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 Thursday 25 June 2026
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,380.08
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,815. 63
EURO (EUR) ₦1,566.63
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,696.05
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.53
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦202.62
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.38
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,858. 54
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦367.58
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82. 91
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 390 Sell ₦1, 395
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,845 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 580 Sell ₦1,600
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
Dangote Refinery Dismisses Claims of Fuel Re-Importation from Togo
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly rejected allegations that its refined petroleum products are exported to Lomé, Togo, and later re-imported into Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the refinery described the claims as “a web of falsehoods,” “baseless,” and “unsubstantiated,” arguing they lack commercial logic and contradict its core business objectives of boosting local production and achieving energy self-sufficiency.
The refinery emphasized that its sales contracts and tender terms explicitly prohibit buyers from reselling or re-importing the products back into Nigeria. It further noted that available trade data and the high costs of round-trip shipping (estimated at US$68–90 per ton) make such a scheme economically unviable.
The allegations surfaced amid reports suggesting that a significant portion of Nigeria’s seaborne fuel imports between March and May 2026 originated from Dangote products rerouted through the offshore ship-to-ship trading hub in Lomé.
Some marketers claimed pricing differences made it cheaper to buy from foreign traders via Togo.
Dangote Refinery dismissed these assertions, insisting there is no evidence to support them and reaffirming its commitment to supplying high-quality fuels directly to the Nigerian market at competitive prices.
The development highlights ongoing tensions as the refinery continues to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports.
Business
Afreximbank wooing Nigeria’s rising culinary stars for participation in 2026 CANEX Junior Chef Competitions
The competition invites Nigeria’s most promising junior culinary talents, aged 16 to 21, to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and cultural storytelling at the CANEX WKND 2026, set to hold from 5 to 8, November 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Photo: Winners of the CANEX Junior Chef Competition display their prizes during IATF2025 in Algeria.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, has opened applications for the 2026 edition of the CANEX WKND 2026 Junior Chef Competition.
The competition invites Nigeria’s most promising junior culinary talents, aged 16 to 21, to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and cultural storytelling at the CANEX WKND 2026, set to hold from 5 to 8, November 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Now in its second edition, the competition builds on the landmark debut in Algiers, Algeria, during IATF2025, with Fatma Zohra Bendjelida crowned the inaugural winner.
This year, the spotlight turns to Nigeria’s next generation of culinary talents.
Eight aspiring young chefs will earn their place on the live stage at CANEX WKND in Lagos, where they will transform African culinary heritage into bold, signature creations; making dishes that honour the flavours, traditions, and stories of the continent while presenting a fresh, fearless voice in African gastronomy.
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