News
Zain’s Loyalty ‘Rewardz’ Programme Pulls 1.5 Million Nigerians
Over 1.5 million customers have enrolled for the Zain Nigeria Loyalty Rewardz Programme barely three months after it was launched by the telecommunications company.
Customers who have joined the Rewardz programme have accumulated over N80 million worth of ‘rewardz’ points which can be redeemed immediately from the Zain’s Rewards list of prizes.
Those who have attained the Silver and Gold membership status in the Rewardz scheme programme are now enjoying special discount rates at select Zain ‘Rewardz’ Points such as Marcopolo, Victoria Island, Lagos and the VIP Lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and other fantastic locations in other parts of Nigeria. While some other customers are swapping their points for instant airtime reward.
The points gathered in the Zain Rewardz Scheme also allow customers redeem other prizes, including: return tickets to Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, a weekend in Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross Rivers, Plasma Televisions, refrigerators, airline tickets, iPods, among others.
The points also give users an opportunity to enjoy special discounts and privileges such as 30% discount on accommodation at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island; access to Airport VIP Lounge and priority check-in at the international wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport; enjoy discounts at exclusive restaurants and receive first-class priority service at all Zain Shops, amongst other benefits.
Shamel Hanafi, Zain’s chief commercial officer while speaking on the success of the scheme, said the loyalty scheme programme was created to reward customers for their loyalty to the Zain network.
Shamel explained that “beyond providing telecommunications service to our customers, we seek creative ways to delight them and the Rewardz programme is not just an industry first, but it is unique and designed to give the customer reason to believe in us.”
He urged customers who have not signed up for the offer to do so by texting REWARDZ to 797 or ‘yes’ to 797 as they also stand to reap immense benefits from the on-going Zain Talk for Love promo.
Zain customers who choose to participate in the scheme can earn points by using airtime through voice calls, SMS (short message services) or data download/upload. The prizes to be redeemed by customers are determined by the number of points earned.
For every N10.00 spent on any Zain service, a customer earns a REWARDZ Point. Usually the points will be added after 24 hours. The number of REWARDZ Points earned can be verified by sending an SMS containing the word: POINTS to 797 or by dialling *141*797*2#.
Under the terms of the programme, customers can choose to accumulate “REWARDZ Points” and “Level Points” and therefore, redeem big tangible rewards.
To redeem any item in the ‘Zain Rewardz Catalogue’, customers are required to SMS “RD” followed by space, then, “PRODUCT CODE” of the item(s) of choice to 797” e.g. send RD 0000 to 797.
Customers who redeem non-GSM items will receive “Voucher codes” via SMS which they can present at designated Zain ‘Rewardz Partner Stores’ to receive their item of choice. All vouchers are valid for up to six months.
On the other hand, Zain will send SMS to customers who redeem GSM related items such as airtime, SMS and data bundle, confirming the transaction and their phone number would be credited directly with the right amount of airtime redeemed.
Registered customers are classified into Bronze, Silver and Gold categories depending on the number of points (‘Level Points’) they have earned or accumulated.
By default, all newly registered customers are placed in the Bronze category and can move to other categories as they use more airtime. Level point of 3000 will earn the customer a Silver card while 6000 points is required to reach the Gold category.
Silver and Gold Card carriers get additional 20% and 50% extra on all REWARDZ Points and can confirm their Level Points by sending ‘LEVEL to 797 or by dialling *141*797*3#’.
To enjoy discounts and privileges at all Rewardz Points, eligible customers will be required to present their Silver or Gold membership cards and another valid means of personal identification.
The programme which is both a loyalty plan and reward scheme is open to both pre-paid and post-paid customers.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
News
Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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