Business
BREAKING: Elon Musk’s Firm Set To Test Micro Implants On Human Brains
A tech startup co-founded by Elon Musk, known as Neuralink, has received approval from the United States’ Food and Drug Administration to test its brain implant on human beings, after the coin-sized implants have been tested on monkeys and pigs. This is according to a statement shared via the company’s official Twitter page on Thursday.
The firm’s announcement stated that: “We are excited to share that we have received the FDA’s approval to launch our first-in-human clinical study!” the tweet read. “This is the result of incredible work by the Neuralink team in close collaboration with the FDA and represents an important first step that will one day allow our technology to help many people.”
Musk also commented on the post on Friday, tweeting, “Congratulations to the Neuralink team.”
The implants are meant to allow humans to interface directly with computers. Musk had earlier touted the product as a possible solution for persons living with disabilities, as it could help restore vision and movement. He made headlines late last year after stating that he trusted the device enough to implant them in his children.
During a presentation by the company in December last year, Neuralink showed several monkeys playing basic video games or moving a cursor on a computer screen using Neuralink chips implanted in their brains, CBS News reports.
Musk, who also spoke at the presentation said, “We would initially enable someone who has almost no ability to operate their muscles and enable them to operate their phone faster than someone who has working hands.
“As miraculous as it may sound, we are confident that it is possible to restore full body functionality to someone who has a severed spinal cord.”
Employees told Reuters in March the company had earlier sought approval from the FDA in 2022 but the application was rejected. The regulator cited several concerns including the safety of lithium battery powering the device, possibility of the chip’s wires migrating within the brain, and the challenge of safely removing the device without damage to the brain.
Neuralink is currently under several federal investigations including an inquiry by the US Department of Agriculture, into potential animal-welfare violations during the animal tests conducted by the company.
Business
Tony Elumelu’s United Capital Secures approval to operate in Ethiopia
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
United Capital Group has again secured regulatory approvals to commence operations in Ethiopia.
Its Chairman, Tony Elumelu, broke the news on Tuesday, via his official X.
” This development is particularly noteworthy because Ethiopia only recently opened its financial sector to foreign participation, making United Capital’s entry a historic step for both the company and the ongoing integration of African capital markets,” said Elumelu.
Last month, United Capital commenced operations in Rwanda, marking its formal entry into East Africa and reinforcing its ambition to build a leading continental financial services institution.
The Group’s newly established entities include United Capital Trustees Rwanda Limited, licensed to provide trusteeship services, and United Capital Financial Services Rwanda Limited, licensed to offer investment management services, including portfolio management, investment advisory, capital mobilisation, capital market advisory, and fund management solutions.
With this development, United Capital now operates in 11 countries, including Nigeria, with a strong presence in key African markets, a recent expansion into the eight countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, alongside a growing footprint in East Africa.
According to Elumelu, African institutions are increasingly leading, competing, and succeeding across the continent.
For decades, Africa witnessed foreign capital flowing in while profits largely flowed out.
That narrative is beginning to change.
This is Africapitalism in action — a vision that recognizes the importance of both indigenous and international capital working together to finance Africa’s development and unlock shared prosperity.
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
Business
Lagos developing world – class new business district —Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
• Invest Lagos Summit 3.0: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (right); Member, House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara; Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Marland; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and members of the State Executives Council at the opening of Invest Lagos 3.0, themed: “Lagos – The Business Gateway to Africa”, in Lagos, yesterday.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that as part of efforts to deepen access to global capital, his administration is developing the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), envisioned as a world-class financial district that would strengthen the state’s position as a gateway for investment into Africa.
Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the Invest Lagos Summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, other governors, foreign investors, development finance institutions and business leaders, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
Sanwo-Olu said that the state had recorded significant economic progress in recent years through targeted reforms across transportation, digital infrastructure and industrial development.
Highlighting key infrastructure achievements, Sanwo-Olu cited investments in road networks, waterways and rail transportation, describing them as critical enablers of economic growth and investor confidence.
The governor noted that Lagos was increasingly serving as a gateway to African markets and global capital, positioning itself at the centre of continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, Lagos remains one of the continent’s most strategic economic hubs, with a population exceeding 25 million and a gross domestic product steadily approaching the $300 billion mark.
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1, 362.84
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,821. 30
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574. 53
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,714. 05
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.52
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.99
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.42
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,863.83
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦302. 83
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.75
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,395 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,860 Sell: ₦1, 880
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 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 ₦100 Sell ₦115
West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2550
Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2,400
Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Sources: CBN / Aboki Forex
-
News2 days agoCourt Voids ₦110bn N’Assembly Vehicles, Allowances
-
Business2 days agoSenate’s approval of Sugar – Sweetened Beverages Tax Bill, Shocking, says CPPE, Lobbying Reps for rejection
-
News2 days agoFG Clears Five-Month Allowance Arrears for University Lecturers
-
News2 days agoLagos Begins 500-Tree Campaign to Tackle Extreme Heat
-
News2 days agoCourt Declares National Assembly’s N110bn SUV and Allowance Schemes Unlawful
-
Politics2 days agoNDC Declares Party Supremacy, Approves Code of Conduct Committee
-
Politics1 day ago2027: Lagos APC picks Damilola as Hamzat ‘s Deputy Governor
-
Entertainment2 days agoNigerian-British Singer Talay Riley Dies in London Stabbing, Others Mourn
