Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigeria and Tunisia are stepping up their economic partnership after a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and Tunisia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh. The talks zeroed in on expanding cooperation in tourism, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, SME development, and intra-African trade. Both ministers recognized the potential for stronger collaboration to open new markets and investment opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized businesses in both countries. To drive real results, they agreed to establish a joint working group dedicated to turning strategic dialogue into actionable, high-impact projects. In a major boost for business mobility and investor access,…

Nigeria’s ambition to diversify beyond oil took a significant step forward as the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) spotlighted business prospects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the seventh NEPC Connect webinar. Addressing the session, FMITI Permanent Secretary Amb. Nura Abba Rimi emphasized the strategic importance of the UAE as a gateway to the Gulf, Middle East, and Asia. He urged Nigerian exporters to strengthen product quality, certification, and ethical practices to capitalize on the UAE’s vast market—and help balance a trade relationship that still heavily favors the Emirates.…

Cross River State is making bold moves to supercharge its small business sector. In a major boost for local enterprise, the state’s development agency has cleared 500 entrepreneurs to access a single-digit interest loan, thanks to a joint effort with Nigeria’s national small enterprise agency and a leading commercial bank. The announcement came at a lively engagement session in Calabar, where state officials reaffirmed their commitment to unlocking economic opportunities for SMEs. More than 1,000 businesses applied, but only those who completed enterprise development training, crafted solid business plans, and passed a rigorous verification process—conducted by experts trained by an…

Are you a young Nigerian with a bold business idea and a passion for impact? Orange Corners Nigeria, the dynamic entrepreneurship programme launched by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and FATE Foundation, is calling for applications to its 14th cohort in Lagos—a unique six-month journey to transform fresh ideas into flourishing ventures. Since 2019, Orange Corners Nigeria has helped over 240 young entrepreneurs turn vision into reality, providing hands-on training, funding, and access to a thriving network across Lagos and Ogun State. Now, the doors are open for a new group of innovators aged 18–35, eager to drive change and…

Black Friday has exploded far beyond a single day—it’s now a month-long battleground for Nigeria’s savviest shoppers and boldest retailers. In a season that promises blockbuster sales, bigger expectations, and fierce competition, only the best-prepared businesses and smartest shoppers will come out on top. This year, Black Friday’s stakes are even higher. Credit Direct is powering the shopping rush with Checkout, a game-changing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) option that lets buyers get up to ₦1 million in credit, pay just 30% upfront, and spread the rest across six stress-free months. With over 600 merchants on board—from giants like Konga…

After two turbulent years of foreign exchange volatility, Nigerian companies are finally breathing easier. A newfound stability in the naira—now trading between N1,483 and N1,540 to the dollar—has triggered a wave of profit recovery among leading listed firms, signaling a turning point for business confidence in Africa’s largest economy. The numbers tell a compelling story. Analysis of NGX 30 companies shows after-tax profit soaring by 72.7% to N7.6 trillion in the first nine months of 2025, up from N4.4 trillion a year earlier. This broad-based rebound is most pronounced among firms with strong local production and limited exposure to imports—names…

Cinema entrepreneur and Doodle-Film Hub founder Yinka Ade-Aluko is making waves with the release of two provocative new books—Secrets to Making Movies Right for Nollywood Cinema and Nollywood and Its Borrowed Cinema—both aimed at igniting debate and charting a bold path for Nigeria’s film industry. In a statement from Abuja, Ade-Aluko explained that his latest works are designed to shift the conversation about Nollywood’s creative direction and its place on the world stage. The first book, Secrets to Making Movies Right for Nollywood Cinema, dives into the anatomy of a blockbuster, featuring in-depth case studies of eight hit films produced…

Wave goodbye to frustrating queues, clunky apps, and impersonal service—Nigeria’s banking scene just got a game-changing upgrade. Bank78 MFB, the country’s first fully private digital bank, officially opened its virtual doors in Lagos, promising to deliver a premium, stress-free experience for Nigeria’s rising mass-affluent class. Licensed by the CBN, insured by the NDIC, and fully NDPR-compliant, Bank78 MFB is rewriting the digital banking script with its philosophy of “prestige made accessible.” The bank’s launch event was a who’s who of finance, with industry leaders and regulators on hand to witness the unveiling of a platform built for clarity, comfort, and…

Fed up with long waits and crowded clinics, Nigerians now have a new way to see a doctor—without ever leaving home. HealthSyn Nigeria, founded by dynamic healthtech entrepreneur Chidozie Felicitas Chiamaka, is rolling out a digital platform that connects patients directly to licensed physicians for real-time consultations, prescriptions, and referrals. “Healthcare should never have to wait. With HealthSyn Nigeria, we are giving Nigerians the power to consult a doctor anytime, anywhere, in the most affordable way possible,” Chidozie said at the launch event. HealthSyn’s virtual-first approach is designed to tackle some of the biggest hurdles in Nigeria’s healthcare system, from…

When most young adults are still figuring out their path, Davidson Diboty is already building bridges for others to cross. Born Kenneth Davidson Okechukwu Diboty in Libreville, Gabon, and now thriving in Owerri, this 21-year-old polymath wears many hats: entrepreneur, musical artist, author, and mentor. At the helm of KDOD Group, Davidson has crafted more than just a business—he’s launched a dynamic ecosystem that’s energizing Nigeria’s next wave of innovators. His holding company focuses on management, investment, and nurturing the talents of ambitious youth across the country, all while he juggles his studies as a Public Health undergraduate at Imo…

For Agbeniga Adedamola Ademola—better known in business circles as Adekaz and as Omopasuma online—the story of ADEKAZ Oil Nigeria Limited is as much about legacy as it is about entrepreneurship. Raised in a household where engine oil was more than a commodity, Adedamola’s journey into the refined petroleum market began early, shaped by the discipline and structure imparted by his late father. Today, ADEKAZ Oil stands out for its expansive reach across Nigeria’s automotive sector, distributing everything from engine and gear oils to spare parts and specialty lubricants. The company’s robust supply network caters to both motorists and technicians, a…

For the past three weeks, Arik Air—once the pride of Nigeria’s aviation sector—has been flying with just a single aircraft, raising red flags about regulatory compliance and the persistent challenges facing Nigerian airlines. According to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, any carrier operating with only one aircraft should be grounded. Yet, Arik Air, which once set the standard for modern air travel in the country, has continued its limited operations, THISDAY has learned. Aviation experts are sounding the alarm, reflecting on how a company founded with soaring ambitions and a fleet of brand-new planes has found itself on the…

Nigeria is reeling from a surge of mass abductions that have swept the country in recent days, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a “nationwide security emergency” and launch sweeping measures to restore order. The chilling wave of kidnappings—targeting schoolchildren, worshippers, and villagers—has seen hundreds seized in just one week. In a statement Wednesday, President Tinubu addressed the nation: “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas.” Among the most shocking incidents, 265 students and teachers taken from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State remain missing, even…

Are you passionate about finance and eager to make an impact in Africa’s booming tech and SME sector? Bumpa Nigeria, a fast-growing technology company empowering small and medium-sized businesses with innovative mobile and web solutions, is looking for a talented Senior Finance Officer to join our dynamic team. Why Bumpa? At Bumpa, you’ll be part of a vibrant startup shaping the future of social commerce and fintech across Africa. Our collaborative work culture encourages learning, growth, and real impact—so your work will matter every single day. What You’ll Do: Lead the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports…

Forget the midnight scrambles and shopping-cart battles in American malls—this year’s most riveting Black Friday story is unfolding thousands of miles away, on the industrial edge of Lagos, Nigeria. Step inside Jumia’s colossal 30,000-square-meter warehouse in Isolo, and you’re swept into a world more alive than any glossy corporate operation. Every inch pulses with the energy of Africa’s Black Friday—an event Jumia introduced to the continent over a decade ago and has been redefining ever since. Past the blare of airport runways and the chaos of delivery trucks, there’s a choreography in full swing: workers in neon vests hustle between…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine room of Africa’s economy—fueling over 40% of GDP and employing nearly 80% of the workforce, according to the African Development Bank. But there’s a persistent snag: energy. Across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond, unreliable grids and ballooning energy costs force SMEs to rely on pricey, polluting generators, draining profits and stunting growth. But tides are turning. As Africa eyes a resilient economic future, renewables—especially solar and wind—are stepping into the spotlight as practical, affordable power solutions for SMEs. The cost of technology is falling, fuel prices are rising, and the old grid…

With the festive season on the horizon, Access Bank is turning up the heat in Lagos by launching Detty Fusion—a dynamic platform designed to spotlight and empower the city’s creative entrepreneurs, event organizers, and SMEs. Anchored in the bank’s robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, Detty Fusion is set to be the pulse of Lagos’ December celebrations, making it easier than ever for locals and visitors to discover, attend, and enjoy events across the city. Unveiled in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Detty Fusion aims to deliver a safer, more organized, and unforgettable festive…

Nigeria is charting a bold new course for digital inclusion, with government officials in Abuja unveiling plans to beam Internet access to 20 million more Nigerians—especially in rural communities left offline by traditional networks. At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat, the country’s national satellite, now set to take center stage in narrowing Nigeria’s digital divide. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy describes NigComSat as a game-changer for reaching “unserved or underserved” regions, providing a lifeline to communities where laying fibre-optic cables just isn’t feasible. This move fits into Nigeria’s wider digital transformation drive, which already includes…

Nigeria’s economic engine is firing on all cylinders, with new data showing robust expansion across industry, services, and agriculture. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) soared to 56.4 in November 2025, up from 55.4 the previous month, signaling the twelfth consecutive month of growth and a wave of optimism sweeping through the business community. The numbers don’t lie: businesses are ramping up production, expanding operations, and seizing new demand opportunities. It’s a broad-based rally—29 out of 36 subsectors charted gains, making November the strongest month yet for economic expansion in 2025. Breaking it down by sector, the industry PMI climbed…

Momentum is building between Islamabad and Abuja as Pakistan and Nigeria shake hands on a bold new chapter for their diplomatic and economic partnership. In a bid to unlock billion-dollar opportunities, both nations have announced plans to accelerate a landmark bilateral trade agreement and roll out friendlier visa policies for investors and travelers. The breakthrough unfolded in Abuja, where Pakistan’s top commerce strategist, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, sat down with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. Their mission? To supercharge economic cooperation and propel the Nigeria–Pakistan relationship to new heights. Long-time allies since 1961, Pakistan and Nigeria already share seats…