Business
Excitements As Wema Bank Clocks 80 In 8 Days
As Wema Bank counts down to its 80th anniversary on May 2nd, 2025, the world eagerly anticipates the future of possibilities that lies ahead for this phenomenal bank.
All roads lead to Lagos on May 2nd 2025, when Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, leading innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, will be marking its 80th anniversary in grand style, in Lagos, the city where it all started.
Founded on May 2nd 1945 as Agbonmagbe Bank Limited, Wema Bank was established by the Late Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe and two others—his wife, Regina Adekoya Okupe and a family friend, Reverend Alade.
In an era where the banking industry was designed to cater only to the colonial government and expatriates, Wema Bank came to life as a vanguard of indigenous banking, bridging the gap in access to financial services by providing quality financial services tailored to the needs of indigenous Nigerians and businesses.
The story of Wema Bank is one that symbolises remarkable resilience, capturing the journey of an indigenous Nigerian bank that dared to rise at the heights of the colonial era, weathering the storms of the difficult terrain, navigating challenges and constantly reinventing to continue serving Nigerians against all odds, for 8 solid decades and counting.
Founded on May 2nd, 1945, as Agbonmagbe Bank Limited, Wema Bank was established by the Late Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe and two others—his wife, Regina Adekoya Okupe, and a family friend, Reverend Alade.
This great bank, which began as the mere vision of an illustrious philanthropist in a hollow room at Agbonmagbe Lodge, Yaba, Lagos, has now grown to not only become Nigeria’s longest standing indigenous and most resilient bank but also, Nigeria’s most innovative bank.
In truth, Wema Bank’s formidable legacy is proof that Nigerian businesses have the capacity to last, transcend time, adapt and innovate to remain valuable to customers, stakeholders, shareholders, industries, and the nation at large.
From empowering Nigerians with the finest quality of financial services to providing tailored opportunities for underserved categories of the population, spearheading the future of banking and being a backbone for Nigeria’s FinTech industry by not only pioneering the continent’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, but also allowing FinTechs to operate using the Bank’s secure and advanced network; Wema Bank has built a legacy of impact since 1945.
As Wema Bank counts down to its 80th anniversary on May 2nd, 2025, the world eagerly anticipates the future of possibilities that lies ahead for this phenomenal bank.
While details of the grand Wema at 80 event are yet to be disclosed, the event is reported to be the most star-studded and exclusive corporate celebration of the year.
It is convening generations of Nigerians in Lagos in a night of momentous reflection, merriment, and grandeur with the dress code and timeless elegance.
Business
Exchange Rates Today Friday, 12 June
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,397
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,850
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,363. 83
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,821. 25
EURO (EUR) ₦1,572. 90
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,706. 49
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.50
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201.20
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,857. 45
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦363. 29
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.61
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,397 Sell ₦1,405
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,870
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,587 Sell ₦1, 607
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
West African CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
Central African CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Business
Airtel launches data calculator to counter depletion complaints
Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said that the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.
Airtel Nigeria has launched the Airtel Web Data Calculator, a new digital tool designed to help customers estimate and better understand their internet data consumption based on real-life usage patterns.
Available through Airtel’s website, the calculator enables customers to estimate data usage across common digital activities such as video streaming, social media engagement, voice and video calls, and everyday web browsing.
Speaking on the launch, Oladokun Oye, Customer Experience Director, Airtel Nigeria, said that the initiative reflects Airtel’s commitment to customer empowerment and service transparency.
“As Nigerians become increasingly dependent on digital services for work, education, entertainment and communication, it is important that customers have clear visibility into how their data is consumed.
The Airtel Web Data Calculator was developed to help our customers understand their usage patterns better, make informed choices, and enjoy greater confidence in their digital experience,” he said.
Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.
“The future of telecommunications will be defined not only by network investments but also by how effectively operators help customers understand and manage their digital lives. The Airtel Web Data Calculator represents a practical innovation that places more information and control directly in the hands of our customers.” He said.
Business
Kingsley Moghalu chairs Bluecode Africa subsidiary in Nigeria
Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.
Bluecode Africa, the European payments infrastructure operator backed by leading US and European institutional investors, has named Prof Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu as Chairman of the Advisory Board of its Nigerian subsidiary, Bluecode Payments Nigeria Limited as the company formally enters the Nigerian market.
The appointment was jointly announced by Chris Pirkner, Founder of Bluecode, and Odin Krismayr, Managing Director of Bluecode Africa, who described it as a foundational governance decision for the company’s Nigerian and continental operations.
Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.
He led the team that introduced the unique-identifier Bank Verification Number (BVN), enrolling 50 million banking users, simplifying Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, and doubled Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate from 33 to 60 per cent.
Edo Queens Win 2025/26 NWFL Title
World Cup: Japan Holds Netherlands To 2-2 Draw
Police begins enforcement on vehicles with covered number plates
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Opinions3 days agoDemocracy Still Struggling 33 Years After June 12, PDP Laments by Comrade Ini Ememobong
-
Crime2 days agoBandits Kill 19 Farmers, Injure 12 Others in Fresh Attack in Zamfara
-
Crime2 days agoBREAKING: Retired General Dies in Kidnappers’ Captivity, Demand Release of Gang Members
-
Sports4 hours agoWorld Cup: Sweden beats Tunisia 5-1
-
Sports2 days agoBalogun: This is something I dreamed of for a long time
-
Sports2 days agoFIFA World Cup Day 2: Canada holds 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
-
Sports2 days agoFIFA World Cup 2026 Day 3: Qatar draws Switzerland 1: 1
-
News3 hours agoDHQ vows justice for slain retd Gen Rabe