Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigeria’s industrial landscape is poised for a significant leap as Yikodeen Company Limited prepares to commission its newly expanded, ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Lagos on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The high-profile event will be chaired by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and attended by key figures across government, traditional leadership, and the private sector. The facility — now the largest safety footwear manufacturing plant in West Africa — spans 120,000 square feet and has the capacity to produce 5,000 pairs of safety boots daily, a dramatic increase from its modest beginnings in 2016 with just 20 pairs per day. A…

Richies Attai, Nigerian entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Winich Farms, has been named first runner-up in the Access to Finance and Markets category of the prestigious 2025 AYuTe NextGen competition — a youth-focused agricultural technology initiative by Heifer International. Attai’s recognition came at the close of a dynamic three-day conference in Kampala, Uganda, where agritech innovators, investors, and development leaders gathered to spotlight scalable solutions transforming Africa’s agricultural sector. His company, Winich Farms, delivers end-to-end digital infrastructure that connects farmers directly with processing factories, while also integrating access to credit and insurance solutions. The platform has proven effective in addressing systemic…

In a country where wellness and entrepreneurship are fast becoming national conversations, Adebimpe Osanyintuyi is quietly reshaping the narrative — not with noise, but with impact. Armed with a marketing degree from Bond University, South Africa, and years of experience managing trusted health brands like Horlicks and Panadol at Nutricima PZ and GSK, Adebimpe made a decisive pivot into the health food sector. Her mission? To bridge the gap between nutrition and accessibility with empathy, purpose, and long-term vision. Today, she is the founder and force behind Dios Dlite Healthy Treats, a company that has spent more than a decade…

In a major push to attract world-class artificial intelligence (AI) talent, the United Kingdom has launched a £54 million Global Talent Taskforce initiative, offering skilled professionals—including Nigerians—an opportunity to contribute to its leading industrial and technological sectors. Announced via the official UK government platform, the initiative targets AI researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, senior executives, investors, and creatives from across the globe. Over the next five years, it will provide comprehensive support for relocation and research activities, helping exceptional individuals settle and collaborate within the UK’s innovation ecosystem. The Global Talent Taskforce builds upon an earlier £25 million investment and forms a…

The Stanbic IBTC Group, in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University, hosted a transformative edition of Bloom Weekend, aimed at equipping female entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge to grow and sustain their businesses. Held under the inspiring theme “Bloom Into More,” the event focused on capacity development, entrepreneurial training, and creating a strong network of support for women-led businesses. Jumoke Bello, Head of Enterprise at Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasized the initiative’s commitment to female empowerment. “This platform is about working together to uplift women—promoting and empowering women-led enterprises. Through Bloom Weekend, we support and…

Nigerian tech innovator and entrepreneur, Joshua Omole-Adebomi, has been selected for the highly competitive Savvy Fellowship Programme for Aspiring and Early-Stage Entrepreneurs, earning a spot among a distinguished group of global changemakers. Chosen from over 30,000 applicants across more than 160 countries, Omole-Adebomi joins an elite group representing less than 8% of total applicants, underscoring his exceptional potential and visionary leadership in the tech and innovation space. The Savvy Fellowship is internationally recognized for nurturing young, impact-driven entrepreneurs by offering immersive mentorship and practical business training. The program is designed to equip emerging leaders with the tools and insights necessary…

Erik is a dynamic Nigerian entrepreneur and data analyst whose ventures cut across the fields of technology, healthcare, and hospitality. He is the visionary founder of Boolean Technologies, a software engineering firm at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation. Under his leadership, Boolean Technologies developed 24telemed, a groundbreaking telemedicine platform aimed at revolutionizing healthcare access nationwide. Now rebranded under the Renewed Hope Universal Healthcare Initiative, 24telemed is being expanded into a government-supported, multi-phase project that promises to deliver remote healthcare services across all Local Government Areas in Nigeria. The initiative leverages regional call centers, Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) integration, and…

The 2025 edition of the Globacom-sponsored Ojude Oba Festival, held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, not only celebrated rich cultural heritage but also marked two decades of unwavering support by the telecommunications giant. This year’s festival further evolved into a powerful platform for economic empowerment and youth recognition, with life-changing prizes distributed to members of the Ijebu community. The event, which drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Barr. Hannatu Musa-Musawa, and Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, spotlighted Globacom’s commitment to community development, culture, and entrepreneurship.…

In a small rural community in Ondo State, 40-year-old widow and mother of four, Yemisi Michael, represents the harsh reality of millions of Nigerians living under the weight of economic hardship. After the death of her husband three years ago, she took on multiple jobs just to feed her children. During the 2023 elections, hope seemed within reach when politicians came bearing promises and handouts. Yemisi was one of the few “lucky” recipients—gifted a grinding machine as part of a supposed empowerment initiative. But like many of such gifts, it was short-lived. Just a month in, the machine broke down.…

 As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of an evolving global economy and rising youth unemployment, there is growing consensus that reforming the education system to prioritize practical skills acquisition is essential. A proposed model urges secondary schools to dedicate three days to theoretical learning and two to hands-on vocational training, such as tailoring, carpentry, agriculture, and digital literacy. This approach is not only timely but vital, especially in the wake of Nigeria’s poor performance in the 2023 Coursera Global Skills Report, where the country ranked 100th out of 100 globally and 12th out of 13 in Sub-Saharan Africa.…

At the 2025 Marketplace Leadership Conference held in Abuja, economists, entrepreneurs, and religious leaders raised concerns about the damaging impact of unethical business practices on Nigeria’s economy, calling for a return to integrity and value-driven leadership in commerce and governance. Speaking at the event, Manasseh Dogon, Lead Steward of The Metropolitan Church and Executive Director of Maime Foundation, criticized widespread dishonesty in both the corporate and religious spheres. He emphasized that ethical leadership and business conduct are essential for meaningful economic advancement. “Africans have consistently underestimated the role of ethics in business,” Dogon said. “We are not men of our…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, on the occasion of her 55th birthday, lauding her exceptional contributions to national development, particularly in the healthcare and empowerment sectors. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Dr. Elumelu as a distinguished physician, devoted wife and mother, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, whose commitment to improving lives has earned her national and global recognition. Championing Healthcare Access Across Africa President Tinubu applauded Dr. Elumelu’s visionary leadership at Avon Healthcare Limited and Avon Medical Practice,…

Sofri, powered by Links Microfinance Bank, has unveiled a bold transformation strategy designed to revolutionize access to credit and financial services for individuals and small businesses across Nigeria. At a recent media event in Lagos, the company introduced a series of innovations, including a revamped mobile app, a new Corporate Internet Banking (CIB) platform, and AI-powered credit scoring tools. Bridging the Credit Gap with AI and Alternative Data Sofri’s Managing Director, Paul Adebayo, highlighted the core issue facing Nigeria’s lending ecosystem: poor access to reliable data, which hinders effective risk assessment by lenders. “The credit industry in Nigeria suffers from…

Nigeria’s marketing and advertising sector holds immense potential but remains underdeveloped compared to smaller African economies like South Africa and Kenya. This imbalance, fueled by economic volatility, currency instability, and insufficient policy support, presents both a challenge and an opening for forward-thinking agencies. In this interview, Mahmood Oyewo, Managing Director of Bracken Media Solutions, discusses the current realities of the Nigerian marketing landscape, how his agency is leveraging technology, and what must change for the country to compete on the global stage. What motivated your decision to launch a marketing agency in Nigeria? After spending over 15 years in the…

Founder of Gotomo Farms and Wildlife Services, Mr. Abubakar Gotomo, has called on Nigerian youth to tap into the vast opportunities within agribusiness as a reliable route to financial independence and national development. Speaking in Diko, Niger State, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Gotomo emphasized that modern agriculture, when pursued with best practices, can generate sustainable income and transform livelihoods in a short time. Agribusiness: A Pathway to Prosperity Gotomo encouraged young Nigerians, especially fresh graduates, to pursue agriculture as a viable career rather than wait for white-collar jobs. “Agriculture is a venture where you…

In a groundbreaking move poised to reshape Africa’s mineral landscape, the Nigerian Government has endorsed a $400 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) agreement for the establishment of the continent’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing facility in Nasarawa State. The ambitious project, led by Hasetins Commodities Limited, is expected to create over 10,000 jobs across Nigeria while advancing the country’s economic diversification through local value addition in the solid minerals sector. Strategic Investment for National Growth The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s value addition agenda, which prioritizes in-country mineral processing as a pathway to job creation and industrial…

Ejike Egbuagu, a Harvard-educated finance expert and the CEO of Moneda Invest Africa, is rewriting the rules of African development through a unique mix of finance, innovation, and cultural empowerment. With over a decade of experience in banking, trade, and deal structuring, Egbuagu has emerged as a key player in unlocking alternative financing for African SMEs, particularly within the energy sector. Under his leadership, Moneda has mobilised more than $200 million to fuel sustainable growth across the continent. In a recent interview, Egbuagu shared how Moneda’s journey began during Nigeria’s 2015 FX crisis—a pivotal moment that exposed the fragility of…

In a bold redefinition of how Africa’s youth can approach business, Chijioke Okonkwo—Group CEO of the global enterprise Goltava Group—delivered a compelling message on the urgent relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) during a high-impact executive bootcamp focused on digital transformation. Addressing a diverse group of aspiring entrepreneurs at the Digital Business Executive Bootcamp powered by Upkamp, the Germany-based business leader dismantled the notion that AI is a distant or elite concept. Instead, he positioned it as an accessible, immediate engine for creating scalable solutions, launching tech-enabled ventures, and reshaping Africa’s role in the global economy. “AI isn’t waiting for anyone.…

As Nigeria readies to enforce its nationwide ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) in federal ministries, departments, and agencies starting July 1, 2025, stakeholders from across the manufacturing, recycling, and waste management sectors are raising red flags over the policy’s potential to destabilize small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The ban, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Environment, is part of Nigeria’s broader climate and sustainability agenda. However, industry experts argue that the policy, while well-intentioned, is being rolled out too rapidly and without sufficient support structures, which could severely impact local manufacturers, many of whom are already strained by inflation and…

DLM Capital Group has unveiled a ₦30 billion financial instrument aimed at expanding credit access to Nigeria’s underbanked and underserved sectors. The move is part of a broader push to strengthen financial inclusion and support economic diversification through increased lending to small businesses and consumers. Announced at a recent media parley in Lagos, the newly launched Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes are designed to unlock credit for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), nano businesses, and other underfunded sectors of the economy. Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Market Stability Speaking at the event, Dr. Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, Chairman of DLM Capital Group,…