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Kano State Judiciary Launches Small Claims Court for Prompt Resolution of Commercial Disputes

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L - R: Khadi Mustapha Lalloke (ably representing the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal); Honourable Justice of His Lordship Aisha R.D Mohammed; His Worship, Mr Jamilu Suleiman, Chief Registrar of the High Court of Kano State; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, PEBEC Secretary & Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade & Investment; Justice N.S Umar, Acting Chief Judge of Kano; Toyin Bashir, Reform Lead, Enabling Business Environment Secretariat at the launch of the Small Claims Court in Kano.
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The Kano State Judiciary in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) have inaugurated a Small Claims Court aimed towards prompt resolution of commercial disputes in the state.

This is in line with enabling business environment reforms across all arms of Government geared at making Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business.

The objective of the court is to improve the judicial process by providing easy access to cost-effective and fast resolution of debt recovery disputes involving small claims of five million naira (N5m) and below.

All claims which are filed at the Small Claims Court are expected to be heard and judgment delivered within a maximum period of 60 days, with a further 30 days for enforcement.

Only one adjournment is allowed under exceptional circumstances. In addition, magistrates are to hear matters daily to conclusion, and are enjoined to promote, encourage and facilitate negotiation among parties.

The court also encourages self-representation, and adhere to strict timelines for following key specified court events.

The Small Claims Court is regulated by the Practice Directions on Small Claims 2018 issued by the Chief Judge of Kano State pursuant to the Magistrate Court Law of 2018.

The launch took place on January 24, 2019 at the Judicial Service Commission, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano State and was attended by the Ag. Chief Judge, Attorney General, Judges of the High Court, Magistrates, Judicial Officers and members of the bar.

In her remarks at the occasion, PEBEC Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said; “The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council continues to collaborate with the Kano State Government, including the Kano State Judiciary, on business climate reforms for the State.

“The launch of the Small Claims Court is further proof of our successful collaboration, and how working together can yield great results.”

“On behalf of PEBEC, I congratulate the Acting Chief Registrar and the entire Kano State Judiciary on the successful commissioning of the Small Claims Court.

“We implore all small businesses to take advantage of the court and to tell more stakeholders about them.

“It can only be as efficient as we want it to be if we engage and use them”.

In order to ensure effectiveness of the court, PEBEC also conducted 2-day training for magistrates and court officials in collaboration with leading commercial law firms in Nigeria.

Following the establishment of the Small Claims Court in Lagos in April 2018, it is reported that 90% of judgments delivered from May to September 2018 were delivered within the 60-day timeline in compliance with the Lagos State Magistrates’ Practice Directions on Small Claims.

This indicates substantial compliance in terms of timely disposition of matters. Prior to the establishment of the Small Claims Court, the 2019 World Bank Doing Business report stated that it took 447 days for matters to be resolved with the commercial court at the Lagos State Judiciary, and it currently takes 476 days for the court in Kano.

PEBEC was established in 2016 to oversee Nigeria’s business climate reform agenda, and is Chaired by His Excellency the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. PEBEC’s model aligns with global best practice and includes a strong performance tracking element that is measured by the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index (DBI), which is reported annually.

The DBI is an annual ranking that objectively assesses prevailing business climate conditions across 190 countries based on 10 Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) indicators.

The Index offers comparative insights based on private sector validation of reforms delivered in the two largest commercial cities in countries with a population higher than 100 million.

For Nigeria, the DBI tracks both Lagos and Kano States, being the two largest business cities in the country.

The reform area/indicator known as Enforcing Contracts focuses mainly on the reforms of the judiciary and how cases are handled in the Small Claims Court within the State – from filing to delivery and enforcement of judgement.


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MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns

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MTN Nigeria, has pledged the company’s renewed commitment to transparency and responsiveness in addressing customer concerns.

MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria,

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, stated this at the telecoms provider its first-ever Customer Engagement Day (CED) in Lagos.

Speaking during the event, Toriola fielded real-time questions from customers, responding to issues ranging from data quality to customer service gaps.

“We’ve invested heavily to build a network that delivers value for money. While data in Nigeria remains among the most affordable globally, our priority is quality and consistency that truly powers ambition. Today is about transparency: answering your questions, listening to your concerns, and showing that MTN is not just a service provider; we are a partner in your journey,” he said.

The company emphasised that the Customer Engagement Day was designed as an open forum for dialogue between MTN executives and customers.

The hybrid event, themed “We See You. We’re With You,” featured sessions on digital literacy, data usage, youth mentorship, and financial inclusion, aimed at improving subscriber experience and usage efficiency.

Ayham Moussa, chief operating officer, MTN Nigeria, in his opening remarks, highlighted the company’s long-standing connection with Nigerians, noting that its operations were built with input from ordinary citizens.

“When MTN began, it was built by people like you: engineers, entrepreneurs, everyday Nigerians. Today, we connect over 80 million people, and our focus remains simple: to stand with you in your hustle, support your ambitions, and make life easier. This journey is about listening, improving daily, and being a shield for homes and businesses across Nigeria,” he said.

A key session on Data Usage and Management offered participants practical guidance on how to manage and conserve data, with many customers raising questions about consumption patterns and transparency in billing.

Ugonwa Nwoye, chief customer relations & experience officer, MTN, stated, “We know how essential data is; it’s how we live, work, and connect. From parents streaming classes to small businesses on Zoom, we see your daily realities. That’s why we’re focused not just on providing data but on helping you use it better, with practical tools and tips that put you in control. We hear you, and we’re acting on what you’ve told us today.”

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria,  reiterated the importance of continuous engagement: “Today has been about listening, learning, and connecting with you. We’ve heard your complaints, your ideas, and even your personal stories. From parents balancing their children’s needs to businesses working tirelessly online, be assured that we listen, we care, and we do. Your trust means everything to us, and we’re committed to turning today’s conversations into real actions.”

Ikenna-Emeka stressed that MTN Nigeria seeks to reposition itself not only as a telecom operator but also as a listening partner in the everyday lives of its subscribers.

The event also provided a platform for small businesses, young professionals, and digital creators to interact with MTN leaders during Speed Mentorship sessions, where they shared their goals and received guidance on navigating the digital economy, technology adoption, and entrepreneurial strategy.

Visitors engaged with various thematic lounges, including MoMo PSB, MTN’s fintech subsidiary, where tools for financial inclusion were showcased.

Other activities included a digital skills academy, interactive tech demonstrations, and a startup pitch challenge, reflecting MTN’s efforts to align services with evolving customer needs.

 

 

 

 


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Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

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Airtel Africa Plc increased its capital expenditure in Nigeria to $39m in the second quarter of 2025, up 1.7 per cent from $38m in the same period last year.

Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

According to the company’s financial statement the marginal increase highlights Airtel’s continued investment in its largest and most strategic market, despite a broader slowdown in group-level capital spending this quarter.

The Punch newspaper reported that the increase in capital spending by Airtel comes at a time when telecom subscribers are expecting tangible improvements in service quality, following a 50 per cent tariff adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier this year.

It added that Telcos have begun to show signs of commitment to network upgrades, bolstered by the recent delivery of telecom equipment valued at $1bn.

“In Nigeria, capital expenditure for the quarter ended 30 June 2025 was $39m, compared to $38m in the same period last year,”.

According to the statement, the Group-wide capital expenditure stood at $121m in the three months ended June 30, representing a decline from the previous year, which the company attributed to timing differences in project execution.

However, Airtel maintained its full-year capex guidance at between $725m and $750m, indicating that more spending is anticipated in the coming quarters.

Capital expenditure, or Capex, refers to the funds used by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as network towers, fibre infrastructure, and IT systems.

In Nigeria, the $39m spent during the quarter was likely directed toward expanding and modernising the operator’s mobile and broadband networks, enhancing service coverage and capacity in urban and rural areas.


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History as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

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MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first listed company on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to reach a market capitalization of ₦10 trillion, as its share price closed at ₦480 on Friday, August 1, 2025.

istory as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

The telecommunications giant’s shares gained ₦8 or 1.69% during Friday’s trading session, pushing the company’s market value past the ₦10 trillion threshold.

This remarkable achievement comes just two days after MTN Nigeria released its stellar half-year 2025 financial results on Wednesday, which showed exceptional performance across all key metrics.

The timing is not surprising based on what was said in the company’s H1 results, which revealed a dramatic turnaround from losses to profitability.

The telecoms operator reported service revenue growth of 54.6% to ₦2.4 trillion, while EBITDA surged by 119.5% to ₦1.2 trillion with margins expanding significantly to 50.6%.

Most importantly, the company achieved a profit after tax of ₦414.9 billion, marking a stunning recovery from the loss of ₦519.1 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Speaking on the H1 2025 results that have driven investor confidence, Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria, said: “We are excited by the progress made in the first half of 2025, reflecting the successful execution of the strategic priorities we previously communicated to the market.”

Toriola emphasized the company’s strong operational momentum, stating: “Building on the momentum from the first quarter, we delivered strong growth in service revenue for the period under review. This was driven by robust demand for our services, proactive customer value management and price adjustments, mainly in Q2.”

The CEO’s confidence in the company’s trajectory was evident in his commentary about future prospects.

“In light of the strong momentum in our business, we have upgraded our FY 2025 and medium-term guidance and we remain firmly on track to restore our balance sheet to a positive net asset position by the end of Q3,” Toriola declared.

This optimistic outlook, backed by upgraded financial guidance targeting service revenue growth of “at least low-50%” and EBITDA margin of “at least low-50%” for FY 2025, has clearly resonated with investors.

Toriola highlighted improving operating conditions that have supported the company’s performance: “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria showed notable improvements in the period under review, including a relatively stable naira, improved foreign exchange (forex) liquidity and easing inflationary pressures.”

He noted that “this backdrop helped to enable our improved business performance and set a more supportive context for increased long-term investments.”

The ₦10 trillion market cap milestone represents extraordinary value creation for shareholders.

 

 

 


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