Deel Launches Field Services To Scale Physical Workforces Across Global Markets

New platform brings enterprise-grade HR infrastructure to on-site, high-complexity field operations, addressing the $120B field services market

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 24, 2026/ — Deel
(https://www.Deel.com/ [6]), the leading global payroll and HR platform,
announced the launch of Deel Field Services (DFS), a purpose-built
solution for organisations operating in medium-to-high complexity,
on-site environments. Built on the infrastructure and expertise of
Employ Africa Group (acquired April 2025), Deel Field Services extends
Deel’s existing workforce platform into a new category: operationally
intensive, location-based deployment for industries including oil & gas,
mining, construction, and heavy logistics where standard EOR models were
never designed to go.

Deel’s existing EOR, global payroll, and contractor products handle
the full spectrum of remote and office-based hiring. Field Services is
built for what sits beyond that: high-risk, operationally complex
deployments where workers are on rigs, at mining sites, on construction
projects, or in warehouses across multiple jurisdictions, environments
that demand specialised pay structures, HSE compliance, rotational
scheduling, and direct financial infrastructure that standard EOR cannot
provide.

For high-complexity, on-site operations, standard EOR often falls short.
Danger pay, hardship premiums, rotational rotas, HSE compliance, and
direct statutory accountability in remote or unstable markets require
infrastructure and expertise that go well beyond conventional global
hiring tools. Most organisations in these sectors have historically
relied on fragmented regional brokers — with the opacity, financial
risk, and compliance gaps that come with them.

What’s included

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/off-grid-but-on-purpose-fg-niger-state-government-break-ground-on-nigerias-largest-solar-project/

  • Field Services covers 110+ countries (and growing), including owned
    entities across 40+ African markets: For buyers deploying into markets
    like Nigeria, Mozambique, or Papua New Guinea, owned infrastructure vs.
    third-party arrangements is a meaningful difference
  • Specialised workforce mobilisation: location-based entity setup and simplified compliance for hospitality, retail, facility management, and construction
  • Industrial-grade pay & compliance: automated hardship premiums, per diems, overtime multipliers, rotational schedules, and HSE-aligned benefits
  • Unified operational visibility: single dashboard for real-time labour spend, compliance status, and workforce utilisation across all locations
  • Direct accountability: Deel is the legal Employer of Record, absorbing site-level liability and providing localised insurance coverage

Alex Bouaziz, Co-founder and CEO at Deel, said:
“Most HR infrastructure was built for office workers. Deel already
handles global hiring for remote teams, contractors, and office-based
employees in 150 countries, Field Services is for the hardest jobs to
staff and manage: the rigs, mines, construction sites, and logistics
hubs in complex markets. By combining EAG’s on-the-ground expertise with
Deel’s scale, we’re bringing compliance confidence, operational
transparency, and direct financial accountability to the most demanding
workforce environments in the world.”

Deel Field Services is available for organisations with medium-to-high
complexity on-site operations in African markets. General availability
for oil & gas, mining, construction, and heavy logistics is expected by
Q3 2026, with further market expansion planned through 2027.

 About Deel:
The way the world works has changed – and Deel has built the standard
to power it all. We make it effortless to hire, manage, pay, and equip
any worker, anywhere. Deel is one platform for payroll, HR, benefits,
mobility, performance, and device management across 150 countries. Built
on owned infrastructure, powered by AI, and supported by thousands of
local experts, Deel helps businesses scale smarter, faster, and more
compliantly. Trusted by 40,000+ customers, and created to become a
global brand people love. Learn more at deel.com.

Off-Grid But On Purpose; FG, Niger State Government Break Ground On Nigeria’s Largest Solar Project

24 June 2026

Nigeria took a significant industrial step last weekend as Ministers of
Power Joseph Tegbe, Steel Development Prince Abubakar Audu, Industry Sen
John Owan Enoh, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the
leadership of Abuja Steel Mills Limited broke ground on what will become
the largest solar-power project in Sub-Saharan Africa to power an
industrial park, including a steel plant. The ceremony, which included
the formal handover of 500 hectares of Niger State land to Abuja Steel
Mills, a subsidiary of the African Industries Group — marked the
beginning of a project that carries implications well beyond the steel
sector. It is, in many respects, a vivid expression of what President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda looks like in practice.

At the heart of the development is a 200MW solar mini-grid, the largest
embedded renewable power installation of its kind in the region. But
what defines this project is not just its scale. It is its intent. The
decision to go off-grid was not a concession to circumstance. It was a
deliberate strategy, a calculated choice to build Nigeria’s most
ambitious solar project outside the central grid, and on purpose.

That distinction matters. enormously. Off-grid, in the Nigerian energy
conversation, has too often been treated as a second-best option, a
workaround for what the grid cannot yet provide. The Abuja Steel Mills
project discountenances that framing entirely. Here, off-grid is the
strategy: a 200MW solar installation, purpose-built to power one of the
most energy-intensive industrial operations on the continent, cleanly,
reliably, and at scale. It does not wait for the grid to arrive. It
builds the energy future it needs.

This is precisely the kind of initiative that President Tinubu’s
Renewed Hope Agenda envisions for Nigeria’s power sector; clean
energy, distributed generation, and private capital working in concert
to drive industrial growth. The 200MW solar mini-grid at Abuja Steel
Mills is not an outlier in that vision. It is an early proof point. It
demonstrates, at commercial scale, that renewable energy is not an
aspirational complement to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions. It is a
viable, bankable foundation for them.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/omdia-forecasts-cellular-iot-connections-to-reach-5-9-billion-by-2035/

The opportunities the model presents are considerable. Embedded
generation at industrial scale, where a facility produces its own clean
power, sized to its operational requirements creates a more predictable
cost structure for manufacturers, insulates operations from supply
variability, and opens the door to energy trading and surplus
distribution within surrounding communities. In a country with abundant
solar resources and a large, growing industrial base, the replication
potential is significant. Every major industrial site is, in principle,
a candidate for this model. Every such site that adopts it adds another
node to Nigeria’s emerging distributed clean energy architecture.

The mini-grid model also accelerates Nigeria’s clean energy transition
in a way that is commercially self-sustaining. Unlike centralized grid
expansion, embedded renewable installations can be structured, financed,
and delivered by private capital with targeted public enablement, land,
licensing, and policy certainty. Governor Bago’s allocation of 500
hectares, is precisely that kind of enablement. It is a signal to the
market that Niger State,  and by extension, the sub-national tier of
Nigerian governance, understands its role in making this model work.

The presence of the Power Minister at the groundbreaking, and his
commitment to treat the project’s power infrastructure requirements as
a national economic priority, reflects a Federal Government that sees
off-grid and mini-grid development not as a gap-filler, but as a growth
strategy. Under President Tinubu’s  Renewed Hope Agenda, the Ministry
of Power is creating the conditions under which diverse, clean,
distributed energy models can take root and scale. The Abuja Steel Mills
project is both a beneficiary of that orientation and an advertisement
for it.

The groundbreaking in Niger State is, in that sense, more than a
milestone for one company or one sector. It is a signal; o domestic
investors, to international capital, and to the communities that stand
to benefit, that Nigeria’s clean energy and industrial futures are
being built together, deliberately and at scale. Off-grid, but very much
on purpose.

Adeola Labzy is the spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Power

#LightUpNigeria  #BetterPower  #RenewedHopeAgenda

Omdia Forecasts Cellular IoT Connections To Reach 5.9 Billion By 2035

0

LONDON, June 24, 2026: The cellular Internet of Things (IoT) market is
set for strong growth over the next decade, with connectivity projected
to reach 5.9 billion connections by 2035, as revealed by new research
from Omdia [1].

This comprehensive analysis examines how 5G technologies are reshaping
the cellular IoT ecosystem, pinpointing three key innovations driving
market expansion: 5G RedCap/eRedCap, 5G Massive IoT, and 4G LTE Cat-1bis
modules.

NB-IoT, mMTC and eRedCap to dominate cellular IoT modules and
connections in 2035

The research highlights NB-IoT, mMTC and eRedCap as key growth drivers
for the cellular IoT market over the next decade. Combined, these
technologies will comprise 65% of cellular IoT connections by 2035.
Omdia expects eRedCap to be more successful than RedCap, whose adoption
has been limited by high module prices and slower 5G Standalone (SA)
rollouts. The world’s first eRedCap module launches have already taken
place in 2026 and the technology is expected to benefit from the growing
availability of 5G SA networks.

The study notes that while initial deployment of RedCap has been slower
than expected, the past 12 months have shown some promise following the
launch of the latest Apple Watch range that incorporates RedCap
technology.

NB-IoT remains dominant in Asia & Oceania, which accounted for 86% of
global module shipments in 2025. LTE-M is also expanding globally, with
Asia & Oceania projected to capture a 58% module market share by 2035.

REGULATORY AND GEOPOLITICAL IMPACTS

EUROPE’S CYBER RESILIENCE ACT DRIVES TRANSFORMATION

The European market is undergoing structural transformation driven by
the Cyber Resilience Act, which mandates secure-by-design products with
five-year vulnerability patching. This is accelerating adoption of
eSIM/eUICC and resilient SIM architectures.

NORTH AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SUPPORTS IOT GROWTH

The US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction
Act are fuelling large-scale deployments in smart grids, utilities, and
EV charging infrastructure, creating immediate high-growth markets for
ruggedized 4G and 5G modules.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/safa-launches-bafana-bafana-fan-token-to-build-digital-sports-economy-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-clash/

“With 5G SA networks now widely deployed and module pricing expected to
be significantly lower from launch, eRedCap will avoid the
infrastructure and cost barriers that initially hindered RedCap
adoption. The result is a rich technology ecosystem where IoT companies
can choose from NB-IoT, LTE-M, Cat-1bis, RedCap, and eRedCap—each
optimized for different performance and cost requirements.” explains
Alexander Thompson, Senior Analyst for IoT at Omdia [2].

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR POISED FOR MARKET LEADERSHIP

The automotive vertical is experiencing rapid growth, with connections
forecast to exceed 1 billion connections by 2035.

Key automotive trends include:

  • 5G Dominance: 89% of automotive modules will utilize 5G technologies by 2035
  • Connected Vehicle Proliferation: Both Chinese and international automakers standardizing cellular connectivity
  • V2X Communications: Vehicle-to-everything applications driving advanced connectivity requirements

Omdia’s Cellular IoT Market Tracker 2023-2035 highlights the latest
trends in the cellular IoT market, providing key analysis by region, air
interface and application of module shipments, module revenues,
connections (installed base) and connectivity revenues.

SAFA Launches Bafana Bafana Fan Token To Build Digital Sports Economy Ahead Of FIFA World Cup Clash

South Africa’s football governing body has intensified its digital engagement strategy with the rollout of a blockchain-powered fan token designed to transform supporter participation into a year-round commercial ecosystem. The initiative comes as Bafana Bafana prepares for its final FIFA World Cup group-stage fixture against the Republic of Korea on Thursday.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) introduced the digital asset through Socios.com in May, positioning supporters not only as matchday audiences but as active participants in a broader digital fan economy. The move reflects a growing trend among football organisations seeking to create deeper connections with supporters through technology-enabled engagement models.

Fan tokens have emerged globally as sports organisations search for new revenue streams beyond broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements and ticket sales. Brandspur Brand News understands that SAFA’s latest initiative aligns South Africa’s national football team with international football brands already exploring blockchain-backed fan ecosystems.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/tbwaconcept-unit-appoints-george-isitua-onukwu-as-ceo-in-2026-leadership-transition/

Under the model, supporters can interact with team-related activities and gain access to selected engagement opportunities through digital participation mechanisms embedded within the platform. The approach is designed to extend fan interaction beyond tournaments and traditional sporting calendars.

SAFA’s strategy mirrors developments across global football, where governing bodies and teams increasingly view digital communities as commercially valuable audiences capable of sustaining ongoing engagement and monetisation opportunities.

National teams including Argentina, Portugal and Italy have already adopted similar fan token structures as part of broader efforts to modernise supporter engagement and strengthen global fan relationships through digital platforms.

The development also reflects the growing intersection between sports, fintech and blockchain innovation, particularly as organisations across emerging and developed markets seek alternative channels for audience retention and commercial growth.

For South African football, the launch represents more than a technology experiment. It signals an attempt to reposition fan loyalty as an active economic asset while creating new digital touchpoints that could shape how supporters interact with national teams in the years ahead.

As Bafana Bafana enters a decisive stage of its FIFA World Cup campaign, SAFA’s parallel push into digital fan engagement underscores how football institutions are increasingly treating technology as a strategic growth engine alongside performance on the pitch.

TBWA\CONCEPT Unit Appoints George Isitua-Onukwu As CEO In 2026 Leadership Transition

0

TBWA\CONCEPT Unit has announced the appointment of George Isitua-Onukwu as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a major leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s leading creative and advertising agencies. The appointment takes effect from July 1, 2026, as the agency positions for a new phase of growth and strategic expansion.

George Isitua-Onukwu will assume leadership of the Lagos-based agency following the tenure of Kelechi Nwosu, whose stewardship helped shape TBWA\CONCEPT Unit into a recognised force within Nigeria’s advertising and creative industry. During his leadership, the agency gained industry attention for high-profile campaigns and brand-building projects that strengthened its market positioning.

The transition comes at a time when agencies across Nigeria and global markets are increasingly evolving beyond traditional advertising models to deliver integrated marketing, business transformation, and creative solutions. Brandspur Brand News understands that the appointment reflects TBWA\CONCEPT Unit’s continued focus on broadening its capabilities and adapting to changing client expectations.

Company leadership indicated that the transition represents a continuation of the agency’s long-term direction rather than a departure from its existing trajectory. The incoming administration is expected to build on previous diversification efforts while introducing a more structured and accelerated execution strategy.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/the-lie-we-were-sold-schooling-has-no-age-limit/

TBWA\CONCEPT Unit operates as part of the wider TBWA\Worldwide network and has established a reputation for producing culturally relevant campaigns with strong local resonance. Projects associated with the agency in recent years have contributed to conversations around Nigerian creativity, enterprise, and place branding.

Under Nwosu’s tenure, the agency expanded its profile through work that connected commercial storytelling with broader cultural narratives. Those efforts helped reinforce its standing among brands seeking distinctive and disruptive communication strategies.

Industry observers view leadership changes within established agencies as increasingly important as businesses demand measurable outcomes, digital agility, and integrated campaign execution across multiple platforms.

With George Isitua-Onukwu set to take over from July 2026, market attention is expected to focus on how the agency deepens innovation, strengthens client partnerships, and extends its service offerings in Nigeria’s competitive creative sector.

The appointment signals a new chapter for TBWA\CONCEPT Unit as it seeks to maintain its creative identity while accelerating business transformation initiatives and positioning for future opportunities across the marketing communications landscape.

The Lie We Were Sold: Schooling Has No Age Limit

0

By Franklin O.O

Over the years, being a young Nigerian, I have heard people scream the mantra “Schooling no get age”, others say “you fit go school any time”. But upon graduation, older people struggle to fit into openings. This birthed the zest to challenge the authenticity of this ideology that has been sold to the common man for decades.

Average Nigerian parents have clinged to this, using it as a yardstick to encourage their kids when faced with the challenge of meeting their financial needs in relation to education. This is a self-comforting message to help children stay hopeful that they would one day catch up with their peers.

Who Takes the Blame?

Nigeria, popularly called the “Giant of Africa” and ranked as the 6th most populous country worldwide, has a population of over 242.4 million people in 2026, according to the latest United Nations population projections compiled by Worldometer.

Before now, the World Bank‘s 2025 estimate shows that about 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, affecting about 140 million people out of the total population. With such a disturbing number of poor people, ideologies like “you fit go school anytime,” travel, and remains.

Speaking to Mr Emmanuel, a graduate of Economics who graduated at 28 from a tertiary institution in Nigeria, he said that was the biggest lie he was told. He shared his ordeal of ‘life after school’ as he has searched for jobs across various sectors, and age has proven to be a limitation. According to him, “they said we can go to school at any time, but now I have gone. They said you needed good grades to get good jobs, and now I have also bagged that. They said we needed a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate, which I have in my possession.” He added, “After my acquisition of all these, they now require experience on the field before onboarding me. Now, I am 30, finished serving my country at 29, and I am struggling to get a job from firms, cutting across banks and other institutions because their age limit is set below 30.”

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/aradel-holdings-delivers-record-2025-profit-sets-stage-for-over-n143-billion-shareholder-payout/

He went on to state that: “Even the NYSC scheme has a limitation that if you graduate at 30 and above, you cannot go for service like your colleagues, but would rather be given an exemption letter. Whereas the system should embrace anyone who has never engaged in the scheme before, irrespective of their age, so long they meet the requirements.”

Another source with undisclosed identity said: “They lied to us, school has age limit o! Send your child to school at a very early age because that is how they can stand a chance to compete fairly in the labour market as companies set age limitation for job openings. Once they pass the age limit, their qualification and skill would not count.”

Continuing, as someone who is older in the class, you will struggle to fit into the class because you will hardly earn genuine respect from your colleagues. They will accord you respect on the grounds that you are way older than them and not on the grounds that you deserve to be respected. While the impudent ones amongst them who have been opportuned to come to school earlier will be more disrespectful because they feel if you are smart enough, then you should be way ahead with your peers.

The system is not friendly. Go to school on time. Send your wards to school at tender ages. This is what will give you a fair chance to compete in the labour market after graduation.

However, it is expedient to know this is not always the case, and sometimes people bag good paying jobs even beyond age 30. This is how the Nigerian system is structured. It may vary from country to country, and institution to institution.

Aradel Holdings Delivers Record 2025 Profit, Sets Stage For Over N143 Billion Shareholder Payout

Several of Nigeria’s biggest investors are set for substantial dividend earnings after Aradel Holdings Plc delivered its strongest financial performance to date and proposed one of the largest shareholder cash distributions in the country’s energy sector.

The Lagos-listed integrated energy company reported profit after tax of ₦757.3 billion for the 2025 financial year, marking a dramatic rise from ₦259.1 billion recorded a year earlier. Backed by stronger production performance, expanded asset exposure and improved operating scale, the company also proposed a final dividend of ₦23 per share.

The latest proposal brings Aradel’s total dividend distribution for the year to ₦33 per share, translating into an estimated shareholder payout of more than ₦143 billion across its issued share capital. Brandspur Brand News reports that the payout further strengthens Aradel’s position among Nigeria’s most closely watched indigenous energy companies as investor attention shifts toward energy-sector returns and consolidation.

Among the investors positioned for major gains is Nigerian banking executive and investor Fola Adeola, whose 5.52 per cent equity position places him in line for multi-billion-naira earnings from the distribution. Based on the company’s declared payout structure, his total dividend receipts for the year are expected to approach ₦8 billion when both interim and final distributions are combined.

However, the earnings upside extends well beyond a single shareholder. Aradel’s shareholder structure indicates that several strategic investors are also positioned for sizeable returns following the company’s record earnings cycle. Petrolin Ocean Limited, one of the company’s largest shareholders, is projected to receive more than ₦11 billion in combined dividend earnings, while Badagry Creek FZE is also expected to record multi-billion-naira returns under the proposed distribution framework.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/24/fidelity-bank-empowers-exporters-to-unlock-afcfta-opportunities-with-emp-19/

The broader payout reflects the scale of Aradel’s financial expansion over the past year. The company closed the reporting period with total assets approaching ₦10 trillion and cash reserves of approximately ₦1.5 trillion, underlining a rapid strengthening of its balance sheet and capital position.

Growth was supported by strategic investments and ownership expansion across key upstream assets. Aradel deepened its exposure through an increased stake in ND Western Limited and strengthened its influence within Renaissance Africa Energy Company, moves that materially expanded its production profile and long-term earnings base.

The latest results underscore a wider shift taking place across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, where indigenous operators are assuming larger ownership positions and generating stronger cash flows from upstream operations.

For investors, the 2025 performance signals more than headline profit growth. It highlights the increasing ability of listed Nigerian energy companies to convert operational scale into direct shareholder returns while maintaining enough financial capacity to pursue future expansion.

With dividend income crossing into tens of billions of naira for top investors and institutional holders, Aradel’s latest performance is expected to remain a key reference point in discussions around Nigerian energy stocks and wealth creation in 2026.

Fidelity Bank Empowers Exporters To Unlock AfCFTA Opportunities With EMP 19

Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through capacity building and export development, as it hosted the 19th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP) at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Ajah, Lagos recently.

Tagged EMP 19, the programme is an intense hands-on export management workshop, organized as a partnership between Fidelity Bank, Lagos Business School and Nigerian Export Promotion Council, brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, regulators and aspiring exporters for intensive training designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and networks required to compete successfully in international markets.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Divisional Head, Export and Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Isaiah Ndukwe, said the bank remains focused on empowering Nigerian businesses to leverage emerging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and expand the country’s non-oil export base.

“At Fidelity Bank, we recognize that capacity building is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s export potential. Through the Export Management Programme, we are equipping businesses with practical knowledge, market intelligence and strategic insights required to compete successfully in regional and global markets,” Ndukwe said.

“As AfCFTA continues to open new frontiers for trade across Africa, our goal is to ensure that Nigerian exporters are adequately prepared to seize these opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic diversification agenda,” he added.

Nwalor further noted that the bank remains committed to providing exporters with the financial solutions, advisory support and strategic partnerships necessary to expand their businesses beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Also speaking, Director of the Export Management Programme at Lagos Business School, Professor Frank Ojadi, highlighted the need for continuous capacity development as international trade continues to evolve.

“The export market is always evolving. There are changes in policies, improvements in processes and increasing interest from businesses. These developments make it necessary to build the capabilities of our people to compete effectively in export markets,” Ojadi said.

According to him, this year’s programme placed significant emphasis on AfCFTA, exposing participants to both the fundamentals and practical aspects of leveraging the continental trade agreement for business growth.

“Many businesses are still learning how to take advantage of AfCFTA. Through this programme, participants gained practical insights that will help them navigate opportunities across African markets and beyond,” he added.

In his remarks, Senior Fellow and Head of the Department of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management at Lagos Business School, Dr. Uche Attoh, emphasized the importance of negotiation and dispute resolution skills in international trade.

“It is negotiation that enables businesses to establish deals, while arbitration helps resolve disputes when they arise. Once participants understand the principles, they can apply them in any business environment, whether in Africa, Europe or America,” Attoh said.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/23/heineken-appoints-rafael-oliveira-as-new-ceo-in-major-2026-leadership-reset/

Participants described the programme as impactful and transformative. Assistant Director at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Obinna Oforum, said the training strengthened his resolve to become an “export champion”.

Similarly, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Orji Samuel, praised Fidelity Bank and Lagos Business School for subsidizing the programme and creating an enabling platform for practical learning, noting that the knowledge gained would help participants navigate export challenges and unlock new business opportunities.

The Export Management Programme is Fidelity Bank’s flagship capacity-building initiative aimed at developing export-ready businesses and professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s non-oil export growth. Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, the Bank continues to play a leading role in supporting businesses, facilitating trade and creating pathways for sustainable economic development.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving more than 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international awards, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.

Heineken Appoints Rafael Oliveira As New CEO In Major 2026 Leadership Reset

Heineken has named Rafael Oliveira as its next Chief Executive Officer, ending months of uncertainty following the planned departure of outgoing chief executive Dolf van den Brink and signalling a fresh leadership direction for one of the world’s largest brewing companies.

The Dutch brewer announced that Oliveira will assume the role from 1 October 2026 under an initial four-year mandate, subject to shareholder approval. His appointment comes at a critical moment for the company as global beer demand softens and consumer spending patterns continue to shift across key markets.

Oliveira joins Heineken from JDE Peet’s, where he served as chief executive and helped steer strategic restructuring and performance improvements. Brandspur Brand News understands that his selection reflects the company’s preference for external leadership experience and operational transformation capabilities rather than promoting internally.

The incoming CEO also brings senior consumer goods experience from Kraft Heinz, where he led international operations across multiple regions including Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. His appointment marks a notable transition for Heineken as the company looks to strengthen execution of its long-term growth agenda and improve competitiveness in a changing beverage market.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/23/oracle-cuts-21000-jobs-worldwide-as-ai-reshapes-workforce-in-2026/

Investor reaction was immediately positive following the announcement, with Heineken shares gaining during trading as markets responded to the leadership decision and expectations of renewed strategic focus.

Oliveira takes over during a challenging operating environment for global brewers, with slowing category growth, changing drinking habits and rising pressure to improve returns. The company is also navigating cost-efficiency measures, including previously announced workforce reductions across parts of its global operations.

The leadership change follows Dolf van den Brink’s decision earlier this year to step down after nearly six years leading the business. While the transition period extends into October, Heineken is positioning the appointment as the beginning of its next phase of growth and operational discipline.

For Heineken, the appointment is more than a management change. It represents a strategic bet that experience from outside the traditional beer industry can help unlock stronger commercial performance and restore momentum in an increasingly competitive global consumer market.

Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs Worldwide As AI Reshapes Workforce In 2026

0

Oracle has reduced its global workforce by about 21,000 employees over the past year as the technology giant accelerates the integration of artificial intelligence across its operations and restructures key parts of its business.

According to the company’s latest annual report, Oracle’s full-time staff strength declined from approximately 162,000 employees to 141,000 as of May 31, 2026. The restructuring exercise, which affected roughly 13 percent of its workforce, resulted in severance and related costs of about $1.8 billion, significantly higher than the previous year.

The development highlights the growing impact of AI on employment across the global technology industry, where companies are increasingly balancing workforce reductions with massive investments in computing infrastructure and data centres. Brandspur Brand News understands that Oracle has indicated additional restructuring measures could occur as AI adoption expands further across its business.

Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/06/23/spotify-data-shows-football-podcast-listening-surging-across-sub-saharan-africa/

The company acknowledged that organisational changes linked to the deployment of artificial intelligence could continue to affect staffing levels and may temporarily disrupt productivity. It also warned that the restructuring process could create shortages in specialised roles, potentially affecting operational performance.

The scale of the layoffs only became fully clear after the filing of the annual report, although reports of widespread job cuts had surfaced earlier through posts by senior employees. The move places Oracle among several major technology firms reshaping their organisations to support AI-driven growth.

Across the industry, companies including Amazon and Meta have implemented significant workforce reductions while increasing spending on artificial intelligence initiatives. Employment trackers estimate that more than 100,000 technology workers have lost their jobs over the past year, underscoring the growing influence of AI on the future of work and the structure of the global tech sector.