Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Nigerian Breweries Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading brewing companies, has appointed Uzodinma Odenigbo as its new Corporate Affairs Director. Odenigbo takes over from Sade Morgan, who has been promoted to a global role as Heineken’s Corporate Affairs Director for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The announcement was made by the company’s Managing Director, Hans Essaadi, with the appointment officially taking effect on May 1, 2025. Odenigbo’s Journey at Nigerian Breweries Since joining Nigerian Breweries in 2017, Odenigbo has made significant contributions to the company’s public and external affairs strategies. Initially serving as the Public Affairs Manager for the Southern…

In light of ongoing currency volatility in Nigeria and the broader West African region, dollar-based financing is increasingly being deemed unsustainable for startups. This topic dominated discussions at the West African segment of the 21st Annual Africa Venture Capital Association Conference (AVCA) and VC Summit. During these sessions, investors emphasized that the returns on dollar-denominated investments are no longer appealing in today’s unstable market environment. The Need for Naira-Based Investments Gbenga Hassan, managing partner at Argentil Capital Management, argued that investments in naira are essential to maximize returns. Since most local startups generate revenue in naira, Hassan pointed out that…

Guinness Nigeria Plc is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a renewed focus on connection, purpose, and impact, especially in the wake of a recent change in majority shareholding. As the company commemorates this significant milestone, it is embracing greater local agility and innovation, according to Girish Sharma, the Managing Director. A Legacy of Resilience and Celebration Reflecting on Guinness Nigeria’s 75-year history, Sharma emphasized the company’s remarkable evolution since its founding in 1950 and the opening of its first brewery in Lagos in 1962. “Guinness Nigeria has evolved beyond a business—it has become a national treasure,” he said, underscoring how…

It’s often wise to be cautious when politicians make lofty promises, as many of their grand statements have been followed by inaction. As a Nigerian, I’ve learned to take political declarations with a grain of salt. However, something truly remarkable is unfolding in Imo State, located in Nigeria’s Eastern Heartland. During my recent visit to Owerri for the 4th Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit, organized by the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the commitment of Governor Hope Uzodinma to transforming Imo into Nigeria’s digital economy hub. Far from offering empty promises, the governor is…

Nigeria is set to make a powerful impression at the World Gas Conference (WGC) 2025, with a high-level delegation of government officials and industry leaders poised to represent the nation’s gas sector on the global stage. Leading the delegation is Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), who will not only represent Nigeria but also contribute as a distinguished speaker among global energy leaders. The WGC, held every three years, is the largest international gathering of gas experts, investors, and policymakers. Joining Dr. Ekpo are key figures from Nigeria’s energy sector including: Engr Farouk Ahmed, CEO of…

Corporate leaders and financial experts have emphasized that improved corporate governance is key to unlocking capital and boosting investor confidence for Nigerian businesses. This message was at the heart of discussions during the 5th Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC) held recently in Lagos. Speaking on the theme of business financing, Jude Chiemaka, CEO of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), highlighted that many Nigerian companies, especially SMEs, struggle to secure funding due to weak governance structures and informal business operations. “Capital isn’t reserved for just the multinationals,” Chiemaka noted. “We’ve created an SME-focused board on the Exchange, and companies with…

Nigeria and several African nations are missing out on massive investment opportunities due to weak diplomatic engagement, experts have warned at a high-profile roundtable held at the American Corner in the University of Port Harcourt. At the event, held under the theme of “Diplomacy and Corporate Communications,” speakers emphasized that the undervaluing of diplomacy is leading to broken international partnerships, diminished global influence, and investor distrust. “Diplomacy is more than foreign relations — it’s good business,” said John Uche, popularly known as The Social Voice and lead convener of the conference. “Without diplomacy, there’s no peace. Without peace, there’s no…

In a bold step towards reshaping Nigeria’s economic future, the Nigerian Exporters Hub (NEXHUB)—powered by Zeenab Foods Limited—hosted the impactful NEX-GEN Export Summit 2025, a two-day virtual gathering held on April 25–26. The summit united participants from all 36 states of Nigeria and the diaspora, signaling a nationwide movement toward youth inclusion in the global export economy. A Wake-Up Call for Youth Engagement The summit opened with a compelling keynote by Dr. Victor Ayemere Ph.D., Chairman of NEXHUB, who set the tone with the message: the future is not predicted, it’s created. In his session titled “Why This Summit Matters:…

In a historic first for Nigeria, the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc proudly hosted the 2025 African and Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) Conference, bringing together high-level stakeholders to reimagine the future of capital markets across Africa and the Middle East. The two-day conference, themed “Shaping the Future: Financial Market Infrastructures as Catalysts for Transforming Economies,” served as a critical hub for thought leadership, innovation, and strategic discussions on market infrastructure, inclusivity, and economic growth. A Shared Vision for Economic Stability and Growth In a recorded keynote address, Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, emphasized the administration’s commitment…

The United States has shown growing interest in investing in Africa’s most ambitious gas infrastructure project—the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, a 5,660-kilometer mega-pipeline designed to connect West Africa’s natural gas reserves to Europe. This development was disclosed by Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun, during the 2025 Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group held in Washington, D.C. Minister Edun noted that the U.S. expressed its intent during high-level meetings with Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso and officials from the U.S. State Department. “The U.S. sees strong investment potential in Nigeria’s natural gas sector, especially in the Nigeria-Morocco Gas…

Aruwa Capital Management, a female-led investment firm based in Lagos, has secured 90% of its $40 million target for its second investment fund, marking a significant leap toward empowering high-growth businesses in Nigeria and Ghana. The firm is now eyeing a fund upsize to $50 million, with a hard cap of $60 million by year-end. This milestone surpasses the $20 million Aruwa raised for Fund I in 2022, underscoring the growing investor confidence in its unique model—a gender-lens investment strategy focused on essential sectors such as healthcare, energy access, financial services, food, and agribusiness. “Aruwa is not just deploying capital;…

Wakanow Nigeria, a leading travel technology company, reaffirmed its dedication to empowering Nigerians through income-generating opportunities in the travel industry at its Affiliate Forum held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Themed “Sell Travel & Become a Millionaire,” the event was designed to equip aspiring travel entrepreneurs with the tools and training needed to succeed in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital economy. Attendees received hands-on guidance on leveraging Wakanow’s proprietary technology to earn consistent income through travel bookings and services. Empowerment Through Travel In her keynote address, Adenike Macaulay, CEO of Wakanow…

Africa is brimming with creative talent and home to over 100,000 fashion businesses—yet, not a single African fashion brand has reached unicorn status. The problem isn’t the lack of skill or ambition. According to Damilare Atinsola, founder and principal consultant at Dom Mieru, the real challenge is branding. During a recent appearance on Television Continental (TVC) on April 22, Atinsola delivered a bold message: Nigeria’s fashion industry is suffering from a deep-seated branding crisis, and it’s time to take action. “Plagiarism has eaten deep into our culture, and we see the consequences in fashion,” Atinsola stated. “It not only stifles…

The fourth edition of the Yinka Ash Art, Research and Technology Programme (YAART) lit up Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, last week, drawing over 600 students for a transformative blend of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial inspiration. The programme, founded by fashion mogul and philanthropist Yinka Ash, is a flagship initiative designed to empower Africa’s next generation of creators and business leaders. Through YAART, Ash is building bridges for young talents—offering them mentorship, resources, and a stage to shine. Ash, the visionary behind luxury fashion brands Ashluxe and Ashluxury, delivered a stirring keynote where he pulled from his own journey of…

At the World Bank 2025 Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., Solomon Enilolobo, a passionate serial entrepreneur, made a powerful appeal for reduced interest rates to support young Nigerian and African entrepreneurs. During the Access to Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa session, attended by prominent figures such as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Central Bank Governor Mr. Yemi Cardozo, and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Enilolobo highlighted the crippling effect of high interest rates on commercial bank loans. As the Nigeria Coordinator for the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Nigerian Entrepreneurs (CAYE-Africa) and the South West Coordinator for the Alliance…

The Director of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Aremu Kehinde, has called on the 2025 Batch A Stream 1 corps members to focus on becoming job creators and wealth generators as they begin their service year. Speaking through the Benue State Coordinator, Mrs. Veronica Garba, during the opening ceremony of the SAED training on Monday, Kehinde encouraged corps members to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the programme. “As you embark on this journey, I encourage you to make the most of the opportunities provided by the SAED…

Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has introduced a new economic empowerment initiative aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth in Rivers State. The new programme, Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), will provide $1,300 grants to the top 50 participants, aimed at equipping them with the skills needed for success in the business world. The programme was officially launched on Monday in Port Harcourt, with Dr. Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, making the announcement through the Manager of Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle. Horsfall stated that VIBES would replace…

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja has rejected the terms of settlement between Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), while affirming the FCCPC’s N190 million penalty against NBC for misleading packaging on its Coca-Cola products. The Tribunal’s ruling, delivered on Monday, came after NBC appealed the fine imposed by the FCCPC, citing multiple grounds for the request to overturn the penalty. The Tribunal’s three-member panel, led by Thomas Okosun, rejected NBC’s appeal and upheld the fine. Background of the Legal Dispute The FCCPC had accused NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd…

Nigeria’s economic landscape is in a phase of rapid transformation, shaped by inflation, shifting policies, and global uncertainties that are deeply influencing consumer behaviour across the country. In light of these changes, SEID’s Nigerian Consumer Outlook Report (NCOR) 2025 provides valuable insights for brands, investors, and policymakers aiming to navigate the evolving market dynamics. Shifting Consumer Behaviour: A Deeper Look Tubosun Akeju, Managing Partner at SEID, emphasized the significance of the NCOR 2025 as a key tool for decision-makers looking to stay ahead in a complex market:”The Nigerian consumer outlook report 2025 is a blueprint for decision-makers who want to…

Abia State has taken a bold step toward transforming its economy by announcing plans to adopt the Nigeria Start-Up Act, aiming to foster innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and attract investment. This move signals a new chapter in the state’s journey toward becoming a tech and business hub in Nigeria. A Vision for Innovation and Economic Growth The Nigeria Start-Up Act, introduced by the federal government in 2023, provides a robust legal framework to support the growth of start-ups. It offers a suite of incentives—including tax breaks, access to funding, and regulatory ease—for businesses in the tech, creative, and innovation sectors. By…