By Ekaete Bassey

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio are billed to headline the 55th Annual National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), in Abuja.

The week-long event, themed “Transform, Invest, Thrive: Optimising Real Estate Finance and Taxation,” will run from May 5 to 10 at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

A statement by NIESV’s National Publicity Secretary, ESV Richard Olodu, confirmed Tinubu will serve as the special guest of honour, while Akpabio will attend as guest of honour.

The conference aims to chart a transformative path for real estate development through deeper fiscal reforms and investment strategies.

Also expected at the high-powered gathering are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.

Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Presidential Adviser on Revenue, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, will deliver the keynote address, expected to dissect current tax policies and their impact on property financing.

NIESV President, ESV Victor Adekunle Alonge, has extended an open invitation to estate professionals, public sector leaders, investors and diaspora stakeholders to partake in what he described as a defining moment for Nigeria’s real estate sector.

The conference is projected to offer insights capable of unlocking economic growth, with real estate positioned as a strategic anchor.

By Adenike Lawal

Full telecom services have returned across Kogi State following the resolution of a prolonged dispute between MTN Nigeria and the Kogi State Government.

The disagreement, which had forced a shutdown of several network masts, disrupted connectivity for weeks, leaving businesses and residents frustrated.

Traders and digital service users, particularly in Lokoja, were hit hard by the blackout.

Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, confirmed that the matter has been amicably settled and that service providers can now operate without hindrance.

The shutdown stemmed from claims by the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency that MTN failed to meet regulatory requirements and had outstanding taxes related to its fibre optic network.

With the standoff now resolved, both parties have agreed to a compliance framework to avert future service interruptions.

The resolution has brought much-needed relief to thousands who rely daily on digital access for communication and business.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Nigeria’s cotton industry is poised for a major resurgence following the approval of the Cotton, Textile, and Garment Development Board (CTGDB) by the National Economic Council (NEC).

The initiative, a key part of the government’s economic strategy, is expected to generate up to $90 billion by 2035.

Funded through the Textile Import Levy from the Nigeria Customs Service, the CTGDB will be based in the Presidency.

While Nigeria has the potential to grow cotton in 34 states, current production remains low at just 13,000 metric tons annually.

The new plan aims to revive the industry, reduce textile imports, and create jobs, marking a significant step towards economic diversification.