Economy
Money Africa Wins $25,000 in NSIA Innovation Prize
By Adedapo Adesanya
Subscription-based financial edtech platform, Money Africa, won the star prize of $25,000 at the maiden edition of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority’s (NSIA) Innovation Programme.
The agency, through the event, rewarded 10 Nigerian innovators with the sum of $60,000 and equity investments in its Prize for Innovation programme.
At the Prize for NSIA Innovation Programme (NPI) held on Saturday in Lagos, Money Africa won the star prize of the maiden event.
Extension Africa won the second place of $17, 500 while Legit Car Africa won the third place of $12,500.
Seven other innovators- TruQ, Capsa Technology, Apace, Ya-lo, Credit-Chek, Vella Finance and Kobo Pay all got prizes of $5,000.
The programme, with the theme, Driving a Sustainable Future Through Innovation, is designed to identify innovative technological solutions developed by Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.
Mr Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSIA, said the event was organised to encourage entrepreneurs.
”I think the important thing is that this event actually catalyzes what we have seen as very great ideas emanating from Nigeria and entrepreneurs to solve Nigerian problems.
“I hope that this event allows us to mobilise domestic capital long-term patience toward Nigeria.
“So, hopefully, beyond that, we are also looking at the value creation and addition that comes beyond the investment in these companies.
“They will require further polishing of their business ideas and the positioning of these companies for exits.
“We are hoping that this event will shine a light on the possibilities that our own local entrepreneurs are able to offer for solving Nigeria’s problems,” Umar-Sadiq said.
As opposed to giving just catch prizes, the NSIA MD said that the organisation decided to split the prizes into two components, a cash component and also an equity component.
This, he said, would allow NSIA to take ownership in these businesses so that beyond just the prizes, it could actually engage with the entrepreneurs and add value to them beyond offering money.
Mr Kashifu Abdullah, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that the seed funding for startups would help position Nigeria for accelerated job creation in the digital economy.
“I am highly impressed with the kind of innovative ideas that I have seen today. And this shows that we have great potential and luck in Nigeria.
“And looking at what is happening and this kind of initiative to provide seed funding for startups, it will really help position Nigeria for accelerated jobs creation in the digital economy.
“Most startups fail because of lack of financing. And according to many research, more than 47 per cent of startups fail because of lack of financing at the initial stage,” he said.
According to him, NITDA has started the implementation of the Nigeria startup act.
He said, “Under the act, we are to establish a startup investment seed fund.
“The act says we need a minimum of N10 billion per annum, but we are targeting N100 billion so that we should be able to seed at least 1,000 early-stage startups and about 400 late-stage startups.
“This can help us to hit more than 80,000 jobs in Nigeria.”
Ms Oluwatosin Olaseinde, the winner of the star prize and founder of Money Africa Financial Services, who expressed joy, said the challenge of managing her finances pushed her to find solutions to financial literacy.
“I feel really excited. It’s really nice to have put in all this work, and then, here I am, the winner of this prize. I’m very grateful.
“I had a personal challenge with my money, I struggled to manage my finances, I called my friends, and they had similar problems.
“Now I realised that having money is not the only thing, how do you keep that money and I noticed that it was a general problem.
“According to the research by S&P Financial Literacy survey, Africans score the least in financial literacy.
“So, I embarked on that mission. Once I figured it out, I felt like an evangelist. All I did was just to teach and tell everybody about how to manage money and make the most use of what they have,” Ms Olaseinde said.
She urged innovators to be flexible with their methods and continue to push and be focused on the goal.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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