Nigeria News (Standard)
Finance Minister Oyedele Proposes African Payment Card to Boost Intra-Continental Trade in Abuja
Federal government seeks to cut dollar dependence as Mastercard CEO visits; wider credit access for businesses discussed
Federal government seeks to cut dollar dependence as Mastercard CEO visits; wider credit access for businesses discussed
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has proposed the creation of a cross-border African payment card to facilitate trade between African countries without using the United States dollar or other foreign intermediary currencies. Oyedele made this call on Tuesday during a meeting with Mastercard’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Miebach, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Oyedele, the current payment system in Africa requires that most card transactions between countries on the continent are routed through third-party currencies like the US dollar before final settlement. This process results in multiple currency conversions, higher transaction costs and increased foreign exchange exposure for Nigerian and African businesses. The minister stated that a dedicated African payment card would address these inefficiencies and support deeper integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Oyedele said: “We need to develop solutions that enable seamless payments within Africa using our local currencies. This will not only reduce reliance on external currencies but also promote intra-African trade and regional economic growth.” He noted that most transactions between Nigerian businesses and their counterparts elsewhere in Africa still go through international networks that settle payments offshore, putting additional pressure on Nigeria’s foreign reserves and exposing traders to exchange rate volatility.
Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach welcomed the proposal and reiterated his company’s commitment to supporting digital payment innovation across Africa. He said Mastercard was already working with several governments on similar projects to enhance financial inclusion and access to credit for individuals and small businesses.
The finance minister further stressed the need for broader credit access, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which he described as vital engines of job creation in Nigeria. Stakeholders say improved payment infrastructure and affordable credit will help unlock new opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs, especially as AfCFTA implementation gathers pace.
As discussions continue, officials indicated that technical working groups from government and key private sector partners like Mastercard would meet in coming weeks to draft a roadmap for introducing an African payment card system. The move is expected to encourage more trade within West Africa and across the continent while reducing foreign exchange constraints faced by many Nigerian importers and exporters.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kyoto Opens World’s First Plush Toy Shrine, Honours Over 26,000 Stuffed Animals
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Newly launched Nuigurumi Jinja to begin receiving visitors during Tanabata festival as families seek emotional closure
Authorities in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, have inaugurated what is believed to be the world’s first shrine solely dedicated to plush toys, offering memorial and thanksgiving ceremonies for cherished stuffed animals. The site, known as Nuigurumi Jinja (Plush Toy Shrine), was established on 20 June and will officially open its doors to the public on 7 July to coincide with the annual Tanabata festival.
The founder, Komichi Horiguchi, who also created the popular Plush Toy Hospital repair service, said the idea came from observing the deep emotional bonds people form with their plushies. According to Horiguchi, more than 26,000 toys have been repaired by her organisation for owners across Japan and internationally. She noted that many people regard these toys as companions during childhood, illness and difficult periods, making it difficult for them to simply dispose of them when they get old or damaged.
The shrine is located in Kyoto’s scenic Miyama area and features plush-inspired architecture — including a torii gate with bear-like ears and a worship hall with a bear-shaped window. In keeping with Japanese tradition, the site underwent a formal Shinto spirit-enshrinement ritual before its opening, with support from an existing Kyoto shrine giving it religious legitimacy within Shinto practice.
Services at Nuigurumi Jinja will include thanksgiving rites for treasured toys, memorials for plushies beyond repair and a peaceful resting place for those being retired. Visitors will be able to collect special amulets and commemorative stamps or leave written messages of gratitude for their beloved stuffed animals. Organisers said the shrine is not just a novelty but responds to genuine emotional needs among the public.
Speaking about the project, Horiguchi said: “Many people feel real sadness when they can no longer keep a favourite plush toy. This shrine is here to help them say goodbye in a meaningful way.” Social media users have described the concept as heartwarming and uniquely Japanese. The practice aligns with broader cultural traditions in Japan where objects like dolls and sewing needles are honoured after years of service. The opening has attracted significant attention online as families prepare to visit during Tanabata festival.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kaduna, Zaria Residents Switch to Charcoal, Firewood as Cooking Gas Prices Surge
Soaring cost of liquefied petroleum gas forces households in North-West states to abandon cleaner fuels
Soaring cost of liquefied petroleum gas forces households in North-West states to abandon cleaner fuels
Many residents of Kaduna and Zaria in Kaduna State have turned to charcoal and firewood for their daily cooking needs following a sharp rise in the price of cooking gas. As at Thursday, June 25, 2026, the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has increased significantly across major markets in the North-West, pushing families to seek cheaper alternatives.
The hike in LPG prices has been attributed by local traders and residents to factors including volatile naira exchange rates and persistent inflation affecting import-dependent commodities. Households who previously relied on gas cylinders now frequent roadside vendors selling firewood and charcoal, with demand for these traditional fuels rising sharply in recent weeks.
The shift marks a setback for government efforts to encourage clean energy adoption and reduce deforestation. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics recently reported inflation hovering above 33 percent, with energy costs among the primary drivers of hardship for urban and peri-urban communities. Many affected residents say they are unable to afford refilling their cylinders at current prices, which have more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
Despite repeated assurances from federal authorities about measures to stabilise gas supply and pricing, relief has yet to reach consumers. Several residents who spoke at local markets in Kaduna expressed frustration with the lack of effective intervention. “We just dey manage now with firewood because gas money don too much,” one woman said.
As the rainy season advances, experts warn that continued reliance on charcoal and firewood could worsen indoor air pollution and environmental degradation. Advocacy groups are urging government to prioritise affordable access to cleaner fuels as part of its broader energy policy reforms.
Nigeria News (Standard)
EFCC Arraigns Miyetti Allah Leader Over Alleged ₦3.8bn Money Laundering From Bauchi Government
Anti-graft agency files charges in Abuja as cattle breeders’ association faces scrutiny over multi-million dollar transfer
Anti-graft agency files charges in Abuja as cattle breeders’ association faces scrutiny over multi-million dollar transfer
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore with money laundering involving a reported $2.53 million (about ₦3.8 billion at current rates) said to have been received from the Bauchi State government. The arraignment took place in Abuja on Thursday, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to tackle financial crimes linked to public funds.
According to information made available by the EFCC, the leader of the influential cattle breeders’ association is accused of receiving funds from Bauchi State government coffers without due process, allegedly disguising the source and intended use of the money. The commission stated that investigations uncovered suspicious transfers and that the accused failed to provide satisfactory explanations when questioned.
This case has drawn attention from stakeholders across Nigeria, given Miyetti Allah’s prominent role in livestock policy discussions and its influence within rural communities. Anti-corruption campaigners say it underlines persistent concerns about transparency in dealings between state governments and powerful interest groups. The EFCC has stepped up efforts in recent years to trace illicit financial flows involving associations and individuals with close ties to government officials.
While details of the court proceedings are still emerging, EFCC spokespersons have reiterated that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Calls for comment from Miyetti Allah officials were not immediately returned as at press time, while Bauchi State government representatives have yet to issue an official response regarding their role in the transaction.
The case is expected to proceed with further hearings in Abuja. Observers note that its outcome could set an important precedent for accountability in state-level disbursements and dealings with non-governmental associations.
Kyoto Opens World’s First Plush Toy Shrine, Honours Over 26,000 Stuffed Animals
Kaduna, Zaria Residents Switch to Charcoal, Firewood as Cooking Gas Prices Surge
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