Business
UPDATE: NUPENG Skips Meeting to Resolve Dispute with Dangote in Abuja
The leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) failed to attend a crucial Federal Government meeting aimed at resolving its dispute with the Dangote Group, as tensions escalate over a planned nationwide strike by oil workers.
The meeting, called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, was set for 10:00 a.m. on Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. However, by 2:30 p.m., the meeting had yet to start due to the absence of NUPENG representatives.
On Sunday, the Federal Government appealed to NUPENG to postpone the industrial action, assuring that it had intervened in the dispute. It also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to withdraw its “red alert” issued to affiliate unions preparing for a solidarity strike.
An insider noted that even if NUPENG plans to attend the meeting, it won’t be immediate. “They can’t be expected to fly into Abuja and rush into talks the same day. Consultations with NLC leadership and others need to happen first,” the source explained.
The core of the conflict centers on the Dangote Group’s alleged anti-union policy, which NUPENG claims violates workers’ rights. The union insists that no oil worker will be allowed to work at Dangote without union membership, accusing the company of an “anti-worker and anti-union” stance aimed at exploiting refinery employees.
NUPENG officials were still in Lagos on Monday afternoon, coordinating the strike effort. “You don’t wait until a strike is declared before calling for talks,” one union source said, criticizing the government’s delayed response. “The union gave sufficient notice, but the ministry only acted after tensions rose.”
Meanwhile, while journalists awaited the start of the NUPENG meeting, Minister Dingyadi held a separate closed-door session with representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The government has yet to announce a new meeting date or confirm if NUPENG will participate at a later time.
Business
Tony Elumelu’s United Capital Secures approval to operate in Ethiopia
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
United Capital Group has again secured regulatory approvals to commence operations in Ethiopia.
Its Chairman, Tony Elumelu, broke the news on Tuesday, via his official X.
” This development is particularly noteworthy because Ethiopia only recently opened its financial sector to foreign participation, making United Capital’s entry a historic step for both the company and the ongoing integration of African capital markets,” said Elumelu.
Last month, United Capital commenced operations in Rwanda, marking its formal entry into East Africa and reinforcing its ambition to build a leading continental financial services institution.
The Group’s newly established entities include United Capital Trustees Rwanda Limited, licensed to provide trusteeship services, and United Capital Financial Services Rwanda Limited, licensed to offer investment management services, including portfolio management, investment advisory, capital mobilisation, capital market advisory, and fund management solutions.
With this development, United Capital now operates in 11 countries, including Nigeria, with a strong presence in key African markets, a recent expansion into the eight countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, alongside a growing footprint in East Africa.
According to Elumelu, African institutions are increasingly leading, competing, and succeeding across the continent.
For decades, Africa witnessed foreign capital flowing in while profits largely flowed out.
That narrative is beginning to change.
This is Africapitalism in action — a vision that recognizes the importance of both indigenous and international capital working together to finance Africa’s development and unlock shared prosperity.
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
Business
Lagos developing world – class new business district —Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
• Invest Lagos Summit 3.0: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (right); Member, House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara; Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Marland; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and members of the State Executives Council at the opening of Invest Lagos 3.0, themed: “Lagos – The Business Gateway to Africa”, in Lagos, yesterday.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that as part of efforts to deepen access to global capital, his administration is developing the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), envisioned as a world-class financial district that would strengthen the state’s position as a gateway for investment into Africa.
Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the Invest Lagos Summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, other governors, foreign investors, development finance institutions and business leaders, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
Sanwo-Olu said that the state had recorded significant economic progress in recent years through targeted reforms across transportation, digital infrastructure and industrial development.
Highlighting key infrastructure achievements, Sanwo-Olu cited investments in road networks, waterways and rail transportation, describing them as critical enablers of economic growth and investor confidence.
The governor noted that Lagos was increasingly serving as a gateway to African markets and global capital, positioning itself at the centre of continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, Lagos remains one of the continent’s most strategic economic hubs, with a population exceeding 25 million and a gross domestic product steadily approaching the $300 billion mark.
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1, 362.84
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,821. 30
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574. 53
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,714. 05
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.52
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.99
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.42
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,863.83
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦302. 83
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.75
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,395 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,860 Sell: ₦1, 880
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115
West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2550
Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2,400
Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Sources: CBN / Aboki Forex
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