Business
THE FACE OF TOURISM IN LAGOS WILL CHANGE THIS YEAR – Steve Ayorinde
Until a few weeks back, Steve Ayorinde was the Commissioner for Information & Strategy in Lagos State, a portfolio he handled so well, since October 19, 2015, two and a half years ago. It was on 11th January 2018 that the news of his redeployment came. He was moved to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry which happens to be a major plank of the administration in Lagos. This is because Gov. Ambode attaches a lot of importance to Tourism and the Creative Arts. Unknown to many Steve Ayorinde is quite at home with the two Ministries.
Steve Oluseyi Ayorinde has always been a media man all his career and he rose to the very top of the ladder before he went into public service in 2014 when he joined Gov. Ambode’s campaign team as the Director of Publicity of the campaign and one of the first eleven. It was after the victory at the polls that he was appointed to the cabinet.
Now, he has been saddled with an equally tough assignment as the Commissioner for Tourism in Lagos State.But that is still a familiar terrain for this brilliant technocrat who is equally at home with the running of that portfolio. Tourism, Entertainment and the creative arts sector are the areas he naturally has a flair for. So, he was quick to settle in and he hit the ground running. He is lucky to have as Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry the same man who was his Perm Secretary whilst he was at the Information Ministry. His own redeployment was ahead of Steve’s redeployment.
He was previously the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the National MirrorNewspaper. Before that, he was the Editor of The Punch Newspaper in Nigeria. So he has had an impressive media career.
Not many know that as a media man he had a bias for the Creative Arts. He is also regarded as one of Nigeria’s best renowned film and art critics, who has served on the Juries for some of the world’s most recognised film festivals and awards, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, AMAA and Mumbai International Film Festival.
What’s his pedigree like? We would tell you. Born in Ibadan, Oyo State on July 9, 1970 to the family of late Chief Sunday Adetunji Ayorinde and Chief (Mrs) Victoria Ayorinde, he is a product of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Steve was also educated at the University of Lagos, Akoka and University of Leicester in the UK, where he earned a master’s degree in Globalization and Communications.Well travelled and a polyglot, Steve Ayorinde is a European Union Fellow at the Foundation Journalists-in-Europe (1997-98 set) – a comprehensive one-year training scheme for mid-career journalists. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious State Department’s International Visitors’ program (IVP) in the United States; Goethe Institute, Berlin and University of Siena for Foreigners, Italy. As a journalist, author, publisher, media consultant, Steve Ayorinde has more than 24 years experience and won multiple awards.
His career started in 1991 at The Guardian Newspapers in Lagos, Nigeria which was renowned as ‘The Flagship’ in Nigerian media space at the time. He was a pioneer staff of The Comet, where he edited the Arts, Entertainment and Media section (1999 – 2003), after which he joined The Punch, Nigeria’s largest circulating newspaper.
He worked at The Punch in various capacities, first as Arts Editor, United Kingdom Correspondent, Member of the Editorial Board and ultimately as Editor of the daily title. It was at The Punch where he started his popular back-page column, Something Before the Weekend, which ran every Thursday. He later worked at National Mirror, first as the Editor/Executive Director in charge of Publications and later as Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief between 2010 and 2013. He has since practised as a syndicated columnist and Media Consultant and Strategist. He was the Director of Media and Communications to the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organization between September 2014 and April 2015.
Steve has authored 3 books: Masterpieces: A Critic’s Timeless Report (Spectrum Books, 2008); Abokede: The Man, The Hill, The City (ArtPillar Books, 2011) and Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts (Liberal publishing, 2015). He also edited For Law, For Country: Conversations with the Bar and the Bench (Global Media Mirror Publications, 2012). A committed member of the pen fraternity, Steve Ayorinde has served the Nigerian Guild of Editors in various capacities over the past decade, as Assistant Secretary General; Vice-President (West) and Deputy President.
Last week, Wednesday, he told City People Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE, how Governor Ambode plans to transform Tourism in Lagos State over the next few months. Below are excerpts of the interview.
Let me start by asking you how easy it has been settling in as the new Lagos Tourism Commissioner. What are your plans for the industry?
For me, it wasn’t difficult settling down. It’s a continuum. It is a continuation of our efforts. Information, Tourism and Culture, idealy, are together. That is what you have at the Federal level and most other states like Rivers, Oyo, etc. Inspite of that, even while I was in Information Ministry, I have had very close relationship with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and therefore its been a smooth cross over.
Incidentally, my Permanent Secretary who I had worked with for the past 3 years in Information ministry happened to have been redeployed to Tourism Ministry before me. So, it looked like a fore runner. Its like a familiar room in a house that you have lived in for a couple of years. You will have a fair idea of your room, the living room and some other rooms. One of such rooms which I am pretty much familiar with is the Tourism, Arts & Culture Ministry. For me its hitting the ground running. It won’t require learning any ropes.
For the past 2 and half years, one has seen a certain bias for Tourism and Entertainment by the Ambode administration. Is it one of the planks of his government?
It is a major solid pillar of this administration. Maybe the 1st time ever in the history of Lagos State or shall we say in the history of any state in Nigeria, with the exception of Cross River at a time under former Governor Donald Duke, this is perhaps the first time, any state will be showing seriousness and strategic commitment to Arts and Culture. If you noticed, right from the campaign, perhaps the only acronym that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode used in campaigning was Project THESE.
There were other key things that he promised like the strategic way he was going to intervene in road construction, when he said a certain number of roads will be constructed, per year amounting to a certain number of roads in 4 years and also the manner in which he said he was going to intervene in job creation and opportunities when he spoke about the N25 billion employment Trust Funds and also when he said he will do a lot more in attracting investments into the state which ultimately led to Lagos Global. But the new thing he was bringing on board that had a distinct acronym of its own right from campaign which has stuck up till now was his interest in TOURISM, Arts, Culture and Entertainment with, what he calls Project THESE.
THESE stands for TOURISM, HOSPITALITY, ENTERTAINMENT and the ARTS, together with SPORTS to achieve excellence-THESE. I was lucky to have been part of the team that worked on the document that produced the agenda for Project THESE. Even whilst I served as Information Commissioner, I was very conversant with the fact that the Information Commissioner was the Chief spokesperson for the State, Chief Strategist, after His Excellency, the Governor who is the Senior Chief Strategist for the state but I knew of course that ideally, the way His Excellency designed the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, whoever heads that Ministry ought to be for the state, the Chief Marketing Officer for the state, because what would be used in selling Lagos, branding, Lagos, in attracting people to come, even when they are coming bringing their moneys will be TOURISM. That will be our comparative advantage in areas of what we call the Creative Economy.
That was going to be thing. So, we were deliberate right from the outset. Don’t forget that the Ministry as we have it now, never existed. There was a time before now when you had Culture and Tourism together with Information. That was under the Ministry. But Asiwaju changed all that. Asiwaju created what we now have up till today. He felt we should use Information and the Media as the key strategy for the state, because no matter what you do with your deliverables, without the public knowing it, you will be winking in the dark.
So, Asiwaju wanted a codified, a streamlined approach. To Information Management and Strategy and therefore Information and Strategy was born. Tourism and Culture had to be ceded to other Ministry. Tourism was humped with Inter-governmental affairs, while Culture was hibernating under the Home Affairs. But right from campaign, H.E Gov. Ambode said he knew what he wanted to do with Tourism, Arts, Culture. So, he removed culture from Home Affairs. He removed Tourism from Inter-governmental affairs and added Arts to it.
So that you will have the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture that will stand alone, work in consonance with the Ministry of Information, with Lagos Global, with Ministry of Commerce, depending on the need and re-energise the Creative economic sector of the state. And we believe that in the last two and a half years, we would have succeeded considerably in creating a road map and sinking it in the consciousness or the people, what was possible. But we knew we were not there yet.
The state at which we are now is with the seriousness and commitment of His Excellency, the governor, to say let us now build on the foundation that we have laid.
Let us now begin to see the business part of show business.
So that we do not see just the show business, let us see the business part. Let us see the economic part of the creative sector. That is where we are now and we believe that with what we have lined up, beginning from this year, it will be obvious in no time to people that this is a government that means business, when it comes to the business of entertainment, arts, culture and tourism
FirstBank Makes Home Ownership Possible for Nigerians with Single-Digit Interest Rate Loan
For millions of Nigerians, homeownership has long felt like an ambition deferred. Squeezed by rising property prices, persistent double-digit inflation and high commercial lending rates, the dream of owning a home has remained just that – a dream.
But that narrative is quietly changing. Thanks to FirstBank.
The N1 Trillion Intervention Reshaping Access
In partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), FirstBank has unveiled a mortgage opportunity that could redefine access to housing finance in Nigeria.
Backed by the Federal Government’s N1trillion mortgage fund, the initiative is designed to empower Nigerians with affordable, long-term credit to own their homes.
9.75% Interest Rate in a 30% Lending Environment
MREIF is priced at 9.75% per annum, dramatically lower than prevailing commercial loan rates. Eligible Nigerians can access up to N100 million and repay within 20 years. This translates into significantly more manageable monthly repayments and greater long-term financial stability.
Built for Salary Earners, Entrepreneurs and the Diaspora
The MREIF mortgage facility has been structured to be inclusive. It is available to salary account holders, business owners and diaspora customers. Whether you are a young professional aiming to exit the rent cycle, an entrepreneur building generational stability, or you’re a Nigerian abroad looking to secure assets locally, the product opens a pathway that has historically been out of reach for many.
Taking the First Step
For those who have been waiting for the right time, this is definitely it. The question is no longer whether homeownership is possible. The real question is: will you act before the window narrows?
Visit https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ and in no time you could be the latest homeowner in town.
Alpha Morgan Bank Deepens Presence in Abuja with New Branch in Utako
Marking another milestone in its expansion drive, Alpha Morgan Bank has opened a new branch in Utako, Abuja, reinforcing its strategy of building closer institutional ties within key business communities and bringing its financial expertise closer to individuals, and enterprises driving the city’s growth.
The new branch, located at Plot 1121 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Utako, Abuja is strategically positioned to serve individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients within Utako and surrounding districts.
The expansion follows the Bank’s recently concluded Economic Review Webinar held in February 2026, as the bank continues to position as a thought-leader in the financial services industry.
Speaking on the opening, Ade Buraimo, Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, said the move underscores the Bank’s commitment to accessibility and service excellence.
“Proximity matters in banking. As communities grow and commercial activity expands, financial institutions also evolve to meet customers where they are. The Utako Branch allows us to deliver our services to people in that community efficiently while maintaining the high standards our customers expect,”
The Utako location will provide a full suite of retail and corporate banking services, including account opening, deposits, transfers, business banking solutions, and financial advisory support.
Customers and members of the public are invited to visit the new Utako Branch to experience the Bank’s approach to satisfying banking.
Dangote Refinery Prioritises Domestic Supply Amid Global Energy Turbulence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Nigeria insulated from international fuel shocks as Dangote Petroleum commits to uninterrupted local delivery.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising the domestic market, pledging to shield Nigerians from the ripple effects of ongoing global energy disruptions. The assurance, delivered in Lagos on 5 March 2026, comes as international refinery operations experience shutdowns or reduced output due to escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions, which have sent crude oil and petroleum product prices soaring worldwide.
“Our mandate remains clear: Nigeria’s local market takes precedence. In times of global supply shocks, we will continue to ensure that domestic availability of petrol, diesel, and kerosene is uninterrupted,” said Mr. Folorunsho Alakija, spokesperson for Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The refinery’s declaration arrives amid mounting concerns over fuel scarcity, triggered by export restrictions imposed by major international producers, including China, and shipping delays that have further tightened global petroleum supply chains. Industry analysts have hailed the domestic focus as a critical buffer against volatility that could otherwise push Nigeria into deeper energy insecurity.
Domestic Shield Against Global Disruption
Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil processing facility, has leveraged its multi-million-barrel refining capacity to mitigate Nigeria’s historical dependence on imported petroleum products. The company emphasised that prioritising local supply provides a strategic advantage in insulating the nation from international market shocks.
“Our refinery’s scale allows Nigeria to withstand short-term external disruptions. We have the infrastructure and capacity to meet local demand even when global supply chains falter,” explained Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, Operations Director at Dangote Refinery.
The proactive approach is particularly significant as several international refineries have either reduced throughput or temporarily halted operations, causing a global scarcity of refined products. Experts warn that without domestic cushioning, fuel prices in Nigeria could have surged sharply, exacerbating inflationary pressures in a fragile economy.
Managing Costs While Prioritising Supply
In response to rising procurement costs for crude oil amid the international crisis, Dangote Refinery introduced a modest ₦100 per litre increase in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), absorbing roughly 20 percent of the cost escalation to lessen the impact on consumers.
“We are balancing operational sustainability with affordability. While global prices have risen sharply, we have chosen to absorb a significant portion to protect Nigerian households and businesses,” noted Mr. Emmanuel Adeyemi, Chief Finance Officer.
This pricing strategy underscores the refinery’s dual focus: ensuring uninterrupted supply while cushioning the public from abrupt spikes that could destabilize economic activity. Industry observers have lauded the approach as pragmatic, considering the volatility in international oil markets.
Strategic Distribution Initiatives
Beyond refining, Dangote Petroleum has initiated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered trucks to enhance nationwide distribution efficiency. The initiative seeks to reduce logistics costs and carbon emissions while ensuring a more reliable delivery network to petrol stations across urban and rural areas.
“Logistics is a critical part of the energy supply chain. By deploying CNG-powered trucks, we reduce dependency on expensive diesel, lower delivery costs, and improve supply reliability across the country,” explained Ms. Funke Adedoyin, Head of Logistics Operations.
This strategic move reflects a broader commitment to modernising Nigeria’s petroleum distribution infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks that have historically contributed to scarcity at retail outlets.
Implications for National Energy Security
Nigeria has historically struggled with fuel imports to meet domestic demand, making the country vulnerable to international market fluctuations. Dangote Refinery’s prioritisation of local supply mitigates this vulnerability by leveraging home-grown refining capacity, which allows for timely access to petroleum products and less reliance on foreign shipments.
“With Dangote Refinery leading local prioritisation, Nigeria is less exposed to global fuel shocks. The country is moving towards self-reliance in petroleum product supply,” commented Dr. Halima Suleiman, energy sector analyst.
Experts note that sustained operations at the refinery not only enhance energy security but also preserve foreign exchange, reduce import bills, and stabilise domestic market prices.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Market Stability
The refinery’s commitment is part of a broader corporate responsibility framework. Dangote Petroleum continues to engage with government agencies and regulatory bodies, ensuring that domestic supply is coordinated with Nigeria’s Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to prevent panic buying and market distortions.
“We are in constant consultation with the government to ensure that our supply strategies align with national economic priorities,” said Mr. Alakija.
Such collaboration helps avert artificial shortages, stabilises pump prices, and maintains confidence in the domestic fuel market. Analysts argue that this approach exemplifies how private sector capabilities can complement governmental policies to enhance national resilience.
Navigating Global Uncertainties
The refinery operates in a complex global environment, where geopolitical crises, shipping constraints, and crude oil volatility can trigger disruptions. Dangote Petroleum’s domestic-first approach positions Nigeria to weather such crises more effectively.
“Global uncertainties are unavoidable, but our infrastructure and strategy ensure that Nigerians remain insulated from immediate shocks,” said Mr. Okonkwo.
This emphasis on resilience aligns with global best practices, where national refining capacity is leveraged to protect local markets from international supply disruptions.
Stakeholder Reactions
The government, civil society, and industry stakeholders have welcomed Dangote Petroleum’s strategy. Officials from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources noted that prioritising local supply aligns with Nigeria’s energy security policies and reduces the burden of foreign exchange expenditures on crude imports.
“Dangote Refinery is demonstrating leadership. Its domestic prioritisation ensures that the Nigerian economy remains insulated during turbulent global markets,” said Dr. Tunji Olumide, Special Adviser on Energy.
Consumers have also expressed cautious optimism. Retail operators and commuters reported steadier fuel availability in Lagos and other cities, though concerns remain about sustained pricing and distribution efficiency.
The Road Ahead
While Dangote Refinery’s strategy provides immediate relief, experts argue that long-term stability requires further investments in alternative energy, diversified refining infrastructure, and strategic reserves. This ensures that Nigeria can withstand global shocks without relying excessively on imports or temporary supply adjustments.
“Short-term measures like prioritising local supply are critical, but long-term energy security demands diversification, renewables adoption, and consistent policy implementation,” said Dr. Suleiman.
The refinery is exploring additional initiatives, including expanding storage capacity, upgrading pipeline networks, and adopting technology-driven monitoring systems to ensure supply continuity across the country.
Final Take
By prioritising domestic fuel supply amid global market turbulence, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has demonstrated its role as a stabilising force in Nigeria’s energy sector. Through strategic logistics, modest pricing adjustments, and engagement with government regulators, the refinery is insulating the nation from international shocks while maintaining operational sustainability.
“Our responsibility extends beyond profitability; it’s about ensuring Nigerians have reliable access to essential fuel. We take that mandate seriously,” concluded Mr. Adeyemi.
The refinery’s actions offer a blueprint for how large-scale domestic capacity can protect national economies in times of global energy instability, underscoring the critical intersection of private sector resilience, public policy, and national energy security.
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