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State Police and the Questions Nigeria Can No Longer Avoid - FinancialEDGE
OpinionFeb 1, 2026

State Police and the Questions Nigeria Can No Longer Avoid - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria’s post-1999 democratic era has coincided with one of the gravest crises of state authority in the country’s history, with the state appearing weak and incapable of defending its authority. Fundamentalist Islamist groups, ethnic militants, gangs, secessionist movements, cult groups, organized criminal groups, and political thugs, among others, have relentlessly challenged the state to a

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WISTA Nigeria felicitates with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA on the commissioning and official launch of the CVFF Application Portal: - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJan 26, 2026

WISTA Nigeria felicitates with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA on the commissioning and official launch of the CVFF Application Portal: - FinancialEDGE

On behalf of the women maritime associations in the Nigerian maritime industry, and in my capacity as President of WISTA Nigeria, I warmly congratulate the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by His Excellency, Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), under the leadership of Director-General

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Nigeria, Sovereignty, and the Perils of Foreign Military Entanglemen - FinancialEDGE
OpinionDec 28, 2025

Nigeria, Sovereignty, and the Perils of Foreign Military Entanglemen - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria, Sovereignty, and the Perils of Foreign Military Entanglemen tNigeria’s ongoing struggle against terrorism particularly violence affecting Christian communities in parts of the country has renewed calls for deeper military cooperation with the United States. While the protection of civilians is a moral and constitutional obligation of the Nigerian state, history cautions that foreign military

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Preventing Financial Crimes Amid Mounting Insecurity: Why Following the Money is Now a Survival Imperative - FinancialEDGE
OpinionDec 14, 2025

Preventing Financial Crimes Amid Mounting Insecurity: Why Following the Money is Now a Survival Imperative - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria today faces a sobering dual reality: a deepening security crisis and an entrenched financial-crime ecosystem that quietly feeds, sustains, and normalises that crisis. Across the North, Middle Belt, and parts of the South, kidnappers, bandits, insurgent cells, political actors, compromised security agents, and a complex chain of financial facilitators operate within

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Tax Reforms Strengthen Economic Competitiveness: What you need to know about Nigeria’s Tax Administration Act that goes into force in January 2026 - FinancialEDGE
OpinionDec 14, 2025

Tax Reforms Strengthen Economic Competitiveness: What you need to know about Nigeria’s Tax Administration Act that goes into force in January 2026 - FinancialEDGE

Dr Tope Fasua In recent weeks, a wave of commentary has suggested that Nigeria’s new tax regime may scare away investors, trigger capital flight, or damage business competitiveness. These concerns, although understandable in an environment where fiscal reforms attract intense public scrutiny, are largely misplaced. The 2025 tax reforms, anchored by the new Nigeria Tax

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CBN’s 303rd MPC Meeting: A Technocratic Victory, an Economic Setback, and a Missed Opportunity on Nigeria’s Real Crisis - FinancialEDGE
OpinionNov 29, 2025

CBN’s 303rd MPC Meeting: A Technocratic Victory, an Economic Setback, and a Missed Opportunity on Nigeria’s Real Crisis - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 303rd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting arrived at a time of unprecedented tension within the Nigerian economy. The country has not faced a more difficult convergence of challenges for more than a decade in the area of crushing food inflation, unrelenting insecurity, slowing growth, weak

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POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON THE REPORT OF MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 24-25, 2025. - FinancialEDGE
OpinionNov 26, 2025

POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON THE REPORT OF MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 24-25, 2025. - FinancialEDGE

POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON THE REPORT OF MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 24-25, 2025. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria held the 303rd Meeting on November 24 -25, 2025. The committee reviewed the current economic development alongside the macroeconomic indicators. Members expressed

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A dangerous Concentration of Power: Is CBN’s Fixed Income Securities Takeover a Ticking Bomb for Nigeria’s Economy? - FinancialEDGE
OpinionNov 20, 2025

A dangerous Concentration of Power: Is CBN’s Fixed Income Securities Takeover a Ticking Bomb for Nigeria’s Economy? - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to take full control of government securities issuance has been described by some as a bold move toward transparency and market efficiency. Yet, beneath the surface of this reform lies a web of structural dangers that could tighten credit even further, push interest rates higher, escalate

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FG’s Suspension of 15% Fuel Import Duty: A Holistic Step Toward Economic Relief and Market Stability - FinancialEDGE
OpinionNov 14, 2025

FG’s Suspension of 15% Fuel Import Duty: A Holistic Step Toward Economic Relief and Market Stability - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE In a welcome display of policy sensitivity and economic rationality, the Federal Government has suspended the planned 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel. This move, announced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is more than a technical adjustment, it is a timely intervention that reflects

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Nigerian Banks and the Culture of Concealment: How Financial Results Are Being Cooked to Hide Losses - FinancialEDGE
OpinionOct 31, 2025

Nigerian Banks and the Culture of Concealment: How Financial Results Are Being Cooked to Hide Losses - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE In Nigeria’s banking industry, profit has become more a press release than a performance. Every results season, the same storyline plays out with record profits, rising assets, and promises of “strong fundamentals.” Yet, beneath the eye-catching headlines lies a quiet deception of a pattern of accounting charades aimed at repressing the true

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Recapitalisation Reality Check: Uncovering the Truth Behind Nigeria’s Banking Boom - FinancialEDGE
OpinionOct 24, 2025

Recapitalisation Reality Check: Uncovering the Truth Behind Nigeria’s Banking Boom - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE When the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced a new round of bank recapitalisation in March 2024, many expected the leading banks, especially those boasting record-breaking profits in the hundreds of billions and trillions, to sail through with ease. Their financial statements glistened with prosperity, with expanding balance sheets, rising dividends, and

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Paradox of Profitability: Nigeria’s Banks, Bogus Earnings, and Recapitalisation Dilemma - FinancialEDGE
OpinionSep 1, 2025

Paradox of Profitability: Nigeria’s Banks, Bogus Earnings, and Recapitalisation Dilemma - FinancialEDGE

Paradox of Profitability: Nigeria’s Banks, Bogus Earnings, and Recapitalisation Dilemma By Blaise Udunze Nigeria’s economy has been buffeted by storms in recent years with currency volatility, galloping inflation, surging interest rates, and dwindling consumer purchasing power. Yet, amid these macroeconomic headwinds, corporate organisations, especially banks, continue to post eye-popping profits. Five of Nigeria’s top

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Nigeria’s vanishing savings: $10bn subsidy removed, yet reserves stuck at $41bn - FinancialEDGE
OpinionAug 24, 2025

Nigeria’s vanishing savings: $10bn subsidy removed, yet reserves stuck at $41bn - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria’s vanishing savings: $10bn subsidy removed, yet reserves stuck at $41bn By Blaise Udunze When the Nigerian government scrapped the decades-old fuel subsidy in 2023, it promised relief for the nation’s bleeding finances. Nearly $10 billion was to be freed up annually, and by scrapping it, President Bola Tinubu’s administration projected that the fiscal space

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RE: FIDELITY BANK PLC – STATEMENT ON CBN CIRCULAR ON FORBEARANCE LOANS - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJun 19, 2025

RE: FIDELITY BANK PLC – STATEMENT ON CBN CIRCULAR ON FORBEARANCE LOANS - FinancialEDGE

Fidelity Bank Plc refers to the recent circular issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (Reference No. BSD/DIR/CON/LAB/018/008) concerning regulatory forbearance on Single Obligor Limit (SOL) and other credit facilities and wishes to provide the clarifications below to its esteemed shareholders, NGX Regulation Limited (NGX RegCo), and other stakeholders: (a) As a responsible financial

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TRUMP 2.0: How Nigerian Media Is Tracking Trump’s Presidency and Why Brands Should Care: - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJan 28, 2025

TRUMP 2.0: How Nigerian Media Is Tracking Trump’s Presidency and Why Brands Should Care: - FinancialEDGE

Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States has once again thrust the world’s attention to the U.S., with Nigerian media providing significant coverage and analysis. From policy implications to economic ties, Trump's re-entry into the White House holds implications for global geopolitics, especially for Nigeria. This article explores the Nigerian media's

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GTCO Plc: Stakeholders, Experts React to Manifold Allegations of Corporate Misconduct - FinancialEDGE
OpinionOct 8, 2024

GTCO Plc: Stakeholders, Experts React to Manifold Allegations of Corporate Misconduct - FinancialEDGE

By Sam Diala, (THEWILL) Stakeholders and financial industry experts have reacted to the series of allegations against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc. A civic organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), had on Friday, September 4, 2024, released a Private Investigative Report signed by its President, Edwin Omaga, alleging a series of “unscrupulous, unethical and

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The Role of Media Monitoring in Shaping Government Communication Strategies - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJul 31, 2024

The Role of Media Monitoring in Shaping Government Communication Strategies - FinancialEDGE

By: Philip Odiakose In governance, understanding public sentiment and effectively responding to emerging issues are important metrics that determine the success of public administration. The modern media landscape, characterized by the rapid dissemination of information across newspapers, websites, and social media, poses both opportunities and challenges for government officials. This dynamic environment necessitates a robust strategy

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The Crippling Absence of the Audit Bureau of Circulations in Nigeria(ABC): A Setback for Media Professionals - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJul 16, 2024

The Crippling Absence of the Audit Bureau of Circulations in Nigeria(ABC): A Setback for Media Professionals - FinancialEDGE

By: Philip Odiakose The media landscape in Nigeria faces a significant challenge due to the absence of a functional Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). This gap critically hampers the ability of PR, advertising, and media professionals to access accurate audience reach data and insights, which are essential for evaluating the impact of media publications. The repercussions

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The Hidden Bias in PR: Why Independent Evaluation Is a Must for Brands - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJun 25, 2024

The Hidden Bias in PR: Why Independent Evaluation Is a Must for Brands - FinancialEDGE

By: Philip Odiakose The role of public relations has evolved into a crucial component for brand management, reputation building, and strategic communication. However, the growing complexity and stakes of PR activities necessitate an objective and impartial assessment of their outcomes. This is where independent PR monitoring, measurement, and evaluation become indispensable. The essence of this

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Why investors will buy Fidelity Banks offers, by capital market stakeholders - FinancialEDGE
OpinionJun 24, 2024

Why investors will buy Fidelity Banks offers, by capital market stakeholders - FinancialEDGE

Fidelity Bank Plc started its N127.1 billion combined rights and public offers to a rousing support from the investing public as key capital market stakeholders recalled the symbolic importance of Fidelity Banks impressive growths and investor-friendly disposition over the years. From the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to stockbrokers, investors and customers; the N127.1 billion combined rights

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Financial And Administrative Autonomy For Local Governments Will Be A Game Changer In Our Democratic Experience - FinancialEDGE
OpinionMay 28, 2024

Financial And Administrative Autonomy For Local Governments Will Be A Game Changer In Our Democratic Experience - FinancialEDGE

The proposal by the Federal Government to grant full Autonomy to the local governments in Nigeria is a welcome development and long overdue. I commend the Federal government whose Attorney General Of The Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN has approached the Supreme Court to pursue this landmark initiative. There is no doubt that our Democratic journey has been

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Navigating Uncertainty: The Enduring Value of Out-of-Home (OOH) Advertising in Challenging Times - FinancialEDGE
OpinionMar 26, 2024

Navigating Uncertainty: The Enduring Value of Out-of-Home (OOH) Advertising in Challenging Times - FinancialEDGE

Navigating Uncertainty: The Enduring Value of Out-of-Home (OOH) Advertising in Challenging Times By: Philip Odiakose In an era marked by economic volatility and shifting consumer behaviors, businesses are grappling with tough decisions regarding their advertising budgets. As a Media Analyst, I have witnessed firsthand the cyclical nature of economic downturns and their impact on marketing strategies.

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Navigating the Complexities of Media Monitoring: Strategies for Effective Brand Media Intelligence Gathering - FinancialEDGE
OpinionFeb 20, 2024

Navigating the Complexities of Media Monitoring: Strategies for Effective Brand Media Intelligence Gathering - FinancialEDGE

By: Philip Odiakose In today's media landscape, the ability to monitor and analyze media coverage is crucial for brands seeking to stay ahead of the competition and maintain their reputation. However, the sheer volume and diversity of media sources, coupled with the ever-evolving nature of communication channels, present significant challenges for effective media monitoring. As

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