Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has successfully concluded its strategic participation at the 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Outlook Confeence, which attracted over 1,800 participants to explore the theme ‘Unlocking land and infrastructure for inclusive housing’. The conference served as a vital platform for policy dialogue, partnership development and generation of actionable insights aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s real estate landscape.

Industry leaders and key stakeholders engaged in robust discussions pertaining to innovative strategies for affordable housing delivery; advancing infrastructure development; and promotion of sustainable economic growth. Noteworthy sessions included in-depth discussions on land acquisition processes, regulatory challenges, and financing frameworks essential to housing initiatives.

Speaking during a fireside chat, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing inclusive housing solutions. He stated, “Sustainable growth is impossible without inclusive assets, and inclusive housing cannot be achieved without purposefully unlocking land and aligning infrastructure from the outset. At Stanbic IBTC, we are committed to supporting frameworks that bring policy, capital, and execution together to deliver housing solutions that create dignity, opportunity, and long-term value for Nigerians.”

Tola Akinhanmi, Head of Real Estate Finance, Stanbic IBTC Capital, emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions to deliver scalable housing solutions. “Inclusive housing cannot be achieved by any single stakeholder. It requires intentional cooperation among the government, regional development institutions, the private sector, financiers, professionals, and communities. Effectively unlocking land and strategically deploying infrastructure are essential for creating viable and scalable housing projects that align with regional economic priorities.”

Bashir Oladunni, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wemabod Limited, in his opening remarks, highlighted a significant shift needed in housing development strategies. For inclusive housing to flourish, he noted that there must be a migration from overcrowded urban centers to meticulously planned regional corridors. These corridors, facilitated by robust transportation links and coordinated land-use planning, should act as catalysts for economic activity.

The Wemabod conference undoubtedly set the stage for transformative change in Nigeria’s real estate sector; encouraging a shift towards a more equitable and sustainable approach to housing and urban development.

Stanbic IBTC is determined to be on the forefront of advancing Nigeria’s housing agenda and inclusive economic development through impactful partnerships. As Nigeria’s cities evolve, the Group focuses on empowering stakeholders, enhancing collaboration, and supporting solutions that provide accessible housing for a broader population.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Thursday reaffirmed the conglomerate’s commitment to strengthening its supply chain, deepening digital capabilities, and sustaining customer-driven growth, as he addressed stakeholders at the Nascon 2025 Customers’ Dinner and Awards Night in Abuja.

Dangote, Africa’s richest man, told customers, board members, and executives that the event reflected both the group’s journey and its forward strategy. “This is an event that actually reflects not only how far we have come as a group, but also how we intend to move forward,” he said.

As Group President overseeing a diversified conglomerate operating across multiple markets and consumer segments, Dangote stressed that customer partnerships remain central to the group’s business model.

“As a group president, I have the privilege of overseeing the diversified group operating across multiple markets, brands, and consumer segments. Despite this diversity, our principle unites all our operations,” he said, adding, “Strong customers’ partnerships are the foundation of sustainable growth in our group.”

He noted that the group had undergone significant transformation in recent years, expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening its brand portfolio, and modernising distribution systems.

“Over the past several years, our group has evolved significantly. We have expanded our manufacturing capacity, strengthened our brand portfolio, and modernised our go-to-market systems. Each of these milestones was influenced by customer needs and market realities,” he said.

Dangote acknowledged the role of distributors and trade partners in supporting product launches and market expansion, especially during difficult macroeconomic conditions.

“Many of the customers present tonight have walked this journey with us, supporting the new product launches, expanding distribution into new territories, and standing by our brands during periods of economic uncertainty. We must really thank you for always standing by us,” he stated.

According to him, the awards presented at the event recognise the breadth of excellence within the company’s customer base. He also commended the management team for organising the event, describing customer recognition as both a strategic and commercial imperative.

Looking ahead, Dangote outlined the group’s investment priorities, linking them directly to customer feedback and market realities.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in brand equity, supply chain efficiency, sustainability, and digital capabilities. But these investments only create value when they are aligned with customer realities. Your continued engagement and feedback remain very, very critical to us,” he said.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Chairman of the Board of Nascon Allied Industries Plc and Dangote Group’s Vice President, Mr Olakunle Alake, said the company’s long-term growth depends on deep customer partnerships and consistent market execution in an increasingly competitive FMCG landscape.

Alake described the event as “both symbolic and strategic,” noting that it publicly affirms customer service as a core value while reinforcing collaboration as the basis for expansion.

He told attendees that “long-term growth is built on collaboration and not on transactions,” stressing that strong distribution networks and retail relationships remain critical to sustaining market performance and shareholder confidence.

Alake added that while the company is accountable to shareholders and regulators, its performance ultimately rests on customers who stock and promote its brands across markets.

He said the awards recognise partners that have delivered scale, consistency and growth over time, adding that customer service is “not just a core value, it is a strategic asset” in an environment of fragile loyalty and intense competition.

Also speaking at the event, the newly appointed Group Executive Director of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, Fatima Aliko Dangote, thanked customers for what she described as years of loyalty and trust that have supported the company’s expansion.

She told distributors that their performance across markets had directly shaped the group’s results.

In her remarks, the recently appointed Group Executive Director, Commercial, Cement and Foods, at Dangote Industries Limited, Mariya Aliko Dangote, said her early days overseeing the foods business had reinforced the importance of trade partnerships.

“I recently assumed the responsibility of our food business in the capacity of Group Executive Director, Commercial operations, and one truth is already clear to me: our success is built with you and with your unwavering support,” she said, adding that performance in the market is ultimately driven by customer feedback and execution.

The Managing Director of NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka, said the awards were designed to recognise customers whose growth has mirrored that of the company, stressing that NASCON’s performance is closely linked to the strength of its distribution network.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the company, also known as Dangote Salt, honoured 50 customers at the 2025 dinner. Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Ali Balarabe commended the board and management for what he described as consistent engagement with distributors, after receiving a 20-tonne truck and a cash credit.

He pledged to sustain his support for the brand, while other recipients of truckload awards and cash credits included Alhaji Ibrahim Achida, Muabsa Integrated Services, Fanisau Enterprises, Idris Saleh Nigeria Limited, Sani Adamu Trader and GIA Global Concept.

The PUNCH earlier reported in August 2025 that Nascon Allied Industries Plc recorded a profit of N15.6bn for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, representing a 222 per cent increase from the N4.8bn posted in the corresponding period of 2024.

The company’s revenue rose by 55 per cent to N78.2bn from N50.4bn in the same period last year, according to its unaudited financial statements released on Monday.

Operating profit surged 196 per cent to N21.3bn in the first half of 2025, up from N7.2bn in the previous year. Profit before tax stood at N23.3bn, more than tripling the N7.2bn reported in the corresponding period of 2024.

Price competition among fuel marketers has intensified as SGR Filling Station in the Mowe axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reduced its petrol price to N805 per litre.

Saturday PUNCH reports that SGR cut its pump price from N812 on Monday, retaining its position as the cheapest retailer in the axis. It was gathered that SGR slashed its price after a NIPCO outlet near Lotto reduced its rate from N828 to N812 per litre.

As of Friday, several stations were seen adjusting their prices to match those of competitors. The PUNCH had earlier reported that petrol retailers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were stepping up competition, trimming pump prices in a bid to retain customers.

Along Ibafo, Alade Filling Station still dispensed petrol at N820 per litre, while Habeeb Filling Station maintained its price at N819 per litre. SAO stations in Mowe and Lotto sold PMS at N825 per litre, while Akiavic AP and other outlets across the axis adjusted their prices to remain competitive.

The Dangote-partnered MRS filling station at Olowotedo was forced to reduce its pump price to N825 per litre from N839 as motorists flocked to outlets offering lower rates. However, the MRS outlet near the Redeemed Christian Church of God camp continued to sell petrol at N839 per litre, even as a neighbouring AP station reduced its price to N834 per litre.

Similarly, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited outlets in Lagos and Ogun dispensed petrol at rates ranging from N837 to N840 per litre, depending on location and the level of competition in the area.

On Tuesday, the Dangote refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N25 per litre, from N799 to N774 per litre. The refinery communicated the adjustment to marketers, stating that the new rate took immediate effect.

In a notice issued by its Group Commercial Operations Department, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE said, “This is to notify you of a change in our PMS gantry price from N799 per litre to N774 per litre.”

However, despite the reduction in gantry price, MRS and other partners have yet to reflect the cut in their pump prices. Many MRS stations continued to sell petrol at N839 per litre, retaining the same margin as when the ex-depot price was N799. It will be recalled that pump prices were adjusted immediately when ex-depot rates increased.

In a comparison, Dangote said the latest price adjustment further strengthened the competitiveness of locally refined products, noting that “the current landing price of imported PMS from Lome stands at about N793 per litre, compared to Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot price of N774 per litre.”

However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria put the landing cost of imported petrol at an average of N722.08 per litre, about N52 lower than Dangote’s ex-depot price.

Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery said it had attained its full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day following the restoration and optimisation of its crude distillation unit and motor spirit production block, marking what it described as a global first for a single-train refinery of its scale.

In a statement on Wednesday, the firm said the milestone signalled a critical phase in the ramp-up of Africa’s largest oil refining facility, adding that it had commenced a 72-hour intensive performance test run in collaboration with its licensor, UOP, to validate operational stability, efficiency, and compliance with global standards.

The refinery stated that the feat followed a scheduled maintenance exercise on the Crude Distillation Unit and MS Block, after which both units were fully stabilised and optimised for steady-state operations.