Author: Gift Ifeanyi

In a move that blends spiritual leadership with economic empowerment, Pastor Jerry Eze, the convener of the global prayer phenomenon NSPPD, has announced a massive $300,000 (approx. ₦420 Million) intervention fund for 2026. Through the Jerry Eze Foundation, the initiative seeks to transition young Nigerians from “praying for a breakthrough” to “building a business.” 100 Visions, One Goal The program is designed to identify and accelerate 100 brilliant young minds across Nigeria. Each selected entrepreneur will receive a $3,000 (~₦4.2 Million) equity-free grant. Unlike traditional charity, this is a strategic injection of “seed capital” intended to help startups scale or…

The search for the next generation of African “Lionesses” and “Lions” has officially begun. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has opened its digital gates for the 2026 Entrepreneurship Programme, inviting visionary founders from across all 54 African nations to apply for a chance to transform their local ideas into continental empires. The TEF “Success Package” This isn’t just a grant; it’s a comprehensive “business boot camp” designed to survive the harsh realities of the African market. Selected entrepreneurs will gain access to: $5,000 Equity-Free Seed Capital: A non-refundable financial injection to move from concept to market. The TEFConnect Academy: 12…

In a landmark move to solve the “leadership deficit” in the medical field, Harley and Wall Business and Healthcare Consulting, alongside D’BusinessDoctor Mentorship Academy, has inked a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nexford University, a Washington DC-based pioneer in online higher education. The Hybrid Professional: Clinical Skill Meets Business Brilliance For too long, Nigeria’s healthcare professionals have faced a difficult choice: abandon their local practices to pursue international education or stay at home and miss out on global management standards. This partnership dissolves that barrier. By bringing US-accredited degrees to Nigeria via a fully online, self-paced model, doctors, nurses,…

Nigeria’s financial landscape is preparing for a radical “facelift.” Moving away from traditional, rigid structures, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled a visionary roadmap designed to turn the stock market into a powerhouse for the common citizen and the local manufacturer. Empowering the Underdog At the heart of this transformation is a bold move to bridge the gap between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the “big money” of the capital market. SEC Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, is spearheading a regulatory overhaul that makes it easier for smaller factories—particularly those in the automotive, pharmaceutical, and textile sectors—to list…

Nigeria has officially declared war on economic stagnation with the launch of the Nigerian Industrialisation Policy (NIP). Unveiled during a high-profile summit in Lagos, this isn’t just another government document—it is a unified “War Room” strategy designed to collapse the silos between trade, investment, and production. The End of Fragmented Growth For decades, Nigeria’s industrial efforts have been scattered and inconsistent. The new 2026 framework changes the game by moving away from “theory” and toward “deliberate implementation.” Developed hand-in-hand with the private sector, the policy ensures that local manufacturers and small-scale entrepreneurs are the primary drivers of growth, rather than…

As Nigeria ushers in a new era of data-driven tax reforms, the days of “fingers-crossed” bookkeeping are officially over. Enter Tradepal AI, a cutting-edge platform utilizing artificial intelligence to bridge the gap between high-speed digital trading and the rigid requirements of national tax compliance. Bridging the Web3 Compliance Gap The platform, co-founded by industry veterans Femi Adegolu and Ambassador Adebiyi Ayoyinka, arrives as a direct response to the anxiety surrounding Nigeria’s latest tax laws. For many in the informal sector, SMEs, and the burgeoning crypto market, the new reforms felt like a looming threat. Tradepal AI flips that narrative, offering…

In healthy economies, the “infrastructure of consequence” ensures that when money is borrowed, it is returned. When this system breaks down, the entire economy pays a hidden tax known as the Enforcement Premium. 1. The High Cost of Distrust When lenders don’t trust the courts to recover their money, they don’t stop lending—they just make it incredibly expensive. In many African markets, including Nigeria, banks “front-load” risk. This results in: Crushing Interest Rates: High premiums to cover potential losses. Collateral Overkill: SMEs are often asked for 150% to 180% of the loan value in assets—a barrier that kills most small…

Nigeria has officially exited the “crisis management” phase that characterized the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.1 Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook Report in Lagos, Finance Minister Wale Edun declared that the era of turbulent transitions—marked by subsidy removals and currency unification—has paved the way for a period of economic consolidation. The government’s new mandate is clear: translate macroeconomic stability into “lived experiences” for Nigerians through job creation, food security, and infrastructure resilience. 1. Key Performance Indicators: The 2025 “Steadying” Before forecasting 2026, the Minister highlighted the recovery metrics recorded over the past year.…

As of January 16, 2026, a major diplomatic and economic storm is brewing between Abuja and Washington. Ambassador Joe Keshi, Nigeria’s former permanent secretary and veteran diplomat, has issued a stark warning regarding the United States’ indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria. The policy, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, targets countries deemed “high risk” for usage of public benefits.1 Ambassador Keshi argues that this move is not merely about immigration—it is a direct threat to the $24 billion annual remittance lifeline that keeps millions of Nigerian households above the poverty…

A new paradigm has emerged among Africa’s industrial elite. The era of being a “net consumer” of global technology and commodities is being replaced by a aggressive drive toward computational and resource sovereignty. From Strive Masiyiwa’s AI factories to Femi Otedola’s total banking pivot, the continent’s wealthiest are betting on high-stakes structural shifts rather than mere survival. 1. Strive Masiyiwa: The $720M “Sovereign AI” Pivot In late 2025, Strive Masiyiwa executed a strategic transition from telecommunications to foundational AI infrastructure. Partnering with Nvidia, Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies is building a network of AI Factories across five key hubs: South Africa, Nigeria,…

The definition of business success in Nigeria has undergone a radical transformation. The era of “loud visibility” and “clever survival” has been replaced by a more disciplined reality. Following the full commencement of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 on January 1st, the country has moved from a reactive business environment to a structured fiscal landscape. In this new economy, growth without structure is no longer viewed as ambition—it is considered strategic exposure. To win in 2026, entrepreneurs must pivot toward a new “Scorecard” that values transparency as much as profit. 1. The First Metric: Fiscal Visibility In 2026, opacity is…

ARM Investment Managers has officially disrupted the traditional lending landscape with the launch of the ARM Private Debt Fund. This ₦200 billion shelf programme represents one of the most significant moves toward non-bank financing in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically engineered to provide “patient capital” to a segment long neglected by commercial banks. The fund arrives at a pivotal moment. While Nigerian SMEs contribute nearly 50% of the GDP, they face a staggering $158 billion financing gap. With traditional banks constrained by a 20-22% Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and rigorous regulatory hurdles, private credit is emerging as the essential bridge for industrial…

The Nigerian financial landscape is witnessing a massive capital injection from the Alert Group. Following a year of explosive growth where total assets surged from ₦2.9 billion in 2023 to a staggering ₦63 billion by the end of 2025, the Group has officially committed to a ₦130 billion loan disbursement target for 2026. This “war chest” is specifically designed to bypass traditional banking bottlenecks, providing rapid-response capital to over 60,000 active customers and a growing pool of underserved entrepreneurs. 1. The Alert Ecosystem: A Multi-Pronged Financial Machine The 2026 expansion is driven by four specialized subsidiaries, each tackling a different…

The Sahel region’s geopolitical landscape has shifted from diplomatic cooperation to a “command economy” for security. Niger’s Ministry of Transport has just delivered a stark ultimatum to its private logistics sector: regional solidarity is no longer optional. By revoking the licenses of 14 road haulage operators and withdrawing the permits of 19 drivers, the Nigerien government has essentially nationalized the risk associated with the “Niamey-Bamako Axis.” This move marks a critical escalation in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) strategy to break the jihadist “siege” on Mali. 1. The Strategic Chokepoint: The 1,400km “Corridor of Fire” The 1,400-kilometer route between…

As of January 2026, Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has entered a “harvest year” under the Renewed Hope Agenda. With the launch of the Renewed Hope Development Plan (2026–2030), the Federal Government has shifted from emergency reforms to a structured drive toward a $1 trillion economy. For the modern Nigerian entrepreneur, the landscape is no longer just about “survival” but about formalization and scale. Below is the definitive guide to the new incentives, digital shifts, and legal frameworks governing business in 2026. 1. Strategic Funding & Incentives (2026 Edition) The government has consolidated multiple funding streams into high-impact portals to reduce “middleman”…

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima hosted a high-level delegation from the MIT Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was centered on the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship (2025–2026), a transformative initiative aimed at bridging the gap between African startups and global capital. Lauding the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its “transformative impact,” Shettima highlighted a staggering statistic: the MIT ecosystem has raised over $1.5 billion and created 30,000 direct jobs globally over the past two decades. 1. The Foundry Fellowship: Accelerating the African Engine Led by Executive Director Dina Sherif, the…

A key player in Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain sector, Fembol Group—unveiled the winners of its maiden Fembol Student Grant. The initiative, which drew over 500 applications from universities across the country, is designed to turn academic research and raw ideas into market-ready ventures. By moving beyond simple financial aid, Fembol is positioning itself as a “venture-builder” for the youth, providing a structured funnel of mentorship, validation, and capital. 1. The Winners: Solving Health, Energy, and Sanitation The three grand prize winners represent high-growth sectors where innovation is most needed in sub-Saharan Africa. Position Startup Name Founder Core Innovation Winner…

In a targeted move to cushion economic pressures and stimulate local growth, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, recently empowered 300 residents of the Alimosho Federal Constituency. The initiative, led by Commissioner Akinyemi Ajigbotafe on Saturday, January 10, 2026, utilized the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat as a hub for distributing cash grants, food items, and educational support. Breakdown of the Empowerment Program The program adopted a multi-sectoral approach, ensuring that support reached the most critical areas of the community: Beneficiary Category Number Assisted Form of Support Small Business Owners 100 Entrepreneurs Direct cash support…

As of January 2026, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) continues to solidify its reputation as a leading champion of youth-led social impact in Nigeria. At the 25th Anniversary Gala and Awards of Enactus Nigeria, held in late 2025 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, the bank was conferred with the prestigious Changemaker Collaboration Award. This recognition highlights a decade-long partnership that has transformed the lives of thousands of students across more than 30 tertiary institutions nationwide. Enactus Nigeria: 25 Years of Excellence Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise – SIFE) is a global non-profit that provides a platform for university…

On January 7, 2026, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie will retire as Director of the African Department (AFR) on May 1, 2026.1 His departure marks the end of a transformative decade-long leadership of the Fund’s most complex regional portfolio. An Ethiopian national who joined the IMF in 1994, Selassie’s 32-year career has been defined by his role as a bridge between global financial architecture and African economic aspirations. A Decade of Crisis and Reform (2016–2026) Since taking the helm in 2016, Selassie steered the department through a period of unprecedented global shocks.4 His tenure is…