Nigerian entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Founder and CEO of Elin Group Limited, commanded global attention at the inaugural UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026, held Friday at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.

Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected businesswomen and philanthropists, Dr. Jack-Rich featured as both a key panelist and a keynote speaker — further cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices on the global stage.

She joined a high-level Fireside Chat titled _“Leadership in the Age of Disruption: Identity, Power, & Impact,”_ alongside Denise Fall, Senior Leader in Immunology at Johnson & Johnson, and Tolani Alli, Creative Campaign Director at the World Bank. The session brought together accomplished women leaders to examine how identity, power dynamics, and purposeful leadership intersect in today’s volatile global business environment.

Described as insightful, energizing, and highly relevant, the conversation resonated strongly with young professionals and emerging leaders navigating volatility, sustainability challenges, and opportunities across emerging markets.

Beyond the Fireside Chat, Dr. Jack-Rich delivered a powerful keynote address that anchored key discussions on building resilient enterprises and leading with impact amid disruption.

Dr. Jack-Rich leads Elin Group Limited, a diversified conglomerate with strategic interests spanning:
– Real Estate Development
– Power Generation and Gas Utilization
– Agriculture
– Mining
– Maritime and Aviation — notably through Elin Air, where she stands out as one of the few female operators of private jet charter services in Nigeria
– *Logistics and Infrastructure*

Beyond her corporate achievements, she is the driving force behind the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation (EJRAID), through which she has executed numerous high-impact philanthropic initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, women and youth empowerment, education, and community development across Nigeria.

Themed _“Building For What’s Next,”_ UNLEASH 2026 was a one-day strategic summit co-hosted by three prominent student organizations at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: the Africa Business Club, Women in Business Graduate Club, and Net Impact Club. The conference drew MBA students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and policymakers for robust dialogue on leadership, innovation, sustainability, and strategies for thriving in an era of global disruption.

Her participation was widely applauded as a proud moment for Nigerian and African representation in global leadership conversations, with many attendees citing her journey as a blueprint for purpose-driven enterprise and impact.

The Arewa Socio-Economic Forum (ASEF) has dismissed as false claims of a new vehicle tax allegedly introduced by the Federal Government, saying its independent findings show no such policy exists.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National President, Dr Aminu Kuta, the Forum said its investigation into the widely circulated claims has cleared both the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Federal Ministry of Finance of any involvement in the purported tax.

The group said the viral message, which urged vehicle owners to pay unspecified levies through unofficial channels, was misleading and designed to create confusion among Nigerians.

“The Arewa Socio-economic Forum wishes to categorically state that there is no new tax on vehicles as being falsely circulated in some quarters. Our findings confirm that neither the Nigeria Revenue Service nor the Ministry of Finance has introduced any such policy,” the statement read.

Dr Kuta said the Forum undertook a careful review of available information and engaged relevant stakeholders before arriving at its conclusion, adding that the clarification was necessary to prevent public panic and misinformation.

He urged Nigerians to rely on verified government channels for policy updates, warning that fabricated messages and fake websites are increasingly being used to exploit citizens.

“We advise the public to disregard such misleading content and to always verify tax-related information through official platforms. Misinformation of this nature not only creates unnecessary anxiety but also undermines public trust in government institutions,” he said.

Beyond the clarification, the Forum called on citizens to remain vigilant and actively monitor the implementation of existing tax policies, particularly as the Federal Government continues to roll out fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue generation and distribution.

Dr Kuta noted that recent reforms have begun to yield measurable benefits, especially at the subnational level, where increased Value Added Tax (VAT) allocations are providing much-needed financial support to states.

According to him, poorer states are already experiencing improved fiscal capacity as a result of these reforms, enabling them to meet basic obligations and invest in critical sectors.

“The ongoing tax reforms are beginning to show positive outcomes. We are seeing increased VAT inflows to states, and more importantly, a more equitable distribution that supports less economically advantaged states,” he said.

The Forum commended the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, for what it described as a “clear and reform-driven approach” to fiscal policy, particularly in advancing a system that promotes efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness.

It also praised the Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, for his role in strengthening tax administration and improving public communication on fiscal matters.

“We salute the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, for their commitment to building a tax system that works for the country. Their efforts are helping to restore confidence and improve revenue outcomes,” the statement added.

The Forum stressed that while reforms may take time to fully mature, consistent implementation and public cooperation remain critical to their success.

It reiterated the need for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in sustaining progress within Nigeria’s fiscal framework.

“As stakeholders in national development, Nigerians must not only support reforms but also hold institutions accountable through informed engagement. This is how we build a system that is both fair and effective,” Dr Kuta said.

The Arewa Socio-economic Forum concluded by urging continued collaboration between government institutions and the public, noting that credible information and responsible civic participation are essential to strengthening trust and advancing economic stability.

A civil society organisation, Volunteer Media Advocacy for Accountable Leadership, has lauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Falaye, for prioritising staff welfare and driving key reforms aimed at repositioning the agency.

In a press statement signed by its Country Director of Mobilization, Joseph Ezejiegu, the group described Falaye’s leadership as “visionary and impactful,” noting that his commitment to workers’ well-being and institutional efficiency has set a new standard within the organisation.

The statement particularly highlighted the recent commissioning of an Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) Help Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, describing it as a significant milestone in expanding access to compensation services for federal civil servants.

According to Ezejiegu, the initiative demonstrates the NSITF management’s resolve to bring its services closer to workers, ensuring timely response to workplace injury claims and enhancing awareness of employees’ rights under the ECS framework.

“Barrister Falaye has shown uncommon dedication to improving the welfare of NSITF staff and strengthening the institution’s capacity to deliver on its mandate. The establishment of the ECS Help Desk is a clear indication of a people-centred approach to governance,” the statement read.

The group further noted that under Falaye’s leadership, the NSITF has witnessed renewed focus on transparency, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement, all of which are critical to restoring public confidence in the agency.

It added that prioritising staff welfare has not only boosted morale within the organisation but has also translated into improved productivity and efficiency in service delivery.

Volunteer Media Advocacy for Accountable Leadership urged other public sector leaders to emulate Falaye’s example by placing workers’ welfare and institutional reforms at the forefront of their administrative agenda.

The group reaffirmed its support for initiatives that promote accountability, efficiency, and the protection of workers’ rights, expressing optimism that the NSITF would continue on its path of sustainable transformation under the current leadership.