Author: Gift Ifeanyi

On January 31, 2026, the Expo Convention Centre at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, was transformed into a sea of red and white as Sun Newspapers Publishing Limited hosted the 24th edition of the Sun Annual Awards. Themed “Celebrating Uncommon Achievers,” the event honoured 37 distinguished individuals and two financial institutions for their transformative impact on the Nigerian economy throughout 2025. Chaired by Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, the gala served as a high-level convergence of Nigeria’s political and business elite. The Spotlight: High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu (Sun Entrepreneur of the Year) While the evening celebrated many,…

In a major boost to Nigeria’s female-led enterprise sector, Flourish Africa, the empowerment initiative founded by Apostle Folorunsho Alakija, has awarded ₦300 million in grants to 100 women entrepreneurs. The announcement was the centerpiece of the 9th Annual Flourish Africa Conference, held in Lagos under the theme “She Champions” on February 1, 2026. The grants represent the conclusion of the fourth cycle of the Flourish Africa Grants Programme, a highly competitive initiative that transforms “informal hustles” into structured, investment-ready corporations. The Rigorous Path to ₦3 Million The selection process was designed to emphasize “merit over charity,” moving away from traditional…

Nigeria’s industrial landscape received a massive boost on Monday as three major subsidiaries of the Dangote Group—Refinery, Fertilizer, and Cement—signed expanded gas supply agreements with the NNPC Ltd. These deals are a cornerstone of the newly launched Nigeria Gas Master Plan (NGMP) 2026, a roadmap designed to turn the country’s 210 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves into an industrial engine. The contracts, signed at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, align with Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative and the group’s own Vision 2030 strategy. 1. The Three-Pronged Industrial Push The expanded Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) target three critical…

As February 2026 begins, the “New Year momentum” for many of Nigeria’s 41 million MSMEs is meeting the harsh reality of operational friction. While these businesses are the backbone of the nation—contributing 48% to the GDP and employing 84% of the workforce—they face a staggering 80% to 90% failure rate within their first five years. The divide between ambitious January goals and December closures often comes down to a few repeatable, yet avoidable, strategic errors. 1. The “Daily Sales” Trap vs. Cash Flow Management Many Nigerian entrepreneurs operate on a “hand-to-mouth” business model, where success is measured by daily turnover…

Justin Essien’s career path is a masterclass in adaptability. Originally trained as a Petrochemical Engineer, he made a pivot that many would find daunting: moving from the structured world of oil and gas in Port Harcourt to the high-octane creative scene of Lagos. Today, as the Head of Offline Marketing at Piggyvest, he bridges the gap between traditional brand visibility and the high-trust requirements of fintech. 1. The FMCG Foundation: Mastering Visibility Before diving into finance, Justin spent over a decade in marketing, notably spending five years at Seven Up Bottling Company (SBC). Managing a giant like Pepsi taught him…

The Coca-Cola Company has sent a massive signal of confidence to the Nigerian market, announcing an additional $1 billion investment in its local operations. This news, disclosed by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria on February 2, 2026, underscores the beverage giant’s long-term commitment to Africa’s largest consumer base. This fresh capital injection comes on top of the $1.5 billion the company has already invested over the past decade, bringing its total recent and planned commitment to $2.5 billion. Strategic Breakdown: Where the $1 Billion is Going The investment isn’t just about making more soda; it’s about fortifying the entire “Coca-Cola…

Nigeria’s dry cleaning and fabricare industry—estimated to be worth $1.8 billion and projected to hit $3 billion by 2034—is undergoing a radical professional transformation. The recently concluded Hyper Masterclass Conference, a collaboration between LG Electronics Nigeria and the CleanAce Foundation & Academy, has set a new standard for the sector. Targeted at members of the Fabricare Professionals and Drycleaners Association (FDPA), the event focused on shifting the industry’s mindset from survival to “audacious” growth. Strategic Highlights: Beyond the Ironing Board The conference moved past traditional laundry techniques to address the core business pillars required for a modern enterprise in 2026:…

As Nigeria pushes toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030, a new debate is taking center stage: the “Mobility Gap.” While the government is signing major trade and aviation deals, experts warn that these agreements are “half-wins” if Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors, and students cannot physically cross borders to execute them. At the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026 in Abuja and through a major statement from the Africa Development Studies Centre (ADSC), the message to President Bola Tinubu is clear: Trade without mobility is an illusion. 1. The Reciprocity Mandate: “Open Doors Must Swing Both Ways” Sir Victor Oluwafemi, founder…

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has officially entered a new chapter in its 20-year history of celebrating talent. At a press conference in Lagos on January 29, 2026, the company unveiled a complete visual overhaul for its prestigious awards, including the debut of a third category: The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts. This redesign isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a strategic move to align Nigeria’s foremost intellectual platforms with global standards of distinction. The 2026 Visual Identities: Decoded The new logos are designed to represent the “fertile landscape” of Nigerian talent through distinct colors and symbolic movements. 1. The Nigeria Prize…

Nigeria’s economic trajectory for 2026 is shifting from stabilization to aggressive growth. While the federal budget of ₦58.18 trillion focuses on fiscal discipline, a new chorus is rising from the private sector: national revenue cannot grow if individual revenue is stagnant. At the 2026 Sales Power Conference (SPC 2.0) in Abuja, industry experts and the Federal Government both signaled that “practical income-generation” is the new priority for national stability. 1. The Sales Execution Crisis Femi Joshua, CEO of the African School of Sales and Management (ASSAM), delivered a blunt message: “Any business that is not selling is not in business.”…

In a major policy shift aimed at crushing the final remnants of hyper-inflation, Nigeria is preparing to review its import tariff structure. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, revealed on Thursday that the government is “recalibrating trade measures” to lower production costs and curb food prices. The announcement was made during the Nigeria–United States Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP) ministerial meeting in Lagos—a high-stakes forum where officials from both nations are negotiating the future of a $13 billion trade relationship. Strategic Relief: Why Now? While Nigeria has seen a dramatic drop in food inflation—plummeting from nearly…

Nigeria’s post and courier sector has emerged as a powerhouse of the 2025 digital economy, recording a staggering ₦248.14 billion turnover in just nine months. This represents a 56.28% increase from the ₦158.73 billion earned during the same period in 2024, signaling that logistics is no longer just a support service—it is the very pulse of Nigerian trade. While the numbers are high, they reveal a fascinating story of seasonal shifts, the “e-commerce effect,” and a new era of “informal exports.” The Quarterly Rollercoaster: Festive Booms vs. Rainy Realities The sector’s performance in 2025 followed a distinct seasonal pattern, highlighting…

Kano State is moving to end the era of industrial blackouts by opening its doors to aggressive private-sector investment. In a high-level stakeholder meeting in the Dakata industrial quarters, the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu, unveiled a roadmap to transform Kano into an energy-secure hub for SMEs and large-scale industries. The meeting focused on a strategic partnership with Slash Power, a key player in the renewable sector, to optimize distribution and bridge the massive energy deficit currently stifling local productivity. The Industrial Rescue Plan For Kano’s small and medium enterprises, energy isn’t just a utility—it’s…

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc has positioned itself as the strategic bridge for the nation’s “export revolution.” At a recent capacity-building forum in Lagos, the company signaled its intent to turn local SMEs into global players, aligning with the Federal Government’s ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy. According to Group Executive Director Saheed Lasisi, the path to this milestone isn’t just through big oil or manufacturing—it is paved by the thousands of small businesses ready to export Nigerian commodities. The Logistics Backbone: More Than Just Cargo For many SMEs, the hurdle isn’t producing a great product; it’s…

Nigeria’s industrial landscape is being re-engineered at the grassroots level. The upcoming GENSPARK 2026 industrial summit has received a massive boost from WellaFitta Resources Limited, which has stepped in to sponsor the registration for 2,000 young entrepreneurs. Set to take place at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan from March 17 to 21, 2026, the summit is more than a conference—it is a strategic strike against the “Japa Syndrome” (youth migration) by providing a credible, profitable path to local manufacturing. The WellaFitta Intervention: Scaling for Self-Reliance Representing WellaFitta Resources, Pharm. (Mrs.) Jooda emphasized that the company’s sponsorship is a deliberate investment in…

Olajide Adebayo’s journey to the spotlight didn’t begin in a nightclub or a TV studio; it started in the pews of the Catholic Church. Today, the man known globally as “JideScata” has successfully bridged the gap between church leadership and international entertainment, proving that the discipline of the pulpit is a perfect foundation for the energy of the world stage. Now a professional MC, hypeman, and MBA candidate at the University of East London, JideScata is redefining what it means to be a “versatile” entertainer in 2026. The Foundation: Built by Service Before commanding crowds of thousands, JideScata was a…

Nigeria is currently home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations—over 100 million people—yet it remains a passive consumer in a global market it is structurally built to dominate. The Halal Economy, a massive $2 trillion+ global ecosystem, is almost entirely absent from Nigeria’s business school curricula. This isn’t just a missed academic opportunity; it is a strategic blind spot that costs the nation billions in potential exports, foreign investment, and job creation. Halal: More Than Just “No Pork” The most damaging myth in Nigeria’s business landscape is that “Halal” is merely a religious dietary restriction. In reality, the…

Nigeria is currently battling two types of poverty: the visible lack of bread and the invisible poverty of meaning. While the nation’s elites and middle class have mastered the art of “performative reform,” the reality beneath the surface is a landscape of manufactured ignorance and rationed hope. In a scathing reflection on the current state of the Nigerian “personality,” observers are warning that the country’s survival depends not on political saviors, but on a fundamental psychological and ethical reset of its most influential citizens. The Architecture of Exploitation In Nigeria, poverty is often not a tragedy of scarcity, but a…

The Zaar Kingdom has erupted in celebration following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, as the Board Chairman of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC). In an official communiqué from the Gung Zaar Council, the appointment was hailed as a “divine testament” to Dogara’s career in public service and a strategic win for Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. A Legacy Reaffirmed The letter, signed by Council Secretary Bitson M. Timothy, emphasized that Dogara’s new role is more than a political appointment—it is a national recognition of a “sterling record…

For many Nigerian students, an NGO scholarship is more than just a grant—it’s a career catalyst. As we move into the 2026 academic year, several prominent foundations have updated their portals, shifting from “paper-based applications” to rigorous, merit-driven digital systems. Whether you are a secondary school student in Kwara or a graduate aiming for an Ivy League Master’s, here is the current status of the most impactful scholarships in Nigeria. 1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme Status for 2026: OPEN (Closes March 1, 2026) Target: Young entrepreneurs (18+) with a business idea or a startup under 5 years old.…