Economy
NEPC Urges Nigerian Manufacturers To Leverage Export Opportunities
NEPC Urges Nigerian Manufacturers To Leverage Export Opportunities
NEPC urges Nigerian manufacturers to leverage export opportunities. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has called on Nigerian manufacturers to seek relevant information on enhancing the export potential of their products.
The Head of Product and Marketing Department, NEPC Ogun State Office, Hadiza Kashiat, made this appeal during a Strategic Focus Group meeting organized by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Kashiat noted that one of the major challenges hindering Nigerian manufacturers from exporting their goods is their failure to seek necessary information on export procedures.
“Many manufacturers do not take the time to understand the requirements for exporting their products. Even when we provide publications on these guidelines, most people do not read them. Rather than just complaining, we need to utilize the resources available to us,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians to embrace locally made products, emphasizing that many rejected Nigerian goods are of superior quality compared to imported alternatives.
“We must change our mindset. Many made-in-Nigeria products are high-quality, yet they are overlooked. For instance, Nigerian lubricants rank among the best globally, and Malaysia still sources palm oil from Nigeria.
If we continue to reject our own products, how can we expect economic growth?” she questioned.
NASENI Pushes for Increased Patronage of Local Products
Speaking at the event, NASENI Team Leader, Mr. Babajide Soyya, stressed that the low demand for Nigerian-made products negatively impacts the economy, leading to job losses as industries in other countries benefit from Nigeria’s import dependence.
To address this, he revealed that NASENI is working with stakeholders to gather insights on boosting local production and innovation.
The agency is also collaborating with industries, empowering skilled labor, and signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to promote manufacturing and technological advancements in Nigeria.
“We are engaging focus groups and stakeholders to determine the best ways to promote and encourage the use of Nigerian products. Our goal is to strengthen local manufacturing and drive technological progress,” Soyya stated.
The meeting, themed ‘Made in Nigeria for Everyone’, examined challenges facing Nigerian manufacturers and explored possible solutions. It was the fourth in a series, following previous sessions in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna States.

NEPC Urges Nigerian
The event had in attendance key stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (OGCCIMA), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Association of Small-Scale Industries (NASSI), and the Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), among others.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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