Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has described Lagos State as the nation’s economic powerhouse and a city that belongs to all Nigerians, rather than one region or ethnic group. Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme, Bwala argued that the concentration of federal projects worth over N3.9 trillion in Lagos over the past two years should not be misinterpreted as bias. Instead, he framed it as strategic investment in the country’s commercial capital. “Lagos is a cosmopolitan hub. It did not even vote for the President in the last election, yet it remains the country’s…

This October, Lagos will host the 2025 edition of The Executive Woman Summit (TEWS), an annual leadership gathering designed to empower women navigating the demands of high-level careers. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, in Victoria Island, the summit will convene top executives, entrepreneurs, and rising leaders from sectors including finance, technology, healthcare, law, and media. The central theme for this year, “Leading from Within: An Authentic Approach to Leadership,” underscores the need for resilience, clarity, and purpose in modern leadership. A Vision Rooted in Experience Convener Bola Matel-Okoh, founder of BMO Advisory Services and the Women’s Lifestyle Hub, said the…

Nigeria is set to spotlight its most promising young innovators with the launch of InnovateNaija, a groundbreaking national competition designed to fuel homegrown creativity in science, engineering, and manufacturing. The initiative will officially debut on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at GITEX Nigeria on the 10x Stage at Landmark Event Center, Lagos, bringing together innovators from across the country for a chance to transform bold ideas into market-ready solutions. Empowering Innovation Across All States With a prize pool of ₦250 million, InnovateNaija is structured to ensure broad participation. The competition invites young Nigerians to showcase their ingenuity through creative video entries,…

When Osazua “Bazu” Bazuaye opened Shakara in the United Kingdom, it wasn’t just about serving food—it was about exporting a culture. For the Nigerian-born investor and hospitality veteran, the restaurant represents the intersection of passion, identity, and global ambition. Bazu’s journey began in Benin City, Edo State, where he was born, later studying Economics at Edo State University before furthering his education in London. Over the past two decades, his footprint stretched from Benin to Abuja, from Lagos to Europe, shaping his career in the food and beverage industry. Now, he is using that experience to position Nigerian dining as…

Earning in dollars has long been a dream for many Nigerians working online, but the hurdles of cross-border finance often turned it into a frustrating ordeal. From limited account options to hidden deductions, the gap between Nigerian workers and the U.S. market remained wide. Now, Boldswitch is stepping in to close that gap with a bold innovation. The fintech has launched a U.S. bank account service built specifically for Nigerians, allowing professionals and businesses to receive payments, transact, and spend internationally without the traditional roadblocks. What Sets It Apart Instead of relying on intermediaries or navigating complicated setups abroad, users…

Across Nigeria, creativity has become more than just cultural expression — it’s an industry rewriting the rules of growth and identity. From music that dominates global charts to films streamed by millions worldwide, Nigerian talent has proven its value. Yet at home, the infrastructure, financing, and policies required to scale this success remain underdeveloped. Stakeholders agree: if Nigeria is to achieve its ambition of turning the creative economy into a $100 billion contributor to GDP by 2030, financing models must evolve and the entrepreneurial mindset must shift. Why Financing Matters More Than Ever Traditional lenders often view creative ventures as…

Running a small business in Nigeria has long felt like climbing a steep hill with weights tied to your feet. Multiple levies, confusing tax demands, and inconsistent enforcement have pushed many entrepreneurs into informality, where growth is stifled, and survival is the only goal. This June, however, the federal government unveiled sweeping tax reforms it claims will lighten the load. Instead of focusing on extracting more from already strained enterprises, the new system attempts to remove hurdles and create breathing space for small firms. A System Reset At the heart of the reform is a package of laws that replaces…

Nigeria’s fight against poverty may find an unlikely ally in artificial intelligence. At a recent public forum in Abuja, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders argued that if applied strategically, AI could become one of the country’s most powerful tools for achieving the United Nations’ goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms. Speakers at the 4th Gilbert Onyemaelu Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) Lecture, hosted by the AEO Foundation, urged leaders to stop treating AI as a buzzword and begin embedding it into sectors where it can change lives. Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, called for practical deployment…

Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its drive to boost business growth and attract investment. For startups, early-stage funding is often the difference between struggling to survive and scaling to success. While commercial banks demand hefty collateral and venture capital typically enters at later stages, angel investors are stepping in to bridge this critical funding gap. What Is Angel Investing?Angel financing, or angel investing, involves wealthy individuals providing early-stage capital to startups, usually in exchange for equity or convertible debt. Unlike venture capitalists, angels invest their personal funds and frequently bring mentorship, guidance, and valuable networks along with money.…

On August 2, 2025, entrepreneur and Director of The HOW Foundation, Tochi Wigwe, hosted the grand finale of the Town Hall Series under the TW Entrepreneurship 2030 Agenda (#TWEAGENDA) — a five-year initiative aiming to empower over 5,000 micro and small business owners in Nigeria with practical, innovative, and non-financial growth solutions. Originally designed for 100 MSME founders per session, the finale exceeded expectations with 150 participants joining the discussion. The sessions drew from over 4,000 applications, with 350 entrepreneurs carefully selected to represent sectors including beauty, creative arts, agriculture, fashion, and hospitality. These town halls created a platform for…

The government’s strategy for artificial intelligence (AI) emphasizes data classification, determining what must remain within the country and what can be safely hosted on public cloud platforms. National AI InitiativesKachifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, highlighted that Nigeria has developed the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Standard for AI Adoption, while also testing an Ethical Standard for AI Deployment. He noted that the forthcoming Online Harm Protection Bill will align regulations for both online and offline spaces, ensuring a harmonized legal framework. Abdullahi stressed that AI systems must be retrained to reflect Nigeria’s cultural, societal, and economic realities. Without…

Nigeria’s business environment showed slight improvement in August 2025, even as longstanding structural hurdles continue to constrain growth, according to the NESG-Stanbic IBTC Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) report titled “Mixed Signals: Strong Sectoral Growth Versus Structural Hurdles.” The report shows the Current Business Performance Index rising to 107.3 points, up 1.9 points from July, signaling modest optimism among firms. The growth was largely driven by technology, finance, manufacturing, energy, and logistics, underpinned by targeted investments and ongoing reforms. Sectoral Performance Highlights Trade led the rebound, climbing to 114.1 points, bouncing back from July’s decline. Manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors recorded 106.2…

In a major fiscal development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that the Federal Government has stopped borrowing from local banks, following a breakthrough in non-oil revenue generation. The announcement came during a meeting with members of the Buhari Organisation, led by former Nasarawa State Governor Senator Tanko Al-Makura, at the Presidential Villa. “By August, we had already met our annual revenue targets. Non-oil revenue is performing strongly, and this allows Nigeria to operate without drawing from domestic banks,” Tinubu stated. He added that a stronger non-oil economy shields the country from external uncertainties, noting, “If non-oil revenue is healthy, global…

African businesses are grappling with technology expenses significantly higher than the global norm, with costs reportedly up to 35% above international averages, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has revealed. Speaking at GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos, Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, stressed that the continent’s digital potential remains underutilized. While most firms have access to mobile networks and the internet, adoption of advanced digital tools is limited by inadequate infrastructure, skill gaps, and funding constraints. IFC research highlights a striking opportunity: over 600,000 formal enterprises and 40 million micro-businesses stand to benefit from…

The ninth edition of the Ikoyi Baptist Church Business and Career Fair, held on August 30–31, 2025, attracted thousands of participants from across Lagos and beyond, solidifying its reputation as a premier platform for professional growth and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Originally a local initiative, the fair has evolved into a national hub where faith intersects with career development, offering opportunities in a country where formal professional pathways remain limited. This year’s theme, “Maximise Your Ground”, drawn from Luke 12:16, encouraged attendees to leverage their God-given talents, skills, and resources to achieve their full potential. Workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions catered…

When Emmanuel Onah reflects on his childhood in Kaduna, Nigeria, he remembers elders gathering under the shade of baobab trees to share wisdom, tell stories, and settle disputes. Decades later and thousands of kilometres away, that same spirit of knowledge-sharing is being revived in Edmonton through the launch of the Timbuktu Innovation Hub. The centre officially opened on Alberta Avenue with a vibrant ribbon-cutting ceremony filled with African dance, drumming, fashion, and food. The hub, an initiative of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council (ACCEC), will provide space for programs focused on business growth, youth empowerment, civic engagement, access to…

The Plateau State Government is stepping up efforts to combat unemployment by proposing a supplementary budget of ₦2 billion to expand its flagship Plateau Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (PLAYESA) for Wealth initiative. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Achom, announced the plan during the launch of a new training cycle at the National Youth Centre, Shere Hills, Jos. The programme, delivered in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is equipping young people with practical skills in ICT, fashion design, and leatherworks. Achom explained that once the budget is approved by the State House of Assembly,…

Nigeria’s cocoa industry will take center stage this September when Homto Dokpesi, a leading entrepreneur and exporter, represents the country at the International Africa Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, Algeria. Backed by full sponsorship from the Lagos State Government, Dokpesi will present an impressive range of cocoa-based products—spanning beans, roasted nibs, cocoa butter, cake, and powder—to a global audience of more than 35,000 buyers. Her participation signals a growing push to reposition Nigeria as a global player in agricultural exports. Beyond showcasing products, Dokpesi will join Afreximbank’s industry-focused events, where she will engage with experts and explore opportunities in…

Enugu State has earned glowing reviews from participants of the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference, with many lawyers describing the city as one of the cleanest and safest in Nigeria. During their stay from August 22–29, delegates toured major attractions such as the Art Gallery, National Museum, Milliken Hill, and Ngwo Pine Forest, praising the state’s hospitality, infrastructure, and serene environment. For Stephen Medaiyedu of the Abuja Bar, the state’s transformation under Governor Peter Mbah was particularly striking. He noted that within just two years, the administration had delivered significant infrastructure, while successfully relocating and hosting…

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the spotlight will turn to Lagos as the first Rural Connectivity Summit (RuralConnect Summit) takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Organised by Business Metrics Limited, the summit carries the theme “Rethinking Digital Connectivity to Unlock Rural Economic Potential” and will convene a cross-section of stakeholders—telecom operators, regulators, policymakers, tech companies, financial institutions, donor agencies, civil society groups, and grassroots representatives. At the heart of discussions are the urgent challenges and opportunities in extending digital access to Nigeria’s rural majority, focusing on themes such as: Innovative infrastructure rollout Policy reforms and financing models Digital literacy…