Sterling Bank has announced the removal of transfer fees on all local online transactions, becoming the first major Nigerian bank to eliminate the contentious charges for digital banking.

The move was confirmed by the bank on Tuesday in a press release.

The statement noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to customer-centric banking, declaring that the zero-transfer-fee policy is real and effective immediately.

The bank’s Growth Executive in charge of Consumer and Business Banking, Obinna Ukachukwu, described the decision as a values-driven approach aimed at ensuring fair and inclusive banking.

“We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty.

“This is more than a financial decision—it’s about redefining banking to put customers first,” he stated.

Under the new policy, Sterling customers will not be charged for local transfers conducted via the bank’s mobile app.

The initiative is expected to bring significant relief to individuals and small business owners who conduct frequent transactions.

Ukachukwu emphasised that the bank’s decision is about more than just competitive strategy.

He said, “We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest.

Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.”

Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has expressed his admiration for miniskirts and short dresses.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview with Madame Joyce, Falz revealed that he loves women in short dresses.

According to him, short dresses bring out the sexiness in women.

“I have a thing for short skirts and short dresses. They bring out the sexiness in a woman. I so much like miniskirts,” he said.

The new Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Adebowale Adedokun, has cautioned staff members to desist from rumour-mongering whilst declaring his administration’s intention to maintain an open-door policy with staff.

The former Director of the BPP, Research, Strategic Training & Acquisition, made this known during the handover ceremony from his predecessor and acting Director General, Olusegun Omotola, which held at the BPP office in Abuja.

Identifying rumour-mongering as one of the major challenges of the bureau, Adebowale urged the staff to avoid rumour mongers of all sort, noting that his administration will operate an open-door policy to every staff member.

“I can assure you that my administration will not compromise on merit, quality and development of the staff.

“I can assure you that I will respect you, and do what needs to be done to ensure the continuous growth of the bureau. My vision is to build a BPP staff that is exportable, and of global standard.”

He further added that in addition to thoroughly reviewing and following-up on the details of the handover notes of his predecessor, his administration will develop policies that will empower women, youth and persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the outgoing acting Director General, Omotola listed an outdated salary structure, inadequate office space, inadequate budget, the need for staff recruitment, need for office furnishings and other tools of work, and the need for the digitization of the BPP for effective service delivery, as the major challenges of the bureau.

The challenges notwithstanding, Omotola was able to score significant achievements during his short administration from June 21 to November 18, 2024.

The achievements include: the adoption of an open-door policy – enabling direct feedback to staff from the executive (DG), an improvement on the turn-around time for bureau procurement from two to three, and no more than a month; an increase in the approval and procurement method threshold, and the stoppage of unwarranted visits of contractors to the BPP office.

“Contractors are no longer allowed into the BPP. BPP deals directly with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),” said Omotola.

Other achievements of the outgoing administration are, a proposal to the National Assembly to review the salary structure of the bureau, which has not been updated since 2011; as well as efforts to support enhanced budget ceiling of the BPP, to ensure the Bureau has access to increased funds to tend to, and expand its duties within and around public procurement.

In welcoming his successor, Omotola prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance on him in directing the affairs of the BPP.