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…warn against spreading false information

By Gloria Ikibah

Access Bank Plc has dismissed as false and misleading a viral message circulating on social media and WhatsApp claiming that the bank has shut down operations, assuring customers and stakeholders that it remains financially strong and fully operational.

In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the bank said the message, which falsely impersonates its official communication channels, was deliberately designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary panic.

The bank reassured customers that all its branches and subsidiaries remain open for business, with banking services continuing without disruption.

“A message impersonating Access Bank’s official handle is currently circulating on social media and WhatsApp. It is false and misleading.

“We wish to reassure our customers, partners, stakeholders, and the public that Access Bank is safe, financially strong, and fully operational across all our subsidiaries. Our services continue to run seamlessly, and we remain committed to serving our customers with the highest standards of excellence”, the statement read.

The management said it had commenced efforts with security and regulatory agencies to trace those behind the false publication, warning that those responsible would face legal consequences.

“We are working closely with the relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities to identify those responsible for creating and spreading this false information to cause panic and business disruption. Appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations”, it stated.

Access Bank also reminded the public that the deliberate creation and dissemination of false information capable of causing public alarm or undermining confidence in institutions is a criminal offence under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.

“We also remind members of the public that creating, publishing, and disseminating false information capable of causing public alarm, damaging reputations, or undermining confidence in institutions constitutes an offence under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024”, it added.

The bank urged customers and the general public to disregard the viral message and avoid forwarding unverified information, advising them to rely only on updates issued through its official and verified communication channels.

The management expressed appreciation to customers, partners and other stakeholders for their continued confidence in the institution.

“If you receive a false and misleading message, please do not share or forward it. Instead, disregard it and rely only on information communicated through Access Bank’s official and verified channels.

“We thank our customers, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and confidence in Access Bank”, the statement further read. 

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By Gloria Ikibah

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2026, posting a 20.4 per cent increase in profit after tax as the Group’s total assets climbed close to the N5 trillion mark.

The unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, released on Thursday, showed broad-based growth across major financial indicators, driven by higher interest income, an expanding loan portfolio and sustained growth in customer deposits.

The Group recorded gross earnings of N279.6 billion, representing a 31.5 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2025. Interest income rose by 33.7 per cent to N223.6 billion, while net interest income increased by 41 per cent to N137.4 billion.

Non-interest income also grew by 23.3 per cent to ₦56 billion, supported by stronger fee income and improved earnings from other operating activities.

Sterling Financial’s balance sheet also recorded significant growth during the period, with total assets rising by 19.3 per cent to N4.67 trillion, while customer deposits expanded by 21.1 per cent to N3.62 trillion, reflecting continued confidence in the Group’s banking operations.

Profit before tax increased by 21.9 per cent to N55.5 billion, while profit after tax rose by 20.4 per cent to N50.3 billion.

The Group also improved its profitability ratios, with return on average equity standing at 20.6 per cent, while return on average assets improved from 2.05 per cent to 2.35 per cent.

Shareholders’ funds grew by 27.8 per cent to N547.7 billion, largely driven by the successful N96.6 billion public offer through which the company raised capital from the issuance of 13.8 billion ordinary shares.

The company also disclosed that its share price had appreciated by more than 15 per cent since the beginning of the year, reflecting stronger investor confidence ahead of the release of its half-year results. Basic earnings per share stood at 77 kobo, reflecting the enlarged share capital following the public offer.

Sterling Financial attributed the performance to ongoing investments in technology and operational efficiency across its subsidiaries, including Sterling Bank, AltBank and SterlingFI.

According to the Group, the modernisation of its technology infrastructure and operating model has improved service delivery, enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened its capacity to support increasing customer activity while maintaining prudent risk management.

The company expressed confidence that its strengthened capital base, expanding deposit base and diversified earnings would position it for stronger growth in the second half of the year.

It noted that the additional capital would continue to support lending to productive sectors of the economy while enabling the Group to sustain long-term value creation for shareholders.

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President Bola Tinubu failed to include primary and secondary school qualifications in the educational qualifications section of the personal particulars submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the 2027 presidential election.

The documents, published by INEC on Saturday in line with its revised timetable for the 2027 general election, contain the nomination papers and supporting credentials of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

A review of Tinubu’s EC9 nomination form shows that the President listed only a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Business Administration obtained from Chicago State University in 1979 under the educational qualifications section.

The sections provided for his primary and secondary school qualifications were left blank.

However, Tinubu attached copies of his university degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate to his nomination papers.

In the form, the President stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos and described his occupation as “Politician.”

He also declared that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited between 1983 and 1992 before serving as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

He listed his current employer as the Federal Government of Nigeria from 2023 to date and stated that he had never been dismissed from public service.