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BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Participants at a meeting on Nigeria's upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual evaluation at the Customs headquarters in Abuja. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has hailed Nigeria's exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a major national achievement, pledging to sustain the fight against money laundering. Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi stated this at a stocktaking meeting held at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, in preparation for Nigeria's upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual evaluation. He stated that the gathering was more than an assessment of policies and procedures, describing it as a crucial assignment to chart the way forward.  "It is an opportunity to take an honest look at the progress Nigeria has made so far, identify the gaps that presently exist and ensure that Nigeria's achie...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, and former Permanent Secretary, Finance, Raymond Omachi during the handover and valedictory ceremony in Abuja. The Federal Ministry of Finance has received a new Acting Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, following Raymond Omenka Omachi’s exit from the Federal Civil Service on October 26, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. During a formal handover and valedictory ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Finance yesterday in Abuja, Danjuma appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof Taiwo Oyedele, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for their support and the opportunity to serve. He also thanked the management and staff of the ministry for their cooperation, pledging to build on the work of his predecessor and ensure continuity in the ministry’s administrative responsibil...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Convener of the Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE), Dr Emeka Okafor has called on investors to explore opportunities across the gas value chain to support African initiatives. This is even as he tasked entrepreneurs to develop solutions that address local needs and create economic opportunities, advocating stronger partnerships between universities and industries to translate research into commercially viable innovations. He stated this at the opening ceremony of the third EINGICE 2026 in Abuja yesterday, with the theme: “Accelerating Africa’s Global LNG Trade Share and Driving Gas Industrialisation.” Okafor enjoined African countries to create opportunities for skilled professionals and young people to contribute to industrial development, calling on businesses to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve competitiveness. He noted that Africa must develop local capac...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Director-General of RMRDC, Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso with other newly elected Board members of WAITRO at the WAITRO Summit 2026 in Turkiye recently. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso has emerged winner of the Sub-Saharan Africa Board Member representing Nigeria on the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO). Prof. Ike-Muonso contested the position alongside two other distinguished candidates: Vice-Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Botswana, Prof. Wellington Riach Liamba Masamba, and Vice-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University (AKUM), Nigeria, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko. He clinched the position in a landslide victory at the WAITRO Summit that held from October 26 to 28, 2026, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Ike-Muonso’s emergence as the successful candidate pre...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has set 2030 as the deadline to phase-out routine gas flaring, as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) unveiled stricter penalties on gas flare. Gas flaring had declined from about 90 per cent of production in the past to approximately seven per cent, with about 500 million standard cubic feet flared daily, even as the Federal Government restrategised to commercialise flare gas. Chief Executive of NUPRC, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan disclosed this at the 3rd Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE) yesterday in Abuja, with the theme: “Accelerating Africa’s Global LNG Trade Share and Driving Gas Industrialisation.” The CE linked the reduction on gas flare to stricter penalties and efforts to commercialise flared gas, but identified inadequate infrastructure, high investment costs and low gas volumes at some sites as obstacles to ending routine flaring. Eyesan, who was repr...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Real Estate and Construction Expo (RECON Expo) is expected to provide a platform to harness investment opportunities in the realty sector, while doubling the job market and strengthening the economy. Convener of RECON Expo, Dr. Johnson Samadine Anene informed that the expo is expected to attract stakeholders in the built sector and create opportunities for businesses to increase their visibility, reach prospective customers and establish valuable commercial relationships. He noted that the conference provides a platform for dialogue, innovation and collaboration towards addressing housing and infrastructure needs while promoting sustainable development for the country. The three-day event scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja is organised in partnership with Afrinet Group and Shelter Aid Organisation, with the theme: “Exploring Opportunities in the Real Estate Sector for Economic Development.” With free participation and a diverse range of activities, RE...