Lifecard University, in partnership with the Qatar Real Estate Academy, has graduated over 100 students from its six-month Real Estate School of Business mentorship programme. The training, which focused on global investment strategies and valuation expertise, was led by Lifecard International Investment Limited CEO Grace Ibhakhomu and featured curriculum contributions from Capstone Property. The initiative aims to equip participants with skills to operate within the African, Gulf, and United States real estate markets. Enrollment for the next cohort is now open.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released its 2025 audited financial statements, showing a shift toward monetary discipline under Governor Olayemi Cardoso. Total assets grew 18.1 percent to N138.66 trillion, while the bank reduced its exposure to federal government debt securities. Gross external reserves rose to US$45.75 billion, providing over eight months of import cover. Despite this, net foreign assets declined slightly due to rising external obligations. Cardoso highlighted key 2025 achievements including inflation moderation to 15.15 percent and improved exchange rate stability. The bank projects GDP growth of 4.49 percent for 2026.

Aptech Computer Education has launched the 18th edition of its Career Quest programme, offering Nigerian students scholarships of up to 50 percent and an academic pathway to Middlesex University London. The initiative aims to equip students with skills in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science by allowing those who complete Aptech’s Advanced Diploma to enter the final year of bachelor’s degree programmes at the UK institution. Seminars will be held nationwide across several cities.

Nigeria is losing an estimated 150 billion to 300 billion Naira in potential economic value due to systemic failure and poor management within the national football sector. Despite a 20 billion Naira preparation budget, the country missed consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifications, forfeiting millions in direct FIFA payments and vital commercial sponsorship opportunities. Industry experts argue that the Nigerian Football Federation suffers from lack of meritocracy and bureaucratic inefficiencies, hindering the growth of a football economy that could significantly impact national development. Proposed reforms include dissolving the Ministry of Sports, decentralizing governance to state sports councils, and transitioning football associations into citizen-led, transparent organizations to unlock the sector’s vast commercial potential.

Diamonds and Pearls Travels has been recognized by Kenya Airways as the first runner-up in the bestselling holiday packager category at the airline’s inaugural Holiday Awards Nite in Lagos. The firm also received a Certificate of Recognition for its outstanding sales performance and collaboration throughout 2025. During the event, Kenya Airways announced plans to increase its flight frequency to Lagos to six times weekly to boost connectivity and promote tourism and medical travel between Nigeria and Kenya.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is positioning the healthcare sector as a strategic driver for industrial growth through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. By establishing the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office, the government aims to integrate health, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology to foster domestic manufacturing and innovation. These reforms are designed to create an enabling environment for health-tech startups to scale and compete across the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At the 2026 BusinessDay Tourism Conference in Lagos, government officials and industry experts highlighted tourism as a key driver for economic diversification. The Lagos State government emphasized its commitment to infrastructure and urban renewal to attract private investment, noting a significant rise in hospitality sector revenue and room capacity over the last 15 years. Speakers, including representatives from the federal ministry and private stakeholders, stressed that achieving investment-ready status requires stronger government support, improved security, and a focus on authentic local standards to attract both domestic and international travelers.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has taken delivery of two surveillance aircraft at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan, to enhance intelligence gathering and combat rising insecurity. While the aircraft are expected to aid in pre-empting criminal threats, security experts warn that the investment will only be effective if supported by rapid ground response teams and improved governance in rural areas. The deployment follows the recent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, which underscored significant security gaps. Analysts stress that because the aircraft are for reconnaissance and lack kinetic capabilities, their value remains dependent on the efficiency of security operatives on the ground to act swiftly on intelligence.

The Federal Government has launched a structural overhaul of the national power grid, aimed at eliminating recurring system collapses and voltage fluctuations. Power Minister Joseph Tegbe announced the formation of a Technical Working Committee to drive the initiative, which will prioritize reinforcing critical transmission corridors and modernizing control systems. The program seeks to move beyond short-term repairs, with officials promising measurable, time-bound milestones to restore investor and public confidence in the power sector.

Kwara State has expanded its infrastructure portfolio to 592.16 kilometers of roads under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration. The project, which spans seven years, includes completed urban roads, flyovers in Ilorin, and significant rural connectivity initiatives designed to bolster agricultural value chains. Collaborations with the World Bank and the French Development Agency for rural roads have earned the state recognition for its performance in counterpart funding. Additionally, the state is integrating into federal initiatives like the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and has diversified its economic base through investments in innovation, arts, and the garment industry.

EV Automobiles and Balmoral Group have announced a partnership to reward winners of the upcoming Chaos in the Ring celebrity boxing event with brand-new electric vehicles. The initiative aims to promote Nigerian sports while raising awareness for sustainable mobility solutions. Scheduled for July 31 at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, the event features high-profile exhibition bouts intended to elevate the profile of local fighters and expand international opportunities within the Nigerian combat sports ecosystem.

Financial services firm Kolomoni has launched a new campaign titled Take Control with Kolomoni to boost awareness of its product offerings. As part of the initiative, the company introduced three new brand ambassadors for the South-West region—actors Odunlade Adekola, Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba), and Adeyemo Enoch (Baba Alariya)—to drive customer engagement. Additionally, Kolomoni is introducing free transfers for users aged 25 and below to increase accessibility for younger demographics.

The Women in Leadership (WIL) Coalition has urged the Federal Government to implement gender-inclusive workplace reforms to boost national economic growth. The group is advocating for a national standard of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, 14 days of paid paternity leave, and a 35 percent quota for women in corporate leadership and government roles. During a meeting with the presidency, the coalition highlighted that Nigerian women contribute $111 billion annually in unpaid care work. Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, expressed support for the goals, noting that federal civil service standards currently exceed these recommendations and encouraged the private sector to align with these inclusive practices.

Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited held its 2026 Vendors’ Forum in Lagos, focused on enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening value chain partnerships. The event highlighted the company’s commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and innovation. Management underscored the importance of clear expectations and transparent communication, while recognizing five outstanding vendors for their contributions to service delivery and quality. The forum provided guidance on procurement, financial processes, and compliance requirements to ensure a more resilient supply chain.

The Nigerian equities market recorded a weekly decline as the All-Share Index shed 0.81% to close at 245,283.68 points, while market capitalization dipped to N158.33 trillion. Despite the weekly pullback attributed to profit-taking in the banking and industrial sectors, the market delivered a strong performance in July, adding approximately N11.11 trillion in investor wealth. The insurance sector stood out as the top performer for the week, bucking the broader trend. Key corporate developments included the listing of AVA Capital on the Main Board and a significant share issuance by Fortis Global Insurance. Market sentiment remains mixed as investors evaluate ongoing half-year earnings and management guidance for the remainder of the year.

Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has reported a 41.49% decline in pre-tax profit to N5.83 billion for the first half of 2026, down from N9.96 billion in the same period last year. Despite a 9.25% revenue growth to N23.01 billion, the company’s margins were squeezed by a 63.07% surge in direct costs, particularly from equipment repairs, running costs, and labor expenses. Consequently, profit after tax dropped by 52.73% to N3.85 billion. While the firm remains lightly leveraged, its current ratio weakened to 1.76 times, reflecting increased administrative expenses and rising short-term debt obligations.

A new report titled Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria warns that the country’s rapid AI adoption is becoming a dependency on foreign technologies. While over 70% of Nigerians and 93% of organizations are utilizing AI, the country lacks the indigenous computing infrastructure and datasets to sustain long-term digital sovereignty. Experts note that heavy reliance on overseas models limits AI relevance in local languages and exposes critical institutions to external control, despite Nigeria’s growing academic research and governance progress.

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) is set to deploy 10,000 electric vehicles across the North-East region to modernize transportation and promote clean energy. Managing Director Mohammed Goni Alkali confirmed that the first phase, including electric taxis and buses, has arrived in Nigeria. The initiative will be supported by new charging stations and maintenance infrastructure. Additionally, the commission launched a 30 billion Naira MSME development fund in partnership with the Bank of Industry to support local enterprises.

FirstBank’s latest mid-year economic outlook for 2026 indicates that Nigeria is transitioning from a phase of macroeconomic stabilisation to one requiring tangible improvements in productivity and household welfare. The report identifies seven critical factors for the remainder of the year, including the translation of stability into actual business growth, the sustainability of private sector investment, and the impact of persistent inflation and high borrowing costs. Notably, the report highlights that domestic refining has significantly reshaped Nigeria’s trade profile, with a 20.3% increase in refined petroleum exports and an 87.5% drop in product imports during Q1 2026. While the economy shows improved resilience, the bank emphasizes that future success depends on converting policy gains into broad-based economic prosperity.