Business
NCC Approves Unified USSD Codes For All Mobile Networks In Nigeria
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a unified USSD codes for all mobile networks in Nigeria. The harmonized short codes (HSC) will work across all mobile networks in the country.
This means that all network providers in Nigeria, MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile, etc, will no longer use their previous short codes but now use same unified USSD codes for credit recharge, data balance checks, customer call line and others.
MTN for instance, it has stopped using its other codes such as the ancient *131# for customer care calling, *559# for special data balance checks and many others.
For Airtel, the codes *140# for balance checks, *141# for data subscription, etc will no longer work.
So, If you are a customer using MTN sim card, you won’t be able to use the old short codes any longer for the previous specific services. Same for Airtel, 9Mobile, Glo and others. Instead, you would need to use any of the new unified USSD codes.

Business
China Woos Nigeria To Join WAICO Memberships For Technology Advantages
African countries on the memberships list include South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia and Algeria.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to share in global tech development.
The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) is an international organization focused on artificial intelligence (AI) established in July 2026. Proposed by China before its 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, it is headquartered in Shanghai and oriented toward the Global South.
Twenty-nine countries signed the founding agreement on 16 July 2026 in Shanghai, followed by eight additional signatories later that month, bringing the total membership to 37 countries.
African countries on the memberships list include South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia and Algeria.
WAICO is believed to have been set up to rival the US-led Pax Silica initiative, aiming to counterbalance Western influence across global supply chains for rare-earth elements, semiconductors, and AI governance.
Ambassador Yu made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during an event celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which shares its October 1st National Day with Nigeria.
Speaking at the evening reception, Ambassador Yu said, ” Those who walk the same path go far. Let us empower development through innovation, openness, and sincere cooperation to continuously enrich China-Nigeria friendship and write a new chapter in China-Africa relations.”
Regarding 55 years of diplomatic ties with Nigeria, Yu noted that both nations have grown closer through mutual respect and shared success.
“Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our relationship has entered the fast lane,” he said.
Business
Otedola bypasses seven African billionaires as fortune hits $2 billion
The rise also ends his old tag as Africa’s poorest billionaire.
Femi Otedola’s fortune has risen to $2 billion, lifting the First HoldCo chairman above eight other African billionaires on Forbes’ real-time wealth index.
The new valuation is a $700 million jump from the $1.3 billion attributed to him at the start of 2026.
Forbes’ real-time billionaires index now ranks Otedola 2,115th globally, up from $1.8 billion in August.
The rise also ends his old tag as Africa’s poorest billionaire.
Based on the wealth estimates supplied for September 2026, Otedola’s $2 billion places him ahead of eight African billionaires.
They are South Africa’s Christoffel Wiese at $1.9 billion and Egypt’s Youssef Mansour at $1.8 billion.
Morocco’s Othman Benjelloun and family are valued at $1.7 billion, the same as South Africa’s Paul van Zuydam. Morocco’s Aziz Akhannouch and family sit at $1.6 billion.
Egypt’s Samih Sawiris and Yasseen Mansour, alongside Morocco’s Anas Sefrioui and family, complete the eight, each estimated at $1.4 billion.
The comparisons rest on the supplied valuations and can shift with share prices and other assets.
Business
Naira To Dollar , Pound, Euro Rate, Thursday September 24
Black Market Rates
₦1382 DOLLAR (USD)
₦1865 POUND (GBP
₦1560 EURO (EUR)
₦1000 DOLLAR (CAD)
₦70 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)
₦370 UAE DIRHAM (AED)
₦190 CHINESE YUAN (CNY)
₦100 GHANA CEDI (GHS)
₦2350 CFA F.(XOF)
₦2250 CFA F.(XAF)
₦850 AUSSIE (AUD)
CBN Exchange Rates
DOLLAR (USD)₦1328.50
POUND (GBP)₦1762.9
EURO (EUR)₦1514.89
SWISS FRANC (CHF)₦1612.65
JAPANESE YEN (JPN)₦8.41
CFA FRANC (XOF)₦2.32
WEST AFRICAN UNIT OF ACCOUNT (WAUA)₦1811.19
CHINESE YUAN (CNY)₦198.05
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR)₦353.78
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)₦81.16
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