Business
Financial Inclusion: 9PSB CEO Calls for Targeted Content in Nigeria
By EdozieObasi-Eze
The Chief Executive Officer, 9PSB, BrankaMracajac has emphasized the need to pay close attention to content creation as an important factor in driving and accelerating financial inclusion in the country, stating that it is capable of enhancing the future of digital banking in the long term.
Mracajac made this assertion while presenting a keynote address, themed “Content Creation and Financial Inclusion; The Future of Digital Banking” at the Tech Summit Ogun 2022, on Thursday, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to her, while there are ongoing efforts to support the country’s financial inclusion drive, a lot more rest on formulating tailored strategies that address specific needs.

L-R: Olaniyi Ayoola, Team Lead and Convener, Tech Summit, Ogun, 2022; Abimbola Alale, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)/representing the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Branka Mracajac, Chief Executive Officer, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB)/Keynote Speaker, and Jude Abaga, Nigerian music producer, at the Tech Summit Ogun, 2022 which held recently at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“Providing access to the banking agents and touchpoints, across the country is happening as we speak; payment service banks, microfinance banks, and FinTech companies are all working on this.
But will this be enough? Will the access to digital banks change the mindset of Nigerians in rural areas of the country and be enough to drive the transition from cash to a cashless society?” she questioned.
Proffering the way forward, Mracajac stressed the need to provide financial literacy through content that speaks to an average Nigerian in unserved rural areas of the country, stating that financial inclusion is a process, not just a point in time and space that we want to reach.
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She added that developing content that speaks only to the already banked and mirroring the digital financial habits of those who are fully included and heavily banked, will not help to keep the newly onboarded in the system long-term. She stated: “While creating and delivering the content for financial inclusion, we need to have in mind the needs of its beneficiaries, the targeted end-users of the financial services who are currently underserved and the only sustainable way is that we join our forces and create the content – apps and services that will address the specific needs of a farmer in Benue, market women in Onitsha, a trader in Kano, a fisherman in Delta, and the woman selling ofada rice in Ogun State”.
Speaking further, she noted that, to drive the offline individuals and MSMEs from cash to cashless, from analogue to digital and from informal to formal, content creators need to focus on two major goals; one, to deliver relevant and on-point digital financial literacy content, educating people about the principles, ways, modules, and benefits of banking.
The second one, she stated, is needed for sustainable Financial inclusion: delivery of digital banking services that are a reflection of the lifestyle of the currently unbanked and underserved population.
She called on all stakeholders within the financial ecosystem, including content creators to work collectively to develop and implement a digital content strategy for the unbanked to move the financial inclusion needle and ultimately advance the economy, society and improve the life of every Nigerian.
In his own keynote address, titled “Disruptive Innovation: Production and Distribution of Creative Content, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Dr Abimbola Alale remarked that the quality of creatives and start-ups that Nigeria has produced is a testament to the potential of the ecosystem, and as such the ministry will continue to support the tech and creative entrepreneurs to play their part in developing Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Tech Summit Ogun is an annual convergence of Tech disruptors, innovators, startups, organizations and technology enthusiasts in Ogun State, aimed at spurring technological innovation towards the digital transformation and technological advancement of Ogun State.
This year, the summit attracted over 2000 participants, mainly the youths and start-ups.
Business
Ingentia Energies Appoints New MD
Indigenous oil and gas company, Ingentia Energies Limited, has appointed a former Shell executive, Engr Victor Agbaroji, as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
It was gathered that Agbaroji assumed office on 1 September 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the company’s interim managing director, Engr Charles Odita, who led the firm between March and August 2026.
The company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, after a leadership transition ceremony held in Lagos.
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Speaking during the event, Odita said his six-month tenure was productive and expressed confidence in Agbaroji’s ability to accelerate the company’s growth.
“It is my privilege today to hand over the affairs of Ingentia Energies Limited to the incoming managing director, Engr Victor Agbaroji. The company has achieved a lot within the last six months; it is our desire that the new Managing Director will take us to the next level, and I am confident that as an industry veteran, he would hit the ground running and accelerate the company’s growth trajectory,” Odita stated.
In his acceptance remarks, Agbaroji said he would consolidate the gains made under the outgoing management while focusing on safety, talent development, innovation and cost competitiveness.
“Our immediate focus is to consolidate and sustain the gains we have made. Ingentia Energies has set the pace among its peers in growing the company since the acquisition of its licence, and we intend to maintain that momentum, holding in high esteem our company’s greatest assets – people – and taking into recognition the importance of safety, talent development, innovation and cost-competitiveness. IEL will ensure that our people work safely and return home to their loved ones every day. At the same time, we will continue to develop talents, improve efficiency, embrace innovative ways of creating value, and deliver strong returns to our shareholders and stakeholders while affirming our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy aspirations, including the national target of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day,” the new MD said.
According to the statement, Agbaroji brings more than 31 years of experience across the oil and gas value chain to the new position.
He began his professional career as a well-test engineer, gaining experience across several fields before moving to Shell as a reservoir engineer.
During his career at Shell, he held various positions covering operations engineering, corporate petroleum engineering, corporate planning and economics.
The company said he contributed to portfolio optimisation initiatives that supported the emergence of Nigeria’s indigenous marginal field operators.
Agbaroji also served as front-end development manager for major gas projects, including gas supply initiatives for fertiliser production.
At the global level, he was global operations manager for reserves reporting across the Shell Group, overseeing activities spanning Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.
He subsequently moved into Nigeria’s independent oil sector, where he brought international industry practices into indigenous operations.
Before joining Ingentia Energies, Agbaroji led technical advisory, risk management and project delivery support services for emerging energy companies.
Business
Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has commended the Federal Government for implementing bold and transformative economic reforms repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth, strengthening investor confidence, and accelerating the country’s economic recovery.
According to Dangote, the ongoing fiscal, monetary, and regulatory reforms have contributed significantly to improving macroeconomic stability, enhancing productivity across key sectors, increasing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, and fostering a more resilient business environment. He noted that the positive outcomes emerging from the reform agenda underscore the importance of consistent, market-driven policies in advancing national development and economic prosperity.
“The economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government are beginning to yield tangible results. We are witnessing improved economic activity, stronger investor confidence, increased industrial productivity, and a more resilient business environment. These measures are laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for Nigeria,” Dangote stated
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He explained that the reforms have created a more enabling operating environment for businesses, particularly large-scale manufacturing and industrial enterprises that are critical to economic diversification, job creation, foreign exchange generation, and national competitiveness. He added that government initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, promoting investment, enhancing transparency, and supporting domestic production are providing a solid framework for industrial expansion.
“We commend the Federal Government for its courage and determination in implementing reforms that are essential for economic transformation. While every reform process comes with initial challenges, the benefits are increasingly evident in stronger economic indicators, improved business confidence, and renewed investor interest in Nigeria,” he said.
Dangote further observed that the government’s favourable policy environment has supported the continued growth and efficient operation of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical facility. He noted that policy measures designed to strengthen local refining capacity, reduce import dependence, improve energy security, and encourage value addition have contributed meaningfully to the refinery’s success and Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives.
“The progress being recorded at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex is closely linked to a policy environment that encourages investment, supports domestic industrialisation, and promotes self-sufficiency. These reforms are helping Nigerian businesses to plan with greater certainty, invest with confidence, and compete effectively on the global stage,” he added.
He stated that the refinery’s increasing production capacity and expanding export footprint are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic resurgence by generating foreign exchange earnings, creating employment opportunities, strengthening local supply chains, and positioning the country as a leading energy and manufacturing hub
Reaffirming the Group’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic agenda, Dangote said Dangote Industries Limited would continue to invest in strategic sectors, drive innovation, promote industrial development, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
“Our vision has always been to support Nigeria’s economic development through transformative investments. Today, we are witnessing how the combination of private-sector commitment and decisive government policies can unlock unprecedented opportunities for national growth. The refinery, petrochemical operations, fertiliser production, and our other industrial investments are helping to build a more self-reliant, competitive, and prosperous economy,” he said.
He expressed confidence that sustained reforms, policy consistency, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would further stimulate economic growth, attract increased foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations.
“Nigeria is on the path to becoming one of the world’s leading industrial and economic powers. With continued policy consistency, robust private-sector participation, and investment-led growth, the future of our economy is exceptionally bright,” Dangote concluded.
Business
Group Credits PINL with Safeguarding Environment, Farms
A group has given kudos to the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for effective pipeline surveillance and community interventions during the recent flooding in parts of the Niger Delta.
The Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) in a statement signed by its Convener, Nse Victor Udoh, noted that the PINL’s operational efficiency and sustained maintenance of pipeline corridors helped prevent additional environmental damage, preserve farmlands and protect aquatic ecosystems from threats associated with pipeline failures and oil spills.
According to the NDPA, annual flooding in the Niger Delta poses serious environmental risks, particularly when floodwaters come into contact with damaged pipelines, oil spills and illegal activities around oil and gas infrastructure.
The organisation noted that the recent flood season was different, as there were no reported cases of widespread oil contamination of floodwaters, dead fish or the spread of oil into farms and residential areas attributable to pipeline failures.
READ ALSO: DPRP Decries Rising Fuel Imports, Despite Strong Local Supply Capacity
It said the development underscored the importance of preventive pipeline management, stressing that effective infrastructure protection was often measured by disasters that were prevented rather than emergencies that attracted public attention.
According to the group, regular patrols, monitoring and right-of-way surveillance enabled PINL to identify and address potential threats before they escalated into major incidents.
It added that inspection, maintenance and repair activities had also contributed to maintaining the integrity of critical pipelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
The NDPA further commended PINL for its interventions in flood-affected communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States.
It cited the company’s restoration efforts in areas previously affected by illegal refining, as well as empowerment programmes targeting women and youths in host communities.
Udoh said the initiatives showed that corporate social responsibility should go beyond occasional charitable gestures and become part of a sustained commitment to community welfare and development.
“We commend Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, therefore, on two counts that this season has made inseparable: the efficiency of its service, tested by a flood and found equal to it, and the seriousness of its social responsibility,” he said.
He added that the group had observed that farms remained protected and waterways retained their ecological value despite the flooding.
“This season, our farms still stand where the water reached them. Our creeks still hold their life,” Udoh said.
The alliance maintained that infrastructure security and community welfare were closely linked in the Niger Delta, where pipelines pass through several communities and environmentally sensitive areas.
It urged PINL to sustain the standard, stressing that protection of critical national infrastructure, environmental preservation and improved host-community welfare should remain mutually reinforcing objectives.
The NDPA described PINL’s performance during the flood season as an example of how operational efficiency and responsible community engagement could combine to protect energy infrastructure and the environment.





