Business
Quality Products Would Reduce Nigeria’s Exports Reject – SGF Akume
▪︎Picture : Dr. Maurice Mbaeri, PS, OSGF (left) in deep discussion with Osita Aboloma, Chairman/CE, NQC at the workshop on Sustainable Metrology Services in Nigeria. Others from left are Engr. Obiora Manafa, President, Metrology Society of Nigeria; Simeon Umukoro, Trade Market Access Lead at the UK Department for Business & Trade in Nigeria and Celestine Okanya, DG, Nigeria National Accreditation System.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the organized private sector to consistently demand quality products and services from the public sector in order to foster a culture of quality across the country.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, highlighted the importance of quality during a workshop on the Sustainable Provision of Metrology Services held in Lagos.
He emphasized that a strong demand for quality would enhance Nigeria’s ability to trade effectively on an international level, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the government’s economic diversification plans.
Represented by Dr. Maurice Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF, Akume pointed out that a more efficient National Quality Infrastructure, facilitated by the Nigerian National Quality Policy, would lead to increased non-oil exports, improved foreign exchange earnings, job creation, and overall economic growth.
He urged all stakeholders to actively support the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, following Nigeria’s recognition as the Digital Trade Champion for Africa at the recent African Union Assembly.
Osita Aboloma, Executive Chairman of the National Quality Council (NQC), reinforced the Council’s commitment to enhancing the National Quality Infrastructure, which would improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products and services. He remarked that the NQC’s efforts would help increase non-oil exports and reduce the country’s export rejects.
Support from the United Kingdom was acknowledged, particularly in relation to the Standards Partnership Programme (SPP), aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s quality infrastructure. Dr. Simeon Umukoro from the UK Department for Business and Trade reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic initiatives, highlighting that improved quality infrastructure would create new opportunities for innovation and competitiveness.
The partnership aims to elevate Nigeria’s export capacity, attract investment, and enhance trade efficiency in alignment with global standards and practices.
Business
President Tinubu to present 2026 budget to N/Assembly Friday
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, on Friday, present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The presentation, scheduled for 2:00 pm, was conveyed in a notice issued by the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
According to the notice, all accredited persons are required to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am on the day of the presentation, as access into the National Assembly Complex will be restricted thereafter for security reasons.
The notice, signed by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, urged all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the arrangements ahead of the President’s budget presentation.
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a disclaimer distancing himself from a purported response circulating online regarding recent corruption allegations levelled against him by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
In a statement titled “DISCLAIMER/CLARIFICATION” personally signed by Ahmed, he categorically denied authoring or authorising any prior public response to the claims.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person,” the statement read.
“I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.
“Ahmed acknowledged awareness of what he described as “wild and spurious allegations” targeting him and his family, which have sparked significant public attention. However, citing his role as regulator of a sensitive industry, he said he has deliberately avoided engaging in public exchanges or “brickbats.”
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution,” Ahmed noted. “I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.
“The disclaimer comes amid escalating tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited, recently petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed over claims of living beyond legitimate means, including alleged multi-million-dollar expenditures on his children’s education abroad.
The ICPC has confirmed receipt of the petition and stated it will be duly investigated.Ahmed’s statement signals his preference for the matter to be resolved through official channels rather than media debates.
Business
Adesanya joins FrieslandCampina from Guinness Nigeria
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has appointed former Guinness Nigeria Commercial Director, Olusanya Adesanya, as its new Group Director of Sales, marking a significant talent shift in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.”
Adesanya, regarded as one of the country’s foremost commercial strategists, has been instrumental in Guinness Nigeria’s resurgence.
His exit was confirmed in a statement signed by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Girish Sharma, who hailed his “twelve remarkable years of positive impact and growth.”
According to Guinness Nigeria, Adesanya joined the company in 2013 as a sales representative and rose through the ranks across the South-East, Lagos and South-West regions, ultimately becoming commercial director in 2023.
Over the years, he led retail expansion initiatives, including the launch of Project REAP, which transformed retail execution and broadened the company’s distribution footprint.
Under his leadership, Guinness recorded double-digit topline growth, improved margins, enhanced trade spend efficiency and strengthened distributor profitability.
His performance earned him several awards, including the African President Awards (2021) and MAD Awards (2014 and 2015).
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