Author: Gift Ifeanyi

With Nigeria’s youth accounting for over 60% of its population, the nation’s future hinges on unlocking the potential of its youngest generation. Yet, persistent challenges like unemployment and a disconnect between education and industry have kept many young Nigerians from realizing their promise. In response, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is emerging as a driving force for change, rolling out initiatives designed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs across the country. NASENI’s suite of programmes, from the Innovate Naija Challenge and DELT-HER (for female inventors) to Skill Acquisition Centres nationwide, aims to shift the narrative by…

The spotlight was on innovation and entrepreneurship at the debut Verto Awards in Lagos, where three Nigerian startups claimed the event’s top prizes. The ceremony, attended by leading figures from the tech industry, investment community, and media, celebrated months of intensive review and selection. The competition drew startups from diverse fields—finance, aquaculture, and AI-driven business solutions—demonstrating Verto’s embrace of sector-wide ingenuity. Cash awards of $10,000, $3,000, and $2,000 were presented to the winning ventures, enabling them to scale operations and expand across borders. Dingpay, which won the grand prize, is a fintech company developing an “offline-first” digital wallet that consolidates…

Google.org has unveiled a landmark N3 billion ($2.1 million) investment to fast-track Nigeria’s digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. Announced by Olumide Balogun, Google’s West Africa Director, at a Lagos media briefing, the initiative marks a pivotal step in Google’s enduring partnership with Nigeria, targeting both the creation of advanced AI talent and the fortification of digital safety. This two-pronged approach directly supports Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and the government’s goal of creating one million digital jobs, as outlined by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Google’s initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to unlock $15 billion in AI-driven…

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has unveiled a nationwide social media competition, urging young Nigerians to creatively showcase the role American brands and innovations play in their everyday experiences. The campaign, titled “Made in America, Loved in Nigeria,” officially kicked off Monday and targets Nigerians between 18 and 45 years old. Participants are invited to submit original, 90-second vertical videos highlighting how American products, services, or ideas impact homes, businesses, or communities. To qualify, entries must be posted on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, tagged @USinNigeria, and include the hashtags #MadeInAmericaLovedInNigeria and #TradeThatTransforms. Only one entry per person is allowed, with…

The revival of the Lagos International Trade Fair marks a major milestone in restoring Lagos’s status as a regional trade hub and a critical entry point for cross-border commerce throughout West Africa. Barrister Vera Safiya Ndanusa, Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (LITFCMB), told Business Insider Africa that the fair’s return is a significant boost for Nigeria’s business ecosystem. Ndanusa described the fair as a vital meeting ground for entrepreneurs and innovators. Affordable exhibition spaces, she said, make it possible for businesses of all sizes to connect, share ideas, and showcase products to a diverse…

Nigeria has stepped in to protect Fernando Dias da Costa, a leading opposition presidential candidate in Guinea Bissau, after credible threats to his safety emerged during the country’s latest political upheaval. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that President Bola Tinubu authorized da Costa’s shelter at the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau, as outlined in a letter sent to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray on November 30. Da Costa, who challenged incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the November 23 presidential elections, found himself at the center of an escalating crisis when both candidates declared victory before final…

At the 2025 Annual Lecture of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) in Asaba, experts and local leaders hailed Nigeria’s newly enacted tax law as a transformative move for the country’s economy—especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The consensus among panelists was that, with careful and transparent implementation, the new legislation could energize business growth, improve government revenue, and promote long-term economic stability. Keynote speaker Dr. Ochuko Emudainohwo, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and associate professor at Dennis Osadebay University, described the 2025 tax reform as a proactive response to urgent economic realities, including dwindling oil…

A new era in Nigerian logistics has begun with the opening of TY Logistics Park inside the Lekki Free Trade Zone, where a technology-forward approach aims to eliminate the country’s staggering $1.7 billion in annual logistics losses. TY Logistics Park is reimagining how goods move across the nation by fusing advanced infrastructure and digital oversight to address deeply rooted supply chain obstacles. Chief Executive Officer Arno van der Merwe highlighted that the sector’s persistent setbacks—ranging from chronic underinvestment and inefficient transport links to congested ports, inconsistent customs procedures, and outdated storage practices—have made Nigeria’s supply chain among the priciest in…

Nigeria’s vision to transform into a trillion-dollar economy rests heavily on fostering the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Addressing the Enterprise Nexus Summit at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Abbas—represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu—emphasized that SMEs occupy a central role in the nation’s economic strategy. Abbas noted that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda sets a five-year target to elevate Nigeria’s economy to a trillion dollars, with SME growth as a primary engine. SMEs, he pointed out, make up more than 90% of all businesses worldwide and…

Lagos, Nigeria — Lagos Transport Fest, Nigeria’s flagship gathering for stakeholders across the transport and logistics value chain, has announced Dellyman, a leading travel and transport logistics technology provider, as an Associate Sponsor for its 2025 edition. As one of the country’s fastest-growing logistics aggregation platforms, Dellyman integrates logistics companies and their assets into a unified marketplace—enabling seamless, transparent, and efficient transactions between customers and service providers. The company’s sponsorship reinforces its commitment to advancing innovation, collaboration, and service excellence within Nigeria’s transport ecosystem. In addition to being an associate sponsor, Dellyman is also sponsoring the media coverage of the…

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has clinched the title of Nigeria’s Best SME Focused Bank for 2025, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at its 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos. This top honor comes as FCMB commands a leading 24% share of the industry’s ₦1.8 trillion SME disbursement for 2024, underscoring its pivotal role in empowering Nigeria’s small and medium-sized businesses. FCMB’s robust financing efforts directly target the nation’s most productive sectors. According to the Q3 2024 Nigerian GDP Report, the bank’s investments align with high-growth industries such as Crop Production, Trade, Telecommunications, Real Estate,…

MTN Nigeria and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have announced a strategic alliance focused on elevating the nation’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The recent MoU signing brought together influential leaders from both organizations, including Ayham Moussa, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Ugonwa Nwoye, Dr. Charles Odii, Julcit Onigbogi, Njideka Jack, and Omowunmi Olatunbosun, reflecting a unified drive to fortify Nigeria’s SME landscape. A key element of this partnership is mySMEville, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to connect SMEs with vital funding, new markets, knowledge resources, and essential business tools. The collaboration paves the way for wider initiatives…

At the 18th Annual International Security Conference of the Institute of Security, Nigeria, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), called for a renewed focus on grassroots-driven security strategies. Emphasizing that no nation can effectively counter growing threats without empowering local communities, Buratai highlighted the urgent need for robust community-based intelligence networks and early-warning systems. Buratai urged government leaders at all levels to invest in youth empowerment, anti-radicalisation programs, and poverty reduction, noting that these are key to addressing the root causes of insecurity. He praised holistic security models that combine spiritual guidance, community engagement, and formal…

QNET, a leading global direct selling and lifestyle company, recently held an expo in Ikeja, Lagos, spotlighting its array of wellness, lifestyle, and business education products. The event was aimed at encouraging the next wave of entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on Generation Z—those eager to break away from the conventional nine-to-five work model. Bernieg Gaksch, QNET’s Regional Strategy and Marketing Manager, explained that the expo was designed to address the skills gap facing many aspiring young business owners. “We equip young people with essential business tools through online learning and specialized courses, covering everything from sales and marketing to…

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ogun State are sounding the alarm over mounting difficulties in securing financial support, citing inadequate collateral, weak credit histories, and steep interest rates as key obstacles that threaten the survival and growth of their businesses. At a press conference ahead of the 2025 Deemakay Business Exhibition, vendors voiced additional concerns over unreliable electricity, inconsistent regulatory policies, and a tangle of multiple taxes and levies imposed by various government tiers—factors that together stifle expansion and daily operations. Adedamola Makanjuola, CEO of Deemakay World, emphasized the urgent need for targeted government interventions and ongoing support…

At a recent industry gathering, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, shed light on why Nigeria lagged in the World Bank’s global rankings for property registration—citing convoluted procedures, long processing times, and prohibitive costs as major culprits. According to Dangiwa, these issues discourage investment and place undue strain on ordinary Nigerians. To address these challenges, Dangiwa urged state governments to earmark one to three percent of their annual budgets for land administration and systematic titling. He emphasized that robust land governance is Nigeria’s most powerful tool to build a trillion-dollar economy. Speaking at the 30th…

On Thursday, December 4th, 2025, the Federal Palace Hotel & Casino in Victoria Island, Lagos, will host a pivotal conference under the theme “Future-Proofing Nigeria’s Financial System: Policy, Technology and Market Confidence,” beginning at 9:00 am. This gathering is set to become a hub for trailblazing ideas aimed at fostering sustainable business growth and economic development. Distinguished speakers include Dr. Blaise Ijebor (Director, Risk Management, CBN); Mrs. Monsurat Modesola Vincent (Director, Strategy & Innovation Management, CBN); Mr. Roy Daniels (Chairman, ACI Financial Markets Association); Dr. Ikeazor; Mr. Alebiosu; and Mr. Oseni. The event’s agenda features Dr. Ikeazor addressing Financial Inclusion…

Nigeria has ushered in a new era for its capital market with the adoption of the T+2 settlement cycle, effective from November 28. This landmark shift shortens the window for trade settlements from several days to just two business days, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation’s financial infrastructure and showcasing its dedication to global standards. With this modernized system, market liquidity is set to improve, operational risks will diminish, and Nigeria becomes more attractive to foreign portfolio investors seeking efficient markets. The T+2 framework places Nigeria on par with major international markets, enhancing the overall trading experience for investors…

Nigeria’s vibrant landscape of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will shine at the forefront of economic discussion during the 8th BusinessDay SME 100 Conference & Awards, hosted by BusinessDay Media Limited on December 4, 2025. This landmark gathering brings together top industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs for an immersive day devoted to strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the celebration of SME excellence. The event’s highlight—a gala night—will pay tribute to Nigeria’s most exceptional emerging businesses. SMEs: Catalysts of National Growth SMEs are indispensable to Nigeria’s prosperity, representing nearly half of the country’s GDP and making up almost all registered…

Nigeria’s property registration system has long been plagued by excessive bureaucracy, high costs, and lengthy processes—factors that recently led to a poor showing in the World Bank’s global business rankings. According to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, these barriers not only deter investors but also create avoidable difficulties for ordinary citizens. In response, Dangiwa has urged state governments to allocate one to three percent of their annual budgets specifically to land administration and systematic titling, emphasizing that transparent and effective land governance is the nation’s most powerful tool for driving a trillion-dollar economy. During…