Author: Gift Ifeanyi

LAGOS — While many focus on the macroeconomic hurdles of 2026, Ajilore Obafemi Samuel, founder of DGW and the logistics startup Errand Boy, is championing a narrative of aggressive optimism. Samuel argues that Nigeria’s large population and expanding urban centers remain “goldmines” for entrepreneurs, provided the government can bridge the gap between opportunity and infrastructure. Samuel’s perspective is rooted in personal sacrifice; he famously sold his car while living in Dubai to raise the seed capital for DGW—a move he views as a strategic bet on the Nigerian market’s long-term viability. The “Predictability” Gap According to Samuel, the missing ingredient…

LAGOS — Nigeria is moving to end its reliance on “imported” Artificial Intelligence, warning that off-the-shelf models trained on foreign data risk misclassifying African users and undermining national sovereignty. At the Innovate AI 2026 conference in Lagos, a powerful coalition of policymakers, fintech leaders, and academics declared that the era of passive adoption is over. The central theme of the summit was clear: If Nigeria does not build its own AI architectures, it risks a new form of “digital colonization” where critical decisions—from credit scoring to news dissemination—are governed by biased, non-representative algorithms. The Inclusion Crisis: Why Foreign Data Fails…

LAGOS — The Nigerian Naira reached a significant milestone during the week ending February 20, 2026, achieving its strongest level of price convergence in two years. Driven by a surge in external reserves and a strategic policy shift by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the gap between the official and parallel market rates effectively collapsed, rewarding patient savers and punishing currency speculators. By Friday, the parallel market closed at ₦1,340/$, slightly stronger than the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of ₦1,346.32/$. The Numbers: A Week of Appreciation The week was characterized by “speculative flight,” as dollar holders…

LAGOS — In a historic announcement that could redefine the Nigerian capital market, Aliko Dangote has revealed plans to open up ownership of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to the public. Speaking on Saturday, February 21, 2026, during a high-profile facility tour with the NNPC Ltd leadership, Dangote confirmed that Nigerians will be able to purchase shares in the multi-billion dollar project within the next four to five months. This move is expected to democratize the wealth generated by Africa’s largest industrial hub and provide a significant boost to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). The “Dollar Dividend” Promise One of the…

LAGOS — Nigerian businesses are currently “sitting on goldmines of data and walking away empty-handed,” according to Ganiyat Olajumoke Abe, a prominent Data Analyst and Business Intelligence professional. In a recent industry briefing on February 21, 2026, Abe warned that the country’s enthusiastic embrace of data collection has not yet translated into effective data utilization. Abe, whose career spans the telecoms, consulting, and education sectors, argues that for many Nigerian firms, data has become an operational liability rather than a strategic asset. From Spreadsheets to Strategy: The Productivity Gap Abe highlighted a disconnect in Nigerian boardrooms where data is often…

LEKKI — On February 19, 2026, Carloha Nigeria—the authorized dealer for Chery—officially disrupted the Nigerian commercial vehicle market with the launch of the Chery Himla. Unveiled at Orange Island, Lekki, the Himla is being positioned not just as a vehicle, but as a “high-efficiency mobile business asset” tailored for the country’s expanding agriculture, logistics, and security sectors. As Nigerian businesses face rising operational costs, the Himla enters the market with a “one-trip” philosophy, designed to maximize payload while minimizing fuel and time expenditure. Engineering for the “One-Trip” Economy The standout feature of the Himla is its 1,276-liter cargo bed, which…

LAGOS — In a move to bridge the gap between academic theory and industrial reality, the Nile Business School (NBS), the specialized business arm of Nile University of Nigeria, recently led a high-level delegation of Executive MBA students and faculty to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos. The visit, described by observers as a “classroom without walls,” signals a pivot in how the next generation of African leaders is being trained—prioritizing local case studies over imported academic models. “Practice-First” Learning Prof. Noel Tagoe, Dean of Nile Business School, highlighted a critical flaw in traditional African business education: the over-reliance on…

LAGOS — Guinness Nigeria Plc has officially returned to profitability, marking a dramatic turnaround in its first full audited reporting cycle since being acquired by the Tolaram Group. In a report released on February 20, 2026, the company revealed a net profit after tax of ₦41.2 billion for the 18-month period ending December 31, 2025. This performance represents a significant recovery from the ₦54.7 billion loss reported in the previous 12-month financial year, signaling that the brewery’s “Legacy of 75 Years” is entering a new era of financial health. The 18-Month Transition To align with its new ownership and a…

LAGOS — As Nigeria navigates its 2026 economic landscape, a quiet but powerful transformation is occurring in the nation’s “energy dark spots.” All On, the off-grid energy impact investor, has released a landmark Impact Report detailing how decentralized renewable energy is successfully bypassing the struggling national grid to power the engine of the Nigerian economy: its small businesses and rural communities. Since its inception in 2016, All On has evolved from a startup financier into a systemic architect, moving nearly half of the country’s previously unserved population toward the goal of universal energy access. Powering the “Productive Use” Economy The…

KATSINA — The Katsina State Government has announced a massive ₦31 billion intervention package within its 2026 fiscal framework, specifically targeting small businesses, young graduates, and vulnerable households. The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Malik Anas, revealed the details during a briefing in the state capital, noting that the allocations are the cornerstone of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s “Building Your Future” agenda. ₦10 Billion for MSME Expansion In a move to decentralize industrial growth and stimulate local production, the state has earmarked ₦10 billion exclusively for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Goal: To expand access to…

LAGOS — A new era of Transnational Education (TNE) has officially taken root in Nigeria. The Bridging Borders Project, supported by the British Council, recently showcased the results of a high-impact collaboration between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and three of Nigeria’s premier academic institutions: the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), and Covenant University. The initiative, led by Prof. Pascal Anosike, aims to move entrepreneurship education (EE) beyond the classroom and into the realm of global best practices, ensuring Nigerian graduates are not just job seekers, but globally competitive job creators. Formalizing Global…

ADDIS ABABA — In a strategic move that underscores the growing interconnectivity of African markets, Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has joined forces with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to back a $10 million risk-sharing facility for Ethiopia’s Dashen Bank. Announced on February 17, 2026, this partnership is designed to tackle the “credit crunch” facing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia. By providing a safety net, the agreement allows Dashen Bank—one of Ethiopia’s leading private lenders—to lend more aggressively to high-potential but underfunded sectors. The Mechanics of Risk-Sharing The facility operates through an unfunded risk-sharing guarantee. The IFC, with support…

ABUJA — At the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) meetings on February 19, 2026, Nigeria’s top economic leaders delivered a stark message to the global community: the world’s “financial plumbing” is broken for emerging markets. Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso and Finance Minister Wale Edun argued that high costs and settlement delays are no longer just technical nuisances—they are systemic barriers to economic sovereignty. “Payment Systems are the Heart of Inclusion” Governor Cardoso framed the modernization of payment systems as a prerequisite for national development. Under the Payment System Vision 2028, Nigeria has moved to replace aging infrastructure with the…

ABUJA — Nigeria is not just surviving its current economic challenges; it is actively evolving through them. This is the perspective of Onyeolu Israel Chima, a prominent entrepreneur and strategist, who argues that a fundamental shift is occurring in how Nigerians perceive and create wealth. In a recent statement that has sparked conversation across the business community, Chima noted that the nation’s future belongs to a new breed of “builders, creators, and strategists” who are moving away from traditional hustle in favor of structured, long-term systems. From “Hustle” to “Structure” The core of Chima’s observation is a transition from accidental…

While local headlines focus on Nigeria’s industrial and oil ambitions, the international stage is shifting rapidly. From high-level phone calls between Abuja and Berlin to fiscal warnings in Paris and trade tensions in Madrid, here is the global context affecting the 2026 economic landscape. Nigeria & Germany: Reviving the Power Dream In a pivotal nine-minute phone call on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu and the newly inaugurated German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, resolved to breathe new life into the stalled Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). The deal, which involves the German conglomerate Siemens, aims to overhaul Nigeria’s fragile power-transmission network. Chancellor Merz pledged…

LAGOS — For Jumia Nigeria, the current uptick in digital transactions isn’t just a rebound; it is the blueprint for a permanent shift in Nigerian consumer behavior. Following a period of economic recalibration, the e-commerce giant is reporting a surge in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and order volumes, signaling that online shopping is moving from a luxury convenience to a national habit. Temidayo Ojo, CEO of Jumia Nigeria, believes the “recovery” phase is over, replaced by a new era of consumer confidence. “Confidence translates into spending,” Ojo remarked. “More importantly, it translates into habit. Our focus is on making e-commerce…

LAGOS — The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that there is “no going back” on its transition to a 100% cashless environment across all Nigerian airports. Following a high-level meeting with the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), FAAN Managing Director and CEO, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, reiterated that the directive will take full effect by the February 28, 2024 deadline. The move follows a Treasury Circular issued in November 2025 by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, mandating all federal agencies to cease physical cash collections to enhance transparency and curb revenue leakages.…

ABUJA — For many Nigerian entrepreneurs, the greatest threat to their business isn’t the competition—it’s the “scattered notebook.” To bridge the gap between informal trading and structured accounting, a new all-in-one management software, AR Pro365, has launched in the capital, promising to turn WhatsApp into a powerful financial command center. The software arrives at a critical time for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) struggling with stock discrepancies, delayed payments, and the perennial question: “Am I actually making a profit?” The WhatsApp Breakthrough The standout feature of AR Pro365 is its deliberate integration with WhatsApp. Recognizing that the messaging app is…

LAGOS — For the millions of small businesses that form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, the traditional bank statement has long been a barrier rather than a bridge. However, a significant shift is underway in 2026, as fintech leaders like FairMoney Microfinance Bank (MFB) replace physical collateral with “digital footprints.” New data from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) confirms the high stakes of this transition: in 2025, SMEs represented 96% of all businesses, contributed over 48% to Nigeria’s GDP, and accounted for 84% of total employment. Yet, despite this dominance, the “missing middle”—businesses needing between…

ABUJA — While episodic instability often dominates the headlines, a deeper examination of Nigeria in 2026 reveals a “structural vitality” that is redefining the nation’s power. Beyond the drama of politics lies a reservoir of strength found in its people, its culture, and a quiet but persistent economic evolution. As Nigeria’s population surpasses 242 million this year, the narrative is shifting from seeing youth as a liability to recognizing them as a “latent power” that is currently driving a bottom-up transformation of the country. The Demographic Engine With a median age of just 18.3 years, Nigeria possesses one of the…