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LG Electronics Nigeria: Driving Economic Growth and Social Impact

By Fidelia Okafor 
LG Electronics Nigeria is proving that modern business can do more than sell products, it can drive economic growth, create jobs, empower communities, and champion innovation.
From energy-efficient appliances to skill-building initiatives, the company is leaving a tangible mark on Nigeria’s economy and society.
Speaking at the End-of-Year Engagement Forum of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN), LG Electronics Nigeria showcased its vital role in the nation’s economy. Addressing a gathering of distinguished journalists, industry leaders, and invited guests, the company emphasized that its contributions go far beyond selling consumer electronics.
According to the address, LG Electronics Nigeria is not only a provider of household appliances and advanced technology but a key driver of economic development. Consumer electronics, the company noted, are no longer luxury items—they are essential tools for communication, productivity, education, healthcare, and innovation. LG’s wide range of products, including energy-efficient refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, and air conditioners, has become integral to improving quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
Economic impact extends beyond technology. LG Electronics Nigeria is a major contributor to job creation, supporting livelihoods through distribution networks, service centers, logistics channels, and retail partnerships nationwide. Furthermore, the company invests in human capital development by providing technical training and workforce development programs, equipping young Nigerians with the skills required in a technology-driven economy.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) also forms a core part of LG Nigeria’s operations. The company engages in initiatives aimed at uplifting communities, rather than simple charitable acts. Over the years, LG has donated electronics and appliances to schools and healthcare facilities, supported underprivileged communities, partnered with local institutions to enhance living and learning conditions, and championed educational support initiatives for young people.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of LG Nigeria’s approach. By providing energy-efficient products, the company helps households reduce energy consumption and costs, contributing both to environmental protection and economic relief. This approach underscores the company’s commitment to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices.
As a global brand operating locally, LG Electronics Nigeria also promotes technology transfer, adoption of global best practices, and confidence in Nigeria’s consumer electronics market. It is an example of how modern industry can combine innovation with purpose, growth with responsibility, and business success with social impact.
The company’s message to the press corps was clear: LG is not just selling products—it is creating opportunities, empowering communities, and supporting Nigeria’s broader growth story.
In the words of LG Electronics Nigeria, “Your role in telling these stories is crucial. By shining a light on companies that go beyond profit, you help document Nigeria’s economic journey.
Online Poster by — December 8, 2025 in News
MAN Applauds Press Role in Advocacy, Growth

By Fidelia Okafor 
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has hailed the vital role of the press in promoting industry advocacy and driving economic growth, describing journalists as indispensable partners in amplifying the country’s commerce and industrial initiatives.
Speaking at the 2025 End-of-Year Engagement Forum of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) held on December 4, MAN’s Corporate Services Division, Salami Musa,  reaffirmed its appreciation for the media’s critical role in shaping public understanding of commerce and industry in Nigeria.
The association conveyed its gratitude to CICAN for serving as a vital partner in amplifying the organization’s advocacy efforts.
Speaking on behalf of his divisional head, Dr. Segun Alabi, and by extension, the Director General and the President of MAN, Musa emphasized that the media’s quality representation ensures the visibility and impact of the association’s initiatives.
“It is no exaggeration to say that without the quality of representation you provide, our efforts would be akin to winking in the dark, lacking the visibility and amplification that your platform so effectively delivers,”
Musa stated, highlighting the indispensable role of journalists in the country’s commerce and industry ecosystem.
The forum also provided an opportunity to remind participants of the ongoing MAN of the Year Personality Award, an initiative that celebrates outstanding contributions within the media and industry space.
Entries for the award remain open until December 15, encouraging continued recognition of excellence.
Musa concluded by expressing optimism about the future, emphasizing the desire to deepen collaboration with the press in the coming year for even greater impact.
“We are sincerely grateful for your continued support and wish to reaffirm how much we value this partnership,” he said, urging CICAN members to maintain their dedication to reporting with accuracy, insight, and integrity.
The 2025 forum underscored the synergy between industry and media, reinforcing the critical role of journalism in shaping Nigeria’s economic and industrial landscape.
Online Poster by — December 8, 2025 in News
FirstBank’s Elephant Girls Emerge Zone 3 Champions, Qualify For WBLA Finals

By Winifred Bosa

FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls”, have secured their spot in the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), scheduled to hold in Cairo, Egypt from 5-14 December 2025.

According to a press release by Olayinka Ijabiyi, Ag. Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications , First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the Elephant Girls put on a commanding performance at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, winning all three games. Representing Nigeria as the country’s sole team in the tournament, they overcame fierce competition from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo in the Zone. Their undefeated run included a 66–55 upset against home favourites CSA of Côte d’Ivoire and a thrilling 63–59 comeback win against FBA of Côte d’Ivoire, after trailing by 20 points in the second quarter.

The remarkable performance, marked by resilience, discipline skill, and mental strength, earned the team a triumphant return to continental basketball after a six-year absence. Emerging as champions of Zone 3 and the only English-speaking team to advance, the Elephant Girls have reaffirmed FirstBank’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s sports in Nigeria and across Africa.

Speaking on the qualification, FirstBank’s Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development and Chairman of the Sports Council, Olumuyiwa Olulaja, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Elephant Girls for their outstanding performance. They have once again shown the world the strength, resilience, and excellence that define FirstBank.

“At FirstBank, we are committed to continuing our support for sports in Nigeria and Africa, and this victory is a significant step forward in our mission to promote excellence in sports on the continental and global stage,” he added.

The Elephant Girls had advanced to represent Nigeria at the WBLA Qualifiers for FIBA Africa Zone 3, following an impressive Silver Medal finish at the Zenith Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League.

With their place secured in Cairo, the Elephant Girls are poised to showcase their talent on the continental stage once again, carrying the pride of Nigeria and the FirstBank brand as they aim to make history in the Final Round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa.

 

 

Winifred Bosa by — December 8, 2025 in brands and Marketing
AI Will Empower Marketers, Not Displace Them, Says Dr. Cherry Eromosele At BJAN 2025 Conference

By Winifred Bosa

From L–R: Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, Lecturer, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye; John Ehiguese, CEO, Mediacraft Associates, Lagos; Daniel Obi, National Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN); Clara Okoro, Immediate Past Chairman, BJAN; Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, Chairman, NIPR Lagos Chapter; and Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communication, Interswitch, at the 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference hosted by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group, emphasised the need for marketers and journalists to adopt a balanced, collaborative approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Her keynote address was delivered on her behalf by Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communications, Interswitch. Speaking to the conference theme, “AI and the Future of Marketing Workflow: Disruption or Opportunity?”, Dr. Eromosele noted that AI has already reshaped how content is created, distributed, and evaluated. She emphasised that while the technology unlocks new levels of efficiency, it also requires responsible adoption and continuous human oversight.
In her words:
“The real risk is not in the technology itself, but in the reluctance to adapt. AI will enhance human output, but it still requires human judgment to ensure accuracy, context, and responsible use.”
She stressed the importance of sustained capacity building for marketing and communications professionals, adding that organisations must empower their teams with the skills needed to work confidently with AI-powered tools.
“Human insight, creativity and ethical consideration remain essential. Professionals who understand how to integrate these strengths with AI-driven capabilities will be better positioned for the evolving landscape,” she said.
Her session also incorporated interactive elements, including demos and video clips that showcased both the promise and the pitfalls of AI such as AI-generated newsroom mistakes and unpredictable outputs, reinforcing the need for careful human review in all automated workflows.
Dr. Eromosele expanded on the structural shifts AI is driving in the marketing ecosystem, highlighting the ‘New Marketing Trinity’ of data, creativity and algorithms, where AI now acts as a powerful multiplier that accelerates insight, precision and storytelling across multiple touchpoints.
She went on to outline five major transformations redefining modern marketing practice, including the shift from campaigns to always-on brand conversations, from fixed demographics to dynamic personas, and from traditional media buying to predictive distribution models that anticipate audience needs even before campaigns begin.
She also noted that emerging Agentic AI systems are evolving from basic content generators into autonomous co-workers capable of planning, learning and executing tasks, enabling brands to operate with unprecedented operational efficiency and speed.
Despite these advancements, she emphasised that the industry is entering “The Age of the Augmented Marketer,” where AI amplifies human capability rather than replacing it. According to her, this new era demands skills such as data storytelling, AI literacy, no-code orchestration and multi-modal content creation, all anchored in strategic thinking, ethics and cultural insight.
Dr. Eromosele also cautioned that increasing AI adoption introduces significant risks, ranging from misinformation and algorithmic bias to IP breaches and reputation threats, calling for strong governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, audit trails and mandatory human review points.
Addressing journalists directly, she noted that AI is now deeply reshaping newsroom workflows, from story discovery and verification to production and personalisation, making trust, ethical literacy, subject-matter expertise and verification-first reporting more essential than ever in an increasingly automated media environment.
Held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the BJAN Conference brought together industry experts, technology leaders and brand journalists for a rich examination of the shifts redefining marketing practice.
The event opened with a welcome address by BJAN Chairman, Daniel Obi, followed by remarks from the Guest of Honour, Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director, SO&U. A special address was also presented on behalf of Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, Director-General of ARCON, by Lady (Dr.) Sussie Agbo, Director of Registration at the Council.
The conference featured additional keynote contributions from Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, and a panel session comprising Segun Umoru (representing Lanre Basanta, Co-Founder/CEO, Optima AI Lab), Emma Adeniran, ICT expert, Dr. Seyi Akindehinde, CTO, Digital Encode, and Tomi Ogunlesi.
Moderated by Adedayo Odulaja, Secretary, BJAN, the conversation explored AI governance, workflow optimisation, cybersecurity risks and the evolving role of marketing professionals in an AI-enabled world.
As conversations around AI continue to shape the future of marketing and communications, Interswitch reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation, thought leadership and industry-wide capacity building.

The brand’s participation at the BJAN Conference emphasised its long-standing dedication to advancing responsible, technology-enabled marketing practice across Nigeria and beyond.

From L–R: Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, Lecturer, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye; John Ehiguese, CEO, Mediacraft Associates, Lagos; Daniel Obi, National Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN); Clara Okoro, Immediate Past Chairman, BJAN; Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, Chairman, NIPR Lagos Chapter; and Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands and Communication, Interswitch, at the 2025 Brands and Marketing Conference organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Winifred Bosa by — December 8, 2025 in brands and Marketing
Olusanya Adesanya Moves From Guinness To FrieslandCampina To Boost Sales 

By Winifred Bosa

In an audacious move to assist FrieslandCampina WAMCO in consolidating its position as the leading dairy brand in Nigeria, Olusanya Adesanya, former commercial director at Guinness Nigeria, has joined FrieslandCampina WAMCO Plc as the Group Director of Sales.

Adesanya, who announced this on his LinkedIn and was captured by the media, said, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.”

Adesanya, who wrote on his social media handle after his announcement, stated that as players in Nigeria’s complex and fragmented business landscape, we must adapt, focus on what’s within control, and remain obsessed with our users/consumers.

In his meeting with the chief commercial officer of MTN, Olusina Adegoke, during the Sales and Distribution Conference recently, Adesanya said, “We explored the secrets to unlocking market share in a near-saturated market. The algorithm for success is precise: agility, customer obsession, effective commercial footprint, and flawless execution – every day, everywhere. These remain relevant also to what we continue to strive and drive flawlessly with the commercial engine in Guinness Nigeria.”

The foremost commercial expert, who had driven the fortune of the foremost brewery giant, has been integral to the Guinness resurgence in recent years.

In a statement released by Guinness Nigeria and signed by its managing director/chief executive officer, Girish Sharma, “After twelve remarkable years of positive impact and growth, our Commercial Director, Adesanya Olusanya (Sanya), has decided to make a bold move, exiting Guinness Nigeria, effective October 2025, to pursue a personal passion.”

Adesanya joined Guinness Nigeria in 2013 as a Sales Rep, and his journey has been one of remarkable personal growth and contributions to Guinness Nigeria. The business is genuinely proud of what Sanya has achieved and his leadership. Over 12 years, Sanya has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership, driving retail growth and commercial transformation, and has worked across the South-East, Lagos, and South-West of our business, ultimately attaining the position of Commercial Director in 2023.

He successfully launched Project REAP, revolutionizing retail execution; expanded our distribution base, primarily to grow numeric distribution; and contributed to Group transformational projects in Ghana and Kenya. Under his leadership, the Commercial team achieved double-digit topline growth, improved gross margin, trade spend efficiency, and fostered excellence in people and distributor profitability, all driven by his mantra “always go the extra mile”.

“His achievement in the last 12+ years has earned him critical awards, including the Prestigious African President Awards 2021, MAD Awards 2014 and 2015.”

In a statement posted by Guinness Nigeria, Olusanya said: “I am truly honoured for the opportunity to have been part of the journey of Guinness Nigeria over the last twelve years. The chance to have been part of the journey of a business with such a rich heritage is a privilege that I have embraced with gratitude and humility. As I make this life-changing decision for the next move in my career, I wish the business and my wonderful colleagues in Guinness Nigeria, particularly the Commercial team, as well as our truly wonderful Trade Partners, all the best for the future”.

Congratulating Olusanya on the latest move, the chief executive officer of UAC Foods, Oluyemi Oloyede, said, “Big, Big congratulations, Olusanya Adesanya. All the best in this new journey. Please don’t add alcohol to milk, ooo.”

Also wishing Adesanya well in his new career journey, business leader and C-Suite Executive Tsola Barrow said, “Congratulations, Sanya.”

Adesanya, who joined Guinness Nigeria in November 2013, has led Guinness Nigeria to success by formulating a winning commercial strategy, driving revenue growth and profitable market share, and unlocking the full potential of the company’s innovation and people to achieve competitive advantage, while sustaining excellence across our business.

Winifred Bosa by — December 8, 2025 in brands and Marketing
NACCIMA, GIZ Collaborate To Facilitate Cross-Border Trade, Export 

By Fidelia Okafor 
In the bid to strengthen regional integration, facilitate cross-border agricultural trade, and expand opportunities for micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the National Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has partnered with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
At the launch of NACCIMA activities under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme themed:  “Strengthening ECOWAs Agricultural Market to Drive Food Security and Regional  Prosperity,” NACCIMA President, Jani Ibrahim noted that agriculture continues to play a critical role in Nigeria’s economy, adding that in Q4 2024, the sector contributed about 24.64% to GDP.
“With the recent GDP rebasing, the share of agriculture in national output has risen. Early 2025 estimates show agriculture’s share of GDP at around 27.8%.”
Ibrahim however noted that despite its large role in the economy and its sustenance of livelihoods, Nigeria’s agricultural exports remain modest.
He disclosed that it is  against this backdrop that the EAT Project and NACCIMA’s role take on special relevance. He said for NACCIMA, this initiative aligns perfectly with the association’s mandate to empower the private sector, promote enabling policies, and strengthen export competitiveness.
“Through this Project, we intend to address longstanding bottlenecks that hinder trade through the capacity building of traders and SMEs within the agribusiness value chain, enabling them to meet requirements for regional markets.
“By unlocking the potential of regional agricultural trade, we are not just moving goods; we are unlocking livelihoods, creating value, deepening regional economic integration, and contributing to food security for millions across West Africa.
“The opportunities are enormous, with Nigeria’s burgeoning population and rising urban demand, ECOWAS’s vast markets, and the dynamism of our private sector.
“But we must also recognise the challenges: infrastructure gaps, limited access to finance, weak value-chain linkages, and non-tariff barriers. This is why a coordinated effort under the EAT Project, with NACCIMA as a central private-sector anchor, is so critical.
The NACCIMA boss applauded GIZ and ECOWAS, its development partners, for entrusting NACCIMA with the responsibility.
He noted that the partnership promises stronger agricultural value chains, better market access, enhanced trade in food and agro-products, and a more vibrant role for the private sector in shaping regional trade in West Africa.”
For the Director General, NACCIMA, Sola Obadimu, agriculture remains a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing about one-quarter of its GDP and supporting millions of livelihoods.
Obadimu noted that yet, despite the  vast potential, the nation’s agricultural export earnings remain below expectation, even as the wider ECOWAS region with a population of over 400 million people continues to offer huge untapped market opportunities.
The DG pointed out that the EAT Project is therefore timely, as it  strengthens the  collective effort to boost intra-regional agricultural trade, improve standards, remove non-tariff barriers, and support SMEs to participate more competitively in regional value chains.
“For NACCIMA, this intervention aligns strongly with our mandate to promote trade, support private-sector competitiveness, and deepen regional integration.
“Under this project, NACCIMA will lead a series of activities focused on capacity building and improving access to market information. Our aim is simple: to ensure that Nigerian agribusinesses are better positioned to take advantage of opportunities within the ECOWAS market and contribute meaningfully to national and regional growth.”
For  Arne Schuffenhauver,
Program Lead,  GIZ- EAT, the programme is funded by the German government, implemented in partnership with the ECOWAS Commission,  and with many other partners in five countries of which Nigeria is one of them.
 Schuffenhauver said  ECOWAS trade is one of the biggest markets for food products in West Africa.
He noted that the GIZ partnered NACCIMA because the association gives services to members and non-members on how to better access markets, how to trade, how to go through inspections and customs in an efficient way.
“So NACCIMA is a strategic partner for us, noting  that  the EAT project is important to really accelerate trade with food products.
“So the benefit is knowledge, access to information, access to markets, to promote these businesses of smaller, medium enterprises, also youth and women.”
He said  for the moment, cross-border trade is not recognized as a huge business because the narrative at the moment is that it’s too small to invest and defragmented.
The project lead, GIZ-EAT said   the cross-border food trade is a big business of 10 billion dollars.
“So it means there’s a lot of opportunities.  There are still challenges for small and medium traders to really invest, to have access to finance, to cross the borders without any obstacles.
“So there’s also other solutions that we support, like small infrastructure, cool stores, solar-powered cool stores, even very simple aspects like transporting a product from a market to the next destination, so across the border with tricycles.
“All of these small business cases are important to show policy makers that there are solutions and these solutions are attractive for making money, for profits, for creating jobs, for creating incomes.
“We just have to channel funds, credits, into these directions so that we can invest more into these businesses for the benefit of traders and  also consumers.”
Nancy Okpa, Principal Trade Promotion Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), noted that the launch
marks a significant milestone in regional economic cooperation by creating a structural platform for producers, processors, exporters, policy makers and development partners.
“This initiative advances a shared vision and integrated West African market where agricultural value chains thrive.
Okpa said through this collaboration, barriers to trade are reduced, opportunities for inclusive growth are expanded.
“As Nigeria continues to defend its core values, agriculture remains central to our national and economic strategy.”
She noted that the framework for agricultural trade facilitation lies strongly with the council’s mandate to support exporters, improve competitiveness and help Nigerian producers meet regional and global demands.
“We particularly commend NACCIMA and GIZ for their commitment to empowering agricultural businesses and strengthening the capacities of all stakeholders.
“This initiative comes at a crucial time when strategic patterns are needed to unlock the immense potential of the West African agricultural sector.”
Online Poster by — December 6, 2025 in News
Pension Compliance: PenCom DG Announces New Era of Zero Tolerance For Pension Defaults

PenCom goes tough on defaulters of CPS regulations, unveils era of zero tolerance - Champion Newspapers LTD

…Trains Recovery Agents On Recovering Pension Liabilities From Employers

 

The Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has announced that PenCom has ushered in a new era of zero tolerance for pension defaults with accredited Recovery Agents serving as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s social contract with its workers.

 

 

Ms. Oloworaran represented by the Commissioner Inspectorate of the Commission, Hon. Samuel Chigozie Uwandu stated this during an intensive Training Workshop for accredited Recovery Agents held in Lagos on 2 December 2025. The training marked a renewed nationwide compliance push to recover outstanding pension contributions and penalties from employers who persistently violate the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, which mandates remittance of pension contributions within seven working days of salary payment.

 

 

The workshop, attended by enforcement officers, resource persons and pension industry stakeholders, outlined new strategic initiatives that will strengthen enforcement efforts, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and empower recovery agents to tackle non-remittance of pension contributions with greater precision and authority.

 

 

Speaking further at the workshop, the Director General reaffirmed PenCom’s commitment to enforcing strict compliance across the pension industry.
PenCom currently engages Recovery Agents to audit defaulting employers, calculate outstanding pension liabilities, issue demand notices, and facilitate recovery of unremitted pension contributions. Recovery Agents’ work has been instrumental in enforcing compliance since the start of the recovery exercise in 2012.

 

PenCom data shows that the Commission has cumulatively recovered ₦32.27 billion, comprising ₦15.87 billion in principal contributions and ₦16.40 billion in penalties from defaulting employers between June 2012 and September 2025.

 

In addition, PenCom recorded significant compliance gains in the third quarter of 2025 alone, recovering ₦2.06 billion (₦775 million principal and ₦1.27 billion penalties) from 49 defaulting employers, reflecting a sustained surge in enforcement activities.

 

Ms. Oloworaran told the workshop participants that despite the successes of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), persistent defaults by employers threaten the fundamental purpose of the system.
“Every unremitted Naira represents a broken promise to a Nigerian worker,” she said. “This Commission has moved from promoting voluntary compliance to mandating enforced compliance. The era of impunity is over.”

 

She recalled that the appointment of Recovery Agents followed a competitive, transparent selection process, reflecting PenCom’s confidence in their capacity, professionalism, and integrity. She reminded participants that they are the “operational arm of PenCom’s enforcement will” and are critical to PenCom’s strategy to safeguard workers’ retirement savings.

 

The Director General outlined several bold initiatives forming PenCom’s expanded enforcement architecture, including forming stronger partnerships with key regulatory bodies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other relevant agencies. Under these partnerships, employers’ compliance with the PRA 2014 will influence their standing with these bodies. The DG noted that defaulting employers will face consequences beyond PenCom, as non-compliance may affect business operations, access to government services, and regulatory privileges.

 

PenCom DG also brought to the attention of the participants the newly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which empowers ICPC to hold the management of recalcitrant employers personally accountable, making pension defaults a matter with potential criminal implications.

 

“This MoU is a decisive step to give teeth to our recovery efforts,” the DG stated. “No employer should imagine that withholding workers’ pensions is without consequences.”
The training modules delivered at the workshop were designed to deepen RAs’ skills in employer audit and compliance assessment; liability computation and negotiation; documentation and evidence management; engagement protocols under PenCom’s new enforcement architecture and use of enhanced digital compliance tools and reporting systems.

 

Participants were also briefed on PenCom’s internal reforms aimed at ensuring faster processing of reports, better coordination between departments, and stronger monitoring of ongoing recovery activities.
The DG concluded her remarks with a powerful charge to the Recovery Agents:
“You are the ambassadors of this new resolve, an Act with unwavering ethical standards, exercise professional care, and be relentless in securing what is rightfully due to the Nigerian worker.”

 

She said that PenCom stands fully behind the agents and will provide all necessary institutional support to ensure that every kobo owed to Nigerian workers is recovered.
The workshop ended with a renewed sense of mission as PenCom and its accredited Recovery Agents prepare to intensify nationwide compliance activities throughout 2026 and beyond.

Online Poster by — December 5, 2025 in Insurance and Pension
Gov Mbah Presents N1.62 Trn 2026 Budget Of Renewed Momentum

Gov Mbah presents N1.62trn 2026 budget of renewed momentumLarryBravo Nwaiwu
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, presented a record N1.62 trillion 2026 budget estimates to the Enugu State House of Assembly, saying the administration was moving from laying foundation to scaling transformation across every sector.
The figure represents a 66.5 per cent increase over the N971 billion revised 2025 budget.
Dubbed Budget of Renewed Momentum, Governor Mbah said the budget comprised a Capital Expenditure of N1,296,092,465,000, representing 80 per cent of the total budget, while the Recurrent Component stood at N321,305,000,000, representing 20 per cent of the budget totaling N1,617,397,465,000.
Mbah said the budget would be funded through a projected N870 billion Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, N387 billion would come from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, while N329 billion is expected as Capital Receipts.
A sectoral breakdown of the budget shows that the Economic Sector would receive N825.9 billion, representing N51 per cent of the total budget, followed by the Social Sector (N644.7 billion), representing 40.1 per cent of the budget, while Administration Sector, Justice Sector and Regional Sector got N128 billion, N15.8 billion, and N2 billion, respectively.
“Allocating N825.9 billion to the Economic Sector is strategic and deliberate. When we invest in agriculture, industry, and trade, we create jobs, reduce poverty, and generate revenue that strengthens the entire economy. The performance of this sector remains central to our vision of achieving a seven-fold GDP growth in Enugu State,” the governor explained.
Highlights of the Economic Sector include Roads/Infrastructure Sector where the governor plans to construct 1,200 urban roads and a significant number of rural roads, while also completing the ongoing 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway, dualisation of the Abakpa Nike – Ugwogo Nike – Ekwegbe – Opi-Nsukka Road, and the 21.65-kilometre Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.
Concerning Transportation, Mbah announced that the state would acquire 14 additional aircraft to bring Enugu Air’s fleet to 20, noting that three additional planes would arrive before the end of 2025.
The administration plans to build five more transport terminals in Emene, Udi, Awgu, Four-Corners (Ozalla) and Obollo-Afor. It equally set aside 15 per cent of the budget for providing 15,000 mass housing units, while ramping up infrastructural development at the New Enugu City.
In the Agricultural Sector, he said the administration would, among others, step up the construction of 20-hectare Farm Estates in the 260 wards of the state, with some already underway.
In the Social Sector, education got the lion’s share of 32.27 per cent of the entire budget, following patterns of the 2024 and 2025 budgets where it also got over 30 per cent.
He said that with the 260 Smart Green Schools already completed or nearing completion, the state would focus on the construction of Smart Secondary Schools and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Colleges across the state in 2026.
“There are some, who might look at what we spend on education and cringe. But what we spend currently on education is largely insignificant weighed against the future social cost of having a disproportionate population of out-of-school children,” he explained.
He said his administration equally budgeted the sum of N20 billion to clear longstanding gratuities inherited by his administration, noting that “Our workers should not wait years to receive benefits they have earned.”
N11 billion was budgeted to, among others, fund the second phase of the administration’s security surveillance system, Health is to get 10 per cent of the total budget.
*2025 Budget Performance*
On the 2025 budget performance, Governor Mbah said the administration had so far spent about N806 billion.
“This means that we utilized 97.5 per cent of all the money that came into the state and achieved 83 per cent of the total budget implementation as against the revised budget of N871 billion,” he said.
On revenues performance, the governor said “The money coming into Enugu State has grown in ways we have never seen before.”
“Our internally generated revenue is set to exceed ₦400 billion by the end of the year. It is not yet where we ultimately want to be, but it is already the highest IGR in the history of Enugu State – a 221.6% increase over 2024,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, saying it had revved up the FAAC allocations to Enugu State.
“Our FAAC inflow did not just meet expectations – it exceeded them by more than half. We projected about ₦150 billion but we received ₦230 billion – over 50 per cent above projection.
“This is not accidental. It reflects the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rate and other fiscal measures have strengthened key macro indicators – inflation has declined and continues to trend downwardly, interest rates have eased, and the exchange rate has stabilised. And our foreign reserve has continued to be strengthened, and recently hit the $46 billion mark,” he said.
Online Poster by — December 5, 2025 in News
Seplat Energy Earns Market Excellence, Education Intervention, Upstream Deal Awards In Lagos And London

Seplat Energy Plc, foremost Nigerian independent energy company, has received three (3) awards for market excellence (2025 Highest Net Asset Ratio) at the PEARL Awards 30th Anniversary and Awards Nite in Lagos; Upstream Deal of the Year at the World Energy Capital Assembly (WECA) Awards in London; and Education Intervention of the Year recognition at the SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards in Lagos.

The PEARL Awards (Performance, Earnings, and Returns Leadership Awards), established in 1995, are designed to honour companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) for exceptional operational and stock market performance. The Awards aim to promote the vibrancy, growth, and development of Nigeria’s capital market. The highest return on net assets (RONA) ratio for which Seplat Energy was recognised, compares a firm’s net income with its assets and helps investors to determine how well the company is generating profit from its assets. The higher a firm’s earnings relative to its assets, the more effectively the company is deploying those assets.

Speaking on the awards, the President/CEO of Pearl Awards, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, said each of the competitive award categories, ranging from the sectoral leadership awards to market excellence awards and the most prestigious overall highest award, is the result of an objective and data-driven ranking process.

The NGX Chief Executive Officer, Jude Chiemeka, commended the foresight of the founders of the Pearl Awards, acknowledging their role in motivating performance excellence over the years. According to him, by recognising companies via quantifiable and verifiable metrics, the awards have strengthened discipline and transparency across the market.

The WECA Awards of Excellence represents a global benchmark of excellence for those working across the upstream industry. The awards recognise and honour the individuals and companies who have been at the forefront of first-class deals, value creation, innovation, or exceptional financial and operating performance. It also celebrates the executives who continue to change the face of the oil and gas industry, demonstrating outstanding leadership and performance.

The SERAS Awards promote excellence and best practice in CSR and Sustainability, provide a yardstick for measuring excellence and drive adoption of CSR and Sustainability in Africa. The awards also celebrate the continent’s most influential organisations and leaders driving transformative sustainable development.

In his address, Ken Egbas, Founder of The SERAS, explained that the 2025 theme -“Sustainability 2.0: Innovating for Impact and Inclusive Growth”—signals a decisive shift toward bold, future-focused action.

“Africa cannot afford business as usual. We must innovate—relentlessly, boldly, audaciously. We must connect growth to inclusion, profit to purpose, ambition to equity. This year’s organizations have shown that this future is attainable,” he said.

Online Poster by — December 5, 2025 in News