Nigeria has opened formal discussions with Switzerland on the restitution of cultural artifacts and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the creative and cultural industries

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy confirmed the talks began on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Felix Egloff, to the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, in Abuja.

Switzerland Signals Commitment to Restitution

Ambassador Egloff described the engagement as a “historic moment,” noting it was the first time a Swiss envoy had met with a Nigerian Minister of Art and Culture.

“This is the first time a Swiss Ambassador is meeting with a Nigerian Minister of Art and Culture. We are eager to build stronger institutional cooperation with the ministry, and the restitution of artifacts presents a significant opportunity to do so,” Egloff said.

He explained that Switzerland began the process of reviewing and restituting Nigerian artifacts in its collections three years ago. These include bronzes and monoliths, with plans to hand over selected works through the Nigerian Embassy before the end of 2025.

Nigeria Welcomes Move to Reclaim Heritage

Responding, Minister Musawa praised Switzerland’s initiative as both symbolic and strategic in Nigeria’s broader cultural agenda.

“It is very important for Nigeria to have these artifacts returned, but equally important is to broaden the conversation with Switzerland on what restitution entails and how it can open doors for cooperation in creative and cultural industries,” she said.

Musawa added that restitution should be seen not only as a matter of heritage recovery but also as an entry point for partnerships in animation, design, architecture, hospitality, and tourism.

Beyond Artifacts: Toward Creative Partnerships

The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to continue talks and explore new opportunities in arts and cultural development.

According to the ministry, the engagement builds on earlier diplomatic exchanges and reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria and Switzerland to advancing cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, and creative industry collaborations.

Sterling Bank Limited has celebrated the first anniversary of SeaBaas, the first core banking system designed and built in Africa, describing the achievement as a breakthrough for African innovation in financial technology.

In just one year since its launch, the platform has processed more than two billion transactions, cut processing times by about 60%, and driven a 66% rise in customer adoption, setting new benchmarks for speed, efficiency, and resilience in African banking.

The platform, which has supported Sterling’s digital ecosystem including OneBank, SterlingPro, Switch, and Specta, has also enabled fintech integrations, agent banking services, and third-party solutions. Remarkably, it has achieved zero downtime in 365 days of service.

‘Proof of Possibility’ – CEO Abubakar Suleiman

Sterling Bank’s Chief Executive, Abubakar Suleiman, said SeaBaas was more than just a technological platform, but evidence of Africa’s ability to deliver world-class innovation.

“SeaBaas, to us, represents a proof of possibility,” Suleiman said. “It shows that Africa can build world-class technology, solve complex problems locally, and scale globally. This milestone is a collective victory for every Sterling colleague, our partners, and our customers who believed in the vision.”

Suleiman added that the success of the platform reflected a culture of courage and ingenuity within the organisation and across its partner network.

Built in Africa, for Africa

The system was designed by Sterling Bank and co-developed with Peerless Software, KPMG, Bazara Technologies, Revent Technologies, and AppQuest Solutions, alongside the bank’s in-house engineering team.

Beyond its performance, the bank said the innovation had unlocked significant cost savings, freed up resources for reinvestment, and accelerated financial inclusion across Nigeria’s economy.

Looking ahead, Sterling Bank said it intends to expand SeaBaas capabilities to address new challenges, reimagine financial systems, and highlight the potential of African-led innovation on a global stage.

“SeaBaas reminds us that when we dare to dream boldly and build courageously, there is no limit to what we can achieve in Africa,” Suleiman added. “This is only the beginning.”

About Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank Limited, a member of Sterling Financial Holdings Company, has operated for over 60 years and evolved from Nigeria’s pre-eminent investment banking institution to a national commercial bank.

Guided by its HEART strategy – focusing on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation – the bank has earned recognition as Africa’s most agile company and as the Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria.

With a commitment to digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling Bank continues to transform customer experience while driving purpose-driven leadership across Nigeria’s financial sector.

Union Bank of Nigeria has announced the successful completion of its merger with Titan Trust Bank Limited, following final approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The development marks the conclusion of a process that began in 2021 with the signing of a Share Sale Agreement. Under the new structure, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets. The merged institution will continue to operate under the Union Bank brand, while Titan Trust ceases to exist as a separate entity.

Expanded Reach Across Nigeria

The merger has significantly expanded Union Bank’s footprint, now boasting over 293 service centres and 937 ATMs nationwide, in addition to strengthened digital channels. According to the bank, the integration brings together Union Bank’s heritage of over a century with Titan Trust’s agility and innovation, positioning the institution for sustainable growth.

Union Bank stated that it will continue to focus on retail, SME, and corporate segments, while driving broader financial inclusion through technology.

Leaders React to the Merger

Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Yetunde Oni, described the development as “a pivotal moment in our 108-year journey, and a launchpad for delivering greater value to our customers. By blending stability with innovation, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of Nigerians and to be their most trusted financial partner.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Bayo Adeleke, also welcomed the milestone, saying: “This is a new era of growth, collaboration, and shared prosperity. By bringing together the strengths of both institutions, we are committed to creating lasting value for our customers, shareholders, and communities while advancing Nigeria’s financial inclusion agenda.”

Customer Assurance

The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services. Account details remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of banking products seamlessly. Union Bank also revealed that it will accelerate investments in enhanced digital solutions to improve customer experience.

A Stronger Position in Nigeria’s Banking Sector

Industry analysts say the consolidation reflects a growing trend of mergers in Nigeria’s banking sector, as institutions seek to strengthen their capital base, expand networks, and leverage technology to serve an increasingly digital customer base.

Union Bank’s leadership emphasised that the merger not only strengthens its market position but also unlocks operational synergies that will support long-term growth.