Business
Zenith Bank Partners CFA Institute To Boost Financial Education
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is the world’s most prestigious investment research competition among university students globally, aimed at promoting best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts.
The competition promotes ethics and best practices in investment research through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in equity analysis and presentation. The overall objective of the CFA Institute Research Challenge is to provide university students with valuable real-world exposure to the practice of finance to complement the theoretical framework of the university education.
Nigeria is participating in the global competition for the first time and has eight Nigerian universities from across the country participating in the maiden edition. The participating universities are: Ahmadu Bello University, Babcock University, Covenant University, Lagos Business School, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Abuja, University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos.
The teams are required to conduct a detailed investment research on a subject company and will be presenting their research reports to a high-level panel of investment professionals who will serve as judges with the winner of the 2017/2018 CFA Institute Research Challenge in Nigeria emerging at a national final scheduled for February 2018 at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
The national champion from Nigeria will then join 35 other national champions at the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Regional Competition in Dublin, Ireland in April 2018 to compete for a slot in the four-team global final that will hold in Seoul, South Korea in the same month.
On the partnership, the bank said it was proud to sponsor the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Nigeria and that as an institution that strongly believes in the development of human capital, it was one of the ways it could contribute to the development of education in Nigeria.
It added that by partnering with an institution like the CFA Society Nigeria to run this competition, it believes this would go a long way in promoting global best practices among young Nigerian students.
Zenith, Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-1 capital, has youth development at the core of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and has sponsored similar initiatives in the educational sector.
Also speaking on the partnership with Zenith Bank, Banji Fehintola, CFA, President of the CFA Society Nigeria said, “CFA Society Nigeria is very excited to secure a multi-year sponsorship from Zenith Bank for this important mandate of our university outreach program.
“CFA Society Nigeria is primarily focused on improving the level of professionalism, ethics and investment knowledge in our industry and our university competitions enable us to invest in the development of the next generation of investment professionals. We are very pleased with Zenith Bank’s partnership in helping us to achieve our mutual agenda of contributing towards the development of our educational system and the investment industry in Nigeria,” he added.
Commenting on the benefits of the competitions to participating teams, Chairman of CFA Society Nigeria’s University Relations Committee, Razaq Ahmed, CFA, added that “each team is paired with an experienced industry mentor in addition to a Faculty Adviser from each university who provide specific guidance to the teams.”
“The teams are also provided free access to research resources such as Bloomberg terminals and online library. It is a huge opportunity for Nigerian students to develop relevant hands-on skills set, explore career choices, get mentorship from experienced investment professionals and interact and compete with their colleagues from across the world,” he said.
The competition provides university students with an opportunity to foster lifelong relationships with the investment industry as students get introduced to investment professionals who act as their mentors, peers from other universities and companies involved in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.
Furthermore, by working in teams and with industry mentors, the competition helps students to develop critical interpersonal skills needed in the investment management industry alongside much needed networking opportunities with finance professionals. The winners of the competition stand the chance to embark on international travels, win CFA Society Nigeria’s access scholarships and prizes, and be taken as interns with Zenith Bank Plc. The CFA Institute Research Challenge is organized in Nigeria by CFA Society of 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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