Business

DR (MRS) SANDRA NWUGO ADDRESSES AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

Published

10 years ago

July 27, 2016

The African Union Commission has invited Dr (Mrs) Sandra Nwugo, Managing Director/CEO, Femaz Micro Finance Bank to address the African Fashion Business Summit scheduled for 13^th – 15^th September, 2016 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. She will join other business leaders from around the world to address practitioners in the fashion, garment and textile industry from over 30 African countries.

The African Fashion Business Summit is one of the activities lined up during the Africa Fashion Reception scheduled to hold 13^th – 15^th September, 2016 in Addis Ababa after which all participating countries will be presented to the international audience in Paris end of October. The theme for the Summit is ‘Creating Wealth for African Economies through its Fashion, Garment and Textile Industry’.

The Africa Fashion Reception is a Pan African Initiative organized by Legendary Gold in partnership with the African Union. This year’s event will gather fashion designers, dignitaries, Ambassadors and media from over 30 African countries, in a celebration of cultural diversity expressed through the artistic fashion discipline with the proud theme ‘Africa is the New Inspiration of Global Fashion’

The Africa Fashion Reception is aimed at achieving the following objectives using the creative industry of Fashion as a vehicle:

To build bridges by creating free trade and partnerships among fashion practitioners throughout the African continent
To attract global attention to Africa’s very rich and diversified dress culture which can be explored as a catalyst for the social economic growth of the continent’s garment/textile industry.
To expand the potential power of fashion as a tool of fighting poverty in Africa by creating wealth through the empowerment of women and youths in the various fashion vocations through training, capacity building schemes, workshops and setting up of medium/small scale businesses thereby supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and theAfrican Union Agenda 2063
To bring about self-reliance as this initiative will create millions of jobs across the continent for Tailors, Creative Directors, Textile designers, Models, Cutters, Pressers, Fashion Photographers & Writers, Hair Stylists, Make-up Artists etc

The 1^st edition of the Africa Fashion Reception presented participants from 16 African countries. The 2nd edition saw participants from 24 countries. This year, participants are expected from over 30 countries.

The invitation of Dr (Mrs) Nwugo to address the African Fashion Business Summit by the African Union is due to her enviable trail blazing achievements with her bank, Femaz Micro Finance Bank where she has been able to create lots of jobs through the empowerment of women and youths. Her topic of address during the summit is ‘The role of Microfinance bank in creating wealth for SMEs in the fashion industry’

Dr Mrs Sandra Ikoku Chidimma Nwugo is an Entrepreneur, Banker, Motivational speaker, Film Producer etc. She began her banking career as an accountant with ECN Professional Services in Lagos State. She later joined Joinder Gas and Petroleum Company, also in Lagos, where she worked as a Cash manager. She joined Fortis Microfinance bank in 2010 as a Relationship Manager and Cash Collector in charge of cash movement and customer management. She displayed her entrepreneurial skills in 2013 when she founded the financial institution known as Femaz Cooperative Society Ltd. Two years later, the institution evolved to Femaz Microfinance Bank Ltd.

Besides being the CEO/MD of Femaz Micro Finance bank, Dr (Mrs) Sandra Nwugo is also the Founder of Busy Minds Entertainment Limited and Esther City of Zion Orphanage in Abuja, Nigeria.

She has a PHD in Philosophy from Global Oved Dei Seminary & University {GODSU} in Washington DC, MBA in Marketing, Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance and a Bachelor degree in Mass Communication from Enugu State University.

She has received the following awards – the Capital Territory and Advancement Award for Creativity and Enterprises (2015), Excellence for Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Award, Young CEO Business Award, Capital City Role Model and Awards (2015). She is also a member of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)

Her prowess as an outstanding entrepreneur and philanthropic gestures spread across the Nation. More elaborately, Dr Mrs Nwugo has been engaged in so many humanitarian projects such as the Establishment of Esther Zion Orphanage, Abuja Nigeria, Human Capital Development through her Femaz Microfinance Bank, Media Campaign for support to vulnerable children as seen in her movie “REVELATION” produced in 2014 etc

To applaud all her efforts, she has been nominated for lots of other awards due to her Humanitarian Acts and Excellence in business. Dr Mrs Sandra Nwugo has won a number of Awards including African Achievers Award as fastest Growing entrepreneur on the 25^th of July 2015.

She is Happily married to Dr Engr. Henry Emeka Nwugo and are blessed with 3 Kids.

Business

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

3 days ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

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.

Business

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Published

4 days ago

February 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

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