Landmark

Reform driven citizens under the umbrella of the Citizens Connect Conference has praised President Bola Tinubu's achievements in the oil and gas sector. Speaking at the 1st Citizens Connect Conference in Lagos, the Convener of the group, Charles Abakpa Onoja, said the President has restored national confidence in the oil and gas sector. In his opening address, Onoja said: “Let us begin where much of Nigeria’s story has always been written—our oil and gas sector. For decades, this sector symbolised both our promise and our pain. “We have heard stories of corruption, inefficiency, and missed opportunities. Yet today, there is a new story unfolding — a story of reform, renewal, and restoration. “Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, and through the diligent leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) led by Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the sector has been reborn on the firm foundation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). What Nigerians are witnes...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that bus shuttles that will move passengers and their luggage from major towns and cities in the state to the Gateway International Airport are being worked out as part of efforts to ensure ease of movement to the airport. Abiodun also revealed that plans are at an advanced stage to have a car hire services operating at the airport. The governor stated this on Thursday when he boarded a Valuejet scheduled commercial flight to Abuja. He noted that his administration is working to ensure that the airport continues to witness new developments. "We are going to ensure that we have convenient bus transportation from major cities and towns. There will be a bus service that will leave at a particular time to conveniently bring passengers from places like Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro, and others to the airport on time," he said. Speaking on the high level of validation the airport has received across the world since the commenceme...

By Moses Dan When Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), assumed the role of interim chairman of the newly launched African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), many across the continent’s oil and gas sector hailed it as a watershed moment. His elevation was not just a personal milestone but a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the governance of Africa’s energy future. Yet, even as praise pours in, questions linger about capacity, politics, and the sustainability of the project. The launch and charter-signing of AFRIPERF took place on September 18, 2025, during Africa Oil Week in Accra, Ghana. Sixteen African countries participated, and eight of them — including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo — formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter. Seven others pledged to join after domestic consultations. Komolafe was unanimously selected as interim chairman, a role that effectively...

In what appears to be yet another desperate attempt to evade repayment of long-outstanding debts upheld by multiple court judgments, Dr. Brendan Innocent Usoro and his company, Miden Systems Limited, have been linked to an unlawful protest staged on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Central Business District in Abuja. A group of individuals claiming to represent a coalition of civil society organizations obstructed access to a Sterling Bank branch, chanting false allegations and distributing  fabricated petitions designed to mislead the public about an ongoing legal matter.  There is also an existing Federal High Court order, which expressly prohibits Miden Systems and its affiliates from taking any steps or actions relating to the dispute with the Bank. The intention was unmistakable: to weaponise misinformation and public theatrics in an attempt to intimidate the Bank and distort a matter already conclusively determined by the courts. The disturbance was swiftly contained b...

Tier one Lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced its readiness to begin the disbursement of funds under the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) N5 billion Credit Intervention Scheme. The initiative is designed to expand access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as businesses owned by women and youths across Nigeria. This was disclosed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the bank and NCGC. According to Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe, the partnership with NCGC represents a significant step in the bank’s ongoing efforts to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth through increased access to credit. “This guarantee will enable us to further expand financing opportunities for those who need it most, while strengthening our capacity to support businesses across key sectors of the Nigerian economy,” she said. The facility will c...

Union Bank of Nigeria recently hosted an informal and engaging meet-and-greet session with leading media professionals at The Stallion Plaza, its headquarters in Marina, Lagos.  The event, held at SpaceNXT, the Bank’s purpose-designed co-creation hub for innovators and creators, was conceived as a relaxed platform to foster personal connections and deepen mutual understanding between the Bank and media partners. Rather than a formal media briefing, the gathering offered a convivial atmosphere for open conversation, reinforcing Union Bank’s recognition of the media’s essential role in shaping public discourse and amplifying the Bank’s mission. In attendance were senior members of Union Bank’s leadership team, including Taiwo Shote, Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Lagos and West, Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, and Tosin Ibikunle, Head of Strategy and Planning. Olufunmilola and Tosin reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to transparent and collaborative engag...

By Tayo Mabeweje  The morning of October 7, 2025, dawned with a different light over Ilishan-Remo — soft, golden, and deliberate, as if the sun itself had come to bear witness. The land that once echoed with the sound of bulldozers now hummed with the anticipation of flight. On that morning, the Gateway International Airport, Ogun State’s most daring vision, finally came alive. At the heart of the ceremony stood Governor Dapo Abiodun, CON, calm and reflective, the quiet pride of accomplishment in his eyes. Around him, a cross-section of Ogun’s finest — public servants, engineers, lawmakers, journalists, and residents — gathered not merely to witness an event, but to see a dream take shape against the clear Remo sky. At precisely 10:10 a.m., the ValueJet CRJ-900 aircraft, registration number 5N-BXS, rolled forward with steady poise, its engines singing like a chorus of fulfilled promises. As it lifted gracefully into the air, applause thundered through the terminal and across the ta...

By Aminu Adamu Aminu The restoration of hope for Nigerians and the effectiveness of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in delivering tangible, evidence-based, and progressive reforms are no longer matters of doubt or mere sloganeering among Nigerians and residents. These are not empty campaign promises but the reality of a new political order—a game-changer reshaping narratives, particularly in the petroleum sector, where the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is championing transformative reforms. What began two years ago, upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assumption of office, as an ambitious plan has evolved into a practical force, changing lives and transforming the nation with numerous tangible benefits. President Tinubu’s administration has made significant strides in restoring hope to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, fast-tracking the implementation of the PIA, and yielding measurable, positive results. At the core of NUPRC’s reforms is an unwavering commitmen...

Several traders from Owode Onirin Market on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly over the alleged killings of six people around the market on August 27, 2025. The trader, who came in several buses in large number to register their dissatisfaction with the killings, also submitted a petition addressed to the Speaker of the House dated October 7, 2025, titled; "When Justice Sleeps, Innocent Blood Cries: Petition To The Lagos State House Of Assembly On The Massacre Of Traders At Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Lagos State." The petition was written on behalf of the traders by the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), and signed by its President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse. The group said; "we write with profound grief, outrage, and an unyielding demand for justice over the massacre of six innocent traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, orchestrated by a notorious land grabber Mr....

L-R: Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun; Chairman/CEO, Value Jet, Mr Kunle Soname and the Olofin of Ilishan-Remo, Oba (Dr) Micheal Sonuga; Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, during the cutting of the tape commemorating the inaugural flight at the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan Remo, on Tuesday. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, inaugurated the first commercial flight of the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan Remo. The aircraft owned by Valuejet, with registration number 5N-BXS and 90 passengers on board, departed the airport at 10:10 a.m. to Abuja. Speaking at the airport located along the Iperu-Ilisan road in the Ikenne Local Government Area of the State, the governor said the journey to actualize the airport started in 2021 and was part of the vision to provide a well-modeled transport system for the State. He said: "I am glad to be here today to a...

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, inaugurated the first commercial flight of the Gateway International Airport, Ilishan Remo. The aircraft owned by Valuejet, with registration number 5N-BXS and 90 passengers on board, departed the airport at 10:10 a.m. to Abuja. Speaking at the airport located along the Iperu-Ilisan road in the Ikenne Local Government Area of the State, the governor said the journey to actualize the airport started in 2021 and was part of the vision to provide a well-modeled transport system for the State. He said: "I am glad to be here today to actually witness the inaugural flight of a commercial aircraft taking off from Ogun State; this is not like AI, this is real. Commercial operations are starting from Ogun State in the lifetime of an administration. "We came here in 2021; some people said it was just a photo op, they said it was just politics, they mocked us, and they said this place is nothing but a dump site. Some even said that w...

By James Nwachukwu Once again, Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), the senator representing Abia North has chosen to travel the ridiculous route of infamy, spewing lies and hatred against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. This time, he is cashing in on the face-off between Ben Kalu and the governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti over 2027. In a piece purportedly written by the Media Advier to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Ferdinand Ekeoma but laden with his imprints, OUK tagged Ben Kalu a serial betrayer just to cast aspersions and portray him in bad light. This is rather unfortunate. I am not perturbed because that's OUK's stock in trade. It's so familiar to everyone who knows him. Just as expected, Ekeoma has denied the press statement. But in defence of Benjamin Okezie Kalu, I am compelled to make this clarification which will take me into memory lane to let the world know who the real betrayer is.  For once, let's shout it to the mounta...

Tier One Lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has commenced the disbursement of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) MSME Intervention Funds, administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), to qualified SMES with a strategic focus on empowering women-owned businesses across the country. The FGN MSME Intervention Fund is designed to provide accessible financing to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across all 36 states of the federation. The intervention aligns with Fidelity Bank’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and its long-standing support for Nigeria’s SME sector. In this phase of the disbursement, the bank is prioritizing women entrepreneurs, reinforcing its belief in the catalytic role of women-led enterprises in driving sustainable development and job creation. Speaking on the development, Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, said, “As a bank deeply committed to the growth of SMEs, we are proud to partner with the Federal Government and t...

In recognition of his unwavering commitment to Africa’s development, Fidelity Bank Plc recently hosted a grand black-tie dinner to celebrate the retirement of Professor Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, outgoing President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), after ten years of transformative leadership. Held at the Lagos Continental Hotel on Thursday, 2 October 2025, the event was themed “Celebrating a Titan” and drew a distinguished gathering of dignitaries, captains of industry and international guests. They came together to honour a man widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential financial leaders. Welcoming guests to the event, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, described Prof. Oramah as “a towering figure in Africa’s economic renaissance.” She noted that his tenure at Afreximbank was defined by bold ideas, strategic foresight and a relentless pursuit of inclusive growth. “From Cairo to Kigali, Lagos...

Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to deepen delivery of exceptional customer experiences as it joins institutions across the world to celebrate 2025 Customer Service Week, themed “Mission: Possible.” The annual global event, which runs from today Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10, is dedicated to recognising the vital role of customer service professionals and the value they bring to customers and businesses alike. Speaking to customers and staff, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, emphasised that excellent service remains central to the Bank’s culture and success. He noted that while great service can sometimes seem like a challenge, it is always worth the effort. According to him, Polaris Bank’s approach to service is anchored on consistency, thoughtfulness, and excellence, ensuring that customers experience genuine care and responsiveness in every interaction. Lawal expressed appreciation to customers for their trust and feedback, desc...

The publishers of ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE, are proud to announce that the publication has been ranked No. 21 among the 40 Best Nigeria Business Blogs and Websites in 2025 by the global content curation platform, FeedSpot.  This recognition underscores Abuja Business Reports’ growing influence as a credible source of business, economy, policy, and investment news from Nigeria’s capital and beyond. Since its inception, the publication has remained committed to providing timely, reliable, and engaging reports that shape conversations in Nigeria’s economic and governance spaces.  Speaking on the recognition, James Ezema, the Editor-in-Chief of ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE, said: “We are humbled by this honour and deeply grateful to our readers, contributors, and partners who continue to believe in the vision of Abuja Business Reports. This rating is a call to greater responsibility and innovation in delivering insightful, informative, and...