The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said women who wear makeup do not believe God did a perfect job on them.
Adeboye spoke on Saturday during the RCCG ministers’ conference held at the Redemption City, Mowe, Ogun State, as part of activities lined up for the church’s just-concluded 72nd annual convention.
Adeboye said God did a great job when God created humans, stating that women wearing make-up are expressing their disbelief in God who created them.
He said, “When you marry, you cut your coat according to your clothes. Some of you want to be like the people of the world. I can’t even imagine some of the things I see now. It wasn’t so in the beginning.
“People spend hundreds of thousands of naira on ‘shoot out’ (photo shoot). And then, on the day of the wedding, the girl put on all manner of decorations. Those who do make-up are those who do not believe God did a good job.
“When God created you, He did a great job, you are wonderful, perfectly made, and you cannot find any other fellow like you. You are special.
“When you begin to paint, and you think you can improve on what God has already done, you are a fool. You can never improve on what God has done.”
ABEOKUTA – As the sun rises on the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ogun State, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, joins millions of citizens at home and in the diaspora to celebrate the golden jubilee of the “Gateway State.” Since its inception in 1976, Ogun has stood as a beacon of intellectualism, industrialization, and political consciousness—a journey the media has not only witnessed but actively shaped.
On this historic occasion, we must first pay glowing tribute to the founding fathers of our dear state. We stand on the broad shoulders of visionaries who, in 1976, saw the potential for a sub-national entity that would bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.
Their courage in laying the administrative and social foundations of Ogun State provided the blueprint for the prosperity we harvest today across our three senatorial districts.
The story of Ogun State is inseparable from the history of Nigerian journalism. We draw inspiration from the pioneers of the pen who hailed from this soil—icons who understood that a free press is the heartbeat of a functional society.
From the early days of statehood, journalists in Ogun have served as the bridge between the government and the governed, ensuring that the dreams of 1976 were translated into actionable policies through consistent reportage and constructive critique.
We must also extend our sincere commendations to the various leaderships that have steered this ship, from the early Military Administrators to successive Civilian Governors. Specifically, we acknowledge the current administration for its commitment to the “Building Our Future Together” agenda.
The visible strides in infrastructure, the revitalization of the industrial sector, and the maintenance of Ogun’s status as the industrial hub of Nigeria are pointers to a leadership focused on sustainable legacies.
To our gallant members, the professional journalists of the Ogun State Council: this celebration belongs to you as much as anyone else. We congratulate you for a job well done.
Through the decades, you have worked under sun and rain, through periods of political transition and social change, to tell the Ogun story with integrity. Your contributions have ensured that our state remains a reference point for peace and development in the Nigerian federation.
As we look at the state of our union and our province, we boldly assert that “it is not all bad.”
While challenges persist—as they do in any growing democracy—we have more reasons to celebrate than to despair. We have evolved from a collection of provincial towns into a sprawling industrial corridor.
The progress may not always be at the pace we desire, but the trajectory is undeniably upward, and the spirit of the “Ogun Man” remains resilient.
However, as we march toward the next fifty years, we must chart a clear way forward. We are currently approaching another critical electioneering period, and this is the time for heightened patriotism.
We call on the political class to remember that the state is greater than any individual ambition. The media will remain vigilant, ensuring that the discourse remains focused on development, accountability, and the welfare of the common man.
For Ogun to move “so fast” to its desired destination, all hands must be on deck. We must transition from a state that is a “Gateway” by nomenclature to a state that is a “Gateway” by world-class functionality.
This means prioritizing the digital economy, fixing rural infrastructure to support our farmers, and ensuring that the ease of doing business translates to the ease of living for every resident from Ota to Imeko, and from Ijebu-Ode to Ipokia.
The NUJ remains committed to this vision. We will continue to use our platforms to hold leadership accountable while highlighting the immense opportunities that abound in our state. We believe that with the right synergy between the government, the private sector, and the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the next fifty years will witness an Ogun State that is not just a gateway to Nigeria, but a gateway to the African continent.
Congratulations once again to the Government and the good people of Ogun State. May the labor of our heroes past, and the efforts of our current leaders, continue to yield a harvest of peace and plenty for all.
Happy 50th Anniversary!
E-SIGNED:
COMRADE WALE OLANREWAJU Chairman, NUJ Ogun State Council
COMRADE BUNMI ADIGUN Secretary, NUJ Ogun State Council
The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a public holiday across the state to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, who said the public holiday is to enable residents to fully participate in activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration.
According to the statement, the anniversary marks five decades of Ogun State’s political existence, steady growth, and significant contributions to national development.
The statement called on citizens to celebrate the historic milestone in an atmosphere of unity and peace, while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to consolidating on past achievements and accelerating the state’s development agenda for the benefit of all.
Talabi added that the governor urged residents to take advantage of the public holiday to actively participate in the events marking the 50th anniversary of the Gateway State.
Ogun State was created on February 3, 1976, and the Golden Jubilee celebration features a rich line-up of commemorative activities designed to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and project a bold and prosperous future for the state.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that good governance will continue in the state after the end of his tenure in May 2027, noting that members of his administration remain committed to sustaining the progress achieved so far.
Makinde gave the assurance on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral of St Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan, as part of activities marking the ongoing 50th anniversary of Oyo State.
He said his administration would continue to govern the state in line with God’s will and guidance, adding that strong foundations had been laid to support the next phase of the state’s development.
The governor noted that although he would leave office in 2027, members of his team would continue to serve the people in different capacities to ensure continuity.
Makinde recalled that his emergence as governor in 2019 after eight years of political contest was by God’s mercy, describing his tenure as a new beginning for the state. He congratulated residents on witnessing the state’s golden jubilee and urged them to remain focused on sustaining progress.
“We have a team that is still intact. It is only Seyi Makinde who will leave; members of the team are there to continue working for the people of the state. We will continue to operate in accordance with the will and guidance of God for Oyo State,” he said.
The governor also emphasised that he had no political godfather, stating that his leadership was guided solely by God.
The Thanksgiving Service was part of activities marking Oyo State’s 50th anniversary celebration, which was inaugurated on January 26, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The state was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region of Nigeria.
The week-long celebration includes religious services, cultural exhibitions, a public lecture, and an awards and dinner night. Saheed Fijabi, a former member of the House of Representatives, chairs the 11-member planning committee.
In his goodwill message, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, praised Makinde’s leadership and development efforts in the state. Obi described Ibadan as a historic city and commended the transformation recorded under Makinde’s administration.
He also urged Nigerians to pray for political leaders, stressing that Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor governance rather than a lack of resources.
Earlier in his sermon titled “Gratitude,” the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, thanked God for the state’s progress over the past 50 years and commended past leaders for their contributions. He praised Makinde’s people-oriented programmes, citing improvements in infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and peaceful coexistence.
Special prayers were offered for the governor, the state, past leaders, and Nigeria, as well as for the continuity of good governance.
Dignitaries at the event included the governor’s wife, Tamunominini Makinde; wife of the Osun State Governor, Titilola Adeleke; former First Lady of Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; and Chairman of the Oyo State at 50 Committee, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.
South African singer Tyla has won the Best African Music Performance award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, beating Nigerian superstars Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr.
Tyla clinched the prize with her hit song Push 2 Start, triumphing over Burna Boy’s Love, Davido’s With You featuring Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, as well as Hope & Love by Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin.
The category, introduced to spotlight African music on the global stage, once again featured strong Nigerian representation, with Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr among the final nominees.
With the latest win, Tyla has now claimed the award twice since its introduction in 2024. She made history that year by winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance award with her breakout single Water.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has cautioned against attempts to create division among residents of Tongegi Island and across the state over ongoing oil exploration activities in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The governor gave the warning while commissioning the Abeokuta–Obalende and Osinubi New Roads in Ijebu-Ode, where he clarified that the oil drilling exercise is being carried out by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not by the Ogun State Government.
Abiodun explained that although hydrocarbon deposits have been identified in parts of Ogun Waterside, including Tongegi Island, their commercial viability is yet to be established. He dismissed claims that funds meant for oil exploration had been diverted, describing such allegations as misleading and politically motivated.
According to the governor, the discovery followed reports of crude-like substances seeping from the ground, which prompted technical investigations by the NNPCL.
“After conducting preliminary tests, they informed me that oil had been discovered in Ogun State. However, drilling is necessary to confirm whether it exists in commercial quantity, and that process was approved by Mr. President,” Abiodun said.
He added that security around the drilling area has been significantly strengthened, noting that a Naval Base has already been established near the oil well to safeguard national assets.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as misrepresentation of his comments in some sections of the media, which he said sparked unnecessary controversy.
“At no time did I say that commercial drilling had commenced at Tongegi Island. What we have are promising indications, not confirmation of commercial quantity,” he stressed.
Abiodun further revealed that a Naval post has also been established at Tongegi Island, with approval granted by the Chief of Naval Staff for a Forward Operating Base to reinforce Nigeria’s territorial presence in the area.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor said the revival of the Olokola Deep Sea Port project would significantly boost Ogun State’s economic prospects, adding that the President has directed visible progress on the project within the next year.
On infrastructure development, Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving road networks across the state, stating that performance — not rhetoric — remains the government’s response to criticism.
He disclosed that more than 20 township roads have been reconstructed in Ijebu-Ode, including Awujale Road, Ijebu-Ode–Epe–Mojoda Road, Molipa–Fusigboye Road, Stadium–Luba–Gateway Annex Road, Imoru Road, Tam-Balogun Road, Osinubi Road, and several others, with additional projects currently ongoing.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said the completed roads were executed to enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and stimulate local commerce.
Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, noted that the improved road network has boosted economic activities and strengthened public confidence in government.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Federal Constituency, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, praised the governor’s consistent investment in infrastructure across Ijebu land.
Market leaders, represented by the Otun Akile Iyaloja of Ijebu-Ode, Mrs. Kikelomo Olufunmi, said the roads would ease movement of goods and enhance trading activities.
Traditional rulers and community leaders at the event commended the governor for delivering on his promises, describing the projects as impactful and timely for the development of the area.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting religious freedom and strengthening partnerships with faith-based organisations to advance social development and moral regeneration across the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, held in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the state had recorded notable progress in key sectors such as transportation infrastructure, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, digital innovation and security.
He said the government recognised the complementary and indispensable role of religious institutions in achieving its development objectives, particularly in nurturing responsible youths, promoting family values, supporting education and caring for vulnerable members of society.
“The partnership between government and the church remains vital to building a just, inclusive and resilient society. I assure religious bodies of a safe and enabling environment to carry out their activities,” he said.
The governor added that the state government was open to deeper collaboration with the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria in promoting community development, social cohesion, peacebuilding and moral regeneration in Lagos and beyond.
In his remarks, the Supreme Head of the church, Prophet Emmanuel Alogbo, said development should go beyond physical infrastructure to include human capital development.
He stressed the need for increased investment in education, healthcare and social services, noting that the empowerment of women and youths was critical to sustainable growth.
“True development is not only about infrastructure but about people. The church must embrace innovation and technology to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world,” Alogbo said.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small plastic or glass bottles below 200 millilitres.
The agency clarified that it did not shut down any alcohol-producing company, but only prohibited the sale of alcohol in sachets and small containers due to public health concerns. In a statement on Thursday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the move aims to protect children, adolescents, and young adults from the harmful use of alcohol.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has resumed enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small-volume PET or glass bottles below 200ml, in line with a resolution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Agency’s public health mandate,” the statement read.
NAFDAC noted that the widespread availability of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers makes alcohol cheap, easily accessible, and easily concealable, contributing to underage drinking, addiction, domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and other social vices. Adeyeye stated that warning labels such as “Not for children” had proven ineffective, as many parents are unaware that their children consume sachet alcohol.
She cited reports from schools showing disturbing trends, including a recent case where a teacher revealed that a student said he could not sit for an examination without first taking sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC recalled that in December 2018, it, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with manufacturers to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024. The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock and reconfigure production lines.
“The current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol,” Adeyeye said.
She stressed that the ban is protective, not punitive, aiming to safeguard the health and future of children and youth. Only spirit drinks packaged in sachets and small bottles below 200ml are affected, while larger pack sizes remain approved.
The renewed enforcement has sparked reactions from industry, labour, and public stakeholders. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and groups including the Food and Beverage Tobacco Outgrowers and Bottlers (FOBTOB) criticised the move as potentially damaging.
On January 23, members of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Labour Congress, and Trade Union Congress protested at NAFDAC’s Lagos office, warning that the ban could displace over 5.5 million Nigerians from their jobs.
NAFDAC, however, called on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully, stressing that no further extension would be granted. The agency will continue collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCCPC, and the National Orientation Agency to intensify nationwide sensitisation on the dangers of alcohol misuse, ensuring that only safe and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians.
Nollywood filmmaker Toyin Abraham’s comedy film Oversabi Aunty has crossed the ₦1 billion mark at the box office.
The milestone was announced on Monday by FilmOne Entertainment, the film’s distributor, in a post shared on its official X account. According to the company, Oversabi Aunty has grossed ₦1,017,201,953, making it the first Nollywood directorial debut to surpass ₦1 billion and the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
FilmOne described the achievement as a major moment for the industry, noting the film’s historic performance across cinemas in West Africa.
Reacting to the development, Abraham expressed gratitude to God, her fans and her team in a post on Instagram. She described Oversabi Aunty as her first directorial effort for the big screen and thanked Nigerians, her cast, crew and FilmOne Entertainment for their support.
Released in cinemas in December 2025, Oversabi Aunty is a Nollywood comedy directed by and starring Abraham. The film tells the story of an overzealous church usher whose interference in family affairs leads to a series of comedic and chaotic events. It features a cast that includes Mike Ezuruonye and Odunlade Adekola and has been praised for its relatable humour and cultural themes.
Meanwhile, FilmOne Entertainment also announced another box office milestone on Monday, revealing that Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes has grossed ₦2.4 billion. In a statement shared on X, the company said the film is the highest-grossing film of the year and the highest-grossing film of the weekend.
Earlier in January, Behind The Scenes, which was also released in December 2025, became the first Nollywood film to cross the ₦2 billion mark at the box office. The film completed its cinema run at approximately ₦2.103 billion in about one month, surpassing the previous record held by Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The film reached ₦1 billion within 17 days and recorded a regional single-day box office high of ₦129.5 million on Boxing Day.
With this achievement, Akindele has become the only Nigerian filmmaker with three films that have grossed over ₦1 billion each, namely Behind The Scenes, Everybody Loves Jenifa and A Tribe Called Judah. Combined, the three films have earned about ₦5.39 billion at the Nigerian box office.
Akindele is also the first filmmaker to lead the African box office for three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has ruled that Computer-Based Test centres whose registration activities cannot be monitored remotely will not be allowed to participate in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration.
The board made this known in its weekly bulletin published on Monday, stating that the decision is part of efforts to curb registration infractions and strengthen the integrity of its examination processes.
According to JAMB, the policy, tagged “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME,” was announced by the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, during a stakeholders’ meeting involving Peace Monitors, Chief Technical Advisers, Chief External Examiners, as well as zonal and state coordinators overseeing the monitoring of CBT centres for the 2026 UTME.
Oloyede said all CBT centres participating in the 2026 UTME registration would be monitored live from the JAMB National Headquarters in Abuja. He added that any centre whose registration process cannot be viewed live from the headquarters would be barred from registering candidates and hosting the examination.
He noted that centres whose activities are not visible to the board would also not be paid, and such registrations could be invalidated.
The registrar further announced the compulsory use of Microsoft or Digitech live cameras for UTME registration, stressing that only approved devices would be permitted for capturing candidates’ second images during registration. He explained that the measure was introduced to curb manipulation of candidates’ photographs, which was detected during the 2025 UTME registration exercise.
Providing specifications for approved equipment, Oloyede said all existing CBT centres must migrate to HIKVision Closed Circuit Television systems, with HIKVision recommended as the Network Video Recorder or Digital Video Recorder. He stated that the recorders must have a minimum of 16 channels to adequately cover all areas of the examination centres.
He also disclosed that all CCTV systems must be wired, noting that wireless systems would not be allowed. According to him, cameras must cover examination halls, verification areas, holding rooms, walkways, server rooms, as well as entrance and exit points.
Oloyede warned that centres found violating the guidelines would be sanctioned, including possible prosecution. He added that JAMB would not bear the cost of reconfiguring CCTV routers, stressing that affected centres must handle such expenses before being allowed to operate.
The registrar recalled that centres and individuals previously involved in examination malpractices had been delisted and were currently facing prosecution, warning that the board would not hesitate to take action against any centre or individual found culpable.
JAMB officially commenced registration for the 2026 UTME on Monday.
Members of the distillers’ association, under the aegis of the Food, Beverages and Tobacco Senior Staff Association and the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees, have warned that the enforcement being carried out by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control will displace no fewer than 5.5 million Nigerians from their jobs.
The unions, which are affiliates of the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress, disclosed this on Friday when they besieged the Lagos office of NAFDAC to protest the order stopping them from distributing their products.
PUNCH recalled that NAFDAC said it had begun enforcing the ban on the production and sale of alcohol in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml.
NAFDAC had, on November 11, 2025, announced plans to enforce a total ban on such products by December 2025, in line with a directive from the Senate.
However, enforcement was initially halted after the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, called for an immediate suspension of all actions and measures related to the proposed ban, pending consultations and a final directive.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a media briefing on Wednesday, said the agency had received a matching order from the Senate to proceed and that enforcement had already commenced.
Speaking at the protest ground on Friday, the Executive Secretary of FOBTOB, Solomon Adebosin, said the enforcement would displace no fewer than 5.5 million direct and indirect jobs.
He noted that the policy undermined the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to attract investment into the country.
The executive secretary added that NAFDAC’s claim that sachet alcohol and PET drinks were accessible to minors and children could not be backed by empirical facts.
Adebosin said, “We are here today to protest the sudden seizure of our companies in the distillery sector by NAFDAC concerning the issue of sachet drinks and PET bottles that are less than 200ml. We have 500,000 Nigerians working directly in this sector and over five million working indirectly, and they are going to be affected.
“Access and control are what we should be talking about. Let us be able to put control on these things such that children and minors do not have access to them.”
He stressed that the distillers had continued to invest in advocacy and sensitisation to prevent unqualified persons from consuming their products.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Brewery and Tobacco, of the NUFBTE, Azeez Razaq, alleged that the actions of NAFDAC depicted sabotage of the growth of indigenous manufacturers.
He condemned the decision of the agency to violate the directive of the SGF, which ordered a stay of action on the ban.
Razaq added that shutting down the companies would result in job losses that could further worsen insecurity in Nigeria.
While reading the demands of the unions, a member of FOBTOB, Anthony Oyagha, added, “We call on the Presidency to urgently intervene to ensure that NAFDAC aligns its actions with government policy, legislative oversight, and the broader national interest.
“Local manufacturers deserve honour, protection, and partnership, not punitive measures that destroy investments, livelihoods, and confidence in Nigeria’s business environment.
“We respectfully urge Mr President to act decisively to safeguard indigenous industries, protect jobs, and ensure that regulatory agencies serve the Nigerian people and not external interests.”
The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party remains strong and prepared to surprise its critics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde spoke at the Southwest PDP Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Friday
The governor debunked the claims that the party is dead, assuring members that the PDP is “well and alive.”
The Southwest PDP stakeholders’ meeting attracted PDP leaders and political office holders across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States.
Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin; PDP House of Representatives members from Oyo State; former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; National Secretary of PDP, Taofeek Arapaja; Chairman of PDP in the Southwest, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; former governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, among others, attended the meeting.
The party leaders also received two groups of defectors from the All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party into the party.
Addressing the gathering, Makinde said the turnout of party members as well as the defectors has proved those who declared the PDP a dead political party wrong.
“I can assure you that the PDP is well and alive. Whoever thinks otherwise will be surprised beyond their imagination,” the governor said.
He urged party leaders and members across the region to remain united and committed at the grassroots level, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the party’s structures within communities, wards, and local governments.
“So, my charge to you is, please hold your communities, hold your wards, hold your local governments, and it will be well with us,” he added.
Makinde also encouraged party members to be faithful and loyal, expressing optimism about the PDP’s future.
While welcoming Makinde and other party leaders, Adebutu said the PDP has proven its detractors wrong, insisting that the PDP remains united.
“Let’s remain firm in the PDP. We now have structures from ward to the national levels.
FairMoney Microfinance Bank disbursed over N150bn in loans in the past year.
This was announced in a statement on Tuesday, indicating that the microfinance bank also recorded a total interest payout on savings exceeding N7bn.
The PUNCH reports that the Managing Director of FairMoney Microfinance Bank, Henry Obiekea, recently called for what he described as structural harmony between banks and fintechs to deepen financial inclusion and drive the Federal Government’s $1tn economic ambition.
In the fresh statement, FairMoney Microfinance Bank, which began operations in 2021 as one of the country’s pioneer platforms for rapid credit access, said it leveraged advanced tools, including AI and machine learning algorithms, to analyse extensive financial and alternative data from smartphone usage and user-provided information to aid its loan disbursement process.
By creating unique credit scores to assess risk, FairMoney enables fast, collateral-free lending to underserved segments, ensuring creditworthiness is evaluated beyond traditional banking criteria.
Our record loan disbursements and savings payouts over the past year are more than just numbers; they represent our unwavering tenacity in supporting the Nigerian financial ecosystem,” said Obiekea. “At FairMoney, we are driven by the knowledge that our platform provides the essential capital for individuals to thrive and for businesses to scale. Our savings products provide both retail and business customers with inflation-beating returns, ensuring genuine wealth preservation. We remain deeply committed to closing the financial gap and empowering our community.”
The firm also pointed out that throughout 2025, the Nigerian financial ecosystem operated under the strategic framework of the CBN’s “Payment Systems Vision 2025,” successfully transitioning the nation toward a more inclusive, stable, and cashless economy.
Our efforts in 2025 were defined by an unwavering commitment to financial inclusivity and a customer-centric mission rooted in fairness, empowerment, and consumer confidence,” stated Obiekea. “As we move into 2026, we remain resolute in our mission to uphold these values and drive the continued growth and resilience of Nigeria’s financial landscape.”
From being a digital lender, FairMoney has scaled its operations, evolving into a full-fledged licensed microfinance bank. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, including high-interest savings accounts, fixed-term deposits, current accounts, debit cards, and Point of Sale solutions for businesses, all aimed at fostering financial inclusion through ease of use and competitive transaction rates.
