THE NATIONAL BRANDS DEVELOPMENT AND THE MADE IN NIGERIA PROJECT OFFICE

  The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office: Beyond Slogans, a Blueprint for Economic Transformation Introduction: The Quiet Revolution Happening Right Now Let’s be honest—when most Nigerians hear “Made in Nigeria,” they think of campaigns that come and go. Slogans on billboards. Politicians shaking hands at product expos. A few weeks of buzz, then silence. But something different is happening. And if you haven’t been paying attention, you might miss it. The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office —operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and located at The Shagari House, Three Arms Zone, Abuja —isn’t just another government initiative. It’s a structural intervention designed to do what previous campaigns couldn’t: transform Nigeria from a consumption-driven economy into a production-driven one . Here’s why this matters—and why this time, it’s different.           ...

  CBN Says Rise in Flagged BVNs Reflects Stronger Fraud Detection, Not More Fraud Nigeria's banking sector significantly strengthened its fraud detection and prevention systems in 2025, with the number of Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) placed on the industry's fraud watchlist rising by 38.4 percent , according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 2025 Annual Report . The report revealed that 13,117 BVNs were flagged during the year, up from 9,476 recorded in 2024. The increase followed enhanced regulatory oversight by the apex bank and expanded use of the BVN platform to improve compliance, detect suspicious activities, and safeguard the integrity of banking transactions. According to the CBN, the higher number of flagged BVNs should not be interpreted as evidence of increasing fraud within the banking sector. Instead, it reflects the effectiveness of improved monitoring systems, stronger compliance mechanisms, and more efficient processes for identifying and resolving fra...

  NASCON Allied Industries Posts 27.6% Growth in Half-Year Profit NASCON Allied Industries Plc recorded a strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, with profit before tax rising 27.59 percent year-on-year to ₦29.70 billion , driven by stronger operating margins, increased finance income, and lower borrowing costs despite modest revenue growth. According to the company's unaudited financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2026 , revenue increased by 3.84 percent to ₦81.16 billion , compared with ₦78.16 billion recorded during the same period in 2025. The results were filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on **July 29, 2026. The producer of the widely consumed Dangote Salt also reported a 25.68 percent increase in profit after tax , which rose to ₦19.60 billion , reflecting improved operational efficiency and disciplined cost management. Although revenue growth remained moderate, the company delivered stronger profitability through improved margins. Gr...

Real Madrid Becomes First Sports Club to Generate Over €1.2 Billion in Annual Revenue Real Madrid has made sporting history off the pitch by becoming the first sports organization in the world to generate more than €1.2 billion in annual operating revenue , reporting a record €1.221 billion for the 2025–2026 financial year . The landmark achievement came despite the Spanish giants finishing the season without winning a major trophy, demonstrating the club's growing financial strength beyond on-field success. According to the club's latest financial results, Real Madrid's earnings continue to be driven by robust commercial operations, matchday revenue, and the transformation of the redeveloped Santiago Bernabéu Stadium , which has become a major source of income through events, hospitality, sponsorships, and other commercial activities. The club also posted record earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of €287.4 million , representing an 18 ...

  NITDA to License Software Testing Firms Under New Quality Assurance Framework The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to begin licensing technology firms for software testing as part of efforts to standardize information technology project implementation across government institutions and regulated private sector organizations. The initiative follows the launch of the National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework , a new policy designed to ensure that all Federal Government software projects undergo independent third-party testing and certification before they are deployed. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by NITDA's Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar , the framework seeks to reduce costly IT project failures, strengthen cybersecurity, and improve public confidence in digital government services by establishing national standards for software development, testing, and deployment....

  PwC and EY Lead Nigeria's Audit Market, Reviewing 23 Companies Each in 2025 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY) emerged as the leading audit firms in Nigeria in 2025, with each auditing 23 major companies , according to an analysis of auditor disclosures from 128 listed and unlisted companies . The review shows that both firms accounted for 17.97 percent of the total companies assessed, underscoring their dominant position in Nigeria's corporate audit and assurance market. The analysis also highlights the continued concentration of the country's audit industry around a handful of globally recognized professional services firms, even as several indigenous and international audit practices continue to compete for engagements across banking, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, consumer goods, and other key sectors. Trailing PwC and EY is Deloitte & Touche , which audited 17 companies , while KPMG Professional Services handled audits for 13 co...

Ethiopian Airlines Records $9.1 Billion Revenue as Passenger and Cargo Growth Drive Strong Performance Ethiopian Airlines has reinforced its position as Africa's largest airline after reporting a 20% increase in revenue for the 2025/26 financial year , driven by rising passenger traffic, strong cargo demand and continued expansion of its fleet and infrastructure. According to figures published by the Ethiopia News Agency , the state-owned carrier generated $9.1 billion in revenue for the financial year ending July 7, 2026 , reflecting another year of strong operational and financial performance. The results underscore the airline's resilience and its growing importance as a leading aviation hub connecting Africa with destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Revenue Climbs to $9.1 Billion Ethiopian Airlines recorded $9.1 billion in revenue during the 2025/26 financial year, representing a 20% increase over the previous year. The strong revenue gro...

Anglo American Seeks to Sell De Beers for Around $1 Billion Amid Global Diamond Market Slump British mining giant Anglo American Plc is reportedly in discussions to sell its iconic De Beers Group diamond business in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion , according to a Bloomberg report. If completed, the transaction would represent a dramatic decline in the valuation of one of the world's most recognized diamond companies. The proposed sale forms part of Anglo American's broader strategy to streamline its operations and focus on core mining assets following its successful defense against an almost $50 billion takeover bid from BHP Group in early 2024. De Beers Sale Reflects Anglo American's Restructuring Strategy Anglo American announced plans to divest De Beers as part of a sweeping corporate restructuring designed to simplify its portfolio and concentrate on businesses with stronger long-term growth prospects. The mining company has been reviewing several assets ...

  First Lady Remi Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Take Action Against Viral Hepatitis Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu , has called for intensified efforts to combat viral hepatitis through increased public awareness, routine screening, improved access to prevention and treatment, and the elimination of stigma surrounding the disease. Her message came as Nigeria joined the rest of the world in marking World Hepatitis Day 2026 , a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of viral hepatitis and accelerating efforts to eliminate the disease as a major public health threat. Early Testing Can Save Lives In her World Hepatitis Day message, the First Lady encouraged Nigerians to undergo regular hepatitis screening, emphasizing that early diagnosis is critical to preventing severe health complications. She noted that many people living with viral hepatitis are unaware they are infected because the disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages. According to the First Lady, ear...