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Lagos, April 26, 2026 – Providus Bank Plc has inaugurated a new branch in Ado-Ekiti, marking another step in its steady expansion across key growth markets in Nigeria. Having met the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recapitalisation requirement since January 2025, Providus Bank is now focused on expanding its footprint to support local enterprise, deepen financial inclusion, and bring banking services closer to individuals and businesses. Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer, Deoye Ojuroye, noted that the expansion is part of a broader plan to strengthen the …

Lagos, April 26, 2026 -Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, has rolled out series of high impact masterclasses designed to equip business owners with practical skills, improve operational efficiency and expand market access throughout the month of April 2026. The first in the series, titled “Pricing That Works: How to Charge Right and Earn More,” was held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. The session focused on helping entrepreneurs set profitable, sustainable prices without losing customers, an essential factor for long-term business …

Islamabad/Washington, April 26, 2026 – Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran receded as a new week began, with talks aimed at ‌ending the two-month conflict at a standstill and both Tehran and Washington showing little willingness to soften ‌their terms. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left mediator Pakistan empty-handed at the weekend, and U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit to ​Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, dealing back-to-back blows to peace prospects. The deadlock leaves the world’s biggest economy and …

New York, April 26, 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump bought at least $51 million ‌in bonds in March, according to financial ‌disclosures released on Saturday, with the purchases spanning several sectors. Trump ​carried out 175 financial transactions last month, according to forms released by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. The forms don’t include exact values for each ‌sale or purchase, ⁠only a range of values for each. Most of the assets disclosed were ⁠municipal bonds issued by states, counties, school districts and other entities with ties to government …

Washington, April 26, 2026 – A man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner attended by President Donald Trump on Saturday night, charging toward the ballroom in a chaotic encounter with Secret Service agents as guests dived under tables at the sound of shots being fired. The president was uninjured and was rushed off the stage. The armed man, who officials said was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held, was taken into custody and was expected in …

Abuja, April 24, 2026 – President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the Senate to borrow $516 million for the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway. The president made the request in a letter to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, which was read during plenary on Thursday. The loan, being sourced from Deutsche Bank, is to support the construction of Sections 1, 1A and 1B of the 1,000-kilometre highway.  The letter reads in part: “Specifically, approval is sought for the syndicated financing facility from Deutsche Bank in the total sum …

Abuja, April 24, 2026 – President Bola Tinubu has pledged Nigeria’s solidarity with Gulf states affected by escalating tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, signalling Abuja’s intent to maintain a neutral but engaged diplomatic stance amid growing global uncertainty. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while receiving Letters of Credence from newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners, Tinubu said Nigeria stood with countries in the Gulf region that had been attacked during the crisis. He named Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab …

Lagos, April 24, 2026 – Sterling Bank, in collaboration with Sterling One Foundation, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Sunbeth, community volunteers, and partner organizations, are set to launch The Great Nigeria Cleanup, a nationwide environmental movement taking place on April 25, 2026. Spanning all six geopolitical zones, and aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action, this initiative will mobilize citizens across Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Osun, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Sokoto, Kano, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, and Katsina, reinforcing the urgency of sustained, community-led efforts to combat plastic …

Beijing/Perth, April 24, 2026 – Oil prices ​rose on Friday due to fears of a renewed military escalation in the Middle East after Iran released footage of commandos ‌boarding a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz and on reports Tehran’s air defences had engaged “hostile targets.” Brent crude futures rose 99 cents, or 0.94%, to $106.06 a barrel at 0410 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate futures were up 71 cents, or 0.73%, at $96.56. Brent rose 17.13% throughout the course of the ​week while WTI rose 15.13%, the second-largest weekly gain …

Singapore, April 23, 2026 – S&P Global Energy has reduced its global oil ​demand forecast for 2026 by ‌700,000 barrels per day as the U.S.-Iran war disrupts energy supplies from ​the Middle East and ​hits demand in the second quarter, ⁠consultant Ethan Ng said on ​Thursday. Global oil demand growth expected ​to shrink to 400,000 bpd versus pre-war forecast of 1.1 million bpd. Oil demand ​to fall sharply in the ​Middle East and Asia in Q2. About 178 ‌refineries ⁠accounting for around 40% of the world’s refining capacity are affected …