Author: Gift Ifeanyi

BELEM, Brazil – Nigeria is formally presenting its national climate strategy as a compelling portfolio of bankable projects and partnerships for global investors at the COP 30 summit. The announcement, framed as a strategic market opportunity, was confirmed by the country’s National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The nation’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, is slated to unveil a detailed roadmap designed to convert Nigeria’s ambitious climate pledges into tangible, investable ventures. This move signals a deliberate shift from policy declaration to economic invitation. Tenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the NCCC, underscored the calculated timing of this push. He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic advantage as…

A pivotal gathering of Nollywood’s most influential figures is set to challenge the industry’s fundamental metrics for success. The upcoming 5th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulatory Conference (PAO NDCRC), organized by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), will serve as a strategic workshop aimed at moving the industry “From Volume to Value.” Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the NFVCB’s Chief Executive, framed the conference not just as a discussion, but as a necessary intervention. He revealed that the two-day event in Lagos will assemble a coalition of filmmakers, tech innovators, investors, and regulators to architect a unified future for…

The 43rd Annual Conference of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria (HORTSON), hosted at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has concluded with a powerful, unified directive: to transform horticulture from an academic discipline into Nigeria’s next major engine for youth-driven wealth and economic resilience. Under the theme “Roles of Horticulture in Wealth Creation and Improved Livelihood in a Sustainable Economy,” the gathering served as a strategic workshop, moving decisively from discussion to implementation. Setting the tone, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Abayomi Fasina, delivered a stark and motivating reality check. “The era of waiting for blue-collar jobs is over,” he…

At the 24th Annual WIMBIZ Conference, a powerful consensus emerged: Nigeria’s path to economic salvation is inextricably linked to the full integration of women into its leadership fabric. The event, a gathering of the nation’s most influential female leaders, framed the issue not as a social cause, but as a strategic economic necessity. Keynote speaker Ms. Arunma Oteh, a global financial leader, set a tone of urgent pragmatism. She challenged the nation to take ownership of its future, stating that achieving this requires a fundamental shift in who is “in the room.” For Nigeria to meet its imperative of sustained…

At the 2025 Lagos Mainland Regional conference, Business Network International (BNI) moved beyond simple networking tips, framing its core philosophy as a critical business defense strategy for navigating economic volatility. Under the theme “Elevate and Expand,” the event equipped entrepreneurs with a mindset to thrive in uncertainty. The keynote address by Dr. Niyi Adesanya, a foremost performance strategist, introduced the “Business Ambidextrous Strategy.” He taught members to balance exploiting current opportunities while exploring new ones, a vital skill in a fluctuating economy. Central to this, he explained, are the “Three Rs”: Resources, Readiness, and Reputation. “Of these, reputation carries the…

At the “Best of Nigeria Expo and Invest Nigeria Conference 2025” in London, the message to the global investment community was unequivocal: the new frontier for smart growth has a name, and it is Nigeria. The event, held at the Connaught Rooms, became a platform for a direct appeal to the expertise and capital of the Nigerian diaspora. Representing the Acting High Commissioner, Mohammad Maidugu, official Saidu Barda issued a strategic call to action, urging Nigerian professionals and entrepreneurs abroad to pivot their resources homeward. “I encourage you to bring home your knowledge, networks, capital, and innovation,” the High Commission’s…

Speaking at a high-level EU-Africa dialogue in the United Kingdom, Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, presented Nigeria as a recalibrated and strategic investment destination, asserting that the nation’s era of profound economic reform is yielding tangible results. Addressing an audience of scholars, diplomats, and private investors at Oxford University, Senator Musa made a compelling case for a fundamental shift in how global partners engage with Africa’s largest economy. He urged a move away from aid and towards equity, and from external prescriptions to bankable local partnerships. “Africa constitutes 17 percent of the world’s population but…

At the Oxford Africa Governance Forum, Nigeria’s Senate Finance Chairman, Senator Sani Musa, presented a data-backed argument to international investors, framing the country not as a risk to be managed, but as the pivotal solution to Africa’s chronic investment gap. Speaking at the EU-Africa Dialogue on Financing, Senator Musa challenged the prevailing narrative, urging a strategic pivot from aid and debt to equity and partnership. He highlighted the stark disparity between Africa’s 17% share of the global population and its meager sub-6% receipt of global capital flows, declaring, “That must change.” The senator positioned Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms under President…

In a comprehensive media briefing, Nigerian Breweries Plc. has detailed a multi-faceted sustainability strategy, revealing a foundational investment of over NGN2.5 billion (US$1.7 million) in renewable energy to power its journey toward net-zero operations. The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Uzodinma Odenigbo, outlined a strategy that seamlessly integrates environmental stewardship with community resilience. He stated that significant capital has been deployed for a transition to renewable solutions, including biomass, solar, and energy-efficiency projects, supported by power purchase agreements with specialized green energy firms. “This transition is a core part of our operational evolution,” Odenigbo explained, highlighting that the environmental commitment extends…

FBN Holdings Plc has demonstrated robust underlying operational strength, with gross earnings surging 17.1% to ₦2.63 trillion, even as its latest unaudited results reveal a strategic period of balance sheet fortification that impacted short-term profits. The group, parent to FirstBank of Nigeria, showcased a powerful core revenue engine. Interest income grew by a remarkable 40.4% to ₦2.29 trillion, while fee and commission income also saw significant growth. In a notable turnaround, the group recorded a net foreign exchange gain of ₦71.9 billion, a stark reversal from the substantial loss of ₦226.7 billion in the previous year. The reported dip in…

In a powerful convergence of finance and creativity, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc recently hosted an assembly of Africa’s leading digital pioneers for a critical conversation on building lasting influence in the online economy. The latest edition of the UBA Business Series, themed “Content that Converts,” moved beyond surface-level marketing tactics to explore the core principles of sustainable digital entrepreneurship. Held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in Lagos, the event served as a masterclass in strategic brand building, gathering a diverse panel of creators from Nigeria and Kenya to dissect the anatomy of a resilient online career. The Cornerstones…

In a continent pulsating with technological potential, a quiet revolution is taking root. The TechMinds Girls Empowerment Foundation (TMG Empower), in just one year, has emerged as a critical architect of a more inclusive digital future for Africa. By targeting the most potent, yet often overlooked, resource—the minds of young women—the foundation is systematically dismantling the barriers that have kept girls on the sidelines of innovation. Founded in 2024, TMG Empower has already equipped hundreds of girls across Nigeria and the continent with more than just coding skills; it has armed them with a radical new belief in their own…

A new call is out for innovators who build with purpose. “Take the Risk,” the entrepreneurial fellowship founded by Akinyemi Akinro (Loverboyakin), has officially opened applications for its second cohort, aiming to identify and equip a new wave of founders dedicated to solving pressing economic and social challenges. This initiative is more than a competition; it is an ecosystem builder. Following a highly successful first edition that supported over 1,100 entrepreneurs and deployed $325,000 in direct funding, the fellowship is doubling down on its mission to transform ambitious ideas into scalable, impact-driven enterprises. A Conduit for Capital and Confidence The…

Lagos recently became the epicenter of a culinary digital revolution. The MAGGI Creators Conference, held on November 1-2, 2025, transformed the Landmark Event Centre into a dynamic hub where hundreds of West and Central Africa’s most influential food creators, storytellers, and entrepreneurs converged. The event signaled a pivotal moment: the recognition of food content not as a niche interest, but as a powerful economic and cultural force shaping Africa’s digital identity. Underpinning the vibrant panels and workshops was a clear strategic vision from the organizers. Funmi Osineye, Category Marketing Manager for Culinary at Nestlé Nigeria, framed the “MAGGIVerse” as more…

Move over, Nollywood. A new wave of digital storytellers is commanding the global stage, one short, hilarious video at a time. From the pockets of millions of Nigerians wielding smartphones, a revolution is being broadcast. This is the world of the “skitpreneur”—a generation of young comedians who have turned social media platforms into a powerful economic engine and a vibrant cultural export. This isn’t just about getting laughs; it’s a masterclass in digital ingenuity. Faced with economic hurdles and a massive youth population, Nigerian creators have built a thriving industry from the ground up. They’ve leveraged platforms like TikTok, Instagram,…

In a move that signals a profound shift in economic strategy, the Nigerian government has officially entered the venture capital arena. Its inaugural investment, channeled through the ambitious iDICE programme, has landed with Lagos-based Ventures Platform—a firm that has just secured $64 million for its second fund. This is more than a financial transaction; it’s a powerful statement of intent. For a nation that is already the continent’s undisputed leader in spawning billion-dollar “unicorn” startups, this move represents a critical evolution: from a government that regulates to one that actively co-invests in its own innovative future. Beyond Oil: Building an…

Calling all Nigerian innovators with a vision to build, grow, and impact. A powerful opportunity to transform your business idea into a sustainable, thriving venture has arrived with the launch of the Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme (Cohort 14). This isn’t just another business course. It’s a comprehensive launchpad, meticulously designed for young Nigerian founders determined to be the next drivers of the nation’s economy. If you are building a solution in a key sector like agritech, sustainable fashion, health innovation, or advanced manufacturing, this programme provides the tangible tools, network, and knowledge to accelerate your journey from concept to…

A quiet revolution is being seeded within Nigeria’s educational landscape, and its architects believe the most crucial agents of change are not policymakers or tech giants, but classroom teachers. In a strategic move to reshape the country’s economic future, Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is mobilizing a national coalition with a clear objective: to fundamentally reposition educators as the primary catalysts for entrepreneurship. Dubbed the SET4LYF National Convening, the initiative—which stands for School-to-Work Educational Transitions for Long-Term Youth Fulfilment—is more than a conference. It is the cornerstone of a long-term advocacy campaign designed to embed an entrepreneurial mindset into the very fabric…

Every great movement begins with a personal story of overcoming. For Louis Awode, that story started in the overcrowded, under-resourced classrooms of Ogbere, a small community in Ogun State. It was here, sitting on broken desks with outdated textbooks, that he first understood the stark reality of “opportunity bankruptcy”—a challenge that would later become the catalyst for a nationwide mission of empowerment. Today, as the founder of the Louis Awode Foundation (LAF), he is systematically dismantling the very barriers that once confined him. His journey is not just one of personal success, but a blueprint for turning adversity into agency.…

In a strategic move to fortify regional economies from the ground up, the Ecobank Group and Proparco have inked a new €10 million trade finance guarantee. This agreement, finalized at the Africa Financial Industry Summit, does more than just inject capital; it strategically expands a proven financial pipeline to include Chad, directly targeting the bottlenecks that stifle small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This latest facility is a key piece of a much larger puzzle. It represents the continued evolution of the Ecobank-Proparco Trade Finance Programme, a partnership that has now channeled €125 million in guarantees since 2018 toward a single…