Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Spanish-origin delivery powerhouse, Glovo, is ramping up its investment in Nigeria’s burgeoning electronic trade sector. The company is slated to host the Future of Commerce Summit 2.0 in Lagos, a strategic move aimed at solidifying its footprint as local and international rivals vie for control over the digital marketplace. Taking place on April 22, the gathering at the Landmark Events Centre is designed to bridge the gap between government officials, tech innovators, and local shop owners. The primary objective is to explore how modern digital frameworks can streamline commercial activities within Nigerian urban hubs. Beyond Simple Delivery Glovo is…

The multinational corporation BIC, renowned for its stationery, shaving, and flame products, has reaffirmed its dedication to the Nigerian economy. During its 2026 Commercial and Distributor Conference, the company detailed a strategy centered on deepening its local footprint through supply chain enhancements and expanded logistical frameworks. BIC executives emphasized that Nigeria remains a cornerstone of their regional operations. The company’s current approach focuses on: Infrastructure Expansion: Scaling the distribution network to reach both metropolitan hubs and remote areas. Economic Integration: Supporting a vast ecosystem of wholesalers and informal retailers. Capacity Building: Investing in local talent and operational efficiency to foster…

A heated exchange has erupted between the current administration and a former national leader regarding the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) latest regulatory guidelines. Otega Ogra, a high-ranking digital strategist for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, publicly rebuked Atiku Abubakar following the latter’s condemnation of a recent government mandate. The friction began after the NBC issued a stern reminder to media outlets to uphold the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. The directive emphasized the necessity of: Objectivity and precision in reporting. Mitigating inflammatory rhetoric and public provocation. Strict adherence to professional standards as the 2027 election cycle approaches. In response, Atiku characterized the NBC’s…

In a scathing review of current fiscal directions, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the federal government’s economic narrative, characterizing recent reforms as “punishment” rather than progress. The critique follows the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest report, which downgraded Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast, citing a volatile mix of high operational costs and weakening non-oil activity. The “Disconnected” Reform Narrative Atiku argued that the administration’s focus on macroeconomic indicators ignores the eroding dignity of the average citizen. The Reality Gap: He noted that while official jargon speaks of “stabilization,” the local reality is one of “worthless paper wages” and markets…

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA) has called for a radical reorientation of Nigeria’s artisan class. Marking World Artisans Day, PHACCIMA President Dr. Chinyere Nwoga emphasized that for artisans to remain indispensable in 2026, they must transition from “undervalued labor” to “professional entrepreneurs.” The Professionalization Roadmap The leadership and capacity-building program, held in collaboration with the Leadership Challenge Foundation (LCF), identified four critical “levers” for artisan growth: Formalization: Moving beyond the “side-hustle” mindset by registering businesses, maintaining consistent financial records, and adopting basic management structures. Digital Integration: Utilizing digital tools and modern technical techniques to…

FirstBank Group has inked a partnership with the Ekiti State Government to debut the Innovation Enterprise Support Fund. This collaborative vehicle is specifically engineered to act as a catalyst for grass-roots innovation, providing a financial and mentorship “runway” for 60 high-potential startups within the state. A Three-Phase Incubation Blueprint Unlike traditional one-off grants, this fund is structured as a developmental pipeline designed to move entrepreneurs from concepts to commercialization: Ideation: Refining raw concepts into viable business models. Pre-Acceleration: Preparing early-stage teams for market entry. Acceleration: Scaling market-ready products for revenue generation. Enterprises within this cohort will access financial tranches ranging…

In a high-level strategic alliance, the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University has joined forces with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), and Kaduna Business School to bridge the productivity gap in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The partnership was formally activated during the AG-SME Bootcamp and Pitch Competition, a fully sponsored intensive program designed to transform local farmers into scalable agribusinesses. The “Capacity-to-Capital” Pipeline The initiative addresses the core “bottleneck” for young entrepreneurs: the inability to translate innovative ideas into bankable businesses. The Bootcamp: Entrepreneurs underwent rigorous training…

In a landmark 75th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, Guinness Nigeria Plc officially signaled the end of its financial drought. Shareholders unanimously celebrated a strategic turnaround that has seen the brewing giant return to profitability and, more importantly for investors, resume dividend payments after a period of disciplined transition. The Financial Turnaround Following an 18-month reporting period that saw the company weather significant macroeconomic storms, the board announced a renewed commitment to shareholder value: Interim Dividend: An interim dividend of ₦2 per ordinary share was declared following strong Q1 2026 results. Fiscal Realignment: The company successfully transitioned its financial…

As Nigeria’s tech ecosystem matures, female founders are shifting from participants to powerhouses. Following a historic performance in 2025, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) Accelerator, in partnership with Village Capital and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, has officially opened applications for its 2026 cohort. The “Multiplier Effect” of 2025 The program’s recently released 2025 impact report offers undeniable proof of the efficiency of women-led startups when backed by structured support: Revenue Growth: 71 women-led startups collectively generated over USD 2 million in additional revenue. Job Creation: The cohort was responsible for creating over 430 new…

The Babatunde-Anjous Business Idea Competition 2026 has officially opened its doors. In a high-stakes collaboration with the Lagos Business School (LBS) Business Innovation Accelerator, this initiative is designed to bridge the gap between “bold ideas” and “scalable solutions” for Nigeria’s most pressing societal challenges. The Accelerator Edge The competition is not a standalone event but a core component of the Business Innovation Accelerator (BIA). By leveraging the academic and strategic prowess of the Lagos Business School, the program aims to: Identify Impact-Driven Founders: Moving beyond simple profit motives to find entrepreneurs solving real-world Nigerian problems. Democratize Funding: Offering up to…

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has entered an unprecedented “super-cycle,” with the All-Share Index (ASI) officially crossing the historic 200,000-point mark on April 17, 2026. Following a massive 51.2% return in 2025, the market is defying global gravity, driven by deep-seated systemic reforms and a fundamental redirection of domestic capital. Market Dynamics: Institutional Conviction over Retail Speculation While the headline numbers are eye-watering, analysts at Nairametrics point to a shift in the quality of the rally: The “Price Discovery” Phase: Bullish traders are now setting their sights on the 215,000-mark, as the market seeks a new equilibrium following the liberalization of…

The global spotlight has once again intensified on Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape. Endeavor has revealed its prestigious 2026 ‘Outliers’ cohort, a selection representing the elite top 10% of its 3,000-strong global founder network. In a significant display of regional strength, Nigerian innovators secured nearly half of all spots allocated to the African continent. The “High-Impact” Quintet While Africa saw 11 companies make the final cut, five—representing a staggering 45.5% share—hail from Nigeria. These firms have moved beyond the “startup” label to become systemic pillars of the digital economy: Financial Gatekeepers: Flutterwave, Moniepoint, LemFi, and Paga. Mobility Tech: Moove. Collectively led by…

In a fintech landscape often defined by aggressive cash-burn and “survival mode,” Lagos-born Platnova has marked its third anniversary by shifting from quiet consistency to visible dominance. Since its 2023 debut, the company has bypassed the plateau phase, scaling to over 100,000 verified users and facilitating transactions across 50 countries in 15 different currencies. The “Principles over Promos” Pivot The company’s most disruptive move for 2026 is the permanent elimination of all Naira transfer fees. Unlike typical fintech marketing gimmicks, CEO Benjamin Oyemolan insists this is a foundational architecture change rather than a temporary campaign. The Logic: By removing the…

The 23rd annual TIME100 list has been unveiled, and for 2026, Aliko Dangote has secured his position as the sole Nigerian among the world’s most influential figures. Categorized under the “Titans” section, the founder of the Dangote Group is recognized for his relentless pursuit of African industrialization—a mission currently headlined by his landmark 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery. The “Titan” Benchmark This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the prestigious list (his first being in 2014), placing him alongside global heavyweights like Sundar Pichai (Google), Xi Jinping, and Donald Trump. His inclusion is built on a decade of massive capital deployment across: Energy Sovereignty:…

Nigeria’s transition from internal combustion to clean energy has received a significant industrial boost. Cosmas Maduka, the visionary founder of Coscharis Group, is solidifying a strategic alliance with Chinese manufacturing giant Asia Star to dominate the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Following the successful deployment of the first 20-bus fleet in Abia State, the partnership is now shifting gears toward national scale and local assembly. The Lagos Technical Audit A high-level delegation from Asia Star recently concluded an intensive inspection of Coscharis Motors’ infrastructure in Lagos. Operational Readiness: The audit covered aftersales workshops, showrooms, and the Awoyaya assembly plant to…

In the competitive landscape of Nigerian commerce, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has reinforced its position as a primary catalyst for small-scale enterprise. By launching a revamped suite of FirstSME accounts, the 132-year-old institution is pivoting from traditional lending toward a holistic “growth-as-a-service” model designed to stabilize and scale the nation’s most critical economic segment. A Three-Tiered Financial Architecture Recognizing that the “SME” label covers everything from neighborhood startups to established manufacturing hubs, FirstBank has structured its offerings into three distinct categories: FirstSME Basic: Entry-level tools for emerging entrepreneurs. FirstSME Classic: Mid-market solutions for businesses seeking operational efficiency. FirstSME Deluxe: Premium…

In a decisive move to insulate small businesses from economic shocks, the Federal Government has detailed the transformative provisions of the Nigerian Tax Act 2025. Speaking on behalf of the administration, Bashorun (representing the fiscal authorities) outlined a “China-style” growth formula designed to transition Nigerian entrepreneurs from local survival to global competitiveness. The “Grow-First” Tax Architecture The cornerstone of the 2025 reform is the aggressive reduction of fiscal barriers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Zero Company Income Tax (CIT): In a historic shift, businesses generating an annual turnover of ₦100 million or less are now subject to a 0%…

ABUJA — In a massive boost to Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, the Federal Government has secured a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to kickstart a monumental expansion of the nation’s internet backbone. This funding is the opening move in a $2 billion mega-project designed to ensure that “high-speed broadband” is no longer a luxury reserved for urban elites, but a standard utility for every corner of the country. The initiative, titled Digital Value Chain Infrastructure for Boosting Employment (D-VIBE)—more commonly known as Project BRIDGE—is set to quadruple Nigeria’s existing fiber-optic footprint. Quadrupling the Backbone: From 30k to…

LAGOS / LONDON — For millions of disciplined savers, the traditional banking system has long been a “closed-door” club. Despite years of consistent contributions to communal savings groups like the Yoruba ‘Ajo’, Igbo ‘Esusu’, or Hausa ‘Adashe’, these individuals remain “credit invisible” because their financial history exists only on paper or in WhatsApp chats. Now, BucksTrybe is changing the game by digitizing these ancient trust-based systems to create a verifiable financial trail that banks can finally recognize. Founded by former Stanbic IBTC and Barclays banker Muhammad Akande, the fintech is turning everyday discipline into a digital asset. Digitizing the “Ajo”:…

In a high-impact move to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s financial landscape, Moniepoint Inc. Group CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda, has spearheaded a strategic masterclass designed to transform female-led small businesses into scalable enterprises. Partnering with tech-training giant ALX, Eniolorunda hosted a intensive four-hour virtual session for 100 women business owners. The goal was clear: move away from survivalist “petty trading” and toward the structured growth models that define modern African success stories. The Three Pillars of Enterprise: Model, Money, and Plan The masterclass abandoned traditional lectures in favor of a “hands-on” workshop format. Facilitated by industry experts, the curriculum was…