Author: Gift Ifeanyi

At Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos on July 22, Nigeria’s leading technology professionals convened for ManageEngine ITCON 2025 Nigeria, a flagship forum exploring how enterprise IT strategy is becoming the backbone of modern business transformation. Organized by ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, in collaboration with its Nigerian partner Tranter IT, the event drew senior executives, IT specialists, and decision-makers for a full day of high-level dialogues, practical workshops, and cross-industry networking. “ITCON is more than a tech showcase — it’s a bridge between global innovation and Nigeria’s business needs,” noted Lare Ayoola, CEO of Tranter…

Nigeria will take center stage in the global conversation on risk management when Vice President Kashim Shettima delivers the lead address at the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), scheduled for August 28–29, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Framed around the theme “Global Risks, Local Solutions,” the two-day gathering is designed to confront some of today’s most urgent challenges — climate disruption, financial instability, technological upheavals, and public health vulnerabilities — while spotlighting strategies that can be adapted to African realities. The conference also represents a defining moment for Kevin…

With mounting pressure to fund infrastructure and social development, Nigeria’s state governments are turning to a new tool designed to court global investors — a platform called Investopedia. The initiative, created by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), will serve as a central catalogue where each state highlights priority projects, from healthcare and technology to power and transport. By packaging these opportunities in both print and digital formats, the NGF hopes to overcome long-standing barriers such as poor visibility of projects, fragmented information, and weak investor confidence. Investopedia is scheduled for unveiling on August 19 in Abuja, where governors will pitch…

The Federal Government is rolling out a new wave of economic support designed to strengthen smallholder farmers and micro-businesses across Nigeria. By the end of 2025, beneficiaries will begin accessing collateral-free, interest-free loans under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). According to the programme’s National Manager, Hamza Ibrahim Baba, the initiative is part of FarmerMoni, one of GEEP’s flagship schemes, targeting Nigerians in poultry, aquaculture, livestock, and crop production. Each qualified farmer or trader could receive up to ₦100,000, with a six-month grace period before repayments begin. The loans, Baba explained during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna, are structured…

Nigeria’s recent economic stability is drawing cautious praise from experts, but many citizens remain locked in hardship, highlighting the gap between macroeconomic progress and everyday realities. Former National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) boss, Yemi Kale, has warned that while the economy can now be described as “stable,” this does not mean ordinary Nigerians are feeling any relief. According to Kale, stability in economics simply means the turbulence has eased — inflation, currency, and GDP are no longer swinging wildly, allowing businesses and investors to operate with more confidence. But for families already burdened with high prices, stability may only mean…

Barely a year after Nigeria approved its historic wage increase, the promised relief for workers has been swallowed by inflation. In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act into law, raising the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 — a 133 percent jump and one of the largest pay boosts in the country’s history. The move followed months of tense negotiations with labour unions and was intended to shield workers from rising prices, a weakening naira, and economic decline. But new data suggests the gains have already been wiped away. A report by Dataphyte reveals…

When Yusuf Balikis Omobukola left Nigeria for Dubai in 2019 with only N37,000 in her pocket, her dreams seemed far bigger than her resources. Today, at just 31, she is the founder and CEO of Opeke Farms Nigeria Limited, a company whose herbal remedies, food products, and fashion line reach customers in over 60 countries. Her journey is one of sheer resilience, reinvention, and an unshakable belief that no circumstance is permanent. Survival in Dubai: From Cooking to Accommodation Business Arriving in the UAE with little money, Balikis leaned on a friend for shelter while searching for work. But soon,…

Nigeria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for a huge share of the nation’s economy, may be missing out on the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) despite its growing global impact, a new study has revealed. The research, carried out by the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University in collaboration with eTranzact International Plc, shows that while entrepreneurs are excited about AI’s potential, many lack the tools, skills, and infrastructure needed to put it into practice. According to the study, SMEs are already experimenting with easy-to-use applications such as Google Maps, ChatGPT, and Google Assistant. However, sectors like…

In Nigeria’s business landscape, women-led enterprises continue to face steep financing challenges, from limited access to loans to the high cost of sustaining their ventures. Recognizing these barriers, Stanbic IBTC Bank has introduced a suite of solutions designed to remove obstacles and give women entrepreneurs a fair chance to scale. At the center of this initiative is the Blue Blossom Account, a product crafted to ease financial pressures on women-owned businesses. Beyond providing day-to-day banking, the account eliminates current account maintenance fees, offers loans at concessionary rates, and gives access to business advisory clinics—all aimed at creating a supportive ecosystem…

Nigeria’s manufacturing industry is gaining new momentum as innovative financing models emerge to strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). At the heart of this transformation is Zedvance Finance, a non-bank financial institution increasingly recognized as a vital player in bridging funding gaps for manufacturers and supply-chain businesses. During the recently concluded Nigeria Manufacturing & Equipment/Nigerian Raw Materials Expo 2025, organized by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC), industry leaders highlighted how tailored financial solutions are redefining industrial growth. Dr. Segun Alabi, MAN’s Assistant Director of Corporate Affairs…

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering small businesses by hosting the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, inaugurated a new ICT Hub for MSMEs at the State Library Complex. The facility is designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to modern digital tools, training, and resources that can enhance productivity and innovation. Highlighting the government’s commitment, Shettima noted that the MSME Clinics serve as a direct link between entrepreneurs and government support systems. He further announced ₦250,000 unconditional grants for…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken its message directly to the grassroots, using a public fair in Abeokuta to highlight how its latest policies and innovations are shaping livelihoods, boosting productivity, and driving inclusive growth. At the event, themed “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth, and Accelerated Economic Development,” the CBN stressed that its policies are not just about monetary stability but also about creating everyday value for Nigerians. Building Confidence in the Financial System Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, explained that the Bank’s leadership under Governor Olayemi Cardoso has pursued…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. They provide jobs, sustain local commerce, and drive innovation. Yet, while entrepreneurs focus on sales, funding, and expansion, there’s a less visible factor that increasingly determines whether a business survives or collapses: cybersecurity. For many SME owners, cybercrime feels like a distant threat reserved for big corporations. The reality, however, is the opposite. Hackers often prefer targeting small businesses because their defenses are weaker and their losses are harder to recover from. A single breach—whether through a phishing email, compromised Wi-Fi, or leaked customer data—can erase years of progress…

The Executive Director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Barrister Vera Ndanusa, has applauded World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for expressing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. Ndanusa noted that the reforms have translated into tangible progress at the Trade Fair Complex, where business activities have expanded, revenues have grown, and a more stable environment for traders has been created. Under her stewardship, the complex has undergone structural improvements, including a cleaner and friendlier business setting, uninterrupted energy supply to sustain SMEs, and initiatives to support large-scale enterprises. She also revived the long-abandoned annual trade…

The President of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), Chimezie Victor Ihekweazu (SAN), has called on business owners to seek professional recovery support at the first signs of financial distress rather than waiting until collapse is inevitable. Speaking at BRIPAN’s members’ night in Lagos, Ihekweazu emphasized that the association — made up of insolvency-trained accountants, lawyers, bankers, and tax experts — is fully equipped to help struggling businesses regain stability. He explained that insolvency does not happen overnight but usually develops over one or two years, during which early red flags become visible. According to him,…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged stronger action to safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure, describing resilience and security as a “non-negotiable national imperative” for Nigeria’s economic future. This assurance was delivered at the 2nd Strategic Stakeholders Meeting of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), held in Lagos on Friday. Speaking through Mrs. Chioma Ibe, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, stressed that telecommunications is now the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, supporting 171 million mobile subscribers and contributing 14.4% to GDP as of Q4 2024. From finance and healthcare to education and security, he said, the telecom…

The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has entered into a landmark partnership with the Health Business Academy for Africa (HBA) to boost the performance of Nigeria’s healthcare sector through strategic collaboration and capacity development. The agreement was formally signed on August 14, 2025, at HFN’s Executive Office in Ikoyi, Lagos. HFN President, Njide Ndili, described the partnership as a bold step toward equipping healthcare leaders with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. “At HFN, our priority is to elevate the quality of healthcare delivery across Nigeria. This collaboration will expose our members to global best practices in…

Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) has announced that registration is now open for the Africa Business Tourism & MICE Masterclass 2025, set for August 27–28, 2025, at BDO Offices, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is widely regarded as a major catalyst for economic growth across Africa. This year’s masterclass will focus on equipping tourism stakeholders with innovative strategies and practical skills to strengthen business competitiveness and unlock new opportunities. A distinguished panel of international experts will lead the sessions, including: Elcia Grandcourt, Director, Africa, UN Tourism (Spain) Senthil Gopinath, CEO, International Congress and Convention…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the recovery of ₦5 billion and $10 million from contractors and government officials implicated in fraudulent activities linked to the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. Investigations, personally overseen by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, revealed large-scale corruption, including over-invoicing, inflated contracts, and questionable payments, which contributed to the persistent failure of the refineries despite decades of heavy public funding. Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries have remained largely inactive, forcing the country to rely on petroleum imports despite repeated rehabilitation efforts. Records show that $1.55 billion was allocated…

Business leaders at the 2025 Production and Manufacturing Business Summit have challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to replace negative narratives with action, stressing that execution and innovation — not constant lamentation — remain the true drivers of growth. The summit, held in Lagos under the theme “Moving from Consumption to Production,” brought together top industry voices who emphasized that dwelling on challenges weakens investor confidence and hinders progress. Delivering the keynote address, Tara Fela-Durutoye, founder of House of Tara International, acknowledged the realities of operating in Nigeria but warned against allowing obstacles to dominate every business conversation. “Doing business here is tough,…