Business
Buratai Tasks Estate Valuers on Ethics, Tech Responsibility to Boost National Security
Estate surveyors tasked on national security, economic stability
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has urged estate surveyors and valuers to strengthen professional ethics, embrace technology responsibly, and uphold transparency as tools for advancing national security and economic stability.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Valuers Assembly in Lagos, themed “50 Years of Regulatory Excellence: Golden Legacies and Brighter Tomorrow,” and organised by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), Buratai described the real estate sector as a “strategic pillar” of economic growth and peace building.
He warned that the proliferation of quackery, inadequate data, and unchecked technological disruption were eroding public confidence in the profession.
“The profession faces an insurgency of quackery. Unqualified individuals continue to defraud the public, undermining credibility. While technology offers efficiency, it must not replace the professional judgment and ethical responsibility that define true valuation practice,” Buratai said.
Commending ESVARBON for five decades of regulatory excellence, he called for stronger collaboration between valuers and security agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Ministry of Interior to curb money laundering, promote transparency in land transactions, and prevent conflicts arising from land disputes.
He also urged the establishment of a central, secure property transaction database, describing estate valuers as “custodians of national wealth and guardians of economic security. “You are not merely appraisers of buildings and land, your work safeguards national stability. Every ethical valuation strengthens the foundation of peace and prosperity,” he noted.
Acting Chairman of ESVARBON, Prof. Terzungwe Dugeri, said the assembly held special significance as it marked the board’s golden jubilee. He noted that from a modest beginning of just over 100 registered valuers in 1975, the board now has 7,534 members and continues to build capacity to sustain professional excellence.
Dugeri emphasised that ethics, sustainability, and governance (ESG) must take centre stage in valuation practice. “The issues of Environment, Sustainability and Governance must now define estate valuation. Valuers must align with other professionals to promote responsible land use and sustainable development,” he said.
He described the assembly as both a reunion and a forum for reflection, allowing members to review past milestones and strategise for the future.
Earlier, Chairman of the Professional Practice Committee (PPC), Dr Aminu Waziri, said the gathering was designed to promote knowledge sharing, professional growth, and ethical compliance. He added that discussions were focusing on the impact of technology, emerging valuation trends, and the integration of ESG principles.
Waziri disclosed that a Nigerian valuer recently developed a property estimation app that enables real-time valuation processes, a development he described as a ‘new dawn’ for the profession.
The Registrar, ESVARBON, Janet Shehu, said the yearly programme deliberates on matters such as ethics, standards, and other professional matters in the built industry. “The board expects the highest level of compliance with ethical standards in every aspect of the profession,” she added.
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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