corps in1987/1988. She was retained in Nigeria Re after her Youth Service under the distinguished Professor Joe Irukwu , who made a lot of impact in her young life especially, whilst proof reading most of his published works in insurance. This marked the beginning of a blossoming career in insurance for her.

In 1991, she started work as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser and Head of Claims Department in Liberty Assurance Company Limited before moving on to Industrial and General Insurance Company Limited in 1992 as its pioneer Company Secretary/Legal Adviser. She co-founded with her husband, Crystal Trust Insurance Brokers Limited and became its Managing Director/CEO; a position she occupies till date.

Ekeoma Ezeibe obtained her insurance professional qualifications; Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) from the Chartered Insurance Institute, London with Distinctions in Claims Practice and Advances in Strategic Risk Management, Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (AIIN) and a Fellow, Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (FCIB).

Over the years, she has given more than 40 Pro Bono lectures on diverse topics in law, regulation, compliance and insurance on not just the platform of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) but also those of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM), Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), African Insurance Brokers Association (AIBA), Africa Insurance Women Association (AIWA) and other non-industry platforms. For the past 9 (nine) years, she maintained a front row on behalf of the NCRIB in the making of what has now culminated into the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025. She is an award-winning lecturer at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping where she teaches different topics on Marine Insurance since the past 14 years.

Ezeibe was the Honorary Treasurer of the NCRIB for 2 years from 2017 to 2019, Vice President for 2 years from 2021 to 2023 and its Deputy President from 2023 till date.

Ekeoma’s span of influence spans all professional bodies in the industry, namely: the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA).

At the continental level and at the African Insurance Brokers’ Association (AIBA), she served as Secretary from 2022 to 2024, Treasurer from 2024 to 2025 and currently, its Vice Chairman where she made history as the 1st female to occupy this position.

She was a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee that established the Africa Insurance Women Association (AIWA) of which she is a member and equally conducted the passing of the resolution that legally set up the body including having the privilege to swear in, its 1st President, the unforgettable Lady Margaret Nkechi Moore of blessed memory on 31st May, 2023 in Algiers, Algeria.

She is also a member of the Insurance Committee of the International Chamber of Shipping, London, United Kingdom.