Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and renowned Pan-African scholar, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, will headline the 2025 Leadership Conference organized by the GOTNI Leadership Centre. The two-day event, scheduled for September 5–6, will gather influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers under the theme “Transforming Minds, Inspiring Results.” Obasanjo, speaking beyond the sphere of politics, will focus on entrepreneurship and business leadership, while Lumumba will challenge participants on the importance of mindset transformation and leadership from an individual perspective. Announcing the conference at a press briefing, GOTNI’s founder and chief executive, Dr. Linus Okorie, emphasized that Nigeria’s path to progress requires leaders who…

After a bruising 2024 marked by currency shocks, high interest rates, and shrinking margins, some of Nigeria’s biggest companies are staging a powerful rebound—one that is now rewriting the country’s tax story. Data from listed firms show that manufacturers, cement giants, telecom operators, and energy producers have swung back into profitability, driving tax payments to unprecedented levels. In just the first half of 2025, over ₦1 trillion in corporate taxes has already been recorded—surpassing the entire tax haul from all of 2024. Energy powerhouse Seplat led the pack with ₦411 billion in tax remittances, followed by Dangote Cement (₦209 billion)…

Nigeria’s economy continues to bleed from one of its least-discussed but most devastating problems — the cost of moving goods. According to DP World, one of the world’s leading logistics giants, moving products within Nigeria is so inefficient that in extreme cases, transport costs alone swallow up as much as 75% of the product’s value. Chief Executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem Akoojee (DP World Africa & Europe) did not mince words while speaking at the unveiling of the firm’s partnership with PepsiCo. He described Nigeria’s logistics sector as “among the costliest in the world,” citing poor ports, crumbling roads, and…

At the Emerge 2025 Conference in Lagos, the message to Nigerian youths was loud and urgent: learn Artificial Intelligence, but don’t forget Emotional Intelligence. Technology alone, experts argued, will not keep tomorrow’s workers relevant. The future belongs to those who can combine the hard edge of machines with the soft skills of human connection. Dr. Abiola Salami, convener of the annual event and founder of The Peak Performance Africa, warned that automation could wipe out nearly 30% of jobs by 2030. In his words, “a task that takes five hours today can be done by AI in under one hour…

Nigeria often feels like a nation suspended between promise and paralysis. With one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations, its potential should be unmatched. Yet, year after year, global observers ask the same question: why does Africa’s largest economy continue to underperform? The numbers reinforce the concern. Nigeria’s GDP expanded by 3.4 percent in 2024 – respectable at face value, but modest compared to Rwanda’s 8.9 percent and Kenya’s 4.5 percent. The World Bank projects a similar pattern for 2025, with Nigeria trailing its continental peers at 3.7 percent growth, far below Rwanda’s 6.5 percent and Kenya’s 4.7 percent.…

Rivers State has been urged to drastically reduce its dependence on monthly federal allocations by prioritizing internally generated revenue (IGR) and strengthening local economic structures. Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok Ete Ibas, gave the charge in Port Harcourt at the weekend while inaugurating newly constituted boards of key state agencies. He emphasized that the state’s financial sustainability depends on urgent reforms, innovation, and accountability. Driving Revenue Independence Ibas tasked the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service Board (RIRSB) with accelerating IGR efforts through system automation, plugging revenue leakages, and improving transparency in tax administration. “The work you are about to…

What most farmers in Nigeria consider waste, Tare Robinson Korumene sees as gold. Where rotting plantain and banana stems once littered farmlands, she has uncovered the raw material for a sustainable beauty revolution. As the visionary founder of Eco-Fip Nig Ltd. and Dunaly Fibre Hair Extensions, Robinson has pioneered a process that transforms discarded plantain pseudostems into premium hair extensions, fashion accessories, furniture, and even footwear. Her model doesn’t just recycle waste — it reimagines it as the foundation of a greener, more inclusive economy. The science behind her innovation is as practical as it is elegant. Farmers traditionally abandon…

Nigeria’s creative sector has entered a new chapter with the launch of Phase 2 of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) — a government-backed programme designed to supercharge innovation, unlock financing, and scale businesses across the arts and cultural industries. Unlike its pilot phase, which drew thousands of early-stage applications, this new rollout is bolder in ambition and wider in scope. Entrepreneurs, startups, and established ventures in fields ranging from film and gaming to fashion, publishing, culinary arts, and cultural tourism can now tap into loans of up to $100,000 to drive expansion. The redesigned application portal (www.cedf.gov.ng) reflects the…

Nigeria opened 2025 with renewed momentum in foreign capital inflows, recording $5.64 billion in the first quarter alone, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This marked a stronger showing than 2024, a year defined by mixed signals: while overall capital importation grew, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) itself fell sharply, even hitting historic lows at one point. This backdrop set the stage for the maiden Atlantic-Savannah International Conference & Convention (ASICC) in Port Harcourt, where economists, investors, academics, and business leaders gathered to debate one crucial question: How can Nigeria truly attract sustainable FDI? The Call for a New FDI…

From Enugu to the World Africa Charts Bold Ethereum Path at ETH ’25In 2025, Enugu, Nigeria, became the unlikely stage for a groundbreaking experiment — a living city, a builder residency, and Nigeria’s first Ethereum conference all rolled into one. ETH Enugu ’25 wasn’t just an event; it was a declaration that Africa is ready to shape the next chapter of the Ethereum movement. A Builder’s Playground in Enugu For two weeks, Enugu transformed into a “builder-first” ecosystem powered by nonstop electricity, open co-working hubs, and daily workshops. Out of 300+ global applicants, 50 fellows from across Africa, Europe, Asia,…

Two homegrown agricultural pioneers — Wiifarm Cooperative Society and The Factory Company — have joined forces to reimagine farming in Nigeria. Their mission: to turn farmland into wealth-generating hubs and empower everyday Nigerians to become part-owners of the country’s agricultural future. The partnership was unveiled in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with the launch of Nigeria’s first rice distribution hub and the rollout of an ambitious fractional farmland ownership scheme spanning 10,000 hectares. The initiative aims to recruit over one million members nationwide, offering them direct access to farmland, profit-sharing, and long-term wealth opportunities. A People-Powered Agricultural Revolution At the launch,…

Nigeria’s largest integrated palm oil producer, Presco Plc, has won shareholder approval to raise as much as ₦250 billion ($162.8 million) through a Rights Issue, positioning the company for its next phase of growth. The resolution, passed at the firm’s Annual General Meeting on August 19, 2025, authorizes the board to issue new shares, pursue acquisitions, and expand operations across West Africa. The fundraising plan — which is still subject to regulatory clearance — is expected to support Presco’s ambitious growth program, including direct investments and potential acquisitions. Shareholders also granted management the flexibility to leverage debt financing, or a…

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has opened a fresh investigation into how the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other key players managed a ₦59 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meant for the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). The probe, led by the House Joint Committee on loan disbursement and utilization, also spotlighted Meristem Wealth Management Limited and NESI Stabilization Strategy Ltd (NESI-SSL) over their approval of an arrangement allowing a private firm to collect 0.5% of annual revenue from electricity distribution companies until 2030. Committee Chairman Uchenna Okonkwo revealed in a weekend statement that the NMMP,…

The cost of living in Nigeria is climbing daily. Food, transport, rent, school fees, fuel — everything has doubled. Salaries, however, have either stayed the same or lost their real value due to inflation and the weakening naira. No wonder more Nigerians are searching for ways to earn in U.S. dollars, a currency that holds value no matter the storms at home. Imagine this: ₦100,000 barely stretches for a week today, but $10,000 equals over ₦15 million. What if there was a way to legally earn that kind of money — without relocating or breaking any laws? One fast-growing path…

In a business climate where online visibility often determines survival, Nigerian entrepreneur Hannah Olawumi is driving a bold initiative to close the digital literacy gap holding back many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through her venture, MyDigitalBrandBox (MDBB), Olawumi is reimagining how entrepreneurs approach technology by offering simplified, accessible solutions. From brand strategy and social media management to website development and hands-on virtual training, MDBB is giving business owners the tools to confidently navigate the digital economy. “Most entrepreneurs understand they need an online presence, but the technical hurdles discourage them,” Olawumi explained. “Our goal is to break down those…

In Nigeria’s evolving knowledge economy, a bold experiment is unfolding — a new digital hub designed to connect ideas with industry, research with real-world impact, and students with global opportunities. Launched in August 2024, the FUOYE Innovation Hub has now taken a powerful step forward with its online platform — innovation.fuoye.edu.ng. The site offers more than just a digital showcase; it is a gateway where innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs can plug into an ecosystem built to transform ideas into scalable solutions. Redefining the Role of a University Rather than remain within the boundaries of academia, FUOYE is positioning itself as…

Tony Elumelu, celebrated entrepreneur and philanthropist, has once again taken center stage in Africa’s leadership space after being named Man of the Year 2025 at the 7th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX). The recognition, decided through a nationwide public vote, saw Elumelu claim a commanding 1,093,475 votes, leaving fellow nominees Allen Onyema with 634,855 votes and A. A. Rano with 185,397 votes trailing behind. Now in its seventh year, LEEX has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most trusted measures of influence, honoring individuals who embody transformational leadership and national development. Driving Africa’s Economic Renaissance Elumelu’s latest accolade is a nod to…

For the first time in decades, business leaders in Aba say the city is finally regaining its commercial heartbeat. Once notorious for collapsed roads, toppled trucks, and suffocating neglect, Nigeria’s leather and textile hub is now experiencing a revival under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti. During a visit to Otti’s country home in Nvosi, executives of the Association of International Traders, led by Edmund Igwe, and the Ultimate Importers Association, represented by Iroegbu Agu, expressed gratitude for what they described as a long-awaited transformation of Aba’s infrastructure. “Today, trucks and containers no longer tumble over each other as before.…

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians abroad to channel their skills, networks, and capital back into nation-building, declaring that “Nigeria is on the rise again.” Speaking in Yokohama, Japan, during an engagement with members of the Nigerian community on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Tinubu emphasized that the government’s reforms were already stabilizing the economy and opening fresh avenues for investment and innovation. “Some of our citizens may remain abroad for personal or economic reasons, and that is their right,” Tinubu said. “But Nigeria’s growth requires your contribution. If you stay away, who will…

For over a decade, Nduka Udeh has been on the frontlines of African trade, helping thousands of entrepreneurs push their products beyond local borders. From food processors in Aba to fashion designers in Lagos, he saw a common thread: brilliant products, but broken systems. The calls kept coming:“Customs seized my goods again.”“Shipping delays wiped out my profits.”“I can’t get buyers abroad.” After hearing the same story from more than 5,000 businesses, Udeh knew the problem wasn’t talent—it was logistics. In 2025, he put his money where his mission was: $200,000 of personal investment into a world-class warehouse in Delaware, USA.…