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Sterling One Foundation, UN Convene ASIS 4.0 To Accelerate Africa’s Social Impact Agenda

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With urgency and bold ambition, the fourth edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS 4.0), co-convened by Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations in Nigeria, brought together over 2,500 delegates from across the globe in Lagos to inspire action, strengthen collaboration, and support Africa’s growth. 

From policymakers and impact investors to civil society and youth advocates, the summit served as a catalytic platform for co-creating scalable, African-led solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges, all anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Under the theme “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation”, ASIS 4.0 made its mark by focusing on practical, results-driven conversations.

Key players including the African Union Commission, GIZ, Afreximbank, British Council, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of

Budget and Planning pledged deeper collaboration and investment to unlock the continent’s potential through inclusive, people-centered development.

“This summit began with just eight institutions. Today, there are over 60 partners in the room,” said Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, in her welcome remarks.

“That kind of growth is not just about numbers, it’s about shared ownership. We get bold solutions when we scale action with the right execution and the right alliances,” she said.

She went on to outline the summit’s three-point agenda: galvanizing multilevel partnerships, scaling investments in social impact, and driving better policy engagement.

Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, while delivering her keynote address, expressed deep concern over Africa’s development outlook amidst rising debt, declining foreign investment, and intensifying climate shocks.

She highlighted that over three billion people now live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on health and education combined.

Calling for urgent global financial reforms and equity in climate financing, she unveiled the Mission 300 initiative, aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to clean, affordable energy solutions. “We cannot afford to slow down.

Africa’s future must be built on deliberate, values-driven action that centers people, not promises,” she stressed.

Sterling Bank MD/CEO and strategic partner of the summit, Abubakar Suleiman, reinforced this sentiment: “When we say bold, we mean deliberate, practical steps backed by partnerships and purpose. ASIS has proven that African solutions are best built through African collaboration.”

Across high-level plenaries, deal rooms, and breakout sessions, stakeholders explored solutions for advancing education access, healthcare delivery, food systems innovation, climate resilience, and financing for development.

A key highlight was the Lagos Investment Pre-Summit, hosted in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, which catalyzed sub-national engagement with global investors.

L–R: Olatunji Mayaki, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sterling Bank; Kunle Elebute, Former Chairman, KPMG Africa & Senior Partner, KPMG Nigeria; Foluso Phillips, Chairman, Phillips Consulting; Folasade Bada Ambrose, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCT&I), Lagos State; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director, GIZ African Union Portfolio; and Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank, at the recently held fourth edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit, co-convened by Sterling One Foundation and United Nations Nigeria.

Dr. Tobias Thiel, Director at GIZ–African Union, urged all partners to intensify efforts in integrating women and youth into climate policy at all levels. He highlighted GIZ’s ongoing collaboration with the AU on climate initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with governments, businesses, and civil society.

“The challenges are dire,” he said, “but they present opportunities to rethink and drive solutions. ASIS can be a vital platform for these dialogues. It’s not just about tech and finance, it’sabout people. At GIZ, we remain committed to building a resilient, inclusive world where gender equality is a reality, not a goal.”

Adding to the call for collaborative reform, Prudence Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, African Union Commission, noted that the summit is happening at a crucial time and stressed that systemic challenges can’t be solved in isolation. She urged for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive inclusive growth, prosperity, and financial inclusion across Africa.

Representing the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, underscored the importance of political will and long-term financing. “It is not enough to acknowledge the gaps. What matters is our ability to meet those gaps with capital, policy, and scale,” she said.

As the 2025 edition drew to a close, the diversity of participants and shared resolve underscored ASIS’s growing relevance as Africa’s premier convening platform for impact. With just five years left to achieve the SDGs, the Africa Social Impact Summit continues to shift the narrative from commitment to execution, and from ambition to measurable progress.

 

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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