President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said that the subscriptions for Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s public offer had exceeded the amount the company originally intended to raise by more than three or four times.

According to him, the company originally targeted to raise N2.15 trillion but the offer had been over subscribed to about N8.61trillion.

“The refinery has extended the closing date of its share offer by two weeks to attract more African investors,” said Dangote.

A calculation that multiplies the N2.1525tn offer value by four puts potential subscriptions at N8.61tn. This represents an estimate based on the offer value and Dangote’s remarks.

The IPO comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares priced at N525 each, giving the offer a total value of N2.1525tn if all the shares are subscribed.

In a statement by the Dangote Group on Monday, Dangote was quoted as saying that the extension was not driven by a need to raise more money but by the company’s desire to give more Africans an opportunity to own shares in the business.

“The IPO is going very well. We will extend the closing date because we want more of our African brothers and sisters to participate. Following our discussions with the Nairobi Stock Exchange, we have identified what we believe is the best way to facilitate participation. We are now trying to replicate that arrangement with other African exchanges to ensure wider participation,” he said.

•Kristalina Georgieva

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, says Artificial Intelligence (AI) could affect about 40 per cent of jobs globally, urging governments to prepare workers for the changing labour market.

Ms Georgieva said this during a panel session on “Small Scale AI: More and Better Jobs” at the 2026 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday.

She described AI as a “slow-moving tsunami” for the labour market, saying it could augment, downgrade or eliminate jobs.

According to her, IMF estimates show that AI could affect about 60 per cent of jobs in advanced economies and 23 per cent in low-income countries

E-hailing drivers in Lagos State have commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved concerns about fare structures, high platform commissions, deductions and welfare conditions.

The industrial action, organised by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, began on Monday and will continue until further notice or until satisfactory progress is made in addressing the drivers’ grievances.

In a notice issued ahead of the strike, AUATON said the decision followed persistent complaints about operational policies, drivers’ earnings, safety, security and the long-term sustainability of app-based transport work. “Despite repeated efforts by drivers and stakeholders to draw attention to these concerns, many of the issues remain unresolved,” the union stated.

The action primarily affects drivers on major platforms including Bolt and inDrive. Drivers are demanding a substantial reduction in commissions — with the union pushing for a maximum of 10 per cent — and a review of fare structures to better reflect rising operating costs such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, repairs and financing. They are also seeking improved welfare measures, stronger passenger verification, accident support and better protection against risks including robbery and assault.

To ease the financial pressure on participants, AUATON appealed to fleet owners and managers to temporarily suspend daily remittance obligations and related operational targets. The union urged partners not to impose penalties or sanctions solely because of a driver’s participation in the strike, noting that drivers would not be generating normal revenue during the industrial action.

AUATON said it plans to deploy its task force across local government areas in Lagos to monitor compliance, with internal disciplinary measures possible for drivers who defy the directive. The notice was signed by the Lagos State Chairman of AUATON, Jaiyesimi Olalabi Azeez (popularly known as Makavelli), who reaffirmed the union’s willingness to pursue peaceful dialogue with platforms, fleet owners and other stakeholders.

Bolt has called for constructive dialogue, saying it recognises the economic pressures facing drivers and has proposed a roundtable discussion with AUATON and driver representatives. The company stated it is committed to addressing concerns around earnings, operating costs, transparency and welfare.

Commuters in Lagos who rely heavily on app-based services may experience fewer available vehicles, longer waiting times and potential fare increases while the strike continues.