Business
Nigeria To Spend USD123.5BN On Industrial Minerals Development
The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has estimated that over USD 123.5 billion will be required for the development of the country’s industrial minerals over the next five years (2023-2028).
Project Coordinator, MinDiver, Dr. Sallim Salaam, who discloses this, said that Nigeria is richly endowed with over 30 industrial mineral types found in about 752 locations.
He said that these minerals are at different stages of development, from exploration to mining, adding that the
key participants in the industrial minerals sub-sector are artisanal and small-scale operators who exploit feldspar, trona, kaolin, talc, silica sand and dolomite for the chemical polymer and pharmaceutical industries.
” Others are quarry operators that mine and process granites, limestone, and marble as aggregates for the construction industry, cement, and lime production.
” Also included are barite and mica for mud drilling in the oil industry and phosphates for fertilizer production and soil liming.
“Generally, the local production of industrial minerals has steadily grown from 43,725,070 tonnes in 2016 to 78 454,628 tonnes in 2021.
” Even at this level of progress, Nigeria currently imports over 80 percent of its industrial minerals for the local industries.
” The Federal Government is determined to develop the available industrial minerals to stimulate industrial growth further and for import substitution, ” he said.
The estimated cost for implementing the actions described in the roadmap is 123.5 USD, to be spent over five years, the direct economic benefit obtained from the substitution of mineral imports covers this cost.

Business
Exchange Rates Today Friday, 12 June
Black Market Rates
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Black Market Rates
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Business
Airtel launches data calculator to counter depletion complaints
Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said that the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.
Airtel Nigeria has launched the Airtel Web Data Calculator, a new digital tool designed to help customers estimate and better understand their internet data consumption based on real-life usage patterns.
Available through Airtel’s website, the calculator enables customers to estimate data usage across common digital activities such as video streaming, social media engagement, voice and video calls, and everyday web browsing.
Speaking on the launch, Oladokun Oye, Customer Experience Director, Airtel Nigeria, said that the initiative reflects Airtel’s commitment to customer empowerment and service transparency.
“As Nigerians become increasingly dependent on digital services for work, education, entertainment and communication, it is important that customers have clear visibility into how their data is consumed.
The Airtel Web Data Calculator was developed to help our customers understand their usage patterns better, make informed choices, and enjoy greater confidence in their digital experience,” he said.
Commenting on the significance of the launch, Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said the company remains focused on building a network and customer experience ecosystem anchored on trust, transparency and continuous improvement.
“The future of telecommunications will be defined not only by network investments but also by how effectively operators help customers understand and manage their digital lives. The Airtel Web Data Calculator represents a practical innovation that places more information and control directly in the hands of our customers.” He said.
Business
Kingsley Moghalu chairs Bluecode Africa subsidiary in Nigeria
Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.
Bluecode Africa, the European payments infrastructure operator backed by leading US and European institutional investors, has named Prof Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu as Chairman of the Advisory Board of its Nigerian subsidiary, Bluecode Payments Nigeria Limited as the company formally enters the Nigerian market.
The appointment was jointly announced by Chris Pirkner, Founder of Bluecode, and Odin Krismayr, Managing Director of Bluecode Africa, who described it as a foundational governance decision for the company’s Nigerian and continental operations.
Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, heading the Financial System Stability and Operations Directorates at different periods.
He led the team that introduced the unique-identifier Bank Verification Number (BVN), enrolling 50 million banking users, simplifying Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, and doubled Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate from 33 to 60 per cent.
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