Connect with us

Business

Dangote emerges Most Valuable brand for 2020

Published

on

SIX YEARS ON: DANGOTE IS STILL THE “MOST ADMIRED BRAND” IN AFRICA
For the third consecutive year, the pan-African and fully integrated Conglomerate, Dangote Group has again emerged as the Most Valuable Brand in Nigeria for the year 2020, the outcome of the 2020 edition of the Annual Brand Evaluation, “TOP 50 BRANDS NIGERIA” has revealed.
Though, still themed Top 50 Brand, however 60 brands were evaluated as being top of the pack in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Diamond Jubilee as announced by the organizers earlier in the beginning of the year.
The emergence of Dangote brand as the most valuable for the third time in Nigeria is coming a year after the Company was named the most admired African
brand, of African continent origin, by consumers in the Continent ahead of the telecommunication giant, MTN in a survey of 100 Africa best brands which was announced in Johannesburg.
In a statement by Top 50 Brands, made available to journalists ahead of the formal public presentation of the brands yesterday, Taiwo Oluboyede, Chief Executive Officer said “In this special edition of the annual top brands evaluation, I am glad to inform you again that Nigerian brands have taken the shine by maintaining their leadership positions.  We are particularly delighted that locally made brands doesn’t just top the list, they also record the majority among the top 10, with seven of the 10 brands being Nigerian.”
Commenting on Dangote’s emergence as the most valuable brand for the third year running,  Prof. Ehiedu Iweriebor of the
Department of Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies,  Hunter College, City University of New York, said:  “Dangote Group as a brand leader for third year is a richly deserved honor.
It is an Nigerian industrial powerhouse that making Africans proudly of their endogenous company and  product.”
However, the multinationals have more entries overall, with 52 percent, an equivalent of 31 brands out of the 60.
This achievement by Nigerian brands are significant in many ways, having 70 percent of the top 10 being Nigerian. It shows that our locally made brands are constantly evolving and becoming more vibrant by the day. “They have not relented in making attractive value proposition that endear the consumers to them, to the point that many consumers are now contended with Made in Nigeria, over foreign brands across many categories. This is a clear departure from recent pasts.
“This also means that many great things are still happening in Nigeria, regardless of the negative press. Our locally made brands are standing shoulder to shoulder with the multinationals in their industries and they are emerging better in valuation and perception.“, he stated.
According to him; Big businesses and widely acceptable brands are being built here, challenging the status quo and taking leadership roles across various industries and areas of operations. “They are not just local champions, many of these Nigerian brands have also become multinationals, expanding aggressively across other African countries and beyond. You can see this in brands like Access Bank, Globacon, UBA, GTBank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Dangote Group etc.
“This is a huge plus to the  Nigerian business space and a strong point of encouragement to foreign investors that Nigeria still remain a top business frontier where you are almost certain of high return on your investment.”
A brief summary of the 2020 report as published on the their website, reveals that Dangote Group topped the list of the Most Valuable Brand 2020. This is followed by MTN which also doubles as the Most Valuable Multinational and Telecom Brand.
At the third place is Globacom, another proudly Nigerian brand. Glo made an impressive achievement this year by emerging top in the popularity survey.
The popularity test, which is done though a Top of the Mind (TOM) survey is the first and most important variable in the annual top brands evaluation.
Glo achieved an 89% mention from respondents during the TOM survey. This made Globacom, the Most Popular Brand in Nigeria 2020.
Coca-Cola Nigeria emerged in the fourth place and effectively topped the Beverages category, followed by GTBank on the 5th Place, topping the Banking and Financial Services brands.
The Banking and Financial Services had the highest number of brands in the top 10, with five brands. This is followed by the telecoms with three brands.
Seven brands among the top 10 had maintained top 10 positions for the past four years consecutively. Five brands among the top 10 maintained previous year’s positions.
In overall, 48 Percent, that is an equivalent of 29 brands are Nigerian while there are 31 multinational.
The banking & Financial Services had 14 brands, equivalent of 23.3 percent, followed by the Consumer Goods Category with 12 brands. This is led by Dufil Prima Foods.
Conglomerates and Oil & Gas categories have six brands each, with Dangote and Oando topping them respectively.
Telecoms and Beverages had four brands each. MTN and Coca-Cola emerged top in these two categories respectively.
Media and Automobile had three brands each, with Channels TV and Toyota Nigeria topping the categories
Construction Services, Electronics, Agriculture and Retail categories had 2 brands each with Julius Berger, Samsung Electronics, FlourMills of Nigeria Plc and Jumia, a first entrant topping these categories respectively.
Seven brands made the annual ranking for the first time, these are Sterling Bank Plc, Seplat Petroleum, Daraju Industries, TGI Group, Transsion holding, Jumia Nigeria and AIICO Insurance. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc emerged the higher gainer this year, while 10 brands among the 60 maintained their 2019 positions.
Detailed report with profiles of the top brands and the process, including the full report is available for download on their website
It would be recalled that Dangote Group, from Nigeria for the second year emerged as the most admired African brand, of African continent origin, by consumers in the African continent.
According to the South Africa based Brand Africa in a survey carried out in collaboration with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the seventh edition which was released at the weekend, of 15,000 brands mentioned, Dangote ranked first brand when consumers are prompted to recall the most admired African brand.
In the top 100 list, the United State sports and fitness mega brand, Nike, a non-African brand retains the overall number one brand in Africa spontaneously recalled by consumers. South African telecoms brand MTN is the number one African brand spontaneously recalled brand, while surging Ethiopian brand Anbessa Shoes, at number two, swopped positions with Nigerian conglomerate, Dangote, which is the number three most admired brand of African of origin.
However, when consumers are prompted to recall the most admired African brand, Dangote retains the number one position. Just last year Dangote brand was named the most valuable brand among the top 50 brands in Nigeria for 2018 by Brand Nigeria.
Further analysis of the ranking indicates that Overall, the 2018/19 Brand Africa 100 list, which is calculated from 15,000 brand mentions illustrates a very diversified range of brands in Africa and shows year on year consistency with 80 per cent of the top 100 brands having been in the top 100 Most Admired Brands in previous years.
Overall, African brands faltered to an all-time low 14 percent share of the top 100 most admired brands in Africa. However, MTN (South Africa), Dangote (Nigeria) and Safaricom (Kenya) are the most admired highest listed brands on sub-Sahara’s leading bourses, the JSE, Nigeria Stock Exchange and Nairobi Securities Exchange respectively.
Faced with a relentless focus on the African opportunity and investment by non-African brands, Africa’s share of the most admired brands has been rapidly declining over the past three years from a high of 25 percent in 2013/14 to lows of 16 percent in 2015/16, 16 percent in 2016/17 and 17 percent in 2017/18.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Business

GTCO vs. Very Dark Man: Why Nigerians Must Stop the Judgment of Emotions

Published

on

*GTCO vs. Very Dark Man: Why Nigerians Must Stop the Judgment of Emotions*

By Osho Oluwatosin

The internet has literally been on ‘fire’ since Friday following the arrest of self-acclaimed Nigerian activist, Martins Vincent, also known as Very Dark Man. He was reportedly picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for reasons yet unknown.

While it’s not the first time VeryDarkMan or any prominent Nigerian would be arrested by the EFCC — a government agency not under the authority of any private organization — it seems some Nigerians are passionately trying to push a narrative that his arrest was orchestrated by one of Nigeria’s biggest financial institutions, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).

Although this narrative isn’t far-fetched — VDM had criticized the bank due to ‘mysterious’ deductions from his mother’s bank account for unjustifiable reasons. He approached the bank’s branch in Abuja to make an official complaint and, afterwards, he was picked up by the EFCC. But what many Nigerians have failed to realize is GTCO may not even be involved in his arrest.

VeryDarkMan was seen in the bank, quite alright, but in a CCTV released by the bank, he was seen moving out of the bank when he finished. He even had a celebrity moment with some of his followers who took pictures with him before he was arrested. So I’m wondering, what has GTB got to do with his arrest? That someone got knocked down by a vehicle after leaving church, does it mean the church orchestrated the accident? That someone got attacked after leaving a lecture room, does it mean the lecturer orchestrated it? That someone even got attacked in a courtroom, does it mean the judge orchestrated it? Absolutely not.

Although it would have been better if the EFCC had come out to clear the air regarding the reason for VDM’s arrest, because in the absence of information, rumours are bound to thrive. In fact, the commission should have actually released a statement regarding these rumours, not to vindicate GTB, but to keep Nigerians informed.

Let’s even think about it logically: what can warrant GTCO to order VDM’s arrest by the EFCC? Did he defraud GTCO? Did he steal from a GTB customer? Did he launder money through a GTB account? These are questions that should be asked before passing judgments. But Nigerians are always emotional when it comes to issues like this, and that’s why people who are culpable in serious crimes get away with anything as long as they get involved in charity or activism.

GTCO has been a very friendly organization, and in 2024 alone, the bank paid a record dividend of N8 per share. The bank is happy, shareholders are happy, customers are happy — who is Very Dark Man?

Osho Oluwatosin is a Nigerian journalist and writes from Lagos.

Continue Reading

Business

Can We Have More Bankers Like Victoria Mulero? An epitome of ‘omoluabi’

Published

on

Can We Have More Bankers Like Victoria Mulero? An epitome of ‘omoluabi’

In February of this year, I needed to open a new bank account for salary purposes, as required by the management of the new company I had just joined.

I considered First Bank, Access Bank, and Sterling Bank. After some thought, I chose Sterling Bank—not because I found them superior—but because I believed they had fewer customers, which I hoped would save me from long queues and unnecessary delays.

I visited the Sterling Bank branch at Akowonjo to open the account. Unfortunately, the staff member who attended to me didn’t inspire confidence. She appeared distracted—smiling at her phone, clearly engrossed in a private chat—far from the level of professionalism one would expect in a bank setting. I had a feeling this would lead to problems down the line.

 

When my first salary was paid into the account, my suspicion was confirmed. Sterling Bank restricted access to my funds—I couldn’t transfer money or make withdrawals at the counter. I visited their Fatai Atere branch at Ladipo, Mushin to complain, where I was informed that the account opened for me was a “Kaikai” account—a type I had never heard of. Apparently, this account type is meant for individuals who lack the required documents during account creation. But I had submitted all necessary documents, so why was such an account opened for me?

Can We Have More Bankers Like Victoria Mulero? An epitome of 'omoluabi'

At the Fatai Atere branch, I was attended to by a remarkable banker named Victoria Mulero. She requested my NIN, which I didn’t have on me at the time. Rather than send me back home, she asked if I had a digital copy. I did, and she graciously gave me her email address so I could forward it to her. With that, she resolved the issue promptly and professionally.

However, the following month, in March, the same restriction happened again. I returned to the Fatai Atere branch, and once again, Victoria Mulero handled my complaint with efficiency and kindness, resolving it without delay.

I hoped the matter was finally settled, but when my April salary arrived, the restriction was imposed yet again. This time, I was beyond frustrated and ready to replace Sterling Bank as my salary account. Still, I visited the Fatai Atere branch one last time. Once more, Victoria Mulero resolved the issue with grace and determination.

This write-up is a tribute to Victoria Mulero of Sterling Bank, Fatai Atere branch. She is a rare gem—respectful, diligent, and genuinely customer-focused. She went above and beyond, following up with the Akowonjo branch through calls and emails until the matter was fully resolved. She handled every situation with patience and empathy, treating the job as if the bank belonged to her family.

To be honest, I’ve had unpleasant experiences with many bankers, especially female staff. Too often, they carry personal frustrations into the banking hall and take it out on customers. But Victoria is different. She exemplifies what true customer service should be.

We may not all be the same, but treating people with respect and kindness is a skill that can be learned—and Victoria clearly has. Let’s celebrate her for being a model professional and a beacon of hope in an industry that too often lacks empathy.

Without any fear of contradiction, I say boldly that Victoria Mulero is a good ambassador of Sterling Bank and her parents too deserve encomium for raising a well trained daughter and impacting an attitude of ‘ omoluabi’ in her. We need more of Victoria Mulero in our banking industry.

Seun Jacob Ogunbiyi
Known as Olùkọ́, the therapeutic writer and Lagos based journalist

Continue Reading

Business

Air Peace Airlines’ failure to adhere to scheduled departure times results in prolonged delays …causing undue hardship for Nigerians on board

Published

on

Air Peace Airlines' failure to adhere to scheduled departure times results in prolonged delays ...causing undue hardship for Nigerians on board ~Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Air Peace Airlines’ failure to adhere to scheduled departure times results in prolonged delays
…causing undue hardship for Nigerians on board

~Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Traveling is undoubtedly the most effective form of education, enabling individuals to observe human quirks from diverse perspectives

On Saturday, 3rd May 2025, an Air Peace Airlines flight from Akure Airport was delayed, causing undue inconvenience to a Nigerian traveller and a prominent Nigerian man of God, an unfortunate incident that befell the nation’s citizens

Does Nigerian law consider it a criminal offense for travelers to book flights with Air Peace, a leading Nigerian airline, instead of other airlines that fail to depart on schedule, such as remaining at 10am instead of departing at 10am? Certainly, some Nigerian citizens may opt to travel with airlines like Arik, Aero, Dana, rather than Air Peace.

Air Peace Airlines' failure to adhere to scheduled departure times results in prolonged delays
...causing undue hardship for Nigerians on board
~Oluwaseun Fabiyi

It is evident that many Nigerians actually believe Air Peace airline came to rescue Nigerians from the subpar fly-and-die experience of other airlines, such as Dana, which is why many have fallen in love with Air Peace Airlines’ domestic operations

 

Air Peace Airlines’ decision to reschedule a 12:00 flight from Akure in Ondo State to 3:00 on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, has been met with disappointment from some affected Nigerian passengers, who deem this change unreasonable and unjustified.

Nigeria is hindered by self-imposed challenges that impede our collective advancement. I remain optimistic that future leadership will emerge, focusing on nuanced details that cumulatively enhance the lives of citizens, including access to housing, affordable food, petrol, quality healthcare, and a decent standard of living. The fact that we produce rice, only to have its price inflated by some, thereby rendering it unaffordable, is a pressing concern

It is baffling to me why some people or airlines deliberately provide poor services, causing undue hardship for their passengers, without taking the courtesy to apologize

How can passengers ensure they arrive at Akure Airport by 10 a.m. to catch a 12 p.m. flight from Akure to Lagos and complete check-in as usual

Only for them to fall victim to an extremely harrowing experience. The first indication was the outrage of a passenger at the Nigeria Air Peace counters. He yelled at the ticketing officials that his time had been wasted by three hours and demanded to be refunded his money, as his business was equally affected.

The scene was remarkably congested, and indeed there was an exceedingly large number of passengers traveling to Lagos on this particular Air Peace flight.Which none of them can comprehend what could cause a delay from 12 O’clock to 3:15 pm, without considering individuals with an assignment or occasion in Lagos, is so crazy and devastating.

*How Passengers suffer through endless delays waiting for Air Peace aircraft.*

Accordingly, they embarked on an extended wait after Air Peace notified them that the flight had been postponed by an hour. Ultimately, the delay proved to be three hours, with the flight arriving at 3:30 pm, followed by the commencement of boarding procedures

On a final note the Nigerian aviation industry, including airlines, can certainly improve their treatment of fellow Nigerians

Onboard passengers display concern and raise eyebrows.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending