Business
Nestlé Partners Wavecrest College of Hospitality to Equip Young Chefs and Hospitality Professionals
Nestlé Professional Nigeria is collaborating with Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Lagos to help nurture upcoming chefs and hospitality professionals. The collaboration will offer the students of Wavecrest College of Hospitality the opportunity to learn from experts at the leading nutrition, health and wellness company in the world.
Speaking on the collaboration, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Victoria Uwadoka said “It is evident that young chefs and hospitality professionals own the future of the food and hospitality industry in Nigeria.
We are therefore excited about this collaboration with Wavecrest to further expose them to the extensive career possibilities in the hospitality industry. Students at Wavecrest will be able to learn and apply Nestlé’s expertise in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness – developed over more than 150 years – to help individuals and families live happier, healthier lives.”
“This collaboration creates an opportunity for Nestlé Professionals to offer food solutions and practical knowledge that will help the students appreciate what is possible with food and nutrition. We will also provide the opportunity to expose them to our world class facilities. We are confident that the experience will form a strong foundation for the future careers of these young students.”
Also speaking at the event, the provost of Wavecrest School of Hospitality, Ms. Rosana Forsuelo said “I am very optimistic in forging this collaboration with
Nestlé Professional, a division of Nestlé, a global industry in food and beverage dedicated to enhancing quality life and healthier future. With its 40 years of experience, Wavecrest has been at the forefront of promoting training & education in culinary and hospitality. With the current needs of our country, we must work together to empower the girl-child to gain access to education, employment and economic independence., This is therefore a critical focus area for us at Wavecrest”.
“With Nestlé Professional sharing their expertise, world-class facilities and extensive resources, we will be able to enhance the quality of our training to “global standards”, develop best practices, and provide relevant skills, to the future workforce of Nigeria.”
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has been named the strongest Nigerian brand in the 2025 Brand Finance Banking 500 report, making a remarkable leap from its 9th position in 2024.
With a brand strength score of 92.4 out of 100 and a coveted AAA+ rating, UBA now leads the pack among Nigerian brands, reaffirming its status as a trusted and innovative banking institution.
Brand Finance, a globally recognized independent brand valuation consultancy, highlighted UBA’s outstanding performance across key brand metrics, including familiarity, preference, and consideration within its home market. This performance contributed to UBA’s climb in the rankings, not only as Nigeria’s strongest brand but also as the 13th strongest banking brand globally among 500 evaluated.
“This year’s ranking is no coincidence; it is the result of deliberate planning, strategic investments, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction,” said Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA. “We remain committed to adapting to the evolving landscape while consistently delivering exceptional value.”
UBA’s performance was bolstered by its strong customer loyalty and trust. It scored particularly high in price acceptance, outperforming other leading African banks such as Capitec (South Africa) and Equity Bank (Kenya). These scores reflect UBA’s consistent value delivery and competitive pricing, earning it a solid reputation across its operating regions.
The bank’s rise is also attributed to its sustained investment in digital banking, innovation, and customer-centric technologies. Over the past year, UBA has prioritized digital transformation to enhance user experience and deepen customer engagement—an approach that aligns with current trends in Africa’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape.
Operating in 20 African countries and with offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA serves more than 45 million customers worldwide. With a workforce of 25,000, it remains one of the largest employers in the African financial sector.
UBA’s strong performance in the Brand Finance report underscores a broader strategy focused on brand equity, innovation, and customer satisfaction, positioning it as a leader in shaping the future of banking in Africa and beyond.
Access Bank PLC has once again emerged as Nigeria’s most valuable brand, securing the top position for the fourth consecutive year in the latest “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. This achievement reaffirms Access Bank’s sustained brand leadership and its impact on the financial landscape through innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic growth.
The 2025 report shows that banks now account for 59% of the total brand value in the ranking, reflecting the strength and influence of the sector in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
The Nigeria 25 2025 ranking also highlights considerable shifts in the country’s strongest brands, with banking brands rising through the ranks to dominate the top 10.
This demonstrates a growing recognition of the sector’s resilience and adaptability, particularly as financial services play an increasingly crucial role in driving Nigeria’s economy forward.
Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director, Brand Finance Nigeria, noted that, “Nigerian banking brands continue to grow, successfully navigating a challenging economic landscape with strategic agility while also maintaining customer loyalty.”
Commenting on the ranking, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, said: “This recognition as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the fourth year running is a testament to the strength of our people, our customers’ trust, and the strategic clarity that drives everything we do. At Access Bank, we remain committed to delivering value through innovation, financial inclusion, and impactful partnerships across Africa and beyond.”
Also speaking on the milestone, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, stated: “Access Bank’s brand leadership reflects the Group’s long-term vision of becoming the world’s most respected African financial institution. As we continue to evolve and expand our footprint, we are focused on delivering sustainable growth, deepening stakeholder trust, and enhancing the customer experience across all our markets.”
Access Bank’s performance in the ranking showcases the results of sustained brand investment, operational excellence, and strategic expansion across Africa, with a growing presence in key global markets.
The dominance of banks in the “Nigeria 25 2025” list further reinforces investor and consumer confidence in the sector’s long-term stability, innovation capacity, and economic significance.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced another reduction of N15 in the price of its high-quality Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
As a result of this reduction, Nigerians will now purchase the product at the following prices: N875 per litre in Lagos; N885 per litre in the South West; N895 per litre in the North West and North Central, while it will be sold for N905 per litre in the South East, South South, and North East.
These prices will apply through all its partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Techno Oil, and Hyde.
The refinery called on other marketers to join its expanding network of partners, thereby demonstrating their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy, which advocates for the prioritisation of locally-produced goods and services.
Since the commencement of operations, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently implemented cost-reduction strategies aimed at delivering tangible savings to Nigerians.
In February 2025, the company carried out two price reductions on petrol, resulting in a total decrease of N125 per litre.
This was followed by a further reduction of approximately N45 per litre in April.Additionally, the prices of other key products, such as diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), have been significantly lowered, improving affordability across transportation, industrial, and domestic energy sectors.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently reassured Nigerians of price stability despite fluctuations in global crude oil prices, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economy.
“By refining petroleum products domestically at the world’s largest single-train refinery, we are proud to make a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s energy security, foreign exchange savings, and overall economic resilience—aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on addressing the nation’s economic challenges and improving the well-being of Nigerians.
“We are immensely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for making this possible through the commendable Naira-for-Crude Initiative, which has enabled us to consistently reduce the price of petroleum products for the benefit of all Nigerians,” it stated.Dangote Petroleum Refinery further assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, as well as a surplus for export to enhance the country’s foreign exchange earnings.Recall that only last Tuesdsy, the founder of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, was named in the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list.The list recognises the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy worldwide.The list, published by TIME Magazine, includes Aliko Dangote, whose Foundation spends an average of $35 million annually on programmes across Africa, alongside other global figures in charitable work, such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates, all of whom were recognised as Titans.
