Author: Tribune Online

Is Starlink finally getting cheaper? After years of price increases, rollbacks, regulatory struggles, and seemingly static waitlists, it’s completely reasonable to want a straight answer. 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the development, attributing the crash to

Flutterwave CEO Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola has been named in Endeavor’s prestigious Outlier Class of 2026 for the sixth consecutive year, in recognition of his sustained commitment to solving payment challenges across Africa and other emerging markets.

Endeavor, the globally recognised organisation supporting high-growth entrepreneurs, noted that its 2026 Outlier class reflects a shift in global entrepreneurship, with founders building resilient, globally competitive companies despite uncertain conditions.

Agboola’s journey with Endeavor began in 2019, when he was first selected as an Endeavor Entrepreneur. Over the years, his engagement with the network has deepened—shaped by a clear recognition of the role Endeavor plays in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, including fintech. This conviction has since translated into active investment in the network and a leadership role as a board member, contributing to the development of the next generation of founders.

With a strong focus on innovation and a vision to scale Africa’s digital economy, Agboola has led Flutterwave through significant milestones. The company was recently named among the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies in 2025 and received the Excellence in Cross-Border Payments Award at the Africa Tech Summit. Agboola himself was also recognised with the Fintech Pioneer in Africa Award for his contributions to advancing the continent’s fintech ecosystem.

Spearheading the company’s vision, Agboola led Flutterwave to accelerate payment growth globally in 2025 by opening vital new corridors, such as the Africa–Asia trade route. After processing nearly $1 billion in the first half of the year, the platform solidified its scale, reaching over $40 billion in total transaction value across more than 1 billion transactions.

The company also deepened its infrastructure capabilities through strategic partnerships with stablecoin providers Polygon and Turnkey, aimed at improving accessibility and enabling more efficient cross-border transactions.

Beyond Flutterwave, Agboola has played an active role in shaping the broader innovation ecosystem. As an investor and mentor, he supports the next generation of high-growth founders through Resilience17 (R17), his venture studio and early-stage investment platform

R17 backs a portfolio of over 70 companies globally, including Vesti, Klasha, LemFi, and Bamboo, with a focus on fintech and digital identity. His investment track record was recognised with the Tech Investor of the Year award by Business Insider Africa in 2022 and further underscored by the successful acquisition of one of his portfolio companies, Brass, in 2024.

Agboola has also expanded this commitment into frontier technology with the launch of Go Time AI, Nigeria’s first dedicated AI accelerator. The initiative provides funding and computing infrastructure to Global South founders building the next generation of AI solutions tailored to local markets. His investment interests extend beyond fintech, with a diversified portfolio that includes Lagoon Hospital, a leading multi-specialist healthcare group, and Nairobi City Thunder Basketball Club, a two-time national champion.

Building on this momentum, Flutterwave has taken significant steps in 2026 to strengthen its position as a full-stack financial services provider. This includes the acquisition of Mono, a leading open banking platform, to enhance financial data access and infrastructure across Africa. Additionally, the company secured a microfinance banking licence, enabling it to expand its offerings and deliver more integrated financial services to businesses across the continent.

Joining Agboola on the 2026 Outlier list are founders from more than 50 underserved markets, who continue to shape their ecosystems, serving as mentors and community leaders while driving the future of payments and financial innovation in Africa.

Flutterwave CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, named to Endeavor’s 2026 Outlier Class for sixth consecutive year

The Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed that Nigeria’s ongoing banking sector recapitalisation exercise has generated an estimated N29.83tn in wealth within the equity market over the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the programme’s significant impact on capital market expansion.

In a policy update on the exercise, the Commission stated that total market capitalisation rose sharply from N99.38tn at the end of 2025 to N129.21tn as of March 31, 2026.

It further noted that the Nigerian Exchange All Share Index recorded a strong upward movement, climbing from 155,613 points at the close of 2025 to an all-time peak of 201,287.78 points by the end of March 2026, reflecting a 29.35 percent increase within just three months.

According to the SEC, investor sentiment improved significantly as the March 31 recapitalisation deadline for banks approached, supported by expectations of a stronger and more resilient banking system.

The regulator also highlighted that February 2026 stood out as a record-breaking month, with market capitalisation increasing by N17.6tn—described as the highest monthly gain ever recorded in the Nigerian equities market.

Despite the influx of large equity offerings from banks, the Commission said the market maintained stability and effective valuation adjustment throughout the period.

“The Nigerian equity market demonstrated reasonable price discovery throughout the recapitalisation period,” the commission stated.

It explained that although the NGX Banking Index experienced a temporary decline in mid-2024 due to investor concerns over share dilution from anticipated capital raises, the sector later rebounded strongly. This recovery followed successful capital injections and a reassessment of improved bank balance sheets and expanded lending capacity.

The SEC attributed the market’s orderly performance to increasing sophistication among institutional investors, improved analytical coverage by market researchers, and stronger real-time trading data systems.

Beyond market performance, the Commission noted that the recapitalisation exercise had wider structural effects on Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

It estimated that around 500,000 new investors participated in bank public offerings between 2024 and 2026, many of whom entered the equities market for the first time.

The SEC added that a significant portion of these investors are expected to remain active participants in secondary trading and future equity issuances, thereby strengthening market liquidity and broadening investor participation.

It also observed that the exercise helped build capacity across financial service providers, including investment banks, stockbroking firms, registrars, custodians, and issuing houses, all of which managed unprecedented transaction volumes during the recapitalisation period.

According to the Commission, the experience gained across these institutions will remain valuable for future capital-raising activities in both public and private sectors.

In addition, the SEC disclosed that a total of ₦4.65tn was mobilised through the capital market over the 24-month recapitalisation period, describing this as evidence of the strength of Nigeria’s regulatory framework and market infrastructure in supporting large-scale financial mobilisation.

SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said the recapitalisation exercise should be viewed as a foundation for long-term economic growth rather than a standalone achievement.

“The recapitalisation has demonstrated that the Nigerian capital market is resilient. It is the Commission’s unwavering determination to ensure that resilience becomes transformation,” he said.

He further stressed that the ₦4.65tn raised should not be seen as the peak of market achievement, but rather the beginning of a more impactful phase in which the capital market plays a central role in financing Nigeria’s development agenda.

ENDS.

Over 500,000 Fresh Investors Acquired Bank Shares During Recapitalisation—SEC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, deployed along the Jamata–Owara Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, have intercepted suspected terrorist logistics couriers during a series of operations and intelligence-driven efforts aimed at cracking down on terrorists and dismantling their supply networks within the operational environment. According to a statement made available […]

Nigeria and China are strengthening cultural and media ties through sustained language exchange initiatives, with stakeholders highlighting the growing role of Mandarin in diplomacy, communication and bilateral cooperation. Speaking on Monday at the 2026 International Chinese Language Day celebration in Abuja, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China […]

John Arum, the abducted University of Jos graduate has dispelled rumours making the rounds about his death in the kidnappers den.

In a fresh video released on April 20, today, the terrorists said the rumour flying online about the death of their victim is fake.

In the video, the victim could also be heard saying “today is April 20, 2026 and I am alive.

“They demanded 10 million naira for my release and 6 million have been paid, it is now remaining 4 million naira”.

The terrorist, however,warned that further delay may lead to the death of the victim.

A disturbing footage of the young graduate had flooded the Internet recently, raising concerns about his safety in the kidnappers’ den.

Watch video 

 

BREAKING: I’m still alive – Abducted UniJos graduate speaks as terrorists releases fresh video

Former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, commissioned the Agbura-Oxbow Lake Road and Oporoma referral hospital in

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has dismissed ongoing criticism of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as routine political propaganda that will not affect the president’s electoral prospects in the North ahead of the 2027 general elections. He also dismissed the relevance of the African Democratic […]

The People’s Republic of China, the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ have called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Chinese language, being among the six international languages recognised by the United Nations, UN.

Mr Yang Jianxing, the Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy and Director of CCCIN, stated this at the International Chinese Language Day held in Abuja on Monday.

According to China, this language would build bridges between cultures and advance business ideas and adventures.

He noted that Chinese language is the genetic link that carries the torch of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

According to him, the Chinese language is a shared treasure of humankind, adding that in today’s world, Chinese is not only a “gift across time,” but also a “golden bridge” connecting people’s hearts.

“More than 190 countries and regions worldwide have implemented Chinese language teaching, with over 200 million international learners and users,” he said.

“When we read famous Chinese philosophical ideas such as ‘the world belongs to all’ and ‘do not do to others what you would not have them do to you,’ we feel a resonance that transcends civilizations.

“These ideas resonate deeply with Nigerian culture, which also values harmony.

“China will further promote high-quality economic and social development, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation with other countries, and share development opportunities with the world.

“Learning Chinese is undoubtedly an important shortcut to fully understanding China and realizing one’s dreams through participation in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nigeria in various fields.

“We hope that this ‘International Chinese Language Day’ event will serve as an opportunity for everyone to experience the unique charm and contemporary vitality of the Chinese language.

“We hope that more and more Nigerian friends will learn Chinese, understand China, and enhance exchanges.”

Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, represented by by the Director of News, Mr Suleiman Musa, said the Chinese language stands as one of humanity’s most enduring cultural treasures, with its rich tapestry of characters and timeless expressions.

“In today’s interconnected world, the role of language as a tool for diplomacy, trade, media exchange, and cultural understanding cannot be overemphasized,” he said.

“The Ni Hao China programme is part of the benefits of the agreements signed between Nigeria and China, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State visit to China in September 2024, aimed at boosting trade, tourism, and communication between Nigeria and China.

The Chinese language continues to open new frontiers for storytelling, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect among
nations.

Also speaking, Grace Ike, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council, harped on the importance of the Chinese language in present Nigeria.

“This event underscores the power of language as a bridge for cultures, fostering deeper understanding between Nigeria and China, two great nations bound by shared aspirations for progress, innovation, and mutual prosperity,” she said.

China, FG, NUJ task Nigerians learning Chinese language