Category: Business Day

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held its 302nd meeting on Monday and Tuesday, September 22 and 23, 2025, to deliberate on recent global and domestic developments and the risks they pose to the country’s economic outlook. The MPC, which is the apex decision-making body of the CBN on monetary policy matters, consists of 12 members, including the governor of the Bank. Its meetings are held every two months, leaving just one more for the year.

At the end of the two-day session, the Committee voted unanimously reduced its benchmark interest rate, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), by 50 basis points to 27 percent from 27.50 percent. The move was aimed at boosting growth while sustaining the interest of foreign portfolio investors in the country.

The policy move marked the first interest rate cut in five years and signals a shift in the Bank’s approach toward stimulating economic activity. Announcing the decision at the end of the two-day meeting in Abuja, Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN governor explained that the committee’s choice to lower the MPR was influenced by five consecutive months of disinflation, projections of further moderation in inflation through the rest of 2025, and the need to sustain recovery momentum in the economy.

The committee, attended by 12 members, also delivered a set of complementary measures that balanced monetary easing with targeted liquidity controls. To support credit to the private sector, it reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for commercial banks to 45 percent from 50 percent, while retaining the CRR for merchant banks at 16 percent. At the same time, however, it introduced a 75 percent CRR on non-Treasury Single Account (TSA) public sector deposits to absorb excess liquidity from fiscal injections.

To help the public understand the implications of the MPC’s decisions, Ayodeji Ebo, managing director and chief business officer at Optimus by Afrinvest, explained some key monetary policy terms during his business and investment tips programme. According to him, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) is the benchmark interest rate at which the CBN lends to commercial banks and serves as the anchor for all other rates in the economy, making it a vital tool for managing inflation. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) refers to the share of deposits that banks are required to keep with the CBN. With the CRR now set at 45 percent, for every N1,000 deposited in the bank, N450 must be retained with the CBN, leaving only N550 available for lending. The Liquidity Ratio (LR), maintained at 30 percent, is the proportion of liquid assets such as cash and government securities that banks must hold relative to their deposits, ensuring that they can meet withdrawal demands.

He further explained that the symmetric corridor defines the range around the MPR that determines the rates for the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) and the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF). With the corridor now fixed at +250/-250 basis points, banks can borrow from the CBN at 29.5 percent through the SLF or place their excess funds with the CBN at 24.5 percent via the SDF. This corridor affects overnight market rates, liquidity in the system, and short-term borrowing costs. Another measure introduced by the MPC was a 75 percent CRR on non-TSA public-sector deposits, which are funds held by government agencies outside the Treasury Single Account framework. By imposing such a high ratio, the CBN has ensured that banks cannot fully rely on these idle public funds for liquidity, thereby tightening money supply and discouraging speculative use of government deposits. The big question, however, is: what do these measures mean for different players in the economy such as savers, borrowers, and investors?

For savers, the most immediate effect is on the interest rate paid on savings deposits. By regulation, banks are required to pay at least 30 percent of the MPR on naira savings accounts. With the MPR now reduced to 27 percent, the minimum savings rate also falls slightly to 8.1 percent, down from 8.25 percent. Although this looks marginal, it means lower income for households relying on savings deposits as a source of interest earnings. The actual benefit, however, depends on the conditions set by individual banks, such as limits on the number of withdrawals allowed in a month to qualify for interest. Savers who want to earn more from their funds may now have to consider alternatives such as fixed deposits, money-market funds, or fixed-income securities, while still keeping a portion in liquid savings for emergencies.

For fixed-income investors, the MPR cut reinforces the downward trend in yields already witnessed in recent auctions. Benchmark rates tend to guide returns on government securities, and with this cut, yields on instruments such as treasury bills and bonds are expected to decline further. This development makes fixed-income assets less attractive to risk-averse investors. Pension funds and institutional investors, in particular, may face compressed returns and will likely be prompted to diversify their portfolios into equities, infrastructure funds, or real assets. For retail investors, lower yields could mean that investment products offering higher risks but also potentially higher rewards may start to look more appealing.

Borrowers stand to benefit from the cut, though the effect will not be immediate. Loan rates are expected to reprice lower over time, although tight liquidity conditions arising from the high CRR could slow this process. As of July 2025, the maximum lending rate in Nigeria averaged 29.84 percent, while the prime lending rate was around 18.01 percent. The cut should gradually ease the debt-service burden of existing borrowers and lower the cost of new loans. By reducing default risks, the policy could also improve the overall quality of banks’ loan books. For the banks themselves, narrower lending margins may initially weigh on profitability, but this can be balanced out through stronger loan growth, reduced non-performing loans, and higher income from fees and other non-interest sources. The stock market is another potential beneficiary of the rate cut. Lower borrowing costs enhance the profitability of non-financial companies by reducing interest expenses, while the relatively weaker returns on fixed-income investments may shift investor appetite toward equities. For listed companies, particularly those outside the financial sector, this provides an opportunity to attract new capital and enjoy better valuations. For banks, the effect is more nuanced. While lower interest rates may pressure net interest income, higher loan volumes, improved asset quality, and increased opportunities in fee-based businesses could support their earnings. Dividend yields from equities may also become more attractive relative to fixed-income instruments in a low-rate environment, offering an additional incentive for investors.

The adjustment to the SLF and SDF rates ensures that interbank market rates remain aligned with the new MPR, enhancing the smooth transmission of monetary policy. By lowering the SLF rate to 29.5 percent from 30 percent and reducing the SDF rate to 24.5 percent from 25 percent, banks will now pay slightly less when borrowing liquidity from the CBN and earn marginally less when depositing their excess funds. This balance is intended to stabilise short-term market rates and improve monetary transmission.

One of the more significant measures is the imposition of the 75 percent CRR on non-TSA deposits. By effectively locking up three-quarters of such public-sector funds with the CBN, the Bank has curtailed banks’ ability to use these deposits for lending. For every N1,000 received in such deposits, only N250 is deployable. While this step is meant to strengthen monetary control, discourage speculative activities, and reduce banks’ over-reliance on government deposits, it also has the effect of tightening system liquidity further. This could blunt the speed with which the benefits of the rate cut are transmitted across the economy.

Precious Aroh, a Nigerian student, has brought global recognition to Nigeria by being named ‘Best Finalist’ in the 18th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

Aroh was selected from a staggering pool of over 660,000 contestants worldwide and was awarded a prize of $3,000 from Toyota Motor Corporation.

She named her artwork, ‘Virus Vacuum,’ describing it as a powerful concept car designed to create a healthier world.

‘My dream car is called ‘Virus Vacuum’, the dream car of clean air. It has special suction vents on top that pull harmful viruses out of the air. Once inside the car, the viruses are destroyed, leaving clean, safe, and fresh air for people to breathe.

‘The car is my dream for a healthier world, a car that not only carries people but also cares for people and heals the environment,’ Aroh said.

Kunle Ade-Ojo, managing director of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), praised the young artist’s ingenuity, saying, ‘Precious’s exceptional artistry and vision have once again placed Nigeria on a global stage.

‘Her winning masterpiece is a powerful concept that imagines a world free of illness and viruses like Covid-19. ‘She has shown profound empathy and a brilliant imagination, turning a compelling idea into an outstanding creation. She has made Nigeria, Toyota Nigeria Limited, and her school incredibly proud,’ Ade-Ojo said.

The award was presented to Precious, her parents, and school representatives in Lagos by Ade-Ojo.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Nigeria, Toyota Nigeria Ltd, and Corona School.

He noted that her success echoes the historic win two years ago by Oluwademilade David Odumuboni, who became the first Nigerian to win a global grand prize in the same competition.

‘It is a remarkable coincidence and a testament to the nurturing environment of both of these golden talents who hail from the same school,’ Ade-Ojo said, noting that Aroh will use the $3,000 prize money, which is designated for educational pursuits, to buy books, art materials, and digital learning tools that will help her improve her creativity and knowledge.

‘In addition to the prize money, Precious received a commemorative shield from Toyota Motor Corporation, along with a certificate and a trophy from Toyota Nigeria Limited.

He also extended heartfelt congratulations to her art teacher and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aroh, acknowledging their unwavering support and encouragement.

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is a global Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by Toyota Motor Corporation, aimed at inspiring children to imagine a future car and, in doing so, foster a creative and caring mindset towards the planet.

Yenagoa, Nigeria – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has announced the grand opening of Best Western Plus Yenagoa, a hotel set to redefine hospitality and support Bayelsa’s growing economy.

Nestled by Oxbow Lake, the hotel offers a mix of scenic views and modern comfort. Guests can choose from elegant rooms, spacious suites, and fully serviced apartments, each equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and mini-bars. Beyond accommodation, the hotel provides access to a spa, fitness centre, Chinese restaurant, and outdoor pool, creating a destination where leisure and business converge.

With its location in Yenagoa’s centre, Best Western Plus Yenagoa is positioned to serve government leaders, corporate executives, international visitors, and local guests. Its conference and event facilities make it a vital meeting place for both official and social functions, adding value to Bayelsa’s business and cultural life.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Initeme Adukeh-Eromhonsele, Executive Director of Best Western Plus Yenagoa, said: ‘Best Western Plus Yenagoa is not only about service and luxury. It is about creating opportunity. This hotel represents a gathering place for leaders and communities while reflecting Bayelsa’s spirit of progress.’ The launch event, taking place on October 15, 2025, will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, property tours, and a reception with invited guests from government, business, and the hospitality industry.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts: Best Western Plus Yenagoa continues the brand’s strong growth in Nigeria, where its portfolio already includes Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Enugu. With more than 4,700 hotels globally, Best Western Hotels and Resorts continues to deliver trusted, consistent, and innovative hospitality experiences.

Facebook has rolled out a set of new features designed to enable fans to be more visible, interactive, and rewarded while offering creators fresh ways to spark community and content generation.

This is in a bid to deepen engagement between creators and their audiences. The platform is aiming to transform casual followers into engaged communities with fan challenges and custom badges.

Creators can now issue ‘fan challenges’, prompts or contests for fans to respond creatively. These challenges appear in followers’ feeds. Fans participate by clicking the challenge hashtag in a creator’s post or reel and sharing their own take.

Top entries with high reactions get surfaced on a leaderboard, which is a centralised space where creators and fans can view and engage with the best submissions.

So far, the feature has already seen strong early traction, with more than 1.5 million entries submitted in the past three months, generating comments and reactions from over 10 million people.

Over 500 million fans globally have accepted either a custom or standard top fan badge on Facebook.

When people talk about the ‘AI race,’ Africa often feels like a spectator watching from the stands. America, China, and Europe are sprinting ahead, backed by billions of dollars and huge machines powering their innovations. Meanwhile, on our side, the questions are louder than the answers: Where does Africa stand? Are we already left behind?

The truth is complicated. Africa is not short of talent. Walk into any tech hub in Lagos, Nairobi, or Cape Town and you’ll meet brilliant young people writing code, building apps, and dreaming of global impact. Yet when it comes to competing in the heavyweight category of artificial intelligence where giant models are trained, and billions are invested. Africa is far behind.

Let’s break it down.

Why the Track Feels Slippery

Artificial intelligence may look like rocket science, but its foundation rests on three things: electricity, data, and people. These three ingredients are where Africa’s challenges lie.

1. The Electricity and Internet Struggle

Anyone in Nigeria knows the frustration of power cuts. Now imagine running a data center (one of those facilities packed with computers that process massive amounts of information) while dealing with daily blackouts. AI requires nonstop, stable electricity. Without it, hardware gets damaged, costs skyrocket, and investors run away.

So, what do startups do? They rely on diesel generators. Apart from being expensive, these generators pollute the air and eat up funds that could have been used for research or hiring more staff.

Then comes the internet issue. AI depends on fast and affordable connectivity. But here, internet speed is often slow, and data prices are among the highest in the world. For young innovators, this creates a frustrating bottleneck.

And when we talk about servers (those powerful machines that train AI models) Africa owns less than 1% of global data center capacity. That means most of our AI work is ‘outsourced’ to servers in Europe or America. The result? Higher costs, slower speed, and lost opportunities.

2. The Data Deficit and Language Barrier

AI learns from data the way students learn from textbooks. If the textbooks don’t cover your culture, your history, or your language, the lessons will always feel foreign.

For Africa, the challenge is clear: most global AI systems are trained on Western data. They don’t understand African accents, local slang, or our 1,000+ languages. Imagine asking an AI health tool to analyse a Yoruba patient’s symptoms when most of its training data comes from London or New York hospitals. The results will likely be off-target.

Even more worrying is that much of Africa’s medical, agricultural, and financial data is not digitised at all. Hospitals still keep patient records on paper. Farmers often lack structured records of their harvest. Without this data, building effective AI systems becomes harder.

3. The Money and Talent Drain

To play at the global level, AI requires a lot of money. Training a large AI model can cost millions of dollars. African investors, however, often prefer safer bets like e-commerce or fintech rather than risky, long-term AI research.

And then there is the issue of brain drain. Africa produces talented engineers and scientists every year, but many get recruited by big tech companies abroad. The continent becomes a training ground for talent that eventually leaves. We celebrate the success of Africans working at OpenAI, Google or Microsoft, but deep down we know their expertise is not strengthening our local ecosystem.

Rays of Hope: What’s Changing

Despite these challenges, Africa is not standing still. Across the continent, people are rolling up their sleeves to build AI systems that speak to local problems.

Local Movements

Groups like Deep Learning Indaba and Masakhane are training researchers and developing open-source language models that actually understand African languages. These communities are saying, ‘If Silicon Valley won’t build for us, we will build for ourselves.’

Government Strategies

Countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Egypt are drafting national AI strategies. These blueprints focus on areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and education, with the aim of applying AI to problems that truly matter locally.

It’s a shift from just consuming foreign technology to actively creating homegrown solutions.

Startups Finding a Way

African startups are also thinking creatively. Instead of waiting for perfect infrastructure, some are using edge computing putting processing power closer to the user to reduce reliance on fast internet. Others are designing AI tools for low-cost smartphones, knowing that’s the device most Africans can afford.

The Road Ahead: From Consumers to Creators

If Africa is going to catch up, we need a mindset shift. The question should not only be, ‘How do we join the global AI race?’ It should also be, ‘How do we design AI that solves African problems?’

Take agriculture as an example. Imagine a farmer in Benue uploading a picture of diseased crops on a simple phone app. The AI diagnoses the problem instantly, suggesting solutions without requiring 5G internet or an expensive device. That kind of tool could transform food security.

Or consider healthcare. An AI system trained on local patient data could help rural doctors detect illnesses earlier, saving lives in places where specialist doctors are scarce.

These are not futuristic dreams. They are possibilities within reach if governments, investors, and innovators commit to building AI for Africa, not just importing it.

So, Are We Left Behind?

Yes and no. Africa is behind when it comes to global investment, computing power, and data infrastructure. But the race is not only about who builds the biggest models or who gets the most patents. For Africa, the real prize is building AI that addresses hunger, unemployment, poor healthcare, and weak education systems.

In that sense, Africa is not out of the game. We are simply running a different kind of race, a marathon where endurance, creativity, and community will matter more than raw speed.

If we get it right, AI could become one of the most powerful tools for solving Africa’s toughest problems. And when that happens, the question won’t be whether we were left behind, but whether the rest of the world can keep up with Africa’s unique path

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has signed a fresh two-year crude supply agreement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, ensuring steady feedstock to the 650,000-barrel-per-day plant in Lekki, Lagos.

The deal, sealed in August, is part of the Federal Government’s drive to prioritise crude deliveries to the privately owned refinery, particularly in naira, to support energy security and stabilise domestic fuel supply.

According to industry data, about 82 million barrels of crude have been allocated to Dangote Refinery between October 2024 and September 2025. Of this volume, 49.3 million barrels – or 60 percent – were supplied in naira under the crude-for-naira initiative.

The agreement follows recent tension after the refinery suspended naira-based petrol sales citing the depletion of its naira crude allocation. Sales later resumed following intervention by the Naira-for-Crude Technical Committee chairman.

Andy Odeh, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed that the state-owned company continues to allocate crude in naira to the refinery.

He explained that NNPC, Dangote Refinery, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) periodically reconcile the volume and value of crude delivered in naira.

‘The state-owned energy company and the refinery have negotiated and signed a new sales and purchase agreement that will run until 2027,’ Odeh said.

‘In line with the FGN Crude for Naira Initiative, NNPC Limited has continued to allocate crude to Dangote Refinery in naira for the sale of products in the domestic market.

‘On this basis, NNPC, DPRP and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) periodically reconcile the volume and cost of product supplied in naira commensurate with the crude delivered,’ Odeh explained.

He disclosed that NNPC allocated three naira crude cargoes in August, and five cargoes each for September and October 2025. While loading operations for August have been completed, September allocations are currently underway, with two vessels undergoing pre-loading formalities at terminals.

Odeh added that between October 2024 and October 2025, a total of 82 million barrels of crude had been allocated to Dangote Refinery, with 60 percent (49.3 million barrels) supplied in naira.

The new deal will run until 2027, ensuring continuity of supply following recent concerns when Dangote Refinery briefly suspended naira-based petrol sales citing exhaustion of its naira crude allocation. Sales later resumed after federal intervention.

Dangote’s media team has yet to respond to requests for further details on the arrangement.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a journalist with Arise News Channel, who was killed during an armed robbery at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja.

Maduagwu, a news anchor, reporter, and producer, was attacked in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ajao Adewale, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, described the killing as a cruel and senseless act that has no place in a civilised society.

He extended his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, assuring them that the police will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.

Adewale disclosed that he had ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He further directed the deployment of intelligence and operational teams to track down and apprehend those behind the attack.

‘The Command remains fully committed to ensuring that justice is served,’ he said, while urging residents of the FCT to assist investigators with timely and useful information that could help in the arrest of the perpetrators.

He also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and raise alarms at the sight of suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods.

Residents can reach the Command through its emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, or the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) via 08107314192.

The statement, signed by Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, emphasised that the Command stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the Nigerian media industry, pledging to intensify efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), on Monday urged newly called-to-Bar police officers to uphold integrity, professionalism, and discipline as they assume dual responsibilities as law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.

Addressing the officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP described their success as a milestone achievement that would add strategic value to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and strengthen the country’s justice system.

‘It gives me great pride to welcome you. Today, we are not only recognizing personal success; we are celebrating an achievement that strengthens the Nigeria Police Force and adds value to our country,’ he said.

He also congratulated the officers on their successful completion of the Nigerian Law School programme, noting with pride that one of them graduated with First Class Honours, which he described as a rare and outstanding feat that has brought honour to the Force.

The Police Chief emphasized that law enforcement cannot be effective without a strong legal foundation.

He stressed that the officers’ legal training positioned them to serve as defenders of the law in the field and as custodians of justice in the courtroom.

According to him, every action taken by the Police must be grounded in law, every power exercised must be backed by law, and every responsibility borne must be judged by law.

Egbetokun highlighted that their entry into the profession coincided with the recent elevation of the Police Legal Section to the Force Directorate of Legal Services, now headed by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

He explained that the upgrade was not symbolic but strategic, designed to provide sharper legal direction, ensure watertight prosecutions, safeguard the institution against legal vulnerabilities, and influence policy at the highest levels.

He told the officers that they were joining the Directorate at a defining moment and that its success would depend heavily on their contributions.

He further stressed that the Police did not need lawyers in uniform for decoration, but officers who would add tangible value to the institution.

He urged them to ensure that prosecutions are handled professionally, conduct themselves with integrity that is above reproach, and provide legal opinions that commanders can rely on with confidence.

He also encouraged them to help align the Force with constitutional standards, human rights obligations, and international best practices, while serving as role models to other officers who aspire to combine policing with legal practice.

The IGP reminded the officers that their call to the Bar had doubled their responsibilities, making them accountable to the Force, the legal profession, and the Nigerian people.

He cautioned them against misusing their legal knowledge for personal advantage, urging them instead to channel it into service that would strengthen the Directorate and uplift the Police Force.

‘Excellence will be recognized and rewarded. Mediocrity will not be tolerated,’ he said.

He added that the combination of their uniform and the lawyer’s gown placed them in a demanding yet privileged position, requiring humility, discipline, and loyalty to the Force.

Egbetokun charged the officers to justify the investment the Police had made in their legal education, insisting that their performance would not only shape their careers but also determine the credibility of the Nigeria Police as a professional law enforcement institution.

He declared that the achievement was not merely about the gown they would wear in court, but about the standards they would set while in uniform.

‘The Police at this time, more than ever before, need lawyers who will make the law work for justice, for discipline, and for Nigeria,’ he said.

Boko Haram terrorists shot and killed one person and abducted four young girls in renewed attacks on the border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, southern Borno State, eyewitnesses have said.

The terrorists came in their multitudes and overpowered the Joint Task Force in Kirawa town, Monday, razing more than 20 commercial vehicles and shops with goods worth millions of naira.

It was gathered that the multinational joint task force had withdrawn most of its personnel after brutal attacks on their bases led to the death of 20 soldiers.

According to a VJTF source, the palace of the District Head of Kirawa, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abubakar, was equally burnt after the invaders looted and carted away valuable items.

The source said, ‘One resident was shot dead in the attack Monday night that lasted for hours. They abducted four young girls ages between 10-13 years.’ Another source added, ‘the terrorists invaded our community around 9 pm on motorbikes, burning other structures, shops and more than 20 vehicles.

‘We are left to face our fate. We haven’t had soldiers for more than two months now; as you see, this town (Kirawa) is very strategic in term of economic activity between Nigeria and Cameroon.’

Yakubu Kirawa, the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, while corroborating the account, called for the establishment of a brigade in the community to safeguard the lives and properties. He said the assailants shot at people and displaced many residents to Cameroon.

‘They arrived in the community around 9 pm and shot sporadically; they burnt houses and shops, and many of our people ran to Cameroon. One person was also shot.

While calling for a military base, he said, ‘Being a border community where it is just a river that separates us and Cameroon, we are requesting the federal government to establish a brigade and increase military deployment.’

A resident in the community, Shaibu Abdul, confirmed that the palace of the district head was burnt down.

‘They attacked the palace of the district head, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar and burnt down his house, although, he escaped the attack,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial districts, Ali Ndume in an electronic communication said, ‘the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Kirawa and other communities have became a source of concern and frustrating, as many resilient Internally Displaced Persons have returned back to their ancestral homes that were facilitated and supported by Governor Babagana Zulum’.

The Senator troops appealed to the military authorities to ‘deploy more troops and or platoons in the affected areas of Kirawa, Ngoshe, Agapalwa, Chikide among other vulnerable communities’.

He also reiterated his call on the federal government and the Nigerian Military to deploy drones, Attack Helicopters, as well as use Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, Motivation (TEAAM).

He said; ‘It is the only way to end the over decade Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, North East and other parts of the country.’ he added.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Kairat 5-0 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Xabi Alonso’s side bounced back emphatically from their derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, travelling over 7,000 kilometres to secure a dominant victory on the road.

Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 18-year-old goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza fouled Franco Mastantuono in the box.

The Frenchman added two more to complete his treble, while Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Díaz rounded off the scoring to send Madrid provisionally top of the group. Despite his hat-trick and a tally of 13 goals in nine games this season, Mbappe admitted he wanted even more.

‘My work is helping the team, doing what I can so that the team wins,’ he told Movistar. ‘If I have five chances, I want to score five goals, that’s why Real Madrid bought me. I’ll work to be better and more efficient in front of goal.’

Kairat, competing in the group stage for the first time after eliminating Celtic in qualifying, struggled badly, particularly with their teenage stand-in goalkeeper forced into action because of injuries to three senior shot-stoppers.

Real Madrid, however, looked every bit the European giants, led once again by Mbappe’s brilliance.