Author: Gift Ifeanyi

ALAYIDE, OYO STATE — While Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, the crop has historically been viewed as a subsistence staple for garri and fufu. However, Yemisi Iranloye, the founder of Psaltry International, has spent the last 15 years proving that this humble root is the key to Nigeria’s industrial sovereignty. Starting with a hobby farm in 2005 and transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship at age 40, Iranloye has transformed a rural patch of Oyo State into a multi-factory complex supplying global giants like Nestlé, Unilever, and Nigerian Breweries. From Roots to Riches: The Industrial Value Chain Cassava’s versatility…

LAGOS — Nigerian agricultural powerhouse Sunbeth Global Concepts has successfully raised ₦165.73 billion ($118.5 million) through a massively oversubscribed Commercial Paper (CP) issuance. The capital raise, which concluded on March 6, 2026, saw an unprecedented 65% oversubscription, signaling deep investor confidence in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector. The proceeds are earmarked for a strategic “value-chain leap”—moving the company beyond raw cocoa trading into high-margin processing and expanded global distribution. The Deal: Breaking Down the Numbers Originally targeting ₦100 billion, Sunbeth’s Series 1, 2, and 3 Commercial Papers were snapped up by investors seeking high-yield opportunities in the commodities space. The issuance…

LAGOS — As the Lagos Tech Fest 2026 kicked off, the global payment giant Mastercard painted a bullish picture of Nigeria’s role in the continental economy. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Mastercard’s Country Manager for West Africa, characterized Nigeria as the “central force” of a digital payments revolution that is projected to reach $1.5 trillion across Africa by 2030. The announcement comes amidst record-breaking data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), showing that electronic transactions in Nigeria hit a staggering ₦284.99 trillion in just the first quarter of 2025—a nearly 18% jump from the previous year. The Small Business Pivot: From…

MAKURDI — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Benue State Government have reached a major milestone in their mission to modernize Nigeria’s “Food Basket.” On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Benue Agro-Startup Enhancement Programme (BASEP) concluded its high-stakes “Demo Day,” crowning three innovative startups that are reshaping the agricultural value chain. The initiative, led by Dr. Elizabeth Onogwu, JICA’s Private Sector Support (PSS) Coordinator, provided intensive mentorship and strategic training to growth-stage startups, aiming to bridge the gap between rural production and global investment readiness. The “Big Three”: Benue’s 2026 Agribusiness Champions Following a rigorous evaluation by a…

ABUJA / LOMÉ — Nigeria’s role as the “powerhouse” of the West African sub-region was further solidified on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) hosted a high-level delegation from Togo to discuss a significant increase in cross-border electricity supply. The visiting team from Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), led by Director-General Débo‑K’mba Barandao, arrived in Abuja with a clear mission: to secure more power from Nigeria to fuel Togo’s surging industrial and commercial sectors. A Proven Partnership: The 75MWh Foundation Currently, Togo relies on a bilateral arrangement with NDPHC for approximately 75 megawatt-hours…

ABUJA — In a high-profile visit to the State House on Saturday, March 14, 2026, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) offered a strong vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking to journalists after a private meeting, the elder statesman praised the President’s “all-round” efforts to resolve Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, while reminding the government of its ultimate responsibility to safeguard the national interest. The visit, part of a flurry of high-level diplomatic engagements at the Villa this month, underscores a growing consensus among Nigeria’s traditional and military elite regarding the direction of the “Renewed…

ABUJA — While Nigeria boasts a staggering 600 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of unproven gas reserves, the nation’s power grid is currently buckling under a severe “fuel famine.” Despite the “Decade of Gas” mandate (2020–2030), recent data reveals that nearly 60% of the gas needed to power the country is literally going up in smoke. As of March 5, 2026, national electricity generation plummeted to 3,940 MW—falling well below the 4,000 MW threshold—as thermal plants struggle with a catastrophic supply gap. The Numbers: 43% Supply vs. 100% Need The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has confirmed that the ongoing blackouts…

ABUJA — At a high-powered interfaith dinner held on Friday, March 13, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally designated the Nigerian press as an “indispensable partner” in the nation’s quest for economic stability. Addressing a delegation from the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the President vowed to dismantle the fiscal barriers and the emerging threat of “digital cannibalisation” currently strangling the local media industry. This engagement signals a major policy shift, as the government moves to treat media production materials with the same strategic priority as educational and research resources. The Fiscal Intervention: Tariff Exemptions Recognizing the skyrocketing costs of production…

LAGOS — Nigeria has officially secured the hosting rights for the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), marking a strategic homecoming for the continent’s largest trade and investment marketplace. On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Federal Government signed the landmark host country agreement at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, formally taking the baton from Algeria. The 2027 fair is projected to be a record-breaker, targeting over $50 billion in trade and investment deals and attracting more than 100,000 visitors from across the globe. A Historic Homecoming: From 1980 to 2027 Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of…

LAGOS — In a move that signals the rising economic clout of the African beauty industry, Dabota Cosmetics Ltd has secured a major international financial facility aimed at scaling its operations across global markets. The agreement was signed on Sunday, March 15, 2026, during an exclusive event hosted by Mrs. Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Founder of Woodhall Capital International. The partnership represents a significant shift in the African business landscape, where financial heavyweights are now aggressively backing “creative and lifestyle” brands as viable drivers of continental GDP. A High-Stakes Endorsement The signing ceremony was not merely a corporate event but a showcase…

ABUJA — In a major move to dismantle “energy poverty,” the Federal Government of Nigeria officially rolled out the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project on Friday, March 6, 2026. Spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the initiative pairs $750 million in World Bank funding with an expected $1.1 billion in private sector capital—totaling a massive $1.85 billion investment in Nigeria’s renewable future. This program is being hailed as the world’s largest publicly funded renewable energy project, specifically designed to bypass the limitations of the national grid. Decentralizing the Grid: 1,350 Mini-Grids The REA’s strategy shifts the…

LAGOS — As Nigeria grapples with escalating environmental risks, LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited has solidified its role as a leader in “climate-resilient financing.” At the Sustainable Finance Conference 2.0 held in March 2026, stakeholders adopted a comprehensive 11-point action plan designed to shield vulnerable communities from the economic shocks of climate change. The conference, themed “Microfinance for Climate Resilience: Empowering Communities, Driving Innovation, Shaping Policies,” brought together a powerful coalition of regulators, Professor Franklin Nnaemeka Ngwu of Lagos Business School, and development partners like the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI). The 11-Point Blueprint: A Green Revolution for Small…

LAGOS — As Nigerian organizations navigate a complex landscape of digital disruption and shifting workplace cultures, the 2025 HR Conference and Excellence Awards (HRCEA 2025) has sent a clear message: Human Resources is no longer a back-office function, but the strategic “heart” of business success. Organized by HR Talent Hub and headlined by MIVA Open University, the two-day summit gathered global HR leaders to dissect the theme: “HR – The Heart of Business Success: Driving Purpose, People, and Performance.” The event signaled a shift toward “Human Capital 2.0,” where data-driven performance meets empathetic leadership. Investing in the Architect: The ₦1,000,000…

As the 14th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14) approaches (March 26–29, 2026), Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has shifted into high-gear diplomacy. Her mission is clear: ensure that the global trade rules negotiated in Yaoundé, Cameroon, don’t just favor established economies but actively drive Nigeria’s industrialization and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the 2026 Q1 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee (CCC), Oduwole emphasized that Nigeria is no longer just a participant in global trade—it is a “Digital Trade Champion” and a lead facilitator for international investment. The…

LAGOS — Nigeria’s maritime landscape is set for a historic transformation following the signing of a 45-year sub-concession agreement between Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Nigerdock. The deal, announced Thursday, March 12, 2026, grants the world’s largest container shipping line the rights to develop and operate an exclusive terminal within the Snake Island Port. The partnership is expected to drive massive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Nigeria, positioning Lagos as a premier global transshipment hub and providing MSC with a permanent “home” in the country. The Blueprint: A 2028 World-Class Vision The project will see a 30-hectare segment of the…

ABUJA / LEKKI — In a historic pivot toward energy self-sufficiency, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has officially suspended the issuance of gasoline (PMS) import licences. The decision, effective as of February and March 2026, enforces a key provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which restricts fuel imports to “buffer” roles—allowing them only when domestic supply falls short of national demand. This move effectively hands over the reins of the Nigerian fuel market to the Dangote Refinery, which recently surpassed its rated capacity to meet and even exceed national consumption. The New Market Landscape The…

ABUJA — As the United States–Israel-Iran conflict continues to send shockwaves through global energy markets, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially mobilized a nationwide monitoring exercise. Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello announced on Thursday that the commission is on high alert to prevent Nigerian businesses from using global volatility as a pretext for “unjustified” price hikes on essential commodities. The move follows a surge in pump prices, with some outlets reportedly selling petrol at or above ₦1,500 per litre, despite market indicators suggesting lower thresholds. The “Ripple Effect”: Monitoring Beyond the Pump The FCCPC’s primary concern…

LAGOS — As Nigeria marks International Women’s Day 2026, the BATN Foundation has released a comprehensive impact report showcasing a strategic shift in the country’s agricultural landscape. The data reveals that young women are no longer just “helpers” on the farm; they are becoming the CEOs of high-growth agribusinesses, thanks to targeted intervention programs that prioritize gender-inclusive funding. By focusing on the intersection of youth and gender, the Foundation is helping to rebrand agriculture as a high-tech, profitable career path for the next generation of Nigerian women. The Power of 53%: Smashing the Funding Barrier A persistent challenge in Nigerian…

EFFURUN / WARRI — In a major boost to the Niger Delta’s local economy, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has distributed ₦800 million in business grants to 80 young Nigerian entrepreneurs. The ceremony, held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the MBB Event Center in Effurun, Delta State, marks the second edition of a philanthropic initiative that has nearly quadrupled in scale in just one year. Initially designed to empower 50 beneficiaries with ₦10 million each, the program was dramatically expanded at the venue following significant contributions from key regional leaders.…

ABUJA — The MTN Nigeria Foundation has reached a major milestone in its mission to digitize Nigeria’s grassroots economy, graduating 5,980 young entrepreneurs from Phase 7 of its ICT and Business Skills Training Programme. The ceremony, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, was headlined by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who hailed the graduates as the “architects of Nigeria’s digital future.” Beyond certificates, the foundation unveiled a massive ₦300 million equipment grant for the top 600 participants to help them transition from trainees to tech-enabled business owners. Phase 7: Scaling Impact Across 8 States The seventh…