Business
My Songs will ride the wave of Nigerian Music going global- Akin James
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Akin James is confident that his music will ride the current wave of Nigerian and African songs taking over the airwaves globally. The performer whose genre of music can be described as soft rock mixed with African influenced sounds, also promises to keep delivering songs with meaningful lyrical content.
Akin who has a B.Sc. in Personnel Managementstarted singing in church as early as age 6. Many years later, he was part of the ‘Peak: It’s In You’ singing competition and came in third place. He recently got signed up with fast rising record label Outofline Entertainment which has affiliations in the US & UK to help him with his global aspirations.
He boasts of hit single tracks such as Iwo Nikan, Let Me Know and Abeg.
Akin reveals more in this interview;
Who is Akin James?
Akin James is from Osun State but has lived in Lagos all his life. I studied Personnel Management in LASU but now, music is my bread and butter.
I am a singer, songwriter and guitarist. My genre of music can be classified as contemporary rock, soul and afro-pop music. Even though I am relatively new in the music scene, I’ve been nurturing my type of music for years now and I feel I am evolving a type of music that is unique. I really hope that the people love my type of music. My team and I are trying really hardto give our best to all our fans in Nigeria, Africa and the world.
Wow! Lots of graduate professionals are opting for music these days. But for Akin James, when and how did music come into the picture?
Well, I’ve been singing since I was a kid. As a matter of fact, I feel privileged to have graduated from school because at a point, I was contemplating on leaving school for music.
As I said earlier, music has always been my first love. I was in the church choir as young as age six and that was when I started singing. And I soon discovered that I have an ability to write songs so, along the way, I also learnt to play many musical instruments. I play the guitar and the keyboard very well. Music has always been there through my life.
Age six? How easy was that? I mean playing many musical instruments, learning to sing and write songs too.
Well, for me it all came naturally. It was as if I was made for music and music for me. It was all self-taught for me. For instance, when I fell in love with the guitar, I just got one and started playing-not that it was so easy though but, constant practice brought perfection.
So, for how long have you been playing the guitar?
I have been playing for a very long time but, I started playing professionally about 9 years ago
Oh great. Let’s talk more about your music and what you are bringing to the industry. What makes Akin James’ music unique?
My lyrics and my voice. I particularly pay attention to the tone I produce with my voice and thankfully, I have this very smooth voice texture that is uncommon. I also have the skills to deliver on the lower registers; it is not the regular texture that you hear from most singers.
Also, I have this soul feel to my songs and that is equally unique.
So, where do you draw inspiration to do such unique songs?
I pick up inspiration from everything around me- life itself, people, my environment and basically, situations around me. I also love children and draw a lot of knowledge from them as well. And also from God.
Your songs; Iwonikan and Abeg. Are they out officially?
No, it’s not. I’m, currently working on my EP-the Akin James Project but for the sake of my fans, I asked my team to make them available on soundcloud and on the Outofline website.Iwonikan and Abeg are also gaining massive airplay on radio stations everywhere. The songs will be officially released with my EP. The team is working hard to make sure this happens soon.
Editor’s note:
Soundcloud streaming link: https://soundcloud.com/user-433071234/tracks
Website:www.outofline.com.ng.
Talking about your team, does this mean you are signed to a record label?
Yes I am, the famous Outofline records…
Oh! I was actually thinking of stealing you (both laugh) well, any messages to fans out there? What more do you want them to know about Akin James and his music?
Well, they can expect that I would keep churning out more beautiful sounds and to always deliver my best at all times.
And still talking about more songs, how soon should we expect an album from you?
Soon. I’m focused on releasing my EP for now
So how do fans get to follow you on social media?
Fans can follow me on @akinoutofline on IG and twitter. Please also follow @outoflineentertainment on Instagram and on twitter @outofline_entfor news and information and gossip about me
Finally, your positive notes?
Stay strong, Keep fit and always look out for good music which is the life of the soul, especially songs from Akin James
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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