Moniepoint Inc. on Wednesday urged the media to deepen coverage of political and oil-sector policies and their impact on businesses and the wider economy.
Edidiong Uwemakpan, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Moniepoint Inc., made the call at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 2026 Annual Strategic Public Lecture/Symposium in Lagos.
Uwemakpan was represented by Mr Bemigho Awala, Public and Human Relations Manager, Moniepoint Inc.
She said political decisions, energy policies and macroeconomic conditions directly affected the ability of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to operate and grow.
Uwemakpan said the media had a critical role in providing accurate information and promoting informed public debate on policies shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
The symposium, themed “2027 and Nigeria’s Future: Impact of Politics on Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry and Economy — The Role of the Media,” focused on politics, energy and economic development.
She said Moniepoint’s study of the oil and gas industry showed that digital payments accounted for 43 per cent of fuel sales in Nigeria.
According to her, digital payment systems helped address liquidity challenges faced by filling stations through same-day settlement.
Uwemakpan said technology and financial services had also expanded access to investment and financial products for Nigerians.
She said Nigerians could now purchase shares in Dangote Refinery’s public offering through Moniepoint’s app and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
The Moniepoint executive said the company had also expanded access to pension savings, describing the innovations as examples of technology’s role in widening financial inclusion.
She said Moniepoint’s latest Impact Report showed that small businesses using its platform supported more than eight million jobs across Nigeria.
Uwemakpan said three out of four small businesses that accessed credit through the platform obtained their first formal business loan.
She said businesses that received the funding recorded a 36 per cent increase in average transaction value.
Uwemakpan, however, said rising operational costs remained a major challenge, with nearly 80 per cent of informal businesses reporting increased costs in the past year.
According to her, the increases were driven mainly by rising transportation, energy and supply costs.
“These numbers highlight a simple truth: policy decisions made in political centres directly ripple into the daily operations of millions of small businesses,” she said.
Uwemakpan said the media must go beyond reporting political events to explaining how policy decisions affected businesses, jobs and citizens.
She said objective reporting on political transitions, oil-sector reforms and fiscal policies could support accountability and informed economic decision-making.
Uwemakpan described NAN as an important source of credible information for policymakers, investors and citizens.
She congratulated the NAN Lagos Chapel on its Press Week and commended its leadership for creating a platform to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s economic future.
She reaffirmed Moniepoint’s commitment to supporting platforms that promoted transparent dialogue, economic literacy and national development.
She wished members of the chapel fruitful deliberations and a successful Press Week.
