Home Blog Page 291

Plateau Leaders, Stakeholders Embrace Peace AsTinubu Approves N2bn For Victims Of Attacks

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Plateau Leaders

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Plateau State Leaders and Stakeholders met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, as they navigate the future and the need to embrace peaceful coexistence, with an open mind as they return to Plateau State.

 

President Tinubu’s appeal to the stakeholders and leaders to put a permanent end to the recurring crises in the State.

 

He also challenged the leaders, led by the State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to review past government’s White Papers on security crises and to propose implementable resolutions for the government’s consideration.

 

Key issues identified by the Plateau State delegation included the issues of indigeneship, religion, ethnicity, and farmer-herder clashes that fueled past conflicts, they promised to work hard to ensure peace prevails in the State.

 

The meeting attended by a 32-man delegation was a fulfilment of President Tinubu’s promise to meet Plateau stakeholders for extensive discussions on the recurring violence and killings in the State. President Tinubu called for the meeting during his visit to the state following the violence in Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area on March 29.

 

Members of the delegation included Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former governors – Senator Simon Lalong, Senator Jonah Jang, Chief Joshua Dariye and Sir Fidelis Tapgun, HRM Mohammed Haruna, Emir of Wase, HRM Da John Putmang Hirse, Rev Dr Dunka Gomwalk, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

 

Other delegates were Rear Admiral Samuel Atukum (Rtd), former Military Governor; Rt Hon Naanlong Gapyil Daniel, Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly; Dame Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor and Minister; Air Marshal JD Wuyep (Rtd), former Chief of Air Staff.

 

At the interactive session, which lasted about three hours, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Mohammed Dorro, announced that President Tinubu had approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuban, Jos.

 

President Tinubu said leaders at every level needed to resolve to seek peace and live in tolerance of one another.

 

“No protocols, no hinderances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos. I have heard the leaders. Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?

 

“Let us first of all accept one resolution – tolerance for every inhabitant. If people are being recruited to provoke anger, conflict and killings, it is you, the leaders, that should first of all examine yourselves,” the President said.

 

“We all must find a way to accommodate one another. We must stop the situation where people are recruited to instigate tribal conflict and killings. I am glad that I listened to the youth.

 

“As leaders, you must go back home, summon a leadership meeting among yourselves, take the gazette, review the previous recommendations and agree to implement the White Paper. Bring to my attention any knotty issue that may arise and bring up an implementable resolution,” President Tinubu told the delegation.

 

According to him, “to stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be an enduring peace in the state,” assuring the delegation that his administration was committed to the infrastructural development of the state. He also called on the state government to identify and name agent provocateurs so they can face the full wrath of the law.

 

He underscored the need for leaders to champion a concerted effort to achieve enduring peace in the state, given that Plateau State was known for peace and for its receptiveness to other tribes across the nation.

 

“Let us first of all accept one resolution – tolerance for every inhabitant. If people are being recruited to provoke anger, conflict and killings, it is you, the leaders, that should first of all examine yourselves,” the President said.

 

He underscored the need for leaders to champion a concerted effort to achieve enduring peace in the state, given that Plateau State was known for peace and for its receptiveness to other tribes across the nation.

 

“We all must find a way to accommodate one another. We must stop the situation where people are recruited to instigate tribal conflict and killings. I am glad that I listened to the youth.

 

“As leaders, you must go back home, summon a leadership meeting among yourselves, take the gazette, review the previous recommendations and agree to implement the White Paper. Bring to my attention any knotty issue that may arise and bring up an implementable resolution,” President Tinubu told the delegation.

 

According to him, “to stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be an enduring peace in the state,” assuring the delegation that his administration was committed to the infrastructural development of the state. He also called on the state government to identify and name agent provocateurs so they can face the full wrath of the law.

 

President Tinubu urged the governor to draw on the pool of enlightened leaders available to him across all spheres of life to foster harmony in the state.

 

The President further enjoined the governor to make justice, fairness, tolerance, and the integration of other ethnic groups an integral part of his administration’s efforts towards a lasting peace, stressing that everyone in the state needed to have a sense of belonging and participate in peace-building efforts.

 

In his remarks, Governor Mutfwang thanked President Tinubu for his continued efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the recurring security challenges and violence in the state. He pledged the elders’ commitment to support the initiatives.

 

He added that it was the first time that all former governors of the state were in one room for such a meeting, assuring the President of their resolve to chart a new pathway towards peace in the state.

 

“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the plateau; that we want to be together. We are determined more than ever to close all our gaps, ensure that we rise above all the divides of religion and ethnicity, and build a state we can all be proud of, because we are one of the critical states in this country that contribute immensely to the economy. And a lot had been lost over the decades that we want to recover. We want to thank you for your leadership that has engendered this new spirit of unity.

 

“Having gathered this momentum, we want to assure you, by God’s grace, that we will build on it to tell a better story in the years to come. One of the things that we are determined to look at aggressively is how to turn conflict into profit by making sure that, under your leadership, we bring our people out of the shackles of poverty,” the governor further pledged.

 

“By God’s grace, we know that you are with us, and we want to assure you that we are also with you. In your journey to salvage Nigeria, we are in this together. Thank you for having us over.”

 

Gbong Gwon Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, lauded President Tinubu for his purposeful leadership and efforts to restore peace in Plateau State. He requested that the President deploy more troops to the state and install CCTV cameras, as he had promised. The royal father expressed belief that the creation of state police would go a long way towards addressing insecurity in the country.

 

He also commended President Tinubu for appointing competent sons and daughters of the state, such as the APC National Chairman and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to support the administration in running the country’s affairs, and requested that more slots be provided for Plateau State indigenes.

 

He recalled that in the past, the football team, the Mighty Jets of Jos, founded by the late Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim, brought the state to national limelight, had players from virtually every part of the country who remained in Jos, even after the civil war.

 

He called for the President’s intervention in the return of the IDPs to their ancestral homes, especially as the rainy season commences. He particularly commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for visiting the state twice with relief materials following the unfortunate security incidents.

 

Several members of the delegation harped on the need for the leaders to be committed to the peace process, affirming that without sincerity of purpose, an enduring peace would be an illusion in the state.

 

Representatives of the Christian and Muslim youths told President Tinubu of their resolve to work together towards peace in the state and support the governor.

Kachikwu Says Plan By David-Mark Led ADC To Hijack Party Has Failed

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Dumebi Kachikwu
Dumebi Kachikwu

 

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Dumebi Kachikwu, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Presidential Candidate during the 2023 Polls has tagged the Congresses and Convention by the David Mark led ADC as ‘Kangaroo Congresses’. This  followed the nullification of their convention by a Federal High Court. 

 

Kachukwu said: “The judgement has made it clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully.

 

“Today, a Federal High Court in Maitama nullified the kangaroo congresses and convention conducted by the David Mark-led group.

 

“In her judgement, which sounded like a stinging rebuke, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that even though this group didn’t have any locus, they proceeded to conduct, in his own words, ‘kangaroo congresses and convention,’ which she proceeded to nullify.

David Mark - ADC Chairman
David Mark

She also held that with the lacuna within the leadership of the ADC, the State Chairmen of the party who make up the NEC of the party are the rightful body to conduct a national convention and congresses at the different levels and that INEC should recognise them as such.

 

“I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from.

 

“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage.

 

“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over.

 

“The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome”, Kachikwu stated.

Lagos 2027: Ajose, Jandor Pick Lagos Guber Form, Snub Endorsement Of Hamzat By Sanwo-Olu, GAC, APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Samuel Ajose
Samuel Ajose

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Samuel Ajose, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos and former Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the 2023 Governorship Election in Lagos State, Abdulazeez Adediran, popular as Jandor, who cross carpeted to the APC have both picked the APC Governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

 

They have both snubbed Monday’s endorsement of Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Party’s Consensus Candidate, alongside members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the highest advisory body of APC, in the State; Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, APC State Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, alongside other Party Stakeholders.

 

Ajose had posted on his official X handle on Wednesday that 

the move signals a definitive step forward in his aspiration to “serve as Governor of Lagos State on the platform of our great party, the APC.

 

“This moment is bigger than a political process, It is a personal commitment to purposeful leadership, inclusive governance, and the kind of progress that every Lagosian can feel and point to.

 

“My resolve is rooted in service, anchored in a clear vision, and driven by one conviction; that Lagos deserves development which reaches every community, creates real opportunities for its people, and leaves no one behind.

 

“I begin this journey with humility, courage, and complete faith in God and in the good people of Lagos. Together, we are building something this state will be proud of”.

 

Ajose had stated in an interview on Channels Television that he is surprised that Hamzat is running helter skelter to be endorsed, challenging him to an Open APC Governorship Primaries.

 

In same manner, Jandor stated that insinuations that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed a Candidate is false and misinformation from some people who are bent on disrupting electoral process.

 

Speaking on Channels  Television’s Politics Today, Monday, Jandor pushed back against the growing narrative that the race has already been settled in Hamzat’s favour, saying that, “No, the President hasn’t endorsed anyone. I am an aspirant, and we are a few people also gunning for this. We will be the first set of people to know if there is anything like that because communication will come,” he said.

 

He further stated that the endorsement of Hamzat by Governor Sanwo-Olu does not hold water, stating that anybody can endorse a Candidate; stressing that all Aspirants will go for Open Primaries, with the choice of the people hoisting the Party flag.

 

Just like Ajose, Jandor remains unperturbed by the power play and endorsement of Hamzat as they are fully prepared for Primaries.

 

On Tuesday, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, House of Representatives Member, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency had purchased his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form to return to the National Assembly, and also bought the Governorship Expression of Interest and Nomination Form for Hamzat.

 

It would be recalled that it was Faleke that first endorsed Hamzat for Governor, generating controversies among the the Lagos APC before the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group, bodies under the APC aligned with him, and went on to endorse him as a Consensus Candidate of the APC.

 

With the decision of Ajose and Jandor to water down the influence of the GAC, Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Justice Forum and Mandate Group, political observers say that the battle for who clinches the APC Governorship ticket will be tough.

Court Bars INEC From Congresses Organised By David Mark Led ADC Exco

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
David Mark - ADC Chairman
David Mark

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) from recognising or participating in any congress organised by a disputed caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also barred former Senate President, David Mark, and other party figures from interfering with the functions and tenure of duly elected state executives.

In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/581/2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that only existing state executive committees of the ADC are constitutionally empowered to conduct state congresses, describing the caretaker arrangement as lacking legal authority to impose parallel structures.

Justice Abdulmalik further affirmed that the tenure of current State Working and Executive Committees remains valid and subsisting until properly conducted congresses and a national convention are held in line with the party’s constitution.

The ruling also involved key figures in the caretaker coalition, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who have been central to efforts to restructure the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision effectively halts all ongoing or planned state congresses under the caretaker leadership and directs all parties to maintain the status quo, pending further proceedings.

The ADC has remained embroiled in internal divisions over control of its structure since emerging as a coalition platform for opposition realignment ahead of the next general election cycle.

Osimhen In Trouble Over Alleged N143bn Car Debt

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen

By Akinwale Kasali

Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles and International mercurial striker is in trouble. He is currently enmeshed in a legal tussle over an alleged unpaid car debt.

The Galatasaray Football Club of Turkey forward  is facing a formal Police investigation for alleged embezzlement after the legal representatives of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in Italy filed a criminal complaint against him regarding an accumulated debt of approximately €90,000.

It was gathered that the formal denunciation lodged at the Crescenzago Carabinieri station in Milan, stems from a leasing agreement that the 27-year-old Nigerian signed in 2023 for a hybrid-fuel Mercedes GLE.

The former Napoli Football Club of Italy Striker is alleged by the German automaker to have failed to make the agreed-upon monthly instalments for the luxury SUV during his tenure at Napoli.

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Winner and highest goal scorer had famously secured the 2022/2023 Serie A title, and has compounded the issue by refusing to return the vehicle now that the contract period has expired.

Osimhen’s failure to surrender the SUV has escalated the civil dispute into a potential criminal matter, with authorities, reportedly, launching preliminary investigations into the charge of embezzlement.

The former Lille Football Club of France and Wolfsburg Football Club of Germany Striker’s alleged failure to clear the €90,000 debt stands in glaring contrast to his heavily publicised passion for ultra-expensive automobiles.

Osimhen’s love and passion for luxurious Cars saw him acquire a Lamborghini Revuelto valued at over €500,000, that he cruises around Turkey following his acrimonious exit from the Naples based Club.

He also owns a green Lamborghini Urus in his extravagant garage.

It would be recalled that he purchased a Rolls-Royce Cullinan to celebrate his 26th birthday.

As the legal recourse progresses, Mercedes-Benz’s legal team is expected to formally contact the player’s representatives to ascertain his version of events before pursuing further judicial action in Italian courts.

Why Ekiti Has Not Sought For Loan To Fund Infrastructure

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has revealed that due to improved revenue from the Federation Accounts to States, his administration has not borrowed to fund any project.

 

The Governor, who spoke when he received the APC Zonal executives led by the Zonal Chairman/National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Dr Isaac Kekemeke in his office, said it is apparent Nigerians attach more seriousness to whatever they hear from their leaders than from other sources

 

The Governor, described the six months he spent in office before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in 2023 as “very tough period”

 

He added that President Tinubu’s decision to immediately free resources to the sub-national as a way of improving and rescuing the economy from collapse, turned the situation around, making him to achieve more for the state I terms of infrastructure development.

 

“The story is the same across the states. President Tinubu’s programmes and policies have impacted positively on the people and while the opposition element would do everything to rubbish the gains of the reforms, leaders should counter them with verifiable facts”.

 

Citing Ekiti State as an example, the Governor said out of the six federal roads in Ekiti State, two have been fixed, work had commenced on one and two have been been awarded. 

 

He also revealed that the state has been linked to the new rail line project of the federal government.

 

The governor stated that his administration had not collected any loan to finance infrastructure projects in the last three and a half years.

 

According to him, he has been able to properly utilize receipts from the federal allocation and state’s IGR to finance all projects. 

 

This, be noted, was made possible by President Tinubu, hence the need to support him for a second term in office.

 

 “So, if a state as small as Ekiti has this kind of federal government presence, then you can imagine what will happen to other big states in the country. 

 

“Please, we have every cause to be proud of the achievements of our party and the only way we can get this done is through you, because you are the closest to the people at the grassroots level. 

 

“What are we talking about is that at every ward meeting, two or three minutes should be devoted to explaining to party members what the government has done.

 

Oyebanji called on the leadership of the APC to provide necessary publicity for all the programmes and policies of President Tinubu that have improved the living conditions of the people, especially his economic reforms, infrastructure development and efforts being made to stabilize the country.

 

Governor Oyebanji said hyping the achievements of the President at every opportunity by leaders of the party will provide the needed enlightenment for the people, especially at the grassroots.

 

 This, he said, will make the people value the government’s programmes and policies and further endear the President to Nigerians.

Police Service Commission Laments Killing Of Ogidi By ASP Nuhu And Team, Says It Violates Nigerian Laws

By
The Source
-
0
DIG Hashimu Argungu - PSC Chairman

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has condemned, in its entirety, the extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by police officers attached to the Effurun Area Command, Delta State, on April 26, 2026. The act violates Nigerian laws and international humanitarian standards, including the International Humanitarian Law; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended); the Anti-Torture Act 2017; the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015; the Nigeria Police Act 2020; and the Nigeria Police Force Regulations 2025.

 

A statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, on Protocol and Public Affairs,  behalf of the PSC by Torty Njoku Torty, its Head of Public Affairs, on behalf of the Chairman, said “The Commission commends the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, for commencing disciplinary action against the officers involved, including their suspension and interdiction pending a thorough investigation.

 

The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and enjoins members of the public to remain calm as justice takes its course.

Datti Baba-Ahmed Dumps Labour Party, Joins PRP, Insists Obi Won 2023 Presidential Election

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed
Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed

By Adesina Soyooye

Vice Presidential Candidate  of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Tuesday, April 28, insisted that the Labour Party, which fielded Peter Obi and himself won that election contrary to the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission that it was won by the All Progressives Congress’ Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima.

Baba-Ahmed, who spoke in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television’s Politics Today, emphasised that he said so in 2023, and still stands, today, on what he said then.

Baba-Ahmed, Proprietor of Baze University and a couple of other tertiary institutions also told Channels Television that he was, finally, on his way out of the Labour Party.

Since the exit of Obi from the LP, Baba-Ahmed had stood with the Party like the Rock of Gibraltar. It was even strongly speculated that he was going to run for the Presidential seat in 2027 under the LP. However, all that came to nought on Tuesday when he revealed he was joining the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

For the records, his elder brother, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Presidential Adviser in the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima, is the National Chairman of the PRP.

Datti Baba-Ahmed said his decision to dump LP stems from what he described as internal disagreements  which have forced the Party to drift from its original ideals.

He said: “I am leaving the Labour Party tomorrow (Wednesday) There is more to it. When there was real peace in the Labour Party was when they posted back. They redeployed someone with a specific purpose and because of the antecedent of the individual to make life difficult, particularly for me. What the Labour Party stood for then is no longer what it is today.

“I am leaving the Labour Party midnight and I am joining PRP. PRP is the new destination. PRP is the one with a history. It’s about 75 years old,” he stated.

Recall that the PRP was founded in 1978 by the late Aminu Kano, and,  is one of Nigeria’s oldest political movements. It is known for its progressive ideals.

It is being strongly speculated that most members of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress, ADC, are considering the PRP for their Plan B in case their faction is knocked out by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a case that is before the Apex Court.

Gunmen Storm Church In  Ekiti Community, Kill Pastor, Abduct Unspecified Number Of Worshippers

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government, on Tuesday evening, opened fire on worshippers gathered for a special revival programme.

 

A visiting Pastor from Osun State, identified simply as Aregbe was killed on the spot. He was shot in the chest. Several others were injured.

 

An unconfirmed number of congregants are still missing.

 

Witnesses said the attackers stormed the Church around 6:45 p.m., shooting into the congregation.Worshippers scattered into the surrounding bush. Some made it out. Others were hit.

 

It was gathered that up till Wednesday morning, families are still searching for their relatives, dom of whom took refuge in nearby bush when the shootings were ongoing.

 

The pastor in charge reported that several worshippers remain unaccounted for, and the exact number of those abducted is still unknown.

 

Many worshippers are still being declared missing, raising fears they were taken by the gunmen. Others are nursing gunshot wounds.

 

A community member said residents are living in fear and appealed to government to urgently deploy security personnel to the area

 

The community remains the only local government in Nigeria without ordinary police post not to talk if full fledge station.

 

Personnel of the state government owned Amotekun Corps, which maintains presence in the community as at the time of the incident complained of no ammunition and fuel in their vehicle.

 

Attempt by leaders for assistance has been turned down despite that Eda Oniyo is a boundary community between Ekiti and Kwara state, which has been experiencing security breaches for sometime.

 

Reacting to the incident, “The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade  Michael in a statement, stated that he has ordered a thorough investigation and a serious manhunt on the suspected hoodlums who fatally attacked a Christ Apostolic Church at Eda Oniyo-Ekiti.

 

“A preliminary investigation revealed that, on 28th April, 2026 at about 22:30hrs, while the church members were holding their All Night Prayers somewhere around the outskirt of the town, a group of yet to be identified gunmen numbering about five attacked the worshippers, fatally shot the pastor and abducted some of the church members.

 

“The Police in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes and the local hunters have commenced an aggressive bush combing operations and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in order to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.

 

“The Command CP calls for calm as necessary steps are currently being taken to salvage the situation and forestall reoccurrence, while imploring members of the public especially religious leaders to strictly adhere to the State Government’s earlier directive that all gatherings especially late night gatherings should not be held without the knowledge of the Police for the purpose of providing adequate security before, during and after the events.”

UBA MD Speaks On Dividend To Shareholders

By
James Orji
-
0

United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, has explained why the commercial bank did not declare dividends for its shareholders in its 2025 financial year, saying the bank faced some headwinds during the last financial year.
The bank also blamed the development on the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to banks in the country to exit the “forbearance regime” which “necessitated the reclassification of certain credit exposures.”
The bank’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba made the revelations while speaking in a television interview, saying the lender has a strong record of paying dividends to its shareholders, having recorded double digit profits in the past years.
According to Alawuba, the bank showed its commitmet to shareholders by paying a total dividend of N2.80 per share in 2023 and N3.25 per share in 2024, adding however that the past 2025 financial year presented a unique challenge in the sector.
Alawuba: “A directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria required banks to exit the regulatory forbearance loan window and fully align with prudential loan classification standards. Exiting the forbearance regime necessitated the reclassification of certain credit exposures and the recognition of significant provisions. In 2025, UBA prudently provided approximately N1.021 trillion, which temporarily elevated our non-performing loan ratio beyond the threshold required for dividend distribution.
The bank’s chief executive noted that the decision not to declare a final dividend for the last financial year has nothing with the commercial bank’s strength, rather, was done in adherence to regulatory standards, stressing that the lender remains strong with solid financial metrics to show.
“UBA recorded approximately 2 per cent loan growth in the first quarter of 2026, marking a recovery from the flat growth seen in 2025. The bank also continues to benefit from a strong funding base, with customer deposits of N27.2 trillion compared to a loan book of approximately N7 trillion, creating significant headroom for risk-calibrated lending expansion.
“With improving macroeconomic conditions and expectations of moderating interest rates, we see a supportive environment for credit growth. Our conservative balance sheet positioning ensures that we can scale lending responsibly while enhancing profitability,” he stated.

1...290291292...3,158Page 291 of 3,158