NEWS
Sterling Bank Leads Africa’s Green Revolution
…with Agriculture Summit Africa 2025
Lagos, Nigeria – Africa’s agricultural rebirth gathers momentum as Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2025, the continent’s foremost platform for advancing sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation, returns under the bold theme ‘Survival of the Greenest: Reclaiming Africa’s Food Destiny’.
Scheduled for November 6–7, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, ASA 2025 is set to spotlight financing pathways to drive sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
Now in its eighth year and convened by Sterling Bank, the summit will bring together policymakers, agribusiness leaders, investors, and innovators from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative solutions to the continent’s agricultural challenges.
Furthermore, the event will foster collaboration and innovation, examining how green finance, digital tools, and climate-smart practices can transform Africa into the world’s next agricultural powerhouse.
Addressing attendees at the press conference to announce plans for the summit, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, emphasised the Bank’s purpose for convening the summit, noting that, “At Sterling, we believe Africa’s food future will be secured not by chance but by deliberate, collective effort.”
“Our commitment is rooted in the conviction that agriculture is central to Africa’s transformation, socially, economically, and environmentally. ASA 2025 is a platform that has galvanised this transformation by uniting policymakers, innovators, and investors around one shared goal: reclaiming Africa’s food destiny through sustainability and innovation.”
With over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a rapidly growing population, Africa holds immense potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse.
However, productivity challenges, limited access to finance, and the escalating impacts of climate change continue to hinder food security. ASA 2025 will leverage multi-sector partnerships and policy alignment to accelerate the continent’s transition from dependence to self-sufficiency.
“This year’s theme, ‘Survival of the Greenest,’ underscores both the urgency and the unique opportunity before us,” commented Olushola Obikanye, Group Head, Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank. “Africa’s food future lies in sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.
ASA provides a platform where governments, financiers, innovators, and farmers can engage meaningfully to design solutions that strengthen agricultural value chains, unlock financing, and foster inclusion. Agriculture is not just an economic imperative; it is the heartbeat of Africa’s transformation,” he added.
The two-day event will host delegates from over 30 African countries, providing valuable opportunities for networking, policy engagement, and investment facilitation among agribusinesses, innovators, and financiers enabling access to capital.
The event will also feature high-level panels, keynote addresses, policy dialogues, exhibitions, and an Investment Deal Room (a marketplace designed to connect investors with viable agribusiness ventures and initiatives).
Sunbeth Global Concepts, a global agro-commodities sourcing and trading company, will co-convene the summit, contributing its expertise in agribusiness strategy, capacity building, and development partnerships.
Eyitemi Adebowale, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Sunbeth, spoke to the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, saying, “We are proud to co-convene ASA 2025 because we believe the future of Africa’s development is rooted in sustainable agriculture. Through this summit, we aim to spotlight solutions that empower farmers, attract investment, and promote climate-smart practices that build resilience across the continent.”
With strategic partners including Mastercard, which will lead discussions on digital tools for agricultural transformation, ASA 2025 is poised to ignite a movement toward innovation and financial inclusion within the agricultural sector.
Other key sponsors and partners include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Alternative Bank, Arzikin Noma, ONE Foundation, Noor Takaful, Bühler, and many others.
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About Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA)
Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) is the continent’s foremost platform for advancing agricultural innovation, investment, and sustainability. It brings together leaders from government, business, and development sectors to foster collaboration, share insights, and drive action toward a resilient, inclusive agricultural future for Africa.
Interested participants and organisations can register at www.agricsummit.org.
About Sterling Bank Limited
Sterling Bank Limited is a full-service national commercial bank in Nigeria and a member of Sterling Financial Holdings Group. With a heritage of over 60 years, the bank has evolved from Nigeria’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a trusted provider of retail, commercial, and corporate banking services.
Sterling is a forward-thinking financial institution committed to transforming lives through innovative solutions, exceptional service, unwavering integrity, and a steadfast focus on its HEART strategy, which centers on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation. As pioneers in digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling continues to lead by example, showing how purpose-driven leadership can deliver transformative outcomes for individuals, businesses, and society at large.
Guided by a culture of innovation and a passion for excellence, Sterling Bank remains dedicated to redefining the banking experience for millions of customers across Nigeria.
NEWS
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Fiona Ahmed Ahimie Launches LEADHER Mentorship Session to Inspire the Next Generation of Female leaders
Lagos, Nigeria – June 2026 – As part of activities leading up to her investiture as the 14th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the first female President in the Institute’s history, Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, Managing Director of First Securities Brokers Limited, hosted the inaugural LeadHER Mentorship Session on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The session, themed “Leading with Purpose, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy,” brought together emerging female professionals and aspiring leaders from across various industries for an engaging afternoon of mentorship, learning, and empowerment.The LeadHER Mentorship Session was designed to provide participants with practical insights into leadership, career advancement, personal development, and navigating challenges in the traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, attendees gained valuable perspectives on building successful careers while creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities.Speaking at the event, Dr. Ahimie noted that leadership is not merely about achieving personal success but about creating pathways for others to thrive.”Throughout my professional journey, I have benefited from the guidance, support, and encouragement of remarkable mentors. The LeadHER Mentorship Session is an opportunity to pay that forward by equipping and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities, and break barriers with confidence,” she said.The mentorship session forms part of a broader commitment to advancing female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s financial services industry and the wider corporate ecosystem. It also reflects Dr. Ahimie’s longstanding dedication to talent development, professional excellence, and inclusive leadership.The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing.Dr. Ahimie’s investiture as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers marks a historic milestone for the Institute and the Nigerian capital market, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of the financial services industry.
NEWS
Insecurity: Governor Dauda Lawal Commends Troops for Recovering Ammunitions, Rustled Cattle
Zamfara State Executive Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has commended the troops for their efforts and commitment to the fight against banditry in the state.On Saturday, the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Zamfara Police Command successfully recovered 329 cattle and 175 sheep from bandits in the Gambanda forest in Gummi Local Government.Governor Lawal, while appreciating the troops, described the Zamfara State Police’s renewed efforts as encouraging and promising in the fight against banditry.He said, “I commend the effort of all the security operatives in Zamfara State, especially the Zamfara State Police Command, for its resilience, bravery and commitment in recovering 329 cattle, 175 sheep, weapons and ammunition from bandits.”The police engaged and overpowered the bandits in Gambanda forest in Gummi local government area, which led to the recovery.”This commendable action reflects their tireless work in the face of challenges posed by criminal elements and underscores the police’s role in protecting the livelihoods of the people of Zamfara State.”The remarkable display of bravery and the successful recovery of livestock and weapons highlight the strong leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Bello. His guidance has been instrumental in improving public safety and combating banditry.”My administration remains committed to providing support to all security agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security for our people.”
NEWS
Governor Dauda Lawal Approves Payment of Allowance to NYSC Members Serving in Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government is pleased to announce that His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the payment of allowances/stipends to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state. The approval reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of corps members who are contributing to the development of various sectors across Zamfara State.
The approval covers corps members from Batch A Stream I and II up to Batch C Stream I and II. Through this gesture, the government recognizes and appreciates the patriotism, dedication, and selfless service being rendered by the young graduates in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other areas critical to the growth and progress of the state.
Governor Dauda Lawal has directed the Office of the Accountant General to put in place all necessary arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the approval. The government is committed to ensuring that the process is carried out smoothly and in accordance with established procedures.
The Zamfara State Government remains grateful to the NYSC members for choosing to serve in the state and for their invaluable contributions to community development.
The administration will continue to prioritize initiatives aimed at supporting corps members and creating an enabling environment that will allow them to discharge their national responsibilities effectively.
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