December in Lagos never arrives quietly. It announces itself with traffic that refuses to move,music that refuses to stop, and nights that stretch well into the next morning. Long beforethe phrase “Detty December” entered popular vocabulary, Nigerians already understoodDecember as a season of movement, return, and release. And for many of those moments,consciously or not, Pepsi has been there.From street parties to headline concerts, from DJ-led nights to block parties that reshapedurban culture, Pepsi has woven itself into the rhythm of December in Nigeria. Not as a guest,but as part of the fabric.Players within the entertainment ecosystem confirm Pepsi as the ultimate partner if anymassive concerts would be a hit. “Every major event in December, every major activity, [withthe Afrobeat…] big three,” says entertainment executive Bizzle Osikoya. “There’s no big eventin December that Pepsi wasn’t part of.”For DJs who sit at the heartbeat of nightlife culture, Pepsi’s presence has always feltintentional. DJ Obi recalls how the brand showed up when it mattered most. “The very firstDecember we did Obi’s House, Pepsi was the only brand that supported us. Pepsieverywhere. That meant something.”That support went beyond logos. Pepsi was one of the earliest brands to recognise DJs not asbackground facilitators but as cultural tastemakers. By placing DJs on bottles, stages andcentre of platforms, the brand acknowledged their role as curators of sound, mood andMemoryMedia personality Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi captures it perfectly. “Pepsi is part of the culturalDNA. It’s like rice and stew. It’s already there.”Even behind the scenes, Pepsi played a role in shaping how December was experienced.Toolz recalls how early access to Pepsi-backed event calendars helped people plan theirentire season. “You could plan your day, your week, your outfit, everything.”Over the years, the brand’s consistency has made its presence feel almost instinctive.Whether it’s Mainland Block Party, Obi’s House, DJ led events or large-scale concerts, Pepsididn’t just follow the culture. It helped sustain it.As the new year sets in and the noise of December fades, one thing remains clear. Pepsi didnot arrive when Detty December became cool. It was there while it was still becoming.

Interswitch to Boost Public Healthcare Delivery through Deployment of eClinic Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Platform in Abia State. Umuahia, Abia State – February 10, 2026 – Interswitch, leading African technology company focused on creating solutions that enable individuals and communities prosper, through its health-tech subsidiary, Interswitch eClat, has taken a major step in advancing Nigeria’s public-sector health digitisation agenda following the conclusion of a high-level stakeholders’ engagement with the Abia State Government. The engagement took place ahead of the phased deployment of eClinic, Interswitch eClat’s Electronic Medical Records (EMR) platform, across public health facilities in the state. The engagement, convened by the Abia State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Interswitch, and held at the State’s Ministry of Health in Umuahia, brought together senior government officials, health administrators, Interswitch representatives and key ecosystem stakeholders to align on the scope, implementation framework, and expected outcomes of the proposed eClinic deployment. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure to improve healthcare delivery, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes across Abia State’s public health system. Discussions focused on deploying Interswitch’s eClinic solution in alignment with Abia State’s broader healthcare reform agenda under the current government’s administration, particularly the transition from fragmented, paper-based systems to secure, interoperable digital platforms across public health facilities. The proposed kick-off phase will span six public health facilities, including three primary healthcare centres, two secondary facilities, and one tertiary hospital, creating an end-to-end digital care pathway that strengthens patient referrals, supports continuity of care, and enables data-driven decision-making across all levels of service delivery. The EMR solution is built to reduce patient waiting times, strengthen referral processes, and ensure the secure handling of both clinical and administrative data, supported by a hybrid infrastructure that enables local hosting with cloud-based backup. Speaking at the engagement, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Abia State, described the initiative as a major milestone in the state’s healthcare transformation journey and highlighted the importance of private-sector collaboration in achieving sustainable impact.“The Ministry of Health in Abia State is excited about the digitisation of health facilities, starting with Interswitch’s eClinic pilot phase involving three primary, two secondary, and one tertiary health centre. This initiative will enhance efficiency, accountability, and patient care by linking records across different levels of care. Global evidence shows that digital health improves access, reduces the cost of care, and maximises human resources while personalising services for our people. This partnership with Interswitch represents a key deliverable for this administration and aligns with the Governor’s vision for a modern, technology-driven health system,” he said. During technical sessions led by Babatunde Fadeyi, Vice President, Health Ecosystem (Public Sector), Interswitch, stakeholders were taken through the core capabilities of Interswitch’s eClinic platform. These include secure patient record management, ICD-11–compliant diagnosis coding, controlled data update protocols, and integrated billing and reporting tools designed to improve efficiency and accountability across health facilities. Stakeholders were also briefed on the platform’s governance framework, risk mitigation approach, and phased implementation roadmap.Commenting on the engagement, Fadeyi reaffirmed Interswitch’s commitment to delivering measurable impact through technology-enabled healthcare systems. “Abia State has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation and system reform. The alignment of the state’s healthcare priorities with national health digitisation objectives creates a solid foundation for meaningful progress. Interswitch’s eClinic platform is designed to improve hospital operations by automating workflows, securing patient data, and providing healthcare managers with reliable insights to guide decisions. Beyond improving patient experience, it supports stronger revenue tracking, operational efficiency, and accountability. Our focus is to ensure the success of this pilot phase and deliver tangible improvements across productivity, service delivery, and patient satisfaction,” he said. Also speaking at the engagement, Dr. Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Abia State, highlighted the operational and clinical value of Interswitch’s eClinic initiative, particularly in strengthening referrals, improving revenue management, and expanding access to specialist care.“This digitisation initiative will help us track our finances and internally generated revenue more accurately while reducing leakages. More importantly, it strengthens our referral system by allowing patient records to move seamlessly from primary to secondary and tertiary care. With a digital framework, healthcare workers in remote communities can access specialist support through telemedicine, helping to save lives and improve outcomes. This is a critical tool in our efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and we are eager to see the outcomes of Interswitch’s eClinic,” she noted. The engagement also addressed key success factors for the project, including power stability, user training, change management, and inter-agency collaboration, with both parties emphasising sustainability and scalability as the project progresses. Also in attendance were Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, Chief Information Officer, Abia State; Dr. Odochi Azubuike, Chief Executive Officer, Abia State Hospital Management Board; Engr. Nnanna Chigozie, representing the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday (FNSE); Chief Medical Directors; and representatives of public health facilities across the state. Interswitch’s leadership on the initiative underscores its continued investment in building secure, scalable digital platforms that address complex service-delivery and accountability challenges within regulated public-sector environments, drawing on its deep experience across healthcare, payments, and national digital infrastructure. The Interswitch eClinic solution has successfully been deployed across federal and state health institutions in Osun, Ogun, Edo, and Enugu States, demonstrating its readiness for scale and impact.

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has been awarded the highest level of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The company achieved Security and Safety status under the NCS AEO programme, a certification valid for five years that recognises its compliance with trade regulations, supply chain security requirements, and global best practices.The certification followed a rigorous evaluation process, including detailed customs audits and on-site operational assessments. Out of 391 applications received nationwide, only 35 companies were granted full certification, with even fewer achieving the Security and Safety status.Highlighting the significance of this milestone at the recent formal presentation of certificates in Abuja, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), said: “With the presentation of certificates today, it is a clear testament that compliance is indeed possible, even within an ecosystem often challenged by non-compliance.”Providing operational perspective, Assistant Comptroller NU Awa, AEO National Lead, added: “Nestlé Nigeria was granted AEO Safety and Security certification in recognition of the very high safety and security standards observed during the validation process. This certification reflects the Service’s trust in the company’s compliance framework and its commitment to strengthening supply chain security.”For Nestlé Nigeria, the AEO Security and Safety status supports faster customs clearance, reduced inspections at ports and warehouses, improved material availability, and stronger engagement with regulators and trade partners. These benefits enhance supply chain efficiency while supporting business continuity and the consistent delivery of products to consumers across the country.Commenting on the achievement, Kasum Diabate, Supply Chain Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said the certification reflects the company’s disciplined approach to operating responsibly.“This certification is a clear recognition of the strength and integrity of our supply chain. At Nestlé Nigeria, we are deliberate about building systems that are secure, compliant, and resilient from sourcing to delivery. Being awarded the highest AEO Security and Safety status by the Nigeria Customs Service reinforces the trust placed in our operations and our responsibility to support efficient and responsible trade in Nigeria.”Nestlé Nigeria has operated in the country for over six decades, consistently prioritising compliance, transparency, and collaboration as it serves millions of consumers daily. This milestone reinforces Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to being a trusted partner in Nigeria’s economy, setting standards for how business should be done, and continuing to meet the evolving needs of consumers through responsible and sustainable operations.