Business
Nigeria’s Leading innovative bank, Wema Bank Introduces SME Business School 5.0
Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, Wema Bank, has announced the launch of its flagship capacity-building programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
The programme, known as the Wema SME Business School 5.0, aims to equip SME business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in business.
According to the Head of SME Banking at Wema Bank, Arthur Nkemeh, the fifth edition of the the Wema SME Business School 5.0 will be held in Benin, Edo State, from May 22nd to May 26th and will feature training and lectures on various aspects of business management and entrepreneurship, facilitated by subject matter experts and experienced entrepreneurs.
Nkemeh, stated that “Small businesses are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and as a bank, we are committed to supporting their growth and development. The Wema SME Business School is a valuable initiative designed to equip SME business owners and entrepreneurs with the right skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s business environment.”
”Since its launch in 2021, the SME Business School has held four successful editions of the programme in different parts of the country, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Each edition of the programme has attracted over 500 SME business owners and entrepreneurs, who are selected through a call for applications and direct nominations”.
Nkemeh said the SME Business School 5.0 is open to all SME business owners and entrepreneurs in Nigeria who wish to improve their business management skills and grow their enterprises. Interested participants can register for the programme through the provided link or on the bank’s website.
He noted that the Wema SME Business School is part of Wema Bank’s commitment to promoting innovation and driving creativity in Nigeria. The bank remains dedicated to supporting the growth and development of small businesses in Nigeria, and the SME Business School is just one of the many initiatives that Wema Bank has launched to support SMEs. The business school is free for all SMEs that would be admitted.
Business
NDIC Seeks Court Approval For Liquidation of 89 Defunct MFBs, PMBs Nationwide
The affected institutions are largely microfinance banks operating across multiple states, including Lagos, Anambra, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, FCT, Kaduna, Delta, Edo and Kano.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of concluding the liquidation of 89 microfinance banks (MFBs) and primary mortgage banks (PMBs) whose licences were revoked.
The affected institutions are largely microfinance banks operating across multiple states, including Lagos, Anambra, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, FCT, Kaduna, Delta, Edo and Kano, reflecting the spread of small-scale lenders within the financial system.
The development follows the revocation of licences of 179 MFBs and four PMBs by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in May 2023, after which selected institutions acquired the assets and liabilities of 89 of the defunct banks under a purchase and assumption arrangement.
Under the arrangement, new operators were issued licences to take over the operations of the affected institutions, which have since resumed business under different names across several states.
The NDIC said it would, in its capacity as liquidator, approach the Federal High Court to obtain orders for the dissolution of the defunct banks and its discharge as liquidator, in line with its enabling law and other relevant provisions.
The move signals the conclusion of a resolution process initiated after the regulatory action taken in 2023, with the transfer of assets and liabilities already completed and successor institutions in operation.
Business
Dangote exported 434m litres petrol in March – NMDPRA
A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.
• Dangote Petroleum Refinery / Credit: Instagram
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported about 434 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in March 2026.
Data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)’s March 2026 fact sheet on the state of the downstream sector on Wednesday revealed that the refinery produced a total of 1.49 billion litres of petrol during the month, while only 1.06 billion litres were supplied to the domestic market, leaving a substantial export surplus.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.
This implies that about 434 million litres of petrol were exported within the period.
The export of excess petrol reflects a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream sector, which has historically depended on imports to meet local demand. This development was further confirmed in a statement issued by the refinery earlier this week.It stated that, “Nigeria recorded a historic shift in its downstream petroleum trade in March, emerging as a net exporter of gasoline for the first time, driven largely by rising output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.
Business
Nigeria Unveils 20-Year Aviation Master Plan at ICAO Global Symposium In Morocco
Nigeria has taken a major step toward transforming its aviation industry, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formally received the country’s Civil Aviation Master Plan from the International Civil Aviation Organization during the opening of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Marrakech.
The Minister also participated as a special guest at a high-level Ministerial Round Table, where he addressed the “Future of Aviation Workforce in Nigeria,” outlining government efforts to close the skills gap and strengthen human capital development within the aviation sector.
The Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) represents a landmark framework designed to guide the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry over a 20-year period, from 2025 to 2045.
It reflects a structured and forward-looking strategy aligned with the country’s National Development Plan and broader economic priorities.
Developed in collaboration with ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation unit, the initiative began in September 2024 with extensive stakeholder engagement and technical training, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive planning process across the aviation ecosystem.
The Master Plan focuses on critical pillars including infrastructure modernization, adoption of advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, and strict adherence to global safety and security standards to achieve a zero-fatality aviation environment.
It also envisions the transformation of Nigerian airports into aerotropolis hubs to boost economic growth, job creation, and connectivity.
Additionally, the plan emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and private sector participation, particularly in areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities and cargo development, while aligning Nigeria’s aviation growth with global environmental standards.
The presentation of the CAMP at the ICAO symposium highlights Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices and its rising profile in global aviation development.
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