Two major initiatives this month have placed entrepreneurship and skills development in the spotlight, with thought leaders and institutions challenging Nigerian professionals to embrace innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking in a fast-changing economy.
In Lagos, political economist Professor Pat Utomi described entrepreneurs as “visionaries who solve problems and fill societal gaps,” urging professionals — especially journalists — to recognise their own entrepreneurial potential. He spoke during the Seplat Energy Annual Media Training Programme, a two-day event that brought together select media practitioners from across the country for intensive sessions on business acumen, media innovation, and personal leadership.
The programme, which targeted correspondents covering the judiciary, energy, and business sectors, featured seasoned industry leaders delivering practical insights. A former Managing Director of Mobil Nigeria stressed the importance of financial intelligence, urging participants to master risk assessment, investment strategies, and disciplined spending.
Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Mrs. Chioma Yvonne Afe, said the training underscored the company’s commitment to the growth of the media industry.
“By embracing entrepreneurship, journalists can create sustainable ventures that inform, educate, and empower communities, while also driving economic development,” she said.
Other sessions explored self-awareness, networking, business model development, and the use of emerging media technologies. Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, challenged journalists to maintain neutrality, fact-check rigorously, and adapt to changing audience habits.
The event also addressed national security, with Mr. Babajide Adisa, Lagos Director of the Department of State Services, emphasising collaboration between government agencies, the media, and the public to combat insecurity.
FCMB, IFC Launch Training for Women Entrepreneurs
Meanwhile, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to roll out the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme in Nigeria, aimed at equipping female entrepreneurs with world-class business education and mentorship.
The initiative — delivered online through the University of Leeds — offers access to ten structured courses and entry into a global alumni network. It builds on FCMB’s SheVentures platform, which has disbursed over ₦800 million in zero-interest loans and trained thousands of women-led SMEs in the past five years.
FCMB Managing Director Yemisi Edun said empowering women entrepreneurs was “essential to driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth,” adding that the programme would open new opportunities for participants.
Applications for the online programme, open to both start-ups and existing businesses, will run from August 1 to August 31, 2025, via FCMB’s official portal.
Driving Sustainable Growth Through Skills
From Seplat Energy’s push for media entrepreneurship to FCMB’s targeted support for women in business, both initiatives highlight a shared national priority: equipping Nigerians with the skills, networks, and confidence to turn ideas into sustainable enterprises.
As Professor Utomi noted, “Entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses — it’s about finding solutions, creating value, and shaping the future of the nation.”
