ProvidusUnity Bank Commences Operations as Merged Institution

ProvidusUnity Bank has officially commenced operations as a single, unified institution following the successful merger of Providus Bank and Unity Bank, According to report by THISDAY Newspaper.

The bank said all regulatory, shareholder, and judicial approvals have been concluded. The merger creates a stronger, better capitalized, and nationwide bank positioned to improve service delivery, expand financial inclusion, and support Nigeria’s economic growth agenda.

In a statement on Thursday, ProvidusUnity Bank said the merger brings together Providus Bank’s digital innovation, customer focused service, and technology strength with Unity Bank’s wide branch network and market presence. The combined institution will now serve individuals, businesses, and communities across the country.

The bank noted that the move aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s reforms to build more resilient banks, protect depositors, increase competition, and create institutions that can drive economic transformation.

It thanked the CBN for its leadership, and also acknowledged shareholders, customers, employees, and stakeholders for their support.

“Stronger banks will be critical to enabling investment, supporting enterprise, expanding access to capital, and helping Nigeria advance toward a trillion-dollar economy,” the bank said.

For customers, ProvidusUnity Bank said the merger means wider access, better services, improved technology, more channels, and a larger national footprint. Existing services will continue, with new products and expanded reach to follow.

For staff, the bank said the merger offers stability and new opportunities. It pledged to retain talent, protect institutional knowledge, and build a stronger organization for growth.

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN H uman trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie " 3 Cold Dishes ," which explores themes of trauma , revenge , and survival , showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking. Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd ., directed the movie " A Day with Death ," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016 . He is also the director of the movie " Hakkunde ," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts. 1. How did yo...

SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Afriland & Central Plaza Infernos: A Call to Action for Enhanced Fire Safety F ire outbreaks remain a persistent crisis in Nigeria, claiming lives and destroying properties. The two recent incidents in Lagos show how severe it can be. On September 16, 2025 , around 1:20 pm, a fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island . The inferno was triggered by an electrical fault in the basement of inverter batteries in the building, which resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives due to smoke spreading via air-conditioning ducts. The deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning . According to national dailies, at least 25 people were injured. The high-rise building harbored different firms, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc . Just hours later, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, anothe...

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

The Ogechi Effect: How BoyPee Became Afrobeat’s Newest Star

I n this exclusive interview Nigerian singer, Sopuru Precious Odunze , popularly known by the stage name, ‘ Boypee ’ talked about what triggered his collaboration with singers, Brown Joel and Hyce on his hit track “ Ogechi ”. His influences and the way he handles the pressure coming from the music industry. The original “ Ogech i ” track gained massive popularity initially, but the remix featuring popular Nigerian singer, Davido catapulted the song to a new height. The remix was released before the megastar’s wedding, it took over social media, with many users incorporating the track into their online content, further solidifying “Ogechi” as one of Nigeria’s biggest hit song in 2024. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family background. I hail from the vibrant state of Imo , but I was born and raised in Anambra . Growing up in a business-oriented family instilled in me a strong work ethic and a competitive spirit. It’s this foundati...

Translate

Search This Blog