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Courier Companies Not Happy With Illegal Operators-Olufade

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Toyin Olufade, president, Association of Nigerian Courier Operators (ANCO) has immense knowledge of the courier industry having cut his teeth in DHL for nearly two decades. Olufade breathes sleeps and speaks with passion about the industry.

He is also the managing director of Swift Courier limited, a company founded in 1997 and today a frontrunner in the sector. Olufade spoke to Emeka Okafor on a wide range of issues.

Courier and Economic Development

I would want to say that as at today, the industry itself is just about 30 years old in Nigeria and it is still emerging. It is a growing industry and we expect it to contribute its own quota to the development of the economy of the country. Courier is what people call air express, movement of sensitive document at a rapid rate from one origin to a destination within the country or outside. Therefore, if you are talking about industrialization, the courier industry plays a prominent role. If you are talking about express document, you need courier and that implies that information can begin to move from one place to another at a very fast rate. We utilize the air, the road and the sea and that means we contribute to the development of the transport industry. Apart from that, do not forget we also utilize utilities. In this case we are talking about motorcycles, cars, trucks and we are a very high demand sector for these equipment. When you talk about employment, we have a lot of people employed in courier companies. If you believe that registered courier companies are about 240 in Nigeria at the moment, then you can imagine the number of employees in that sector. It is expected that each courier company should have at least five offices nationwide; so you can imagine the number of people in each office. So, it is a very big industry and we are still tracking the throttle. As it is on the international scene, a lot of courier companies have airlifts of their own but we are limited here. If you look at it in general, the courier industry, the air express sector, logistics sector, which all come under the same umbrella, contribute in the development of the economy.

Experience as ANCO President

You see, they say uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Right now, it is an evolving association. We are just about 4-5 years in the making and we thank God that we are duly recognized. Our mandate was handed over to us by Chief Cornelius Adebayo, immediate past communications minister, who was very supportive. That was some two and half years ago and since then, we have been waxing strong. The ideal is to promote the industry, to coordinate the activities of the courier industry and to ensure that we deliver service to the customers and clients alike. As for followership, we encourage our members, each registered and licensed courier company; that is registered with the CAC and licensed with the Courier Regulatory Department (CRD); to become a member so that we can have a vision of how to further develop the industry by contributing our quota in an organized, coordinated method and procedure. So far, we are making our impact and we are trying to coordinate it with other stakeholders in the industry. We work with the Shippers Council; we work with airfreight people, the commerce ministry, the embassy, so that we can have a coordinated approach to service delivery. Well, it has been good and membership of ANCO now ranges between 50-55 members. People are becoming aware of the need to come together to fashion a way forward, especially with the challenges that exist. The association in recent past has made its own input into other national assignments. We have been invited to several for a where we were asked to deliver papers and make our own input into those other organized private sectors. So, things have been working well for ANCO and we are actually asking other people whom we are hooking up to, to come together so that we can determine the way forward for the sector.

Illegal Operators

The funny thing is this, as you find a means of curbing their activities, they device another. It is an unending battle. But we are not relenting. Many thrive on illegality, they want to cut corners as to avoid due payment to government; and also cheat unsuspecting customers. The battle has been on by the courier regulatory body and we give them our one hundred percent support. As a matter of fact, in the last meeting we had with the regulatory body, we told them we were even prepared to go on raiding rounds with them so as to express our support. Let it be known that registered courier companies are not happy with the illegal conduct of others because the truth of the matter is; it keeps the industry in a bad light because if one company errs it is like every other company has done wrong and we want to clear negative impressions. We are professionals, adequately and well trained to offer optimum quality service to the country. Yes, illegality exists. You will be surprised that every person believes that he can run a courier service. It becomes a matter of just give me the letter and I will take it there. As such you find road transporters, the airlines and individuals running courier service from the booths of their cars in car lots, no fixed address. It is really dangerous for the industry and we give our support to the CRD in the current fight to correct the illegality.

ICT and Courier Sector

ICT and courier work together because we are talking about information processing. For instance, in courier we have what is called ‘Track and Trace’. That is, if you hand over your documents to me, it means you will be able to process it and know where it is at any point in time until it is delivered and of course, you cannot do that by word of mouth. It is information that is fed into information devices. For the industry itself, it also advertises us. If you have a website, people know where you are and you can feed them with information about you at any time. I have received calls through the internet from people and associations trying to find out about certain companies and it was easy for me to give them information or ask them to visit the companies’ websites. See, it makes life easier. So, ICT is very crucial to courier and I know by the way we are going; there will be further development between ICT and the Air Express industry.

Postal Reform

We should not talk much of postal reform because that is more of the public sector postal system. The postal system is not operating on the optimum currently but it is to our own advantage because it has helped us to move forward too. If it were effective, what would have happened to courier? But we have to step up ourselves and be able to deliver on time. The postal reform is necessary in Nigeria because the country is one of the poorest corresponding countries in the world. We do not write much and as a matter of fact, we do not even read. We need to improve on our communication at the postal sector which will rub off on the courier industry. As for the postal commission, it is what we the private sector operators and stakeholders agitated for. We really believe that it is an unfair practice to have a player regulating. There is no way he can be justified and we want to say that ANCO is impressed by the way things are going. We feel that it should even have been considered by the Senate at the moment but I believe it is already there and they are looking at it and probably thinking whether to make further submissions. We are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of the postal commission which will regulate and guide the operations of the postal sector.

Expectations from the Commission

We expect that there will be a more coordinated approach to service delivery and at the moment we have a sole regulator whose sole responsibility is to ensure that the consumer gets the best service which means that there will be more competition and effectiveness on service delivery and people will demand more from us. It will also affect pricing, time delivery and ways in which we offer services. It can even give rise to categorization because we will then begin to specialize. We are looking forward to its implementation so that consumers can begin to experience the effects.


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General News

Prateek Suri CEO Maser Meets Zambia’s Education Minister to Propel Student Housing and Education Projects

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Prateek Suri, CEO of MASER and recognized as the richest Indian entrepreneur in Africa, was welcomed this week by Zambia’s Education Minister, Hon. Douglas Munsaka Syakalima, for a high-level meeting in Lusaka that focused on student housing and broader education infrastructure initiatives.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education’s offices, opened with warm greetings and a presentation by Mr Suri detailing Maser’s plans to support Zambia’s rapidly scaling education sector. Suri, who led Maser to become Africa’s seventh unicorn, emphasized the company’s commitment to infrastructure that benefits students, educators, and communities across the continent.

Minister Syakalima underscored the urgency of addressing Zambia’s student accommodation gap, citing the country’s expanding net enrollment and the need for safe, affordable housing for tertiary students. Under his leadership, the Government has embarked on a bold infrastructure agenda: over 82 secondary schools already completed, 46 set to be finished in 2025, and 120 new institutions under construction, alongside 169 ECE hubs and 145 satellite centers to reach underserved areas.

During the meeting, Suri shared Maser’s vision for modern student housing built through public–private partnership models. He outlined a multi‑phase plan utilizing sustainable building design, digital infrastructure, and vocational training facilities integrated into these campuses. “Zambia’s youth deserve world-class learning environments,” Suri remarked. “Maser is prepared to leverage its experience to co-create impactful educational infrastructure.”

Minister Syakalima responded positively, stating, “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Maser. The CEO’s entrepreneurial success and the company’s commitment to Africa’s education development are exactly the kind of partnership we need to scale our infrastructure goals.”

Beyond housing, the dialogue extended to opportunities in blended learning, vocational skills, rural outreach, and digital inclusion. With Zambia implementing its forward‑looking 2023 Education Curriculum this year—including early childhood, primary, and Form 1 levels—the minister highlighted the need for supporting infrastructure at all levels to enable effective rollout.

Under Minister Syakalima’s tenure, the education sector has seen notable progress: 4,200 new teachers hired recently, bringing the total teacher workforce to over 40,000 in three years; strengthened focus on foundational learning via teacher training programmes like the “Catch Up Programme”; and ambitious expansion of school infrastructure across Zambia’s provinces.

Maser, co‑founded by Prateek Suri, transformed from an African startup in consumer electeonics and large infrastructure projects into a multi‑sector unicorn operating in real estate, renewable energy, mining and education technology. Its rapid rise and African focus have made Suri a leading figure in bolstering India–Africa economic relations.

As the richest Indian in Africa, Prateek Suri’s influence spans beyond business success—it represents growing bilateral investment aimed at credible, sustainable societal impact. His partnership with Zambia’s Ministry of Education signals a new era of cross-border collaboration in education infrastructure.

With both parties committing to inclusive planning and scalable implementation, the Maser‑Zambia dialogue could mark the beginning of transformative initiatives: from affordable student housing to cutting‑edge learning facilities, vocational training hubs, and digital classrooms.

In closing remarks on the significance of this dialogue, Suri stated, “Education infrastructure is the foundation for future growth. Our partnership with Minister Syakalima and the Government of Zambia is a testament to collective investment in youth, equity, and sustainable development.” Minister Syakalima echoed this optimism, saying that with strategic public–private investment, Zambia’s education sector is poised for a significant elevation.

This meeting lays the groundwork for collaboration that bridges government strategy and corporate innovation—ultimately aiming to empower Zambia’s students and accelerate national development.


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FirstBank Celebrates ₦1 Trillion Milestone in Instant Loans via AI-Powered Platforms

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FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements.

This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.

Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment.

The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit.

This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.

Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’

He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”

FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.


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Mayor of London Commits to Deepening UK-Nigeria Ties in Tech, Creatives and Trade

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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has successfully concluded his visit to Lagos, Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the UK-Nigeria economic relationship and celebrating the deep cultural ties, shared vibrancy, and global influence of two dynamic cities – London and Lagos.

This visit marked the growing importance of Nigeria as a key partner in the UK’s global trade and investment strategy, particularly in sectors such as fintech, innovation, and the creative economy.

Alongside the visit, the Mayor of London led a trade delegation of 27 London-based companies in fintech, enterprise technology, and sustainability, supported by the Mayor’s growth agency, London & Partners. Under the leadership of Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, the agency facilitated a series of high-level engagements in Nigeria.

The delegation connected with Nigerian policymakers, investors, and creatives through curated events aimed at fostering collaboration and unlocking new business opportunities across Africa.

This visit marked the first official trip by a sitting Mayor of London to sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring London’s commitment to building long-term, cross-sector partnerships that support inclusive growth, digital transformation, and cultural exchange.

Mayor Khan’s engagements in Lagos commenced with participation in a panel discussion at the “Bridging Borders: How London and Lagos Can Shape the Future of Global Tech” tech event where he highlighted how London and Lagos can jointly shape the future of global innovation and encouraged Nigerian tech businesses to invest in London.

The Mayor of London also attended the Lagos Canvas Reception, a celebration of Nigeria’s flourishing creative sector which he co-hosted with Mo Abudu at the Ebony Life place.

The reception celebrated the status of Lagos and London as cultural and creative industry powerhouses and looked to encourage even greater ties between the creative industry ecosystems in both cities.

From the arts to fashion, music and film – central to the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) – which is expanding trade and unlocking new opportunities in the creative economy.

Wrapping up his visit to Lagos, Nigeria, the Mayor of London will continue his historic trade mission with stops in Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town to bang the drum for the capital as a place for investment, innovation, and cultural exchange – strengthening ties with countries across the African continent for economic growth.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to be visiting Nigeria and Africa this week – the first visit of its kind by a Mayor of London – to bang the drum for the capital and further develop the strong ties between our countries.

“Africa has the world’s fastest growing populations and is seeing major economic growth across many of its economies. Over the next decade there are huge opportunities to deepen partnerships with London. I will be working tirelessly throughout this visit to drive trade and investment across critical sectors including finance, education, health, tech creative and sustainability.

“Londoners of African heritage have played, and continue to play, a huge role in making London the greatest city in the world, and this trip is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage, history and culture with the African continent – as we build a better and fairer city for everyone.”

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said: “The Mayor of London’s visit underscores the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening economic and cultural ties with Nigeria. From trade to fintech and fashion, our collaboration is driving innovation and growth.

“Through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, we’re committed to unlocking new opportunities that benefit both our economies, and this visit is a powerful step forward in that journey of inclusive growth.”

UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, said: “Sir Sadiq’s visit marks an exciting moment for the UK’s relationship with countries across Africa and is a strong demonstration of our commitment to deepening our ties with the continent.

“Strengthening our trade, investment, and cultural ties is not only vital for shared economic growth, but also for fostering long-term partnerships that are rooted in respect and open up opportunities for all.”


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