Business
Nigeria to Partner with Google on AI and digital innovation
President Bola Tinubu is currently in talks with Google to strengthen the country’s role in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
Announcing the discussions on X after meeting Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris, Tinubu said the partnership would expand cloud infrastructure, upskill workers, foster AI research, boost cloud adoption, and position Nigeria as a global tech hub.
The President cited Nigeria’s AI progress, including work with Awarri Technologies and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) to develop AI tools and a Large Language Model (LLM) for Nigerian languages.
Tinubu said the talks with google aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Communications Ministry and NITDA providing oversight and overseeing implementation.
Tinubu, who is currently in Paris on a private visit, will also attend the AU Summit in Addis Ababa before returning to Nigeria.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates To Foreign currencies Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,369.11
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,815.44
EURO (EUR) ₦1,566.39
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,692.14
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.46
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦202.08
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.39
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,862.29
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦364.65
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.36
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 390 Sell ₦1,400
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,870
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 590 Sell ₦1, 610
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
Okereke-Onyuike Hails CIS First Female President, Ahimie
Okereke-Onyuike commended the CIS for demonstrating confidence in the leadership capacity of women and for taking a bold step towards strengthening gender balance in the profession.
Photo: Okereke-Onyuike
Former Director-General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (now NGX), Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, has described the emergence of Dr Fiona Ahimie as the first female and 14th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) as a historic breakthrough for gender inclusion and leadership within Nigeria’s capital market.
Professor Okereke-Onyuike made the remarks when she hosted Ahimie and a high-powered delegation from the Institute on a courtesy visit ahead of the President-Elect’s inauguration scheduled for June 25, 2026.
During the visit, Ahimie formally invited Professor Okereke-Onyuike to attend the historic event.
Welcoming the delegation, Professor Okereke-Onyuike expressed delight at the election of Dr Ahimie, noting that her emergence represents a defining moment in the 30-year history of the Institute and a significant milestone for women in the financial services sector.
Okereke-Onyuike commended the CIS for demonstrating confidence in the leadership capacity of women and for taking a bold step towards strengthening gender balance in the profession.
Business
Crude Oil Prices Plunge Following Progress in US-Iran Nuclear Talks
Oil prices tumbled sharply on Monday as reports of advancing diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran eased fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East, a key global crude production hub.
Brent crude futures fell more than 4% in early trading, dropping below $78 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost over $3, trading around $74. The decline marks the steepest one-day drop in several weeks.
Market analysts attributed the sell-off to optimism surrounding indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at reviving elements of the 2015 nuclear deal. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that both sides have shown flexibility on key issues, including sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
“Geopolitical risk premium that had been built into oil prices is evaporating fast,” said Sarah Thompson, senior commodities analyst at Global Energy Insights. “Any de-escalation in US-Iran tensions typically leads to a swift market reaction, as investors price in the potential return of Iranian barrels to the international market.”
Iran, which holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has been largely cut off from global markets due to stringent U.S. sanctions. A successful diplomatic breakthrough could add hundreds of thousands of barrels per day to global supply within months, according to industry estimates.
The price drop comes amid other supportive factors for lower energy costs, including strong U.S. production levels and signs of moderating demand growth in China. However, some traders cautioned that the talks remain fragile and any setback could quickly reverse the gains.
White House officials declined to comment on specifics but reiterated the administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons through diplomacy when possible.
Energy markets will closely watch developments in the coming days, with the next round of discussions expected to take place in a European capital.
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