Author: Gift Ifeanyi

The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) has officially announced the sixth edition of its flagship Employee Engagement and Experience Conference (E3 Conference 6.0). Set to take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the event serves as Nigeria’s premier thought-leadership arena for HR professionals and business executives navigating the complexities of the modern workplace. The 2026 edition centers on the intersection of human talent and technological evolution, specifically addressing how organizations can maintain a “people-first” culture while integrating disruptive automation tools. 1. 2026 Theme: Productivity through AI & Hybrid Models The conference is themed: “Delivering Workforce Value in the Digital Age:…

The maiden edition of the Kingdomite Conference took place at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife. Convener Kenny Williams, founder of the faith-based charity Next-Gen Xpression, hosted the event at his alma mater to equip students and young professionals with “spiritual intelligence” for leadership and innovation. The conference combined kingdom principles with contemporary pop culture, aiming to move faith beyond the church walls into practical societal engagement and nation-building. 1. Impact Beyond Words: Scholarships & Grants True to its mission of “societal transformation,” the conference was not merely a teaching event but a vehicle for tangible economic empowerment: 15…

Nigeria’s political landscape is dominated by the unprecedented detention and legal battles of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. What began as a financial probe has spiraled into a dramatic confrontation involving allegations of wiretapping top security officials and a strategic realignment aimed at the 2027 presidency. 1. The ₦432 Billion “Accountability” Probe On Monday, February 16, 2026, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after voluntarily honoring an invitation. The Investigation: The probe centers on the alleged misappropriation of ₦432 billion in public funds and loans during his 2015–2023 administration. Current Status: On Wednesday, February…

As of February 18, 2026, the Dangote Group has signaled a massive escalation in its industrial capacity through a strategic $400 million equipment deal with China’s Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG). This partnership is the primary engine for the conglomerate’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Group into a $100 billion global enterprise. 1. The “1.4 Million” Ambition: Reimagining the Refinery The cornerstone of this expansion is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. Capacity Surge: The refinery is being scaled from its current 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a staggering 1.4 million bpd. Global Ranking: Upon completion (targeted…

The African automotive landscape is undergoing a radical shift. Leading the charge are Nigeria and Kenya, both of which have transitioned from being simple importers of electric vehicles (EVs) to becoming hubs for local assembly. This movement aims to replace the ubiquitous petrol-powered minibuses and taxis with cleaner, more cost-effective electric alternatives, leveraging partnerships with Chinese manufacturing giants. 1. Nigeria: Saglev’s 2,500-Unit Ambition In Lagos, Saglev Electromobility, a joint venture between Nigeria’s Stallion Group and China’s Sokon Motor, has commenced the assembly of 18-seater passenger electric vans. The Tech: Kits are supplied by Dongfeng Motor Corp, a major Chinese OEM.…

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) established a formal working interface to reshape the Nigeria-China trade narrative. Led by Director-General Joseph Tegbe, the NCSP is pivoting away from traditional infrastructure-heavy “project contracts” toward a results-oriented industrial model. The goal? To flip the trade imbalance by transforming Nigerian SMEs into export powerhouses capable of penetrating China’s massive consumer market. 1. The “Zero-Tariff” Weapon The most strategic instrument discussed was China’s Zero-Tariff Agreement for qualifying African exports. The Opportunity: Nigeria can now export processed agricultural goods, solid minerals, and light…

Turkish Airlines is doubling down on its commitment to the Nigerian market. During a press session in Lagos on Monday, Lokman Balkan, General Manager for Nigeria, unveiled a five-year vision centered on “service localization” and increased capacity. With nearly 20 years of operations in Nigeria—its first sub-Saharan destination—the airline is positioning itself to remain the preferred carrier for both expatriates and local entrepreneurs despite intensifying competition from Middle Eastern and European rivals. 1. 2026 Expansion: More Flights, More Connectivity Turkish Airlines is moving from a recovery phase to an aggressive growth phase in Nigeria. Increased Frequency: The airline plans to…

The sixth season of the acclaimed docu-reality series Street Foodz Naija has reached its peak. Themed “Naija to The World,” this season transitioned from a local cooking competition to a platform for international business diplomacy, notably marked by the presence of the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, Carlos Rojas-Arbulú, at the Lagos event. Organized by FoodBay TV (under Maxima Media Group), the show continues its mission to de-stigmatize street food and transform “ordinary” street vendors into structured, scalable foodpreneurs. 1. The ₦25 Million Investment Pool Season 6 saw a significant leap in financial empowerment. While previous seasons (like Season 5 won…

The Federal Government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), unveiled the GROW Fund in Abuja. This initiative is a direct response to the “training-without-funding” trap that has historically limited the impact of youth empowerment schemes. It serves as a capital-training bridge, specifically designed to provide affordable, single-digit interest loans to entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the standardized ICSS curriculum. 1. The ICSS Framework: A Pathway to Funding The Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) curriculum was developed in partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Kaduna Business School. It is structured…

As of February 18, 2026, Adedapo Michael Sunday, CEO of Dleading Web Design Ltd, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria. The firm is executing a deliberate nationwide expansion strategy designed to ensure that entrepreneurs in emerging hubs—not just those in Lagos or Abuja—have access to high-quality digital infrastructure and structured business systems. 1. Purpose-Driven Expansion Adedapo emphasized that Dleading’s growth is not merely about increasing market share, but about fostering inclusive digital sustainability. Decentralizing Tech: By establishing a presence across various states, the firm aims to reduce the…

As of February 2026, Daniel Ojie has emerged as a key figure in Nigeria’s financial education space through his platform, Tradefuzz. Launched as a response to the “signal-culture” that often leads young investors into significant losses, Tradefuzz focuses on building independent market competence rather than following pre-packaged tips. Ojie’s journey—from a casual investor in 2018 to a full-time strategist—serves as a case study in the professionalization of retail trading in Africa. 1. The Tradefuzz Philosophy: Skill Over Speculation Tradefuzz is designed as a “learning hub” rather than a signal group. Ojie’s curriculum focuses on three core pillars: Price Action Analysis:…

As of February 16, 2026, Nigeria’s healthcare sector on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) is celebrating a historic year. In 2025, the sector’s cumulative market capitalization skyrocketed to ₦466.73 billion, representing a staggering 220.9% increase from the ₦145.4 billion recorded at the end of 2024. While the healthcare sector still accounts for a modest 0.47% of the broader market (which is currently valued at over ₦110 trillion in early 2026), its explosive growth has outperformed almost every other sector on a percentage basis. 1. The Billion-Naira Heavyweights The rally in 2025 was primarily driven by four pharmaceutical giants that delivered returns…

As of February 17, 2026, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd. has officially kicked off the 2026 edition of its flagship #YouthEmpowered programme. Building on the momentum of a successful seven-city tour in 2025, the initiative has expanded its reach to more tertiary institutions, with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) announced as a key upcoming stop. The programme, which launched its first 2026 session at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on February 2, continues to serve as a critical bridge between formal education and the practical demands of the modern labor market. 1. The 2026 Curriculum: Skills for…

The 2025 State of Entrepreneurship Survey by the FATE Foundation, released in late 2025, reveals a modest but significant shift in the Nigerian business landscape. After years of rising informality, 46% of entrepreneurs now operate formally registered businesses—a 4% increase from 2024. While this signals a “gradual return of confidence” in the regulatory environment, the report highlights that 54% of enterprises remain unregistered, primarily due to perceived costs and a lack of clear incentives for nano-enterprises. 1. The Five-Year Formalization Rollercoaster Nigeria’s path to business formalization has been volatile, heavily influenced by the 2022–2024 economic shocks (fuel subsidy removal and…

On Monday, February 16, 2026, a major shift in the West Africa-Gulf trade axis occurred as Nigeria’s BUA Group signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group in Abu Dhabi. This partnership isn’t just about trade; it’s about establishing a physical industrial bridge between Nigeria and the Middle East, with Khalifa Port serving as the central nervous system. The agreement focuses on three key pillars: Sugar Refining, Agro-Industrial Development, and Global Logistics Integration. 1. The Abu Dhabi Sugar Refinery: A New Export Era In a bold move for international expansion, BUA Group will collaborate…

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the MTN Foundation officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch Phase 3.0 of the Y’ellopreneur Initiative. This new phase establishes a ₦1 billion Matching Fund designed to bridge the structural financing gap for women-led micro and small enterprises across Nigeria. Unlike traditional loans that require heavy collateral, the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 model uses a “matching” system—where BOI’s financial support is amplified by the MTN Foundation—to provide accessible capital to women at the “base of the economic pyramid.” 1. The Y’ellopreneur 3.0 Roadmap The programme is structured to ensure…

On Monday, February 16, 2026, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the FMCG arm of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, officially signed a definitive agreement to form a majority-owned joint venture with Nigeria’s Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group. This strategic partnership marks Reliance’s formal entry into Nigeria—Africa’s fastest-growing FMCG market—and serves as a critical launchpad for its ambition to become a global consumer goods leader. 1. The Strategy: “Global Quality at Honest Prices” The joint venture aims to “democratize” world-class consumer products by blending Indian R&D with Nigerian local expertise. The Reliance Contribution: RCPL brings a robust R&D backbone and a diverse…

As of February 17, 2026, Nigeria’s financial landscape presents a startling contradiction. While banks and institutional investors are flush with record-breaking liquidity, the “real economy”—comprising manufacturers, farmers, and small business owners—is facing a severe credit drought. The recent Treasury Bill (NT-Bill) auction on February 4, 2026, served as a clear indicator of this disconnect. Investors flooded the market with ₦4.59 trillion in bids for securities worth only ₦1.15 trillion—an oversubscription of nearly 400%. This “flight to safety” reveals that capital is being diverted away from productive enterprises and into risk-free government debt. 1. The “Crowding Out” Effect: Banks vs. Businesses…

On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Ominira Initiative, in partnership with the Atlas Network and Fraser Institute, hosted the Economic Freedom Summit in Ikeja, Lagos. Under the theme “Towards a Competitive Nigerian Economy,” the summit gathered industry titans and policy experts to address the structural hurdles stifling Nigeria’s private sector. The keynote address, delivered by Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), painted a candid picture of the “toughest business environment” while offering a strategic exit ramp toward global competitiveness. 1. The SME Survival Gap Dr. Almona emphasized that while Nigerian entrepreneurs are among…

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), issued a startling warning regarding the survival of Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). While macro-pressures like inflation and FX scarcity often dominate the headlines, Yusuf identified a “less visible but deeply corrosive” threat: occupational fraud and employee corruption. According to the CPPE, these internal leakages cost the Nigerian entrepreneurial economy between ₦5 trillion and ₦10 trillion every year, effectively acting as a “hidden tax” that bankrupts thousands of businesses. 1. The Anatomy of Internal Fraud Yusuf detailed how these…