Business
Stanbic IBTC unveils big plans for the annual Social Media Week Lagos
In consolidating its ongoing focus on the youth and in delivering on its strategic objectives as a digitized customer-centric universal financial services organisation, Stanbic IBTC, has unveiled plans to raise the bar at this year’s edition of the Social Media Week Lagos. In a statement, the financial institution confirmed it will be joining other thought leaders, innovators, business practitioners, entrepreneurs, and pop culture enthusiasts from Nigeria and around the world to participate at the Social Media Week Lagos 2019 with a reloaded package.
Stanbic IBTC said it will be rising above and beyond its core financial services specialization as this is in line with its value commitment to meaningfully contributing to the development of the nation and uplifting the socio-economic living conditions of its citizenry through strategic focus and investment in initiatives that fall under three key pillars of Social, Economic and Environment (SEE). Stating that rather than leveraging on the annual Social Media Week Lagos platform to sell, it will be highlighting tools and basics of formal career development, entrepreneurship drive and business management aimed at wealth creation and securing a promising future the Nigerian youths.
The annual weeklong conference and exhibition will hold this year from February 4 to February 8 with the theme “With Great Influence Comes Great Responsibility”. The event, renowned for eliciting interesting conversations and bringing together diverse perspectives, has gained popularity as a platform to discuss the most productive ways to harness social platforms to drive thought and innovation, improve consumer experiences and foster collaborations.
According to the organizers, SMW Lagos will focus on ideas, trends, insights, inspiration to help both individuals and businesses across the creative, technology and financial industries understand how to achieve more in a hyper-connected worldand engender good business practices and policies that leverage technology to transform industries and communities across Africa. The event also features a mixture of keynotes, panels, workshops, masterclasses and presentations on a wide range of topics, including business, entertainment, education, technology and politics, all aimed at advancing the use of social media, and an area dedicated to co-working and interactive installations.
Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said the organization’s participation and sponsorship of this year’s Lagos Social Media Week is a clear expression of its determination and commitment towards availing young, vibrant Nigerian youths, irrespective of background and current position in life, requisite mentorship and guidance to help them achieve their goals and aspirations. He added that this essential career management, wealth creation and preservation tools, principles and basics, undoubtedly transcends financial knowledge and status.
Sanni disclosed that Stanbic IBTC will be showcasing a number of renowned resource persons including career counselling and employability training specialist, Dr. Dipo Awojide – a Lecturer in Strategy at the Nottingham Business School, United Kingdom and founder of the BeenThereDoneThat Hub (BTDT Hub) whom has built a global reputation for career coaching and counselling. Also featuring are genuine success case studies to reinforce and underpin the importance of key career growth attributes like dedication, consistency, proactivity, resilience, adaptability, positivity, hard work, etc. and wealth generation experts amongst other keynote speakers.
“I hereby seize this opportunity to invite members of the general public especially the young, vibrant and enterprising and the larger social community to join us at Social Media Week Lagos 2019, as we promise all our guests a very enriching interaction and engagement,” Sanni said.
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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