Author: Gift Ifeanyi

On February 5, 2026, during the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja, the CEO of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, confirmed that Ghana is positioning itself as a primary “offtake market” for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. As Nigeria transitions from a fuel importer to a regional exporter, this partnership signifies a major shift in West African energy dynamics, driven by proximity, quality, and the scale of the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) facility. 1. The Refining Gap: Why Ghana is Looking East Ghana’s current refining capacity is categorized by Tameklo as “insignificant” compared to the sheer…

In early 2026, the diplomatic corridor between Abuja and Washington, D.C., has become one of the most expensive and strategically active in the world. This surge in lobbying activity follows an unprecedented military intervention on December 25, 2025, which has forced both the Nigerian government and indigenous private interests to hire top-tier American “fixers” to manage the narrative. 1. The Christmas Day Airstrikes On Christmas night 2025, the U.S. military launched a series of Tomahawk missile strikes in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria. The “Christmas Present”: President Donald Trump framed the operation as a “Christmas present” to terrorists, claiming the strikes…

In the fast-paced urban centers of Nigeria, consumer behavior has shifted from physical scouting to digital shortcuts. Whether it’s a commuter in Lagos searching for “restaurants near me” or a traveler in Abuja looking for a “hotel nearby,” the gap between a sale and a missed opportunity is often determined by a business’s digital visibility. While large corporations dominate social media with massive ad budgets, many high-quality local entrepreneurs remain invisible. QuePosts has entered the market as a dedicated business discovery platform to solve this specific challenge, helping local businesses bridge the “visibility gap” without the need for complex marketing…

On February 5, 2026, MTN Group—Africa’s largest mobile operator—officially confirmed it is in advanced talks to acquire the remaining 75% stake in IHS Towers it does not already own. This potential $2.76 billion deal represents a massive strategic reversal, as MTN pivots back toward owning the physical infrastructure it spent over a decade selling off. The announcement follows years of “rocky” relations between the two giants, including governance disputes and a near-divorce in the Nigerian market. 1. The Financial Snapshot (Feb 4–6, 2026) The deal is being negotiated based on IHS’s market valuation on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).…

On February 4, 2026, the Niger Delta paused to celebrate one of its most influential modern leaders, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi. Known affectionately as “Daddy Kess,” the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited marked his birthday not just with festivities, but with a massive expansion of his signature humanitarian efforts. Pondi has become a central figure in the Delta’s stability, moving beyond his role in maritime security to become a primary engine for youth entrepreneurship and food security in the region. 1. The 2026 Business Grant Initiative Building on the success of his 2025 pilot, Pondi…

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Nigerian business and political elite gathered at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos for the prestigious Sun Awards. The night’s industrial spotlight belonged to Chief John Ezeobi, Chairman of Zobis Cables Limited, who was honored as the Sun Industrialist of the Year 2025. The award recognizes Ezeobi’s meteoric rise from a young trader to a manufacturing mogul. At just 41, he is celebrated as Africa’s youngest cable manufacturer, fundamentally shifting the narrative of Nigerian industrialization through indigenous production and high-quality standards. 1. The Zobis Impact: Building a Conglomerate Under Ezeobi’s…

At the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 held in Abuja on February 4, 2026, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, outlined a pragmatic “execution-first” strategy for Nigeria’s energy future. Ojulari, who took the reins from Mele Kyari in April 2025, has shifted the company’s focus toward commercial viability, acknowledging that past efforts to run state-owned refineries as government-managed projects resulted in “monumental losses.” 1. The Refinery “Reset”: From Operators to Partners One of the most striking revelations from the summit was Ojulari’s admission that NNPC presently lacks the internal capacity to operate refineries profitably.…

As Imo State celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2026, the narrative of the “Eastern Heartland” has shifted from traditional commerce to a high-speed digital economy. Under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, the state has moved from being a participant in the digital age to a sub-national leader, establishing Nigeria’s first-ever Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government. Through the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022–2026, the state has systematically replaced “handouts with hard drives,” creating a sustainable pipeline for youth empowerment and administrative efficiency. 1. SkillUpImo: The Human Capital Engine The SkillUpImo program is the flagship of the state’s transformation,…

As the second edition of the Nigeria–Morocco Business Week kicks off on February 9, 2026, both nations are making a strategic push to bridge the gap between diplomatic warmth and commercial depth. Spanning Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, the four-day forum aims to unlock an estimated $7 billion to $10 billion in untapped bilateral trade potential. This summit marks a transition from “dialogue to execution,” focusing on creating tangible regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) rules. 1. Strategic Synergies: Fertilizers and Energy The economic relationship is built on a “complementarity of needs.” Morocco’s Strength: As a…

As Nigeria’s fabricare industry eyes a growth trajectory toward $3 billion by 2035, LG Electronics Nigeria and the CleanAce Foundation & Academy have set a new benchmark for professional excellence. The partnership recently hosted the Hyper Masterclass Conference at the Providence Hotel in Lagos, themed ‘Making Audacious Moves in 2026’. The event brought together members of the Fabricare Professionals and Drycleaners Association (FDPA) to transition the sector from “informal laundry” to a high-tech, structured industry capable of large-scale wealth creation. 1. Wisdom-Guided Boldness: The CleanAce Vision Founder of CleanAce Foundation & Academy, Mr. Eniibukun Adebayo, opened the conference by redefining…

As Nigeria marks the start of 2026, the conversation around technology has shifted from merely consuming foreign tools to building a sovereign AI ecosystem. Kehinde Opara, a senior software engineer at Upperlink Limited, has issued a compelling call to action: Nigeria must treat Artificial Intelligence not just as a “software trend,” but as critical infrastructure—on par with electricity and the internet. This vision aligns with the Federal Government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), released in September 2025, which serves as the blueprint for Nigeria’s leap into the “epoch of technological empowerment.” 1. Local Talent, Local Solutions Opara emphasizes that the…

In a high-profile meeting on February 2, 2026, billionaire entrepreneur and socialite Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) officially transitioned from a business powerhouse to a strategic political player. Hosting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at his Abuja residence, Cubana accepted his appointment as the South-East Coordinator for the City Boy Movement (CBM). This move marks a significant shift in the South-East’s political landscape, as the movement gears up for early mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections. 1. Strategic Engagement: “Influence from Within” Addressing the mixed reactions from the public—particularly from those who see the South-East as…

On February 3, 2026, Nigeria reached a landmark milestone in its journey toward energy stability with the launch of a ₦501 billion bond. This is the first tranche of the Federal Government’s massive ₦4 trillion Power Sector Bond Programme, designed to clear a decade of “legacy debts” that have historically paralyzed the electricity market. This move is a “decisive reset” for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), aiming to move from a state of perpetual liquidity crisis to a sustainable, investor-led market. 1. Breaking the Debt Cycle The primary mission of this bond is to settle verified, overdue payments owed…

Newly surfaced documents from the “Epstein Files” released in early 2026 have shed light on a surprising chapter in the financial dealings of the late American financier, Jeffrey Epstein. The documents reveal that in 2010, Epstein explored the possibility of “lifting” Nigerian crude oil—a high-stakes trade that involves purchasing large volumes of oil directly from the source for international resale. In an email exchange with a contact identified as David Stern, Epstein discussed the intricacies of navigating the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). However, despite his attraction to the massive profits associated with Nigerian oil, Epstein ultimately backed out. The…

As of February 4, 2026, Abia State has entered a high-velocity phase of urban and economic reform. Following the weekly State Executive Council meeting, the administration of Governor Alex Otti announced a suite of projects designed to solidify Aba’s reputation as the “Japan of Africa” while modernizing the state’s public infrastructure. 1. The Aba SME Village & Innovation Hub The government has officially approved the establishment of a dedicated SME Village and Innovation Hub in Aba. This facility is more than just a marketplace; it is a strategic urban planning tool. Target Occupants: The village will primarily house computer dealers,…

As Nigeria moves deeper into 2026, the MTN Foundation is aggressively tackling the digital divide within the SME sector—the “engine room” of the national economy. The Phase 7 of the ICT and Business Skills Training, which kicked off on January 5, 2026, is currently in its final week, equipping 6,000 young Nigerians with the tools to survive and thrive in a tech-driven market. With over 61,000 applications received in late 2025, the program highlights a massive demand among Nigerian youth for practical, “sovereign” digital competencies. 1. The “Kaizen” Approach to Digital Growth The training, facilitated by the Learning Core Company,…

In a bold move that signals the rising global ambition of indigenous Nigerian firms, Shoreline Group, led by energy entrepreneur Kola Karim, has completed the acquisition of producing oil assets in the United States. Announced on the sidelines of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, the deal marks a rare instance of a Nigerian independent operator exporting its “homegrown” operational know-how to the American market. 1. Strategic Rationale: “Immediate Barrels” and Predictability While most indigenous firms focus on the Niger Delta, Karim emphasized that the U.S. entry is about immediate cash flow and operational stability. Asset…

On February 4, 2026, the Nigerian tech ecosystem celebrated a significant milestone as the sixth cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WIT) Nigeria officially graduated. In partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan-Atlantic University, and Village Capital, the program has reaffirmed its commitment to closing the gender gap in technology and entrepreneurship. Since its launch, the program has trained over 50 founders and awarded more than $250,000 in seed funding to women-led ventures, driving both job creation and socio-economic empowerment. 1. The $50,000 Grant Winners Out of 12 finalists who underwent an intensive 12-week accelerator, five outstanding…

In a major announcement on January 27, 2026, the World Bank unveiled a massive $250 billion global procurement window, specifically urging Nigerian businesses to compete for a share of over 40,000 annual contract opportunities. Speaking at a high-level procurement seminar in Lagos, Ms. Gallina Vincelette, World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services, emphasized that these opportunities are not limited to projects within Nigeria but span the entire globe. This invitation marks a significant shift, positioning Nigerian firms not just as local contractors, but as competitive international players in infrastructure, health, education, and technology. 1. Nigerian Firms: Already…

As of February 5, 2026, the Nigerian fintech landscape has gained a new contender focused on ethical, high-speed lending. Andray Finance Limited, an indigenous firm founded in 2024, has officially unveiled its suite of digital loan products. Designed to bypass the “bureaucratic bottlenecks” of traditional banking, Andray’s model targets the underbanked—including micro-entrepreneurs, artisans, and salary earners—who often face sudden cash flow shortages but lack the collateral or credit history required by commercial institutions. 1. The Product Suite: From “Payday” to “Nano” Andray Finance has structured its offerings into two primary categories to address distinct financial pressures: Andray Payday Loans (Short-Term…