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TOP 50 BRANDS: DANGOTE NOW THE MOST VALUABLE BRAND IN NIGERIA

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7 years ago

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Dangote Refinery Receives Its Maiden Crude Cargo

Dangote has emerged as the most valuable brand among the top 50 brands in Nigeria for 2018 unveiled at the weekend in Lagos. This is coming barely three months after the brand was adjudged the most admired brand of African origin by Consumers in a brand rating coordinated by South Africa based Brand Leadership in conjunction with Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Brand Nigeria, the Agency that coordinated the survey in Nigeria, in its report lauded the efforts of the handlers of the Dangote Brand because this is the first time a Nigerian brand would be achieving the feat since 2013.

Unveiling the list of the top 50 brands at an event attended by top executives of leading corporate organizations in the country as well as stakeholders in Marketing and Advertising Industry, Mr. Taiwo Oluboyede, the Head of Brand Nigeria explained that 46 percent of the top brands amounting to 23 are Nigerian brands.

Giving the highlights of the brands rating, he stated that Promasidor Nigeria Limited emerged the highest gainer jumping 15 points from last year, the followed by the trio of BUA, Nine Mobile and Olam all of which moved 12 points from last year position, while seven brands, Conoil, Channels TV, Union Bank, Access Bank, Chi, Toyota, and GTBank maintained their positions.

He stated further that Fidelity bank came as a first entrant this year and Stallion Group making a fresh return to the top 50 brands this having exited before.

The top 50 brands in Nigeria, Soboyede maintained are the brands that have succeeded in delivering their promises to the consumers. “They are fast growing in value and they are the drivers of our economy. The top brands this year are those that have been able to analyse needs, see opportunities by creating solutions to them and communicating same to the consumers.

“They have also become so good at it that the consumers often refer to them with the name of the need they meet that is their products or services. These brands have found how to deliver something special often times.”

Giving insights into how the evaluation of the top 50 brands was carried out, Soboyede said: “we used the Brand Strength Model (BSM index). It is model that measures a brand’s ability to deliver on its promise to the consumers from the consumer’s point of view. The model uses basic qualitative elements and there are seven variables that goes into the BSM model”.

According to the variables starts with a test of people’s knowledge and affinity with the brands operational in Nigeria. We had a top on the mind survey where people tell us brads that easily come to their mind or brand they can recall.

“Other variables in the model are innovation-this is a test how innovative a brand service delivery is; Quality-this checks some factors that enhance consumer’s confidence in product delivery; Category Leadership-this is a classification of brands within their industry; Online engagements-this checks how active the brand’s online platforms are and how engaging it has been from last evaluation; National Spread-this checks operational presence of a brand across the country.”

Chief Corporate Communication Officer of the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said the management was not surprised at the ranking because the company has continuously deepened and delivered on its core values is to be a world-class enterprise that is passionate about the quality of life of the people and giving high returns to stakeholders.

“And this philosophy is driven by values, which include customer service, entrepreneurship, excellence and leadership. In any of our subsidiaries, the focus is to provide local, value-added products and services that meet the ‘basic needs’ of the populace. Through the construction and operation of large scale manufacturing facilities in Nigeria and across Africa, the Group is focused on building local manufacturing capacity to generate employment, prevent capital flight and provide locally produced goods for the people.

“The expansion of our business especially the Cement which has operations in 14 African countries including Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia, among others has added to popularity of our company and the products, Mr. Chiejina stated.

It would be recalled that back in July, the Dangote brand came atop in the ranking of 100 best brands in Africa themed “Brand Africa:100”, the sixth edition announced in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Brand leadership in the ranking list said of Dangote brand “Nigerian industrial brand Dangote is the number one African brand recalled when consumers are prompted about the continent (Africa) of origin while the South African tele-communications brand MTN is the number one African brand spontaneously recalled irrespective of continent of origin.

The United States sports and fitness brand, Nike, is the overall brand in Africa spontaneously recalled by consumers. The Brand Africa 100 ranking is based on a survey among consumers 18 years and older, conducted in 23 countries across Africa.  The countries, representing all African economic regions, collectively account for 75% of the population and the 74% of the GDP of Africa.

African brands rose slightly to account for 17% of the Top 100 brands in Africa, non-African brands retained their firm position in Africa with 83% share of the Top 100 most admired brands in Africa. Brands from Europe leads the table with 40%, North America at 24% and Asia 19%.  West Africa 6% with only Nigerian brands and Southern Africa 6%.

The Top 100 is dominated by technology and electronic brands (29%), consumer (non-cyclical) (19%), apparel (15%), automobile (8%), food (7%) and sports & fitness (5%) categories are the top categories.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Business

Is It Safe to Invest in Lagos Real Estate? Here’s What You Must Know by Dennis Isong

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 11, 2025

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Is It Safe to Invest in Lagos Real Estate? Here’s What You Must Know by Dennis Isong In 2018, Chinedu bought a plot of land in Ibeju-Lekki for ₦600,000. At the time, his friends laughed. "Na bush you go buy?" they teased. Even Chinedu had doubts, especially after struggling to locate the land twice. But he had a gut feeling and decided to take the risk. Fast forward to 2024, Chinedu got a call from a developer building around the Lekki Free Trade Zone. They were interested in acquiring his plot. The offer? ₦8.5 million. He thought it was a joke—until the cheque cleared. “I almost sold that land two years ago for ₦1.2 million because I was broke,” he told me, shaking his head with a smile. “But something told me to wait.” Today, that same bush has a tarred road, power poles, and new buildings sprouting like mushrooms. The value keeps rising, and Chinedu is already scouting for his next plot—this time in Epe. His only regret? “I wish I bought three plots instead of one.” That’s Lagos real estate for you. It looks like nothing at first—but if you play your cards right, it could be the best decision of your life. Let’s not beat around the bush—Lagos real estate is hot cake. Everyone seems to be talking about it, whispering about one land deal in Epe or a smart investment in Ibeju-Lekki. The conversations are endless, and so are the questions. But the one that keeps bouncing from one corner of the room to another is this: Is it really safe to invest in Lagos real estate? Well, short answer? Yes. But let’s not stop at “yes.” This is Lagos. Nothing is ever that simple. Before you pull out your wallet or empty your savings app, you need to know a few things that the billboards won’t tell you. First, Why Is Everyone Rushing to Invest in Lagos Real Estate? If Lagos were a person, it would be that loud, fast-talking cousin who always seems to have money flowing from one hustle or the other. Lagos is not just a city—it’s a mood, a movement, a madness that somehow makes financial sense. It’s the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria. And where the heart beats, money flows. From tech bros in Yaba to deep-pocket oil boys in Lekki, everyone is looking for where to park their money, and land is the new bank. Real estate in Lagos has become the golden goose for the smart investor. And why not? Land here doesn’t sleep—it appreciates, sometimes with the arrogance of a billionaire who knows he can't fail. But Wait—Is It Safe? Now, this is where it gets interesting. Lagos isn’t Disneyland. It’s not all shiny buildings and smiling agents. The truth is, there are landmines in the system—some figurative, some legal, and some spiritual (ask anyone who’s ever mistakenly bought “Omonile land”). Yet, thousands of people are making solid money from it. Some have even become landlords from buying land they never visited. How is this possible? It all comes down to how you invest, where you invest, and who you’re dealing with. The Shaky Past, The Bright Future Let’s be honest: Lagos has had its fair share of land drama. The tales are plenty—fake documents, family land disputes, sudden demolitions. These stories are scary, yes, but they’re not the full picture. Over the years, the Lagos real estate sector has matured, especially with government regulations, better documentation processes, and real estate firms who are finally doing things the right way. This is not 1997 when you could buy land and discover later that the “agent” was actually a carpenter with a borrowed suit. Today, with a bit of caution and proper due diligence, you can invest in Lagos real estate and sleep well at night—like a baby who just signed a deed of assignment. Lagos Is Expanding—And That’s a Clue One thing that gives Lagos real estate its strong appeal is urban sprawl. The Lagos of today is not the Lagos of 10 years ago. Places like Sangotedo, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki used to be jokes in property circles. Now? They’re punchlines of profit. The Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Lekki Free Trade Zone are not just projects—they're magnets. Land prices in these areas are not sitting still. They’re running marathons. If you blink, the same land you ignored in 2022 could be worth double in 2025. So yes, investing in Lagos real estate now may look like buying “bush,” but you know what they say—today's bush is tomorrow’s Banana Island. Let’s Talk About Risk (Because You Should Know) Is there risk? Of course. This is Nigeria. There's risk in crossing the road. But guess what? Risk is also where the money hides. The key to safe investment is not avoiding Lagos real estate—it’s knowing the game and playing it with sense. Don't go in blindly. Don’t let "cheap" deceive you. And please, don’t collect land documents on the back of a recharge card. Use registered surveyors. Work with legit companies. In fact, if the deal sounds like it fell from heaven, double-check that the land isn't under water. Lagos doesn’t forgive carelessness. So, Is It Worth It? If you’re still asking that question, you haven’t met someone who bought land in Ibeju-Lekki at ₦500k five years ago and just sold it for ₦7 million. You haven’t heard the story of the woman who bought three plots in Badagry when nobody was looking, and now developers are begging to buy just one for a small fortune. The truth is, Lagos real estate is like plantain. It may look green today, but give it time—it will ripen beautifully. Final Word (and A Small Nudge) If you're waiting for Lagos to be "perfect" before you invest, you might be waiting forever. Lagos is not perfect. It’s not even pretending to be. But guess what? Its imperfections are where the opportunities hide. While you're hesitating, others are buying. And while you're analyzing, someone else is acquiring. At some point, you’ll look around and realize that the same land you ignored is now behind a gate with a ₦1,000,000 price tag just to inspect it. So, is it safe to invest in Lagos real estate? Absolutely—if you do it wisely. Ask questions. Partner with people who know what they’re doing. Don’t rush, but don’t wait forever. And if you need a guide, someone to help you navigate this crazy but profitable world of Lagos property, you already know who to call. Yes, it’s me—Dennis Isong, your Lagos Realtor Extraordinaire. 👉 STOP LOSING MONEY IN LAGOS REAL ESTATE! Protect your investment with due diligence. Visit: LandProperty.ng/free

Is It Safe to Invest in Lagos Real Estate? Here’s What You Must Know by Dennis Isong

In 2018, Chinedu bought a plot of land in Ibeju-Lekki for ₦600,000. At the time, his friends laughed. “Na bush you go buy?” they teased. Even Chinedu had doubts, especially after struggling to locate the land twice. But he had a gut feeling and decided to take the risk.

Fast forward to 2024, Chinedu got a call from a developer building around the Lekki Free Trade Zone. They were interested in acquiring his plot. The offer? ₦8.5 million. He thought it was a joke—until the cheque cleared.

“I almost sold that land two years ago for ₦1.2 million because I was broke,” he told me, shaking his head with a smile. “But something told me to wait.”

Today, that same bush has a tarred road, power poles, and new buildings sprouting like mushrooms. The value keeps rising, and Chinedu is already scouting for his next plot—this time in Epe.

His only regret?
“I wish I bought three plots instead of one.”

That’s Lagos real estate for you. It looks like nothing at first—but if you play your cards right, it could be the best decision of your life.

Let’s not beat around the bush—Lagos real estate is hot cake. Everyone seems to be talking about it, whispering about one land deal in Epe or a smart investment in Ibeju-Lekki. The conversations are endless, and so are the questions. But the one that keeps bouncing from one corner of the room to another is this:

Is it really safe to invest in Lagos real estate?

Well, short answer? Yes.
But let’s not stop at “yes.” This is Lagos. Nothing is ever that simple. Before you pull out your wallet or empty your savings app, you need to know a few things that the billboards won’t tell you.

First, Why Is Everyone Rushing to Invest in Lagos Real Estate?

If Lagos were a person, it would be that loud, fast-talking cousin who always seems to have money flowing from one hustle or the other. Lagos is not just a city—it’s a mood, a movement, a madness that somehow makes financial sense.

It’s the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria. And where the heart beats, money flows.

From tech bros in Yaba to deep-pocket oil boys in Lekki, everyone is looking for where to park their money, and land is the new bank. Real estate in Lagos has become the golden goose for the smart investor. And why not? Land here doesn’t sleep—it appreciates, sometimes with the arrogance of a billionaire who knows he can’t fail.

But Wait—Is It Safe?

Now, this is where it gets interesting. Lagos isn’t Disneyland. It’s not all shiny buildings and smiling agents. The truth is, there are landmines in the system—some figurative, some legal, and some spiritual (ask anyone who’s ever mistakenly bought “Omonile land”).

Yet, thousands of people are making solid money from it. Some have even become landlords from buying land they never visited. How is this possible?
It all comes down to how you invest, where you invest, and who you’re dealing with.

The Shaky Past, The Bright Future

Let’s be honest: Lagos has had its fair share of land drama. The tales are plenty—fake documents, family land disputes, sudden demolitions. These stories are scary, yes, but they’re not the full picture.

Over the years, the Lagos real estate sector has matured, especially with government regulations, better documentation processes, and real estate firms who are finally doing things the right way. This is not 1997 when you could buy land and discover later that the “agent” was actually a carpenter with a borrowed suit.

Today, with a bit of caution and proper due diligence, you can invest in Lagos real estate and sleep well at night—like a baby who just signed a deed of assignment.

Lagos Is Expanding—And That’s a Clue

One thing that gives Lagos real estate its strong appeal is urban sprawl. The Lagos of today is not the Lagos of 10 years ago. Places like Sangotedo, Epe, and Ibeju-Lekki used to be jokes in property circles. Now? They’re punchlines of profit.

The Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Lekki Free Trade Zone are not just projects—they’re magnets. Land prices in these areas are not sitting still. They’re running marathons. If you blink, the same land you ignored in 2022 could be worth double in 2025.

So yes, investing in Lagos real estate now may look like buying “bush,” but you know what they say—today’s bush is tomorrow’s Banana Island.

Let’s Talk About Risk (Because You Should Know)

Is there risk? Of course. This is Nigeria. There’s risk in crossing the road. But guess what? Risk is also where the money hides.

The key to safe investment is not avoiding Lagos real estate—it’s knowing the game and playing it with sense. Don’t go in blindly. Don’t let “cheap” deceive you. And please, don’t collect land documents on the back of a recharge card.

Use registered surveyors. Work with legit companies. In fact, if the deal sounds like it fell from heaven, double-check that the land isn’t under water. Lagos doesn’t forgive carelessness.

So, Is It Worth It?

If you’re still asking that question, you haven’t met someone who bought land in Ibeju-Lekki at ₦500k five years ago and just sold it for ₦7 million.

You haven’t heard the story of the woman who bought three plots in Badagry when nobody was looking, and now developers are begging to buy just one for a small fortune.

The truth is, Lagos real estate is like plantain. It may look green today, but give it time—it will ripen beautifully.

Final Word (and A Small Nudge)

If you’re waiting for Lagos to be “perfect” before you invest, you might be waiting forever. Lagos is not perfect. It’s not even pretending to be. But guess what? Its imperfections are where the opportunities hide.

While you’re hesitating, others are buying. And while you’re analyzing, someone else is acquiring. At some point, you’ll look around and realize that the same land you ignored is now behind a gate with a ₦1,000,000 price tag just to inspect it.

So, is it safe to invest in Lagos real estate? Absolutely—if you do it wisely.
Ask questions. Partner with people who know what they’re doing. Don’t rush, but don’t wait forever.

And if you need a guide, someone to help you navigate this crazy but profitable world of Lagos property, you already know who to call.
Yes, it’s me—Dennis Isong, your Lagos Realtor Extraordinaire.

👉 STOP LOSING MONEY IN LAGOS REAL ESTATE!
 Protect your investment with due diligence.
Visit: LandProperty.ng/free

Continue Reading

Bank

Fidelity Bank grows PBT by 167.8% to N105.8 billion in Q1 2025

Published

2 days ago

on

May 9, 2025

By

Fidelity Bank grows PBT by 167.8% to N105.8 billion in Q1 2025

Lagos, Nigeria – May 1, 2025 – Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading Tier-1 financial institutions, has announced a remarkable financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, recording a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N105.8 billion, representing an impressive growth of 167.8% compared to N39.5 billion in Q1 2024.

The bank’s unaudited financial statements, released on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on April 30, 2025, highlight a substantial increase in Gross Earnings, which rose to N315.4 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of 64.2% from N192.1 billion in the same period last year. Growth in interest income was primarily led by 38.6% yoy (7.4% ytd) expansion in earning assets base, while the increase in non -interest revenue came from FX-related income, trade and commission on banking services, etc., supported by increased customer transactions.

Commenting on the bank’s performance, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, stated, “We started the year with triple-digit growth in profit and sustained the momentum in our earning assets growth. This performance shows the resilience of our business model and reinforces our confidence in delivering a better result in the 2025 financial year.”

Other areas of the unaudited financial statements, equally show a marked improvement with Total Deposits growing by 11.1% ytd to N6.6tn from N5.9tn in December 2024, driven by 10.6% ytd growth in low-cost deposits to N6.1tn, which represents 92.2% of total customer deposits. Local currency deposits increased by 2.0% ytd while foreign currency deposits increased by 21.4% from $1.9bn in December 2024 to $2.3bn.

Net Loans and Advances increased by 5.0% ytd to N4.6tn. The growth in the bank’s Loan Book was skewed to LCY Loans as cost of risk declined to 0.6% from 1.5% in 2024FY.

“Beginning the year with such positive momentum reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of individuals and businesses, while enhancing our financial sustainability. As we go into the rest of the year, we remain focused on building a resilient banking franchise with a diversified earnings base,” Onyeali-Ikpe added.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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Business

GTCO vs. Very Dark Man: Why Nigerians Must Stop the Judgment of Emotions

Published

7 days ago

on

May 4, 2025

By

*GTCO vs. Very Dark Man: Why Nigerians Must Stop the Judgment of Emotions*

By Osho Oluwatosin

The internet has literally been on ‘fire’ since Friday following the arrest of self-acclaimed Nigerian activist, Martins Vincent, also known as Very Dark Man. He was reportedly picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for reasons yet unknown.

While it’s not the first time VeryDarkMan or any prominent Nigerian would be arrested by the EFCC — a government agency not under the authority of any private organization — it seems some Nigerians are passionately trying to push a narrative that his arrest was orchestrated by one of Nigeria’s biggest financial institutions, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).

Although this narrative isn’t far-fetched — VDM had criticized the bank due to ‘mysterious’ deductions from his mother’s bank account for unjustifiable reasons. He approached the bank’s branch in Abuja to make an official complaint and, afterwards, he was picked up by the EFCC. But what many Nigerians have failed to realize is GTCO may not even be involved in his arrest.

VeryDarkMan was seen in the bank, quite alright, but in a CCTV released by the bank, he was seen moving out of the bank when he finished. He even had a celebrity moment with some of his followers who took pictures with him before he was arrested. So I’m wondering, what has GTB got to do with his arrest? That someone got knocked down by a vehicle after leaving church, does it mean the church orchestrated the accident? That someone got attacked after leaving a lecture room, does it mean the lecturer orchestrated it? That someone even got attacked in a courtroom, does it mean the judge orchestrated it? Absolutely not.

Although it would have been better if the EFCC had come out to clear the air regarding the reason for VDM’s arrest, because in the absence of information, rumours are bound to thrive. In fact, the commission should have actually released a statement regarding these rumours, not to vindicate GTB, but to keep Nigerians informed.

Let’s even think about it logically: what can warrant GTCO to order VDM’s arrest by the EFCC? Did he defraud GTCO? Did he steal from a GTB customer? Did he launder money through a GTB account? These are questions that should be asked before passing judgments. But Nigerians are always emotional when it comes to issues like this, and that’s why people who are culpable in serious crimes get away with anything as long as they get involved in charity or activism.

GTCO has been a very friendly organization, and in 2024 alone, the bank paid a record dividend of N8 per share. The bank is happy, shareholders are happy, customers are happy — who is Very Dark Man?

Osho Oluwatosin is a Nigerian journalist and writes from Lagos.

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