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Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of building a Nigeria that works only for those in government, urging voters to remove the ruling political establishment in the 2027 general election.

Makinde, who spoke on Tuesday at the APM presidential campaign rally in Jos, Plateau State, said the country needed a change in leadership, insisting that Nigerians had yet to experience the improved living conditions promised by the Federal Government following the removal of petrol subsidy.

He accused the Tinubu administration of adopting policy ideas similar to those contained in his party’s Reset Nigeria agenda, but questioned what the government had achieved in its three years in office.

‘When we unveiled our RESET Agenda, I said in Abuja that they would soon start stealing our ideas. Now they have started. They say theirs is ‘Reform to Prosperity’. They now say they want a Nigeria that will work for everybody. What have they been doing over the past three years?’ Makinde asked.

‘They have built a Nigeria that works only for them. Send the oppressors packing. Send them back to Lagos, and let us bring in the team that will reset Nigeria.’

The governor urged supporters to take the party’s campaign message to their respective polling units, arguing that electoral victories were secured through grassroots mobilisation.

‘Please, go back to your various units and spread the RESET message. Elections are won at the unit level. Go back to your units with the RESET message. If Nigeria is not working for you, then let us reset it,’ he said.

‘When we reset Nigeria, we will have a country that works for everybody.’

Makinde also linked improved security in Plateau State to the state’s potential to develop its tourism industry, create jobs and expand its economy.

He said the state’s relatively cool evening weather and natural attractions could make it a destination for tourists if the security challenges confronting the area were addressed.

‘I would have preferred this rally to have been held in the evening because, since I arrived, I have enjoyed the cool weather in Jos every evening. This tells us that if we get security right, people will come to Plateau State for tourism,’ he said.

‘Security is a major pillar of the RESET Agenda. Once we start attracting tourists, our economy on the Plateau will expand, and we will create jobs for our teeming youths.’

He urged Nigerians to support his presidential ambition, saying his objective was to build a country that would work for the present and future generations.

‘So, join me in building a Nigeria that will work for you, work for me and work for our children,’ he said.

Earlier, Yusuf Dantelle, national chairman of the APM, described the party’s presidential campaign as a rescue mission, questioning the economic benefits Nigerians had received from the removal of petrol subsidy.

Dantelle said the Federal Government had justified the removal of subsidy on the grounds that the policy would improve Nigerians’ living conditions, but argued that households were yet to experience the promised relief.

‘Subsidy has been withdrawn, according to the Federal Government, for one purpose: to give Nigerians a better life. But are we better off after that? We are paying through our noses. Food is not available. We cannot go to our farms. We cannot do anything,’ he said.

He attributed the difficulties facing Nigerians to rising living costs and insecurity, which he said had also affected agricultural activities and the ability of farmers to access their farmlands.

Describing the APM as an alternative political platform, Dantelle urged supporters to mobilise voters and communicate the party’s message across their communities.

‘We are here on a rescue mission, all of us. When you go back home, talk to somebody, who will talk to another person, and spread the message that there is a new party composed of people who fear God and have made a covenant with the people to ensure that what belongs to them is equitably returned to them. And that is the APM,’ he said.

He said the party was committed to operating within the provisions of the Constitution and delivering what he described as equitable governance.

‘We are not here to lie to you or deceive you. We are here as messengers of God and humane people who work within the confines of the Constitution, provided by all of us for all of us. And that is what democracy stands for,’ Dantelle added.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Council, has directed its affiliate unions to commence a three-day sympathy strike in support of Local Government workers over the continued withholding of statutory allocations to councils in the State.

In a statement jointly signed by Christopher Arapasopo, State Chairperson of the NLC and Victor Amusan, Secretary, the Congress said the industrial action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government and the Osun State Government by the labour movement to resolve the dispute over local government funds.

They said the issues raised in the ultimatum remains unresolved despite the expiration of the deadline.

The statement partly read, ‘Following the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government and Osun State Government over the continued withholding of Local Government statutory allocations, the Congress regrets to inform all affiliate unions that the issues raised remain unresolved.

‘Consequently, having exhausted all reasonable avenues and in accordance with the resolutions reached at the emergency meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) held on Wednesday, 28th October, 2026, ALL AFFILIATE UNIONS OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC), OSUN STATE COUNCIL, ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO PROCEED ON THE THREE-DAY SYMPATHY STRIKE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE NIGERIA UNION

OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (NULGE), OSUN STATE COUNCIL.

‘Accordingly, all affiliate unions are directed to immediately communicate this directive in writing to their members and ensure total and full compliance across all workplaces.

‘Any union found deliberately working against or undermining this directive shall face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the provisions of the Congress. All unions are enjoined to demonstrate maximum solidarity, unity and commitment to the collective struggle for the protection of workers’ rights and welfare.

‘We must emphasise that an injury to one is an injury to all. The continued hardship confronting our comrades in NULGE is a collective concern of the entire labour movement, and our response must reflect our shared commitment to workers’ rights, dignity, welfare and economic security.’

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a major shake-up of its senior leadership, with fresh postings and appointments across operational commands, Service Headquarters, defence institutions and strategic security establishments to strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance institutional capacity.

The exercise, approved by Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), on Saturday, takes effect this month and involves the redeployment of several Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) to key command and leadership positions.

The appointments cover operational commands, intelligence, training, logistics, aircraft engineering, military strategy, space operations and other critical areas of the armed forces, in what the Air Force described as a strategic effort to align professional experience with its evolving operational and institutional priorities.

Under the new arrangement, NI Ilo (AVM) has been appointed Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, while BR Mamman (AVM) takes over as AOC, Mobility Command.

Other operational command appointments include OS Ogunsina (AVM) as AOC, Logistics Command; MN Onyebashi (AVM) as AOC, Special Operations Command; and AVM FCS Nwakara as AOC, Ground Training Command.

The changes also extend to the leadership of the Air Force’s operational support structures, with JI Ukeh (AVM) appointed Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps.

At the Service Headquarters, several senior officers have been assigned responsibilities covering operations, intelligence, training, transformation, communications and aircraft engineering.

AVM NN Ananaba has been appointed Chief of Operations, while AVM PN Amadi becomes Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM AK Ademuwagun takes over as Chief of Transformation and Innovation, and AVM EE Efiom has been named Chief of Training.

Other appointments include AVM IV Ajiboye as Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation; AH Bakari as Air Provost Marshal; MS Ibrahim as Chairman, Air Expo and International Liaison; and AG Kehinde as Chief of Civil-Military Relations.

AVM MA Sulaiman has been appointed Chief of Communications and Information Systems, while S Peters becomes Coordinator of the Project Implementation Team. AJ Laoye has also been appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering.

In other institutional appointments at the Service Headquarters, AVMs AY Dari becomes General Manager of the Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited Group of Companies, while NS Okoro has been appointed Director-General of the AFRDI.

The leadership restructuring also affects the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), where several Air Force officers have been assigned strategic responsibilities in joint military operations, intelligence, defence planning and military doctrine.

AVMs UK Abdullahi has been appointed Director of Defence Operations at the DHQ, while EOE Ebiowe moves to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as Deputy Coordinator, National Intelligence.

At the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), AVMs DDG Pwajok has been appointed Director of Technical Services, while I Sani becomes Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Other appointments at the Defence Headquarters include AVMs AA Shinkafi as Director of Liaison; AO Shogbamu as Director of Military Strategy; RK Olanrewaju as Director of Search and Rescue; and J Usman as Director of Special Duties.

AVMs JJ Ijudigal has been appointed Director of Sports, while ZA Usman becomes Director of Cyber Operations. EK Gabkwet takes over as Director of Civil-Military Relations, and GAA Bello has been named Director of Joint Warfare Doctrine.

The Defence Space Administration (DSA) is also affected by the changes, with AVM AA Suleh appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration.

AVMs OA Oyename becomes Director of Earth Observation, while SS Lazarus has been appointed Director of Launch Vehicles and Space Operations.

Similarly, AVMs OT Salami has been posted to the Defence Space Command Centre as Deputy Chief, while AI Hanidu moves to the Air Power Centre of Excellence (APCOE) as Director of Integrated Air Power Studies.

Other appointments at the centre include AVMs OF Akinboyewa as Deputy Director-General and MM Omar as Director of Museum and Hall of Fame.

At Defence Health Care Limited, DO Dickson (AVM) has been appointed General Manager, Operations.

The Air Force also announced changes across its administrative, technical and policy departments at the Service Headquarters.

Under the new arrangement, AVMs AK Famuyiwa becomes Director of Coordination and Cooperation; AVM AK Bello, Director of Armament; YA Katabiya, Director of Logistics; and AVM EO Ashiegbu, Director of Policy.

Others are AVM GA Mbaka as Director of Aircraft Engineering; AVMs AL Dakwat as Director of Research and Development; SO Eyekosi as Director of Plans; and AG Akinyimika as Director of Personnel Management.

The redeployment further covers operational command staff positions, with AVMs OA Abu appointed Chief of Staff, Mobility Command; I Subi, Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command; and NB Folaji, Chief of Staff, Tactical Air Command.

AVM F Ekpah has been appointed Chief of Staff, Ground Training Command, while AVMs ES Odekina becomes Chief of Staff, Logistics Command. M Umar has also been named Chief of Staff, Air Training Command.

In the ongoing military operations against insurgency and other security threats in the North-East, GI Jibia (AVM) has been appointed Deputy Force Commander, Operation HADIN KAI.

The Air Force also announced changes in the leadership of some of its technical and commercial establishments, with CE Akubue (AVM) appointed Managing Director of Aircraft Engineering and Technical Services Limited (AETSL).

AVM CE Akpa has been appointed Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp.

The latest exercise also affects the leadership of military training and professional development institutions, including the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre and various Air Force training establishments.

AVMs PB Philips has been appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, while MC Ekwueme becomes Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre.

At the Air Force War College, AVMs AO Akinbunwa has been appointed Commandant, while A Idris becomes Commandant of the Air Warfare Doctrine Centre.

Other appointments include AVM JA Ekwuribe as Commandant, Regiment Training Centre; AVM OC Ubadike as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; and AVM AI Sambo as Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.

AVM M Yusuf has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Additional professional military education appointments include AVMs SA Eyoma as Deputy Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology; FO Ankeli as Commandant, Air Traffic Services Training Centre; and U Ariahu as Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Air Force College of Logistics and Management.

The Air Force said the leadership realignment was intended to promote continuous leadership renewal, strengthen institutional accountability and improve operational effectiveness across its formations and establishments.

According to the Service, the appointments reflect the need to match leadership competencies and professional experience with its changing operational requirements and institutional priorities.

Aneke expressed confidence that the newly appointed officers would deploy their professional competence and wealth of experience to advance his command philosophy and strengthen the Air Force’s capacity to deliver decisive airpower effects in support of joint military operations and national security objectives.

All affected officers have been directed to assume their new responsibilities and complete the necessary handover and takeover formalities on or before November 13, 2026.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

Four Pulley Limited, a leading Nigerian out-of-home media company, has joined the National Advertising Conference (NAC) 2026 as a Platinum Partner, further strengthening the growing industry support for the conference scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 11 to 13, 2026.

The partnership brings together two organisations committed to advancing innovation, collaboration and growth within Nigeria’s marketing communications industry, at a time when technology, artificial intelligence, data, digital media and changing consumer behaviour are rapidly reshaping the sector.

The 2026 edition of the National Advertising Conference, themed ‘Repositioning the Marketing Communications Industry for the Next Frontier,’ is expected to provide a platform for advertising and marketing communications professionals, brands, media organisations, regulators, technology companies, government, academia and other stakeholders to examine emerging opportunities and challenges confronting the industry.

Commenting on the partnership, Lanre Ashaolu, CEO, FPL Media, said Four Pulley Limited was pleased to support a platform that encourages the industry to think beyond its current realities and prepare for what lies ahead.

‘We are delighted to support the National Advertising Conference 2026 as a Platinum Partner. The marketing communications industry is at an important point of transformation, and platforms such as NAC provide an opportunity for the industry to collectively examine where we are going and how we can prepare for the opportunities ahead.’

Ashaolu added that the company was looking forward to contributing to conversations that would help shape a more innovative and future-ready industry.

‘We are proud to support this important conversation and look forward to contributing to the success of NAC 2026. As the industry evolves, collaboration, innovation and the willingness to embrace new possibilities will be critical to creating sustainable value for brands, businesses and audiences.’

Also speaking on the partnership, Mr U.J. Bassey, Head of the Marketing Committee, welcomed Four Pulley Limited to the conference’s growing network of partners, describing the collaboration as an important demonstration of the value of industry cooperation.

‘We are pleased to welcome Four Pulley Limited as a Platinum Partner of NAC 2026. Their support reinforces the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders in building a stronger and more future-ready marketing communications ecosystem,’ Bassey said.

He added that the next phase of growth for the industry would require fresh thinking and stronger partnerships among stakeholders.

‘The next frontier requires new thinking, strategic partnerships and a willingness to embrace change, and we are delighted to have Four Pulley Limited join us on this journey,’ he said.

NAC 2026 will feature keynote presentations, fireside conversations, high-level industry panels, workshops, exhibitions and networking sessions designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, business connections and collaboration among participants.

The conference is expected to focus on some of the major forces redefining marketing communications, including artificial intelligence, data, digital media, evolving consumer behaviour, technology and emerging business models.

The partnership with Four Pulley Limited adds to the ecosystem of organisations supporting the conference and its ambition to move the industry beyond conversations about change towards actively shaping its future.

Four Pulley Limited is a Nigerian out-of-home media company that connects brands with audiences through creative, strategic and impactful media solutions. Its partnership with NAC 2026 reflects its commitment to supporting dialogue, innovation and collaboration across Nigeria’s marketing communications ecosystem.

The National Advertising Conference is a leading platform for stakeholders across advertising, marketing, media, creative communications, technology, government, regulation and academia to examine industry trends, share knowledge and develop ideas capable of contributing to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s marketing communications sector.

The federal government is set to inaugurate the finished sections of two major railway projects in Northern Nigeria, the Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway and the Kano-Katsina-Maradi Railway, by December 3, 2026.

The Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway is a 205-kilometre rail line, while the Kano-Katsina-Maradi Railway is a 400-kilometre line expected to improve transportation, boost commercial activities, and strengthen regional connectivity.

In a statement issued by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the Kaduna-Kano railway project has reached 90 percent completion, with 190 kilometres of the Jaji-Kano section completed. The Kano-Katsina-Maradi project is 70 percent complete, with 250 kilometres of the Dawanu-Kano-Kazaure-Daura-Katsina section completed.

Alake said the Kaduna-Kano project, which connects Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano, is an extension of t He added that the administration inherited the Kano-Katsina-Maradi project at barely five per cent completion in 2023, while the Kaduna-Kano railway was less than 30 per cent completed.

‘The Kaduna-Kano railway would establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano, providing an alternative means of transportation along one of Northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors.

‘The projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s railway infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods across the country and beyond,’ the statement read.

A federal government inspection team led by Funso Adebiyi, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, assessed the progress of work on both projects and expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction work, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.

The inspection also featured a train test run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.

On outstanding issues affecting the project, Alake said the President had directed that all land acquisition and compensation matters within Kaduna metropolis be resolved immediately to facilitate the completion of the railway corridor from Abuja to Kano.

‘The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway, upon completion, would strengthen cross-border transportation and trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

‘When operational, the Kaduna-Kano railway will improve passenger transportation, facilitate commercial activities, and provide an alternative to road travel along one of Northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors,’ the statement said.

For some moviegoers, the conversation after watching The Perfect Spec has gone beyond finding the right person. Since the film opened in Nigerian cinemas on Friday, November 6, audiences have shared personal reflections, prayed together, and drawn parallels between its storyline and their own experiences of faith, relationships, and waiting on God.

One audience member, reflecting on her experience after a screening, described the film as ‘cute, light, easy to watch with a lasting impression’. She said it reminded her of what faith can accomplish when people choose obedience, trust God, and let Him lead, even when they do not understand His plans.

She also recalled five women seated beside her who prayed together after the screening, with three expressing their desire to receive the blessing they believed the film had affirmed.

The experience echoes responses from the film’s exclusive premiere, where 11 people reportedly reconnected with their faith in Jesus. These reactions suggest that the film’s reception extends beyond its romantic comedy appeal to the personal and spiritual conversations it has inspired.

Beyond the cinema: A story inspiring personal reflections

Such responses offer an early indication of the engagement The Perfect Spec is generating beyond the cinema screen. During its opening weekend, cast members and the production team visited cinema locations to meet audiences. Conversations have touched on personal experiences of heartbreak and singleness, marriage, discernment, faith and the challenge of surrendering personal expectations.

The film has also inspired an outpouring of support and generosity from people with no prior connection to the production.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Michelle Bello, The Perfect Spec follows Oye, a 32-year-old overachiever and self-proclaimed ‘Jesus Baby’ who, after another disappointing heartbreak, decides to give up on men.

However, when unexpected romantic possibilities and an unlikely intervention disrupt her carefully laid plans, Oye is forced to confront her expectations of love, her convictions and her understanding of God’s timing.

Written and produced by sibling duo Ololade Okedare and Ayobola Eniola, the film explores familiar questions about Christian dating and marriage through the accessible format of a romantic comedy.

Rather than treating faith as separate from the everyday complications of relationships, it places it within relatable experiences, including attraction, uncertainty, emotional disappointments, pressure to marry and the temptation to make life happen according to one’s own timetable.

Kinsman Studios’ vision: Making faith-based films relatable

For Kinsman Studios, the audience response affirms its creative ambition to make faith-based films that are not defined solely by religious themes but also by their ability to entertain, connect with audiences and tell recognisably human stories.

‘With The Perfect Spec, we wanted to tell a story that people could genuinely enjoy and see themselves in, while also creating room for deeper reflection,’ said Ololade Okedare, writer and producer.

‘Oye’s journey touches on something many people understand: the desire for love, the pressure of expectations and the difficulty of trusting God when life doesn’t follow the plan we’ve made for ourselves.

‘We’ve been so encouraged by the conversations the film is already inspiring. If people leave the cinema entertained but also thinking differently about their lives and their relationship with God, then we’ve achieved something meaningful.’

Fellow writer and producer Ayobola Eniola said there was room for faith-based films to achieve commercial success without compromising the convictions that inspire them.

‘We believe there’s room for faith-based films to be commercially entertaining without compromising the convictions that inspire them. The Perfect Spec is a romantic comedy first and foremost, but its message is one we believe everyone can take something from.

‘You don’t have to share Oye’s faith to recognise the questions she faces, understand her experiences or appreciate the wisdom in the story. We want as many people as possible to experience this film,’ Eniola said.

Star-studded cast brings the story to life

The movie stars Bamike ‘BamBam’ Olawunmi, Vine Olugu and Samuel ‘Limoblaze’ Onwubiko, alongside Segilola Ogidan, Seun Ajayi, Nonso Odogwu, Vera Ephraim, Shamz Garuba, Ifeanyi Kalu, Tolu Odewumi, Gbemi Akinlade and Fiyinfoluwa C.P. Okedare.

Executive producers Ajoke Silva and Soji Jacobs are attached to the project through their production banner, Lufodo Productions. Other executive producers include Tochukwu MACFOY (drfoy) and Ewoma Luther-Abegunde.

As The Perfect Spec moves beyond its opening weekend, audiences are being encouraged to see the film in cinemas nationwide and, for those who have already watched it, to bring someone else along.

The conversations may begin with love and relationships, but the film’s central question reaches further: what happens when people make room for God’s wisdom instead of insisting on their own plans?

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using security agencies, the judiciary and other state institutions to intimidate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that such alleged actions would not secure his re-election.

The council declared that Tinubu would lose the presidential election despite what it described as growing political violence, intimidation and manipulation of democratic institutions.

Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, made the position known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was deploying state institutions against opposition parties to retain power.

Ologbondiyan cited the killing of several members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, allegedly following an attack by suspected APC thugs on the party’s campaign venue.

He said the incident reflected a growing pattern of attacks on opposition members, particularly those of the ADC, NDC and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

‘This is not politics. This is state-sponsored terror against democracy,’ he said.

The ADC campaign council also questioned the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that its voter register database had been compromised and that APC sympathisers had been placed in sensitive positions within the commission.

It further accused security agencies of harassing, arresting and intimidating opposition members, expressing concern over the alleged involvement of a serving director of a security agency in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Describing the development as a breach of the law establishing the agency, Ologbondiyan said the alleged deployment of state institutions against political opponents showed that the government was more interested in retaining power than allowing a credible electoral contest.

When automotive startup Carbin Africa launched in 2023, its core mandate was simple yet ambitious: solve the ‘messy middle’ of car commerce by digitising inventory and sales processes for merchants and dealerships in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest automotive market.

By the end of 2024, the company recorded a billion naira in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), selling more than 80 cars. Its primary differentiator was an AI-powered data platform that provides real-time access to 1,800 unique car listings across local dealerships, refreshed every 30 minutes.

At the time, one could have concluded that the startup had proven product-market fit. The startup, run by co-founders Fawaz Abdul and Femi Oriowo, had been doing this business since 2015 at the University of Lagos. They had stints at OLX and Cars45. However, selling cars was just one part of the Carbin Africa story.

The Birth of Car Flex

Alongside its core marketplace, Carbin Africa launched a suite of complementary products: Dealer Mart (a SaaS tool automating inventory sourcing, listings, and quality verification for dealers), Carbin Lease, and its breakout star, Car Flex.

Launched to support dealerships navigating tough macroeconomic conditions under the post-2023 government reforms, Car Flex is an asset-backed credit facility. It offers businesses and individuals immediate liquidity-up to 60 percent of a vehicle’s appraised value-within two hours of passing verification checks.

Unlike traditional unsecured fintech loans, Car Flex is anchored strictly by physical collateral: the vehicle and its verified documentation. If the loan is repaid, the car is returned; if a default occurs, Carbin repossesses the vehicle to recover the principal and interest through resale.

The public response was overwhelming. Receiving roughly 20 loan requests daily, the startup quickly realised it needed robust financial muscle to handle the surging demand.

Unlocking scale through the Regxta partnership

Carbin Africa initially partnered with digital lending platform Advancly. They said this in an earlier interview. However, given an automotive industry with high ticket sizes-minimum disbursements started at N1 million. Scaling required a partner deeply attuned to micro and small-scale enterprise financing.

‘In our case, our facilities were high ticket. Our minimum disbursement is a million naira. However, Regxta accommodated us and helped us grow faster,’ Oriowo said.

In October 2025, Carbin Africa partnered with Regxta, a prominent agent-banking network operating across 12 Nigerian states with nearly N12 billion in lifetime loan disbursements since 2021.

Regxta co-founder Afis Bello admitted there was initial hesitation. ‘The car market is riddled with unclear papers and, in some cases, inadequate information about a vehicle’s condition,’ he noted. However, after reviewing Carbin’s airtight operational controls, Bello and his team agreed to back them.

‘The essence of doing lending is to get money. My conversations with the Carbin Team showed that they had absolute control. And when I spoke with my co-founder, we agreed to back them,’ Bello said.

The partnership has scaled rapidly. Over the past year, Regxta has disbursed nearly N700 million ($500,000) through Car Flex, funding ticket sizes up to N40 million with an uptime exceeding 97 percent across more than 110 transactions. For Regxta, Carbin represents a high-performing seven percent allocation of its overall loan portfolio that yields safe, additional revenue streams.

Rigorous risk management and a ‘Zero NPL’ record

Oriowo said the first thing they did before getting a financial backer was to introduce a sort of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that helped them to land the right customer. No two cars are the same. The conditions do vary. Carbin Africa put up an inspection report that details the vehicle’s condition before doing a Know Your Customer check. Then they went further to set up a valuation mechanism that makes them lend no more than 60 percent of what the car is worth.

In addition to this process, they do a final check on the customer’s repayment history on credit bureaus. It just helps to preempt a case of eventual default. However, it is easier for the automotive startup since it also has some of the verification services built into its core offering.

So far, this partnership has recorded zero non-performing loans (NPLs). The demographics are small- and medium-scale businesses, with 30 percent being individuals.

Even when high-risk profiles emerge, Oriowo explains that the underlying asset serves as a secure buffer. ‘There are some customers we flag as likely to default, but we still process their facility because the asset they are putting forward is strong enough collateral to cover both the facility and interest.’

This arrangement is exciting to Carbin Africa because Regxta has been the best reliable partner in approvals and also cost of capital. For Regxta, Carbin Africa came with an offer too sweet to resist. They still support 90 percent of small and medium businesses, which is essentially the core of the fintech’s market. But 10 percent has been allocated to Carbin Africa, and in the past year they went from four percent of their loans to seven percent without recording a single NPL.

Bello ties the success to Carbin Africa’s excellence and their experience. ‘We brought our years of experience into making the product work,’ Bello said. ‘I have worked in up to six microfinance banks before, and that’s the way we were able to ensure we didn’t run into problems because the car business can be risky. One thing did strengthen the partnerships, though-the fact that both companies agreed to lend no more than 60 percent on the value of every car.

When pressed further to say why they joined the partnership, Bello said:

‘As a business, we exist to explore other opportunities. It is also a way to claim additional revenue. For instance, the capital we want to use for the year is N10 billion, and we are seeing a chance to invest an additional N1billion in a business we know there is zero risk to it. Why won’t we use the additional money for that business? It means additional revenue.’

Carbin Africa wants to build an underwriting engine as the way forward

Every successful partnership has its learning points, and for Carbin Africa, the last 11 months of the Regxta partnership were a huge learning curve. For Oriowo, the company is seeing downward pressure on cars, and with the help of artificial intelligence, it can now predict where the process will land and thus inform its valuation engine.

Carbin Africa is considering an underwriting engine at this point. This was an automobile startup that has now moved into fintech, or the sweet spot-lending.

‘We are building an underwriting engine to process transactions like this at scale,’ Oriowo said. For Oriowo, the next step is building scale. ‘In the next year, we can talk 10-15x because of what we’re doing underground to capture market share aggressively. We have received venture support and signed some strategic partnerships to help with scale beyond Lagos,’ he said.

Yet, the biggest challenge is no longer demand-it is capacity. Carbin Africa gets 20 car loan requests daily, which translates to 600 requests monthly. So far, they can only service five percent of those engagements. ‘The reason it is that way is because Lagos is just one state out of 36. And the bulk of the requests come in from places other than Lagos where we don’t currently have a presence. The product requires us to hold custody and set up holding locations in other places aside from Lagos, which we are currently working towards,’ Oriowo explained.

Oriowo is looking to Regxta to continue its purple patch. ‘Hardly will you find any lender with zero NPL. But we have been able to do it on a much smaller scale and are hoping to build on that going forward.’

Reflecting on the early days of scepticism surrounding automobile-backed lending, Oriowo remains bullish. ‘There is a lot of money out there, but also a lot of reluctance when it comes to automobiles. Cars can be a worthy collateral that unlocks massive value.’

‘When we started, we were conservative. In our first 3 months, we had a request for N750 million. A customer wanted to raise money to bridge liquidity gaps in his construction project. He had three units of 2025 Lexus LX 600. Each unit cost about N300 million. He was willing to bring those three to raise the money. He wanted N700 million. It took us three days to say no to the transaction after much consultation with my team.

‘Not because we didn’t know, but we hadn’t validated enough to undertake that kind of risk at the time. The higher you go in terms of car value, the lower you have to disburse relative to the valuation of the car, especially in the event of a default. You need to consider how willing an off-taker will pay to take the asset and provide that liquidity on demand.’

One of Carbin promises to Regxta was to recover liquidity from the underlying asset within 14 days of default. So far, they have touched around a fraction of what is possible.

‘Dealers are coming forward for this car flex product. Some of them say they have cars in ports and they need to submit their cars for custody and gain money to clear before redeeming the cars again,’ Oriowo said.

‘It dawned on me that there is a need for liquidity in this market. It is humongous,’ he added.

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Yewande Olagbende has joined the Board of Directors of Solad Power Group after successfully leading its Nigerian operations.

Olagbende joined Solad in 2018 and has since played a central role in building its

Nigerian operations, establishing Solad as a recognised participant in Nigeria’s

rapidly developing distributed clean energy sector and positioning it strongly within the country’s Just Energy Transition.

Her appointment to the Group leadership team is a natural progression of this work. Under her leadership, the Nigerian business expanded its business in mini-grids, stand-alone solar systems, commercial and industrial solar, solar home systems and decentralised energy infrastructure. It also developed the operational capability to deliver and maintain energy solutions across multiple States.

Yewande brings more than 20 years of professional experience spanning banking and energy. Before entering the energy sector, she worked with leading international financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Schroders and Barclays. Since returning to Nigeria, she has focused on developing and deploying energy solutions for unserved and underserved businesses and communities.

Her appointment also reflects a principle that has guided Solad since inception: an

African energy business must develop and empower African leaders!

Constantine ‘Labi Ogunbiyi, chairman and Co-Founder of Solad Power Group, said: ‘Yewande’s progression within Solad is thoroughly deserved and reflects the kind of organisation we are building. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commercial judgement, consistently translating strategy into execution on the ground.

‘More importantly, Yewande has built the team and operating platform that

underpin our ambitions in Nigeria. As Solad enters its next stage of development, the leaders who have built our operating businesses should increasingly contribute at Group level.’

‘Solad’s leadership philosophy places particular emphasis on inclusion, local capability and creating pathways through which talented professionals can progress into senior management. At Solad, inclusion is not simply a corporate policy; It is integral to the Group’s business model. The communities Solad serves, the entrepreneurs who depend upon reliable electricity and the teams that deliver and maintain its energy infrastructure are overwhelmingly African. A sustainable energy company therefore needs leadership that reflects the markets and communities in which it operates’.

Speaking on her appointment to the Board, Olagbende said: ‘I am incredibly proud of what the Solad team has built in Nigeria, and I am excited to help shape the Group’s next phase of development.

‘Energy access is ultimately about people. Reliable electricity helps businesses grow, families improve their livelihoods and communities participate more fully in the economy. Our responsibility is to deliver that impact at significantly greater scale through commercially sustainable solutions.

‘I am particularly proud of the team we have developed at Solad and of the opportunities we continue to create for talented young people, including women across various disciplines, to build careers and take leadership positions within Africa’s energy sector.’

Solad’s approach reflects a wider transformation underway in Africa’s energy industry. Decentralised clean energy infrastructure is expanding access while creating opportunities for engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and a new generation of African energy leaders.

‘Solad believes that strong governance and experienced Board oversight, combined with empowered local management, are fundamental to building a scalable and sustainable African energy platform’.

Ogunbiyi added: ‘Our objective is not simply to develop clean energy assets and infrastructure, but to build an African energy company capable of operating them successfully over the long term. That requires capital and technology, but above all it requires the right people. Developing exceptional leaders such as Yewande and giving them the platform to lead is central to that strategy.’

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The Oyo State Government has disbursed over N5.35 billion in compensation to 578 property owners affected by the First Segment of the Ibadan Circular Road Project, marking a major milestone in the implementation of one of the state’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and reaffirming Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to balancing development with the protection of citizens’ interests.

Providing an update on the compensation exercise, Mofoluke Adebiyi, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on New Towns and Cities, said the State Government had recorded substantial progress in the payment process, with hundreds of affected property owners across both the Right of Way and Omission categories already receiving their approved compensation.

The First Segment of the Ibadan Circular Road spans 32.2 kilometres, stretching from the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oluyole Local Government Area, through Ona Ara Local Government Area, and terminating at Badeku Junction on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway in Egbeda Local Government Area.

Affected properties along the corridor fall into two categories: Right of Way (RoW) and Omission.

Under the Right of Way Category, which comprises properties located within 75 metres on either side of the road median, a total of 674 structures were enumerated.

Governor Seyi Makinde had approved a reduction of the initial setback from 150 metres to 75 metres in clustered and built-up areas following appeals and concerns expressed by residents across the affected local government areas.

To compensate affected owners in this category, Governor Makinde approved the sum of N3,862,151,322.20. So far, 411 claimants have appeared before the Screening Committee and have been screened, while 378 claimants have successfully executed their Deeds of Indemnity, secured clearance and received their compensation payments.

The Omission Category consists of individuals who claimed that their properties were affected by the project without prior enumeration or compensation. In response, the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Office of the Surveyor-General, conducted a fresh enumeration exercise, which identified 251 affected structures.

Following the exercise, Governor Makinde approved N1,813,954,100.00 as compensation for property owners under the omission category.

Records show that 216 property owners have appeared before the Monitoring Team on Payment of Compensation Screening Committee, while 200 claimants who completed the required documentation and executed their Deeds of Indemnity have been cleared and paid a total of N1,493,784,700.00 as compensation.

In total, 578 property owners across both categories have received compensation payments, representing significant progress in the administration’s determination to ensure that those affected by the project are adequately compensated.

Adebiyi noted that the compensation exercise remains ongoing and that the Government is committed to ensuring that all eligible claimants who satisfy the stipulated requirements receive their payments.

She explained that while 263 claimants in the Right of Way Category and 35 claimants in the Omission Category have yet to appear before the Screening Committee, others are still expected to fulfil documentation requirements before final clearance.

According to her, only 16 claimants experienced unsuccessful payment transactions due to discrepancies between the names submitted during screening and the bank account details provided, adding that efforts are ongoing to resolve the issues and facilitate payment.

She reiterated that the compensation exercise has been conducted transparently, fairly and without favouritism, assuring all affected property owners that due process remains the guiding principle throughout the exercise.

The Oyo State Government also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure while safeguarding the interests of affected residents, noting that the payment of over N5.35 billion in compensation reflects the administration’s resolve to ensure that development proceeds hand in hand with fairness, accountability and responsible governance.