Author: Gift Ifeanyi

In an era where diaspora-led initiatives are becoming central to national development, Hussein Yahaya Ibraheem, the Dubai-based founder of ANJID LLC, has emerged as a significant force in Nigerian youth empowerment. Through his media and communications firm, Ibraheem is leveraging digital influence to drive grassroots social intervention, particularly in the conflict-affected North-East region. His mission is a blend of commercial media strategy and social advocacy, aimed at transforming the “backbone of the nation”—the youth—into resilient economic participants. A Post-Pandemic Pivot to Long-Term Impact While Ibraheem has been active since 2015, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for his large-scale…

Despite the dual pressures of inflation and logistical bottlenecks, Nigeria’s floriculture industry is undergoing a fascinating transformation. While traditional roadside florists struggle with the rising cost of inputs, a new wave of “plant mommies and daddies” and wellness-conscious urbanites are fueling a burgeoning market for indoor greenery and ornamental aesthetics. The Two Faces of the Market The industry currently operates across two distinct economic realities: 1. The Roadside Struggle (Perfect Pottery): For veterans like Godwin Ugwu on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the business has become a battle against inflation. Input Costs: The price of a pot of loamy soil has jumped…

Tech and media entrepreneur Benedict Aguele (Founder of BOAPR and member of the Governing Council, Nigeria Maritime University) has issued a sobering forecast for Nigeria’s technological future. Speaking in Abuja in late December 2025, Aguele warned that without addressing three “physical bottlenecks,” Nigeria risks becoming a mere consumer of foreign AI rather than an African leader in the sector. Aguele’s central thesis is that AI is an industrial process, not just a digital one, requiring a foundation of physical infrastructure that currently remains fragile. The Three Physical Bottlenecks Aguele identified three specific areas where Nigeria must improve by 2026 to…

In a final move to close out 2025, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced a ₦10 billion private placement. This initiative, disclosed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on December 30, 2025, is part of a broader capital-optimization strategy following the company’s massive $750 million capital-raising mandate approved by shareholders in May 2024. The move is specifically aimed at strengthening the Holding Company (HoldCo) level, as its primary banking subsidiary has already secured its regulatory future. The Allotment Details The private placement is structured to be swift, with the offer scheduled to close on December 31, 2025. Gross Proceeds:…

As of December 31, 2025, President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that Nigeria’s landmark tax reform laws will proceed with a full implementation date of January 1, 2026. Dismissing calls from opposition lawmakers to delay the rollout, the President characterized the move as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to modernize the nation’s fiscal foundation and strengthen the social contract. The reforms, first signed into law in June 2025, represent the most significant overhaul of the Nigerian tax system in decades, consolidating multiple legacy statutes into a unified framework. The “Gazette” Controversy The rollout has faced late-stage turbulence due to allegations from opposition lawmakers…

In a significant personal and professional achievement, the Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin Barau, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Corporate Entrepreneurship. The degree was conferred by the Maryam Abacha American University in Maradi, Niger Republic, following Barau’s successful defense of his doctoral thesis on December 22, 2025. The Research: Strengthening the SME Backbone Senator Barau’s dissertation, titled “Entrepreneurial Orientation and Financial Performance of SMEs: The Moderating Role of Environment,” addresses a critical area of the Nigerian economy. His research focused on: Strategic Practices: How specific entrepreneurial…

As 2025 draws to a close, the structural health of Nigeria’s commerce remains a critical topic for economic sustainability. Commerce is often described as the “circulatory system” of an economy, responsible for the flow of goods from global manufacturers to end-users. However, in Nigeria, this system is currently suffering from a “Lagos bottleneck” that is driving inflationary pressure and stifling the country’s entrepreneurial potential. The Lagos Port Bottleneck Despite Nigeria’s vast coastline and multiple maritime gateways, over 70 percent of all cargo cleared into the country is funneled through the Lagos axis (Apapa and Tin Can ports). This centralization has…

In a major push for community-driven economic development, Ogoni businessman and philanthropist Chief Lesi Maol has committed ₦200 million to support 20 emerging entrepreneurs from Ogoniland. The announcement was the centerpiece of the Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES), held on December 26-27, 2025, at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park in Bane. Chief Maol, the CEO of Giolee Global Resources Ltd, described the fund as a “strategic intervention” rather than charity, aimed at cultivating a new generation of job creators in the Niger Delta. Key Highlights of the Summit The event, themed “Nurturing Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs,” focused on shifting the mindset of Ogoni…

New City University (NCU), a dynamic new institution in Ayetoro, Ogun State, has officially declared its readiness to redefine higher education in Nigeria. At a recent Chancellor’s reception, the university unveiled a strategic roadmap focused on producing “job-ready” graduates through an entrepreneurship-driven model and the establishment of world-class media facilities. Founder and Chancellor Prof. Akin Akingbesote emphasized that NCU is the result of a decade-long vision to bridge the capacity gap in Nigeria’s university system, where thousands of qualified students are left without admission every year. A Media Powerhouse in the Making A central pillar of NCU’s strategy is its…

Quickteller has officially made its mark on the “Detty December” calendar with the successful debut of InsomniaQ. Held on December 21, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, the event delivered an unprecedented 12-hour non-stop marathon of music, culture, and creative expression that kept thousands of attendees awake until dawn. The festival was specifically designed to mirror the audience’s circadian rhythm—starting with soulful, atmospheric sets and building into high-octane performances as the night progressed. The All-Star Lineup The maiden edition featured a carefully curated mix of Afrobeat royalty, alternative soul, and high-energy performers: Made Kuti & The…

In a bid to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and industrial application, the Nigerian Genius Campus Edition 2026 has officially opened its doors for applications. Organized by Engineering for Industry, this elite competition is designed to identify and nurture the most talented undergraduate engineering students across Nigerian universities and polytechnics. With a focus on solving Nigeria’s “toughest engineering and manufacturing problems,” the competition moves away from classroom theory into the high-stakes world of rapid prototyping and precision fabrication. The Challenge: Beyond the Classroom The competition is structured as a team-based intensive challenge held at the Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC)…

Following a productive meeting with President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, provided a comprehensive update on the nation’s energy sector. Amidst a significant shift in petrol prices and major pipeline progress, Ojulari reassured Nigerians that the current market volatility is a precursor to long-term stability and energy security. The Consumer Win: Petrol Prices Hit New Lows Ojulari highlighted that the “price war” currently seen at filling stations is a direct result of the transition from a monopoly to a competitive, domestic-refining market. The “Dangote…

In a landmark move for gender-focused economic empowerment, Simba TVS has intensified its partnership with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and Gamma Mobility. This collaboration supports the Federal Government’s 10,000 Women in Mobility Programme, an ambitious initiative designed to integrate women into Nigeria’s commercial transportation and logistics sectors. The programme was officially flagged off in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in late December 2025, with the handover of a fleet of TVS King Deluxe Plus tricycles (Kekes) to a pilot group of 1,000 women, with a total goal of 10,000 beneficiaries across all 36 states. The Four Pillars of…

In the landscape of African finance, few stories are as poignant and transformative as that of the current Chief Financial Officer of Manifold Computers Limited. Recently honored as the CFO of the Year (MSME category) at the 2025 ACCA Africa CFO Awards in Mombasa, Kenya, this finance leader is redefining the role of the CFO from a compliance officer to a strategic growth “co-pilot.” Her journey is rooted in a childhood experience of loss—witnessing her father’s business collapse in the 1980s due to structural weaknesses—which ignited a lifelong mission to ensure African businesses transition from mere survival to sustainable growth.…

In a strategic move to tap into Nigeria’s burgeoning $4.7 billion creative industry, Sterling Bank served as the headline sponsor for the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria x Made By Nigerians (AFWN x MBN) Festival 2025. The two-day event, held in late 2025, functioned as both a high-fashion runway and a massive retail fair, connecting over 250 emerging entrepreneurs with local and international buyers. The festival arrived at a critical time, with fashion emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the Nigerian economy, particularly in terms of youth employment and cultural export. Empowering the “Made in Nigeria” Brand The partnership…

Guinness World Record holder Peter Adeleke, renowned for the longest marathon leadership lesson, has concluded a high-impact, multi-city leadership and business tour. Spanning the United States and Nigeria, the tour aimed to bridge the gap between “talent and potential” for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through practical, accessible education. Adeleke’s message throughout the tour was clear: leadership is not just a title but a “foundational infrastructure” necessary for any business or society to survive and thrive. Global Reach: From the U.S. to Lagos The tour utilized a hybrid model of in-person and virtual sessions to maximize its reach across different continents…

In a major fiscal recalibration, the Nigerian federal government has executed a sweeping write-off of legacy debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). According to a report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) presented in November 2025, the Presidency directed the erasure of approximately 96% of the dollar-denominated debt and 88% of the naira-denominated obligations previously held on the books. This move aims to resolve decades of accounting disputes between the national oil company and the Federation, effectively “resetting” the balance sheet as the NNPCL transitions further into its role as a commercial entity under…

Nigeria’s luxury fashion sector is not just defined by the designers who create, but by the visionary retailers who curate. These “power brokers” act as essential intermediaries, bridging the gap between global high-fashion houses and the discerning Nigerian consumer. From the iconic concept stores of Victoria Island to multi-category lifestyle hubs, these five leaders are shaping how luxury is experienced in West Africa. 1. Reni Folawiyo – The Visionary Behind Alára Since founding Alára in 2015, Reni Folawiyo has transformed the concept of luxury retail in Africa. Her store is more than a boutique; it is a cultural landmark that…

Following the U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto on December 25, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has moved to calm international and domestic markets. In a statement released on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s financial infrastructure remains resilient and that the military action should be viewed as a localized security operation rather than a broader conflict. The Minister’s briefing was designed to clarify the nature of the “joint security operation” and prevent speculative volatility in the country’s debt and equity markets. Resilience Amidst Security Operations Despite the high-profile…

In a period of high economic pressure, the primary concern for Nigerian families is the relentless rise of inflation. Onyekachi Izukanne, CEO of ATE, argues that the solution lies in a fundamental shift from importing finished goods to a localized production model. By moving the value chain into Naira and closer to the consumer, ATE—alongside partners like TradeDepot and TRT Manufacturing—is aiming to insulate the Nigerian economy from global volatility. Decoupling from the Dollar: The Price Stability Strategy Local production is more than just an industrial goal; it is a shield against Foreign Exchange (FX) instability and global shipping disruptions.…