The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced additional train services on the Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe routes for Thursday, June 5, 2025, to accommodate the surge in passenger demand ahead of the Eid-al-Kabir holiday. This follows the recent launch of a free train service by the Osun State government from Lagos to Osogbo for the Eid celebrations, which runs from June 5 through June 10, reported by Dailytech . On the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, NRC will introduce a new mid-day departure from Lagos at 1:55 p.m., with an extra return trip from Ibadan at 11:03 a.m. The usual 4:00 p.m. train from Ibadan will now depart slightly later at 4:46 p.m. Meanwhile, the Warri-Itakpe line, which typically does not operate on Thursdays due to maintenance, will run a special service on June 5 to support travelers during the festive period. To ensure uninterrupted travel, the NRC rescheduled maintenance on the Warri-Itakpe route from June 5 to June 8, allowing for continuous passenger movement during the holiday. The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service will continue regular operations, with additional coaches deployed to handle increased passenger traffic. Dr. Kayode Opeifa, NRC’s Managing Director, extended warm holiday wishes and reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to safe, reliable, and customer-focused rail services, especially during peak travel times. With the Federal Government declaring June 6 and June 9 as public holidays for Eid-ul-Adha, many Nigerians are expected to start their journeys early on June 5. The NRC’s schedule adjustments aim to ease travel pressures and support smooth mobility for holidaymakers.
Statisense launches immortal AI, Africa’s largest data intelligence platform
Statisense, Nigeria’s leading data intelligence company, has officially unveiled Immortal AI, a groundbreaking platform set to transform how African businesses harness their data. The launch, marked by an exclusive VIP event, signals a new era where data is no longer just numbers on a dashboard but a dynamic source of actionable intelligence. With over 90% of African businesses currently operating without clear insights from their data, Immortal AI arrives at a critical time. The platform aims to bridge the gap between raw data and strategic decision-making, empowering businesses to unlock hidden value within their customer and operational information. “For too long, African businesses have lacked the tools, time, or talent to turn data into meaningful strategy. That ends now,” said Femi Bejide, CEO of Statisense. “Immortal AI is not just another AI platform, it’s a lifeline that provides clarity and precision through simplified, embedded intelligence.” Africa’s business landscape faces a significant challenge: despite a $2.5 billion market opportunity in business insights, 9 out of 10 companies struggle to make sense of their data. This lack of insight has contributed to stunted growth or closure for 80% of these businesses. Additionally, African financial markets have underperformed partly due to limited consumer data visibility. Immortal AI promises to change this by offering localized, immersive data solutions tailored to the continent’s unique needs. From finance and technology to government sectors and gaming, the platform is designed to turn information overload into a competitive edge. Statisense plans a series of events throughout June 2025 to engage various stakeholders: Venture Capitalists, Private Equity, CEOs, and Senior Executives Capital Market Participants The Gaming Industry The Data Science Community These gatherings aim to showcase the platform’s capabilities and foster collaboration across industries. Founded in Nigeria, Statisense is at the forefront of AI-driven data intelligence in Africa. The company’s mission is to help organizations make bold, confident decisions by providing accessible and actionable data insights.
Zenith Bank named best bank in Nigeria for 2025 at global finance awards
Zenith Bank Plc has been honoured as the “Best Bank in Nigeria” for 2025 by Global Finance magazine, marking the fifth time in six years the bank has received this prestigious recognition. The announcement was made as part of Global Finance’s 32nd Annual Best Banks Awards, which recognised outstanding banks across 36 African countries. The award highlights Zenith Bank’s strong performance in meeting customer needs amid challenging economic conditions, managing assets and liabilities adeptly despite volatile interest rates, and laying a solid foundation for future growth. Selection was based on extensive consultations with corporate finance executives, bankers, analysts, and consultants worldwide, evaluating factors such as asset growth, profitability, innovation, geographic reach, and strategic partnerships. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and CEO of Zenith Bank, expressed delight at the achievement, stating, “This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, innovative financial solutions, and dedication to efficiency and corporate governance. We will continue to invest in our people, technology, and processes to maintain the highest service standards.” She also acknowledged the visionary leadership of the bank’s founder, Jim Ovia, the guidance of the board, the dedication of staff, and the loyalty of customers. Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, noted the evolving banking landscape, emphasizing the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming the sector. He said, “Global Finance’s Best Bank Awards honour institutions that excel in diverse offerings, long-term stability, and technological innovation.” Zenith Bank’s consistent excellence is reflected in numerous accolades, including being ranked Nigeria’s number one bank by Tier-1 Capital for 15 consecutive years in The Banker magazine’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking. The bank has also won multiple awards for corporate governance, digital banking solutions, sustainability, and gender equality, underscoring its leadership position in the Nigerian and African banking sectors. The Global Finance Best Banks Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in the banking industry, with winners selected from over 150 countries and territories worldwide since the awards’ inception in 1987.
PalmPay named top fintech and second fastest-growing company in Africa by financial times
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform focused on emerging markets, has been ranked the fastest-growing financial services company in Africa and second overall among 130 companies on the Financial Times’ Fastest-Growing Companies in Africa 2025 list. The recognition highlights PalmPay’s remarkable growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 583.6% from 2020 to 2023, driven by its tech-enabled financial services in Nigeria and beyond. The company now boasts over 35 million registered users and processes up to 15 million daily transactions, underscoring its role in Africa’s digital economy transformation. Sofia Zab, PalmPay’s Founding Chief Marketing Officer, said the accolade validates the company’s mission to close financial access gaps in underserved communities. “We’ve combined cutting-edge technology with local innovation to build a neobank that tens of millions rely on for payments, credit, savings, insurance, and more,” Zab said. PalmPay’s platform integrates a user-friendly app with an extensive offline network of over one million merchants and agents. Its services include money transfers, merchant payments, embedded credit, micro-insurance, and business tools for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh, PalmPay also offers B2B payment solutions to streamline collections and disbursements. Jiapei Yan, Group Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and regional collaboration. “Our growth is propelled by a clear vision: to empower businesses and individuals with reliable financial tools,” Yan said. Since its launch in 2019, PalmPay has played a pivotal role in onboarding previously excluded populations into the formal economy, with a quarter of users reporting PalmPay as their first financial account. Customers average over 50 transactions per month, using the platform for daily payments and long-term financial health products.
FBI arrests Nigerian ‘Tech Queen’ Sapphire Egemasi in multi-million dollar U.S. government fraud case
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian national Sapphire Egemasi, widely known on social media as a ‘tech queen,’ for her alleged role in a multi-million dollar internet fraud and money laundering scheme targeting U.S. government agencies. Egemasi, a programmer who maintained a Devpost account, was taken into custody on April 10, 2025, in Bronx, New York. She was arrested alongside several co-conspirators, including Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, who is believed to have led the criminal syndicate. The group faces charges stemming from a federal grand jury indictment issued last year, accusing them of defrauding the city of Kentucky between September 2021 and February 2023. Court documents reveal that Egemasi’s role involved creating and registering spoof websites mimicking U.S. government institutions to steal login credentials. She also helped the syndicate redirect stolen funds through wire transfers into bank accounts controlled by the group. Text messages recovered by authorities show that in August 2022, the group rerouted $965,000 in stolen funds to a PNC Bank account and diverted an additional $330,000 to a Bank of America account. Before her arrest, Egemasi lived in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and reportedly met her Ghanaian co-conspirators while residing in West Africa years earlier. She claimed to have held several internships at multinational companies like British Petroleum, H&M, and Zara to conceal the origins of her wealth. Known for flaunting an extravagant lifestyle on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, Egemasi posted photos from luxury vacations to Greece, Portugal, and other destinations, which investigators believe were funded by the illicit proceeds. Currently detained in Lexington, Kentucky, Egemasi and her co-defendants await trial, where they face up to 20 years in prison, substantial fines, and possible deportation after serving their sentences. This case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime syndicates exploiting technology to defraud government entities and highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat such schemes.
Access Holdings’ Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede joins Nigeria’s national AI trust to boost AI development
Access Holdings Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has been appointed to the Federal Government’s National AI Trust, a newly established body aimed at accelerating the growth and strategic development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria. Announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, on June 4, 2025, the National AI Trust was approved by the Federal Executive Council earlier this year. The Trust comprises 10 AI experts, including Tijani himself and the Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology. The Trust’s mandate is to mobilize resources, provide oversight, and guide Nigeria’s AI initiatives to align with the country’s economic goals. It is tasked with ensuring investments in AI are future-proof and positioned to drive job creation, attract foreign direct investment, and establish Nigeria as a leader in the global AI landscape. Dr. Tijani highlighted Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s valuable experience and leadership, noting his foundation’s role in advancing digital transformation efforts within government. Specifically, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has collaborated on the Nigeria Web Design Standards, which aim to create a more user-friendly and inclusive public service. This appointment coincides with the recent launch of the Nigerian AI Scaling Hub, supported by a $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Hub is designed to identify, develop, and scale impactful AI solutions across key sectors, bringing together government, private sector, academia, and development partners to foster innovation. “AI is transforming how we address development challenges, unlocking new ways to improve lives and strengthen systems,” said Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director at the Gates Foundation. “We are proud to support the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub, investing in local talent and innovation to ensure AI benefits reach those who need them most.” Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s involvement in the National AI Trust marks a significant step in Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing AI for sustainable economic growth and technological leadership in Africa.