Business
YUSUF SULEIMAN, Nigerian economic genius and hero of all times, By George Elijah Otumu
Though, I have privately sent you messages which you rightly acknowledged when you had your Birthday @53, but I strongly felt compelled to openly appreciate you in view of the positive value you have added to humanity irrespective of their ethnicity, tribe, language, religion and colour. I will certainly not forgive myself if at this juncture I don’t openly appreciate you for the world to see your virtues and passion for Nigeria.
He’s a Prince, a direct descendant of the Sokoto Caliphate Royal Dynasty, yet unassuming. He is a detribalized Nigerian, so passionate about Africa’s most populous nation moving forward. He is a workaholic, a very focused personality who loves everything about Nigeria: from culture, politics, sports and the people. Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, a-two time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an endowment to Nigeria since in every generation, nature creates few people who positively transform the lives of the people.
Alhaji Suleiman, as a practitioner of political history, can be likened to event of 1979 elections where the Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) presidential candidate Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim had nurtured advocacy for politics without malice appealed for participation without the normal ‘do or die’ or “make-it-or-break-it” mindsets of the political class where he had tendered a new dimension to approach towards politics as it is in any civilized society, Suleiman surely believes in this principle and philosophy. This soft spoken Harvard University graduate once told me: “It is Almighty Allah who decides who leads the people, not man. May Allah be praised.” That was why when he received the outcome of the Sokoto Gubernatorial election in 2015, his spirit was not broken, he remains standing like the Rock of Gibraltar, which the Spanish and Latino communities call Peñón de Gibraltar, sometimes called by its original Latin name, Calpe,) being a monolithic limestone promontory located in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is 426 m (1,398 ft) high-ever reliable and dependable.
Like Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, an apostle of politics without bitterness and good governance in a remarkably pervasive schism that is normal in Nigerian politics, he strongly believe politics can be practiced without having to soil integrity, reputation, family name and image.
This cerebral politician and businessman with B.Sc Degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU, Zaria) 1986 and MBA from ABU 1989 has helped, still helping, empowering Youths in Sokoto State through various youth empowerment schemes which has added value to the workforce in the state even without being in political power. He believes in service to humanity. It is a man like this that Nigeria and Nigerians need with sound economic leadership, entrepreneurial prowess without discrimination ever willing to help Nigerians, passionate about sound economic policies for the nation in a pragmatic way that will facilitate Nigeria’s economy out of the woods.
Words alone fail me to recount your numerous philanthropic gestures to humanity because they are countless like the sounds of the sea shore and uncountable like the stars in the sky. If all Nigerian politicians are like Suleiman, so passionate in redeeming Nigeria genuinely, then our economy will be great, our agricultural farm produce will be plenty and cost of food will be very cheap in Nigeria. He’s highly consulted globally on issues regarding economy and agriculture. It is high time the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who vowed: “I am for Everybody, I am for Nobody”, taps into this raw, economic knowledge of Suleiman so that together, all Nigerians can witness food security, economic progress which will bring life-back to various homes across the nation. He is indeed a great Nigerian, economic genius and hero of all times. God bless Nigeria.
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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