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Implementing SDG 8 in Nigeria: What Role Should the Sustainability Profession Play?
Implementing SDG 8 in Nigeria: What Role Should the Sustainability Profession Play?
The Association of Sustainability Professionals of Nigeria (ASPN) is set to host a virtual seminar on “Implementing SDG 8 in Nigeria: What Role Should the Sustainability Profession Play?” to understand the role of sustainability in advancing the development of effective policies around SDG 8.
The virtual seminar will hold on Monday, November 29, 2021, from 10:00 am -12:00 noon. Participation at the seminar is free and will be drawn from the public, private and development sectors. To participate in the webinar, registration via the link https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsfu6qpjgrG9NhxW5i8eIqCmhOrFeaSgzM is required.
Unemployment and under-employment are major challenges faced by many developing countries such as Nigeria. As at the last quarter of 2020, the data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics put unemployment and youth unemployment rates at 33.3% and 53.4% respectively. Some direct outcomes of these two conditions are poor economic growth and poverty. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 is the global ambition set to address inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. The goal identifies that not only should jobs be created but they should be decent and capable of lifting people out of poverty.
Over the years, organisations have played a critical role in addressing issues related to SDG 8 such as employment, economic inclusion, non-discrimination, capacity building, availability of a skilled workforce, elimination of forced or compulsory labour. Organisations have created job opportunities, offered apprenticeship opportunities, mentored young entrepreneurs, initiated skills development programmes, put in place mechanisms to identify child and forced labour throughout its supply chains, and developedpolicy against unfair hiring and recruitment practices, amongst many interventions. There is no doubt that sustainability professionals have been at the centre of developing and implementing these interventions for organisations,
Therefore, sustainability professionals have been and will continue to be crucial in the achievement of the SDGs, and it is on this backdrop that the Association of Sustainability Professionals (ASPN) has decided to organise a seminar on Implementing SDG 8 in Nigeria: What Role Should the Sustainability Profession Play?
This high-level stakeholder engagement programme aims to unravel the issues and challenges faced by the sustainability profession and its professionals in the implementation of the SDGs within the context of SDG 8 in Nigeria. This is in direct alignment with the objective of ASPN to support and enhance the development of the sustainability profession and advance sustainable development in Nigeria. The workshop will also provide a compelling examination of the state of the profession in Nigeria. This will include, how the profession has contributed to the sustainability evolution both in the fiscal policy, regulatory and private sector spaces; the capabilities and competencies required by sustainability professionals for the growth of the profession; and the solutions that will transform the profession to have a broader sustainable socio-economic development role in the holistic implementation of the SDGs and within the context of SDG 8.
Speakers at the seminar will comprise of leading voices in the sustainability space such as Ismail Omamegbe,Director, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations Directorate, ASPN; Professor Chris Ogbechie, Dean, Lagos Business School; Professor Kenneth Amaeshi, Chair, Business and Sustainable Development, University of Edinburgh; Rukaiya el-Rufai, Partner, Sustainability and Climate Change, PwC West Africa; AmarakoonBandara, PhD, Senior Economic Adviser, UNDP; Soromidayo George, Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business, Unilever, West Africa; Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Co-Chair, Private Sector Advisory Group on SDGs, Nigeria; Eunice Sampson, Director, Learning and Development Directorate, ASPN.
Participants at the seminar stand to benefit from the opportunity to identify ways of strengthening and developing the sustainability profession in Nigeria; contribute to an innovative transition that will have a significant impact in Nigeria by helping devise strategies for sustainable socio-economic development, inclusive growth and decent work; be part of and network with a community of practice to shape, drive and support the sustainability agenda across different sectors
Additionally, the seminar participants will also be able tounderstand the challenges associated with Nigeria’s SDGs implementation journey, the fundamental linkage between SDG8 and other SDGs that are required to be taken into consideration in developing effective policies around SDG8, and understand the trend (evolution and current state) of the sustainability profession in Nigeria and the contribution of the profession to the sustainability agenda amongst others.
About ASPN:
The Association of Sustainability Professionals of Nigeria (ASPN) is a body of sustainability practitioners set up to develop the capacity of members and support Nigerian businesses towards actualising sustainable business growth, while driving Nigeria’s sustainable development.
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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