General News
Ministry of Finance Leads FG-Backed Deal to Deliver Quality Homes and Boost Agriculture in Niger State
The Federal Ministry of Finance has anchored the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Niger State Government and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) for the implementation of a Mass Housing and Agricultural Settlement Project in Niger State.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, described the agreement as a landmark initiative that underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to cooperative federalism, inclusive economic growth, and strategic alignment in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
With the Federal Ministry of Finance serving as the anchor institution, the project benefits from strong policy coordination, financial credibility, and institutional oversight. The initiative is designed to integrate housing delivery with agricultural productivity, rural stability, and economic empowerment.
“Housing is a fundamental pillar of development. In Niger State, housing also intersects directly with agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods. This project is therefore structured not merely as a housing intervention, but as a settlement framework for farmers aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains,” the Minister stated.
Niger State, one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally endowed states, continues to face challenges, including insecure settlements, rural-urban migration, and limited rural infrastructure. The project seeks to address these constraints by providing secure, well-planned housing settlements for farmers, strategically located to support agricultural production, storage, processing, and access to markets.
The Honourable Minister emphasized that anchoring farmers in stable communities with access to basic infrastructure will improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, enhance security, and encourage youth participation in agriculture, making farming more efficient, attractive, and profitable.
Sustainability and affordability are core pillars of the initiative, with integrated renewable energy solutions—including solar-powered homes and community facilities, designed to ensure reliable power, reduce energy costs, and support agro-processing and storage activities. The project also prioritises efficient land use, access roads, water infrastructure, and environmentally responsible building practices.
Reacting to the sustainability focus of the project, the Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed strong optimism about its transformative impact on the state.
“When you say sustainability, affordability is very important. When I heard that a mini-grid has been deployed in Jos, it’s because it’s affordable. Diesel is not sustainable because it’s not affordable. For considering the factor of affordability in this project, we’re grateful,” the Governor said.
He further announced the state’s commitment to the project, adding, “So, Honourable Minister, Niger State is bringing forward 100,000 hectares of land for this project. I want to assure you that with this initiative, you have solved 80 percent of our problems.”
Drawing a direct link to the Federal Government’s development agenda, Governor Bago noted, “We’ve gone across the world and seen how people transit from poverty to prosperity. And I think the goal of the President, my father, is for us to transition our people out of poverty in the next four years, by the grace of God.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang (Ph.D.), who attended the ceremony alongside other critical stakeholders, including the building contractor, reaffirmed MOFI’s commitment to quality delivery and agricultural productivity.
Dr. Takang assured the Niger State Government of the contractor’s proven competence and credibility in delivering mass housing projects, stressing that affordability would not come at the expense of quality.
“We want affordable and decent houses. The fact that they are located in rural communities does not mean the quality should be compromised,” he said.
Beyond housing, Dr. Takang highlighted MOFI’s broader role in strengthening the agricultural component of the settlements through strategic partnerships.
“We have partners who will supply affordable fertilisers imported in large quantities. We will also work with other partners to ensure access to key agricultural inputs, not only fertilisers, but also pesticides, high-quality seeds, and elements of mechanisation,” he added.
The project adopts an innovative financing model that blends public assets with private investment, ensuring sustainability, transparency, and shared risk. Through this approach, the government focuses on policy direction and oversight while leveraging private sector efficiency and capital.
Beyond improving food security, the Mass Housing and Agricultural Settlement Project will stimulate broad-based economic activity and generate employment across construction, agriculture, Agro-processing, renewable energy, logistics, and community services. The initiative will support local industries such as cement, steel, transportation, and agro-allied enterprises, while strengthening rural economies and increasing Niger State’s internally generated revenue.
Affordability and inclusiveness remain central to the project’s design. The settlements are tailored to the income realities of farmers and low- to middle-income earners, supported by transparent allocation mechanisms and strong governance structures to ensure benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
The MoU sends a clear signal to the investment community that Niger State, working in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Finance and MOFI, is open to credible, well-structured, and impact-driven investment. Developers, financial institutions, pension funds, real estate investors, and agribusiness operators are invited to view the project as a scalable and replicable model.
Reaffirming the Federal Ministry of Finance’s commitment, the Honourable Minister assured stakeholders of continued coordination, fiscal discipline, and policy support to ensure the project moves swiftly from signing to execution and delivery.
Commending the leadership of MOFI and the Executive Governor of Niger State, the Minister concluded that the initiative reflects a shared vision for integrated development.
“Through this partnership, we are not just building houses; we are creating stable farming communities, strengthening food security, and laying the foundation for sustained prosperity in Niger State,” she said.
Conoil Plc is spreading joy this Valentine season as the first group of winners in its Valentine Bonanza promotion have been announced and rewarded. Launched on February 14, the campaign continues to delight customers at participating retail outlets.
The initial raffle draw, conducted on February 21, saw fortunate customers receive ₦10,000 worth of free petrol each. The draw was carried out publicly, with media representatives present to ensure full transparency. With the promotion still ongoing, more customers have the opportunity to join in and potentially be among the next winners.
A Conoil Management spokesperson explained that the initiative is a way to show appreciation to loyal customers for their ongoing support. “Our customers have responded impressively to the bonanza, with strong participation recorded across our stations,” the spokesperson said.
The second and final phase of the promotion is now in motion. Customers who purchase at least 10 litres of petrol at any participating Conoil station remain eligible to win in the grand finale raffle.
The grand finale is set for February 28 at 12 noon. Motorists in Lagos and Ogun states are encouraged to visit Conoil outlets to collect their tickets and take part in the exciting conclusion of this Valentine celebration.
PalmPay users took to the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign to show how experiences are powered through seamless banking.
It’s the month of love and social media has been filled with couples showing affection with gifts. As digital payments become embedded in everyday life, the way relationships are planned, funded, and experienced is evolving.
Recent insights from SBM Intelligence 2025 ‘Love in the Air’ report show that despite economic pressures, most Nigerians still set aside dedicated budgets for Valentine’s Day, with the largest percentage planning to spend between N51,000 and N100,000, while less than 5% are willing to spend above N500,000.
This growing intentionality highlights the need for platforms that help people manage their money more effectively, offering features like free transfers and tools that make it easier to send, track, and preserve funds while still showing up for meaningful moments.
Through the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign, PalmPay set out to show how the platform is enabling users to plan, pay, and celebrate meaningful moments with greater ease.
During the Valentine’s season, PalmPay invited couples across Nigeria to share their stories through the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign, celebrating how digital banking supports their individual expressions of love.
The campaign saw strong participation, with many PalmPay couples submitting entries that showcased how they use the app to plan surprises, pay for outings, and stay connected through everyday transactions.
From these entries, four couples were selected, each showcasing how PalmPay has enabled fast and reliable transactions in key moments.
One video from @simply.omotoshan, one of the selected couples, captures the role of seamless payments in making their spontaneous moments possible.
She said in her entry video: “Our cutest money moment with PalmPay was when we planned our Valentine’s picnic and realized we had forgotten half of the things we needed; literally, half of everything. We rushed to the mall to get cakes, food, decorations, and all the essentials. When it was time to pay, we used PalmPay.
“The transaction was smooth, fast, and stress-free. In no time, we were done setting up our Valentine-themed picnic with everything perfectly ready. Honestly, all our experiences with PalmPay have been easy and satisfying, but this one is definitely our cutest money moment. Thank you, PalmPay.”
A testimonial from the fourth selected couple, Mohammed and his wife, reflects his excitement: “Hello PalmPay, thank you so much for selecting us as one of the winners of the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign. We truly appreciate this. My wife and I are very grateful. Thank you, PalmPay, for the love and support. We’re so happy and thankful for the N100,000 reward. We love you, PalmPay, and long live PalmPay. Thank you so much.”
Beyond the feel-good stories, the campaign reflects a broader shift: fintech is no longer just about transactions, it’s about enabling experiences. Reliable payments, fast transactions, and accessible financial tools reduce the friction that can disrupt important moments, allowing users to focus on connection rather than logistics.
From paying for dinner to managing other expenses, PalmPay continues to demonstrate how digital financial services support modern relationships, proving that in today’s economy, love is not only felt, it’s funded digitally.
KPMG has appointed Tola Adeyemi as Chief Executive Officer for KPMG in Africa, alongside the addition of Professor Olayinka David‑West and George Njenga as independent members of the Africa Governance Council (AGC).
Effective from March 2026, the appointments reinforce the firm’s leadership expertise, underscore a long‑term commitment to Africa and highlight confidence in the continent’s growth potential.
“Africa is one of the most dynamic and promising regions in the global economy, and KPMG is committed to playing a meaningful role in its growth story,” said Tola Adeyemi, incoming CEO for KPMG in Africa.
He continued: “It is a privilege to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for both KPMG and the continent. I look forward to building on our strong, connected and high‑performing base to deepen collaboration and deliver consistent quality and impact across our markets.”
KPMG is recognised globally for its commitment to quality, integrity and professional excellence, supported by a strong global network of member firms. Trust remains the foundation of the audit and accounting profession, with high standards of governance, ethics and audit quality increasingly demanded across Africa’s public and private sectors.
KPMG One Africa’s approach brings the continent closer together with strong leadership to strengthen cross-border collaboration and offer shared expertise and consistency which is business‑critical to help clients navigate complex risks and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Ben Marx, Chairman of the Africa Governance Council, said: “Tola Adeyemi is exceptionally well positioned to lead KPMG One Africa. In addition to his global perspective as a member of the KPMG Global Council, he brings significant influence and credibility as a respected business leader across the continent.”
The appointments of Professor David‑West and Mr Njenga to the Africa Governance Council, which provides board level governance, further strengthens independent oversight, bringing strong academic credentials alongside deep strategic and business expertise.
“These appointments reinforce KPMG’s commitment to strong governance, accountability and leadership depth,” Marx added. “They complement our established African leadership team, in‑country managing partners and regional senior partners, further enhancing our client‑centric approach across Africa.”
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