Author: Gift Ifeanyi

For the past three weeks, Arik Air—once the pride of Nigeria’s aviation sector—has been flying with just a single aircraft, raising red flags about regulatory compliance and the persistent challenges facing Nigerian airlines. According to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations, any carrier operating with only one aircraft should be grounded. Yet, Arik Air, which once set the standard for modern air travel in the country, has continued its limited operations, THISDAY has learned. Aviation experts are sounding the alarm, reflecting on how a company founded with soaring ambitions and a fleet of brand-new planes has found itself on the…

Nigeria is reeling from a surge of mass abductions that have swept the country in recent days, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a “nationwide security emergency” and launch sweeping measures to restore order. The chilling wave of kidnappings—targeting schoolchildren, worshippers, and villagers—has seen hundreds seized in just one week. In a statement Wednesday, President Tinubu addressed the nation: “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas.” Among the most shocking incidents, 265 students and teachers taken from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State remain missing, even…

Are you passionate about finance and eager to make an impact in Africa’s booming tech and SME sector? Bumpa Nigeria, a fast-growing technology company empowering small and medium-sized businesses with innovative mobile and web solutions, is looking for a talented Senior Finance Officer to join our dynamic team. Why Bumpa? At Bumpa, you’ll be part of a vibrant startup shaping the future of social commerce and fintech across Africa. Our collaborative work culture encourages learning, growth, and real impact—so your work will matter every single day. What You’ll Do: Lead the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports…

Forget the midnight scrambles and shopping-cart battles in American malls—this year’s most riveting Black Friday story is unfolding thousands of miles away, on the industrial edge of Lagos, Nigeria. Step inside Jumia’s colossal 30,000-square-meter warehouse in Isolo, and you’re swept into a world more alive than any glossy corporate operation. Every inch pulses with the energy of Africa’s Black Friday—an event Jumia introduced to the continent over a decade ago and has been redefining ever since. Past the blare of airport runways and the chaos of delivery trucks, there’s a choreography in full swing: workers in neon vests hustle between…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine room of Africa’s economy—fueling over 40% of GDP and employing nearly 80% of the workforce, according to the African Development Bank. But there’s a persistent snag: energy. Across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond, unreliable grids and ballooning energy costs force SMEs to rely on pricey, polluting generators, draining profits and stunting growth. But tides are turning. As Africa eyes a resilient economic future, renewables—especially solar and wind—are stepping into the spotlight as practical, affordable power solutions for SMEs. The cost of technology is falling, fuel prices are rising, and the old grid…

With the festive season on the horizon, Access Bank is turning up the heat in Lagos by launching Detty Fusion—a dynamic platform designed to spotlight and empower the city’s creative entrepreneurs, event organizers, and SMEs. Anchored in the bank’s robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, Detty Fusion is set to be the pulse of Lagos’ December celebrations, making it easier than ever for locals and visitors to discover, attend, and enjoy events across the city. Unveiled in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Detty Fusion aims to deliver a safer, more organized, and unforgettable festive…

Nigeria is charting a bold new course for digital inclusion, with government officials in Abuja unveiling plans to beam Internet access to 20 million more Nigerians—especially in rural communities left offline by traditional networks. At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat, the country’s national satellite, now set to take center stage in narrowing Nigeria’s digital divide. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy describes NigComSat as a game-changer for reaching “unserved or underserved” regions, providing a lifeline to communities where laying fibre-optic cables just isn’t feasible. This move fits into Nigeria’s wider digital transformation drive, which already includes…

Nigeria’s economic engine is firing on all cylinders, with new data showing robust expansion across industry, services, and agriculture. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) soared to 56.4 in November 2025, up from 55.4 the previous month, signaling the twelfth consecutive month of growth and a wave of optimism sweeping through the business community. The numbers don’t lie: businesses are ramping up production, expanding operations, and seizing new demand opportunities. It’s a broad-based rally—29 out of 36 subsectors charted gains, making November the strongest month yet for economic expansion in 2025. Breaking it down by sector, the industry PMI climbed…

Momentum is building between Islamabad and Abuja as Pakistan and Nigeria shake hands on a bold new chapter for their diplomatic and economic partnership. In a bid to unlock billion-dollar opportunities, both nations have announced plans to accelerate a landmark bilateral trade agreement and roll out friendlier visa policies for investors and travelers. The breakthrough unfolded in Abuja, where Pakistan’s top commerce strategist, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, sat down with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. Their mission? To supercharge economic cooperation and propel the Nigeria–Pakistan relationship to new heights. Long-time allies since 1961, Pakistan and Nigeria already share seats…

Nigerian entrepreneurs got a major boost as the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria) and Keystone Bank Limited joined forces to champion business owners and call for a more dynamic business climate during the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). From Lagos to Abuja, the “EDC Walk for Entrepreneurship” wasn’t just another event—it was a rallying cry for innovation, creativity, and resilience. Dr. Nenna Ugwu, EDC’s Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services, captured the mood: “Without entrepreneurship, there’s no life. We walk, drink, eat, and think entrepreneurship.” For nearly two decades, GEW has taken over the third week of November to…

A leading sustainability advocate has introduced a ₦3 million business grant to empower entrepreneurs building climate-tech and circular economy solutions across Nigeria. Launched through the Atunlo Green Earth Foundation, this initiative seeks to bolster early-stage businesses that often face challenges securing funding, technical advice, and market exposure necessary for growth. The grant targets founders whose ideas can scale within Nigeria’s unique economic landscape—especially those focused on minimizing waste, improving resource efficiency, and promoting cleaner production methods. Many climate-focused MSMEs in the country possess innovative concepts but lack the capital to validate their business models, strengthen their operations, or meet regulatory…

Cyber threats have become a daily reality for Nigeria’s startups and small businesses, threatening customer data and disrupting operations. The surge in attacks highlights an urgent need for security practices that are both effective and manageable for lean teams. Security analyst Rianat Abbas has made it her mission to bridge this gap. Since 2021, she has focused on how everyday flaws—like poorly configured cloud services, vague access controls, and unmonitored SaaS apps—leave Nigerian SMEs open to cybercriminals. Rather than dwell on international threats, Abbas zeroed in on the unique vulnerabilities faced by local businesses. Her research revealed that most Nigerian…

As digital transformation accelerates, a growing number of Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are exploring crypto payroll solutions to streamline operations and attract top talent. Let’s unpack how this shift could revolutionize their business landscape—along with the hurdles it brings. The Upside: Why Crypto Payroll Is Catching On For many Nigerian SMEs, the appeal of crypto payroll lies in lower costs and faster transactions. By reducing transaction fees and enabling real-time cross-border payments, crypto makes it easier to hire and pay global talent—especially those with a penchant for innovative payment methods. Stablecoins, in particular, offer a less volatile alternative…

The Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. (NBC), a prominent consumer packaged goods company and member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Beverage Company, has officially introduced Plazma Biscuit—one of Europe’s most iconic biscuit brands—to the Nigerian market. This launch marks a significant strategic milestone for NBC as it ventures into Nigeria’s rapidly expanding snack food sector, reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment and confidence in the nation’s economic future. The debut of Plazma Biscuit is the outcome of a collaborative effort between Bambi, a leading European confectionery producer, the Coca-Cola HBC Group, NBC, and a respected local biscuit manufacturer serving as an outsourcing partner.…

The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector in Nigeria is set for remarkable expansion, with annual growth projected at 13.8% to reach $1.62 billion by 2025. After a robust 23.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2024, the market is expected to maintain momentum with a 10% CAGR through 2030, culminating in a projected value of $2.61 billion. This comprehensive report offers an in-depth, data-driven examination of Nigeria’s BNPL landscape, analyzing opportunities and risk factors across diverse retail categories. With more than 75 KPIs, the study delivers a holistic view of market size, forecast trends, and competitive dynamics. Nigeria’s BNPL ecosystem is…

Access to affordable health care remains a persistent struggle for millions in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities. Many face exorbitant medical costs and the widespread threat of counterfeit medications, putting lives at risk and worsening poverty. Yet, recent technological breakthroughs are beginning to reshape this landscape for the better. The emergence of digital pharmacy platforms is offering a practical solution to the nation’s health care crisis. Innovative companies like DrugStoc, Drug-IT Solutions, and Pharmagateway are leveraging technology to verify supply chains, reduce the circulation of fake medicines, and drive down costs for patients. These platforms not only make health care…

CadRemit has officially received authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to function as an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO), marking a significant leap forward for the fintech company. Specializing in facilitating inbound international remittances to Nigeria, CadRemit hailed the new license as a pivotal achievement, underscoring the firm’s commitment to secure, transparent, and fully compliant financial operations. In a statement regarding the approval, the CEO emphasized that the IMTO license is both a validation and endorsement of CadRemit’s rigorous operational standards. “This regulatory milestone not only bolsters customer confidence but also affirms our adherence to the stringent guidelines…

Nigeria has taken a significant step in regional digital integration as Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, spearheaded a high-level delegation to Sierra Leone for the Nigeria–Sierra Leone Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission. The mission resulted in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at advancing innovation, cybersecurity, and cross-border digital commerce. Lasting two days, this mission underscored Nigeria’s expanding leadership role in West Africa’s digital transformation, following Dr. Tijani’s recent attendance at the Regional Summit on Digital Transformation in the Republic of Benin. Activities in Freetown included ecosystem tours, strategic government meetings,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ramped up its efforts to combat cryptocurrency-related fraud across Nigeria, deploying advanced investigative tools and technology to trace illicit transactions and apprehend offenders. According to Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advance Fee Fraud at the EFCC, the agency now leverages sophisticated blockchain analysis to track illegal funds. Recent operations have led to the arrest of a significant syndicate involved in crypto fraud and the recovery of substantial stolen assets. Oyegunle shared these updates at a capacity-building workshop for journalists and civil society organizations in Port Harcourt on Thursday. Speaking on “Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud…

The African tech investment community marked a milestone this week as Yemi Keri, co-founder of Rising Tide Africa (RTA), was named Angel Investor of the Year at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (AESIS). The award recognizes her longstanding commitment to widening access to capital, advancing gender-lens investing, and empowering early-stage entrepreneurs across the continent. Organized annually by VC4A (Venture Capital for Africa) and the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), AESIS is widely regarded as the flagship convening for Africa’s early-stage investor ecosystem. This year’s edition brought together more than 500 accredited investors, venture capitalists, and ecosystem builders to explore…