The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) achieved a 65% passenger complaint resolution rate in 2025, marking a 10% improvement from the previous year. Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, announced the figures while receiving the 2026/2027 African Brands Personality Award. The Authority, which has focused on enhanced public awareness and stricter regulatory enforcement, aims to reach a 90% resolution rate by the end of 2026. Achimugu highlighted that his directorate has secured record levels of ticket refunds and compensation for passengers, urging travelers to remain informed about their rights under aviation regulations.

LiquidCrest Microfinance Bank has expanded its loan program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses across Nigeria. Aimed at traders and entrepreneurs who face challenges accessing formal credit, the initiative offers loans ranging from N100,000 to N10 million.

The loans feature low interest rates and flexible repayment terms of six to twelve months, with minimal or no collateral required for smaller amounts. Leveraging its technology infrastructure, the bank aims to process applications and disburse funds within 24 hours. This move is part of the bank’s broader effort to support underserved business owners and drive financial inclusion.

Ezinne Akudo, lawyer, entrepreneur, and former Miss Nigeria, has launched the second season of her podcast, ‘Beyond with Ezinne.’ The show, themed ‘Conversations That Matter,’ focuses on identity, purpose, and personal growth, aiming to provide a space for individuals navigating adulthood. Following a successful launch event in Lagos attended by various industry leaders, the new season is now available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has appointed Fola Fagbule to lead its expansion efforts across East and Central Africa. Based in Nairobi, Fagbule will oversee the development of investment opportunities in critical sectors, including energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. Fagbule, who has been with the AFC since 2009, previously led the corporation’s financial advisory business, where he managed over $12 billion in transactions. His appointment is part of a broader strategy to accelerate regional industrialization and mobilize long-term capital for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Nigeria faces a challenging second half of 2026 as economic growth remains uneven and fails to significantly improve living standards for most citizens. While the economy grew by 3.89% in the first quarter, this expansion is largely concentrated in services like telecommunications and finance, leaving key employment sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing lagging behind.

The naira has achieved notable stability, aided by diaspora remittances and increased domestic refining, yet the broader economic picture remains strained. Aggressive government borrowing has surged by over 75% year-on-year, crowding out private sector credit and keeping interest rates prohibitively high. Meanwhile, headline inflation is creeping upward, with food inflation nearly doubling since the start of the year, further eroding household purchasing power. As the country moves toward the 2027 election cycle, policymakers face the dual challenge of sustaining necessary economic reforms while navigating political pressures and weak budget execution.

Kenya’s annual inflation rate fell to 6.4 percent in June, down from 6.7 percent in May. This marks the first decline in four months and falls below the 7 percent forecast by economists. The moderation is primarily driven by slower price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which eased to 8.6 percent, and transport, which slowed to 16.1 percent. Monthly consumer prices also rose by only 0.3 percent in June, significantly lower than the 1.6 percent increase seen in May. While costs for essential goods remain high, the data indicates a cooling in price pressures.

Legal experts are calling for urgent amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to address regulatory overlaps between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Speaking at the NMDPRA General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum 2026, lawyers argued that the current law contains ambiguities that hinder efficiency and investor confidence. Legal practitioners specifically highlighted the need for clearer role definitions and better synergy between the two regulatory bodies. They also criticized the practice of issuing regulations without meaningful stakeholder engagement, warning that legal uncertainty could drive away international investors.

In response, NMDPRA Authority Chief Executive Rabiu Abdullahi Umar emphasized a commitment to regulatory clarity and transparency, while legal adviser Dr. Joseph Tolorunse urged regulators to shift from strict enforcement toward becoming facilitators of investment through better data usage and collaboration.

WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new username feature aimed at enhancing user privacy. This update allows users to interact with new contacts, businesses, and online communities without needing to disclose their personal phone numbers.

While phone numbers will still be required for account verification, the new system enables users to create a unique handle, similar to those on Telegram or Signal, to use as their public identifier. To accommodate its massive global user base, WhatsApp has opened an early reservation period, allowing users to secure their preferred names before the feature fully launches later this year.

To prevent spam and unwanted contact, WhatsApp confirmed there will be no public directory of users. Furthermore, the platform is introducing an optional “username key”—a security measure requiring new contacts to enter a specific code before they can initiate a conversation. The feature is being rolled out gradually, and users will be notified within the app when the option becomes available in their region.

University Press Plc reported a 52% decline in profit after tax for the 2026 fiscal year, dropping to N213.67 million from N450.63 million in 2025. Pre-tax profit also fell by 37.15% to N389.52 million. The company’s bottom line was impacted by rising costs of sales and operating expenses, alongside a significant decrease in other operating income.

Despite the profitability decline, revenue increased by 14.47% to N3.89 billion, largely supported by strong performance in the Primary books category. Consequently, the board of directors has recommended a dividend of 18 kobo per ordinary share, subject to shareholder approval. The company’s stock has faced downward pressure, recording a 14.17% year-to-date loss.

The Federal Government has ordered the reconstruction of the Ibadan section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to severe structural failure. Minister of Works Dave Umahi announced that the road, previously completed by Julius Berger, has deteriorated to a dangerous state. Following a Federal Executive Council meeting, President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Works to employ reinforced concrete pavement technology for the repairs. Additionally, the government has approved the concession of the expressway to Aspect Concession Limited for long-term operation and maintenance. Beyond this project, the government announced progress on several nationwide road initiatives, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway and a large-scale tax credit road project in Niger State.

A new report by NECLive, ‘The State of Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026’, identifies unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity as the primary barriers stifling the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry. Despite the sector’s goal to contribute $100 billion to the economy by 2030, professionals across fields like music, film, and digital content report that these infrastructure deficits are their most significant operational challenges. Other obstacles include administrative burdens, delayed payments, and budget overruns. The report emphasizes that without fundamental improvements to power and broadband access, efforts to expand the industry’s regional and global competitiveness will remain significantly hindered.

Richard Ikiebe, chairman of BusinessDay Media, has warned that African media organizations are facing a critical survival crisis driven by rapid technological disruption and the rise of artificial intelligence. Speaking at a recent Pan-Atlantic University webinar, Ikiebe identified four core challenges: technology, declining trust, failing business models, and a lack of organizational capability.

Ikiebe argued that the traditional business model for journalism has collapsed, and many outlets have exacerbated the problem by chasing fleeting attention rather than building loyal audiences. He cautioned against the uncritical adoption of AI, noting that while it offers potential for efficiency, its misuse is leading to a loss of editorial identity and distinctiveness. To survive, Ikiebe urged media companies to pivot toward product-based thinking, diversify revenue streams, and prioritize original, high-quality journalism that values human editorial oversight.

A new report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) reveals that 79,323 people died in terror-related violence in Nigeria between 2020 and 2025. Of these, 42,033 were civilians, while the remainder included security personnel and members of armed groups.

The findings challenge the common perception that Boko Haram and ISWAP are the primary drivers of violence in the country. According to the report, groups classified as “Fulani Terror Groups” were responsible for 44% of civilian deaths, compared to 12% combined for Boko Haram and ISWAP. The report also highlights that 34,773 civilians were abducted during this period, with the majority of these kidnappings also attributed to Fulani-linked or unidentified armed groups.

ORFA’s data suggests a religious dimension to the conflict, noting that Christian fatalities were significantly higher than Muslim fatalities. Furthermore, survivor accounts indicated that hostages often face different treatment based on their religion, with Christian captives reportedly experiencing higher ransom demands, greater violence, and a higher risk of execution. The report concludes that 75% of civilian deaths occurred during attacks on farming communities and urges policymakers to better account for these religious and regional patterns to develop more effective security interventions.

West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), operated by APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, has appointed Courage Obadagbonyi as its new managing director, effective July 1. Obadagbonyi is the first Nigerian to lead the facility since it began commercial operations in 2006, succeeding Jeethu Jose. Previously serving as CEO for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, Obadagbonyi brings extensive experience in financial management and logistics. This leadership change comes as WACT continues to build upon a $115 million modernization and expansion project aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.

In response to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s high benchmark interest rate of 26.5%, Nigerian corporations are increasingly bypassing traditional bank loans in favor of Commercial Paper (CP). This shift allows companies to secure short-term capital more quickly and at lower costs than bank overdrafts. The market has expanded beyond blue-chip firms to include mid-cap manufacturers and fintechs, attracting strong interest from institutional and retail investors seeking better returns than fixed deposits. However, experts warn that because these unsecured instruments rely solely on a company’s promise to pay, the risk of defaults could rise if businesses become trapped in debt-rollover spirals as high interest rates persist.

Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) and AIESEC at the University of Lagos have concluded a two-day health outreach program, “Uniwellness 3.0,” designed to promote preventive care and voluntary blood donation. The initiative provided participants with free screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease, alongside counseling on mental and sexual health. Blood collected during the event is expected to support 255 patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for emergency surgeries, maternal care, and other treatments. Avon HMO emphasized that the program aims to shift the healthcare focus toward early detection and proactive management of common medical conditions.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen visited the Lagos headquarters of cryptocurrency exchange Roqqu this week to discuss the company’s global expansion plans. As a brand partner for the exchange, Osimhen met with leadership to align on future marketing campaigns and growth initiatives. Roqqu executives emphasized their focus on scaling infrastructure, enhancing transaction speed, and strengthening security as they move into new international markets. This visit follows the firm’s recent move into tokenized real-world assets through a partnership with Ondo Finance.

Thousands of protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the departure of undocumented migrants. While authorities maintained a heavy security presence to prevent widespread unrest, isolated incidents of looting, intimidation, and assaults were reported in cities like Johannesburg and Soweto.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who met with protest leaders ahead of the demonstrations, condemned violence and vandalism while urging citizens to respect the constitutional rights of legal foreign residents. As tensions escalate, several African nations have begun evacuating their citizens, with thousands of migrants already repatriated or waiting in transit camps. The protests reflect growing frustration over high unemployment and immigration policy in a country that is home to millions of foreign nationals.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that the current Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa could cost the continent up to $3.6 billion and result in the loss of 328,000 jobs if not contained. The outbreak, primarily driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has infected over 1,300 people and claimed more than 370 lives, with confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and France. While international donors have pledged $910 million toward a response plan, only 13% of those funds have been released. UNDP officials are calling for urgent international intervention to prevent a localized health emergency from escalating into a broader regional economic crisis.