Author: Nationalmonitor

Members of Cyclotron Club in the newly unveiled Polaris Bank co-branded cycling jersey, after a wellness ride held as part of the LiveWell by Polaris initiative in Lagos. Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail and commercial Bank institution, has announced a strategic partnership with Cyclotron Cycling Development Initiatives, otherwise known as Cyclotron Club, to advance LiveWell by Polaris, the Bank’s flagship wellness initiative designed to promote healthy living, preventive healthcare, and overall wellbeing among employees, customers, and communities across Nigeria. The partnership was formally unveiled at a ceremony held at the Bank’s headquarters last Saturday in Lagos, where both organisations…

​The race for the Owan Federal Constituency seat has heated up as Hon. Abdulkudus Isah officially challenged the performance record of the incumbent, Professor Julius Ihonvbere. Isah alleged that the professor’s two terms in the National Assembly have failed to produce “substantial projects” for the people of Owan. He specifically criticized the APC for reportedly granting the incumbent an “automatic ticket,” an act he described as unprecedented and contrary to the interests of the majority. ​A central theme of Isah’s campaign is the “gentleman’s agreement” regarding the rotation of power between Owan East and Owan West. According to Isah, Owan…

Babatunde Olaniyi Loye has reaffirmed his commitment to the growth and unity of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as preparations intensify ahead of the forthcoming senatorial election in Osun East. Speaking passionately to party loyalists and supporters, the respected political figure expressed confidence in the strength and stability of the party despite challenges confronting the nation’s political space. According to him, every season comes with its own trials and opportunities, stressing that while some people may focus on disappointments, he remains optimistic about the future of the ADC and the possibilities ahead. He described the party as “firm, solid, and…

Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director & CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation (middle); Mr. Ahmed Iya, Head of Community Engagement & Polio Eradication (left) and Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President (Operations) of the Islamic Development Bank (right) during the visit. Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director & CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) in company with Mr. Ahmed Iya, Head of Community Engagement & Polio Eradication of ADF visited Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President (Operations) of the Islamic Development Bank at IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah. Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director & CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation (left) and Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice…

​Marking his 35th birthday with a bold entry into formal politics, Hon. Abdulkudus Isah has unveiled a social welfare manifesto aimed at the most vulnerable citizens of the Owan Federal Constituency. The Political Science graduate and businessman stated that his primary motivation for seeking office is to scale up the philanthropic work he has performed privately. Central to his campaign is a promise to provide monthly stipends and free healthcare for every elderly person aged 80 and above. ​Isah, who built a successful career in the oil and gas and construction sectors, emphasized his track record of creating millionaires among…

Fidelity Bank Plc has reported a 45 percent increase in gross earnings for the 2025 financial year, as the lender’s shareholders’ funds crossed the N1 trillion mark following sustained balance sheet expansion and fresh capital injection. Analysis from the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, reveals that the bank delivered robust results across key financial metrics, including Gross Earnings, which stood at N1.5 trillion, up from N1,04 trillion reported in 2024. Net Interest Income rose to N831.3 billion, compared to N629.7 billion in 2024, reflecting the bank’s stronger earnings capacity amid elevated interest rates and growth…

Aviation business, not only in Nigeria, is generally known to be a capital intensive one and strictly guided by international regulations as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The ICAO recommended standards and Practices are to be referred to when dealing in aviation business, therefore, Nigeria being a signatory to ICAO should uphold international civil aviation standards and fulfill its obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Numerous challenges, including high operating cost; fluctuating exchange rates; difficulties in aircraft repossession; perceived high-risk environment for international financiers and lessors, leading to stringent financing terms or reluctance to engage…

L-R: Cynthia Sanyaolu, Head, Talent Management, Polaris Bank; Mathew Oji, Product Strategy, Polaris Bank; and Olanrewaju Oyekunle, Head, HR Operations, Polaris Bank, at the 2026 Jobberman Partners’ Convening in Lagos, where Polaris Bank was honoured with the Private Sector Champion Award in recognition of its outstanding contributions to youth employment, talent development, and workforce empowerment across Nigeria. Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail and commercial bank, has been honoured with the Private Sector Champion Award at the 2026 Jobberman Partners’ Convening held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, in recognition of the Bank’s outstanding and stellar contributions to…

For years, Africa’s financial story has been told through one statistic: millions of people remain unbanked. But that framing may already be outdated. The more interesting question today is not whether Africans have bank accounts. It is whether banking itself is quietly becoming optional.Across parts of Africa, people are beginning to interact with money without ever touching a traditional bank in the way previous generations did, and stablecoins are at the centre of that shift.Most people still think stablecoins are “crypto” that is the wrong framework. Speculation is not the real story here. Infrastructure is.A stablecoin is simply a digital…

The Nigerian debt capital market continues to experience growth, driving economic expansion, and expanding access to capital through enhanced liquidity, transparency, and price discovery. Reflecting this progress, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “the Exchange”) has approved the listing of Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC’s ₦11.50 Billion 10-Year 17.25% Series 1 Fixed Rate Bond under its ₦440.00 Billion Medium Term Note Programme. This milestone highlights the Exchange’s pivotal role in enabling long-term capital formation and supporting the advancement of the Nigerian housing finance ecosystem. Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC (“NMRC”) is a licensed mortgage refinancing institution established under the Companies…