News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advanced plans to provide pensioners with safer and better-rewarded retirement savings through the Nigeria Capital Market Master Plan (NCMMP) 2.0.  This is even as the master plan would deepen the investor base, strengthen institutional capacity and promote professional development. ⁠⁠‍‍‍‌⁠‍‌Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama said yesterday in Abuja, that the NCMMP 2.0 intends to raise the portfolio of the market from N250 trillion to N750 trillion. The NCMMP 2026–2036 is a 10-year strategic blueprint for developing Nigeria’s capital market, which aligned with Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the Renewed Hope Development Plan (2026–2030). Agama explained that the plan would outline how Nigerians’ savings could become a major driver of national economic growth, while promoting regulatory clarity, coordination and enforcement, modernising market infrastructure, and diversifying products and issuance. H...

BY ATHAN AGBAKWURU, Owerri  One of Nigeria's leading oil and gas firm, Seplat Energy has added a boost to its commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability, with the planting of 200,000 trees. The company' in its Social Performance Report 2026, made available to newsmen, hinted that planting the 200, 000 trees reinforces the company's ambition to establish one million trees by 2030. The report indicated that: 'The Tree4Life Programme' is a flagship reforestation and biodiversity conservation initiative that combines environmental restoration with community development.  According to the report, the programme established nurseries containing more than 175,000 seedlings and trained more than 300 community members in tree planting, nursery management and sustainable land-use practices. The initiative continues to deliver meaningful socio-economic benefits as more than 350 community members have been engaged through various project activities...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele at the ongoing IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok recently. The Federal Government has beckoned on investors with mouth-watering packages, underscoring its commitment to create jobs and accelerate  economic growth. Valued at $78.5 billion, the 65 projects cut across the key economic sectors such oil and gas, power, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, technology, healthcare and urban services. These were highlighted at the ongoing IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso.  Oyedele disclosed that a dedicated deal room was established to provide investors with project details, funding requirements and direct access to...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Nigeria's headline inflation rate dropped to 14.63 percent in September 2026, down from 15.39 percent recorded in August. The National Bureau of Statistics (NSB) in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Thursday, indicated a gradual drop in the country’s inflation rate during the month under review. It highlighted that the headline inflation crashed by 6.35 percentage points from 20.98 per cent recorded in September 2025. On a month-on-month basis, headline inflation trimmed to 0.06 per cent in September from 0.71 per cent in August, representing a decline of 0.65 percentage points. This implied that in September 2026, the rate of increase in the average price level was lower than the rate recorded in August 2026.  However, food inflation declined to 19.59 per cent in September 2026, down from 20.16 per cent recorded in September 2025,  On a month-on-month basis, food inflation stood at 1.55 per cent, representing a 2.57 percentage...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has called on investors to embrace technological innovation, environmental responsibility and measurable value to Nigerians, adding that petroleum development must be accompanied by efficient dealings. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle stated this at the fourth edition of Africa Climate Forum (ACF) in Abuja, with the sub-theme: “Nigeria’s Approach to Sustainable Petroleum Development.” Recently, Nigeria launched its 2026 licensing round, offering 40 oil and gas blocks, while pursuing strategic reforms to unlock additional production and investment, as the government cannot deliver sustainable petroleum development alone. Oyekunle said that Africa must be allowed to utilise its resources responsibly, as attaining a sustainable energy future for Africa requires the inclusion of millions of people with reliable and affordable energy. She added: “Government must provide clear policy,...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Baale of Okun Igando, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Hon. Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye (2nd L); Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor and others during the agency's visit to Ibeju-Lekki community to present awards to the Monarch and Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative recently.  The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has honoured the Baale of Okun Igando, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Hon. Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, and Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative, for the safe rescue and return of leatherback turtle to the sea.  Leatherback turtle is an endangered specie protected under the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in Domestic and International Trade) Regulations and listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade i...