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NEXIM Spends N85bn On 900 Export Projects

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13 years ago

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Over N85 billion has so far been cumulatively disbursed by the Nigerian Export Import Bank, (NEXIM)  to support no fewer than 900 export projects in the real sector.

Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr Roberts Orya, made this known at the Exporter Enlightenment Forum organised by the bank at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

He explained that the money was used mostly in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, noting that apart from creating and sustaining over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, the bank would also help in generating over 1.2 billion US dollars in foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Mr Orya further stated that NEXIM bank, as an official Export Credit Agency of the federal government was working hard to justify its mandate of “diversification of the Nigerian economy through the provision of finance, risk bearing and policy support to the non-oil export sector”.

His words: “Giving our efforts to develop the high growth sectors and increase employment generation in the country, we have also recently developed a funding programme for the creative and entertainment industry, in addition to a special scheme for SME exporters in the ECOWAS region”.

The bank MD, therefore, called on governors of South East states to utilise the activities of small manufacturing industries in the region to contribute towards increased value added exports in the country.

He went on to say that  “Nnewi, Anambra state, is regarded as the Japan of Africa in view of its industrial significance. The Ariaria market in Aba, Abia state, has grown to become the major hub of manufacture. Onitsha is also a trade hub, together with Enugu which has become the major centre for the production of movies”.

In his speech, Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime had commended NEXIM for organising the event in Enugu.

Chime, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr Godson Nnadi averred that his administration had provided an enabling environment for economic activities, as well as agriculture to thrive in the state.

He, however, stressed the need for the nation’s economy to be diversified, faulting Nigeria’s over dependence on oil.

He warned that oil, which is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy would finish one day and commended NEXIM Bank for its interest in diversification of the nation’s economy.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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1 day ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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