Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Guinness World Record holder Peter Adeleke, renowned for the longest marathon leadership lesson, has concluded a high-impact, multi-city leadership and business tour. Spanning the United States and Nigeria, the tour aimed to bridge the gap between “talent and potential” for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through practical, accessible education. Adeleke’s message throughout the tour was clear: leadership is not just a title but a “foundational infrastructure” necessary for any business or society to survive and thrive. Global Reach: From the U.S. to Lagos The tour utilized a hybrid model of in-person and virtual sessions to maximize its reach across different continents…

In a major fiscal recalibration, the Nigerian federal government has executed a sweeping write-off of legacy debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). According to a report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) presented in November 2025, the Presidency directed the erasure of approximately 96% of the dollar-denominated debt and 88% of the naira-denominated obligations previously held on the books. This move aims to resolve decades of accounting disputes between the national oil company and the Federation, effectively “resetting” the balance sheet as the NNPCL transitions further into its role as a commercial entity under…

Nigeria’s luxury fashion sector is not just defined by the designers who create, but by the visionary retailers who curate. These “power brokers” act as essential intermediaries, bridging the gap between global high-fashion houses and the discerning Nigerian consumer. From the iconic concept stores of Victoria Island to multi-category lifestyle hubs, these five leaders are shaping how luxury is experienced in West Africa. 1. Reni Folawiyo – The Visionary Behind Alára Since founding Alára in 2015, Reni Folawiyo has transformed the concept of luxury retail in Africa. Her store is more than a boutique; it is a cultural landmark that…

Following the U.S. airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto on December 25, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has moved to calm international and domestic markets. In a statement released on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s financial infrastructure remains resilient and that the military action should be viewed as a localized security operation rather than a broader conflict. The Minister’s briefing was designed to clarify the nature of the “joint security operation” and prevent speculative volatility in the country’s debt and equity markets. Resilience Amidst Security Operations Despite the high-profile…

In a period of high economic pressure, the primary concern for Nigerian families is the relentless rise of inflation. Onyekachi Izukanne, CEO of ATE, argues that the solution lies in a fundamental shift from importing finished goods to a localized production model. By moving the value chain into Naira and closer to the consumer, ATE—alongside partners like TradeDepot and TRT Manufacturing—is aiming to insulate the Nigerian economy from global volatility. Decoupling from the Dollar: The Price Stability Strategy Local production is more than just an industrial goal; it is a shield against Foreign Exchange (FX) instability and global shipping disruptions.…

Nigeria’s oil economy is navigating a period of intense volatility as the year 2025 draws to a close. A combination of infrastructure failure and shifting global demand has pushed exports to a monthly low, while the Dangote Refinery has emerged as an unprecedented counterweight, absorbing local crude at record volumes. The Export Crisis: Sabotage and Surplus The backbone of Nigeria’s public finance is under severe strain due to two main factors: The Escravos–Lagos Explosion: A major explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) on December 10, 2025, near Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, forced a significant drop in pressure and the…

In the wake of a devastating fire that razed parts of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House on Lagos Island on Christmas Eve 2025, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has issued a call for an urgent redesign of Nigeria’s market infrastructure. The blaze, which originated on the fourth floor of the 25-storey high-rise on Martins Street, claimed five lives and destroyed goods worth billions of naira, primarily belonging to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) specializing in clothing, shoes, and lifestyle products. The incident has reignited concerns over the recurring nature of fire disasters in Lagos’ commercial hubs…

For Nigerian retailers, peak seasons like “Detty December” bring a surge in business but also a major headache: long queues and failed transactions. Nomba, a leading African digital bank, has moved to solve this by integrating Apple Pay across its platform, becoming the first payments company to enable the service for both in-store and online transactions in Nigeria. The move aims to slash checkout times and open local businesses to a global customer base by removing the friction of manual card entries and failed bank transfers. Faster Checkouts: The End of the POS Queue During high-traffic periods, when the diaspora…

In a week celebrating lifelong impact and commitment to human capital development, renowned technologist and entrepreneur Mr. Tim Akano has been conferred with two prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Awards. The honors, presented by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and his primary school, Baptist Day School, Oluponna, recognize his decade-spanning contributions to education, technology, and community development. These awards highlight Akano’s unique approach to philanthropy, which blends traditional infrastructural support with forward-looking investments in emerging technologies. Empowering the Future of AI at OAU As a member of the class of 1983, Akano’s recognition by OAU reflects his active role in keeping his alma…

As the 2025 festive season reaches its peak, Ecobank Nigeria has assured its millions of customers of uninterrupted access to essential financial services. While physical branches may adjust their hours for public holidays, the bank’s comprehensive suite of digital platforms remains fully operational to handle the surge in holiday transactions. Victor Yalokwu, Head of Products & Analytics at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized that the bank is prioritizing convenience and reliability during this high-spending period, ensuring that both individual and business customers can bank “anytime, anywhere.” A Comprehensive Digital Ecosystem Ecobank has deployed a wide array of “e-channels” to ensure that users…

As Nigeria’s financial landscape shifts, women are moving from the fringes to the center of economic leadership. Leading this charge is FSDH Merchant Bank’s Women in Business Initiative (WIBI), which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Over the past five years, the bank has channeled more than $3.9 million (₦3 billion+) into women-led enterprises, proving that targeted institutional commitment is the key to unlocking the full potential of the female economy. Despite the rise of female entrepreneurs in tech, manufacturing, and the creative sectors, structural barriers—particularly limited access to credit—remain. FSDH’s model addresses this through a “finance plus capability” approach. Breaking…

As we wrap up 2025, the African startup ecosystem continues to demonstrate that the most impactful solutions often come from localizing global trends. From turning plantain waste into logistics solutions to building Liberia’s first super-app, these five companies are redefining their sectors across the continent. 1. BioSPACE GH: Circular Economy in the Poultry Coop Sector: AgriTech/CleanTech | Country: Ghana BioSPACE GH is tackling two problems with one solution: agricultural waste and high livestock production costs. By processing discarded plantain fibers and sawdust, the startup produces eco-friendly egg cartons. Impact: Reduces Ghana’s reliance on Chinese imports while providing poultry farmers with…

As 2025 draws to a close, the Nigerian textile and garment sector finds itself at a critical crossroads. At a high-profile cultural showcase in Abuja themed “Canvas of Culture: Ancestors Are Watching, GLAM Trad,” Nnamdi Daniel, CEO of CNDaniels Couture, issued a passionate plea to the Federal Government for an urgent policy overhaul to protect local artisans from extinction. Despite being a sector with massive job-creation potential, the Nigerian textile industry is currently battling a “triple threat” of rampant smuggling, infrastructural decay, and the westernization of local fashion. The Smuggling Crisis: “Stolen Designs, Inferior Quality” One of the most pressing…

The saga of Obinwanne Okeke, once celebrated as one of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs, reached a new milestone this week. According to records from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Okeke—widely known as Invictus Obi—was released from federal custody on Wednesday, December 23, 2025. His release comes significantly earlier than his original projected date of September 3, 2028. While official reasons for the early release haven’t been detailed, legal experts point to the First Step Act, which allows well-behaved federal prisoners to earn time credits through rehabilitation programs. The Rise and the Phishing Scheme Before his 2019 arrest, Okeke…

On Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, the United States military launched a series of “powerful and deadly” airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in northwestern Nigeria. President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, framing it as a direct response to what he described as the “slaughtering of Christians” by “ISIS terrorist scum.” The strikes, which took place in Sokoto State, represent a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region and follow months of threats from the Trump administration to intervene “guns-a-blazing” if religious violence in Nigeria was not curtailed. Key Details of the Operation According to…

In a strategic move to capture the massive “inbound” value of the Nigerian diaspora, fintech leader Nomba has expanded its payment stack to support Apple Pay across both physical and online storefronts. This integration is particularly timely, arriving as the company targets the “Detty December” season—a peak period when international visitors bring foreign-issued cards and a preference for contactless biometrics to Nigeria. While Apple Pay has seen limited adoption in Nigeria due to regulatory and infrastructure hurdles, Nomba’s merchant-focused approach bypasses these by enabling local businesses to accept payments from global users’ iPhones and Apple Watches. Key Features of the…

Sun King, a global leader in off-grid solar energy, has officially expanded its “Pay-As-You-Go” (PayGo) ecosystem in Nigeria to include smartphones. By leveraging the same flexible payment model that helped millions access solar power, the company aims to dismantle the high upfront cost barrier that prevents many Nigerians from participating in the digital economy. The initiative is now active across all 36 states and the FCT, targeting students, small-scale entrepreneurs, and low-income households who require mobile connectivity for education, work, and financial services. The PayGo Smartphone Model: How It Works The program follows a simple, deposit-based structure designed to fit…

At a high-level fireside chat hosted by the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Club, Nigeria’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and renowned economist Bismarck Rewane converged to outline a roadmap for transforming Nigeria into Africa’s premier manufacturing and services hub. The event, themed “Challenges and Opportunities for Making Nigeria the Leading Manufacturing and Services Hub in Africa,” provided a data-driven look at the 2026 economic landscape and the structural shifts required for long-term industrial sovereignty. The Pillars of Sustainable Industrialization Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, emphasized that Nigeria’s path to becoming a regional powerhouse depends on two critical strategies:…

Nigeria’s procurement landscape in 2025 remains a complex web of informality, structural deficits, and economic volatility. While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds immense promise for regional integration, the practical reality for many Nigerian SMEs is a cycle of delays and unpredictable costs. To transition from a reactive, manual system to a proactive, technology-driven hub, Nigeria must address the critical “trust gaps” and physical infrastructure failures that currently derail procurement cycles. The Informality Trap: Why Data is the New Trust A defining hurdle in Nigerian procurement is the lack of a unified, vetted vendor database. In a market…

In a significant recognition of its rapid expansion and market impact, Rolad Properties & Allied Services Limited has been listed on the prestigious 2025 BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs list. The ranking identifies Nigeria’s most dynamic small and medium enterprises based on metrics including revenue growth, scalability, innovation, and business sustainability. Founded in September 2018 by Dotun Oloyede, the firm has evolved from a startup with a vision for affordable housing into a major player in the real estate sector, operating across multiple states and international borders. A Vision for Structured Property Ownership Rolad Properties was established to solve…