Nigeria’s banks have so far been relatively insulated from the credit crisis in the West, but with external sources of capital rapidly drying up, how long can this situation last? Erastus Akinbola is chief executive of one of Nigeria’s leading banks, Intercontinental Bank, and president of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria. He spoke to Charlie Corbett about the impact of the credit crisis on Nigeria’s banking industry.

Good news from Africa is often drowned out by a tide of negative reporting. The Banker aims to combat this by profiling the achievements of leading young Africans. Writer Charlie Corbett.

Like many of his predecessors, President Yar’Adua will be judged on his management of Nigeria’s energy sector. With this in mind, the premier will be personally overseeing his overhaul of the country’s oil and gas industries, write Eleanor Gillespie and Jon Marks.

The dire state of Nigeria’s transport and power sectors are hindering the country’s growth. President Yar’Adua has made tackling the problem a priority for his administration but the sheer size of the task makes international investment crucial. By John McCarthy.

Renaissance Capital has investments all over Africa but, as deputy chief executive Andrew Cornthwaite tells Nick Kochan, its focus is firmly on Nigeria.

One strategy that Nigerian banks are following to boost return on capital is setting up shop in London. Nick Kochan explores the challenges they face.

Foreign investors’ confidence in Nigeria is improving as governmental efforts to tackle corruption and bribery start to yield positive results. By Nick Kochan.

Political stability, economic growth, foreign investment, oil wealth, a growing middle class; there are many reasons why Nigeria’s banks have amassed large capital bases. As Charlie Corbett reports, the dilemma now is how to use it.

Over the past decade, the word ‘potential’ has become synonymous with Nigeria, as the resource-rich nation’s progress has been stymied by political and economic instability. Much progress has been made on both fronts, and under new president Umaru Yar’Adua Nigeria looks set to deliver on its promise. Charlie Corbett reports.

Is the African renaissance for real? Or will development hopes again be dashed? Nigerian president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua makes the positive case.