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
Chinese investors establish $20m Lithium plant in Kwara with pharmaceutical plant underway
According to Sun, the company currently employs more than 300 workers, most of whom are indigenes of Kwara State.
Image: Lithium mineral
A Chinese firm, ER KANG Company Limited, has established a $20 million lithium processing factory in Kwara State.
ER KANG is also establishing a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Kwara, valued at over $15 million, bringing the total Chinese investment in the state to approximately $35 million.
Team lead of the company, Sun Qing Rong, disclosed this in Ilorin during a meeting with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday.
He said the lithium plant is already operational and the investment is intended to prevent the export of raw minerals without processing.
Sun explained that the facility converts lithium into ready-to-use industrial materials, ensuring the mineral is processed locally rather than exported in its raw form.
He noted that the initiative aligns with government policies promoting value addition in the state.
According to Sun, the company currently employs more than 300 workers, most of whom are indigenes of Kwara State.
Business
NAFDAC misleads the Senate to ban sachet alcohol – MAN
Business is based on data and logic. Not sentiment. Data is key. Bring your data. Alcohol is not produced for children.
Photo by Ochefa / Ohibaba.com; 28 January 2026
The leadership of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), on Wednesday accused the nafdac to have misled the Senate to approve the ban on sachet alcohol and PET bottles.
The leadership of the association made the accusations on the occasion of the 10th edition MAN Media Personality Awards/ Presidential Media Luncheon, held in Lagos.
Francis Meshioye, the president of the association, and Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director -General of MAN, emphasised that NAFDAC didn’t provide the Senate with empirical data showing the negative impacts of alcohol on children.
“Business is based on data and logic. Not sentiment. Data is key. Bring your data. Alcohol is not produced for children.
It is clearly written on the sacrhet it is for people 18+; the companies producing them have done the campaigns; they have NAFDAC numbers. So NAFDAC should do its job.
They misled the Senate they didn’t give enough information to the Senate,” said Ajayi – Kadir.
Meshioye urges the government to prevail on the regulator to suspend the ban, because, “When manufacturing thrives, Nigeria thrives..when manufacturing wins, government wins.”
Business
CBN grants Opay, Moniepoint, Kuda Palmpay and Paga national banks status
With national licenses, these FinTechs are subject to higher capital requirements, for example, N5 billion for national MFBs, and must maintain offices for dispute resolution while continuing to drive financial inclusion.
• CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso
THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has upgraded the licenses of major FinTech companies and Microfinance Banks, including Opay and Moniepoint, to national status, allowing them to operate across the country following compliance with regulatory requirements.
The upgrade applies to key players such as Moniepoint MFB, Opay, Kuda Bank, Palmpay, and Paga, which have grown rapidly through mobile technology and agent networks, effectively outgrowing their previous regional licenses.
The Director of the Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, Yemi Solaja, confirmed this development in Lagos at the annual conference of the Committee of Heads of Banks’ Operations,
He said: “Institutions like Moniepoint MFB, Opay, Kuda Bank, and others have now been upgraded. In practice, their operations are already nationwide.”
Solaja emphasized the importance of physical presence for customer support, noting “Most of their customers operate in the informal sector.
They need a clear point of contact if any issues arise.
”With national licenses, these FinTechs are subject to higher capital requirements, for example, N5 billion for national MFBs, and must maintain offices for dispute resolution while continuing to drive financial inclusion.
The reform follows previous enforcement actions, including 2024 penalties of N1 billion each on Moniepoint and Opay for KYC non-compliance, underscoring the CBN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen standards in digital finance
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