Author: Gift Ifeanyi

In a bid to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth, Junior Achievement Africa (JA Africa) and Boeing have unveiled two transformative programs in Nigeria and Togo aimed at equipping young people with critical skills for the future. These programs will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and entrepreneurship, providing youth with the tools to thrive in these fast-growing sectors. Empowering Girls in Nigeria through ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’ In Nigeria, the newly launched ‘Girls STEMpreneurship’ program will welcome 500 secondary school girls, who will gain hands-on experience in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The top-performing…

In a significant step toward empowering Nigerian youth and enhancing access to both local and global opportunities, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a partnership with Google. This groundbreaking initiative aims to drive digital transformation across the nation and equip young Nigerians with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the modern economy. Collaboration Announcement The news was revealed by Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, during a meeting with a delegation from Google, led by Tanya Singh, the Head of Value Education. The meeting took place at the Minister’s office in Abuja, the capital city.…

GroundZero, the thrilling new reality show, has just wrapped up its first season, offering viewers more than just entertainment—it’s an exploration into the essential traits that drive entrepreneurial success. The show promises a grand prize of N1 million to the contestant who demonstrates the most creativity, resilience, and adaptability in navigating the challenges of a real-world business environment. The organizer, Emmanuel Agbaeze, CEO of 36Media, revealed that the show was designed to provide contestants with invaluable business lessons. He emphasized how the competition highlighted real-world entrepreneurial insights, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s dynamic and often challenging business landscape. A…

Dr. Tope Mark-Odigie, a leading advocate for financial literacy and the founder of REB360, is set to make a profound impact with the Game of Money 2.0 Conference scheduled for May 10, 2025. Taking place at the Kingsway International Christian Centre in Maryland, Lagos, the event is set to attract over 2,500 participants from across Nigeria. With the conference kicking off at 8 a.m., attendees are eager to gain the financial knowledge necessary to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable economy. As inflation rises and financial insecurity looms, the Game of Money 2.0 Conference couldn’t come at a more critical…

The Lagos State Government has partnered with Bank of Industry and Sterling Bank to launch a new financial initiative aimed at empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative, named LASMECO, will offer affordable loans with an interest rate as low as 9%, designed to foster economic growth, job creation, and support for small businesses across key sectors. Empowering MSMEs with Affordable Loans Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially unveiled the LASMECO programme during an event organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment. Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in boosting economic…

Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has raised an urgent concern regarding the increasing presence of counterfeit and substandard goods entering Nigerian markets. These products, including tyres, spark plugs, and electric lines, are being imported by economic saboteurs, posing significant risks to public safety and national economic stability. Counterfeit Goods Flooding the Nigerian Market Speaking on the growing issue, Okeke pointed out that despite SON’s ongoing efforts to curb the importation of inferior goods, items worth billions of naira continue to infiltrate the market. These goods, which fail to meet safety standards,…

“The next wave of global prosperity is rising from Africa. The seeds of tomorrow’s billion-dollar enterprises are already in the soil — come grow with us.” Around the globe — in tech boardrooms, policy roundtables, and innovation labs — one truth stands firm: entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of modern economic progress. From the tech corridors of Silicon Valley to the vibrant streets of Lagos, it is entrepreneurial energy that transforms lives, revitalizes economies, and shapes national destinies. While the usual global innovation hotspots still make headlines, a new epicenter is emerging: Africa. And at the forefront of this evolution is…

What once promised to revitalize Nigeria’s oil sector has now unraveled into a scandal of staggering proportions. A multibillion-dollar project to rehabilitate the country’s refineries has triggered outrage, arrests, and a ban on international travel for several top officials. The Nigerian Immigration Service has reportedly seized the passports of officials linked to the alleged misappropriation of $2.96 billion allocated for overhauling Nigeria’s long-dormant refineries. The travel restrictions were enforced following a directive to flag at least 16 individuals, preventing them from leaving the country amid an ongoing investigation. “We were given names and told to restrict their movement,” a source…

In a major infrastructure push, the Nigerian government has approved a $652 million financing agreement with China Exim Bank to construct a strategic roadway linking key industrial hubs in Lagos to several southern states. The approval, granted by the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, was announced by Minister of Works, David Umahi. The project is set to create a vital transport corridor that will connect the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery—Africa’s largest refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day—and its neighboring fertilizer plant to economic centers across more than a…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has been celebrated with the 2025 Best Governor Award for Enterprise and Investment Promotion at the 5th edition of the SME Business Awards, recognizing his impactful role in supporting business development and entrepreneurship in the state. The award, presented during a ceremony in Lagos organized by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), acknowledged Abiodun’s administration for actively championing economic inclusion and enabling the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). During the event, Ogun State’s Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency (OgunInvest) was recognized as the Most Dynamic State Investment Promotion…

Nigeria has fully repaid the $3.4 billion loan it received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, with the final principal payment concluded on April 30, 2025, according to The PUNCH. The loan, granted on April 30, 2020, under the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument, was part of an emergency measure designed to support Nigeria’s economy during the global pandemic. It was intended to cushion the country against challenges such as declining oil revenues, economic recession, and mounting fiscal pressure. Although the main debt amount has now been cleared, The PUNCH’s review of IMF data…

A new wave of positive change is sweeping through Nigeria as thousands of young people commit to principles of ethical leadership through an inspiring educational initiative. The Ethical Living Project, spearheaded by the Africa Capital Alliance Foundation in collaboration with Enactus Nigeria, has impacted over 2,000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State. The second edition of the project concluded with an exciting finale that featured a competitive essay contest. Leading the winners was Samuel Opadotun from Ebute Elefun Senior High School, followed by Ruben Oshisanya of Baptist Academy and Anuoluwapo Akeni from Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School,…

ExxonMobil is preparing to invest $1.5 billion to enhance its offshore oil production in Nigeria, according to the nation’s petroleum regulatory authority. The investment, scheduled to take place between the second quarter of 2025 and 2027, will be directed toward the rejuvenation of the Usan oilfield. This field lies within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 138, situated roughly 70 kilometers off the coast of the eastern Niger Delta. Originally discovered in 2002 and approved for development in 2008, the Usan deepwater field began operations in 2012. It features about 34 subsea wells used for both production and injection, which are linked…

As part of a broader push to reshape its economy and support environmentally friendly initiatives, Nigeria is set to raise $186 million through green bond issuances before the year ends, according to Environment Minister Balarabe Abbas Lawal. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Lawal revealed that a 50 billion-naira ($31 million) green bond will be offered in the coming two weeks, with a second tranche worth 250 billion naira scheduled for October. Lawal expressed confidence in the outcome, saying, “We’re working closely with partners including the European Union, the World Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and the Debt Management…

Once a promising vehicle for economic development in Nigeria’s capital, the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) had long been forgotten—dormant, underutilized, and widely regarded as a missed opportunity. But in the last year, a combination of political will and strategic leadership has begun to breathe new life into the institution, positioning it at the center of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Formed in 1994 under the regime of General Sani Abacha, the AICL was originally designed to steer economic progress in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It operates across various sectors, with functions including business incubation, infrastructure development, and…

The Open, Distance and e-Learning Association of Nigeria (ODeLAN), in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is preparing to host the third edition of its international conference in Abuja. According to a press release issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, the event is scheduled to take place from May 14 to 16, 2025, at the NOUN Conference Centre in Jabi, Abuja. This year’s conference will revolve around the theme “Adaptive Pedagogies for the Future of Education: Connecting Learners, Technologies and Communities.” Mafiana explained that the event will provide a…

In a push to drive inclusive economic development, DO Take Action—a nonprofit initiative aimed at mobilizing over a billion Africans for transformative change—is joining forces with the World Bank to host its first-ever Women Conference 2025 in Abuja. The event, set for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, carries the theme “Scaling Up Impact: Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Affirmative Procurement.” It will serve as a rallying point for a 30% procurement quota to be allocated to businesses owned or led by women across Nigeria. Expected to draw more than 700 attendees—including women entrepreneurs, procurement experts, development agencies, and civil society leaders—the conference…

More than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across Nigeria are expected to gather in Abuja for the 2025 Convergence Africa Conference, an initiative aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and reshaping business thinking in the country. Organized by Portal Limited, a non-governmental organization, the conference is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025, and will bring together key players in the hospitality, food, fashion, and fitness sectors for an immersive and transformative business experience. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Patience Olusuyi, CEO of Portal Limited, highlighted the importance of SMEs forging sustainable partnerships with multinational corporations to strengthen their…

The 2025 Enugu Tech Festival, organized by the Enugu State Government, kicked off on Wednesday, marking what is being hailed as the largest technology conference ever held in Nigeria. In his opening remarks, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, described the festival as a pivotal moment for the nation’s digital economy. He highlighted that the event, which attracted thousands of youth from across Nigeria, is a major step forward in Nigeria’s goal to build a thriving digital ecosystem. Tijani commended Enugu State, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, for its progress, noting that the…

The OKOBI Students Club is an innovative initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical entrepreneurship for students in Imo State. This forward-thinking program serves as a dynamic training hub where students can develop essential entrepreneurial skills alongside their academic pursuits. By empowering students with the tools and support they need, OKOBI encourages the creation of student-run group business ventures that focus on sustainable economic growth. Despite Imo State having the highest literacy rates in Nigeria, with an impressive 96.43% literacy rate overall and 83.5% for women, the state faces a significant employment challenge. In 2020, it…