Business
Algiers-Abuja direct flights begin April 6

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, announced the launch of Air Algérie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, set to begin on April 6, 2025.
This is said to strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Algeria.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the new route, which is the result of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries, will be operated by the national carrier, Air Algérie, using a Boeing 737 aircraft.
This new service is expected to boost connectivity, encourage tourism, and facilitate trade and investment between Nigeria and Algeria.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the commencement of Air Algerie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, scheduled for 6th April 2025.
“This historic development marks a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria.
“It is pertinent to state that it is the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between both countries, which culminated in this successful venture,” the statement read in part.
The inaugural flight is expected to carry the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Algiers, Nigerian community leaders, and representatives from the Algerian government.
The Federal Government has extended congratulations to Air Algérie and offered its full support to ensure the success of the new service.
With affordable fares and Algeria’s proximity to Europe, the flight also offers Nigerians a convenient gateway to Europe, enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.
The statement added, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant aviation authorities, extends its warm congratulations to Air Algerie and assures all necessary support to ensure the success and sustainability of this new service.
“We believe this initiative will further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Algeria, while opening new opportunities for mutual growth.
“The affordable fare structure and the proximity of Algeria to Europe would also provide Nigerians with a convenient gateway to Europe, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.”
The ministry encouraged citizens and businesses to take advantage of this new connectivity to explore opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Business
Bolt seeks dialogue with drivers ahead of May 1 strike
The strike, announced on Tuesday by the Lagos State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, targets major operators including Bolt, Uber, In Drive, and others.

Bolt, Nigeria’s largest e-hailing startup by market share, says it is seeking dialogue with driver representatives following a planned 24-hour strike by app-based drivers in Lagos, scheduled for May 1, over poor earnings and working conditions.
In an emailed response to PUNCH Online on Thursday, the Estonian ride-hailing operator acknowledged some of the concerns raised by the drivers and confirmed its openness to discussions aimed at addressing its drivers’grievances.
The strike, announced on Tuesday by the Lagos State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, targets major operators including Bolt, Uber, In Drive, and others.
The union accused the companies of ignoring repeated calls for fair compensation, safer working conditions, and recognition of workers’ rights.
The union accused the companies of ignoring repeated calls for fair compensation, safer working conditions, and recognition of workers’ rights.
Business
Nigeria to host maiden AfCFTA hackathon
The initiative, led by Cherith-Code Concept Ltd, an International Trade Consortium, is supported by a coalition of partners, including Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services, GFA Technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Real Sources Africa, a Kenya-based company.

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has concluded arrangements for hosting the first-ever AfCFTA Hackathon in the country with a N20 million grand prize.
Held as a flagship event at the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, hosted by Ascend Studios Foundation, the maiden AfCFTA Hackathon is set to take place from May 1 to 3, 2025, in Lagos.
AfCFTA Coordination Office and Director of the Hackathon Project, Mr Olusegun Olutayo, disclosed this in a press release.
He emphasized thatthe hackathon is an innovative, tech-driven challenge specifically designed with Nigeria’s enterprising youth in mind.
The initiative, led by Cherith-Code Concept Ltd, an International Trade Consortium, is supported by a coalition of partners, including Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services, GFA Technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Real Sources Africa, a Kenya-based company.
This annual, high-impact project will focus on unpacking the opportunities presented by the newly adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP).
The platform will serve as a hub for developing competitive, practical and innovative solutions to power digital trade across Africa.
The convener of the SOT conference, Dr Inya Lawal, expressed enthusiasm about the hackathon’s transformative potential and the partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office.
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.
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