Author: Gift Ifeanyi

For many Nigerians, the ability to go about daily life with peace of mind depends on one crucial factor—security. Meeting that need has become the life’s work of Dayo Washington, an entrepreneur who has built a fast-growing security enterprise that now operates successfully on two continents. Washington’s journey into business was inspired by lessons learned in childhood. In 1993, as a three-year-old, he watched his father launch a starch venture that eventually collapsed, alongside other entrepreneurial efforts that failed to stand the test of time. Those experiences left a lasting impression. “It taught me that success is not just about…

Abuja, Nigeria – Beyond the frontlines where soldiers defend the nation, their wives are increasingly being recognised as crucial players in building resilient families and communities. This recognition came into sharp focus at a personal development programme organised by the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) for members of the Defence Non-Commissioned Officers’ Wives Association (DENCOWA) in Abuja. Speaking at the event, Mrs. Oghogho Musa, President of DEPOWA, described the wives of military personnel as “the silent backbone of national security,” stressing that their ability to balance parenting, entrepreneurship, and personal wellness has a direct impact on both the…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often described as the beating heart of Nigeria’s economy. They employ millions, power innovation, and keep local markets alive. Yet, despite their importance, most Nigerian SMEs face an uphill climb—limited access to funding, inefficient operations, and unstable government policies frequently stall their growth. In the midst of these challenges, Nigerian business strategist Oluwatosin Alabi has emerged as a trailblazer. Known for his expertise in business operations and supply chain management, Alabi has developed frameworks that are giving entrepreneurs the tools to scale their ventures sustainably in today’s competitive market. Making Big-Business Strategies Accessible to…

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, West Africa’s oldest financial institution and a pioneer in digital inclusion, has rolled out its newest innovation — the FirstMonie Merchant Solution. Designed for businesses of every size, the platform provides a seamless, secure, and scalable way to accept digital payments while boosting operational efficiency for merchants across Nigeria. The unveiling marks another milestone in FirstBank’s long-standing mission to simplify financial access, broaden inclusion, and support enterprise growth across Africa. Transforming the Merchant Experience The FirstMonie Merchant Solution offers a comprehensive suite of tools that redefine the digital payment landscape. Businesses can now enjoy: Automated and…

Unemployment and underemployment remain two of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges, particularly for its rapidly growing youth population. While thousands graduate from universities each year, many find themselves unprepared for the realities of today’s job market. But one company, Tripoint Travels, is stepping forward with a bold experiment designed to change that narrative. The organisation has launched the Tripoint Academy Internship Programme, a six-month initiative that equips young Nigerians with practical skills, workplace exposure, and personal development training. The first cohort of the programme recently graduated in Lagos, marking a small but significant milestone. Out of the seven participants, three have…

Cape Coast played host last week to an extraordinary convergence of female leaders at the Women Allying Women (WAW) Conference, an annual forum founded by Her Royal Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Nigeria. The 2025 edition carried the theme: “Collective Power, Lasting Impact: Women Leading Ghana’s Sustainable Transformation.” Among the distinguished voices was Her Majesty Queen Wa Arian Simone—entrepreneur, philanthropist, CEO of the Fearless Fund, and founder of Fearless Freedom. She joined an influential panel titled “From the Crown to the Boardroom: Transgenerational Wisdom for Ghana’s Transformation.” The session explored how cultural traditions, governance principles,…

Nigeria’s economy has officially crossed the trillion-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) mark, but experts warn that the milestone is only the beginning. To truly unlock its potential, the country must embrace bold, research-driven reforms. This was the central message from Afrinvest, a leading investment banking group, at its 30th anniversary celebration and the unveiling of the 20th edition of its flagship Banking Sector Report (BSR) in Lagos. Themed “ACT-BOLD: Beyond a Trillion-Dollar Economy,” the report identifies seven key sectors—agriculture, creative industries and tourism, technology, banking and finance, oil and gas, logistics, and domestic manufacturing—as catalysts capable of propelling Nigeria toward…

President Bola Tinubu has instructed Nigeria’s financial and capital market regulators to intensify surveillance of the growing use of digital currencies and stablecoins, warning that their rapid adoption could undermine traditional banking systems if left unchecked. Delivering his message at the 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja on Tuesday, the President—represented by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun—highlighted how the global financial landscape is being reshaped by technology. “We are witnessing a digital revolution. Increasingly, citizens no longer depend on banks for payments; instead, they…

In Nigeria, the life of an entrepreneur is often a paradox—overflowing with opportunity yet plagued by systemic hurdles. This contradiction is playing out in the case of Sijibomi Ogundele, widely known as Sujimoto, founder and CEO of Sujimoto Group. Celebrated for reshaping luxury real estate in Lagos, Sujimoto is now at the center of controversy over a ₦5.7 billion contract in Enugu State. Critics accuse him of failing to deliver, but supporters argue that he is being unfairly vilified in a system that punishes ambition more than it supports it. From Tall Towers to Schools Originally, the contract was meant…

Two global leaders from very different worlds—African business mogul Tony Elumelu and American cleric Cardinal Timothy Dolan—will share the spotlight at the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s 60th Annual Gala on September 29, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The foundation announced the dual recognition on September 4, noting that the award celebrates leaders who embody moral courage, ethical leadership, and interfaith cooperation. Since its creation in 1965, the honor has gone to prominent figures who reinforce the belief that “a crime committed in the name of religion is the gravest offense against religion itself.” Elumelu: Driving Africa’s…

Nigeria’s women entrepreneurs are set to take center stage globally as the Aurora Tech Award, in partnership with The Nest Innovation Technology Park, introduces the Foundry for HER Bootcamp—a three-day virtual accelerator designed for women-led, early-stage tech startups. The program goes beyond mentorship; it’s a deliberate effort to close long-standing gaps in funding, visibility, and access to international networks that have historically limited women in technology. By preparing participants for the Aurora Tech Award Open Call 2026, the bootcamp positions Nigerian founders to not only compete but also lead on the global innovation stage. “Nigeria has already proven itself, producing…

Kayode Odukoya, CEO of First Nation Airways, has called out the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for failing to update its official website with his acquittal, nearly two years after the court cleared him of fraud, forgery, and theft charges. In December 2023, the Special Offences Court in Lagos dismissed all charges against Odukoya, ruling that the EFCC’s case “collapsed like a pack of cards” due to unreliable and inadmissible evidence. The judgment was seen as a decisive vindication for the airline chief after a lengthy legal battle. Yet, according to Odukoya, the EFCC’s continued failure to reflect the…

The recently concluded Lagos Mainland Trade Fair has positioned export readiness at the heart of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial growth, training over 100 vendors on how to take their businesses beyond local borders. The two-day event, held on September 6 and 7, went beyond exhibitions. It served as a training ground where Senior Trade Officers Nancy Okpa and Olamide Olatunde of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) guided entrepreneurs through international trade procedures, compliance requirements, and the critical steps to successful exportation. Curated by Monalisa Abimbola Aze, lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Mona Matthews, the fair was designed to empower local businesses with…

The inaugural Lagos Business Owners Seminar 0.1, spearheaded by Dr. Chichi Nwajei, has set a new tone for how young entrepreneurs connect, learn, and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. Far from being just another business event, the seminar became a hub of collaboration, where emerging entrepreneurs rubbed shoulders with seasoned professionals, exchanging insights that blended business strategy, personal growth, and financial wisdom. Building a Community of Entrepreneurs Dr. Nwajei’s vision was clear—create a platform where business owners could share knowledge, build networks, and spark partnerships that outlive the seminar. Participants walked away not only with lessons but with new alliances,…

Global recognition has once again turned toward Nigeria’s creative scene as Yinka Ash, Founder & CEO of Ashcorp Group, secures a spot on the prestigious Vogue Business 100 Innovators list for 2025. The annual list celebrates entrepreneurs, leaders, and disruptors who are reshaping the worlds of fashion, beauty, and luxury. Ash joins a select group of visionaries, including Nina Briance of Cult Mia, Jess Hunt and Jenna Meek of Refy, Johan Bello of UNCUT, and Caio Amato of Oakley. Redefining African Luxury Yinka Ash’s recognition comes through his groundbreaking work with Ashluxe and Ashluxury, two brands that have not only…

In Abeokuta this week, a powerful narrative emerged: Nigerian women are no longer waiting on the sidelines of national development—they are being positioned as its architects. During a visit to the Safe Centre and Women Development Centre, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that women hold the key to Nigeria’s transformation. But the spotlight wasn’t just on lofty economic targets—it was on women as builders, creators, and protectors of the nation’s future. Healing and Empowerment Under One Roof At the heart of her visit were the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), designed not only to treat survivors of…

Africa’s bustling street markets and neighborhood kiosks have long been the lifeblood of trade, yet they’ve often been excluded from modern supply chains. Now, a new wave of startups is bringing digital efficiency to this vast informal economy—transforming how goods move from factory floors to roadside stalls. In Nigeria, companies like OmniRetail and TradeDepot are redefining the business of retail. By linking manufacturers directly with shop owners through mobile platforms, they’re giving small traders the same access to inventory, payments, and logistics once reserved for big supermarkets. The Scale of Opportunity The International Labour Organisation estimates that 86% of Africa’s…

When Dadiowei Kingsley Akpeti left Nigeria in 2019, he was searching for new horizons. Six years later, he isn’t just leading one of Texas’ fastest-growing facility management companies—he’s channeling his success into life-changing projects for vulnerable communities across Nigeria. From weekly medical outreaches and scholarship programs to food relief for displaced families, Akpeti’s philanthropy is quietly reshaping lives thousands of miles away from his Houston office. From Engineering to Entrepreneurship Trained as a chemical engineer, Akpeti’s true calling revealed itself in construction and facility management. Today, his company, Spotless In Minutes, has expanded across U.S. cities with a workforce that…

Nigeria’s economic future may well depend on how quickly it embraces emerging technologies. That was the central message as the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), NIM, opened its 2025 Annual National Management Conference in Abuja, challenging leaders to harness innovations like artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology to drive national competitiveness. A Call Beyond Rhetoric Abimbola Ayuba, President and Chairman of the Council of NIM, set the tone in his keynote: “Technology is everything, and every forward-looking nation that wants to go the distance must leverage emerging technologies.” For Ayuba, the conference is not just another gathering of academics and professionals.…

Nigerian companies are rapidly reshaping their digital future, with artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy now standing at the heart of corporate strategy. A recent study commissioned by Zoho and conducted by Arion Research reveals that 93% of Nigerian firms have already embraced AI, while 84% have reinforced privacy safeguards to match the pace of technological change. Speaking at the 2025 Zoholics Nigeria User Conference in Lagos, Zoho Nigeria’s Country Head, Kehinde Ogundare, noted that the findings mark a turning point: local companies are no longer merely experimenting with AI but are now embedding it across entire organisations. The report…