Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Femi Otedola Stake in First Holdco Rises with N1.21bn Shares Purchase First HoldCo Chairman Femi Otedola, has increased his stake in the oldest financial institution listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), purchased 39,313,379 units valued at ₦1.21 billion. Data from the Nigerian Exchange shows First Holdco is trading negatively during intraday session, down by 48 basis points due to negative investors’ sentiment. In a regulatory disclosure, First Holdco told the Nigerian Exchange on Thursday that the new transaction, at a share price of ₦31 per unit, was executed in Lagos on September 23, 2025, under the identification code NGFBNH000009. Anchoria…

China to Build Africa’s First Insulin Plant in Nigeria The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has announced his country’s plans to build Africa’s first local insulin production facility in Nigeria. Yu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He said that this would transform blood glucose levels management, prevent diabetes-related complications, and end the country’s reliance on imported insulin. “Chinese companies are in talks with Nigeria to build Africa’s first local insulin production facility, potentially ending Nigeria’s reliance on imported insulin and positioning Nigeria…

New Marine Policy: FG Targets Lower Logistics Costs, Trade Competitiveness – Oyetola The Federal Government has unveiled a new National Marine and Blue Economy policy, designed to cut logistics costs. The policy is also designed to boost trade competitiveness and attract private sector investment into the transport and maritime sectors. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this at the 2025 Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) Annual Summit on Wednesday in Lagos. Oyetola, represented by the Director, Maritime Services, Department of Marine & Blue Economy, Dr Mercy Ilori, explained that the policy would provide a…

PenCom Releases Guidelines on Foreign Currency Pension Contributions The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has released guidelines on Foreign Currency (FCY) pension contributions, as part of the pension revolution 2.0, for stronger pension and stronger Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Director General (D-G) of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran on her X (Twitter) handle in Abuja on Wednesday. She said that PenCom was embarking on a wave of rolling out new initiatives daily to enable setting higher standards across critical pillars of the pension endeavour. Oloworaran said that the FYC guidelines provide a pension arrangement under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS),…

U.S. Might End Effort to Resolve Ukraine Conflict, Impose New Sanctions U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that at some point the United States (U.S.) might end its effort to resolve the Ukraine crisis and impose new sanctions on Russia. “We are the only ones that can talk to Ukraine and Russia, and everyone has encouraged us to play that role. “At some point that role might end. “President Donald Trump has already repeatedly expressed his deep disappointment at the direction that Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking this, even after Alaska. “And at some point, he…

WHO Responds to Trump’s Remarks on Paracetamol, Vaccines The World Health Organisation (WHO), has responded to remarks made on Monday by President Donald Trump in Washington, suggesting that paracetamol use in pregnancy may cause autism. Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that while some observational studies had raised questions, many others found no such link, and the evidence overall remains inconsistent. If there were a strong connection, he said, it would have been seen consistently across multiple studies. Jasarevic, in a statement on Tuesday, said that medicines in pregnancy should always be used cautiously and under medical supervision, particularly in the first…

Trump Says U.S. Supports UN 100% After Bashing Global Body U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that his country is behind the United Nations “100 per cent” after bashing the global body while delivering his statement at the UN headquarters. Trump made the declaration at the beginning of a bilateral meeting between him and UN Secretary-General António Guterres after presenting his national statement to world leaders in New York. Trump, while presenting the U.S. national statement, sharply criticised the organisation in its handling of conflicts, irregular migration and climate change, among others. The U.S. leader said in spite of his…

Cross-Border Collaboration Key to Unlock Africa’s Natural Resources- Okwuosa Dr Emeka Okwuosa, Chairman and Group CEO, Oilserv Group, has reiterated the need for cross-border collaboration and data accuracy as tools to unlocking Africa’s prosperity in natural resources. Okwuosa spoke at a Local Content Plenary Session, co-hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Ghana Petroleum Commission, at the just concluded African Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana. The session has its theme as “Cross-border Projects and Knowledge Exchange.” Okwuosa, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, while emphasising on continental synergy, opted for visa restriction relaxation…

Zenith Bank Gains as Investors Queue for Interim Dividend Zenith Bank Plc saw a price uptick of 335 basis points as investors began to queue for interim dividend the board of directors declared for the first half of 2025 earnings period. In the stock market, Zenith Bank was the only tier-1 lender that recorded price appreciation as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary easing sends negative signal about earnings outlook in the industry. In the first half, banks earnings came under intense regulatory pressures as FX gains declined sharply in contrast to previous period due to naira stability. Also, most…

Naira Gains as Rising External Reserves Fuel Market Confidence The naira rate improved in the Nigerian foreign exchange market as rising external reserves continue to fuelling confidence that era of sustained shortage may be over. A slew of analysts expressed view that the Apex Bank will maintain stance to defend the naira till the year close. The consistent increase in external reserves has also boosted market confidence in the absence of capital restrictions. The local currency market has continue to see both upswing and depreciation that align with daily FX demand versus the dollar volume available at the supply side.…