General News
99% Cargo Aircraft Depart Nigeria Empty-Dati
Mr. Yakubu Dati, Coordinating general manager on Information & Communication, Aviation Agencies, said it is a new dawn that beckons to Nigeria farmers, on the sidelines of new cargo terminals mulled by the federal government.
The “Air Cargo Revolution”, Dati said, has become expedient to bridge the “one-sided trade as far as fresh fruits and vegetables are concerned”, adding that, “99 per cent of cargo aircraft flying into Nigeria, return to their places of origin—empty!”
He said that the global trade in perishable farm produce is worth several billions of dollars per annum. In 2010, African countries participating in this trade recorded a turnover of about N245 billion.
In his words: “The countries involved are South African, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire ,Benin Republic and Ghana. Nigeria was completely missing on that list. Today, the situation is still the same. But from all indications things are about to change.
“The current Aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah has set in motion a new air cargo programme that is expected to transform the air cargo sector and also provide immense benefits to Nigerian farmers.
“The minister has undertaken a radical step of refurbishing and redesigning of 22 airport terminal across the country. She has also designated 13 of these as cargo terminals and has began the process of constructing additional facilities at these airports to make them function effectively as cargo airports”.
A few months ago, a new department was created in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) to spearhead the new drive for the development of air cargo sector in the Nigerian Aviation industry.
Furthermore, under the multi-billion dollar agreement signed by President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of Nigeria with the Chinese government, Dati, added, five brand new world class airport terminals would be built in the country by the Chinese state-owned construction company, CCECC.
These new airport terminals have been designed with facilities for air cargo.
Highlighting how farmers will benefit from the project, the general manager said that the Aviation ministry and FAAN are currently laying the groundwork that would open a new world of opportunities for Nigerian farmers.
The global market in fresh agricultural produce worth well over $5 billion, about N1 trillion annually is being opened up for Nigerian farmers.
Dati said: “Fresh tropical fruits such as oranges, pineapples, mangoes, tangerine, paw paw, grapes ,cashew, bananas, vegetables, flowers and legumes grown in the country are soon to head to international markets in Europe and the US where they would compete with similar produce from around the world.
“Nigerian fruits which are invariably grown organically and are delicious are expected to
General News
FG to Launch Fully Digital Expatriate Residence Permit Application Portal August 1

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the rollout of a fully digital application system for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC).
The new online portal, https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, will become the exclusive platform for submitting CERPAC applications from August 1, 2025.
According to NIS, the digital migration is part of the Federal Government’s broader initiative to reform the immigration system by promoting transparency, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the overall user experience for expatriates and organizations interacting with the Service.
In a press statement signed by A.S Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, the NIS disclosed that manual or physical CERPAC forms will be completely phased out by July 31, 2025.
It noted that after this date, all applications must be submitted exclusively through the online portal.
The Service has advised applicants who have paid for physical forms but are yet to complete the submission process to do so on or before July 31, 2025, warning that any unsubmitted applications after the deadline will be deemed invalid, and associated payments may be forfeited.
Companies and individuals assuming Immigration Responsibility (IR) for expatriates have also been urged to ensure that all outstanding applications are finalized within the stipulated timeframe, to avoid potential delays or administrative setbacks.
“This digital transition marks a critical milestone in our effort to simplify processes and serve the public better,” the statement reads.
The NIS urged members of the public to direct all inquiries and correspondence regarding the new digital process to the office of the Public Relations Officer at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.
General News
Moniepoint Named Among World’s Top Fintechs by CNBC


Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike
Moniepoint joins a select group of leading fintech players recognised for their financial performance and success across 2023-4. The list – compiled by CNBC in conjunction with market research firm Statista – follows analysis of key performance indicators, such as revenue growth, transaction volume, employee headcount, and capital raised. The result is a diverse group of 250 trailblazing fintech companies.
Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint (formerly known as TeamApt Inc.) has been instrumental in advancing financial inclusion across Africa – especially for individuals and businesses operating in the informal economy, underserved by formal and traditional institutions.
The Company services 10 million+ customers through its comprehensive, integrated ecosystem of digital banking, credit, payments, and business management tools, and processes over one billion transactions monthly with volumes exceeding US$22 billion.
The accolade follows recent milestones for the Company which reiterate Moniepoint’s commitment to innovation and widening access to the formal financial system.
Notably, Moniepoint expanded its offering to Africans in the international diaspora via the launch of the MonieWorld platform. MonieWorld offers seamless remittance and digital financial services capabilities to individuals in markets such as the UK; the first time the Company has provided services to consumers outside Africa.
In June, Moniepoint was named in the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025, highlighting the Company’s extraordinary impact. Moniepoint has also been recognised by the Financial Times for three consecutive years as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, reflecting its remarkable revenue growth and business expansion; and by CB Insights in the Fintech 100 list, highlighting the Company’s status as one of the world’s most promising private fintech companies.
Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said: “It is an honour to be named as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC. Moniepoint’s inclusion in this prestigious, authoritative list is testament to the hard-work and success of the entire team while highlighting our emergence as a key player shaping the future of fintech worldwide.
“Our mission to power the dreams of millions of African entrepreneurs and businesses continues to propel us forward with renewed vigor. As we continue to scale, we remain committed to driving global financial inclusion and widening access to economic opportunities for Africans everywhere – transforming lives and livelihoods.”
CNBC’s list of the world’s top fintech companies was launched in 2023 to identify global market leaders in technology-driven financial services. The list, which includes companies operating across various regions and market categories including banking solutions, digital assets, and payments, highlights the dynamic and rapidly evolving FinTech industry, offering readers, investors, and stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the leading players across various segments.
General News
Wema Bank Plans N2M Grant to Empower Women

Innovative financial institution and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, Wema Bank, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment by partnering with the SheCan Conference for the fifth consecutive year.
The collaboration has announced it would empower women with N2 million grant during the 6th edition of SheCan 6.0. conference, that will be held on July 18, 2025, at Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
The event is expected to host over 7,000 women under the theme “SheCan Do More.”
Announcing this partnership, Wema Bank through its women-focused platform, SARA by Wema, said it will be awarding ₦2 million in business grants to support women entrepreneurs within the SARA Community.
This grant is to support small and medium businesses within the SARA Community to scale up their business.
Ayodele Olojede, Head, Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, said, “Wema Bank is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing the financial backing, tools, training, and networks they need to scale sustainably. Year after year, we’ve seen the incredible ripple effect that access, and opportunity can create in the lives of women and their communities.
“Through SARA by Wema, our goal is to create an environment where Nigerian women can dream bigger, build stronger, and lead the economy with confidence. This partnership with SheCan is a statement of belief in the power of women to transform society.”
“This year’s partnership represents more than sponsorship; it is a tangible investment in helping Nigerian women build sustainable businesses, scale their impact, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“Eligible applicants must be women-led businesses with active Wema Bank accounts and must be registered members of the SARA Community.
“Interested participants are required to submit a written pitch of no more than two pages, detailing their business and founder story, the problem being solved, target audience and competitive advantage, proposed use of the grant, and the expected outcomes and community impact. Entries must also include the applicant’s Wema Bank account number, full name, and the email address used to join the SARA Community.”
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