Zenith Bank Hits ₦1 Trillion Profit Again, And Still Leads Nigeria Zenith Bank Plc has done it again.
With ₦1.04 trillion in profit, after tax for 2025, the bank not only crossed the trillion-naira mark once more, it quietly reinforced its position as Nigeria’s most profitable bank.
But the real story isn’t just the number.
According to Financial Reports, gross earnings rose to ₦4.19 trillion, driven by a strong jump in interest income and a steady increase in customer deposits.
Even more interesting, the bank made a deliberate decision to clean up parts of its loan book. That move slightly reduced profit before tax, but strengthened the business overall.
And it paid off:
● Non-performing loans dropped ● Asset quality improved ● Investor confidence stayed strong Under CEO Adaora Umeoji, the focus has been simple: stay disciplined, grow responsibly, and build for the long term.
It shows in the numbers and in the decisions behind them.
Even while cleaning up, the bank still grew its core business.
● Customer deposits rose to ₦24 trillion ● Gross loans increased to ₦11 trillion ● Interest income jumped by 35% What this means is simple: more people and businesses are trusting Zenith with their money, and the bank is still lending and earning effectively.
The net interest income growth of over 50% also shows that Zenith is managing its margins well, even in a tough economic environment.
Operating costs increased, and the cost-to-income ratio climbed to 45.2%.
That’s not ideal on paper, but it makes sense when you consider:
● Inflation pressure ● Higher impairment charges from loan cleanups In other words, the increase isn’t random. It’s tied to deliberate decisions and the realities of the market.
Despite all of this, Zenith is still rewarding investors.
The bank proposed, ₦8.75 for final dividend bringing total dividend for 2025 to ₦10 per share
That’s double what was paid in 2024.
It’s a clear signal: the bank is confident in its position and its future cash flow.
The real story here is not just the trillion-naira profit, It is the discipline behind it. Zenith Bank chose to clean up, stabilize, and still grow. That balance is not easy to strike, and it is what separates short-term wins from long-term institutions.
Yesterday, I spent Easter Sunday with our dear President, Bola Tinubu, and my bestie Aliko Dangote. We discussed the economy and how Nigerians can benefit from the reforms.
On a day of resurrection and renewal, Mr President was still working. That kind of commitment gives you hope for Nigeria 🇳🇬 … F.Ote💲
Two term ADC rep member, Leke Abejide gave his thoughts on ADC weeks back. Adejide is the only elected ADC member in the house of Representatives as he has been there before David Mark and cos came in. He was suspended by the Mark led MWC Because he supported Presidemt Tinubu's re-election
"We will send the impostors to where they came from....."
The Federal Government has stepped up high-level discussions on a proposed transcontinental gas pipeline aimed at delivering its vast natural gas to European markets.
A Friday statement by Louis Ibah, spokesperson for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, noted that the move is aimed at strengthening energy security and unlocking long-term economic value.
The proposed pipeline, described as a transformative gas corridor, is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually from Nigeria’s southern reserves through Chad and Libya, before extending subsea to Sicily, Italy, and into the broader European market.
What they are saying The minister, Ekpo, who joined key industry stakeholders in London, United Kingdom, for discussions on the proposed pipeline, described the engagement as both timely and historic, adding that Nigeria is poised to attract investors into its gas sector.
“Nigeria is set for investors to take advantage of this natural gas. The Petroleum Industry Act and the executive orders by Mr President for the petroleum sector have set a conducive environment to attract investments to the sector.
“We must be intentional in the utilisation of our resources. So long as we have these reserves, we must take advantage of them and better the lives of those in the region,” Ekpo said.
The minister further noted that, with appropriate financial backing in place, he sees no obstacle to the project coming to fruition.
More insights Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energies at NNPC Limited, Olalekan Ogunleye, assured Nigeria’s policy alignment and investment readiness, noting that the national oil company is focused on unlocking value across the gas value chain.
“The NNPCL, as the national oil company of Nigeria, has a clear Gas Master Plan, and Mr President’s gas-led initiatives are designed to drive investments across the value chain.
“The NNPC’s strategy is firmly aligned with the President’s agenda, and we are focused on creating investable opportunities, removing bottlenecks, and partnering with credible investors. Simply put, the NNPCL is ready for business,” he said.
On his part, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Netoil Inc., Roger Tamraz, who is spearheading the project, framed the pipeline as both commercially viable and strategically critical to Europe’s energy future, pointing to strong market demand and available financing structures.
Other consortium partners echoed similar sentiments, with the Chief Executive Officer of Unicorn, Alain Bolo, harping on the project’s potential to reduce gas flaring and position Nigeria as a dominant supplier to Europe.
The Project Director at Netoil, Henry Erimodafe, described it as a “strategic win-win” capable of unlocking jobs, investments, and long-term value.
The proposed pipeline, still at an early development stage, is being advanced by a consortium of global industry players and will be subject to extensive technical, commercial, and regulatory processes, with stakeholders expressing optimism that it could redefine Nigeria’s role in the global energy market while deepening ties with Europe.
What you should know The conversation is coming at a time when oil supply is threatened globally due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Nigeria has said it is ready to supply its oil to ease tensions across the globe amid the shortage. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this during an interview with BBC Africa on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom.
The minister’s comments, published on Wednesday night on X, come amid the United States–Israel war against Iran, which has caused a global oil shortage.
Mohammed responded in the affirmative when asked if Nigeria would be willing to supply its oil amid the Middle East conflict.
Damilola Marshal, daughter of Fuji music legend Wasiu Marshall, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM1, has declared her intention to contest for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Currently serving as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Damilola revealed her plan on Instagram on Tuesday, expressing her desire to represent Surulere Constituency 2.
“I am excited to share that I, Barr. Damilola Ayinde Marshal, am stepping forward to serve the good people of Surulere Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly,” she wrote.
A lawyer with 12 years of experience, Damilola said her professional background has shaped her understanding of governance, justice, and community needs.
“I am a woman of excellence and results. I am ready to serve and lead. With my background, I am fully prepared and ready to fight for what truly matters. I promise to be the voice of the youths in the House,” she added.
She urged voters to support competence and progress, signing off with: “Youth Lokan!!! Igbega Eko, Ajumose wa ni.”
Damilola is aiming to succeed Mosunmola Sangodara, the current representative of the constituency under the All Progressives Congress.
A graduate of North America University, Houdegbe, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on December 15, 2015, and earned a Master of Laws from the University of Lagos in 2022. She was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Tourism by Governor Sanwo-Olu in May 2024.
Her appointment gained attention during the coronation and birthday celebration of Oba Sikirullah Apena, when her father publicly thanked the governor in a viral video, mentioning that it was Damilola who asked him to convey the message.
A Nigerian businessman, Agbai Eke Agbai, has sounded the alarm over the alleged disappearance of N550 million he lodged in a fixed deposit account with First Bank of Nigeria.
Agbai explained that the deposit was made at the bank’s Abiriba branch after a request from a former Group Managing Director, who sought support to keep the branch operational in the community. He noted that a certificate confirming the transaction was issued at the time.
Trouble, however, began when he attempted to access the funds. During a visit to Abuja, he approached the bank for a withdrawal but was reportedly told that N55 million had already been taken from the account without his consent. Bank officials allegedly claimed the withdrawal was carried out by him at the Uzuakoli Road branch in Umuahia, a claim he rejected, insisting he was out of the country at the time.
Following an internal review, the bank reportedly acknowledged the unauthorized withdrawal and refunded the N55 million.
Despite the refund, Agbai said his concerns deepened when he later requested to close the fixed deposit account, only to be informed that the N550 million principal could not be traced.
The incident has raised fresh questions about accountability and internal controls within the banking system, with growing calls for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Aliko Dangote’s Dangote Industries Limited has entered into a $4.2 billion, 25-year natural gas supply agreement with China’s GCL Group to support its major fertilizer project in Ethiopia. The deal, signed in Lagos, is considered one of the largest industrial collaborations between China and Africa. It will supply natural gas to Dangote’s planned 3-million-tonne-per-year urea fertilizer plant in Ethiopia, a $2.5 billion project expected to begin operations in 2029.
The facility, being developed in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings, is projected to become the largest fertilizer production hub in East Africa. Once completed, it is expected to meet Ethiopia’s local demand for urea while also supplying neighbouring countries, reducing dependence on imports and boosting regional agricultural productivity.
Gas for the project will be sourced from the Calub Gas Field in Ethiopia’s Ogaden Basin and transported through a dedicated 108-kilometre pipeline to the plant located in Gode, in the Somali Region.
Dangote said the partnership reflects Africa’s need to move away from exporting raw materials and instead focus on building integrated industries that add value locally. He noted that the project would create a complete value chain from gas extraction to fertilizer production, helping to strengthen food security across the continent.
Chairman of GCL Group, Zhu Gongshan, said the collaboration would expand opportunities in Ethiopia’s energy, chemical, and agricultural sectors while deepening cooperation between Chinese and African businesses.
Analysts say the project could significantly impact East Africa by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and unlocking the economic potential of the Somali Region. It is also expected to support cleaner industrial processes, as natural gas-based fertilizer production aligns with global low-carbon goals.
The initiative highlights growing China–Africa industrial ties and is seen as a major step toward energy independence, industrial growth, and food security in Ethiopia and the wider region.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned a suit challenging the academic and personal records of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to July 9, 2026.
The case was instituted by three civil society groups Human Global Resource Initiative, Human Rights Monitoring Agenda, and Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak—against Abiodun and several other parties, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and multiple political parties.
Presided over by Justice Aneke at the Lagos Judicial Division, the suit centers on alleged inconsistencies in documents submitted by the governor to INEC ahead of the 2014, 2019, and 2023 general elections.
Through an originating summons, the plaintiffs are asking the court to determine whether Abiodun’s sworn declaration dated December 15, 2014—stating he attended the University of Ife in 1986 and Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, in 1989—was accurate.
They are also seeking clarification on whether discrepancies in his primary school records amount to false declaration under the 1999 Constitution. According to court filings, one document indicates attendance at International Primary School, Ayetoro, in 1971, while another INEC Form CF001 lists a different institution.
In addition, the applicants want the court to rule on what they describe as “material contradictions, inconsistencies, and concealments” in multiple INEC forms submitted in 2014, 2018, and 2022, and whether such issues violate constitutional provisions.
The suit further raises questions about Abiodun’s participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. The plaintiffs argue that, based on his declared graduation year and age, he ought to have been enlisted. They also allege that he failed to disclose a purported indictment and imprisonment in 1986, which they claim was referenced in one of the submitted documents.
Lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Yemi Oke, described the case as a constitutional matter aimed at clarifying whether candidates accused of false declarations on INEC forms are eligible to contest elections. He maintained that such legal questions are not affected by the constitutional immunity granted to sitting governors.
He added that previous Supreme Court decisions have established false declaration as grounds for disqualification from public office.
Respondents in the case are expected to file their counter-affidavits and formally enter appearances before the next hearing date.
Reacting to the development, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak said the suit is intended to promote accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s political system. Similarly, Comrade Adewale Ojo of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights called for strict adherence to due process, warning against the normalization of irregularities in the electoral process.
The Trump administration's top official on counterterrorism has resigned from his position, citing opposition to the war in Iran, and urged the president to "reverse course".
In a letter posted on Tuesday to his X account, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent said that Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the US and claimed that the Trump administration "started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby".
Kent, 45, is a US special forces and CIA veteran whose wife, navy cryptologic technician Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment on Kent's resignation.
With his departure, Kent becomes the most high-profile figure from within the Trump administration to publicly criticise the US-Israeli operation in Iran.
In the letter, Kent said that had previously supported Trump's foreign policy platform and until last year believed that he had "had understood that the wars in the Middle East that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation."
Additionally, Kent alleged that "high-ranking Israeli officials" and influential US journalists had sowed "misinformation" that caused Trump to undermine his "America First" platform.
"This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States," the letter continued. "This was a lie."
Kent, a long-time supporter of Trump's who unsuccessfully ran for Congress twice, was nominated by the president early in his administration and narrowly confirmed to his post in, with many Democrats criticising his links to extremist groups including members of the Proud Boys.
In the confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to back away from claims that federal agents had fomented the January 6 riots at the US Capitol or that Trump had won the 2020 election.
At the National Counterterrorism Center, he reported to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and oversaw the analysis and detection of potential terrorist threats from around the globe.
Previously, Kent had deployed 11 times overseas with the US military, including with the US Army's special forces in Iraq.
He later became a paramilitary officer at the CIA, before leaving government service after his wife's death.
Kent cited his military service and her death in his letter, saying that he "cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives."
There have been a number of resignations among senior officials in the Trump administration, including Security and Exchange Commission enforcement director Margaret Ryan and Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell.
The president's second term, however, has seen far less turnover than his previous tenure at the White House between 2017 and 2021.
BREAKING: 🔥⚡ An intelligence operation carried out by the Nigerian military last night has led to the successful arrest of a notorious bandit, Sule Yellow, popularly known on TikTok as suleyellow6. While the TikTok account has since been disabled by security forces and no longer exists, Sule Yellow was recently spotted on a TikTok Live session earlier this month, brazenly appearing alongside other bandits and insurgents to flaunt their activities. The suspect was apprehended while on his way back from collecting a ransom payment meant for a kidnapped victim. Despite the tough image he portrayed online, the reality on the ground was far different. Upon his capture, Sule Yellow was seen visibly fidgeting and shaking so overcome with fear that he could not even speak properly.
Hon. Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on ground inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos–Ota–Abeokuta Road.This is what real leadership, hands-on commitment, strict supervision, and visible results look like. No excuses, no delays—just delivery.Massive kudos to President @officialABAT for prioritizing game-changing infrastructure nationwide and to Engr. @realdaveumahi for leading from the front, ensuring quality and speed on every project.Nigeria is not just talking progress—we're building it. Forward ever!
Video: The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, inspects the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos–Ota–Abeokuta Road. pic.twitter.com/58tEsF01oH
Nigerian stocks’ strong start to the year has helped them recover the market value wiped out by a sharp naira devaluation two years ago.
The West African nation’s benchmark index surged 31% this year, delivering the world’s second best dollar returns. The rally far outpaces the 11% gain in the broader emerging-market index and the 6.4% advance in a gauge of frontier-market stocks.
The stellar run has added $21 billion in market value, lifting capitalization to about $84 billion, roughly 58% higher than in January 2024, just before a sharp naira devaluation more than halved the dollar value of companies listed on the Lagos exchange.
The devaluation was part of President Bola Tinubu’s push to unify and liberalize the foreign-exchange market and bring in investment.
Companies whose valuations were battered by the naira’s fall have since shored up their balance sheets and returned to profitability, making them more attractive to investors, said Olabode Williams, an analyst at SBG Securities Ltd., a unit of Standard Bank Group Ltd. A lot of investors have started pricing in growth, he added.
Stock gains have also been underpinned by a firmer naira, now the world’s second-best performing currency this year of those tracked by Bloomberg with a more than 7% advance against the dollar.
Foreign participation is rebounding in tandem. Non-Nigerian trading in local equities surged to a 19-year high in 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Exchange Group. Transactions by foreign investors more than tripled to 2.65 trillion naira ($1.97 billion) from 852 billion naira a year earlier — the strongest level since 2007 and the highest combined inflows and outflows over the period.
CSL Stockbrokers Ltd., a unit of FCMB Group Plc, expects Nigeria’s stock market to surpass $100 billion this year, driven by the anticipated listings of the 650,000-barrel-a-day Dangote Refinery and fertilizer plant — both controlled by Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, analyst Gloria Fadipe said in a phone interview. “We project that base case, we can get up to 34.1% capital gains this year if the listings come to pass,” she said.
Dangote, Africa’s largest oil refinery has achieved a significant operational breakthrough as its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block now operate at full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day—a first for any refinery worldwide.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced the milestone following the successful completion of scheduled maintenance and optimization work on both critical units. The facility has now launched a 72-hour performance testing phase in partnership with technology licensor UOP to validate operational efficiency and ensure all parameters meet international standards.
Chief Executive Officer David Bird highlighted the achievement as evidence of the refinery’s engineering excellence and operational strength. “Our teams have shown remarkable precision in bringing the CDU and MS Block to optimal efficiency,” Bird said. “This testing phase allows us to validate the entire plant under actual operating conditions, and we’re confident in our ability to deliver consistent, world-class output.”
The CDU and MS Block—which include the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerization unit, and reformer unit—are now running steadily at maximum capacity. Bird confirmed that remaining processing units will enter their performance test runs during Phase 2, set to begin next week.
The refinery’s enhanced capacity positions it to supply up to 75 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily to Nigeria’s domestic market, a substantial increase from the 45-50 million liters delivered during the recent holiday period.
Bird expressed gratitude to customers and the Nigerian public, reaffirming the refinery’s dedication to strengthening the nation’s energy security, eliminating petroleum product imports, and establishing Nigeria as a net exporter while driving industrial growth and economic transformation.
Those of us who directly worked on the Presidential Election Petitions knew what the case of the Petitioners were. The stronghold of their cases were mostly about the educational qualification of PBAT, the forfeiture, and 25% in FCT. The petitions were weak on rigging and results manipulations. In fact, the Petitioners were heavier on a rerun than being declared the winners of the election.
That’s why I once twitted that those who lost the last election knew why they lost and it was not because the elections were rigged.
In 2025, from individual champions in athletics and other sports, to our winning female football and basketball teams as well as the Super Eagles who despite their bronze medal at AFCON2025, captured our hearts, scores of athletes representing Nigeria made our nation proud.
Sports is one of our strongest brands as a nation. It unifies us, breaks all our fault lines, inspires belief, and builds a sense of community that cuts across age, language, ethnicity, religion, and social status.
Over the past year, Nigerian athletes in various disciplines carried our flag with courage and pride across Africa and the world with Nigeria cumulatively winning an unprecedented 373 medals across all sports in 2025. From grassroots competitions to continental and global stages, the evidence is clear that when talent is supported with structure and preparation, Nigeria delivers.
I commend the National Sports Commission for the progress and successes inspite of the challenges. I salute the leadership of the NSC under the chairmanship of Malam Shehu Dikko for driving the reform agenda towards the resetting, refocusing, and relaunching of the sports sector in alignment with the renewed hope agenda and shared prosperity vission of my administration.
Yet we must be honest. For too long, sports funding was slowed by bureaucracy, fragmented across institutions, and when funds are released, they come too late to support proper preparation and even participation. Likewise, no meaningful investment is made towards sports infrastructure development and maintenance that meets international benchmarks. That cycle undermined performance and placed our athletes at a disadvantage. This must change.
I have therefore approved and directed the relevant ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and the Budget Office of the Federation for the resetting of sports funding to ensure that henceforth as from the 2026 fiscal year adequate provisions for sporting Infrastructure development, maintenance, sporting activities, programs, events and participation in international competitions are made annually in the national budget, and that all Funds so appropriated are released immediately once the budget is passed and assented to. Nigerian athletes deserve certainty, not excuses.
In addition, allocations for sporting activities currently spread across MDAs will be reviewed, restructured and streamlined, with the savings transferred into a unified funding framework under the National Sports Commission to strengthen domestic programs and international sports participation.
These reforms are anchored on the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy, RHINSE, which positions sports as a driver for job creation, tourism, investment, and global influence. In addition, through scientific elite athlete development, active grassroots participation, revitalised federations, and the hosting of major international events at home, we are building a sports ecosystem that works.
Indeed, sports is our national asset and thus must be administered, managed, and funded in alignment with its special nature and demands devoid of any bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The future of Nigerian sports will be planned, properly funded, and competitive. We will support our athletes early, prepare them thoroughly, and celebrate them proudly.
Egypt leads Africa in the value of manufacturing output, reaching $59.6 billion in 2023. Nigeria follows with $55.7 billion, while South Africa ranks third at $48.8 billion. Quite interestingly, the DRC surpasses Kenya.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on an inspection tour of the Temporary Terminal and car park of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport rehabilitation and expansion project alongside project manager Zhang Peng of CCECC and Olatokunbo Arewa ,South West Regional Manager,FAAN.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on an inspection tour of the Temporary Terminal and car park of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport rehabilitation and expansion project alongside project manager… pic.twitter.com/2bTmoL5yBa
Nigeria’s diversification drive pays off as non-oil exports rise 11.5% to $6.1bn in 2025 – NEPC
Nigeria’s non-oil exports climbed to a historic high of $6.1 billion in 2025, representing an 11.5 per cent increase from the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has said, in a development seen as a major boost to the country’s economic diversification drive away from crude oil dependence.
Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during her annual progress report and 2026 non-oil export outlook briefing.
Ayeni said data obtained from pre-shipment inspection agencies showed that Nigeria had surpassed its previous best performance, describing the 2025 outcome as a historic milestone for formal, documented trade.
“Ladies and gentlemen, based on the records obtained from pre-shipment inspection agencies, Nigerian non-oil export performance in 2025 reached an all-time high. The non-oil export sector rose to approximately 6.1 billion U.S. dollars, representing a year-on-year growth of about 11.5 per cent over and above the 5.4 billion U.S. dollars recorded in 2024.
She described the 2025 performance as a historic milestone for the sector, noting that it represents the highest value of formally documented non-oil exports recorded since the establishment of the council nearly five decades ago, surpassing all previous records and underscoring Nigeria’s growing momentum in expanding its non-oil export base.
“This marks the highest non-oil export value achieved in the country for formal documented trade in the country and also from the inception of the council almost 50 years ago. So we have indeed beaten our own records of last year. So Nigeria has 6.1 billion U.S. dollars in terms of value for non-oil export,” she said.
According to her, the $6.1bn export value reflects improved activity across several value chains, supported by expanding market access and increasing product diversification.
Beyond value, Ayeni noted that export volumes also rose significantly, with total non-oil exports hitting 8.02 million metric tonnes in 2025, compared with 7.29 million metric tonnes in 2024, representing a 10 per cent increase.
She explained that the strong performance cut across agricultural commodities, processed and semi-processed goods, industrial inputs, and solid minerals, indicating gradual progress in value addition and broader product representation.
“In 2025 alone, Nigeria exported a total of 281 non-oil products. This reflects our steady transition towards value-added exports and deeper integration into global value chains,” Ayeni stated.
However, the NEPC boss cautioned that the impressive figures did not fully capture the country’s export potential, noting that a significant volume of trade still occurs informally across Nigeria’s land borders.
She said the council was working with the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other stakeholders to mainstream informal trade into official export records, improve data accuracy, and strengthen policy support for exporters.
Ayeni added that ongoing reforms, export incentives, and capacity-building initiatives would be intensified in 2026 to sustain growth and expand Nigeria’s non-oil export footprint.
According to the NEPC, the latest performance comes amid renewed government efforts to boost foreign exchange earnings, stabilise the naira, and reduce the economy’s vulnerability to oil price shocks by deepening non-oil export revenues.
The Super Eagles’ bid for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title ended on Wednesday night in Rabat, as Nigeria lost 4–2 on penalties to host nation Morocco after 120 goalless minutes in the semi-final.
It was a night of quiet disappointment rather than chaos. Nigeria defended with discipline and resilience but lacked cutting edge in attack, a familiar problem that returned at the worst possible moment.
Earlier in the day, Senegal booked their place in the final with a 1–0 victory over Egypt in Tangier, thanks to a 77th-minute goal from Sadio Mané.
Control Without Conviction
The semi-final was tight and tactical. Morocco had more possession and territory, while Nigeria stayed compact and organised. Clear chances were limited on both sides, and penalties always felt likely.
Nigeria managed just one shot on target across 120 minutes and did not earn a corner until extra time. The front three of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams were largely contained, with little service coming from midfield.
Defensively, Calvin Bassey was outstanding, producing multiple clearances and blocks. However, a controversial yellow card means he will miss the third-place playoff. The absence of Wilfred Ndidi was also felt, with Nigeria struggling at times to manage transitions in midfield.
Another Familiar Ending This defeat adds to a worrying recent pattern for Nigeria: AFCON 2023: Lost the final to hosts Ivory Coast. World Cup playoff: Lost on penalties. AFCON 2025: Lost the semi-final on penalties to hosts Morocco. Effort has not been the issue. Execution in tight moments has.
What’s Next Saturday, Jan 17 Egypt vs Nigeria — 5:00pm (Third-Place Playoff)
Sunday, Jan 18 Senegal vs Morocco — 8:00pm (Final)
Nigeria will face Egypt in the third-place playoff, while Senegal and Morocco meet in Sunday’s final. Pride, ranking points, and a proper close to the campaign are now at stake. Catch it live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv.
For fans who followed the tournament closely, the disappointment is heavy, but support for the Super Eagles remains. This campaign did not end in celebration. It ended in reflection.
The 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) is preparing to unveil one of its most dazzling spectacles yet, with a powerhouse lineup of media and fashion voices set to command the red carpet on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Beginning at 3:30 PM West Africa Time at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, the three-hour red carpet showcase will set the tone before the main awards ceremony commences at 7:00 PM.
Nigerian multi-hyphenate star Enioluwa Adeoluwa—widely known as Eni—will team up with Kenyan actress Claudia Naisabwa to host the arrivals. The charismatic pair brings a blend of continental flair and media expertise, poised to capture the energy as Africa’s music royalty makes its entrance.
Fashion commentary will be led by Tosyn of Style Infidel, whose sharp critiques and fearless takes have made him a trusted voice in African style circles. He’ll be joined by Ariane Celeste Moua, who will offer incisive analysis of the evening’s sartorial choices—from show-stopping gowns to boundary-pushing ensembles.
Victoria Nkong, AFRIMA Associate Producer, emphasized that the red carpet has evolved into a cultural moment in its own right.
“The AFRIMA red carpet has become a major entertainment spectacle where music, fashion, and culture converge,” Nkong said. “With Eni, Claudia, Tosyn, and Ariane leading the coverage, audiences around the world can expect sophistication, vibrancy, and truly memorable moments.”
She added that the platform offers African artists and designers a rare opportunity to showcase their creative identity on a global stage.
The awards anchor a five-day celebration of African music running from January 7 to 11, 2026. The festivities began Wednesday with a Welcome Soirée for nominees hosted by the British High Commission in Nigeria, followed by the Africa Music Business Summit on Thursday and the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall on Friday, featuring over 25 leading artists and DJs.
Sunday’s main ceremony will broadcast live to more than 84 countries worldwide.
AFCON has entered the serious stage. The Round of 16 cleared the room, and now the boardroom is open. Nigeria are walking in confident, in form, and just dramatic enough to keep everyone alert.
The Super Eagles didn’t just reach the quarter-finals. They made noise doing it. But Nigerian fans know this lesson already: form means nothing if focus disappears, especially against an opponent that has had your number many times before.
Mozambique: When Everything Worked
Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Mozambique was pure dominance.
Osimhen, Lookman and Akor Adams. All three scored and assisted each other. Clean, hungry football. It was a front three playing like they’ve been together for years.
And quietly controlling everything was Alex Iwobi. No goals. No assists. Just complete authority. Tempo, balance, decision-making. The defence also did their job. No drama. No panic. A clean sheet. Finally, a complete performance.
The Argument Everyone Is Talking About
Of course, it couldn’t be perfect. Midway through the second half, Osimhen and Lookman clashed after a decision in the final third. Osimhen got booked. Cameras caught everything. Social media exploded. Some fans booed. Others defended him.
So what was it? Cracks? Or elite players refusing to switch off? Lookman later brushed it aside, calling Osimhen his brother. And honestly, great teams argue. Weak teams break. The real test is control, because against Algeria, emotions can’t run the show.
Algeria: The Uncle That Always Spoils the Party
Now comes the familiar problem. Algeria have been Nigeria’s AFCON headache for decades. The 2019 Mahrez free-kick still hurts. The 1990 final still hurts. Even the overall record slightly favours them.
This time, it’s seemingly the best attack versus best defence. Nigeria has scored 12 goals, the most in the tournament while Algeria has only conceded 1. Nigeria are also likely fresher. Our game was over by the 75th minute while Algeria needed extra time to get here. But experience doesn’t get tired easily at AFCON.
The Rest of the Quarter-Finals
There are no small games left. Friday:
Mali vs Senegal (5:00 pm) Cameroon vs Morocco (8:00 pm)
Saturday: Algeria vs Nigeria (5:00 pm) Egypt vs Ivory Coast (8:00 pm) By Sunday, excuses will be gone.
Final Word
Nigeria look ready. The football is flowing. Confidence is high. But AFCON doesn’t care about all of that. One mistake and you’re out. One moment and you’re immortal. All quarter-final matches are available live on the SuperSport AFCON channel (DStv Ch. 202 / GOtv Ch. 59), with access available to viewers on DStv Yanga and GOtv Jolli. This isn’t noise anymore. It’s decisions.
Nigeria’s long-standing reliance on overseas medical treatment appears to be rapidly reversing, as new data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shows a dramatic collapse in spending on medical tourism, signalling a major shift in healthcare utilisation toward domestic facilities.
According to CBN figures covering January to June 2025, Nigeria’s medical tourism spending plunged by 96.2 percent year-on-year, falling from $2.38 million in the first half of 2024 to just $0.09 million in the corresponding period of 2025. The sharp contraction, amounting to a $2.29 million decline, marks one of the steepest drops recorded in outbound healthcare expenditure in recent years.
A breakdown of the data reveals that spending patterns in 2024 were driven by an unusual spike at the start of the year. Medical tourism expenditure opened at $2.30 million in January 2024, before collapsing to zero in February, remaining muted at $0.01 million in March, $0.00 million in April, edging up to $0.05 million in May, and easing again to $0.02 million in June.
By contrast, spending in the first half of 2025 remained consistently low throughout the six-month period. January recorded $0.06 million, followed by zero expenditure in February and March, a marginal $0.01 million in April, $0.00 million in May, and $0.02 million in June. No month in 2025 exceeded the $0.06 million mark, underscoring a sustained contraction rather than a temporary dip.
While foreign exchange constraints and tighter economic conditions have played a role, healthcare experts say the numbers increasingly reflect a deeper structural change: Nigeria’s growing capacity to deliver advanced, world-class medical care locally.
Over the past few years, private and public investments in healthcare infrastructure, specialist training, and cutting-edge medical technology have significantly expanded the range of complex procedures now available within the country—reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
Facilities such as Duchess International Hospital in Lagos have emerged as symbols of this shift. Since commencing operations, the hospital has performed complex procedures once considered exclusive to foreign centres, including 26 successful open-heart surgeries within its first two years. Its management has consistently positioned the hospital as a response to Nigeria’s long-standing medical tourism challenge, offering advanced care at a fraction of offshore costs.
Similarly, Nordica Fertility Centre’s introduction of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology for fibroid treatment has eliminated the need for many women to travel to Europe, Asia, or the United States for non-invasive procedures. As the first HIFU centre in West Africa, Nordica has not only retained Nigerian patients but also attracted patients from neighbouring countries, effectively reversing the traditional flow of medical tourism.
In the area of cancer care and urology, The Prostate Centre (TPC) has further strengthened Nigeria’s healthcare credentials with the introduction of AI-powered HIFU therapy for prostate cancer, robotic surgeries, and non-invasive treatments for enlarged prostates. The centre’s capabilities now rival leading international institutions, offering same-day, incision-free procedures with minimal recovery time.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, UK-based consultant urological and robotic surgeon, who has been instrumental in several of these innovations, has repeatedly emphasised that Nigeria is no longer limited by expertise but by scale and awareness. With ongoing training of local surgeons and expanding access to advanced technologies, he said Nigerian patients increasingly have “no medical reason” to travel abroad for care.
The CBN data appears to support this assessment. Analysts note that while January 2024’s spike suggests pent-up demand or exceptional cases, the absence of any rebound in 2025 points to a lasting behavioural change. Nigerians who once viewed overseas treatment as a necessity are increasingly choosing local hospitals capable of handling complex cardiac, oncological, orthopaedic, fertility, and neurological cases.
Policy developments may have reinforced this shift. In January 2025, Olayemi Cardoso, CBN governor launched the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Code, following the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System in December 2024. The reforms tightened transparency and accountability in the FX market, making discretionary access to foreign exchange for non-essential spending, including overseas medical travel, more difficult.
Cardoso warned against a return to past practices that enabled privileged access to foreign exchange, noting that such distortions had fuelled inflation, weakened the naira, and eroded public trust. “Practices such as multiple exchange rates and unprecedented ways and means financing inflicted significant damage on market integrity,” he said, stressing that they must never return.
Beyond FX policy, healthcare professionals argue that confidence in local systems is the more decisive factor. Patient testimonials from hospitals performing open-heart surgeries, robotic cancer treatments, and complex reconstructions within Nigeria increasingly mirror outcomes once sought abroad, often at significantly lower costs.
As Nigeria continues to deepen healthcare capacity through public-private partnerships, specialist training, and technology adoption, the steep decline in medical tourism spending may mark a turning point. What was once a symbol of systemic weakness is now increasingly viewed as an avoidable expense.
For the first time in decades, the data suggests that Nigeria is not merely slowing medical tourism due to economic pressure, but outgrowing the need for it altogether.
"..our intelligence drives operations and our operations support intelligence. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, guarantees that this loop will not be broken in 2026"
While addressing journalists at the Defence Headquarters(DHQ), the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja also confirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria collaborated with the USA on the air strike (special operation) that hit Terrorist locations in parts of Sokoto State.
WHO IS DEMOLISHING BUILDINGS IN ONITSHA SPORTS CLUB IN DISREGARD OF VALID COURT ORDER?
In order to avert blood bath and put an end to acts capable of escalating mayhem, Justice S.N. Odili of the High Court of Anambra State, on the 17th day of January, 2025 gave an order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the Okposieke family of Ogolieke village in Onitsha Anambra State from further demolishing or destroying properties belonging to ONITSHA SPORTS CLUB.
Several months after that order, arising from suit no 0/277/2024 (Incorporated Trustees of Onitsha Sports Club & 3 Ors. v Harold Ekwerekwu & 4 Ors; no day has passed without intense intimidation, harassment and varying forms of violation of the court order.
How long will members of Onitsha Sports Club live in perpetual fear? Who will alert the appropriate authorities that the "police"vans and several thugs deployed at the Sports Club are illegal and their activities repugnant ro natural justice? Is it when those acts result in major conflagration that the proper thing would be done? Who will bell the cat?
What is even more disturbing is that members of the prestigious ONITSHA SPORTS CLUB are being chased away from their premises in the most inhumane manner with men on "police" uniform. On the 29th of December, 2025; against order of court, the party with hybrid conmection was seen erecting structures wihin the premises of ONITSHA SPORTS CLUB while heavily armed "policemen" supervised this impunity.
If a land is in dispute and. parties have approached the courts for declaration/determination of title, why would a party who claims being connected to the powers that be resort to self help?
For the avoidance of doubt, these are the exact words of Justice S.N. Odili while granting the application by Onitsha Sports Club restraining the Okposieke family from demolishing or destroying properties within the Onitsha Sports Club:
"I have weighed the competing interests of parties in the suit, and it is my humble view that balance of convenience favours granting the application. Consequently, I hold that the application is meritorious. It is accordingly granted.
The defendants, jointly and severally, their agents, servants, privies and workmen are hereby restrained from destroying or demolishing the plaintiff's properties on the land in dispute, situate at Egerton Road, Government Residential Area Onitsha, Anambra State..."
There’s always a moment in any big gathering when you stop asking who’s coming and start noticing who’s already settled. Seats are taken, conversations are flowing, and the mood has shifted. That’s where AFCON 2025 is right now, and Nigeria is already comfortable.
After two rounds in Morocco, the Super Eagles have booked their place in the Round of 16. The early tension has eased, and attention has moved from survival to ambition. The opening games delivered everything we expect from AFCON: late goals, sudden drama, unexpected heroes and plenty of meme-worthy moments. With the group stage nearing its end, the tournament has found its rhythm, and things are getting serious.
That Tunisia Game Raised Everyone’s BP Every gathering has that one moment that nearly spoils the mood. Nigeria’s 3–2 win over Tunisia was it. At 3–0, people were already relaxed, debating lineups and planning the next game. Then Tunisia woke everyone up. Two late goals, louder voices, people back on their feet. Still, the job was done. Osimhen set the tone, Ndidi held the middle like a true senior man, and Lookman once again showed why he keeps delivering when it matters. Under Eric Chelle, Nigeria managed the chaos, shut the door, and qualified with a game to spare. Drama aside, the result stands.
The Village Square Is Busy Elsewhere, Round Two had plenty to discuss. Benin finally got their AFCON moment, claiming their first-ever win and announcing themselves properly. Ivory Coast and Cameroon couldn’t separate themselves and now head into the final round knowing there’s still work to do. Mozambique also reminded everyone that history means nothing once the whistle blows, ending a 39-year wait for an AFCON win with a wild comeback against Gabon. At this stage, nobody is small anymore. Everyone is alert.
Round Three: The Final Sorting Now comes the real sieve. Nigeria return on Tuesday, December 30 at 5:00 pm against Uganda. With qualification secured, the debate has changed: rotate the squad or keep the momentum going? Either way, no one wants to enter the knockout stage flat.
Wednesday, December 31 brings proper New Year’s Eve tension. Ivory Coast face Gabon at 8:00 pm, while Cameroon take on Mozambique at the same time. While some are preparing crossover services, others will be glued to matches that decide who stays and who goes.
Key Final Group Stage Highlights
Monday, Dec 29 Angola vs Egypt — 5:00pm Zimbabwe vs South Africa — 5:00pm Comoros vs Mali — 8:00pm Zambia vs Morocco — 8:00pm
Tuesday, Dec 30 Tanzania vs Tunisia — 5:00pm Uganda vs Nigeria — 5:00pm Benin vs Senegal — 8:00pm Botswana vs DR Congo — 8:00pm
Wednesday, Dec 31 Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria — 5:00pm Sudan vs Burkina Faso — 5:00pm Gabon vs Ivory Coast — 8:00pm Mozambique vs Cameroon — 8:00pm
Where the Family Is Watching AFCON matches continue live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv for those following the tournament. With the group stage wrapping up, the noise is getting louder and the margins thinner. Seats are taken. Arguments are warming up. The knockout picture is almost clear.
Basically, if there has not been any increase in taxes or price of aviation fuel, why did the price of airplane ticket increase during the holidays? Greed.
The same reason the prices of bus fares too increase in december despite the fact that the price of petrol did not increase
Lies have been told over this matter, over and over. I have addressed this on national TV, major news platforms, and via my X handle. While the NCAA does not regulate airfares, I have invited ALL of the domestic airlines, bar none, and asked them about these taxes they keep talking about on TV. They ALL admitted to NOT paying the volume of taxes being bandied around.
I don't understand this 350k and 81k narrative, but I know that, for the kind of support that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo; and the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo have given to domestic carriers, I see no reason why the government keeps getting thrown under the bus via statements like this.
It is even ironic that, in the same statement, it is alleged that Nigerians pay the lowest domestic airfares in the world while also justifying the astronomical airfares that came to play in December even though there was no hike in taxes or jet fuel.
If my inviting the airlines themselves, speaking with travel agents, and the relevant departments within the Authority did not agree with the narrative being pushed, I don't see how this is sustainable.
If high taxes were the reason why airfares were 150k-200k, why did tickets sell for as high as 500k for a 45 minute trip when the said taxes did not increase?
And this is happening at a time when Festus Keyamo has ensured that domestic carriers now have access to dry lease aircraft; something they have not had in decades.
Not a single airline staff I spoke with two weeks ago agreed with the excuses I am reading on social and traditional media.
Sequel to questions asked me by the media about the claims made by a particular airline about paying eighteen taxes "to the NCAA," and using this as justification for its current airfares, we invited the domestic operators for a conversation about that allegation, flight disruptions, and customer service.
One thing we all agreed on was; NO DOMESTIC OPERATOR PAYS EIGHTEEN TAXES and, therefore, same cannot be reason for a hike in airfares. That narrative needs to be ended.
Commitments were made with regards to timely and honest communication during flight disruptions, and compliance with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has dismissed claims that domestic airfares are inflated due to multiple taxes, insisting that airlines do not pay the alleged levies and attributing fare increases to normal market forces of demand and supply.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Michael Achimugu, in a statement on X on Sunday, stated that repeated allegations of excessive taxes by the government on domestic flights are unfounded.
Resharing a past interview, Achimugu said: “Any domestic carrier operating domestic flights that says that they are paying 18 taxes is a liar. No domestic carrier pays 18 taxes for domestic flights.
“We understand the high air fares this period are down to market forces—demand and supply. Let us assume there are 18 taxes, where those taxes increased recently, so why is it different in December?”
He added that while the NCAA does not regulate airfares, it had invited all domestic airlines to clarify the matter.
“They all admitted to not paying the volume of taxes being bandied around. I don’t understand this 350k and 81k narrative, but I know that, for the kind of support that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo; and the DGCA, Capt. Chris Najomo have given to domestic carriers, I see no reason why the government keeps getting thrown under the bus via statements like this.”
The clarification follows comments by Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema, who told ARISE News that many return flights on South-East routes operate nearly empty, yet airlines bear the full cost of both legs.
Onyema added, “Almost 65 to 70 per cent of that money is not coming to the airlines. They’re going somewhere else—levies, taxes, and other charges,” describing airlines as the “sacrificial lamb” of the industry.
He stressed that high fares reflect operational realities rather than exploitation. Ticket prices also vary based on timing and demand, with cheaper fares available for early bookings. Comparing Nigeria with international markets, Onyema said domestic fares remain among the lowest globally.
Achimugu questioned claims of profiteering, noting the lack of tax hikes or fuel increases. “It is even ironic that, in the same statement, it is alleged that Nigerians pay the lowest domestic airfares in the world while also justifying the astronomical airfares in December, even though there was no hike in taxes or jet fuel.
“If high taxes were the reason why airfares were 150k–200k, why did tickets sell for as high as 500k for a 45-minute trip when the said taxes did not increase?” he asked.
He concluded by emphasising that the December surge in fares is driven by market forces. “As far as I am concerned, the astronomical airfares in December are limited to certain destinations because of high demand. It is never just the airfares—it is bus fares, Airbnb rates, the price of food. It is market forces. It is Nigerians on Nigerians. This is not government.”
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