Connect with us

Business

World Bank Lists Nigeria Among Promising Economies

Published

on

Looking into the future of the global economy, the Word Bank on Monday said Nigeria and other emerging economies will determine the new structure of the global economy by 2025.

Nigeria has a vision of reaching among the top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

The report on the future of the global economy, titled Global Development Horizons 2011, said the world economy would assume a different structure by 2025, with many emerging economies driving global growth.

The report, subtitled, Multi-polarity: The New Global Economy, was sent to the West Africa office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abidjan by the World Bank.

Other African economies listed among the 60 likely global actors, include Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya.

The report said the position of the advanced or developed countries would be less significant as growth would be diversified, with other currencies upstaging the dominance of the dollar in trade.

“The international monetary system is likely to cease being dominated by a single currency.

“The emerging countries, where three-fourths of the official foreign exchange reserves are currently held and whose sovereign wealth funds and other pulls of capital are increasing important sources of international investment will play key roles in financial markets

“In short, a new world order with a more diffused distribution economic power is emerging. There will be a shift towards multi-polarity,’’ the report said.

It said the euro had gained wide acceptance in the international cycle, while the yen and the pounds sterling remained “single digit shares of financial reserves”.

Another currency that will pose a competition to the dollar, according to the report, is he Chinese renminbi.

“China’s economy and the rapid globalisation of its corporations and banks will position the renminbi to take a more important international role.

“By 2025, the most probable global currency scenario will be a multi-polar one centred around the dollar, euro and the renminbi,’’ the report said.

According to the report, multi-polarity implies a situation where numerous national concentration of power exists but no single centre dominates politically.

“At no time in modern history have so many developing countries been at the fore-front of a multi-polar economic system.

“Within the next two decades, the rise of emerging economies will inevitably have major implication for the global economic and geo-political landscape,’’ the report.

The report added that policy makers would need to equip themselves with the tools and capacities to effectively capitalise on opportunities while simultaneously safe guarding their economies against risks.

The report said the emerging economies had become a “powerful force’’ in international production, trade and finance.

“Emerging and developing economies share of international trade has risen steadily from 26 per cent in 1995 to an estimated 42 per cent in 2010.

“Much of this rise has been due to an expansion of trade not between both developed and developing countries, but among developing countries,’’ the report said.

The report said by 2025, six major emerging economies-Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation- would collectively account for more than half of all global growth.

Continue Reading

Business

Pipeline Explosion In Abua Odua, LGA Chair Calls For Calm

Published

on

Fresh explosions have hit oil and gas pipelines in Odau Community, in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, triggering a major security and  environmental crisis that has forced residents to abandon their homes.
The first incident occurred  along the Kolo Creek – Rumuekpe crude oil pipelines, operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
This was followed by a gas pipeline explosion on the Ogboinbiri – Obirikom Gas Pipeline, operated by Oando Plc, in the same week.
In a statement by the Abua/Odual Council Chairman, Hon. Owolobi Michael Ofori said  the blasts, suspected to be the handiwork of militants, have unleashed persistent gas leakage in the area, raising fears of fire outbreaks and toxic exposure as residents of Odau have largely deserted the community due to the dangerous situation.
According to him, some residents of the area have been hospitalised after inhaling the leaking gas, adding that the impact has spread to neighbouring communities, including Obedum, Emirikpoko, and Anyu in Abua/Odual LGA, as well as Oruma and Ibelebiri in Bayelsa State.
Hon. Ofori expressed deep concern over the plight of the affected residents and urged the operating companies to act swiftly.
The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to all affected persons and communities and remained gravely concerned about the safety, health, and welfare of residents whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by these incidents.
“We call on Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Oando Plc to immediately deploy all necessary technical and emergency response resources to contain the fires, halt the gas leakage, secure the affected pipeline corridors, and mitigate further environmental and public health risks.” the Council Chairman Said.
The chairman also appealed to the two oil firms to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and relief materials to the displaced residents while work continues to restore normalcy.
The Council Chairman said he is working closely with security agencies and emergency responders to monitor the situation and coordinate necessary interventions.
The Council Boss advised Residents of the Local Government Area to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and adhere strictly to safety directives.
Ofori further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Rivers State Government, and other relevant bodies to intervene urgently to prevent  loss of lives and environmental damage.
Hon. Ofori assured that the council remains committed to the protection and welfare of its people and will continue to engage all stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Enoch Epelle
Continue Reading

Business

Fidelity Bank Collaborates YEIDEP To Empower Nigerian Students

Published

on

Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship through a strategic partnership with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), a Federal Government-backed initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
Under the partnership, the bank will support the enrolment of students and young people into the YEIDEP programme, which is designed to tackle youth unemployment, promote enterprise development and expand economic participation among Nigeria’s growing youth population.
The next phase of the initiative is scheduled to end today at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the South-East that started since July 1st would be concluded at the university’s Convocation Arena.
The exercise is expected to reach more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students.
Speaking on the partnership, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head, Product Development, Osita Ede, said youth empowerment remains central to the bank’s vision of building a more inclusive and prosperous society.
He noted that Nigeria’s youths represent the country’s greatest asset and stressed that providing them with the right skills, opportunities and financial support is critical to unlocking their potential and driving national development.
According to Ede, the bank continues to provide young Nigerians with tools for success through its digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships.
He added that Fidelity Bank recognises that limited access to funding, mentorship and business development support remains a major challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs, and is committed to creating pathways that will help them overcome these barriers.
The bank said its support for YEIDEP aligns with its longstanding commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which it described as key drivers of economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.
Interested students and youths have been encouraged to open Fidelity Bank accounts and register for the programme through the bank’s dedicated online portal.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Business

NPA Launches Multi-Agency Taskforce To Combat Apapa Traffic Gridlock

Published

on

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has launched a multi-agency task force to combat the resurgence of traffic gridlock choking the Lagos Port access roads, in a fresh push to restore seamless cargo evacuation and sustain recent gains in Port efficiency.
The intervention followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of  NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, on June 23rd, 2026, where security agencies, freight forwarders, truck operators and representatives of the Lagos State Government agreed on coordinated measures to eliminate the bottlenecks disrupting cargo movement.
At the meeting, stakeholders identified illegal extortion points, overlapping responsibilities among security agencies and other operational distortions as major factors responsible for the renewed congestion along the port corridor.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemakara, said the Authority’s overriding priority is to guarantee the unhindered movement of cargo to and from the nation’s seaports.
According to him, the task force comprises the NPA, the Police, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO).
“The responsibility of the task force is to monitor truck movement on the Port access roads on a regular basis, identify any disruption capable of causing gridlock and immediately resolve such challenges,” Onyemakara said.
He stressed that members of the task force would not establish checkpoints along the corridor but would maintain strategic presence at designated locations to ensure compliance without obstructing traffic.
To enhance rapid response, Onyemakara disclosed that the task force has created a dedicated WhatsApp platform through which members can instantly report infractions or emerging traffic issues for immediate intervention.
On the long-delayed renewal of the Electronic Truck Call-Up (ETO) system contract, the NPA spokesman said the Authority is reviewing the terms to ensure a more robust contractual framework before awarding a fresh agreement.
He explained that although the previous contract had expired, the ETO platform remains operational under the management of the Truck Transit Parks (TTP) pending completion of the procurement process.
He expressed confidence that the renewal would be concluded soon.
Reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to maintaining free-flowing Port access roads, Onyemakara said efficient logistics remain central to the NPA’s drive to improve Nigeria’s Port competitiveness and preserve its growing international reputation.
“We are more interested in the free flow of logistics into our ports than anyone else because it is in our own interest,” he said
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Trending