Author: Gift Ifeanyi

As Nigeria navigates a complex transition toward a digital-first financial landscape, the Committee of Heads of Bank Operations (CHBO) has announced a high-level strategic summit to address the persistent role of physical currency. On Friday, January 23, 2026, the industry’s top decision-makers will convene at The Bankers House, Lagos, to move the conversation from “cashless” to “cash-smart.” 1. The Strategic Mandate: Re-imagining, Not Replacing The 2026 conference theme, “Re-imagining the Future of Cash in a Digital-First Economy,” acknowledges a fundamental reality: despite the explosion of electronic payments, cash remains an indispensable anchor for Nigeria’s informal markets and underserved rural communities.…

In a move that signals a departure from ceremonial participation to purposeful economic diplomacy, Vice-President Kashim Shettima officially inaugurated Nigeria House at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. For the first time in the nation’s history, Nigeria is occupying a sovereign pavilion of its own—a “front-line seat” designed to convert global conversations into local investments. 1. A Sovereign Pavilion: More Than Just a Building The inauguration of Nigeria House marks a “historic milestone” in the nation’s global engagement strategy. According to Vice-President Shettima, the house is a response to past economic lapses, serving as a unified platform…

In the landscape of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, Denzel Henry Akogwu stands as a bridge between untapped geological wealth and global industrial standards. As the Principal CEO of Elipse International Ltd, Akogwu has spent fifteen years dismantling the stereotype of African mining as a “rudimentary” or “purely extractive” industry. Instead, he has built an integrated, indigenous powerhouse that treats minerals as the infrastructure for Nigeria’s economic diversification. 1. The Elipse Ecosystem: From Exploration to Export Since 2009, Akogwu has steered Elipse International from a boutique trading outfit into a fully integrated mining solutions firm. The company’s footprint is wide and…

In the volatile world of Nigerian entertainment, where reality TV fame often has the shelf life of a trending hashtag, Mercy Eke has become the ultimate outlier. Seven years after her historic win in the 2019 “Pepper Dem” season of Big Brother Naija, the 35-year-old media personality remains a central figure in fashion, real estate, and high-tier brand influencing. In a recent conversation with Odira Ndubuaku, the entrepreneur shared the “hard-work-first” philosophy that has kept her name on the call sheets while many of her contemporaries have faded. 1. The “Purpose-Driven” Wake-Up Call For Eke, relevance is not a byproduct…

In a significant departure from theory-heavy academics, the Anambra State Government has officially integrated 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum. This “Skills-First” initiative, launched at Igwebuike Grammar School in Awka, is designed to transform the state’s secondary schools into incubators for self-reliance and industrial value. 1. The “Skills Palette”: What Students Are Learning The new curriculum moves beyond traditional crafts to include high-demand technical and digital vocations. The 15 subjects are categorized to meet modern infrastructure and service needs: Renewable Energy & Tech: Solar Installation, CCTV/Intercom Installation, and GSM Repairs. Building & Infrastructure: Plumbing, Tiling, and…

Following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has characterized the deal as the most significant “market-opening” instrument in Nigeria’s recent history. The agreement is designed to serve as a two-way bridge, linking Nigeria’s productive sectors directly to one of the world’s most sophisticated trading hubs. 1. Immediate Market Access: The 7,000-Product Advantage The most striking feature of the CEPA is the immediate elimination of tariffs by the UAE on over 7,000 Nigerian product lines. Sector Winners: Agricultural and industrial exports, including fish, seafood, oil…

For years, the Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) in Ogidigben, Delta State, stood as a cautionary tale—a 2,700-hectare testament to how ethnic rivalry and security volatility could paralyze global capital. However, as of January 2026, the narrative has fundamentally shifted. Following a landmark $24.6 billion construction deal under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Nigeria has officially emerged as the continent’s largest recipient of Chinese construction engagement. 1. The Scale of Ambition: Why Nigeria? According to the 2025 BRI Investment Report by Christoph Nedopil, Nigeria’s GRIP-related contracts accounted for a staggering $20 billion of China’s construction activity in Africa last…

In markets across Abuja and its environs, a new trend is emerging as the 2026 tax laws take effect: the “transfer boycott.” Traders at Mararaba and Nyanya, once early adopters of mobile banking, are increasingly demanding cash or forcing customers to use Point of Sale (PoS) operators to avoid “bank alert taxes.” However, a closer look at the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 reveals a massive gap between the rumors fueling this behavior and the actual legal reality. 1. The Misconception: “Tax on Every Drop” Traders like Mr. Fidelis Agbo are operating under the belief that the government now collects a…

In the hyper-competitive landscape of 2026, a silent shift has fundamentally altered the mechanics of African business: visibility has evolved from a cosmetic luxury into a core performance metric. As African founders, CEOs, and policymakers enter global boardrooms with increasing frequency, the “Best Kept Secret” syndrome has become a strategic liability. At the center of this transformation is Laerryblue Media, a Pan-African reputation management house that is redefining how the continent’s most influential figures show up in the world. The Reputation-as-Infrastructure Thesis The agency, led by founder and public relations strategist Olanrewaju Alaka, operates on a high-stakes premise: Narrative is…

While the dust of New Year celebrations was still settling across Lagos, Benjamin Oyemonlan—the fintech strategist widely known in the tech ecosystem as “Trillbjm”—was already making history. At the 2026 CoolWealth Awards, Oyemonlan didn’t just participate; he dominated, walking away with two of the night’s most prestigious honors: Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Humanitarian Personality of the Year. The Architect of Platnova The recognition serves as a powerful validation of Platnova, the fintech engine Oyemonlan built to dismantle the barriers of traditional banking. In a continent where cross-border payments have historically been a logistical nightmare for freelancers and startups,…

Last week was a carefully orchestrated symphony of reform that signaled a turning point for the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For the first time since the “bitter medicine” of 2023 was administered, Nigeria began to take delivery of the fruits of its sacrifices. It was a week where the world stopped looking at Nigeria as a “high-risk” project and began viewing it as a “high-yield” partner. 1. The Brussels Breakthrough: Restoring the Sovereign Seal The week’s most consequential victory didn’t involve a handshake or a ceremony; it was a quiet update to a European Union database. On Thursday, January…

The double-victory of Nigeria exiting the FATF Grey List in October 2025 and the European Union’s High-Risk List in January 2026 is being hailed as the most significant “reputational reset” in the nation’s history. For the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), these outcomes are not just bureaucratic milestones; they are proof that Nigeria’s financial “firewalls” have finally reached global parity. A Masterclass in “Whole-of-Government” Coordination Hafsat Bakari, CEO of the NFIU, attributed this success to a radical shift in institutional culture. Moving away from siloed operations, Nigeria adopted a “whole-of-society” approach. The strategy, overseen by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT,…

Faisal Jarmakani, a leading voice in West African logistics and a key figure behind Aramex Nigeria’s operations, provides a masterclass on the mechanics of moving goods in Africa’s largest economy. As Nigeria enters 2026, Jarmakani identifies a market that is no longer just “emerging” but is actively maturing into a technology-driven $8 billion powerhouse. 1. The Growth Drivers: E-Commerce and the Diaspora Effect Nigeria’s air freight demand is being reshaped by a shift in consumer and business behavior. Jarmakani identifies two explosive sectors: The SME Revolution: Cross-border trade for small businesses is growing exponentially. These players favor air freight for…

In the heart of Oginibo town, Ughelli South, a quiet but significant transformation has taken place. What began as a local lawmaker’s initiative has blossomed into a full-fledged retail business, thanks to a unique collaboration between state officials, a US-based philanthropist, and a community platform dedicated to results. The Genesis of the Journey The story of Mr. Alex Bushell, a young and determined resident of Ughelli South, is a masterclass in the “staged empowerment” model. His journey toward economic independence started with a ₦200,000 grant from the Hon. Festus Eseoghene Utuama Empowerment Scheme. While this initial seed was enough to…

Kano and the wider Nigerian business community are in mourning following the transition of Alhaji Bature Abdulaziz, a legendary trade unionist, business magnate, and one of the most influential voices in Northern Nigeria’s commercial landscape. The Voice of the Merchant Alhaji Bature was more than just a businessman; he was the institutional memory of Kano’s economy. As the long-standing head of the Kantin Kwari Market Traders Association, he presided over one of West Africa’s largest textile hubs, ensuring its stability and growth through decades of economic shifts. His influence extended far beyond the borders of Kano. As the National President…

While the world debates the future of Artificial Intelligence, a new wave of African entrepreneurs is already putting it to work. The Pitch Hub, a Ghana-based powerhouse for startup growth, has just wrapped up the pilot phase of SmartScale—a high-impact training initiative that moves AI out of the classroom and directly into the storefronts of Lagos and Accra. From Theory to Implementation Labs Unlike traditional workshops that focus on abstract concepts, SmartScale was built on “Implementation Labs.” Led by a trio of ecosystem experts—Daniel Twum (Techbridge), Josiah Adesola (NitHub), and project visionary Aurelia Abena Attipoe—the program forced participants to build,…

As the clocks struck midnight on January 1, 2026, Nigeria’s financial ecosystem entered a new and controversial phase of fiscal policy. The implementation of the 2026 Tax Reforms has moved from policy papers to bank statements, sparking a national conversation about the cost of moving money in a digital-first economy. The Mandatory Shift Financial institutions across the country have begun notifying customers of a significant change in their daily transactions. In compliance with the new federal mandate, banks have activated a 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on various electronic transfers. This tax is being remitted directly to the newly rebranded…

The conclusion of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) has marked a historic realignment of Nigeria’s economic and environmental foreign policy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s return to Abuja on Saturday, January 17, following the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates, signals a decisive shift toward “Climate Capital” and high-value non-oil exports. The CEPA Framework: A Gateway to Global Markets Signed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the CEPA is far more than a standard trade pact. It creates a “Global Hub” for Nigerian goods through the UAE’s…

When MultiChoice Nigeria announced Kemi Omotosho as its new Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, it signaled more than a leadership change; it marked the beginning of a “Customer-First” structural evolution. Succeeding John Ugbe, who retires after nearly 15 years of transformative service, Omotosho becomes the first woman to helm the country’s most visible media powerhouse. A Career Forged in the Crucible of Scale Omotosho does not arrive as a stranger to the spotlight, but as an executive seasoned by complexity. Her path to the top has been defined by a deep mastery of revenue mechanics and consumer…

For decades, Nigeria’s natural gas reserves—estimated at over 210 trillion cubic feet—were treated as a geological footnote to its oil industry. Gas was either flared as a nuisance or supplied at “sacrifice” prices that sat far below the cost of production. However, at the recent Pitching Nigerian Gas to Global Capital conference in Lagos, a new consensus emerged: the “Decade of Gas” is no longer a slogan; it is becoming a bankable reality. The Price of “National Sacrifice” Gbite Falade, CEO of Aradel Holdings, provided a sobering look at the sector’s history. Before the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021,…