Author: Anuoluwapo Ige

About 5,532 beneficiaries who have completed their trainings by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) nationwide was resettled today, with soft loans, starter tools and equipments to kick-start their businesses. Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who disbursed the resettlement tools, equipment and soft loans to beneficiaries at an event on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that it was proof of the current administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians, particularly the youths and vulnerable groups. According to her, the beneficiaries were fortunate to be amongst those empowered financially and with…

Cascador, the premier accelerator for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (‘NSIA’ or ‘The Authority’) – the premier investment institution of the Federation with a three-fold mandate to create a savings base for future generations of Nigerians, catalyse positive socio-economic outcomes through strategic domestic infrastructure investments and provide fiscal support in times of economic distress – have formed a strategic partnership to drive innovation and support homegrown solutions with the potential for transformative impact. This collaboration represents a major step in both organizations’ shared mission to accelerate sustainable economic growth, expand opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and reposition them for…

Nigeria’s business landscape is gaining international recognition, as Moses Abah, the CEO of Hilvard Group, received a prestigious nomination for the Global Entrepreneurs Award at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF). This selection places him in the company of some of the world’s most influential business leaders, including Africa’s wealthiest woman, Folorunso Alakija, who serves as the Grand Patron of the award. The GEF, the world’s most influential entrepreneurship event, unites trailblazers, founders, and policymakers to drive economic growth, innovation, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a series of high-level discussions and networking sessions, the event serves as…

Nigeria has no shortage of young people, however, with the ever-increasing rate of emigration, there is a shortfall in the availability of talents. A weakened curriculum that fails to teach practical business management skills, like business and data analysis, strategy, research and management, further exacerbates the issue. This absence of structured training affects many graduates as they struggle to transition into the corporate world, especially in strategy and business consulting. To bridge this gap, Caladium Consulting has launched the Caladium Strategy Skills Academy: a structured, hands-on business training program designed to equip 1000 aspiring early-career professionals and experienced professionals seeking…

Unlock Free Capital for Your Business! Struggling to fund your business? Learn how to access grants and secure non-repayable funding to grow and scale your business! 📅 Ikeja Chapter: Saturday, 22nd March – Grand Bee Suites 📅 Lekki Chapter: Saturday, 29th March – Pelican Rooftop & Restaurants 🕙 Time: 10:00 AM 🔒 Limited seats available! Don’t miss this game-changing opportunity to discover, learn, and leverage funding for your business.

Cascador, Nigeria’s leading accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, has unveiled its Growth Fund, a $2 million annual initiative designed to provide tailored financial support to its alumni companies. The fund will offer a mix of debt and equity financing to mission-driven businesses, enabling them to accelerate growth and amplify their impact. Since its inception in 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $55 million in capital. The Growth Fund aims to address the persistent funding challenges faced by Nigerian entrepreneurs, even those with viable and impactful businesses. Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador, emphasized the fund’s…

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has revealed that about 30% of Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have closed down due to the country’s challenging economic environment. Dr. Segun Omisakin, Chief Economist and Director of Research at NESG, shared this alarming statistic during the launch of the 2025 Private Sector Outlook, where he discussed key economic trends, challenges, and opportunities for businesses in Nigeria. Omisakin highlighted that between 2023 and 2024, Nigeria experienced significant economic setbacks, including multinational divestments and business closures, resulting in an estimated 94 trillion Naira loss. He emphasized that the closure of 30% of…

Xavier Muron, the Country Director of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) in Nigeria, has called on Nigerian businesses to seize the opportunities provided by AFD-funded projects to support the country’s development. Muron made the remarks during an AFD-funded project workshop organized by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in collaboration with AFD in Lagos. He highlighted that AFD plays a vital role in financing, supporting, and accelerating transitions to create a fairer and more resilient world. Muron emphasized the importance for Nigerian businesses to collaborate with French companies to enhance their offerings and engage with AFD projects aimed…

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Abuja Creative City (ACC), a groundbreaking project aimed at establishing Nigeria as Africa’s premier hub for innovation, media, culture, and entertainment. Speaking at the signing event on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized that the Abuja Creative City would serve as a catalyst for the growth and development of Nigeria’s tourism sector. She highlighted that the project would provide entrepreneurs with ample opportunities to tap…

Wema Bank says it aims to stimulate entrepreneurship further, attract investment, and accelerate Nigeria’s economic development by fostering a thriving technology ecosystem that complements the creative economy. The executive director of retail and digital business at Wema Bank, Tunde Mabawonku, disclosed this at the sidelines of a news conference on the call for applications for the sixth edition of the bank’s Hackaholics 6.0 initiative in Lagos. Hackaholics 6.0 focuses on attracting “bold, cutting-edge solutions” in key sectors like AI, blockchain, renewable energy, customer experience, and cybersecurity. He explained that the initiative aligns with the bank’s strategic vision for its 80th…

Since its first edition in 2023, the WIPO IP and Women Business Summit has created a platform for women entrepreneurs, Intellectual Property (IP) experts and government stakeholders to come together to engage on the role of IP in empowering women entrepreneurs, innovators and creators. The pilot edition of the summit held on April 26, 2023 in commemoration of the World IP Day. It was themed, “Women as Catalysts of Innovation and Creativity in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges; and aimed to celebrate the “can do” attitude of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs in Nigeria, while yet discussing opportunities for increased participation…

New research from Mastercard has highlighted the remarkable rise of entrepreneurship among Nigerian women, with 83% of women in the country identifying as entrepreneurs—significantly surpassing the regional average of 51% across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Among these entrepreneurs, millennial women stand out, with 86% considering themselves entrepreneurs, outpacing their male counterparts (79%) in this regard. The research, titled Empowerment for All, was released ahead of International Women’s Day 2025 and sheds light on the key motivations driving this surge in female entrepreneurship. The study identifies financial independence, personal ambition, and the desire to transform innovative ideas into…

The Federal Government has unveiled an exciting N220 million prize for the most exceptional micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) in Nigeria, set to be awarded at the 2025 National MSME Awards. The grand prize includes a house, a store, and a substantial cash reward, underscoring the government’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing the nation’s most outstanding small businesses. In addition to the grand prize, winners in other categories will receive cash and property rewards valued at N50 million each. The selection process for the awards will be highly competitive, ensuring that only the best businesses, out of thousands of…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a significant $230 million trade finance package for Access Bank Plc, aimed at strengthening trade finance activities and improving foreign exchange (FX) liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. In a Project Summary Note released on Wednesday, AfDB outlined the structure and expected impact of the financing package, designed to address key challenges faced by Nigerian businesses, particularly SMEs. The funding will serve as a vital catalyst for economic growth, enhancing Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and facilitating the flow of critical resources for enterprises engaged in cross-border commerce. The $230 million package…

Nigeria stands at the precipice of a digital revolution, with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the forefront of this transformative journey. On February 25, 2025, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, appeared on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria to unveil the Federal Government’s ambitious roadmap for digital transformation, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment. A central focus of the discussion was Nigeria’s strategic partnership with Google, a collaboration that seeks to position the country as a global technology powerhouse. Inuwa outlined five key areas of this partnership, including: Expanding Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure: Establishing advanced data centers to strengthen the country’s digital…

Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments company, has announced a strategic partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide small business owners with innovative digital payment solutions, e-commerce tools, financial access, and capacity-building programs. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Flutterwave’s ongoing mission to support and sustain small businesses, a commitment the company has consistently demonstrated through initiatives like the Flutterwave Store, small business grants, annual trade fairs, and the ‘Keeping the Lights On’ campaign. These programs have been instrumental in helping thousands of businesses remain operational despite challenging economic conditions. In alignment with…

Women in Nigeria and across the globe have made commendable strides in leadership across business, corporate environments, and public office. However, systemic barriers continue to impede their progress, rooted in structural inequalities, harmful stereotypes, and cultural biases that undermine women’s contributions and hinder their career growth. The Reality of Barriers Women Face in Leadership Despite progress, Nigerian women still encounter sexual harassment, workplace bullying, gender bias, and societal stereotypes that create hostile work environments and limit their professional advancement. Sexual Harassment: While comprehensive national data is limited, numerous reports indicate that sexual harassment remains a pervasive issue in Nigerian workplaces,…

Welcome to March 2025 Nigeria Business Events Roundup! Below are the list of the top Business Events happening this month of February in Nigeria. March 2025 Nigeria Business Events Roundup 1. Edify City March Startup Summit Great startups are built by listening to their users. At march RBH, the focus is on the art of engaging customers, gathering feedback, and turning insights into action. Learn how to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), test ideas, and iterate quickly to build something customers will love. Topic: How to Build a Product That Customers Love Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 Time: 4…

Lagos, Nigeria – The stage is set for the most electrifying edition of MarkHack yet, as GDM Group, Nigeria’s leading marketing technology and 360 data management powerhouse, joins forces with Eko Innovation Centre, a trailblazing startup accelerator, to launch MarkHack 4.0—the platform revolutionizing media and marketing through technology and innovation. This year’s theme, “Experience Ignited: Fueling the Consumer Journey,” promises to explore the transformative power of technology in reshaping how brands connect with consumers. MarkHack 4.0 is set to immerse startups in innovative solutions across immersive realities, digital storytelling, event innovation, gamification and phygital commerce, paving the way for the…

In an effort to elevate the standards of professionalism within the event management industry, McEnies Global Event Protocols is proud to announce an accelerated training program focused on professional work ethics for ushers and protocol personnel. This exceptional opportunity will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, and is completely free of charge. Participants will benefit from a day of intensive training led by certified trainers who are experts in the field. Attendees will receive a globally recognized certificate upon completion, enhancing their professional credentials and opening doors for future opportunities. Key Details: Event: Professional Work Ethics Training for Ushers…