
The Capital Market Solicitors Association CMSA announced its 2026 Annual Business Summit, themed "Structural Resilience and Market Permanence," will focus on strengthening Nigeria鈥檚 capital market, deepening investor confidence, and promoting sustainable growth. Scheduled for July 1, 2026, in Lagos, the summit aims to explore how Nigeria can sustain capital market growth through institutional reforms, regulatory efficiency, technological innovation, and stronger investor protection mechanisms. Simisola Eyisanmi, Chairman of the CMSA, explained that discussions will cover institutional governance, capital adequacy, market trading procedures, regulatory reforms, technological integration, sustainable financing, and long-term strategies. She clarified the distinction between the capital market, a broad ecosystem, and the stock exchange, a platform for trading securities. Eyisanmi emphasized that both are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC and urged Nigerians to ensure financial institutions are licensed. She also highlighted the well-defined dispute resolution process for investors, starting with the SEC and potentially escalating to the Investments and Securities Tribunal IST. The IST has been invited to participate in the summit to raise awareness of its role. For small and medium-sized enterprises, Eyisanmi pointed to opportunities like the Growth Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited and the NASD Over-the-Counter Securities Exchange. Mohammed Abubakar SAN,
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA arrested Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a 55-year-old Lagos businessman, for attempting to export 3.30kg of cocaine to the United Kingdom. The cocaine was found concealed in the walls of cartons packaging foodstuffs. Chinedu, a clothing trader at Balogun Market, was apprehended on Thursday, July 23, 2026, following the interception of the shipment at Murtala Muhammed International Airport the previous day. Three cargo agents, Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, were initially arrested for handling the consignment, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the drugs. Okakpu's arrest identified Chinedu as the syndicate's leader. In other operations, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo with 2.80kg of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, and recovered 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, valued at over N2.2 billion, from a shipment from India. At Apapa Seaport, 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud, weighing 2,388.5kg and valued at over N7.1 billion, were discovered hidden in three vehicles within a shipping container. In Katsina State, NDLEA arrested Mustapha Sani with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition and Abubakar Amadu with 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In Edo State, a raid on a warehouse yielded 1,286kg of cannabis and 86kg of cannabis seeds, while Ojore Onweze and George Agwumede were arrested with 60kg and 13kg of skunk, respectively.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, stated in an interview with Symfoni TV that a joint presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso would have a 70 percent chance of winning the 2027 presidential election. Lawal predicted that President Bola Tinubu would have a 50 percent chance of victory, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would lose. Lawal emphasized that an Obi-Kwankwaso pairing would be more successful than if they contested individually. His comments follow his resignation from the African Democratic Congress and allegations of irregularities in the party's presidential primary that produced Atiku as a candidate.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, stated that former President Buhari initially hesitated to publicly support Bola Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary. In an interview, Lawal indicated that Buhari had religious and ethical concerns regarding Tinubu's suitability as a successor. Despite these reservations, Lawal claimed that after discussions, Buhari agreed to remain neutral, allowing party delegates to decide the candidate. Lawal noted Tinubu's critical role in previous APC campaigns, providing resources and strategists, which made it difficult for Buhari to outright oppose his ambition. Lawal also recounted advising Buhari to stay neutral before the convention, a proposal Buhari initially resisted, fearing Lawal would ensure Tinubu's victory. Buhari also expressed concerns about Tinubu's fairness to their political camp if elected. Ultimately, Buhari remained neutral, and Tinubu secured the APC presidential ticket, later winning the February 2023 presidential election.