A fire has broken out at a First Bank of Nigeria branch along the busy Abuja-Keffi Road, with thick black smoke billowing from the building this afternoon.

Videos circulating on social media show flames and heavy smoke rising from the structure, identified by multiple eyewitnesses as the First Bank location in the Mararaba/Karu area of the expressway. Bystanders can be seen attempting to douse the blaze with buckets of water amid reports that fire service response was delayed or absent in the initial moments.

The exact cause of the fire remains unconfirmed at this time. There are no immediate reports of casualties, though the full extent of damage to the bank building and any impact on surrounding properties or traffic along the heavily congested Abuja-Keffi corridor is still being assessed.

Emergency responders, including fire service personnel, are expected on the scene. Commuters and residents in the Nyanya-Mararaba-Karu axis are advised to exercise caution as the incident may cause further traffic disruptions on the already busy route.

Further updates will follow as more details emerge from official sources.

Segun Ogunwuyi, the Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has resigned from his position with immediate effect.

In a formal letter dated Monday, October 12, 2026, and addressed to the governor, Ogunwuyi stated that his resignation takes effect from the same day.

“I respectfully write to resign my appointment as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, with effect from today, 12th October, 2026,” the letter read.

Ogunwuyi described his service in the administration as a great honour and expressed pride in the achievements recorded by the government. He said it had been deeply fulfilling to be part of the team that worked to deliver the administration’s accomplishments in advancing the growth, development and prosperity of Oyo State.

He also conveyed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to Oyo State and Nigeria, while expressing confidence in the state’s continued progress.

A former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, Ogunwuyi is among several aides who have left the Makinde administration in recent months. He was appointed Chief of Staff in July 2021.

Guaranty Trust Bank has emerged as the only Nigerian company among the 10 highest-ranked African businesses on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026 list.

The bank ranked 277th globally and seventh among African companies, breaking South Africa’s near-total dominance of the continent’s top 10 entries.

Nedbank led the African contingent at 26th globally, followed by Standard Bank Group at 54th.

Absa Group and FirstRand occupied 98th and 104th positions respectively, Business Insider reported.

African top 10 and global positions

The African top 10 was drawn from Forbes’ worldwide ranking, rather than a separate competition assessing every employer on the continent.

The leading African entries span financial services, telecommunications, energy, chemicals and healthcare.

The full African positions were: Nedbank at 26th, Standard Bank Group at 54th, Absa Group at 98th, FirstRand at 104th, MTN Group at 133rd, Investec at 197th, Guaranty Trust Bank at 277th, Sasol at 298th, Mediclinic International at 460th and Sanlam at 470th.

GTBank was Nigeria’s sole representative in this group, while the remaining nine entries were South African companies.

The positions stretched from Nedbank’s 26th place to Sanlam’s 470th.

Financial services dominated, accounting for seven of the 10 companies when Sanlam is included alongside the six banking groups.

How Forbes compiled the ranking

Forbes compiled the ranking with research company Statista, surveying more than 300,000 employees across over 50 countries.

The research covered multinational businesses employing more than 1,000 people.

Ultimately, 900 companies headquartered in 52 countries made the final list.

Participants assessed benefits, talent development, working conditions and training opportunities.

They also indicated whether they would recommend their employers to friends and relatives.

Respondents could evaluate former employers they had worked for within the previous two years, alongside other companies they knew through professional or personal connections.

The scoring incorporated earlier survey data, with greater weight assigned to recent responses and assessments from current employees.

Forbes said companies did not pay to participate or secure selection.