Nigeria’s fintech sector is moving from proving digital payments work to building broader digital economy infrastructure, stakeholders say ahead of the ninth Nigeria Fintech Week, holding September 22–23 in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Themed “Legacy in Motion,” the event will cover payments, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain and regulation, with FintechNGR VP Dr. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun noting the sector’s growing institutional maturity. Registration is free and open to the public.
FG to Receive First Batch of 500 CNG Stations in October
The Federal Government will receive its first 500 Compressed Natural Gas stations by the end of October, with another 500 to follow, PCNGI Chairman Ismael Ahmed announced. The rollout follows President Tinubu’s directive to expand CNG access and cut transport costs, with deployment prioritised by demand rather than politics. Abuja currently leads with 26 operational stations, though land availability remains a challenge there.
80% of African Airports Financially Inefficient, ACI Says Ahead of Abuja Conference
Over 500 delegates are gathering in Abuja for the 35th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly, running September 19–25. ACI Africa Secretary-General Ali Tounsi said 80 per cent of African airports remain financially inefficient, with digitalisation and resilience among key discussion themes. FAAN says it has deployed over 100 staff to help host the event, which it describes as a platform for the wider region, not just Nigeria.
NECA to Examine Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Economy Goal at Omolayole Lecture
NECA’s 42nd Omolayole Management Lecture will explore what it would take for Nigeria to build a $1 trillion economy. Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde said strong leadership and management, not just policy, are key to economic progress. Only about 21 countries currently have economies of that size, none in Africa, organisers noted, and the lecture will close with a policy position paper for government.
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Ingentia Energies Targets Drilling Expansion After 150% Output Increase
Indigenous oil firm Ingentia Energies says it will expand drilling after growing output by 150 per cent to under outgoing acting CEO Charles Odita. New CEO Victor Agbaroji, who has now taken over, said priorities include strengthening the drilling campaign, improving cost efficiency and advancing the company’s crude evacuation pipeline project.
PlotWeaver, NFC Partner to Use AI to Take Nollywood Global
PlotWeaver and the Nigerian Film Corporation have signed a roughly $2 million partnership to use AI for localising Nigerian films into multiple languages while preserving actors’ original performances. PlotWeaver CEO Wole Fagbohun said the goal is to help Nollywood reach global audiences without losing what makes the originals powerful, with plans to extend the technology to broadcasters and sports rights holders.
CPPE Warns Foreign Retail Traders Threaten Nigerian SMEs and Jobs
CPPE CEO Dr. Muda Yusuf has raised concerns over growing foreign, particularly Chinese, participation in Nigeria’s retail trade, which employs an estimated 27.5 per cent of the workforce. He is not opposed to Chinese investment broadly, but wants tighter enforcement of business permits and expatriate quotas to stop foreign suppliers from directly competing with the Nigerian retailers who are often their own customers.
NADDC Reaffirms Commitment to Workplace Ethics and Discipline
The National Automotive Design and Development Council has pledged continued commitment to ethical conduct among staff, following a sensitisation workshop in Abuja held with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Bureau of Public Service Reforms. DG Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin described public office as a position of trust requiring integrity, professionalism and accountability.
FirstBank, State Governors Push Fresh Agric Investments to Cut Food Imports
FirstBank and the governors of Lagos, Ondo and Niger States outlined new agricultural investments at the bank’s fifth Agric and Export Expo in Lagos, aimed at reducing Nigeria’s food import bill, projected to hit $4 billion by December. Niger State highlighted a $100 million Saudi-backed financing deal, while Ondo detailed cocoa processing efforts, and Lagos pointed to port and rice mill infrastructure supporting exports.
