Economy

Jun
12
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Nigeria Records N5.172 Trillion Surplus Trade In First Quarter Of 2025

Nigeria Records N5.172 Trillion Surplus Trade In First Quarter Of 2025

Abia State, Business, Economy, FGN
Nigeria Records N5.172 Trillion Surplus Trade In First Quarter Of 2025 In the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025), Nigeria recorded N5.172 trillion surplus trade, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). NBS in its “Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Q12025,” revealed that the country’s import dipped to N15.426 trillion as export rose to N20.59trillion, totally N36.02trillion trade in the period under review. The report said total trade soared from the N33.92trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. NBS said, “Nigeria’s total merchandise trade stood at N36.024.66 trillion in Q1, 2025. This represents an increase of 6.19per cent…
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Jun
12
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Aba Women: From Historic Rebellion To Contemporary Socio-Political And Economic Powerhouse (1929-2025)

Aba Women: From Historic Rebellion To Contemporary Socio-Political And Economic Powerhouse (1929-2025)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, Politics
Aba Women: From Historic Rebellion to Contemporary Socio-Political and Economic Powerhouse (1929-2025) The Aba Women's War of 1929 ignited as a direct response to British colonial oppression, specifically the threat of women's taxation and abuses by imposed "Warrant Chiefs." Sparked by Nwanyeruwa's defiance of a census enumerator in Oloko, the movement rapidly mobilized thousands of women across southeastern Nigeria using the traditional protest tactic of "sitting on a man" (Ogu Umunwaanyi). Despite violent colonial suppression resulting in over 50 deaths, the rebellion succeeded in abolishing the proposed women's tax and dismantling the despised Warrant Chief system, cementing its legacy as…
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Jun
12
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Gov. Otti Seeks Partnership With China, Expresses Dissatisfaction With CCECC Over Project Delay

Gov. Otti Seeks Partnership With China, Expresses Dissatisfaction With CCECC Over Project Delay

Abia State, Business, Economy, Good Governance, News Flash
GOV. OTTI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA, EXPRESSES DISSATISFACTION WITH CCECC OVER PROJECT DELAY. Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has sought useful partnership with the People's Republic of China to improve the economy of the State. Governor Otti was speaking on Wednesday, 11th June when he received a delegation of the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China to Nigeria, Ms. Yan Yuqing, who paid him a working visit. The Governor, who said that he is willing to partner the People's Republic of China, noted that Abia people share similar traits with Chinese; traits such as resilience and hard work.…
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Jun
11
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Trapped In The Cracks: Abia’s Forgotten Families Amidst Progress – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Trapped In The Cracks: Abia’s Forgotten Families Amidst Progress – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia North, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, Infrastructure
Trapped in the Cracks: Abia's Forgotten Families Amidst Progress The scent of roasted plantain mingles with diesel fumes on Udeagbala Road—a street reborn under the infrastructure blitz. For Madam Chioma, whose grill station now sits safely above storm drains, this is liberation. Yet three kilometers away in Ndiegoro Waterside, Elder Gideon Okoro wades through sewage to reach his single-room home. "They fixed the city’s face," he mutters, "but forgot its bowels." This stark duality defines Abia’s poverty landscape: visible progress for some, perpetual abandonment for others. The Anatomy of Abandonment: Neighborhood Case StudiesNdiegoro Waterside, Aba SouthConditions include open sewage channels,…
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Jun
11
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
CBEX Resumes In Nigeria, Asks Investors To Deposit $200 To Recover Lost Investments

CBEX Resumes In Nigeria, Asks Investors To Deposit $200 To Recover Lost Investments

Business, Economy, News Flash
CBEX Resumes In Nigeria, Asks Investors To Deposit $200 To Recover Lost Investments A digital financial platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange, otherwise called CBEX, which is a Ponzi scheme, has resumed business across the country weeks after it suddenly halted operation and made away with hundreds of thousands of dollars belonging to unsuspecting Nigerians investors. Investors said they were asked to return to the scheme’s platform to claim their lost investments. “Someone asked me to log into CBEX account this morning that they have returned our balance,” one of the investors told the Peoples Gazette on Tuesday, sharing a screenshot of…
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Jun
09
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
The Dollar, Yuan, And Naira: A Triangular Guide To Business, East Of The Niger – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

The Dollar, Yuan, And Naira: A Triangular Guide To Business, East Of The Niger – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance
The Dollar, Yuan, and Naira: A Triangular Guide to Business, East of the Niger I. Currency Dynamics in Nigeria's Eastern CorridorThe Nigerian Naira (NGN) operates under extreme volatility, heavily influenced by oil prices where petroleum constitutes 40% of Nigeria's GDP. The U.S. Dollar (USD) dominates transactions while the Chinese Yuan (CNY) is critical for machinery, textiles, and electronics sourcing. Key challenges include NGN-USD Volatility where the Naira faces bearish pressure with critical levels at ₦1,562.50/USD (resistance) and ₦1,327.50/USD (support). Aba importers rely on unofficial channels with rates 20-40% higher than official quotes due to dollar scarcity. Direct CNY-NGN conversions remain…
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Jun
06
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Abia State’s Commercial Heritage: Historical Context And Economic Backdrop – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State’s Commercial Heritage: Historical Context And Economic Backdrop – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance
Historical Context and Economic BackdropAbia State’s commercial heritage forms the bedrock for social entrepreneurship in Aba, Umuahia, and Abiriba. Aba, famously called the "Japan of Africa," built its reputation on indigenous manufacturing, especially in leatherworks and textiles from hubs like Ariaria Market. At its peak, shoemakers exported over two million shoes monthly across West Africa, generating ₦1 billion ($2.5M) annually. Umuahia evolved as an administrative center, while Abiriba nurtured a culture of commerce. Despite this potential, infrastructural neglect—exemplified by the derelict Port Harcourt Road in Aba—hampered growth for decades. Post-2018, social entrepreneurship surged nationally, with ~40% of Nigerian social enterprises…
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Jun
03
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Osun State Drags FGN To Supreme Court Over Withheld LGA Allocations

Osun State Drags FGN To Supreme Court Over Withheld LGA Allocations

CBN/Commercial Banking, Economy, FGN, News Flash, Politics
Osun State Drags FG To Supreme Court Over Withheld LG Allocations The lingering political crisis surrounding withheld Local Government allocations in Osun State has taken a new dimension as the State Government dragged the Nigerian Federal Government and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to the country’s Supreme Court. The case centers on the alleged non-release of allocation from the Federation Account due to the 30 Local Government Areas and one area office of Osun State for the past 3 months. Since January 2025 the Federal Government and Osun State government have been at logger heads over…
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Jun
03
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
If Nigeria Does Not Borrow, The Economy Will Collapse – Orji Uzor Kalu

If Nigeria Does Not Borrow, The Economy Will Collapse – Orji Uzor Kalu

Abia North, Economy, FGN, News Flash, Politics
If Nigeria Does Not Borrow, The Economy Will Collapse – Orji Kalu Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north, says the Nigerian economy is at risk of collapse if the country does not continue to borrow. Kalu, a former governor of Abia state, spoke on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme. “Let me tell you, if this economy does not borrow, it collapse. That’s the truth. That’s where we are,” he said. Kalu said he is not a member of the committee that scrutinises loan requests but insisted that such borrowing is necessary for economic survival.…
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Jun
03
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
CBEX: EFCC Chairman Assures Nigerians Of Fund Recovery

CBEX: EFCC Chairman Assures Nigerians Of Fund Recovery

Crime, Economy, FGN, News Flash
CBEX: EFCC Chairman Assures Nigerians Of Fund Recovery Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has assured the Commission is working tirelessly to recover funds lost to the Crypto Bridge Exchange trading platform (CBEX) investment scheme. In a video on the EFCC’s official X handle, on Monday, Olukoyede emphasised the agency’s commitment to securing justice for the victims. He also cautioned members of the public against falling prey to fraudulent investment platforms. The video was captioned: “On CBEX! The Eagle is working relentlessly to recover victims money, the Executive Chairman assures #OlaOlukoyede. “Going forward, do not…
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