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Abia State, EU, UNICEF , ILO Collaborate To Bolster Social Protection For Vulnerable Families

L-R: Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS; Judith Leveillee, Chief of Field Services, UNICEF Nigeria; H.E. Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS; His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State; Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, Abia State Honourable Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection; and Mr Kingsley Anosike, Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Planning Abia State, at the launch of the European Union (EU)-funded project, Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI), by Abia State Government in collaboration with UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other partners in Umuahia.

 

The Government of Abia State has launched the European Union (EU)-funded project, Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI), in collaboration with UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other partners.
Despite its importance, social protection coverage in Nigeria remains limited. According to the International Labour Organization 2024 World Social Protection report, only 14.8 per cent of Nigerians currently have access to effective social protection.
To close this gap, the project, which is also being implemented in Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto States, is designed to strengthen inclusive, shock-responsive, and sustainable social protection systems.
 It aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight-Point Agenda, aiming to reduce poverty, protect the most vulnerable, and promote resilient livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State, reaffirmed the State’s commitment: “I am also glad that the EU, ILO and UNICEF will be partnering with the State Government towards the successful delivery of the SUSI Project. We are encouraged to think of our children and the world we want to bequeath to them. Individually and collectively, we are called to remember that every decision counts, that we do not own anything but are merely custodians who would one day be required to look back, either in regret or fulfilment.”
H.E. Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underlined the import of the EU’s support: “Social protection is central to building equitable societies. This partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly in states like Abia, by strengthening systems that can provide support when it is needed most.”
Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, highlighted the transformative impact of inclusive systems:
“Social protection is not just a safety net, it is a springboard for inclusive development. Through this project, we aim to ensure that every child and family, particularly the most vulnerable, is protected from the shocks that can derail their well-being and opportunities for a better future.”
Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS stressed the importance of long-term sustainability: “A well-designed and inclusive social protection system is fundamental to decent work, economic stability, and social cohesion. With this project, we are working together to ensure that social protection becomes a reality for more Nigerians.”
The implementation of the SUSI project will support development of social protection policy, expansion of the social register, capacity building, strengthening the database system and make it interoperable with other related databases, and ensuring that social protection programmes are well budgeted for, at both federal and state levels.
Winifred Bosa by — September 28, 2025 in Health
AMCON Transfers 34% Stake In Unity Bank To Providus, Strengthening Merger Deal

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has offloaded 34 per cent of its stake in Unity Bank Plc to Providus Bank.

This has strengthened the business combination deal between Providus and Unity Bank.
The 34 per cent total equity stake in Unity Bank was transacted through a crossed deal on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to the preferred bidder, 24 hours ahead of their Court-Ordered Meeting to approve the scheme of merger.
The transaction was completed involving four billion Unity Bank shares at N1.66 per share, amounting to over N6.5 billion in value.
A total of three deals was carried out on Unity Bank shares on the Exchange on September 25, 2025.
The ongoing business combination arrangement is a milestone for Providus Bank as it puts it in a comfortable position to beat the March 31, 2026, recapitalisation deadline that was placed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Providus Bank began operations in June 2017. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide banking services to individuals and businesses. The bank has a strong IT infrastructure and digital channels which it deploys to provide exceptional service to our customers so they can achieve their objectives.
Providus Bank is an innovative financial institution that provides personal, private, corporate, commercial and digital banking products and solutions.
Its tailored financial services delivery includes: Business Advisory, Portfolio Management, Personalised Relationship Management, Fast-tracked Service delivery and Self-service solutions. Providus Bank competitive advantage in Private, Institutional, Business and Personal Banking is driven by the philosophy to create support and value for Institutions, Agencies, SMEs and HNIs.
Its business development strategy also focuses on developing expertise and collaborating to improve the non-oil (emerging) sector of the Nigerian Economy, which includes but not limited to Agriculture, Mining, Hospitality, E-commerce, and Art & Entertainment.
Providus Bank believes that the New World of Fast, Smart, Personal, and Borderless banking relationship is here. We are therefore inspired by our Future Forward Banking ethos to make life (at work and leisure) more exciting for our partners with the use of cutting-edge technology that delivers best-in-class customer satisfaction.
In less than 10 years, Providus Bank has emerged as one of the fastest growing financial institutions in the country.
Through this merger, Providus aims to transform from a niche player into a national bank, leveraging Unity Bank’s over 211-branch network spread across all 36 states and the FCT.
The move aligns with Providus’ broader strategy to deepen its retail presence and diversify its customer base.
Additionally, Providus Bank would significantly benefit from scale in retail banking as it would expand its footprint from a largely digital operation to a full-fledged national player.
It also brings in a strong SME lending pipeline, especially in agriculture, mining, ecommerce, hospitality, and entertainment sectors, which both banks already support.
Providus plans to integrate its technology stack into Unity Bank’s branch network, enhancing service delivery and cost efficiency.
The bank believes the combined entity will unlock new value across its retail, SME, and digital channels.
At the court order meeting, Unity Bank shareholders will decide whether to approve a cash consideration of N3.18 per share or opt for a share swap under which every 17 Unity Bank shares convert into 18 shares in the enlarged Providus Bank.
If approved, Unity Bank’s assets, liabilities, intellectual property, and ongoing legal matters will be transferred to Providus. Unity Bank will be dissolved, with Providus continuing as the surviving entity.
The meeting is expected to pave the way for regulatory sign-offs from the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), both of which had already approved the merger in August 2024.
Winifred Bosa by — September 27, 2025 in brands and Marketing
NLNG, NCDMB Mark Graduation Of 122 Beneficiaries From Train 7 HCD Programme

By Winifred Bosa

(L-R) Engr. Joshua Anemeje, Train 7 Project Corporate Liaison Manager; one of the six candidates retained by AOS ORWELL; Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capital Development (HCD); Engr. Omochi Adekwu,Manager, Maintenance, NLNG; Favour Ugochukwu, Contract Manager AOS ORWELL and Obe Akinkunmi, Co-ordinator of the AOS ORWELL OJT Training at the close out ceremony of NLNG T7 Project HCD Advanced Training Programme In Bonny….on Friday

NLNG, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), recently achieved a major milestone in the Nigerian Content development commitment, with the close-out of Train 7 Project Human Capital Development (HCD) Advanced Training Programme, at the plant complex in Finima, Bonny Island.

The training ends officially on 30th September 2025 with the departure of the trainees from its plant facility in Bonny Island. The HCD programme, run under the guidance of the NCDMB, is a Federal Government initiative to build capacity for the oil and gas industry and fulfil the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act’s requirement on human capital development.

A total of 122 trainees, having completed prior HCD Basic Training Programmes, were approved by the NCDMB, to participate in the rigorous three month On the Job Training (OJT) within NLNG facilities, covering both graduate and vocational categories. The training programme focused on development of technical expertise in plant and facility management, amongst other competencies, and has positioned the trainees to take advantage of future opportunities within the oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the ceremony, NLNG’s Train 7 Project Director Engr. Ali Uwais, represented by Engr. Joshua Anemeje, Train 7 Project Corporate Liaison Manager, described the advanced training programme as a testament of the resilience, discipline, and growth of the trainees.

He congratulated the trainees for their commitment to excellence and urged them to take advantage of future opportunities within the oil and gas industry.

“This programme is about building a new generation of Nigerian professionals who will shape the oil and gas sector for decades to come. Its successful completion with a zero-incident safety record reflects not only your dedication but also NLNG’s uncompromising culture of ‘Safety First and Always’, and its operational excellence”, Engr. Anemeje said.

He further commended NCDMB, for its role as a strategic partner in driving Nigerian Content targets and capacity development in the industry, and the training partners, Candix Engineering Nigeria Limited, AOS Orwell, Arco Marine and Engineering Limited, Dover Engineering and Amaiden Energy Nigeria Limited, for ensuring a world class OJT experience and HR management.

In his comments, the NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capital Development (HCD), Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq, expressed delight on the conclusion of the training programme, which produced a pool of skilled and globally competitive workforce, knowledgeable in key areas such as instrumentation, electrical, mechanical, lifting and rigging activities, and fabrication, preventive and corrective maintenance, and can compete globally in the oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors.

Kikile described Train 7 Project as one of the largest gas infrastructure developments in Africa, noting that it not only created jobs but also provided a platform to groom young Nigerians with advanced technical and managerial competencies.

“This training provided hands-on experience on a live LNG project that complimented your academic and theoretical knowledge. This training further exposed trainees to specialised advanced technical disciplines, project management, health and safety, and emerging technologies critical to the future of the industry,” he added.

‘It is my delight to note that twenty-seven (27) of the trainees have received special recognition awards for their aptitude during the programme, out of which six (6) who were very exceptional have been offered automatic employment by AOS Orwell, one of the training partners,” he revealed.

He lauded NLNG and all other partner companies for their unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content development, referencing several other initiatives on which the Board is partnering with NLNG to deepen local content implementation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Winifred Bosa by — September 27, 2025 in brands and Marketing
IHS Nigeria And HSES Partner To Promote Environmental Sustainability , Public Health

 


L-R: Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, IHS Nigeria Limited, Dapo Otunla; Chief Executive Officer, IHS Nigeria, Mohammed Darwish; Group Chief Human Resource Officer, IHS Towers, Ayotade Oyinlola; Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe; Permanent Secretary, HSES, Dr. Baba Gana Adams, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IHS Nigeria and HSES to promote clean energy, environmental sustainability, and improved public health in the Federal Capital Territory, held at IHS Nigeria’s corporate office recently.

 

IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (“IHS Towers”) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has announced a strategic collaboration with the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to promote clean energy use and improve environmental health standards in the Federal Capital Territory.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a collaboration agreement on Thursday, September 25th at the IHS Nigeria head office in Lagos, marking a significant step in advancing joint efforts towards environmental sustainability, climate action, and improved public health across the FCT.

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to address pressing environmental challenges, promote cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives, and reduce carbon emissions in the country.

The partnership also aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in tackling climate change and fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment for citizens.

Under the terms of the agreement, IHS Nigeria will work closely with HSES to implement community-based projects that promote the use of cleaner energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and support initiatives designed to improve environmental health standards in the FCT.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, said:
“Climate and environmental responsibility are central to our sustainability agenda. With over 16,000 sites nationwide, we are fully aware of our responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and advance clean energy solutions. Our investments in solar and hybrid power solutions, totaling over $750 million in the past decade, reflect our commitment. Partnering with HSES enables us to expand this impact by supporting healthier communities and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy transition and environmental goals.”

Speaking on behalf of HSES, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, said:
“There is no health without a clean environment. This partnership with IHS Nigeria is a demonstration of how the public and private sectors can come together to drive sustainability and safeguard the well-being of our people. Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase practical solutions that reduce carbon footprints, promote the adoption of clean cooking and energy alternatives, and inspire other states across the country to follow suit. The FCT is proud to lead by example in this regard.”

This landmark agreement not only reinforces IHS Nigeria’s dedication to sustainability, one of its core values but also strengthens the FCT’s efforts to advance climate resilience, environmental protection, and public health.

Winifred Bosa by — September 27, 2025 in brands and Marketing
PMI Africa 2025 Unveils Bold Speaker Lineup To Power ‘Africa on Purpose’ Vision

By Winifred Bosa

Amid Africa’s growing wave of infrastructure investment and innovation, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is convening the continent’s most influential voices at the Global Summit Series Africa, driving urgent, collective action to redefine how projects deliver impact and value. Hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda between 19 to 21 August, the Summit is designed for senior project professionals, C-suite executives, government officials, development partners, and emerging project talent committed to driving transformation across Africa.

 

As Africa contends with intersecting challenges, from climate change and infrastructure gaps to job creation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, there is a critical need to recalibrate how projects are initiated, managed, and delivered across the continent. Project success can no longer be measured solely by timelines or budgets met. In today’s context, success must also be evaluated by how well a project enhances resilience, drives inclusive growth, unlocks sustainable innovation, and creates lasting social value.

 

“Africa’s project economy remains vibrant yet vulnerable,” says George Asamani, MD, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa. “The African Development Bank estimates the continent needs up to $170 billion annually to close its infrastructure gap, with a financing shortfall of as much as $108 billion. With so much at stake, project management can’t be an afterthought; it’s key to delivery. As countries advance infrastructure, digital, and social programmes, the demand for skilled professionals is more urgent than ever.”

 

“The Global Summit Series Africa responds to this urgency. This is not just a moment to gather, it’s a moment to grow and guide. It is where knowledge meets practice and where bold voices converge to ask and answer: How can Africa execute differently?”

 

This year’s lineup showcases the strength of pan-African leadership, from the corridors of government to the frontlines of innovation. These voices are not only driving transformation within their own countries but also offering continental perspectives with global relevance.

 

A highlight of the Summit will be a special message from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, who has long championed the role of project execution in unlocking Africa’s prosperity.

 

This call for purposeful execution resonates across sectors. Senior executives from utilities, banking, education, and telecommunications, as well as influential voices from sports and music, will take the stage to share hard-won insights on building future-fit institutions, creative industries, and systems that deliver lasting impact.

 

Taking the stage across the three days of the Summit are Armand Nzeyimana, Director of the Development Impact and Results Department, African Development Bank; Olajumoke Akinwunmi, MD, Real Estate at Alitheia Capital Ltd; Kusobile Kamwambi, Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Government of Zambia; and Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, ex-MD of the Electricity Company of Ghana, alongside influential cultural voices such as Nigerian-American singer, actor, and entrepreneur Olubankole Wellington (Banky W), and chess champion and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya.

 

Joining them are leading project professionals from across the continent, including Stanley Iringe-Koko, Senior Manager of IT Projects and Portfolio at MTN Nigeria; Grace Johnson, Founding Partner and Strategic Advisor at the Framework for AI Transformation (FAIT); Ancicalia Matizha, Group Head PMO at Old Mutual Zimbabwe; Emily Mutaga, Head of PMO at Bank of Kigali, and Nozibele Ntshokontsha, Head of PMO at Rand Water.

“In Africa, the stakes are high; projects must deliver tangible outcomes, often under complex conditions. That’s why the Summit matters. It brings together professionals who understand our realities and are focused on delivery that works in our context. Having spoken at this Summit before, I’m returning because these conversations are not only relevant, they drive the kind of collaboration and clarity we need to move Africa forward and make Agenda 2063 more than a vision, but a lived reality,” adds Billy Mwape, CIO of FNB Zambia, one of the main speakers.

 

PMI Chapter Presidents from Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Togo, and Namibia will join PMI Rwanda Chapter President Innocent Kayigamba in contributing to the dialogue. Their participation is a powerful reminder that transformation in Africa is not only top-down but also bottom-up: peer-driven and locally grounded.

 

Reserve your place at Africa’s leading conversation on purposeful project delivery. This is your final chance to secure tickets at standard rates. visit https://pmiglobalsummitafrica.gcs-web.com/

 

Winifred Bosa by — July 16, 2025 in brands and Marketing 0