Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC Governorship Candidate for 2025 Governorship Election in Anambra State recently met with a delegation of Women professionals from the Catholic Women Organization ( CWO) of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka Anambra State.
He shared his vision for Anambra, promising to create job opportunities, provide Agriculture loans for farmers, implement other life- enhancing initiatives.
Ukachukwu declared this during a celebration of 10th year anniversary of of st. Patrick College and CWO grand Finale of this year Triennial Convention.
In an interview with Ukachukwu on the role of the church in holding government accountable and promoting good governance, he said that the church should serve as a moral compass, guiding government principles and actions, provide a platform for citizens to voice concerns and receive support, that the church influence can help , ensure government accountability, and transpiracy.
” By engaging with the government, the church can promote synergy and collaboration “.
In their prayers, Diocesan Chaplain of CWO of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, Parish Priest of Saint Francies Enugwu – Ukwu prayed for wisdom, discernment of a leader, protection and God’s will and purpose for Ukachukwu, appreciating his maturity and conduct during his entrance to the church, assuring his support and continuous prayers.
L-R: Head , Portfolio, Regulation and Supply, Chukwuka Amos-Ejesi, Shell Nigeria Energy (SEN); President, Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) , Akachukwu Nwokedi ; Manager, Commercial Sales and Customer Service , Ehizogie Olotu, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG); Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Eronse Amadasun , Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC);President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Uche Johnbosco; Regional Representative United Nations General Protocol( UNGP) for Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), Dr Douglas Jombo…at the Gas Investment Forum in Lagos
Nigeria needs sustained actions to attract and retain investments in the gas sector to ensure economic growth and industrialization, senior leaders of the Shell Energy Nigeria organisation said at the 3rd edition of the Gas Investment Forum which held in Lagos this week.
Investments in key infrastructure, consistency in policy and regulations and partnerships were highlighted as enablers for the development of the nation’s huge gas resources.
General Manager Shell Energy Nigeria, Markus Hector and Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) Ralph Gbobo made the remarks at separate sessions at the conference.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Head, Portfolio, Regulation and Supply Chuka Amos-Ejesi, at a panel session on Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Imperative: Driving Investments through IOC–Independent Partnerships, Markus said: “There is a clear strategic case for collaboration. IOCs bring international experience, deep capital reserves, and strong technical and risk management frameworks while independents bring local insight, agility, and operational flexibility in the Nigerian context.”
He said such “partnerships must also build domestic capacity — in engineering, supply chain, operations, and maintenance.”
Earlier in his own remarks at the opening ceremony, Ralph said SNG was developing infrastructure by building gas hubs in Port Harcourt, Aba, Ota, and recently, Yenagoa and hopes to extend to other cities.
He described infrastructure “as the backbone of Nigeria’s gas industrialisation journey, saying investments in this area “will not only improve access but also reduce costs and emissions, making gas a more viable option for industries and communities.”
Ralph said policy clarity and consistency is essential for attracting long-term capital while “effective collaboration is the catalyst for scale and innovation.”
He added: “The opportunities are immense, gas will continue to support Nigeria’s energy transition, providing reliable power while displacing more carbon-intensive fuels, enhance job creation, industrial diversification, and regional trade. The success of these levers will be a collaborative effort from both the public and private sectors.”
The Gas Investment Forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders on investment opportunities across the gas value chain—upstream, midstream and downstream.
NAPharm EXCO with the newly Inducted 2025 Fellows at the Old Great Hall ,College of Medicine, Unilag, Idi-Araba.
By Winifred Bosa
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has restated its commitment to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system and promoting national development through pharmaceutical innovation.
This reaffirmation came during the Academy’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Valedictory Session in honour of its founding president, Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, and the Investiture Ceremony for newly elected Fellows.
The two-day event, held from Wednesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, drew leading voices from the healthcare, academic, and professional sectors.
This year’s gathering was anchored on the timely and transformative theme:
“Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
The series of events brought together distinguished leaders, professionals, policymakers, and scholars from across Nigeria and the global pharmaceutical community to reflect on how innovation in pharmacy and healthcare can drive economic diversification, job creation, and national progress.
A Celebration of Legacy and Leadership
The 2025 edition was particularly significant as it featured a Valedictory Session in honour of the late Pharm. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, FNAPharm, was the revered founding President of the Academy and a towering figure whose vision, mentorship, and integrity shaped generations of pharmacists and national leaders.
Fellows and dignitaries offered passionate tributes to Chief Akinkugbe’s legacy of excellence, enduring influence on healthcare systems, and lifelong commitment to professionalism, ethics, and nation-building.
Speaking at the Valedictory Session, Prof. Lere Baale, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of NAPHARM, described Chief Akinkugbe as “a pharmacist, leader, and statesman whose life exemplified grace, discipline, and visionary service to humanity.”
Keynote Address: Innovation as an Engine of Growth
The highlight of the Investiture Ceremony was the Keynote Address delivered by Mr Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of First HoldCo Plc, who spoke on “Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development.”
In his address, Mr Oyedeji underscored the critical role of research, local manufacturing, digital health, and investment in building a resilient pharmaceutical value chain that supports Nigeria’s industrial and health security goals.
He emphasised that “pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs but also about creating an ecosystem that supports knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across public and private sectors.”
He called on government, academia, investors, and practitioners to align strategies to harness Nigeria’s demographic advantage and intellectual capital for sustainable development.
New Fellows Inducted into the Academy
A significant highlight of the event was the induction of new Fellows into the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy. These distinguished professionals were recognised for their outstanding contributions to pharmacy education, research, practice, policy, and entrepreneurship.
The 14 new Distinguished Fellows include:
Pharm. Dr Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, Pharm. Yedunni Abimbola Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Adenike Olubisi Adenuga; Pharm. Dr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Pharm. Prof. Ezekiel Olugbenga Akinkunmi; Pharm. Dr Umoru Barde Ali, Pharm. Prof. Olufunsho Awodele, Pharm. Jaiyeola Adetunji Doherty; Pharm. Dr Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim; Pharm. Dr Thomas Omotayo Ilupeju, Pharm. Dr Wilson Ishima, Pharm. Steve Azubuike Okoronko, and Pharm. (Mrs.) Olayinka Folashade Oredola.
4 Honorary Fellows include Pharm Elder Ebenezer Adeleke, Pharm Alfred Oladeji Osinoiki, Chief Varkey Verghese MFR, and Alhaji Sayyid Atana.
The 3 Lifetime Achievements Awardees were Pharm Prof Gabriel Osuide, Pharm Asiwaju Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, and Dr Fidelis Ayebae.
Prof. Lere Baale, while congratulating the new Fellows and Lifetime Achievement Awardees, noted that “the Academy remains a think tank for advancing pharmaceutical excellence, knowledge translation, and health system innovation in Nigeria and across Africa.” He urged the new Fellows to carry forward the ideals of integrity, scholarship, and service that define the Academy’s ethos.
A Gathering of Excellence and Unity
The event drew a constellation of distinguished personalities from academia, industry, and government, including:
•Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, FPSN, Founding President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy;
•Pharm. Sir Ike Onyechi, FPSN, FPCPharm, FNAPharm;
•Pharm. (Chief) Olubunmi Olaopa, FPSN;
•Pharm. Prof. Fola Tayo, MFR, FPSN;
•Pharm. Prof. Cecilia Igwilo, OFR, FPSN;
•and other eminent Fellows and guests.
The event featured moments of reflection, inspiring speeches, awards, and musical interludes that highlighted the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of the profession.
Advancing the Future of Pharmacy and National Development
The 2025 AGM and Investiture reaffirmed the Academy’s mission as a beacon of thought leadership and advocacy for integrating pharmaceutical science into national development planning.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Baale noted:
“Pharmacy holds the power to shape the future of Nigeria’s healthcare, innovation, and industrial growth. When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are not just advancing science — we are securing our nation’s health, economy, and dignity.”
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and policy advocacy to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems and inspire the next generation of innovators.
…Says Agency Already Has Strengthened Regulatory System for Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Through Restructuring and Global Benchmarking.
By Winifred Bosa
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has challenged manufacturers of pharmaceutical products in the country to take the necessary investment decisions that will facilitate the production of human vaccines in Nigeria.
She warned that Nigeria should not wait for another pandemic before it gets prepared and avoid being caught unawares, as witnessed during COVID-19, when the country depended on international donors to survive the scourge.
As was contained in a press release by Sayo Akintola
Resident Media Consultant NAFDAC, the DG explained,
“When I came to NAFDAC, we had the Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate, which was in charge of registration of all NAFDAC-regulated products, meaning the registration of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, herbal medicines, vaccines, veterinary products, pesticides, and other finished chemicals was under one Director, which made the system susceptible to ineffectiveness and corruption”
“I first carved out the Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate, and what was left over was still huge. Adding that if you want good governance and leadership, you must have governable units, governable groups. One Director overseeing seven regulated products will not achieve the necessary efficiency. “
“That was why we knew that we had to separate vaccines and medical devices from the Drug Registration and Regulatory Affairs Directorate.
NAFDAC became Maturity Level 3 in 2022 for medicines and imported vaccines. For NAFDAC to be benchmarked for vaccines, biologics and medical devices, she explained that we had to have a separate Directorate headed by a director to ensure that we align with international best practices, and we are operating at the same level as advanced countries of the world.
She disclosed that the Agency had to separate Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices in November 2024 to form one directorate, following the Head of Service of the Federations assessment, evaluation, and sanction, to ensure that it would be a viable Directorate with operating units. “
The DG expressed the hope that the nation would manufacture vaccines before she leaves office, saying that It will be exciting news for me, because during the pandemic we were too dependent on foreign countries. We couldnt get any vaccines unless from outside the country.
That was when the preparedness for epidemics became a reality for us.
She stated that the Agency now has guidelines for emergency preparedness for epidemics and pandemics. Still, she warned that if theres another pandemic now and Nigeria is not yet manufacturing human vaccines, despite having manufactured veterinary vaccines since 1924, the country will again be at the mercy of other countries.
During the pandemic, we ran up and down to see whether we could start manufacturing vaccines, but things did not work out, she said, adding that we must decide as a country that we will not be too dependent on others. We will manufacture our own.
According to her, there has been a movement to do that, but this has not come to reality. Thats why I pray that before my tenure is over, we will be manufacturing vaccines.
According to her, any country that wants to manufacture vaccines that will be pre-qualified by the WHO must have a regulatory system with at least Maturity Level 3 status. She added that the fact that we now have ML3 for medicines and imported vaccines in 2022 brought us to the discussion of manufacturing vaccines.
She explained that, as a country, we had to fulfil the requirements of nine modules in the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool, one of which is Licensing Establishments for the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), and NAFDAC had the remaining eight.
She pointed out that the ML3 we achieved was for seven of the eight, emphasizing that we have not been benchmarked for locally manufactured vaccines.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC is the only National Regulatory Agency (NRA) in sub-Saharan Africa that has an in-house laboratory for vaccines, biologics, and medical devices.
She said the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has a laboratory for vaccines but contracted it out to private operators.
We are working towards getting our ML3 for locally manufactured vaccines. We already have ML3 for medicines and imported vaccines since 2022.
WHO came last year, they saw everything that we have as a regulatory agency on indicators for vaccine Lot Release; we have almost satisfied everything except that the country must manufacture vaccines because its when we manufacture vaccines that we can do local facility inspections.
She said NAFDAC has been conducting Lot Release testing on imported vaccines in her lab for years, adding that the WHO wants to know that we can also effectively monitor locally manufactured ones.
This is where we are as a country, and I pray that within a short time, we will be able to manufacture our own vaccines.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Khadijah Ade-Abolade, Director of Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Registration and Regulatory Affairs, stated that the federal government is playing a strategic role to ensure that local vaccine manufacturing takes off in the country.
She stated that the policy has been established, and support is being provided to ensure that vaccine manufacturing takes off in Nigeria.
According to her, the important thing is the regulatory framework, which is already established by NAFDAC and is well-functioning for imported vaccines, and which will also be applied to local vaccines when manufacturing starts in the country.
All the required regulatory functions for the regulation of vaccines are already available. We have our market authorisation, which is the registration that we do; the Inspectorate arm of the Agency conducts regulatory inspections.
We have Clinical trial oversight, which is crucial for vaccine regulation, as well as Post-Market Surveillance and Pharmacovigilance, because we need to monitor the safety and efficacy of our vaccines.
Mrs. Ade-Abolade maintained that the regulatory system for local vaccine manufacture is already well established in the country, stressing that We are just waiting for the manufacturing operations to start by the manufacturers.
“The Director General further emphasized that we have the capability to manufacture vaccines.
The country can start with Fill and Finish while planning on the greenfield.
We have sound scientists. We have our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is encouraging local manufacturing as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Now is the time to get it done.”
The Director, National Single Window (NSW) Project and Head of secretariat, Mr. Tola Fakolade has reassured the business community that the Policy initiative will position Nigeria as the preferred destination for businesses within and across Africa.
Fakolade maintained that the initiative was carefully designed to reduce every bureaucratic bottlenecks hitherto hindering trade to the barest minimum, accelerate trade processes, harmonize revenue flow, ameliorate pains, and boost ports efficiency.
Mr. Fakolade confirmed this development during a joint Stakeholders forum of the NSW Project Secretariat and the Nigeria customs held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State recently.
The Director informed critical stakeholders across the trade value chain in attendance that the legacy initiative is in sync with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus’ quest for modalities necessary to be in place for Nigeria to attain a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030, in line with world economic growth projections for countries.
Commending the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and players for their pioneering roles in digitisation of trade processes, he explained that the initiative will harmonise and streamline trade processes and procedures into a One- Stop -Shop platform.
“This platform will house all Government Related Revenue collection agencies and Importers/exporters as well as other regulatory agencies of Government into a single access for declarations.
“The NSW is configured in a way to accommodate all critical stakeholders involved in the trade value chain to the extent of visibility and interoperability.
Therefore, no stakeholder will operate in silos or territorially. It is envisaged that this platform will harmonise the digital operational competences of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and consolidation of same to enable ease of doing business in Nigeria”
Expected challenges and other grey areas were addressed during questions and answers session by the keynote speaker, Mr Kingsley Igwe, and the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by the Zonal Coordinator Zone C of the Customs, ACG Mohammed kamal. Inputs and suggestions were critiqued and welcomed.
Compered by the National PRO of Customs, Aliyu Maiwada, and supported by the 2IC and other CPRO’s in Zone, led by AC Fortune- former Zonal PRO – Zone C, the Head of NSW secretariat assured the stakeholders of federal Governments’ full commitment towards deploying the NSW to enable Nigeria become a new destination for business.
“It is hoped that with full implementation of Single Window, all bureaucratic bottlenecks hitherto hindering trade will be drastically reduced. It will ensure transparency in the system and will enthrone predictability when transacting business, while we strive to reduce cost and human interface in the trade ecosystem.
“It is therefore the wish of the secretariat that the project should be supported and embraced for the benefit of all stakeholders. There will be training and retraining of operators in the system as well as support for MDAs involved in the value chain who are yet to have a digitised platform for trade. Implementation will be in four stages and each stage will have a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for assessment” he assured.
Recall that, just recently, a similar forum was held in Lagos where the Federal Government assured business operators of its readiness to boost port efficiency and seamless operations. This, it said would materialized through innovative and creative processes – powered by modern technology to improve ease of doing business. Most importantly, the government said it was moving from a revenue generating agency to a trade facilitator, while ameliorating the plights of business operators.
Mr. Fakolade in Lagos affirmed that it was President Bola Tinubu’s desire to see importers, exporters and other operators in the maritime business value chain and beyond carry out their businesses without hitches.
While addressing newsmen, he added that the era of diverting consignments and investments to neighboring countries due to identified clogs would soon be over, as he called on all stakeholders and other interest groups to lend their support from their respective corners to achieve the president’s aim.
Panelists drawn from critical subsectors sensitized stakeholders on the need to prepare and set machineries and mechanisms in place in support of the initiative. Not jettisoning obvious challenges and perennial hitches that have impeded business flow in the maritime subsector, panelists acknowledged the plight of core business men and women within the shores of Nigerian ports, and promised to bring succor in no distance time.
As the cross – pollination and fertilization of ideas continue, stakeholders are admonished to contribute their quota for a smooth implementation, and optimization of the NSW initiative and its overall success in streamlining trade processes in the interest of the country.
The Federal Government is ready to unveil a national campaign to drive patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods and services under the Nigeria First policy.
President Bola Tinubu made this known in Lagos on Thursday at the fifth Adeola Odutola lecture organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria saying the initiative is part of efforts to revitalise the manufacturing sector.
Tinubu who was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh said the campaign aims to shift national demand towards Nigerian products that meet global quality standards, while also addressing the country’s import dependency.
He noted that preliminary studies showed that such a campaign could boost the manufacturing sector by up to six per cent and create over 500,000 jobs within the next three years.
Tinubu said his administration would continue to prioritise the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through policies promoting production, consumption, and export of Made-in-Nigeria goods.
“No country achieves prosperity or dignity without producing what it can and exporting at scale what it does best.
“Economics of resilience begins in the factory and thrives in the marketplace, and we are committed to reducing structural costs and enabling our manufacturers to compete effectively both at home and abroad,” he said.
Tinubu also outlined six key policy commitments under the “Nigeria First” strategy.
They include federal procurement reforms, quality and standards enforcement, export expansion, access to finance, energy and logistics, skills development, and input security.
He urged MAN members to uphold quality and transparency in production while collaborating with government agencies to share accurate data on capacity and pricing for effective policy planning.
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by Mr Mansur Ahmed, former President, MAN, said manufacturers had eight key expectations from the Nigeria First policy.
Dangote said for the policy to work, it must be designed as a durable, binding national strategy for industrial development, capable of withstanding political transitions and market pressures alike.
He stressed that it must be anchored on both global best practices and Nigeria’s own industrial realities.
Dangote listed the expectations to include legislating the policy as a binding law with punitive measures for non-compliance and ensuring policy stability, consistency, and long-term commitment.
He added that it was important to develop a national supplier registry, drive consumer engagement and a national cultural shift, incentivise backward integration, and address infrastructure and energy deficits.
Dangote called for enhanced access to finance to build local supplier capacity and leverage of African Continental Free Trade Area and regional export potential to strengthen local competitiveness.
“The Nigeria First Policy represents a bold opportunity to industrialise sustainably.
“Its success depends on clear legislation, institutional enforcement, stable policy implementation, and strong alignment across government agencies and industry.
“To transform the economy, the Nigeria First Policy must move beyond declarations into actionable, measurable outcomes that prioritise local value creation and national prosperity.
“Every nation is in a race to improve the living conditions of its citizens and we must realise that we are in this race, and it is a very competitive race.
“The government has done a few things that have given us a fighting chance. The Nigeria first policy, if embraced, will place us in a very competitive position,” he said.
The President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, lauded the efforts of government to transform the economy via various policy reforms, including the Nigeria First policy.
Meshioye stated that its full legislation and implementation held the potential to significantly boost the fortune of the manufacturing sector and improve the well-being of the Nigerian citizenry.
He, however, noted the tough realities facing the manufacturing sector, shaped by global headwinds and domestic macroeconomic and policy constraints.
Meshioye said the Nigeria First policy was not merely an industrial ambition but a matter of national economic survival.
“If we do not intentionally support our own manufacturers, we will not be able to compete globally.
“MAN believe that the ‘Nigeria First’ policy is about building national resilience, creating jobs at home, saving foreign exchange, driving technological innovation, and giving Nigeria the productive foundation it needs to be competitive globally.
“To this end, effective legislation and implementation is key and must be carried out without any prevarication,” he said.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform passengers, airport users, and the general public that the Nigerian Airforce would be conducting their annual 10km walk/jog exercise which would result to a partial closure of the Airport access road between Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on Saturday 18th of October 2025, from 06:00hrs.
During this period, security personnel would be deployed along access roads to direct traffic and ensure safety. This does not in any way disrupt airport operations, as scheduled flights would operate normally.
The access roads would be completely opened immediately after the exercise.
Passengers and airport users are therefore advised to plan their movements accordingly, as localised traffic disruptions may occur around the airport vicinity during the exercise.
FAAN regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your understanding and cooperation.
The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) has conferred the prestigious “Aviation Service Provider of the Year 2025” award on Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) in recognition of the company’s exceptional innovations, operational excellence, and significant contributions to the development of the transport and aviation industry in Nigeria.
The award was presented during the NITT Annual Award and Dinner Ceremony, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, which brought together leading figures from government, academia, and the private sector to celebrate outstanding achievements in the country’s transport and logistics sector.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, Director-General/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, commended SAHCO for its unwavering dedication to quality, safety, and innovation in aviation ground handling services. He noted that the company has continued to distinguish itself through sustained investment in modern Ground Support Equipment (GSE), deployment of cutting-edge technology, training of highly skilled personnel, and adoption of efficient administrative practices that have elevated service delivery across Nigerian airports.
“SAHCO has consistently demonstrated excellence in its operations and remains a model for others in the aviation service industry,” Dr. Farah stated.
“Their continuous investment in innovation and human capital development reflects the kind of forward-thinking approach that aligns with our vision at NITT to promote efficiency, research, and development across all modes of transport in Nigeria.”
Receiving the award on behalf of the company, the Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO PLC who was represented by Waziri Samuel, Regional Manager, North Central, expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology for the recognition, describing it as a motivation to further raise the bar in aviation ground handling.
“We are truly honoured by this recognition from such a reputable national institution,” he said. “At SAHCO, we take great pride in maintaining global standards while constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of our airline partners and clients. This award reinforces our commitment to providing safe, speedy, and efficient ground handling and logistics services at all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria.”
He further emphasized that the recognition belongs not only to SAHCO’s management but also to its dedicated employees whose professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to excellence continue to define the company’s reputation as a trusted aviation partner.
Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) is one of Nigeria’s leading aviation ground handling companies, providing world-class passenger, ramp, and cargo handling services across all major airports in the country. Over the years, SAHCO has built a solid reputation for reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction through its commitment to international best practices, continuous technological advancement, and adherence to global aviation safety standards.
The company remains dedicated to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry through sustained investments in human capacity development, operational efficiency, and environmentally responsible practices, ensuring that clients experience seamless ground handling solutions that meet and exceed expectations.
No fewer than 578 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria have benefitted from Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge — the Bank’s flagship entrepreneurial development initiative launched a few years ago.
Over this period, the Bank has invested in supporting budding entrepreneurs across multiple sectors to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The ongoing initiative recently produced 30 new winners, who received a total grant of ₦16 million during the Batch B, Stream II edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course, held across 10 states of the federation.
The winners, innovative young entrepreneurs developing solutions across various value chains such as fashion design, bag making, pastry and beverage production, event management, and vegetable farming, emerged after pitching their business ideas during the challenge at NYSC Orientation Camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau States.
At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo, who pitched a soap-making enterprise, emerged the overall winner to clinch the ₦800,000 grand prize. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, with her innovative Small Chops business proposal, claimed ₦500,000 as first runner-up, while Barakat Modinat Olamide secured ₦300,000 to support her beverage-making venture.
Expressing her excitement after emerging as the overall winner in Lagos, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo described the experience as life-changing, stating, “I’m truly grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity. Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the push and confidence I needed to scale my soap-making business. Beyond the grant, the experience taught me how to structure my business better and believe in its potential. It’s amazing to see a bank that genuinely invests in young people’s dreams.”
Across the remaining nine states, 27 other winners also emerged after pitching diverse business ideas ranging from fish and poultry farming to printing, piggery, and cake production.
Over the past six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become an integral part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive to upskill young graduates and promote entrepreneurship amid the scarcity of white-collar jobs. Each edition attracts thousands of entries from corps members whose business plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, job creation potential, and overall business acumen.
Speaking during the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through enterprise. She said:
“At Unity Bank, we believe that the energy and creativity of young Nigerians are vital to the nation’s economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge is our way of nurturing this potential — by giving corps members the financial boost, mentorship, and confidence to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Seeing over 578 young entrepreneurs already impacted motivates us to keep expanding the initiative and deepening our support for the SME ecosystem.”
The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition.
In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for youth-owned enterprises, offering grants of up to ₦800,000 to help corps members turn their business dreams into reality.
The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), has announced the ‘ThinkNnovation Cybersecurity Conference 2025’, which would tackle sophisticated fraud schemes in the financial services sector, including cross-border ransomware attacks on governments and businesses.
In a statement released to the media, FITC stated that the theme for this year’s event, titled “Securing Tomorrow: Cyber Resilience, Intelligent Defense and the Architecture of Trust in a Borderless World’ will commence on October 22nd, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Dr. Chizor Malize, MD/CEO of FITC said, “Cybercrime has become one of the most urgent threats facing Africa’s digital economy. From sophisticated fraud schemes in the financial services sector to cross-border ransomware attacks on governments and businesses, the cost of cyber insecurity is mounting at an alarming pace.”
In response, she revealed that FITC, Africa’s foremost knowledge and innovation-led institution, in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), will be hosting this year’s conference.
This year’s theme, “Securing Tomorrow: Cyber Resilience, Intelligent Defense and the Architecture of Trust in a Borderless World,” reflects the critical need to strengthen Africa’s cyber defenses as digital transformation accelerates across every sector, she said.
The African digital economy is experiencing an unprecedented surge. Mobile payments, blockchain adoption, digital lending, and cross-border e-commerce are reshaping the financial and commercial landscape. Yet, this rapid expansion has come with staggering risks. According to the African Union’s Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, cybercrime costs the continent an estimated $4 billion annually, with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa accounting for more than half of the losses.
Criminals are shifting from high-volume attacks to precision-targeted strikes that exploit systemic vulnerabilities. In Nigeria alone, industry reports reveal multi-billion-naira losses linked to phishing, insider collusion, ransomware, and large-scale fraud schemes that directly undermine trust in financial services.
“As Africa moves boldly into the digital age, its economic future depends on one word — trust,” adding that “ThinkNnovation 2025 is not just another conference; it is a platform for urgent dialogue and concrete action. We must design cyber resilience into every layer of our systems — payments, identity, regulation, and infrastructure — if Africa is to secure its digital tomorrow.”
The ThinkNnovation Cybersecurity Conference 2025 is designed as a response platform, bringing together regulators, CIOs, CISOs, CROs, bank executives, fintech founders, policymakers, and international experts to confront the continent’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.
Unlike generic tech events, ThinkNnovation is structured as a solution-driven convening, with sessions curated to foster actionable strategies, policy frameworks, and collaborative defenses. Delegates will engage through high-level keynotes, dynamic plenary discussions, investigative panels, and simulation exercises that replicate real-world attack scenarios on financial networks.
The conference programme will spotlight urgent themes at the intersection of security, trust, and digital growth, including: The New Face of Financial Crime – Moving from fraud volume to fraud value, and how institutions can adapt defenses.
Others are Zero Trust in Practice – Applying zero trust principles across payments, digital identity, and authentication systems, Cybersecurity & Regulation – Smart oversight as a pathway to systemic stability, the Human Factor – Insider threats, workforce readiness, and cultivating a security-first culture, the Global Lens – Insights from global breaches and lessons for Africa’s financial ecosystem, and Emerging Risks – AI-driven threats, deepfakes, and the vulnerabilities of next-gen technologies.
The central thesis of ThinkNnovation is that cyber resilience cannot be achieved in isolation. Across Africa, the financial ecosystem has become deeply interconnected, with banks, fintechs, regulators, telcos, and governments increasingly reliant on shared infrastructure and digital platforms. In this environment, the actions—or inactions—of one institution can have ripple effects across entire markets.
Over the years, institutions such as the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) have played a pivotal role in fostering collective defenses and standardizing frameworks that enable safer, more efficient digital transactions across the financial services industry. These efforts underscore a growing recognition that fragmented approaches are no longer sufficient in the face of cybercriminal networks that are global, coordinated, and constantly evolving.
The ThinkNnovation Cybersecurity Conference 2025 builds on this momentum by providing a neutral platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. It is designed to enable stakeholders to move beyond conversations and toward practical solutions—whether through the development of joint cybersecurity frameworks, the issuance of policy communiqués, or the creation of new public-private partnerships.
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