BUSINESS
Concessioning: Onitsha River Port to Connect S/E, Lagos, PH, Others

.FG Expects N50bn Revenue
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has said that the Onitsha River Port will serve as an alternative source of transporting goods to the South East from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other areas with adequate water connectivity.
The 30-year concession, approved by the Federal Executive Council, under a Rehabilitate-Operate and Transfer (ROT) arrangement, targets a revenue generation of N50 billion.
The approval followed a detailed process under the regulatory guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) which commenced in 2011 with support from the World Bank.
The Onitsha River Port was officially opened over three decades ago but has been neglected and not been optimally utilized.
The Onitsha River Port is one of the four River Ports in the country with others situated in Lokoja, Kogi State; Baro in Niger State and Oguta in Imo State.
According to a statement by ICRC Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Manji Yarling,
“This concession is part of the bigger Federal Government’s plan to concession the remaining river ports and enhance inland waterways transportation in the country.
“The 30-year concession is expected to generate over N50 billion to the Federal Government and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while facilitating more efficient trade within the country through cheaper, easier and cleaner method of transporting goods and services.”
“The Port is equipped to deal with general cargo such as containers, bulk cargo and other packaged freight. The Port has a land area of over 12 Hectares.”
“The wharf is 324 meters long with a further provision for additional expansion of 234 meters. The Port also has facilities such as storage workshops and parking areas to cater for operations.”
BUSINESS
FirstBank Launches 24/7 Digital Centre at BUK

First Bank of Nigeria on Thursday inaugurated its state-of-the-art Digital Experience Centre at the Bayero University Kano (BUK), offering round-the-clock automated banking services.
The centre provides services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, and payment transactions through advanced ATMs without human assistance.
Bank’s Group Head of Branch Operations and Services, Abimbola Ajayi, said the centre showcased the bank’s digital transformation and makes banking more convenient for customers.
She added that the centre’s location within the university was strategic, given the tech-savvy nature of the academic community.
Ajayi explained that the centre, the second in Northern Nigeria, aimed to showcase the bank’s digital transformation and enhance banking convenience for customers.
She added that the centre offered a platform for customers to independently perform transactions in a friendly environment.
Ajayi said the centre’s efficiency was demonstrated during the inauguration when the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amina Mustapha successfully carried out a transfer and the students’ union President created an ATM card.
She assured the customers of seamless transactions, with support staff available when needed, and promised improved connectivity, reflecting the bank’s commitment to reliable digital service delivery.
Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, represented by Prof. Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice -Chancellor, Research and Innovation, thanked First Bank for establishing a digital banking facility on campus.
She appreciated the bank’s management for the initiative, saying that it would benefit students who can now access banking services without leaving the campus.
Musa urged the members of staff and students to take care of the facility to ensure its sustainability.
BUSINESS
Ecobank Upgrades Mobile App to Deepen Financial Inclusion

Ecobank Nigeria has upgraded its mobile App to deliver a faster, smarter, and more secure banking experience for customers nationwide.
A statement by the bank’s media unit on Sunday said the upgrade underscores the bank’s commitment to leveraging technology to empower individuals and businesses with convenient access to financial services.
According to the bank, the newly mobile app features a modern design and improved functionalities, including advanced facial recognition, seamless bill payments, airtime top-ups, and QR code payments, all designed to make banking easier for customers on the go.
Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal said the new app leverages digital innovation to bring real convenience, flexibility, and security to customers.
“The new mobile app represents another major step in our journey toward digital transformation.
“It enables individuals to manage their finances with ease and provides real-time access to essential banking services,” Lawal said.
He added that Ecobank’s goal was to make financial transactions more inclusive and accessible, particularly for customers in remote areas who may not have access to physical bank branches.
Also speaking, Kola Adeleke, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the app was designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s digital customers.
“The upgraded app comes with cardless onboarding, end-to-end card management for card requests, activation, PIN change, and blocking or unblocking accounts.
“It also offers end-to-end profile management, dormant account reactivation, and live monitoring of foreign exchange rates,” Adeleke said.
He explained that the enhanced features were developed to help customers perform a wide range of transactions without visiting a branch, reflecting Ecobank’s drive to make banking simpler and more efficient.
“This app is not just a digital tool; it represents how we want to engage with our customers.
“Our goal is to make banking faster, smarter, and simpler,” Adeleke added.
He noted that with growing mobile penetration across Africa, the app would help more Nigerians embrace digital banking and take full advantage of mobile-based financial services.
Ecobank, a member of the Ecobank Group, continues to position itself as one of the leading pan-African banks driving innovation and inclusion through digital banking.
BUSINESS
Polaris Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Excellence as Customer Service Week Begins

Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences as it joins the global celebration of the 2025 Customer Service Week, with the theme: “Mission: Possible”.
The annual global event, which runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 is dedicated to recognising the vital role of customer service professionals and the value they bring to customers and businesses alike.
Speaking to customers and staff, in Lagos, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, emphasised that excellent service remains central to the bank’s culture and success.
Lawal said that while great customer service sometimes seems challenging, it is always worth the effort.
According to him, Polaris Bank’s approach to service is anchored on consistency, thoughtfulness and excellence, ensuring that customers experience genuine care and responsiveness in every interaction.
Lawal expressed appreciation to customers for their trust and feedback, describing them as the reason Polaris Bank continues to push boundaries and innovate.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to standing by its customers towards delivering the kind of service they truly deserve daily.
Throughout the week, Polaris Bank will host a variety of engaging activities across its branches and digital platforms to appreciate customers and recognise service champions within the bank.
These will include staff recognition events, customer appreciation sessions and internal learning engagements aimed at deepening service excellence.
Customer Service Week is celebrated globally in the first week of October to honour the importance of service excellence and the professionals who make it possible.