Category: Business

Nigeria’s future ‘ll be powered by Technology, not Oil — Bosun Tijani — NITDA DG: Lagos is Africa’s unicorn factory, ready for future economy — Sanwo-Olu: Lagos driving Africa’s Digital and Economic Transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s hub for innovation, technology, and the future economy, as the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, declared that “technology, not oil, will power Nigeria’s future.”   Speaking at the ongoing GITEX Nigeria in Lagos, Tijani reaffirmed Lagos as Africa’s undisputed innovation capital, noting that the city attracts over 2,000 new residents daily growth that continue to fuel startups, creativity, and technology. He highlighted that Nigeria has become Africa’s largest telecom market, with ICT contributing between 16 and 20 percent of…

Tinubu, Lula strengthen Nigeria–Brazil relations with landmark agreements

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Brazil have taken major steps to expand their longstanding partnership, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a series of landmark agreements covering trade, aviation, agriculture, investment, and security during Tinubu’s State Visit to Brazil. The two leaders, in a joint statement issued after their meeting in Brasília, described the visit as a milestone in Nigeria–Brazil relations, which were formally established in 1961 and have deepened significantly in recent years. Key highlights of the visit included the signing of a Bilateral Air…

Comptroller Olomu hails B’Odogwu platform as Apapa Customs nets ₦161bn in 3 Weeks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated a total of ₦161.2 billion in just three weeks using the newly introduced Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly known as B’Odogwu.   Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, who disclosed this in Lagos, hailed the platform as a major step forward in revenue collection and trade facilitation.   Olomu revealed that the revenue was collected between August 1 and 22, 2025, despite initial hitches encountered during the system’s rollout. He commended importers, licensed customs agents,…

Nigeria, Japan forge closer Ties at TICAD 9, Eye strategic partnership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Japan have pledged to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across key sectors following a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).   Ambassador Tuggar commended Japan for its leadership and hospitality in hosting TICAD 9, highlighting the cordial ties between both countries and Japan’s sustained support for Africa’s development through TICAD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).   The talks focused on boosting…

Tin Can Island Port hits ₦16.4bn Single-Day Revenue Through Bodogwu Platform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a landmark revenue collection of ₦16.4 billion in a single day, made possible through the effective deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as Bodogwu.   The Command announced the achievement in a statement released on Thursday in Lagos by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara. He quoted the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, as describing the development as a clear demonstration of the efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness of…

NESG, FG set Agenda for 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has unveiled preparations for the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#31), slated for October 6–8, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,” the summit will address key issues around reforms, economic growth, and inclusive development. Speaking at a World Press Conference in Lagos, NESG Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, stressed the urgency of deepening reforms to secure Nigeria’s future. He commended recent policy…

Kebbi Customs records first declaration on indigenous B’ODOGWU platform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major breakthrough with the successful processing of its first declaration using B’ODOGWU, an indigenous digital platform designed to modernize Customs operations.   The milestone was achieved on Thursday, 14th August 2025, during a sensitization exercise conducted by ICT Modernisation Officers for officers and stakeholders of the Command. Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller CC Nwokorie, described the feat as historic and commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for championing the innovation. He…

Nigeria, WTO chart path for Trade-Led growth ,inclusive development

Emporium Reporters

By Bola Bakare   In a significant step towards boosting Nigeria’s economic prospects, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday met with the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at his office in Abuja to advance a shared agenda for trade-led growth, investment, and inclusive development.   During the meeting, Edun underscored Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic gains, citing a stronger naira, easing inflation, and ratings upgrades from Fitch and Moody’s as critical foundations for sustained growth. He highlighted…

Nigeria Customs Service begins Stakeholder engagement on review of Licensing Renewal Fees

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened consultations with industry stakeholders on its planned review of licensing renewal fees for Licensed Customs Agents, in a move aimed at boosting professionalism, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in the freight forwarding sector. The initiative, which aligned with Sections 103 to 107 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, was unveiled during a high-level engagement held at the NCS Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The meeting was attended by executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National…

Nigeria Customs hosts Stakeholders’ Forum on AEO Migration, reaffirms Commitment to Trade Reform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a decisive step toward strengthening trade facilitation and enhancing supply chain security, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has convened a high-level Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum to officially sensitize the trading community on the migration from the Fast Track Scheme to the globally recognized Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.   The forum, held on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, at BON Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, brought together critical stakeholders, including senior Customs officers, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, members of the organized private sector, and captains of industry.  …