The Alternative Bank Ltd (Alt Bank) has appointed Gul Khan as its new Managing Director, following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to a statement issued by the bank on Wednesday, Khan succeeds Hassan Yusuf, the bank’s founding Managing Director.

The bank said Khan would bring more than 25 years of international experience in financial services across Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Before his appointment, Khan served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of I&M Bank Kenya.

He also served as Group Head of Products at Airtel Money, the fintech business operating across 14 African markets.

Khan previously held the position of Global Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC Amanah, the non-interest banking arm of HSBC.

His career also includes executive leadership positions in banks across the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar.

The Chairman of Alternative Bank, Mr Muhtar Bakare, said Khan’s expertise in non-interest banking and leadership experience across African financial services positioned him well to lead the bank into its next phase of growth.

“The Board is confident in his ability to build on the bank’s foundations and broaden its reach, while maintaining the strong governance and commercial discipline essential to long-term success,” he said.

In his remarks, Khan said his priority was to position Alternative Bank as the preferred choice for individuals and businesses in Nigeria.

“That means understanding what customers need, whether acquiring productive assets or growing their businesses, and providing solutions that are relevant and easy to use.

“I look forward to working with colleagues to build on Alt Bank’s progress and earn our customers’ continued trust,” he said.

The statement noted that Alternative Bank had met the CBN’s revised minimum capital requirement for national non-interest banks ahead of the regulatory deadline.

It also disclosed that the bank had completed its migration to MIZAN, a core banking platform designed specifically for non-interest financial institutions.

According to the statement, the strengthened capital base and technology investment would enhance the bank’s capacity to finance businesses and develop customer-focused financial products.

Alternative Bank is a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, a Nigerian financial services group. (NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has overhauled its Directorate of Media and Strategic Communications, restricting official communication on behalf of the campaign to three senior officials in a move aimed at ensuring greater discipline, coordination and consistency in public messaging.

Under the new arrangement, only the campaign’s Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, who will serve as the official spokesperson; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, are authorised to speak on behalf of the council.

The decision was announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the President and Deputy Director-General (Administration) of the council, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

Gbajabiamila said the restructuring was designed to promote “more cohesive, disciplined, and effective public engagement” by streamlining the campaign’s communication structure.

As part of the changes, all individuals previously announced or designated as spokespersons have been directed to relinquish those responsibilities and integrate into the Directorate of Media and Strategic Communications as ordinary members.

The council also issued a directive to radio and television stations to take note of the new arrangement and adjust their engagement protocols accordingly.

It explained that the campaign would designate appropriate representatives for media appearances whenever necessary, effectively ending the practice of multiple officials independently speaking on its behalf.

The restructuring comes against the backdrop of a controversial television appearance by a member of the campaign council, Alwan Hassan, on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.

During the interview, Hassan defended the functionality of Nigeria’s 112 emergency number, describing it as one of the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

However, when programme anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, challenged him to demonstrate that the emergency line was working by calling the number during the live broadcast, repeated attempts to connect were unsuccessful.

Hassan suggested that network-related difficulties might have affected the calls, but the explanation was questioned by the presenter, turning the exchange into a contentious moment during the programme.

The campaign council’s announcement followed less than a day after the interview. However, Gbajabiamila did not expressly attribute the restructuring to the television appearance or the controversy surrounding the emergency number.

The new directive nevertheless signals a tighter approach to the campaign’s media relations, with official public communication now concentrated in the hands of three designated officials.

For broadcast organisations and other media platforms, the changes mean that previous spokesperson designations are no longer valid, while invitations and requests for official campaign representation will henceforth be coordinated through the restructured Directorate of Media and Strategic Communications.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has rewarded Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, with Federal Government Savings Bonds worth N100 million each following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The reward package, announced on Wednesday at a special reception for the team at the State House, Abuja, also includes ₦100 million in cash for head coach Hakeem Busari and N50 million for each member of the technical crew.

The President was represented at the ceremony by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who presented the rewards on his behalf and congratulated the young champions for bringing honour to Nigeria and making history for African football.

The players’ rewards will be held in five-year Federal Government Savings Bonds, reportedly carrying an annual interest rate of 14 per cent, with the certificates held in trust through designated banks until the beneficiaries attain the stipulated age of 18.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, explained that the decision to invest the money rather than hand it over as immediate cash was deliberate, given the players’ young ages.

He said the arrangement was designed to protect their financial future while ensuring that they benefit from regular returns to support their education, football training and other needs.

According to Dikko, the investment would prevent a sudden influx of money from distracting the teenagers from their careers and personal development, allowing them to make informed financial decisions when they become adults.

The First Lady praised the players for their determination, discipline, humility and resilience, particularly their ability to recover from an opening-match defeat to Poland and go on to win six consecutive matches to lift the trophy.

Nigeria began its campaign with a 2-1 loss to Poland but bounced back impressively, defeating Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico and Venezuela before overcoming Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals.

In the final, the Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals to secure Nigeria’s maiden title in the competition.

The victory made Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first African women’s team to capture a FIFA World Cup title at any level.

Mrs Tinubu described the achievement as a landmark for Nigerian sports and a source of inspiration for millions of young girls across the country, urging the players to remain focused, disciplined and committed to greater accomplishments.

She also commended the coaching staff, medical personnel, sports administrators, parents, guardians and supporters whose contributions helped the team achieve the historic feat.

President Tinubu equally acknowledged the efforts of the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, its Director-General, Bukola Olopade, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in supporting the development of Nigerian football.

Captain Harmony Chidi attributed the team’s success to faith, hard work and unity, recalling how the players rallied together after their opening defeat to remain determined throughout the competition.

She pledged that the team would continue working hard to achieve more success, describing the World Cup triumph as the beginning of a greater journey rather than the end of their ambitions.

“This is just a starting point. I will not say we have arrived. As young players, this is good and we have to keep working so that we can keep representing the country and winning more trophies,” she said.

Head coach Hakeem Busari also attributed the victory to teamwork, dedication and the support received from the Federal Government.

Beyond the financial rewards, the Flamingos’ historic achievement represents a major breakthrough for Nigerian and African women’s football, offering renewed hope for the development of young female talents and strengthening the country’s presence on the global sporting stage.