Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigeria’s creative economy is entering a new chapter — one powered not just by talent, but by capital and mentorship.At its 20th anniversary celebration, Chocolate City Group, one of Africa’s pioneering entertainment companies, announced the launch of a $1 million Founders Fund designed to invest in and mentor Nigeria’s emerging creative startups. The fund, officially inaugurated by Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, brings together over 500 stakeholders from across music, film, and technology — signaling a powerful private-sector push toward creative industry transformation. Bridging the Funding Gap in Africa’s Creative Economy Nigeria’s creative sector…

Nigeria’s top judges, lawyers, and insolvency experts are calling for a paradigm shift in the nation’s insolvency ecosystem — from punitive liquidation practices to proactive business rescue and restructuring — as economic turbulence continues to strain companies across sectors. At the 2025 Annual International Insolvency Conference of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), held at the Civic Centre in Lagos, participants emphasized the need to modernize insolvency laws, integrate technology, and strengthen cross-border collaboration. The two-day event, themed “Deepening Insolvency Tools for Resolving Commercial and Financial Challenges of Businesses,” gathered representatives from the judiciary, academia, and…

For years, Tasiu Umar’s cellphone repair shop in Zing, Nigeria, was held hostage by the country’s unreliable electricity supply. His backup generator—noisy, expensive, and unreliable—often consumed more fuel than his business could afford. “I spent more time fixing the generator than fixing phones,” he jokes. But everything changed when he invested in a pair of solar panels. The switch didn’t just brighten his workshop; it illuminated a path toward a broader transformation quietly unfolding across Africa. As solar technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, Nigeria and other developing nations are undergoing an energy revolution that could redefine how growth and…

When Ola Oyetayo co-founded Verto in 2017, he set out to solve one of the most stubborn challenges facing African and emerging market businesses — moving money efficiently across borders. Today, as CEO of Verto, the Nigerian-born accountant and entrepreneur leads a London-based financial technology firm that’s redefining how companies conduct international transactions. Simplifying Global Payments for Emerging Markets Verto operates as a B2B cross-border payment and foreign exchange platform, enabling businesses to convert, receive, and settle transactions in multiple currencies through a unified infrastructure. The company’s mission is simple yet powerful: to make international payments as seamless for businesses…

In a digital era where influence drives engagement and culture shapes marketing, Sucre House of Entertainment has emerged as one of Africa’s most disruptive creative forces — redefining how brands connect with audiences through authentic storytelling and digital innovation. Founded by Olatunji Emmanuel O., Sucre House has carved a distinctive space where entertainment, marketing, and identity intersect. Its campaigns go beyond brand promotion; they spark conversations, empower creators, and amplify Africa’s creative voice on the global stage. The agency’s unique blend of strategic precision and cultural intuition has attracted collaborations with some of the world’s most recognized brands — including…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s economic transformation through targeted financial support for local enterprises. The President said his government’s newly introduced ₦200 billion intervention fund for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and manufacturers was created to tackle deep-rooted structural constraints and boost competitiveness across industries. Delivering his remarks at the opening of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Tinubu — represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima — stated that the ongoing reforms under his leadership are yielding tangible outcomes that have surpassed both domestic and global projections. “Our policies are guided…

Nigeria’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit will take center stage at the upcoming Naija Brands Trade Expo 2025, an event dedicated to showcasing indigenous products and empowering local businesses to thrive in the national and global marketplace. In a statement by Babatunde Karunwi, Group Managing Director of LENJI Group, the organisers said the expo seeks to promote homegrown innovation under the theme “Promoting Indigenous Products as a Catalyst for National Economic Growth.” According to Karunwi, the initiative goes beyond a typical trade fair — it’s a strategic movement designed to boost confidence in Nigerian-made goods, encourage local consumption, and strengthen the…

Determined to bridge the gap between theory and practical expertise, the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) has launched an intensive automobile training program that exposes students to real-world vehicle diagnostics, maintenance, and repair. Organized by the university’s Entrepreneurship Centre in partnership with both local and international automobile firms, the hands-on workshop took place on October 3, 2025, at the Main Campus Works Department. The event marks another step in FUTMinna’s commitment to nurturing self-reliant graduates equipped for today’s dynamic automotive market. In his keynote speech, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta highlighted the need for Nigerian institutions to balance academic…

Across Africa, society’s view of success is shifting. Many now idolize entrepreneurship while undervaluing salaried work, dismissing traditional 9–5 jobs as symbols of limitation rather than opportunity. Yet, the journey of Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., one of Nigeria’s most remarkable business figures, powerfully challenges this belief. His story reveals that discipline, patience, and strategy — not overnight wealth — are the real engines of lasting prosperity. Born on April 29, 1953, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adenuga grew up in a home that blended education and enterprise. His father, a teacher, instilled discipline; his mother, a businesswoman of royal descent, passed…

Ellah Lakes Plc has announced plans for a transformative acquisition that will redefine its role in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. The agro-industrial company is finalizing a deal to purchase Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN), a venture jointly owned by Singapore’s Tolaram Group and Valuestar Holdings PTE, with completion targeted for December 2025. Under the agreement, Ellah Lakes will assume control of nearly 12,000 hectares of land, including extensive cassava plantations and vast tracts earmarked for future cultivation. The company views the acquisition as a gateway to scaling production, enhancing efficiency, and unlocking fresh opportunities in crop diversification and processing.…

Across Africa, a quiet transformation is taking shape—powered not by politics or profit, but by education and opportunity. Leading this movement is the Ernestville Foundation, a U.S.-registered nonprofit organisation honouring the life and vision of Mazi Ernest O. N. Oji, a Nigerian scholar who believed that every lasting change begins with learning. Founded on Oji’s principle that education is the cornerstone of societal progress, the Foundation blends academics, innovation, and community empowerment to tackle Africa’s deepest structural challenges. Under the leadership of Jideofor “Jay” Oji, Ernestville has become a model for sustainable development that bridges generations and continents. “Empowerment is…

Two decades after its founding, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) has become a leading platform for advancing women’s entrepreneurship and leadership across Nigeria. With more than 2,000 active members spread across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ogun, and Kwara States, the network continues to drive inclusion, innovation, and enterprise among women in business. As NNEW prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary on October 8–9, 2025, at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja, the organization is reflecting on its journey of building capacity, shaping policy, and giving women a stronger voice in the economic space. The milestone event will bring together entrepreneurs, policymakers,…

Nigeria is set to become the newest hub for women-led innovation and enterprise as the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) moves to establish a regional office in the country. The development signals a major step toward enhancing collaboration and boosting women’s participation in key economic sectors such as technology, agriculture, and education. The announcement came after a Russian BRICS WBA delegation met with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during an official visit to Abuja. Speaking at a media briefing, Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the BRICS WBA Russia chapter, said the visit marks the beginning of…

The outlook for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions is gaining renewed optimism following the elevation of renowned business development strategist, Larry-Goodwill Akintoba Ajiola, to a series of high-profile international roles. Ajiola, widely recognised for his work in advancing SME growth and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), now holds several key positions across global diplomatic and academic institutions. These include Head of Policy and Diplomatic Affairs at the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), Head of Training and Capacity Development at the African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR), Distinguished Fellow and…

In a major effort to strengthen Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched a nationwide initiative to register 250,000 small businesses for free. The scheme, unveiled in Abuja on September 26, follows the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies. It supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on reducing entry barriers for young entrepreneurs and creating a more inclusive economy. Speaking at the launch, CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN) said the initiative…

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is taking bold steps to strengthen its position as a continental leader in technology-driven education. According to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, the university is focused on advancing its global digital ranking and showcasing Nigeria’s capacity for innovation in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Peters revealed that NOUN will host the 3rd MoodleMoot Africa Conference from October 8 to 10, 2025, at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre — marking the first time the international event will hold in Nigeria after two previous editions in South Africa. “This…

A new wave of Nigerian creativity is set to make its mark on the global stage as 105 innovators head to Hilton London Paddington for the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2025 Grand Finale. Selected from a competitive pool of over 3,000 entries, these trailblazers represent all 36 states and the FCT — united by one goal: redefining Africa’s future through innovation. The innovators will present pioneering ideas across sectors such as HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Clean Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT, pitching to a high-profile audience of investors, policymakers, and global development partners. Organized by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)…

Amid global reflections on the vital role of educators, a senior lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr. Vincent Paul, has urged governments across all levels to prioritize teacher welfare and create more supportive working environments capable of attracting and retaining quality educators. The appeal, delivered in a statement commemorating World Teachers’ Day 2025, underscores growing concern over the state of the teaching profession in Nigeria, particularly within public institutions where educators often face inadequate facilities, limited recognition, and low remuneration. World Teachers’ Day, established by UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, and Education International in 1994, celebrates the adoption of the 1966…

Lagos became the creative capital of Africa as Ayodotun Akinfenwa, global brand strategist and author of Fire Up Your Brand, led the continent’s first-ever Adobe Express Bootcamp — a landmark initiative aimed at empowering Africa’s growing creative and entrepreneurial community. Organized in collaboration with the Adobe global team, the bootcamp marked a major milestone for digital creativity on the continent, attracting over 70 in-person participants and many more virtual attendees. The event served as an immersive hybrid training hub for creative professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, marketing specialists, and students eager to enhance their design, content creation, and branding capabilities.…

In an era where African stories are capturing global attention, Nigerian-born media entrepreneur Ehijie Jeffery Ebhodaghe is emerging as one of the continent’s defining voices — a creative visionary transforming how the world sees Africa through the lens of digital storytelling. This vision recently earned him global recognition at the African UK Trade and Investment Awards 2025 in London, where he was honoured for Outstanding Corporate Excellence in Digital Innovation and Inclusive Impact — an acknowledgment of his work in reshaping Africa’s broadcast and creative industries for a digital future. A Journey from Local Passion to Global Stage Raised in…