By Editor

Nigeria’s total merchandise trade stood at N34,788.59 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to fresh data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report shows a mixed trade performance, with exports recording steady growth while imports declined significantly within the review period.

Total exports rose to N21,169.27 billion in Q1 2026, representing a 2.77percent increase compared to N20,598.48 billion in the same period of 2025. It also reflects an 11.63percent rise from N18,963.41 billion recorded in Q4 2025.

In contrast, total imports dropped to N13,619.33 billion, marking an 18.17percent decline year-on-year from N16,644.42 billion in Q1 2025, and a sharper 21.05percent fall compared to N17,250.93 billion in Q4 2025.

The data points to a narrowing import bill and stronger export performance in the early months of 2026.

Details later…

By Editor

Rite Foods Limited and Promasidor Nigeria have called for stronger family support systems, improved child wellbeing, and greater efforts to tackle inequalities affecting millions of Nigerian households as the world marks the 2026 International Day of Families.

The companies, in separate statements commemorating the annual event observed globally on May 15, stressed the need for collective action to address disparities in access to nutrition, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that continue to impact children and vulnerable families.

This year’s theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” highlights growing concerns over widening social and economic gaps and their effects on child development and family stability.

Rite Foods said the occasion aligns with its broader commitment to supporting Nigerian families through quality products, responsible business practices, and people-focused initiatives.

Speaking on the significance of the day, the Managing Director of Rite Foods, Seleem Adegunwa, described families as the foundation of every society, noting that unequal access to essential needs often leaves children most vulnerable.

“Families are at the heart of every society. When access to nutrition, education, healthcare, and opportunity becomes unequal, children are often the most affected. At Rite Foods, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive, and dream bigger regardless of background,” he said.

Adegunwa added that the company remains committed to delivering quality products that cater to the needs of Nigerian families while maintaining strong connections with everyday consumer realities.

Rite Foods’ product portfolio includes Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Fearless Energy Drinks, Sosa Fruit Drink, Bigi Premium Table Water, Rite Spicy, Bigi Beef, and Bigi Flex Sausages, consumed across different parts of the country.

Also speaking, the company’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, stressed the importance of collaboration among businesses, communities, and policymakers in addressing inequality and improving child welfare.

“Real progress happens when businesses, communities, and policymakers work together. Supporting families goes beyond the products we make. It is about creating environments where people feel supported, included, and empowered to succeed,” he said.

Similarly, Promasidor Nigeria emphasised the importance of investing in family welfare and child development as critical pillars for sustainable national growth.

According to the company, conversations around child wellbeing should go beyond awareness campaigns and translate into long-term investments that strengthen family structures and improve access to nutrition and opportunities.

The Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Nigeria, François Gillet, said the wellbeing of children reflects the strength of society’s foundations.

“Families are the foundation of every society, and the well-being of children reflects the strength of that foundation. Addressing inequalities that limit access to proper nutrition and care is essential to sustainable development,” he said.

Gillet noted that Promasidor’s mission has consistently focused on making quality nutrition accessible to households, especially amid current economic pressures facing many Nigerian families.

Promasidor’s brands, including Cowbell, Loya Milk, Onga, Top Tea, Kremela, Twisco, and Miksi, continue to support nutrition and daily nourishment in millions of homes nationwide.

The company also highlighted its broader social impact initiatives, including the Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti State, which promotes local economic inclusion, as well as education-focused programmes aimed at empowering young Nigerians.

Promasidor stated that improving child wellbeing requires sustained investments in systems and policies that strengthen families and create equal opportunities for children to grow in safe, healthy, and supportive environments.

Both companies reiterated that stronger families are critical to building resilient communities and fostering long-term national development.

By Editor

(2nd Right) GM, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Sophia Horsfall, presenting entries for The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation to the Chairman of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, at a press conference, in Lagos.

The 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation has reached a new milestone with a record 237 entries, the highest number of submissions since the award was established in 2004.

The entries were formally handed over to the Prize’s Advisory Board during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, officially commencing the adjudication process for what remains one of Africa’s most prestigious science awards.

This year’s competition retains the theme, “Innovations in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies for Development,” a continuation of the 2025 focus area. The previous edition ended without a winner after no submission met the benchmark required by the judges.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at Nigeria LNG Limited, said the continued emphasis on digital innovation reflects both global technological trends and Nigeria’s development priorities.

According to her, the Prize is designed to identify innovations capable of delivering measurable socio-economic impact.

“In this fourth industrial revolution, digital infrastructure is becoming as essential as electricity and water. Nigeria’s economic sustainability depends on our ability to move from promising research to transformative innovation that delivers real solutions,” Horsfall stated.

She stressed that the organisers remain committed to maintaining world-class standards, noting that international recognition for Nigerian innovation must be earned through rigorous evaluation.

“We believe that if a Nigerian discovery is to command global respect, it must withstand the highest levels of scrutiny. That conviction informed the difficult decision taken seven months ago,” she added, referring to the decision not to declare a winner in 2025.

While acknowledging the strong interest generated by the digital technology theme, Horsfall maintained that only innovations demonstrating scalability, originality, and practical relevance would qualify for consideration.

Receiving the entries on behalf of the Advisory Board, Barth Nnaji described the handover as a critical phase in the selection process, reiterating that the credibility of the Prize rests on uncompromising standards of excellence.

“Our refusal to award the prize in 2025 was not a rejection of the efforts of Nigerian innovators. Rather, it reaffirmed that The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation upholds a gold standard of excellence,” he said.

Nnaji explained that submissions would continue to undergo rigorous intellectual and technical scrutiny based on originality, depth, relevance, and demonstrable impact.

He added that the Prize is particularly interested in innovations capable of solving real-life national challenges.

“Our broader objective is to identify solutions that address Nigeria’s pressing needs, whether through digital health technologies for underserved communities or AI-driven tools for preserving cultural heritage and indigenous languages,” he noted.

Other members of the Advisory Board include Nike Akande and Yusuf Abubakar.

Now in its 22nd year, The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation is valued at $100,000 and is widely regarded as Africa’s leading science and innovation award. The winner of the 2026 edition is expected to be announced at a world press conference in September.