General
Africa Quality Assurance Centre in Ogun to Begin Operations Q2 2022
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The construction of an Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has commenced in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The centre is the first in a series of quality assurance facilities Afreximbank intends to establish across Africa to support industrialisation across the continent by ensuring that products from the continent are manufactured to international standards to enable them to participate in intra-African and global trade.
The AQAC is strategically located on a 5-hectare plot of land allocated by the Ogun State Government along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The project site is 65km from Lagos, Nigeria’s main port city and commercial capital, and 75km from Ibadan, a major commercial and industrial hub in south-western Nigeria. It is also at the centre of a region known for export agriculture.
Business Post gathered that construction of the Ogun State AQAC commenced on February 25, 2021, and is expected to commence operations by the second quarter of 2022.
The facility will provide more than 400 jobs in the local area, including over 180 in the highly skilled areas of quality assurance, testing, inspection, and certification.
In addition, an on-site training academy will provide the public and private sector with training in standards and quality assurance, as well as the skills necessary for businesses to compete in regional and international markets.
It was learned that the centre will be a state-of-the-art facility with the capacity to offer testing, certification, inspection, and training services covering agricultural products.
The first-class quality infrastructure is considered critical in facilitating trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
A world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, Bureau Veritas, is the technical partner on the project and will manage and operate the facility.
The partnership between Bureau Veritas and Afreximbank will ensure that AQAC meets the ISO 17025 standard for testing and calibration laboratories, to ensure the credibility and reliability of the range of services provided, including physical and chemical testing, contaminant analysis, microbiological testing, water analysis, soil analysis, plant analysis and organic substrate analysis, among others.
Courtney Michael Partnership Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian based company specialised in project management and construction management services, are the project managers, while Monterosa Construction Ltd, Nigeria and Lambert Electromec Nigeria Ltd are providing construction services.
“African businesses are set for a major step-change as the AfCFTA opens up new markets across the continent and the globe. To make their mark in countries around the world, African products must meet international standards.
“The AQAC in Ogun State will help deliver the highest quality African goods, strengthening their competitiveness and providing confidence to buyers.
“This is an important step, not only in underpinning the Made-in-Africa brand but as a driver for greater exports, increased manufacturing and more resilient economies across the continent,” the President of Afreximbank, Mr Benedict Oramah, said.
On his part, the Senior Vice President of Bureau Veritas Africa, Mr Marc Roussel, said: “We are very proud to be involved in this project and believe it can effectively shape trust between companies, public authorities and consumers.
“The AQAC will help improve the quality of Nigerian agricultural and food products, providing a boost to businesses and ensuring the well-being of local consumers.
“At the same time, compliance with international standards will facilitate access to export markets and thus increase the economic activity and employment in Nigeria.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over a suspicious credit into one of his private bank accounts, alleging that his confidential banking details may have been compromised.
Mr Atiku, who is one of the top candidates challenging President Bola Tinubu in next year’s election, disclosed this in a statement on Friday signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu.
The statement said the transfer was made by an individual unknown to the former vice president, with the narration, Contribution Electioneering Campaign.
“Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorised payment,” a part of the statement read.
According to the statement, the circumstances surrounding the transaction were “deeply troubling” as the account was strictly private and its details were not publicly available.
“The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?” it added.
Mr Atiku said the alleged access to his banking information raised broader concerns about the protection of Nigerians’ financial privacy.
“If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown, then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The former vice president also expressed concern over the possibility that the information was obtained through individuals with privileged access.
“Even more disturbing is the suspicion that such confidential information may have been obtained through persons with privileged access,” the statement said.
Mr Atiku warned that a breach of confidential banking information could expose citizens to security threats.
“If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements,” the statement added.
The ADC presidential candidate said security agencies and Nigerians had been notified of the development, describing it as part of a series of suspicious activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We therefore put the Nigerian public — and the security agencies — on notice about this latest incident in a litany of suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections,” he said.
Mr Atiku urged Nigerians not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to smear his reputation as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
“As political activities gather momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these tired tactics that smack of character assassination,” the statement read.
“Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again,” he added.
The former vice president maintained his commitment to providing what he described as credible leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
“The Waziri Adamawa remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges,” the statement said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
For the second consecutive month, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has become the largest supplier of jet fuel to Europe, outpacing the United States of America (USA).
Data from Kpler showed that in July 2026, the Lagos-based oil facility, which has the capacity to refine 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, produced more than 400,000 tonnes of jet fuel.
In June 2026, the private refinery, owned by Mr Aliko Dangote, exported 466,000 tonnes to Europe, underscoring its growing influence on international fuel markets and highlighting Nigeria’s emergence as a strategic player in global refined petroleum trade.
The latest data indicated that Dangote Refinery accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Europe’s total jet fuel imports last month.
The sustained export performance marks a significant milestone for the refinery, demonstrating its ability to consistently supply one of the world’s most demanding fuel markets with aviation fuel that meets stringent international quality specifications. Europe imported approximately 2.06 million tonnes of jet fuel in July, with Dangote accounting for the single largest share of those imports, ahead of traditional suppliers from the United States and the Middle East.
Industry observers say the refinery is rapidly reshaping established Atlantic Basin fuel trade flows by offering a competitive alternative to long-standing suppliers. While European buyers have traditionally relied on refiners in the United States, the Middle East and Asia, Dangote’s strategic location on Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, combined with its scale, modern technology and export capability, has enabled it to become an increasingly important source of aviation fuel for European markets.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the court ordering the freezing of the bank account of the Osun Srate government.
In a statement today by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President said he’s “deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order” because of its timing, which is just a few days to the governorship election in the state next Saturday.
According to him, actions of an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference. I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law.
“As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers. While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene.
“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.
“Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the statement stated.
