Author: Nationalmonitor

​…Mega 99 Thrills Crowd, Endorses “SMA Gold” The landscape of Lagos politics shifted significantly on Wednesday as Dr. Samuel Mawuyon Ajose, popularly known as “SMA Gold,” officially declared his intention to run for the Governor of Lagos State in 2027. ​Addressing a massive crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful at the Police College Field in Ikeja, Ajose framed his candidacy as a blend of “fresh blood” and “progressive continuity,” while simultaneously launching a nationwide mobilization movement for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term. ​A Vision for “Renewed Hope 2.0” ​Standing before party leaders and vibrant youth groups, Dr. Ajose…

L-R: Chief Talent Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Omayuli Wale-Ajayi; Head, Corporate Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria, Ali Kadiri; Head, Retail and SME Business, Union Bank of Nigeria, Vivian Imoh-Ita; Founder/Executive Director, Deaf International Foundation, Funmilola Ogunro; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni; SouthWest Coordinator, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Adenike Olorundare; Women Leader, Lagos Chapter, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Olubukola Salako; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Business Banking Lagos & West, Union Bank of Nigeria, Taiwo Shote; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko; Regional Executive, Business Banking SouthWest and Lagos, Union Bank…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Innoson Kiara Academy, Endi Ezengwa; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State, Bolaji Cecilia Dada; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; and Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Lagos State, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the launch of “Give Her Power” initiative as part of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) activities at the Fidelity Bank Head Office in Lagos, recently. Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment with the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with…

our investment management rating just got an upgrade to ‘AA’ from ‘AA-’ by DataPro and affirmation of A+(IM) by Agusto & Co. This reflects how we are continuously improving to serve our investors better. Our funds levelled up too as Agusto & Co upgraded our First Asset Money Market Fund rating to A+ (f) (up from Aa (f)).So, what does that mean for YOU?It means you are investing with a firm that is getting stronger, smarter, and more disciplined. Our upgraded rating recognizes our solid performance track record, the strength of our parent financial group, and the systems we have…

In a significant political shift, Zamfara State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Dauda Lawal, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This transition, which was formalized during a high-stakes meeting held at the Government House in Gusau, comes after weeks of intense deliberations and reflects the growing frustrations with the internal strife within the PDP. In an official statement released from the Government House, the Governor through the statement cited persistent “internal crises, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges” within the PDP as key factors influencing his decision. He described the…

In today’s digital era, smartphones have evolved far beyond simple communication devices. They have become powerful tools for productivity, creativity, entertainment, and everyday connectivity. From managing businesses and creating content to streaming media and staying connected, modern users expect their devices to perform across multiple roles. Recognizing this shift, Infinix has unveiled the NOTE 60 Series in Nigeria, led by the NOTE 60 Pro, a device designed to combine powerful performance with expressive design and long-lasting reliability. The NOTE 60 Pro introduces several major innovations to the NOTE lineup, including the brand’s first-ever Snapdragon-powered smartphone, a new Active Matrix interactive…

In the world of high-stakes finance, the numbers usually tell the story before the people do. Recent industry data from the KPMG West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey (2023-2025) reveals a telling shift in Nigerian consumer behavior. According to the report, OPay has maintained a satisfaction score of over 80 percent for seamless transfers and reliability.This statistical lead isn’t just about a fast app; it represents a fundamental change in how Nigerians move money. With over 30 million monthly active users and a dominant share of the daily micro-transaction market, OPay has moved from being a “fintech alternative” to…

L-R: Country Director, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Nigeria, Mark Smithson; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter; Executive Director, Risk Management, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; and Deputy Country Director, DBT Nigeria, Morayo Adekunle; at the courtesy visit by the British Deputy High Commissioner and his team to the Fidelity Bank Head Office in Lagos, recently.

Polaris Bank has joined the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026, reaffirming its commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering women, and supporting initiatives that foster inclusive growth across society. International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements of women across all sectors while highlighting the need to accelerate action towards gender equality. At Polaris Bank, the day serves as a reminder of the vital role women play in driving economic growth, innovation, and community development. Speaking in commemoration of the day, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the…

A leadership crisis has deepened within the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) New Era as Comrade Adesina Akinpelu has dismissed his purported expulsion from the group, describing the action as futile and unconstitutional. Akinpelu insisted that he remains a national leader of the Yoruba sociocultural organization, arguing that the National Executive Council (NEC) led by Alhaji Rasaq Arogundade Balogun, popularly known as “Sadam,” no longer has the authority to take such a decision.According to him, the NEC that announced his expulsion ceased to exist on December 12, 2025, following the expiration of its eight-year tenure as stipulated in the organization’s constitution.…