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Heirs Energies, Heirs Holdings acquire 20.07% stake in Seplat Energy

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Heirs Energies, Heirs Holdings acquire 20.07% stake in Seplat Energy

Heirs Energies Limited and Heirs Holdings Limited have officially joined Seplat Energy Plc as shareholders following their acquisition of stakes previously held by Etablissements Maurel & Prom S.A.

The two firms, owned by businessman and former banker Mr Tony Elumelu, recently completed the purchase of a 20.07 per cent equity stake from Maurel & Prom. The transaction involved a total of 102.4 million shares in Seplat Energy, one of Nigeria’s leading independent energy companies.

In a statement filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the chief financial officer of Seplat Energy, Ms Eleanor Adaralegbe, confirmed the development. She stated that Heirs Energies acquired 86,639,377 ordinary shares, while Heirs Holdings bought 33,760,623 ordinary shares, placing them among Seplat’s major shareholders.

According to the statement, “M&P was a founding investor in Seplat Energy and remained one of the Company’s largest shareholders until now.”

“The company recognises and appreciates the significant role M&P has played in supporting Seplat Energy’s growth and development into a leading independent Nigerian energy company and wishes M&P every success in its future endeavours.”

“Seplat Energy is pleased to welcome Heirs Energies Limited and Heirs Holdings Limited as shareholders and looks forward to working together to continue advancing Seplat’s strategic objectives and long-term ambition of becoming a leading African energy champion,” Ms Adaralegbe said.

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List of Poverty Eradication Programmes in Nigeria for 2026

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List of Poverty Eradication Programmes in Nigeria for 2026

Nigeria’s poverty eradication efforts heading into 2026 are anchored on a set of Federal Government programmes that directly target poor, vulnerable, and rural populations. Rather than introducing new schemes, the government has expanded and restructured existing interventions to provide cash support, food security, livelihood opportunities, and community-level economic resilience. Below is a factual listing of the key poverty eradication programmes in Nigeria for 2026, based on verified information.

1. Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT)

The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme is a direct income-support initiative of the Federal Government implemented under the Household Uplifting Programme. It is designed to support poor and vulnerable households by providing cash payments to help meet basic needs and reduce extreme poverty.

Continuing into 2026, beneficiaries receive ₦25,000 per payment cycle, paid three times. This brings the total cash benefit per household to ₦75,000. Federal disclosures in 2025 confirmed that more than ₦54 billion was approved for disbursement to over two million households in one phase, showing that the programme remains funded and active.

The objective of the programme is to cushion vulnerable households against economic shocks, stabilise consumption, and improve welfare outcomes. Eligibility is limited to households identified as poor or vulnerable in the National Social Register through community-based data validation.

There is no public application portal. Beneficiaries are selected automatically through government social protection databases coordinated by the National Cash Transfer Office and relevant federal agencies.

2. Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF / NHGSFP)

The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is a poverty eradication and social investment initiative that provides daily meals to pupils in public primary schools while supporting local food producers and household incomes.

Beyond feeding pupils, the programme is undergoing restructuring to deepen its poverty-reduction impact. Reports referenced during this research, including Nigeria Startup News-linked coverage, indicate that under the revised structure, participating mothers or caregivers involved in food preparation may receive ₦15,000 per month. This payment is for service delivery and is tied to school attendance and feeding activities.

The programme’s objectives include improving child nutrition, increasing school enrolment and attendance, reducing dropout rates, supporting smallholder farmers, and creating income opportunities for women.

Eligibility for pupils is based on enrolment in public primary schools in participating states. Mothers and food vendors are selected through state and local government coordination. There is no national application portal, as implementation is decentralised through education authorities.

3. NG-CARES

(Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus) NG-CARES is a large-scale Federal Government programme aimed at supporting livelihoods, food security, and economic recovery for poor and vulnerable households and firms. While it originated during the COVID-19 period, its scope has expanded beyond pandemic response.

The current Programme Development Objective is to expand access to livelihood support and food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.

NG-CARES is backed by substantial international financing, including an initial World Bank facility of about US$750 million and additional financing of roughly US$500 million approved to extend implementation into 2026. There is no fixed nationwide payment per beneficiary. Support varies by state and activity and may include livelihood grants, agricultural input support, food security assistance, public works wages, or community-level projects.

Eligibility includes poor households, farmers, micro and small enterprises, and vulnerable groups identified at state and community level. There is no central public application portal, as implementation is handled by state governments under federal guidelines.

4. Skills to Wealth Programme (S2W)

The Skills to Wealth Programme is a Federal Government vocational empowerment initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda. It addresses poverty by equipping beneficiaries with practical, income-generating skills rather than direct cash transfers.

The programme focuses on hands-on training in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, automobile repair, and other technical trades. Reports confirmed during this research show that successful participants may access low-interest credit facilities ranging from ₦300,000 to ₦400,000 after completing training to start or expand businesses.

The objective of S2W is to promote self-reliance by linking skills acquisition directly to income opportunities. Eligibility generally targets youths and vulnerable adults willing to complete the full training cycle.

There is no permanent national application portal. Registration and participation are announced through programme rollouts, training centres, and state-level coordination.

5. FG-IFAD LIFE Programme (LIFE-ND component)

The FG-IFAD LIFE Programme is a rural poverty eradication framework implemented through the LIFE-ND project in the Niger Delta. It focuses on improving incomes, food security, and employment for rural youth and women through agribusiness incubation and enterprise development.

The programme is jointly implemented by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, with support from the Niger Delta Development Commission. Total project financing exceeds US$130 million, covering training, incubation facilities, and enterprise support rather than direct cash payments.

The objective is to create sustainable livelihoods by integrating beneficiaries into agricultural value chains. Eligibility is limited to rural youth and women in participating Niger Delta states. Beneficiaries are engaged through community structures and incubators, not online portals.

6. Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme

The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme is a Federal Government initiative approved to deliver poverty eradication interventions at ward level across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards. It is designed to decentralise economic support and reach communities directly.

Funding is drawn from federal budget allocations running into hundreds of billions of naira. The programme does not specify a uniform cash amount per beneficiary, as support is activity-based and locally determined.

Eligibility is community-wide, with beneficiaries identified by ward and local authorities. There is no national application portal.

7. Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP)

RAAMP is a Federal Government programme that addresses poverty through rural infrastructure development. It focuses on improving rural access roads and agricultural market connectivity to reduce transport costs and increase rural incomes.

The programme is financed by the Federal Government with support from development partners such as the World Bank and the French Development Agency. Benefits are indirect, as funding is channelled into infrastructure rather than individual payments.

Eligibility covers rural communities, farmers, traders, and transporters in participating states. There is no beneficiary application process, as implementation is handled through federal and state project units.

US to require up to $15,000 visa bond for Nigerian B1/B2 applicants

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US to require up to $15,000 visa bond for Nigerian B1/B2 applicants

The United States government has announced new travel restrictions that could require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000 starting from January 21, 2026.

According to information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. The notice also explained that any fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded.

Of the countries listed, African nations make up 24 out of the 38 included in the new update released by the US State Department on Tuesday. Nigeria is one of the countries affected by the policy.

Visa bonds are financial guarantees required by the US State Department for certain foreign nationals applying for B1/B2 visas, which cover business and tourism purposes. These bonds apply to nationals from countries considered high-risk due to overstays or immigration violations.

The Department of State explained that the bond requirement would apply to applicants who are otherwise found eligible for the visa. “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the directive stated.

The amount of the bond will be determined during the visa interview process. The Department also noted that applicants must complete the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and agree to the terms of the bond using the US Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov.

“This requirement applies regardless of the place of application,” the notice emphasized.

The list of affected countries includes Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Implementation dates differ among countries. For example, Nigeria’s date is set for January 21, 2026, while others such as The Gambia, Tanzania, and Mauritania will have earlier dates ranging from October 2025 to January 2026.

The Department further explained that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through specific entry points. These include Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Refunds will only be processed under certain conditions. According to the State Department, bonds will be refunded when the Department of Homeland Security records that the visa holder has left the United States on or before the expiration of their authorised stay. Refunds also apply when an applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or when a traveller applies for and is denied admission at a US port of entry.

The new bond requirement follows recent partial travel restrictions placed on Nigeria and other countries a week earlier. On December 16, the US government announced partial suspensions for 15 countries, mostly in Africa, including Angola, Antigua, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and The Gambia.

In the case of Nigeria, the US cited security challenges linked to terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operating in some parts of the country. The US said these threats have created “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”

The report also highlighted Nigeria’s overstay rate as a contributing factor. The State Department recorded an overstay rate of 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories).

Because of this, the recent travel suspension affected both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories. These include B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

The US government explained that these measures are part of broader efforts to ensure compliance with immigration laws and maintain effective screening processes. The Department of State reaffirmed that applicants from the affected countries can still apply for visas, but those found eligible must meet the new bond requirements before their visas can be issued.

Nigerian Breweries partners FATE Foundation to Train 1000 Students

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Nigerian Breweries partners FATE Foundation to Train 1000 Students

Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB) has announced a strategic partnership with FATE Foundation to empower 1,000 Nigerian students through the Orange Corners Student Ambassadors Programme, an initiative supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Orange Corners Nigeria initiative focuses on promoting entrepreneurship and providing networking opportunities for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The programme selects ambassadors from specific universities to encourage their peers to view entrepreneurship as a viable career choice while fostering innovation and creativity within campuses.

According to NB’s Corporate Affairs Director, Uzodinma Odenigbo, the company is committed to supporting an additional 1,000 students through the ongoing programme. He explained that FATE Foundation will manage the implementation process, including student mobilisation, coordination, and programme delivery.

“The partnership reflects our continuous effort to empower young Nigerians and promote entrepreneurship across institutions,” Odenigbo said. He also highlighted the company’s achievements in youth-focused initiatives, stating that Nigerian Breweries has impacted 2,365 young people across 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through various empowerment programmes.

The initiative is specifically designed for students aged 18 to 35 who are currently studying in tertiary institutions located in Lagos, Ogun, and Enugu states.

Speaking on the collaboration, Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, expressed excitement about the renewed partnership. “Nigerian Breweries has been a longstanding partner with Orange Corners Nigeria in many ways. We are delighted to have the company continue to support the Orange Corners Programme and elated that this commitment will reach an additional 1000 young Nigerians, leveraging the proven Orange Corners Student Ambassadors framework,” she said.

Adeyemi also noted that FATE Foundation will design and deliver the training curriculum, manage student participation and registration, maintain detailed records of all beneficiaries, and handle logistical and technical coordination to ensure the programme’s smooth delivery.

FG denies abandoning Nigerian students in Morocco scholarships

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FG denies abandoning Nigerian students in Morocco scholarships

The Federal Government has denied claims that Nigerian scholarship students in the Kingdom of Morocco have been abandoned, describing the reports as false, unfounded, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public.

The clarification was made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa CON, who made it clear that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned.

“All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations. Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.”

The Honourable Minister further stated that “no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter. Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy.”

Dr. Alausa explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review, which established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the affected programmes locally.

“Consequently, only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.”

“Notwithstanding this policy shift, the Federal Government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes.”

“In addition, students who may prefer to discontinue their studies abroad may formally write to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards. Such students are being offered the option of returning to Nigeria, where they will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice.”

The Federal Government says it will also cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

According to the Honourable Minister, the current administration remains resolute in eliminating inefficiencies and abuses within the scholarship system.

“Past practices that sponsored overseas training for courses already well established in Nigeria placed avoidable financial burdens on the nation. The ongoing reforms are therefore aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.”

The Federal Government reiterates its unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and strongly rejects misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.

Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0 awards N140m for startup innovation

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Zenith Bank Zecathon 5.0 awards N140m for startup innovation

Thousands of applications and a total prize pool of N140 million defined the 2025 edition of Zenith Bank’s Zecathon 5.0, which brought together developers, designers, and early-stage founders through hackathon and startup pitch competitions.

Zenith Bank concluded the 2025 edition of its flagship innovation competition, Zecathon 5.0, at the Zenith Tech Fair.

The event, which received thousands of applications and deployed a total of N140 million in prizes, was attended by dignitaries including the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia CFR, and Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighting the government’s growing interest in leveraging homegrown innovation.

The 2025 edition reinforced Zecathon’s role as a critical startup launchpad, marked by the introduction of a more rigorous Hackathon track. Out of hundreds of applications, twenty selected teams of developers and designers participated in an intense three-day sprint focused on rapid problem-solving and technical execution across key sectors.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the initiative as a strategic investment, saying, “Our mission is to empower innovators with the resources and support they need to build ventures that can solve real challenges and accelerate Africa’s digital and economic growth. Zecathon continues to be the essential platform where bold ideas are transformed into market-ready solutions.”

The Innovation Hackathon saw TrustLoop, a digital KYC and liveness verification solution, win the top prize of N30 million. Finalist teams Konfam, The Very Hacked Men, Zenith IntelliScore, and ZeraX each received N10 million for their work.

In the Startup Pitch Competition, Cubbes, an edtech venture, emerged as the overall winner, taking home N30 million. Four other startups—Venille, Sowota, Invopay, and Flow—each secured N10 million.

“This edition proved the power of investing in platforms that bring visionary institutions and entrepreneurs together. The teams delivered solutions with real potential to advance digital transformation across the continent,” said Fikun Aluko, Head, Tech and Entrepreneurship Programs, Beyond Limits Global.

NSCDC moves to recruit 30,000 personnel for VIPs

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NSCDC moves to recruit 30,000 personnel for VIPs

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has requested presidential approval to recruit about 30,000 additional personnel, citing rising pressure from its expanding responsibilities, especially in providing protection for Very Important Persons. The request followed a meeting held last month involving President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, according to findings by our correspondent.

Sources said the proposed recruitment is separate from the ongoing nationwide recruitment of 30,000 personnel currently being conducted across paramilitary agencies. The engagement came amid growing demand for VIP escort services across the country after the withdrawal of police officers from such duties, a development that has placed new operational demands on the corps.

Officials within the agency confirmed that increased pressure from VIP protection requests prompted discussions with the President, during which the NSCDC leadership sought approval to boost manpower. An officer familiar with the matter said the President gave assurances that the request would receive favourable consideration.

“The president has given assurances, and plans are underway to recruit about 30,000 new operatives to strengthen the corps,” the officer said. Another officer also confirmed that both the Commandant General and the Minister of Interior met with the President to explain the manpower challenges facing the agency.

“The CG and the minister have met with the president. They explained the need for more personnel, especially with the increasing demand for VIP protection,” the officer said. “The president has given his word that justice will be done to the request, with possible recruitment of about 30,000 personnel.”

A senior security operative within the NSCDC said the withdrawal of police officers from VIP duties led to what he described as a flood of applications for civil defence protection services across states. According to him, this has stretched the corps’ limited manpower.

He said commandants nationwide were deploying available operatives while intensifying in-house training programmes, particularly in weapon handling, to meet rising operational demands. He noted that the situation had exposed manpower gaps that required urgent intervention at the highest level.

The manpower challenge followed President Tinubu’s approval for the recall of 11,566 police officers attached to VIPs. The decision was aimed at redeploying officers to communities affected by kidnapping and violent crimes. The move came as part of broader efforts to strengthen frontline policing nationwide.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, explained that the decision was intended to refocus police operations on crime-prone areas. He also warned against the risk of impersonation during the transition period following the withdrawal of officers from VIP protection.

On November 9, 2025, a report by the European Union raised concerns about police deployment patterns in Nigeria. The report stated that over 100,000 police officers were assigned to VIP protection, a situation it said contributed to inadequate security coverage for ordinary citizens.

According to the European Union Agency for Asylum, the Nigeria Police Force has an estimated strength of about 371,800 officers serving a population of roughly 236.7 million people. The report noted that deploying a large number of officers to VIP duties worsened existing manpower shortages.

Part of the report explained the structure of the police force, noting that it operates under both federal and state jurisdictions and is commanded by an Inspector-General of Police. It listed various formations, including force headquarters, zonal headquarters, state commands, divisions, stations, posts, and village police posts.

The report added that sources dating back to 2007 consistently placed police strength at around 371,800 officers. It said the shortage in personnel was compounded by the assignment of more than 100,000 officers to protect politicians and other VIPs instead of serving the general population.

It further noted that manpower shortages, corruption, and limited resources have contributed to slow emergency responses and left many communities without adequate police presence.

On November 23, 2025, President Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to influential individuals nationwide. The directive followed a security meeting at the State House and came days after a series of attacks that led to the kidnapping of at least 300 people, mostly schoolchildren, across Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States.

“Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said.

Onanuga added that VIPs seeking police protection would now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. In the same month, the Inspector-General of Police confirmed the recall of officers from VIP duties.

“In line with the President’s directive, we have withdrawn a total of 11,566 personnel from VIP protection. These officers are being redeployed to critical policing duties immediately,” Egbetokun said.

Read also: Nigerian Army recruitment for DSSC 29/2026

KASEDA meet for Katsina Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund launch

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KASEDA meet for Katsina Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund launch

The Katsina State Government, through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), has held an implementation committee meeting ahead of the launch of the Katsina State Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (KGEF).

The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, focused on agreeing on clear and effective implementation mechanisms to ensure the smooth rollout of the programme.

The committee meeting was chaired by the Director General of KASEDA, Dr. Babangida Ruma, and held in the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Musa Gani, Director of Enterprises at KASEDA; Engr, Dr Surajo Yazid Abukur, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports; and Dr. Aminu Bala, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Asset Management Agency, alongside other key stakeholders.

The KGEF is designed to provide “interest-free soft loans” to Katsina State indigene graduates of Degree, NCE, and Diploma programmes, using valid certificates or statements of results.

According to the agency, the initiative seeks to promote “sustainable graduate entrepreneurship,” reduce unemployment through self-employment, encourage higher enrolment in tertiary institutions, and stimulate economic growth through youth-led businesses across the state.

Graduates across Katsina State were advised to stay tuned for announcements as KASEDA prepares to roll out the programme soon.

ASHA Microfinance Bank concludes bursary, empowerment programme

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ASHA Microfinance Bank concludes bursary, empowerment programme

ASHA Microfinance Bank has concluded a three-day bursary and client empowerment programme across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and promoting sustainable community development.

In a statement on Wednesday, ASHA Microfinance Bank said the initiative formed part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and was designed to support education while empowering small business owners within its operating communities.

The programme commenced at Ikotun Market in Lagos, continued in Sango Ota, Ogun, and concluded in Ibadan, Oyo, bringing together students, traders and long-standing customers of the bank.

As part of the initiative, 100 students were awarded bursaries. According to the bank, the beneficiaries were outstanding children of ASHA Microfinance Bank clients selected from its various branches. The bursaries are intended to reduce the financial pressure of education on families, while also encouraging academic excellence among young learners in the communities served by the bank.

In addition, 150 clients received eco-friendly deep freezers under the bank’s client reward and business support scheme. The intervention targets traders and small business owners, especially those operating in the food and retail sectors, with the aim of improving product preservation, reducing waste and supporting environmentally responsible business practices.

Speaking at the Lagos event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASHA Microfinance Bank, Mrs Funmi Oladoyinbo, said the initiative reflects the institution’s broader view of financial inclusion. “At ASHA Microfinance Bank, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond access to finance. By investing in education and empowering entrepreneurs, we are strengthening families, supporting businesses, and contributing to long-term economic growth within our communities,” she said.

Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the support received. A customer of the bank’s Shaki branch in Oyo State, Mrs Odumayo Demola, said, “I am super excited. The freezer is truly God’s answer to my prayers. I had been looking for money to buy one, and this support came at the right time.”

Similarly, Mrs Basit Oyetola, a long-term customer from Sango Ota, Ogun State, said, “I have been an ASHA customer for 13 years. With the bank’s support, I built my house and paid my children’s school fees. The institution has played a major role in my growth.”

The bank reiterated that its CSR programmes are strategically designed to address real community needs while strengthening trust and long-term relationships with clients. It added that such interventions remain central to its operations, positioning ASHA as both a financial services provider and a driver of positive social and economic impact across Nigeria.

NeoLife vows to prosecute distributors over unethical recruitment

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NeoLife vows to prosecute distributors over unethical recruitment

Global wellness company, NeoLife, has pledged to investigate and prosecute any distributor found guilty of unethical practices, particularly recruitment, insisting that its business is built on integrity and zero tolerance for exploitative conduct.

The company said it had launched an immediate and wide-ranging investigation into its Nigerian operations following reports alleging unethical recruitment practices by some independent distributors.

NeoLife International disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Vice President, Legal, Mr Douglas Graham, in response to a report published in a national newspaper accusing some distributors of recruiting marketers with false promises.

Following the report, NeoLife announced the suspension, with immediate effect, of several of its distributors referenced in the publication pending further inquiry.

The company stated that it would not tolerate anyone operating under its name to exploit or manipulate marketers and vulnerable youths under the guise of profit-maximisation strategies.

Graham said, “This is not a reaction to any report without first investigating the allegations contained in it. Our sincere intention is to get to the bottom of these alleged unethical practices, manipulation by uplines and recruitment based on promises that never existed.

“To hear that our platform has been used by some to exploit the very people we aim to empower is unacceptable. We are not just looking into this to clear our name; we are doing this to seek justice.”

According to him, the investigation would be comprehensive and aimed at exposing all individuals involved in the alleged misconduct, manipulation, or exploitation within the company’s Nigerian network.

“To achieve this, we have begun a thorough investigation that will be all-encompassing to expose those who might have been involved in some of these alleged misconducts,” the statement added.

NeoLife confirmed that some independent distributors had already been suspended, noting that the company would go beyond internal disciplinary measures if wrongdoing was established.

“The outcome of our investigation will not be swept under the carpet. If criminal activity is confirmed, we will be the ones handing the evidence over to the authorities. NeoLife has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of unethical conduct, including allegations of manipulation or falsehood to promote its business,” it stated.

NeoLife lamented reports that some youths and students were allegedly drawn into the scheme, with claims that some lost their school fees while trying to earn a decent living.

It added, “As a company of over 67 years of experience, the organisation has built a solid reputation across the globe that’s backed by uncompromising integrity.

“We don’t just practice integrity by saying it; it is what we stand for, which has helped our brand to grow in over 50 countries around the world.”

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