General News
Victory hands Buhari second chance to lead Nigeria
By Lukman Otunuga, FXTM Research Analyst.
The people of Nigeria have decided to grant President Muhammadu Buhari another chance to restore and stabilize the economy. Although there was a combination of uncertainty, confusion and anxiety following Buhari’s election victory, this is poised to fade as focus returns back to macroeconomic conditions. With the elections done and dusted, the key question on the mind of many investors is what this means for the Nigerian economy in 2019 and beyond.
Buhari’s re-election certainly suggests continuity, something that offers the nation a chance to build on its economic recovery and growth strategy. This fact alone is a welcome development for foreign investors, especially those attracted to stability and consistency in economic policy. The truth of the matter is that the president faces an extensive to-do list within a four-year timeframe, including rekindling economic growth, boosting infrastructure and most importantly, diversification. On top of all of this, there are external risks in the form of trade tensions, slowing global growth and depressed Oil prices, all of which l have the potential to threaten the nation’s recovery.
Digging deeper into Nigeria’s economic conditions, unemployment has risen to over 23% in the last four years while the nation’s stock markets are one of the world’s worst performing. While it’s easy to point fingers and blame Nigeria’s leadership for its woes, external risks in the form of falling Oil prices was a primary culprit behind the recession. Lessons from the past should encourage the administration to invest in infrastructure and step up its efforts in finding growth from other sustainable sources. With Nigeria boasting a youthful population and fertile land, one of the solutions to attaining stability could be found in agriculture.
With the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) already in place, this may result in Nigeria’s economic growth hitting roughly 2% YoY. Nigeria however, like many other Oil export-dependent emerging markets, remains exposed to US-China trade developments, global growth fears and Oil prices. If the two largest economies in the world are unable to find a middle ground on trade, global growth decelerates and Oil prices tumble, it will bring nothing but bad news for Nigeria.
In regards to the foreign exchange, this is another grey area that impacts investor sentiment towards the Nigerian economy. There is a possibility that Buhari’s victory results in the continuity of the current fixed/multiple system by the Central Bank of Nigeria. While this has resulted in Naira stability in recent years, it has come at a heavy cost in the form of foreign exchange reserves. Will the CBN ever allow the natural forces of supply and demand to determine the equilibrium value of the Naira? This remains a question on the mind of many investors.
On the bright side, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reported that Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa for the second year in a row. However, much work is needed for the nation to keep this title. The story defining Nigeria’s economy remains one that depends on Oil exports for more than half of its government revenues. This represents a major downside risk, as falling Oil prices will not only cut revenues but also spark foreign exchange instability by sabotaging the Central Bank of Nigeria’s efforts to shield the Naira. The negative knock-on effect from such a development would most likely ripple through all concerns of the economy.
At the end of the day, the quicker Nigeria is able to source sustainable growth from non-Oil sectors, the quicker there will be a positive change in sentiment towards the largest economy in Africa.
Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) has warned of possible floods in parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Borno states within the next seven days.
According to information posted on NIHSA X handle, the Agency announced medium flood advisory in force for the next 7 days across Adamawa, Bauchi, and 11 other States.
“Localised inundation is forecast along the main channel; named communities below sit on the projected footprint. Stations: Saminara on the Karam river, Waya Dam Site on the Waya river, Amber on the Amber river.
“Adamawa; Lemsa, Lamurde, Numan Exposure: 147 comm. 49 schis 40 hith 6 mkts17 relig. Bauchi-Bauchi, Ningi, Shira. Exposure: 4 comm. Kaduna; Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Jaba, Jema’a, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, +6 more. Exposure: 1 comm.
“Borno-Gubio, Mobbar. Exposure: 680 comm. 8 schls 6 hith 5 mkts 21 relig. Edo-Akoko-Ed, EtsakoEa, EtsakoWe, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmw, OviaNort, OviaSo.. Exposure: 3 comm.
“Imo-Aboh-Mba, Oguta, Ohaji/Eg, Okigwe, Owerri North, Owerri West. Exposure: 3 comm. 7 more states affected and severity LGAs”.
NIHSA advised people in the affected areas to “do NOT cross flooded roads, bridges, or fast-moving water on foot or by vehicle.
“Clear drainage channels and river-mouth blockages; avoid building or living in the floodplain and move people, livestock and valuables from the floodplain to pre-identified higher ground,” NIHSA stated.
General News
First Trustees Advocates Estate Planning as an Essential Tool in Every Wealth Creation Strategy
First Trustees Limited, a subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc., and a leading provider of fiduciary and trusteeship services in Nigeria, is encouraging individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to view Estate Planning not as an end-of-life exercise, but as a strategic investment tool for protecting, preserving, and transferring wealth across generations.
As more Nigerians focus on wealth creation through businesses, real estate investments, and other income-generating assets, experts are emphasizing that building wealth is only one part of the equation.
Equally important is creating structures that ensure those assets remain protected, properly managed, and seamlessly transferred to succeeding generations in accordance with the asset owner’s wishes. Importantly, Estate Planning is not solely for the wealthy, it is a prudent step for anyone with assets, dependants, or a business to protect, regardless of age, profession, or net worth.
Speaking on the importance of Estate Planning, Ereifemi Akeredolu, Managing Director/CEO, First Trustees Limited, noted that Estate Planning should be considered a core pillar of every long-term financial strategy.
“Many people focus on creating wealth but give litle thought to preserving it. Estate Planning is a wealth protection strategy that helps individuals safeguard their assets, secure their family’s future, and ensure that the value they build today continues to benefit future generations.”
Using tools such as Trusts, Wills, and advanced succession plans, individuals can build structures that support wealth preservation, business continuity, asset protection, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
For entrepreneurs and business owners, Estate Planning serves as a powerful tool for ensuring business sustainability, helping organizations remain stable and operational regardless of unforeseen circumstances.
First Trustees continues to emphasize and educate on the importance of Estate Planning as a comprehensive strategy for proactive planning. It remains one of the most important financial decisions an individual can make: it provides clarity, minimizes uncertainty, and protects assets from unnecessary erosion and disputes. It also creates financial security for loved ones, supports business succession and continuity, and facilitates long-term investment and legacy planning.
General News
Nearpays, Nigerian Fintech Becomes First African Startup to Win UN’s AI for Good Innovation Factory
Nearpays, Nigerian fintech, has won the AI for Good Innovation Factory grand finale — the first African startup ever to take the global title in the competition, which runs as part of the United Nations’ AI for Good Global Summit.
The competition drew more than 500 startups worldwide, each pitching AI solutions aimed at social and economic challenges.
The summit itself is organised by the UN through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with several UN agencies, convening governments, researchers, startups, and technology companies around AI’s role in development.
Nearpays’ route to the title ran through Johannesburg, where it won the African regional competition, before advancing to the global finals in Geneva.
There, the company progressed through the semi-finals and claimed the grand finale — a first for the continent.
The company describes the win as bigger than a corporate milestone, calling it a victory for African innovation and proof that technology built to solve local problems can compete, and win, on the world stage.
Nearpays was founded to close a stubborn gap in African payments: small and medium-sized businesses that can’t afford or access traditional point-of-sale terminals.
Cost, availability, and deployment hurdles have kept many merchants — particularly in rural and underserved communities — locked out of digital payments.
Its answer is SoftPOS: an AI-powered platform that turns compatible Android smartphones into payment acceptance devices, letting merchants take contactless card payments with nothing more than their phones. AI is embedded across the platform, supporting payment processing, compliance, fraud detection, and business operations.
Crucially, the platform was built for African infrastructure realities — it works both online and offline, so merchants can keep accepting payments even without internet connectivity.
The company credited its team’s years of product development and customer engagement for the result, and thanked the UN, the ITU, and the AI for Good initiative for building a platform where innovators can apply AI to real-world problems.
It also said it hopes the win encourages more African founders to build technology that answers local needs while competing internationally.
For Nearpays, the title closes one chapter and opens another, as the company pushes on with expanding digital financial infrastructure across Afric
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