Author: Gift Ifeanyi

What began as a personal fascination with hair braiding and wig making has evolved into a structured, full-service enterprise under the leadership of Demion Lucky Kotin. After six years of refining his craft in the beauty industry, Kotin established Demion Beauty World, a brand that has successfully bridged the gap between professional salon services and global product distribution. Based in Nigeria, the brand has built its reputation on the philosophy that beauty services should be as much about confidence-building as they are about technical skill. A Comprehensive Suite of Beauty Services Demion Beauty World operates as a “one-stop shop” for…

In a powerful display of community-driven philanthropy, the ‘Mayors of Ebenesi Nnobi’ have empowered 28 indigenous entrepreneurs with a total of ₦13.2 million to scale their small businesses. The cheque presentation ceremony, held at the Sir Pius Uf Popudo Complex in Nnobi, Anambra State, highlights a growing trend of “home-grown” investment aimed at strengthening the local economy from within. The Selection Process: Village-Led Growth The initiative focused specifically on entrepreneurs whose businesses are domiciled within the Nnobi community. To ensure fair representation, the screening committee worked with the chairmen of the seven villages making up the Ebenesi quarters: The Villages:…

In an insightful New Year’s reflection for 2026, Dr. Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri—Miss Tourism Nigeria 2016, real estate mogul, and fashion entrepreneur—shared her journey from the pageant stage to the boardroom. For Dr. Ogenna, the transition was fueled by a desire to build “institutions, not just titles,” using entrepreneurship as a tool to solve systemic issues like housing deficits and unemployment. The Real Estate & Fashion Portfolios Dr. Ogenna has successfully diversified her interests into two high-impact industries: Real Estate: She views property as a tool for dignity and wealth creation in Africa. Her approach is “people-first,” focusing on emerging districts,…

In a strategic move to accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy, Wema Bank’s ALAT, in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has officially opened applications for the FGN-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme. This nationwide initiative is specifically designed to bridge the digital divide for Nigerian youth and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The program serves as a critical bridge between current skill gaps and the high-demand requirements of the 2026 digital workforce. Tailored Learning Tracks To ensure maximum impact, the programme offers two distinct pathways for participants: The Employment-Focused Track: Designed for jobseekers and working professionals aiming to master in-demand technical…

As the 2025 “Detty December” season reached its peak, Nigerian Breweries Plc executed one of the largest synchronized festive campaigns in the country’s history. Under the theme “A Legendary Christmas,” the brewer transformed the urban landscape of six major cities—Lagos, Ibadan, Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Abuja—with a massive 13-kilometer street-lighting project and a series of high-energy cultural activations. The “Legendary” Scale of Celebration The campaign was designed to be immersive, reaching millions of Nigerians through both visual spectacles and live events: The Light Display: Spanning seven landmark locations and over 13 kilometers of road, the project turned city centers…

In an era where diaspora-led initiatives are becoming central to national development, Hussein Yahaya Ibraheem, the Dubai-based founder of ANJID LLC, has emerged as a significant force in Nigerian youth empowerment. Through his media and communications firm, Ibraheem is leveraging digital influence to drive grassroots social intervention, particularly in the conflict-affected North-East region. His mission is a blend of commercial media strategy and social advocacy, aimed at transforming the “backbone of the nation”—the youth—into resilient economic participants. A Post-Pandemic Pivot to Long-Term Impact While Ibraheem has been active since 2015, the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for his large-scale…

Despite the dual pressures of inflation and logistical bottlenecks, Nigeria’s floriculture industry is undergoing a fascinating transformation. While traditional roadside florists struggle with the rising cost of inputs, a new wave of “plant mommies and daddies” and wellness-conscious urbanites are fueling a burgeoning market for indoor greenery and ornamental aesthetics. The Two Faces of the Market The industry currently operates across two distinct economic realities: 1. The Roadside Struggle (Perfect Pottery): For veterans like Godwin Ugwu on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the business has become a battle against inflation. Input Costs: The price of a pot of loamy soil has jumped…

Tech and media entrepreneur Benedict Aguele (Founder of BOAPR and member of the Governing Council, Nigeria Maritime University) has issued a sobering forecast for Nigeria’s technological future. Speaking in Abuja in late December 2025, Aguele warned that without addressing three “physical bottlenecks,” Nigeria risks becoming a mere consumer of foreign AI rather than an African leader in the sector. Aguele’s central thesis is that AI is an industrial process, not just a digital one, requiring a foundation of physical infrastructure that currently remains fragile. The Three Physical Bottlenecks Aguele identified three specific areas where Nigeria must improve by 2026 to…

In a final move to close out 2025, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced a ₦10 billion private placement. This initiative, disclosed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on December 30, 2025, is part of a broader capital-optimization strategy following the company’s massive $750 million capital-raising mandate approved by shareholders in May 2024. The move is specifically aimed at strengthening the Holding Company (HoldCo) level, as its primary banking subsidiary has already secured its regulatory future. The Allotment Details The private placement is structured to be swift, with the offer scheduled to close on December 31, 2025. Gross Proceeds:…

As of December 31, 2025, President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that Nigeria’s landmark tax reform laws will proceed with a full implementation date of January 1, 2026. Dismissing calls from opposition lawmakers to delay the rollout, the President characterized the move as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to modernize the nation’s fiscal foundation and strengthen the social contract. The reforms, first signed into law in June 2025, represent the most significant overhaul of the Nigerian tax system in decades, consolidating multiple legacy statutes into a unified framework. The “Gazette” Controversy The rollout has faced late-stage turbulence due to allegations from opposition lawmakers…

In a significant personal and professional achievement, the Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Jibrin Barau, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Corporate Entrepreneurship. The degree was conferred by the Maryam Abacha American University in Maradi, Niger Republic, following Barau’s successful defense of his doctoral thesis on December 22, 2025. The Research: Strengthening the SME Backbone Senator Barau’s dissertation, titled “Entrepreneurial Orientation and Financial Performance of SMEs: The Moderating Role of Environment,” addresses a critical area of the Nigerian economy. His research focused on: Strategic Practices: How specific entrepreneurial…

As 2025 draws to a close, the structural health of Nigeria’s commerce remains a critical topic for economic sustainability. Commerce is often described as the “circulatory system” of an economy, responsible for the flow of goods from global manufacturers to end-users. However, in Nigeria, this system is currently suffering from a “Lagos bottleneck” that is driving inflationary pressure and stifling the country’s entrepreneurial potential. The Lagos Port Bottleneck Despite Nigeria’s vast coastline and multiple maritime gateways, over 70 percent of all cargo cleared into the country is funneled through the Lagos axis (Apapa and Tin Can ports). This centralization has…

In a major push for community-driven economic development, Ogoni businessman and philanthropist Chief Lesi Maol has committed ₦200 million to support 20 emerging entrepreneurs from Ogoniland. The announcement was the centerpiece of the Ogoni Entrepreneurship Summit (OES), held on December 26-27, 2025, at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Park in Bane. Chief Maol, the CEO of Giolee Global Resources Ltd, described the fund as a “strategic intervention” rather than charity, aimed at cultivating a new generation of job creators in the Niger Delta. Key Highlights of the Summit The event, themed “Nurturing Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs,” focused on shifting the mindset of Ogoni…

New City University (NCU), a dynamic new institution in Ayetoro, Ogun State, has officially declared its readiness to redefine higher education in Nigeria. At a recent Chancellor’s reception, the university unveiled a strategic roadmap focused on producing “job-ready” graduates through an entrepreneurship-driven model and the establishment of world-class media facilities. Founder and Chancellor Prof. Akin Akingbesote emphasized that NCU is the result of a decade-long vision to bridge the capacity gap in Nigeria’s university system, where thousands of qualified students are left without admission every year. A Media Powerhouse in the Making A central pillar of NCU’s strategy is its…

Quickteller has officially made its mark on the “Detty December” calendar with the successful debut of InsomniaQ. Held on December 21, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, the event delivered an unprecedented 12-hour non-stop marathon of music, culture, and creative expression that kept thousands of attendees awake until dawn. The festival was specifically designed to mirror the audience’s circadian rhythm—starting with soulful, atmospheric sets and building into high-octane performances as the night progressed. The All-Star Lineup The maiden edition featured a carefully curated mix of Afrobeat royalty, alternative soul, and high-energy performers: Made Kuti & The…

In a bid to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and industrial application, the Nigerian Genius Campus Edition 2026 has officially opened its doors for applications. Organized by Engineering for Industry, this elite competition is designed to identify and nurture the most talented undergraduate engineering students across Nigerian universities and polytechnics. With a focus on solving Nigeria’s “toughest engineering and manufacturing problems,” the competition moves away from classroom theory into the high-stakes world of rapid prototyping and precision fabrication. The Challenge: Beyond the Classroom The competition is structured as a team-based intensive challenge held at the Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC)…

Following a productive meeting with President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, provided a comprehensive update on the nation’s energy sector. Amidst a significant shift in petrol prices and major pipeline progress, Ojulari reassured Nigerians that the current market volatility is a precursor to long-term stability and energy security. The Consumer Win: Petrol Prices Hit New Lows Ojulari highlighted that the “price war” currently seen at filling stations is a direct result of the transition from a monopoly to a competitive, domestic-refining market. The “Dangote…

In a landmark move for gender-focused economic empowerment, Simba TVS has intensified its partnership with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and Gamma Mobility. This collaboration supports the Federal Government’s 10,000 Women in Mobility Programme, an ambitious initiative designed to integrate women into Nigeria’s commercial transportation and logistics sectors. The programme was officially flagged off in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in late December 2025, with the handover of a fleet of TVS King Deluxe Plus tricycles (Kekes) to a pilot group of 1,000 women, with a total goal of 10,000 beneficiaries across all 36 states. The Four Pillars of…

In the landscape of African finance, few stories are as poignant and transformative as that of the current Chief Financial Officer of Manifold Computers Limited. Recently honored as the CFO of the Year (MSME category) at the 2025 ACCA Africa CFO Awards in Mombasa, Kenya, this finance leader is redefining the role of the CFO from a compliance officer to a strategic growth “co-pilot.” Her journey is rooted in a childhood experience of loss—witnessing her father’s business collapse in the 1980s due to structural weaknesses—which ignited a lifelong mission to ensure African businesses transition from mere survival to sustainable growth.…

In a strategic move to tap into Nigeria’s burgeoning $4.7 billion creative industry, Sterling Bank served as the headline sponsor for the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria x Made By Nigerians (AFWN x MBN) Festival 2025. The two-day event, held in late 2025, functioned as both a high-fashion runway and a massive retail fair, connecting over 250 emerging entrepreneurs with local and international buyers. The festival arrived at a critical time, with fashion emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the Nigerian economy, particularly in terms of youth employment and cultural export. Empowering the “Made in Nigeria” Brand The partnership…