By Philippine

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

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O’tega Ogra has been elected President of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria for the 2026–2028 term, with a commitment to deepen collaboration with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to enhance the advertising sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Ogra’s emergence as president marks a new chapter for the association as it seeks to strengthen the role of advertisers in shaping industry standards, promoting responsible marketing practices, and driving innovation in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving advertising and marketing communications landscape.

Speaking after his election, Ogra pledged to foster stronger engagement with government agencies, regulatory authorities, media organizations, and private sector stakeholders to create a more enabling environment for the advertising industry.

He said his administration would prioritize policy advocacy, industry collaboration, capacity building, and innovation while ensuring that the interests of advertisers are effectively represented in discussions on regulations affecting the sector.

According to him, closer collaboration between ADVAN and key regulatory institutions will help address industry challenges, improve compliance, and support policies that encourage sustainable growth across the advertising value chain.

Ogra also emphasized the need to strengthen partnerships with media owners, advertising agencies, digital platforms, research firms, and other stakeholders to improve transparency, enhance consumer trust, and promote ethical advertising practices.

Industry observers said the advertising sector plays a critical role in supporting business growth by helping companies build brands, expand market reach, stimulate consumer demand, and promote competition across various sectors of the economy.

They noted that as digital transformation continues to reshape consumer behavior, the industry must embrace innovation, data-driven marketing, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to remain competitive and deliver greater value to businesses.

Stakeholders further stressed that stronger engagement with regulators would be essential in developing policies that balance consumer protection with the need to encourage creativity, investment, and growth within the advertising ecosystem.

Under Ogra’s leadership, ADVAN is also expected to intensify advocacy for improved industry standards, greater professionalism, and stronger collaboration among advertisers, agencies, media organizations, and technology providers.

Analysts believe a more coordinated relationship between industry players and regulators could enhance investor confidence, attract greater advertising expenditure, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.

The advertising industry has increasingly become an important driver of economic activity, supporting sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, financial services, retail, entertainment, healthcare, and technology through strategic brand communication and consumer engagement.

Observers said ADVAN’s renewed focus on stakeholder engagement comes at a time when businesses are adapting to changing consumer preferences, expanding digital advertising investments, and navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

They expressed optimism that the association’s new leadership would strengthen the voice of advertisers, encourage innovation, and promote policies capable of unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s advertising industry.

With O’tega Ogra at the helm for the 2026–2028 term, stakeholders expect ADVAN to play a more active role in advancing industry reforms, fostering collaboration, and positioning advertising as a key contributor to Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable development.

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced the implementation of a $1 billion port modernization programme aimed at upgrading critical infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime and trade hub in West Africa.

The ambitious initiative is expected to transform the country’s port system through the rehabilitation and expansion of existing facilities, deployment of modern cargo-handling equipment, and adoption of advanced technologies to facilitate faster and more efficient port operations.

The programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to improve the ease of doing business, reduce congestion at the nation’s seaports, and enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector in regional and global trade.

According to the NPA, the modernization project will focus on rehabilitating aging port infrastructure, deepening operational capacity, improving quay walls, upgrading terminal facilities, and enhancing channel management to accommodate larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes.

Industry stakeholders believe the investment will significantly improve cargo turnaround time, reduce vessel waiting periods, lower logistics costs, and increase the overall efficiency of Nigeria’s port operations.

They noted that modern and efficient ports are essential for supporting international trade, attracting investment, and facilitating economic growth, particularly as Nigeria seeks to expand non-oil exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Maritime experts also said the modernization programme is expected to enhance the country’s competitiveness by improving the quality of port services and reducing delays that have historically increased the cost of doing business.

The project will also support the deployment of digital technologies to streamline cargo clearance processes, improve customs coordination, strengthen port security, and enhance transparency across the maritime value chain.

Analysts said the investment is likely to stimulate economic activities by creating employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases while encouraging greater private sector participation in port development.

They added that improved port infrastructure would enhance supply chain efficiency, facilitate higher trade volumes, and reinforce Nigeria’s ambition to become the preferred maritime gateway for West and Central Africa.

Stakeholders further emphasized that sustained investment in port infrastructure remains critical to supporting industrialization, boosting exports, and improving Nigeria’s ranking in global logistics and trade performance indices.

The commencement of the $1 billion modernization programme underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to developing world-class maritime infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic growth, regional integration, and increased international trade.

Industry observers expressed optimism that successful implementation of the project would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, improve service delivery at the nation’s seaports, and position the country to capture a larger share of regional cargo traffic in the years ahead.

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

0834905774

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) market has achieved a historic milestone, recording transactions valued at $4.4 billion, a development that signals stronger market activity and growing participation by investors and authorized dealers.

The record turnover is being viewed by market participants as evidence of improving liquidity in the country’s foreign exchange market, following a series of reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, price discovery, and operational efficiency.

Analysts said the unprecedented transaction volume reflects increased activity from commercial banks, exporters, importers, foreign portfolio investors, and other market participants seeking to take advantage of improved access to foreign exchange.

The milestone comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to implement measures designed to deepen the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), encourage market-driven pricing, and restore investor confidence.

According to financial experts, higher trading volumes generally indicate a more active and liquid market, allowing businesses and investors to buy and sell foreign currencies more efficiently while reducing transaction bottlenecks.

However, despite the positive development, analysts cautioned that they are closely monitoring unusual trading patterns and evolving liquidity trends to determine whether the record turnover reflects sustained improvements in market fundamentals or short-term trading activity.

Some market observers noted that while increased turnover is a positive indicator, the quality and sustainability of liquidity remain critical to ensuring long-term exchange rate stability and efficient market functioning.

They stressed that consistent foreign exchange inflows from oil exports, non-oil exports, diaspora remittances, and foreign investments would be essential to maintaining the momentum and supporting the naira over the long term.

Economists also pointed out that a deeper and more liquid foreign exchange market could enhance investor confidence, improve access to foreign currency for manufacturers and businesses, and support international trade by reducing delays in foreign exchange transactions.

They added that continued policy consistency and effective regulatory oversight would be necessary to sustain market confidence and prevent excessive volatility.

The record $4.4 billion turnover underscores the increasing depth of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and highlights the impact of ongoing reforms aimed at creating a more transparent, competitive, and resilient financial system.

While stakeholders have welcomed the milestone, market participants say attention will remain focused on liquidity conditions, trading behaviour, and the ability of the market to sustain high transaction volumes without triggering excessive exchange rate volatility.

Analysts believe that if current reforms are maintained and foreign exchange inflows continue to improve, Nigeria’s FX market could become more attractive to both domestic and international investors, further strengthening the country’s financial markets and supporting broader economic growth.