Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

PNC Announces Agreement to Acquire FirstBank for $4.1bn The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire FirstBank Holding Company, including its banking subsidiary FirstBank, headquartered in Lakewood, CO for $.1 billion. FirstBank, with $26.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, provides commercial and retail banking services across Colorado and Arizona. FirstBank operates 95 branches, with a leading position in Colorado and a substantial presence in Arizona. The addition of FirstBank’s strong presence in these fast-growing markets will reinforce PNC as a leading national bank in the United States. The combination will…

Climate Change: Africa Emits Little But Suffers Most Africa is responsible for less than four per cent of global emissions but among the most heavily impacted by climate change, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM). According to IOM, rising droughts, floods and environmental degradation are driving displacement across the continent, leaving millions vulnerable. In a statement, on Monday, the organisation urged a shift in perspective, positioning human mobility as a catalyst for adaptation and sustainability. According to IOM, the approach aligns with its Continental Strategy for Africa 2025–2029, which prioritises African-led, evidence-based solutions for building community resilience. It issued…

Top Cryptocurrencies Rises as Markets Eye Fed Rates Cut Top cryptocurrencies gained ahead of U.S. Federal Reserve’s rates decision while the market assessed latest job data – several large altcoins were rising. According to data from CoinMarketCap.com, Bitcoin (BTCUSD) price has increased by 0.73% to $112,057 in the last 24 hours due to fresh retail investors’ demand. Bitcoin extended its recovery from a low of $109,993 on Sept. 6, reaching an intraday high of $112,107 early Monday. The world’s largest cryptocurrency hit a new high of more than $124,000 last month amid optimism over interest-rate cuts. While Bitcoin, Ethereum and…

Leadway Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in PAL Pensions Leadway Holdings has acquired full ownership of Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL), a leading Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), in a strategic move to reshape Nigeria’s pension landscape. This acquisition, announced on September 6, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the country’s financial services sector, as it strengthens Leadway Holdings’ footprint in the pension industry. The transaction involves the transfer of ownership from FSDH Holding Company Limited and Africa Alliance Insurance PLC to Leadway Holdings, pending regulatory approvals. With this acquisition, PAL Pensions will merge with Leadway Pensure, creating one of the largest and…

Agribusiness : FG Unveils Post-Harvest System Transformation Programme The Federal Government has unveiled the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), to ensure a resilient, efficient, and inclusive post harvest handling and storage system that reduces losses of produce. This is disclosed in a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head, Information Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Sunday in Abuja. Ikemefuna said the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, stated this at the Nigeria Legacy Programme organised by the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal. The minister said NiPHaST also aimed to enhance incomes as well…

Oil Rallies on Russia-Ukraine Clashes Fuel Supply Concerns Oil rallies in the commodities market on Monday as escalating and aggressive Russia-Ukraine clashes fuelled supply concerns while the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies (OPEC+) delivered a smaller-than-expected output hike. Brent crude was trading at $66.34 per barrel, up by 1.3% from the previous close of $65.45. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 1.4% to $62.60 from $61.70 in the prior session. Oil prices climbed as Russia launched its largest airstrike on Ukraine since the start of the war, stoking fears of tougher sanctions and renewed supply risks.…

United Nigeria Seals Boeing 737-800 Acquisition Deal United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has signed an aircraft sale and purchase agreement with Southwest Airlines for the delivery of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft to deepen domestic, regional and international operations. The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Okonkwo said that the signing ceremony held at the corporate campus of Southwest Airlines in Dallas in the U.S. and was brokered by SkyWorks Holdings, LLC. According to Okonkwo, the development marked a new phase in the airline’s strategic plan and growth. Okonkwo said that…

NPA begins Reviewed ETO Operations at Apapa Port The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) says it has reviewed the Electronic Call-Up system and will begin operations at Apapa Port on Monday. The Port Manager, Apapa Port Complex, Mr Debo Lawal, disclosed this in an interview with the News men in Lagos on Sunday. Lawal said the entire ETO system was reviewed to align with global best operational standards and to address past inefficiencies at the port. He explained that trucks had previously mixed up terminal routes due to the absence of barriers, creating congestion and confusion within the port environment. “The…

Nigeria Customs Service Board Approves $300 Duty-Free Limit The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a 300 dollar duty-free limit for imports, a new policy that takes effect on September 8, 2025. The Spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that the decision was reached at the board’s recent 63rd regular meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun. Maiwada said that the initiative, also known as “De Minimis” threshold, aims to stimulate cross-border e-commerce, minimise clearance delays…

N70,000 No Longer Sustainable: Labour, Workers Demand Minimum Wage Review The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers have demanded an urgent review of the national minimum wage, insisting that the current ₦70,000 is no longer sustainable. They made the demand, following the bold steps taken by several states across the country, to increase minimum wage of their workers above the N70,000 benchmark, in response to the prevailing economic realities The labour unions and workers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, contended that, in the face of galloping inflation, rising costs of food,…