Economy
Oyo Tasks Research Institutions on Food Sufficiency
By Dipo Olowookere
Research and academic institutions in Nigeria has been urged to close ranks and evolve pragmatic strategies for the development of agriculture to enhance food sufficiency and job creation.
This was the advice given by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, while addressing a delegation from the Michigan State University, United States, led by the institution’s Director of Agriculture and Youths Laboratory, Dr Julie Harward, in his office, in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Also on the team were the Deputy Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Kenton Dashiel and Provost, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, (OYSCATECH) Igbo-Ora, Prof. Gbemiga Adewale.
Mr Ajimobi said that the reputation of the Michigan State University in technology was reassuring, adding that a synergy between the college and the state’s academic and research institutions would be beneficial to the youths in the area of job creation, especially in the agricultural sector.
“A synergy with the Michigan State University by research institutions and our college of agriculture will go a long way to maximize the job creation drive of our administration, especially in the agriculture sector.
“Oyo State is blessed with a vast landmass, good population and the presence of agricultural research institutions like the IITA, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Forestry Research Institute and Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation.
“These institutions are capable of helping to train our younger ones in the college of agriculture through crash programmes of six to eight months,” the Governor said.
He added that, “The possibility of a network among these institutions will be to our utmost advantage as these young undergraduates would have had enough training before graduating. I, therefore, urge them to close ranks to boost the agriculture sector and help the country attain food sufficiency.”
According to him, Oyo State had developed its own agric programme, tagged Agric-Oyo, which, he said, was targeting over two million jobs for the youths, stating that agriculture was the current flagship programme of the administration.
He said that the ongoing repair works on the Lagos-Ibadan express way and the proposed rail project would boost agriculture production and the transportation sector across the South-West in particular and the country in general.
In her response, Dr Harward, who led the delegation, said that the Michigan State University would be excited with the possibility of training ten thousand youths towards youths on empowerment and enterprise.
She said that the institution’s intervention was aimed at reducing poverty and restiveness among the youths through productive engagement and training for self-sustenance.
“We all know that youths in their large number would contribute greatly to the economy of the country if they are empowered through training to be self-sustained in enterprise and agriculture.
“We are happy about the developmental strides of the state, especially in the area of job creation for the youths. Without doubts, creation of two million jobs through agriculture would go a long way to reduce the level of dependence on government,” she said.
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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