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Air Peace has confirmed that its Abuja-Asaba flight scheduled for Friday experienced an aborted take-off during initial departure procedures.

In full accordance with safety protocols, the aircraft safely returned to the ramp, and all passengers disembarked without incident. A replacement aircraft was immediately deployed to continue the flight, ensuring minimal disruption to passenger travel time.

‘Our engineering team commenced a thorough inspection of the initial aircraft as part of our standard safety checks,’ the airline said in a statement.

The airline reassured the public that safety is, and will always remain, the cornerstone of our operations.

‘The swift deployment of an alternate aircraft reflects our commitment to operational excellence and passenger confidence,’ it added.

A recent Travel + Leisure ranking has revealed the top five most beautiful cities in Europe, as voted by nearly 180,000 readers. The survey highlights destinations celebrated for their history, culture, and timeless charm.

From Disney-like castles perched on hilltops to cobbled alleys winding through centuries-old districts, Europe continues to captivate travellers with its architectural splendour and romantic appeal.

The list reflects readers’ admiration for cities that balance heritage and beauty, offering more than just postcard views but immersive experiences steeped in art, cuisine, and tradition. While the full ranking spans the continent, it reaffirms Europe’s status as the ultimate destination for those seeking authentic, old-world elegance.

Here are the top 5 most beautiful cities in Europe, according to travel experts.

Rome, Italy

Rome placed fifth, with a score of 88.91. Often described as an open-air museum, the Italian capital is known for its vast collection of ancient monuments and religious landmarks. Visitors continue to explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and numerous Renaissance and Baroque churches. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, designed in part by Michelangelo, remains a central feature of Rome’s landscape. Santa Maria Maggiore and the Pantheon, first a Roman temple and now a Catholic church, show how centuries of architecture and faith are layered throughout the city.

Beyond its major landmarks, Rome’s narrow cobblestone streets and fountains such as the Fontana di Trevi continue to attract travellers from around the world. For many, the city’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect ancient heritage with daily life.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul ranked fourth with a score of 89.47. Spanning both Europe and Asia, the city is a meeting point of cultures. Its architecture reflects Byzantine, Ottoman and modern influences. The Hagia Sophia, once a Byzantine basilica and later a mosque, and the Blue Mosque are among its most visited sites.

The Dolmabahçe Palace, often called the ‘Turkish Versailles’, showcases Ottoman design, while Galata Tower offers panoramic views of the city. The neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, known for their colourful facades and antique shops, illustrate the mix of old and new that defines Istanbul.

Granada, Spain

Granada came third, scoring 89.48. Located in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, the city retains visible traces of its Moorish past. The Alhambra, an extensive fortress and palace complex built by North African rulers, dominates the skyline. Below it lies the Albaicín district, a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses and preserved Moorish baths.

Following the Christian reconquest, Granada became home to several significant churches, including the Basílica de San Juan de Dios and the Granada Cathedral, both examples of post-Renaissance architecture. The city’s layered history continues to shape its identity.

Seville, Spain

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, ranked second with a score of 89.49. The city reflects centuries of Roman, Moorish and Spanish influence. Its historic district, Santa Cruz, is home to Seville Cathedral and the Alcázar, both built on earlier Islamic structures.

Across the Guadalquivir River, the district of Triana is known for flamenco, ceramics and traditional tapas bars. Plaza de España, a semi-circular square surrounded by canals, remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

Florence, Italy

Topping the list with a score of 90.08, Florence was named Europe’s most beautiful city by Travel + Leisure readers. Widely seen as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it was home to figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Machiavelli.

The city’s skyline is defined by Brunelleschi’s dome, part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Streets lined with ochre-coloured buildings and views from Piazzale Michelangelo continue to draw visitors. For many, Florence’s lasting influence on art, science and architecture makes it a living record of European creativity.

At first glance, A Bee in the Bonnet by Munachimso Jennifer Ezeilo sounds like a children’s book. Only later do you discover that the title actually refers to being consumed by an obsession and in this case, the painful reality of child marriage.

Child marriage may sound like a thing of the past, but unfortunately it is still happening. What makes it even more disturbing is that it is often wealthy and influential men who are at the center of it, just as we see in this book.

The story begins slowly, almost making you wonder where the author is taking you, but with each chapter the themes begin to unfold. Rape, child marriage, violence, abuse, and the struggle for justice. These are heavy themes, but the way they are revealed draws you in and forces you to think more deeply about them.

There are a lot of issues raised in this book. A nine-year-old girl is forced into marriage with a powerful man, with her own father’s support. A man must protect himself while handling a case so sensitive it could cost him his life. The lawyer defending the offender turns out to be the very man a woman is engaged to marry. A judge faces threats to his family’s safety while presiding over a case that should send the guilty to jail. A neighbour’s dangerous obsession becomes impossible to ignore. An employee grows weary of his boss’s corrupt and evil ways and decides to expose him. Ambition collides with morality when a career begins to matter more than values. And in the midst of it all comes the devastating discovery that the child you and your husband have loved and raised is not your husband’s. Plenty wahala indeed.

The dilemmas keep unfolding, one layered over another, creating a web of secrets and struggles that makes it difficult to put the book down. Set mostly in Abuja, with some scenes in Lagos, the story feels alive with tension and conflict. And as in real life, love finds its way into the chaos, sometimes in the form of infatuation, sometimes as something deeper. It almost feels as if no book is complete without love being inserted, and here too it appears, fighting to survive amidst the turmoil.

The further you go, the more engaging the story becomes. At times it feels a little predictable, especially if you are used to movies with similar twists, but there are still surprises tucked in along the way.

Even if you have a sense of how it might end, the journey there keeps you hooked. A Bee in the Bonnet is a sobering and thought-provoking story. It leaves you unsettled, yet it is an interesting and worthwhile read.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a draft guideline on the operations of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mandating that banks refund customers for failed ATM transactions within a stipulated timeframe.

Specifically, customers must be refunded for failed interbank (not-on-us) ATM transactions within 48 hours, while refunds for failed transactions on the same bank’s ATM (on-us) should be reversed instantly. In the event that an instant reversal is not possible due to technical issues, a manual reversal must be completed within 24 hours.

The directive was contained in a circular entitled, ‘Exposure of the Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Nigeria,’ which was released to banks, other financial institutions, and payment service providers.

The circular, signed by Musa Jimoh, director of the Payments System Policy Department, is part of CBN’s efforts to strengthen the reliability and safety of the country’s payment systems.

The CBN stated that it is issuing the draft guidelines for public consultation and stakeholder feedback, in line with its mandate to promote a sound financial system and an efficient payments infrastructure. Stakeholders are expected to review and submit feedback within four weeks from the date of the circular’s release.

According to the apex bank, the key objectives of the draft guidelines include establishing minimum standards for ATM deployment, operations, and maintenance; enhancing consumer protection; improving access to ATM services in both urban and rural areas; and aligning ATM operations with global best practices and regulatory expectations.

The guidelines apply to a wide range of stakeholders, including Deposit Money Banks, Independent ATM Deployers, Card Schemes, Payment Service Providers, and the general banking public.

Enhanced Consumer Protection Measures

The draft guidelines lay out detailed operational requirements for ATM deployers, focusing heavily on consumer safety, transparency, fraud prevention, and service availability.

ATM deployers are required to ensure that every ATM is equipped with surveillance cameras that capture and record all activities around the machine. These cameras must capture events such as card insertion, transaction selection, and cash withdrawal, while strictly avoiding the recording of customers’ keystrokes for privacy reasons. Where such cameras are installed, they must be concealed to prevent tampering or removal.

ATMs must be located in areas that guarantee user safety and transaction confidentiality. Those placed outside buildings must be securely bolted and surrounded by protective structures to prevent unauthorised removal. Additionally, ATMs must be equipped with anti-skimming devices to combat fraudulent activities, and network connections used in ATM transactions must ensure data confidentiality and integrity.

Operational Standards and Availability

To ensure continuous service delivery, ATM deployers are required to minimise ATM downtime. Any technical faults must be resolved within 72 consecutive hours, and if not, customers must be adequately informed of the reason for the outage. ATM terminals must also display functional helpdesk contact information, including at least one dedicated and constantly monitored telephone line for reporting faults.

Moreover, the guidelines emphasise the importance of transparency in customer charges. All fees and charges associated with ATM transactions must be fully disclosed, and receipts must be issued upon request for every transaction, excluding balance inquiries. These receipts must clearly show transaction details such as the amount withdrawn or deposited, the terminal ID, and the time and date of the transaction. Screen displays and printed receipts must also be legible.

ATM machines must be regularly monitored and maintained to ensure proper functionality. This includes ensuring that cash is always available, unfit currency notes are not loaded into machines, and the ATM vault is replenished frequently to prevent cash-out situations. The deployers must also maintain online monitoring systems to track cash levels in ATM vaults and to detect the causes of failed transactions.

Security Protocols and Customer Support

The guidelines require ATM keys to be changed at least once a year, and the same keys must not be used across multiple machines. ATM acquirers must also have mechanisms to automatically initiate refunds for failed or partial dispenses without requiring the affected customer or issuing bank to raise a complaint. This measure aims to ensure that customers receive timely redress for service failures.

Furthermore, to prevent the unauthorised use of customer cards and data, ATMs must be configured to issue cash before returning the card. This setup helps reduce the likelihood of customers forgetting their cash. Acquirers are also required to disable the cash-retract function and clearly display this change on the machine or screen.

Additional requirements include the provision of paper disposal bins at ATM sites, the availability of backup power systems (inverters) to ensure uninterrupted service, and the inclusion of PIN change functionality at no cost to customers.

ATM deployers are also mandated to conduct frequent physical inspections of their machines, maintain detailed records of ATM maintenance, and ensure that both the ATMs and the cash they contain are insured. Importantly, deployers must maintain a register of all their ATMs in the country, detailing each unit’s location, identification, and serial number.

Public Participation Invited

The Central Bank has opened the draft guidelines for stakeholder input and encourages all relevant parties including banks, independent deployers, service providers, and the general public to provide comments and suggestions. Feedback should be addressed to the director of the Payments System Policy Department at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

With these guidelines, the CBN aims to improve ATM service delivery across the country, boost consumer confidence in electronic banking services, a1nd reduce the rate of transaction failures and customer complaints.

Let’s be honest, not many people have wardrobes that never runs dry, and wearing the same outfit twice is not the scandal people make it out to be. The real trick lies in disguise: how you rewear what you already own in a way that looks fresh. Changing the context, adding small twists, or shifting the overall presentation can make a familiar outfit feel entirely new.

No matter the event, these tips will help you repeat clothes without anyone noticing.

Play with layering

Layering is fashion’s easiest disguise, it is about reinventing what you already own. Throw a crisp shirt under a sleeveless dress or throw a corset over a shirt you have worn before. Layers create depth, shift proportions, and make even the simplest piece look like something new. If done right, you could wear the same base outfit three times in one week and no one would notice.

Swap accessories

Accessories are the easiest way to transform an outfit’s mood. A neutral dress with gold hoops and heels says ‘evening,’ but the same dress with trainers and a tote bag says ‘weekend.’ Switch your jewellery, bag, or shoes, and suddenly it looks like you have put together something new. The secret is contrast, if you went bold the first time, go minimal the next.

Rework with outerwear

A jacket can change everything. Throw on a structured blazer to sharpen your look or a kimono for something relaxed and easy. Even a simple denim or leather jacket can disguise a repeat outfit instantly. The trick is to let the outerwear become the new talking point, it draws attention while the base outfit quietly does its job underneath.

Tuck, tie, or roll

Sometimes, all an outfit needs is a small tweak. Tie your shirt at the waist instead of tucking it in, roll up your sleeves, or half-tuck a blouse for a looser, lived-in look. These little adjustments shift proportions and make a familiar outfit feel fresh without spending a naira.

Change your hairstyle and makeup

When you repeat clothes, let your hair and makeup tell a new story. A ponytail and red lipstick will make the same outfit look different from when you wore it with curls and nude tones. People notice your overall appearance first, so if your face and hair feel new, they are less likely to notice you have worn that top before.

Mix it up on camera

If your concern is social media, play with angles, lighting, and backgrounds. Take your outfit photo indoors the first time, and outdoors the next. A mirror selfie looks different from a street-style shot.

As Nigeria pushes for economic reforms, experts have called on the government and private sector to prioritise the development of botany, stressing the nation’s rich plant biodiversity holds potential for economic growth, scientific innovation, and global competitiveness.

Specialists, and professors at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Botany@60, organised by the department of Botany, faculty of Life Sciences, have advocated that Nigeria must be intentional about embracing the potential of botany or be limited in its economic, scientific, and social advancements.

Oluwarotimi Fashola, special adviser to the Lagos State governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, in his keynote address titled, ‘Botany the Cradle of Crop Production, Opportunities and Challenges: The Rice Value Chain’ on Thursday, October 9, said that the country can either embrace the potential that botany offers or remain tethered to outdated systems that limit our growth.

‘Nigeria stands today at a crossroad. We can either embrace the potential that botany offers or remain tethered to outdated systems that limit our growth,’ he said.

Fashola emphasised that botany is a dynamic field that touches every sector of the society; hence, the country must be deliberate in harnessing its potential.

He explained that over two percent of the GDP of Netherlands is tied to botany-related activity, such as agriculture, vegetable farming, food farming, greenhouse, innovation, and agrotech, among others.

Similarly, he said that in India, centuries of deep botanical knowledge have led to global breakthroughs in plant-based medicine and wellness.

This, he stressed, is a good model for the country to emulate and grow its economy and become globally competitive.

He commended UNILAG for maintaining a biological garden, especially with the department of botany.

‘This should be more than just a green space. It must be a national treasure and a global opportunity. But it cannot reach its full potential without deliberate investment,’ he noted.

Fashola advocated for the establishment of a robust public-private partnership that will involve NGOs, companies, government agencies, and community stakeholders to transform the UNILAG’s biological garden into a reference of excellence, a place not only for research but for recreation, learning, and healing, among others.

In the same vein, Dele Olowokudejo, chairman of the anniversary event, reiterated that food security is a social security, stressing the need to preserve the plants.

‘The issue of sustainable living is central to other beings on earth. The science of conservation is key. We owe it a duty to look after other organisms,’ he said.

He maintained that human health and economic development is tied to how well a country optimises and invests in the development of botany potential, which he said, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of many of the botanic beings, though they exist there.

Peter Adeonipekun, head of the Department of Botany at UNILAG, said the department has come a long way and proven its worth in teaching, research, innovation and community services.

‘The University of Lagos, Department of Botany stands out with the number of sub-disciplines of botany in operation, apart from academic excellence, it is noted for.

The department has capabilities in plant taxonomy and biosystematics, molecular biology, mycology, plant pathology, algology, palynology, paleoecology, biostratigraphy , aerobiology, ethnobotany, plant histology, plant ecology, plant anatomy, plant conservation , and plant biotechnology,’ he said.

Besides, he said the UNILAG’s Department of Botany, has served as one of the best-rated centres for plant authentication, and voucher preservation in the world.

Ganiyu Oyetibo, dean, Faculty of Life Sciences at UNILAG urged the Lagos State government to provide the department with enough land to facilitate the students research and hand-on learning experiences.

He assured the state that the Botany Department will upscale the quality of the Eko Rice if given the opportunity through the needed partnership.

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the immediate past vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos and other past lecturers and alumni of the department grace the occasion.

The event also featured the launching of the anniversary project, ‘UNILAG Bioconservation Centre’, and awards.

Your professional background is unique, combining high-level business strategy with rigorous legal expertise. What foundational philosophy drives your integrated approach to business development?

My philosophy is rooted in one conviction: viability must precede visibility. We have so many brilliant concepts, but few are built on the necessary legal and corporate infrastructure to generate sustained economic outcomes. My approach, proven with Zinn Arts Gallery, involves treating every entrepreneur as the founder of an enterprise, regardless of industry. This means implementing sound corporate structure, securing legal compliance, and establishing frameworks that protect and monetise intellectual capital from day one. This systemic foundation is what transforms passion into a predictable, scalable business.

Your specialisation is often defined by corporate structuring and legal foresight. When advising early-stage ventures, what are the first essential steps you take to ensure they are investment-ready?

The immediate priority is to de-risk the venture. This involves two essential components: First, corporate structuring. We ensure the legal entity is correctly established for scalability, investment, and cross-border operations. An improper structure can halt capital infusion instantly. Second, IP diligence. We perform comprehensive audits to confirm clear ownership of all assets: trademarks, copyrights, and proprietary methods. Investors require certainty that what they are funding is legally defensible. By proactively managing these areas, we shift the venture’s perception from a high-risk startup to an attractive, well-governed business.

As someone with a comprehensive understanding of global commercial regulations, how does that perspective directly influence your strategies for the international market development of a business?

My perspective provides a crucial vantage point: I see creative and technology-driven businesses as global commerce not as separate local markets. Art, innovation, and business are part of an interconnected trade system shaped by policy, regulation, and market behaviour. This means that when we design a market development framework, we go beyond local demand. We proactively analyse export potential, anticipate compliance with foreign licensing regulations, and build the corporate architecture required for cross-border distribution. Every strategic decision, from vendor contracts to collaborations, is designed to maximise global market sustainability and mitigate international legal exposure from the outset.

You founded Zinn Arts Gallery as a successful model for sustainable business. How has that experience prepared you for your next chapter?

Zinn Arts Gallery was, in essence, my proving ground. It allowed me to research, develop, and implement the precise legal and entrepreneurial frameworks needed to take creative output and commercialise it successfully. My work at May 19 LLC (my new U.S.-based venture) will not represent a career shift, but rather a direct extension of this established path. The foundation is the same: applying entrepreneurial innovation, strategic IP management, and cultural leadership to businesses seeking measurable industry impact, now scaled for the highly competitive U.S. and global technology venture markets.

Tell us more about May 19 LLC. What is its core value proposition, and how does it leverage technology to drive creative growth globally?

May 19 LLC is designed to be a strategic consulting and digital platform, focusing squarely on scaling and commercialisation. Its value proposition is integrating legal structure and technology. We utilise technology, including AI, to match a venture’s intellectual property with the right markets and potential investors. Furthermore, the platform offers resources focused on business education, mentorship, and structured revenue strategies, such as subscription fees and transaction-based models, to ensure founders can diversify and stabilise their income streams. Our aim is to provide the Founder’s Blueprint for going from concept to sustainable, global business.

Intellectual property is a cornerstone of your work. How do you help clients leverage their IP to attract investment and expand market access, beyond mere registration?

IP registration is just the first step; strategic IP management is where the value lies. We guide artists, creatives, and other clients through turning their intellectual property into a transferable business asset. This means developing strong licensing systems and contract frameworks that allow them to generate passive revenue streams. When we approach an investor, we present the IP not as a cost, but as a quantifiable, defensible asset that guarantees market exclusivity, significantly increasing the valuation and commercial credibility of the business.

As a dual-licensed attorney, what unique advantages do you bring to early-stage businesses?

The dual-licensing capability is important for any business with international ambitions. I provide an integrated legal and commercial perspective that can simultaneously structure an entity for global compliance and simultaneously negotiate international business transactions, avoiding legal conflicts that often arise from mismatched contracts or regional regulatory hurdles. This integrated legal foresight is essential for any startup or enterprise aiming for international market development and long-term success.

Your vision includes scaling ventures and mentoring entrepreneurs globally. What is the expected impact of this work on the global economy and innovation sector?

My specialisation directly addresses a structural need: equipping talented entrepreneurs, especially those scaling innovative concepts, with the necessary legal and corporate tools to succeed. The work through May 19 LLC is expected to stimulate innovation by attracting high-potential international and domestic enterprises, creating jobs (including for web developers, marketers, and skilled strategists), and adding new, commercially viable businesses to the global economy. This accelerates the rate at which creative and tech-driven ideas transition from ideation to commercial success.

In your experience, what metrics are most indicative of the long-term commercial viability of a business?

Beyond gross revenue, which can be misleading, I prioritise three core metrics. First, The Commercialisation Rate: How quickly and effectively is the business converting new IP into revenue-generating products or licenses? Second, The Margin of Defensibility: This is a qualitative assessment of the strength of their legal and IP protections. How easily can they be replicated or challenged? Third, Repeat Market Engagement: Do the business models support recurring revenue (subscriptions, renewed licensing) that demonstrates market sustainability, rather than relying solely on one-off sales?

What is your long-term vision for the field of business creation, and how will your work through Zinn Arts Gallery and May 19 LLC lead this evolution?

My long-term vision is to democratise sophisticated business structure. I see a future where high-potential creative entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, have immediate access to the legal strategy and technology required for global scaling. Through Zinn Arts Gallery and May 19 LLC, we are building the definitive Founder’s Blueprint to achieve this. Our work is the strategic application of knowledge, proving that with the right corporate structure and IP defense, any innovative concept can evolve into a significant global business.

The Nigerian Army has cautioned the general public against relying on unverified sources for information about its operations, following doctored images and misleading posts continue to flood digital platforms.

In a statement released on Friday, Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, emphasised that only the Army’s official social media channels should be regarded as authentic sources for updates and announcements.

According to Anele, the proliferation of misinformation poses serious risks to national security and public trust, especially when false narratives about military activities are circulated online without verification.

She said such acts can fuel panic, distort facts, and undermine the morale of troops deployed across the country.

‘The Nigerian Army urges the media and the public to confirm any report concerning its operations through our verified social media handles. This will ensure the dissemination of accurate, credible, and timely information,’ the statement read.

The official social media platforms of the Nigerian Army include: X (Twitter): @NigeriaArmyInfo and @HQNigerianArmy; Instagram: @NigerianArmyInfo and @HQNigerianArmy; Facebook: NigerianArmyInfo and HQNigerianArmy ,and YouTube: NigerianArmyInfoTV

It appealed to journalists and citizens to follow and amplify content from these verified channels as a collective effort to combat fake news and strengthen public understanding of the Army’s true engagements and contributions.

The statement added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to transparency and open communication with the media, noting that responsible reporting and digital literacy are vital in countering the influence of disinformation campaigns targeted at national institutions.

What does this 60th anniversary mean to you, and how do you reflect on Academy Press’s journey since its founding in 1965?

Sixty years is a milestone of celebration-and of gratitude. We thank God for surviving and still standing strong. We owe thanks to stakeholders, staff, loved ones-everyone who has contributed. The journey has included challenges and triumphs. Though there were many hurdles, there have also been accomplishments and milestones year by year. We remember those who had the initial vision, who laid firm foundations upon which others, like myself, have built.

What foundations did the founding fathers establish, and how have these influenced the values, culture, and evolution of Academy Press?

Our founders shared a rare mindset. They were not driven by personal wealth, but by a conviction to benefit society and to build an organisation of repute. They envisaged a printing company of world-class standard, not merely local.

That vision shaped everything: our values of quality, integrity, resilience; our culture of international competitiveness; and our refusal to limit ourselves to the local scene. These traits remain central to who we are, even now.

Looking back, what do you consider the most significant achievements of Academy Press in its growth and standing in the industry?

We have consistently maintained printing excellence; our quality and products speak for us. Turning points have included the landmark anniversaries-25, 40, 50, and now 60-each marking visible growth and endurance when many competitors have not lasted.

Financially, our turnover has grown from modest beginnings to well in excess of ?4 billion since 2006. Technologically, we began with one or two machines, many obsolete now; today we continuously modernise, acquiring some of the first equipment of its kind in Africa or Nigeria. Our staff are trained to high standards; many alumni of Academy Press have gone on to lead in other organisations. This institutional strength is a core differentiator.

As customer expectations, market demands, and technology shift, how has Academy Press adapted to stay competitive and forward-looking?

To remain world-class, we must keep pace with change. Whenever new technologies emerge, we adopt them quickly-often we lead in introducing innovations and designs we have observed internationally. We also anticipate customer preferences. Loyalty comes when clients see we are not merely responsive but proactive. By doing so, we ensure our service remains relevant and of high value.

What sets Academy Press apart in Nigeria’s printing sector, and how do you envision the company over the next five to ten years?

We are distinct in our capacity and scale. We manage both low-volume and very high-volume projects-from daily jobs to massive orders like examinations, census materials, or large educational contracts. We handle orders other presses cannot. Looking ahead, we’ll continue investing in equipment, expanding capacity, and deepening partnerships-especially with educational publishers. We want clients who go abroad for printing to know they can get equal or better quality here. Our strategy is modernisation, local capacity building, and maintaining international-standard delivery.

What key challenges does the printing and publishing sector currently face, and how is Academy Press positioned to address them?

The challenges are many:

Dependency on imports: Raw materials (paper, inks), equipment, and spare parts are often not locally produced, so we face forex volatility and supply-chain issues.

Tariffs and competition: Input materials are taxed, while finished imported books often aren’t, giving foreign competitors a price advantage.

Skill gaps: Practical, industry-specific training is scarce, so we invest in in-house training and send staff abroad to fill those gaps.

To address these, we built internal engineering capability for maintenance and fabrication, upgraded machinery, trained personnel rigorously, and adjusted margins where possible to remain competitive. Although the environment is challenging, we continually strive to find sustainable solutions.

How has innovation been integrated into operations, and what impact has it had on performance and customer satisfaction?

Innovation is embedded in how we work. We continually monitor global trends, adopt new technologies, and modernize our processes. This has led to:

Improved quality control at all levels

Faster turnaround times

Enhanced product offerings

Stronger customer trust and loyalty

Our readiness to change when change is needed has kept us relevant, efficient, and appreciated by our clients.

You’ve said innovation is key to longevity. How has Academy Press integrated innovation into its operations, and what impact has this had on performance and customer satisfaction?

At Academy Press, innovation is not a buzzword-it’s a necessity. We actively seek out new ideas and global trends to introduce to our customers. Whether it’s digital or technological innovation, we continuously modernise to stay ahead.

We don’t wait for change; we drive it. Our internal mantra is: ‘Innovate and elevate.’ This mindset ensures we remain relevant, competitive, and aligned with our customers’ evolving expectations. It also enhances customer satisfaction because they know we’re proactive, not reactive, in delivering quality solutions.

Culture plays a crucial role in sustainability. What kind of culture exists at Academy Press, and how does it support talent development and employment? Our culture is deeply rooted in strong core values: quality, trust, resilience, and integrity.

These are not just ideals-they guide everything we do.

Quality is non-negotiable. If a product doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t reach the customer-regardless of cost implications. We build systems that prevent quality issues from occurring in the first place.

Trust is vital, both internally and externally. Our staff understand that customer satisfaction is our top priority. Every employee aligns with our core values and knows their role in upholding them.

We also invest in people. We have internal training systems and development pathways to equip our staff with the skills needed in a modern printing environment. That commitment to human capital ensures we don’t just retain talent-we grow it.

As Academy Press celebrates 60 years, what message do you have for stakeholders-employees, clients, shareholders, and partners?

The message is simple: gratitude.We are deeply thankful to our staff, customers, shareholders, vendors, regulators, financiers-everyone who has supported us over these six decades. They’ve made this milestone possible. We also ask for their continued support as we enter a new phase. We promise to keep delivering quality products, fulfilling our commitments to government and partners, and ensuring competitive returns for shareholders. We see this as a partnership, and we intend to uphold our part of that relationship.

What are the most exciting upcoming projects or partnerships that Academy Press is exploring as part of its future strategy? What should stakeholders look forward to?

At Academy Press, we refer to our customers not just as clients but as partners-and that includes the broader society who consume our products. These relationships are central to our strategy moving forward.

We have a number of investment-driven projects in the pipeline, and we plan to deepen our partnerships across various sectors to bring these to fruition. Our commitment remains steadfast: to deliver quality service and protect the interests of our stakeholders-not only for our benefit, but for theirs as well. Our various diversification agenda in backward integration for input materials will be a game changer. More importantly is the expansion of our light packaging and label line to become full fledge venture. Our customers will have a one stop shop for their printing and packaging needs as a consequence.

For our financiers and banking partners, we greatly value the confidence they’ve placed in us, and we are committed to preserving that trust as we expand. We’re counting on their continued support for our upcoming projects.

A key area of focus is in educational publishing, particularly in the printing of evaluation books and textbooks for schools. We are encouraging publishers, especially those who currently print abroad, to place their confidence in us. We want them to know that Academy Press has the capacity, expertise, and quality standards to match-and even exceed-what is available internationally.

We are also committed to continual modernisation and capacity building, and we actively keep our partners informed about these upgrades. This transparency helps them see firsthand that partnering with us is not only viable but beneficial for their long-term goals.

Our vision for the future is a stronger, more self-reliant printing industry in Nigeria-and we are proud to be at the forefront of that transformation.

I was not born independent. I came after four boys, so while my mother finally got her dream of pretty dresses and pink bows, my earliest memories tell a different story. On one hand, I was the apple of my father’s eye; on the other, I was constantly being shooed away from ‘serious’ play.

‘This is boys’ business! Do you see any girls here? My fren, come on, leave here!’

This exclusion from play made me very determined to show that I was just as capable – climbing the same trees, playing the same games, getting interested in the same things. I drew the line at making kites with eba, though, because what?

This stubborn streak has followed me all my life. It’s not born out of rebellion or ideology; it’s just actually never occurred to me that there were things I couldn’t do. I’ll happily stand alone, work alone, live alone, eat alone, or navigate a challenge alone if that’s what it takes to reach a goal. It may not be my preference, but it’s never hindered me either.

And it has served me well. I’ve moved countries more than once, travelled and seen something of the world, made extraordinary friends, and stepped into roles I once thought were beyond me. But the more I did on my own, the more I realised that I didn’t actually want to do it alone.

And, if I’m being honest, I never truly have. Some of the most rewarding opportunities, positions and roles in my life came through people who spoke my name in rooms I hadn’t yet entered. I have a neighbour who has saved my life more times than I can count. From jumpstarting my car to fixing leaky taps or putting up shelves.

I have fallen seven times, and people have picked me up eight.

This October, as Nigeria marked 65 years of independence, I found myself reflecting on what that word – independence – really means.

Independence isn’t isolation. It’s freedom from anything that seeks to stifle, diminish or chain you. Independence is about self-determination with connection. Growth with community. Freedom with responsibility.

We can’t truly call ourselves independent if we’re disconnected from one another. Our progress, like our country’s, depends on collaboration – on learning from those who came before us, on uplifting those coming behind, and on understanding that no one builds alone.

So maybe this Independence season, your task – and mine – is to redefine what ‘freedom’ looks like in real life.

Maybe it’s asking for help where you’ve been trying to ‘handle it’ all alone.

Maybe it’s mentoring someone who reminds you of your younger self.

Or maybe it’s simply taking stock of the quiet army of people, seen and unseen, who help you stand tall every day.

Because independence, in its truest form, doesn’t mean doing it all alone. It means choosing your path freely, while recognising that every step is steadied by others.

I am independent, yes, but I am covered. Covered by the love of friends, the wisdom of mentors, the generosity of sponsors, and the support of acquaintances and allies.