Author: Gift Ifeanyi

Stanbic IBTC Bank has issued a powerful challenge to Nigerian Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to look beyond the hurdles of today and focus on the opportunities that can drive sustainable growth. The challenge was launched as part of the bank’s latest campaign, ‘There is Possible, Then There is More’, which encourages business leaders to foster a mindset of limitless potential. In a bold move, the bank’s campaign debuted with a compelling open letter to Nigeria’s CEOs, delivered through various digital platforms, including social media and out-of-home screens. This teaser sparked widespread public interest, culminating in the official release of the…

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate stakeholders across Nigeria to draw inspiration from the spirit of Easter by embracing hope, renewal, and resilience. In a goodwill message marking the Easter celebration, the ACCI President highlighted the current hurdles facing the business sector — including economic instability, infrastructure challenges, and policy limitations. Despite these issues, the season was described as an ideal moment for introspection, creativity, and a renewed focus on economic advancement. “Easter signifies fresh starts. It teaches us the strength of persistence and the value of unity during challenging times.…

The Nigerian Capital Development Fund (NCDF), in partnership with the National Board for Technology Incubation and the London School of Social Enterprise and Sustainable Economics, has opened applications for the 2025 edition of the Fortune Entrepreneur Accelerator, Summit, and Venture Capital Programme. This initiative, set to conclude with a national summit in Benin City, Edo State in September 2025, aims to identify, nurture, and support 1,000 high-potential startups across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, financial technology, healthcare, manufacturing, creative industries, and climate innovation. Central to the initiative is the NCDF Opportunity Growth Fund, which offers up to N50 million…

In the bustling corridors of Balogun Market, a shop owner arranging her priciest items at eye level may not realize she’s applying principles of behavioural science—yet that simple act is a practical lesson in human psychology. Across Nigeria, businesses are increasingly relying on subtle psychological strategies to improve outcomes, often without formal training in the field. A few years ago, stepping into a bank branch in Lagos meant long queues and rising tempers. Fast forward to today, and the customer experience has transformed dramatically. While digital upgrades played a role, much of the change stems from behavioural insights: cues that…

Business owners and entrepreneurs across Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Kwara States recently participated in an intensive business growth workshop aimed at equipping them with practical tools to scale and sustain their ventures. The weeklong masterclass, part of the Business Empowerment, Sustainability and Training (BEST) initiative, provided hands-on guidance in key areas such as financial management, digital marketing, business planning, and sustainable practices for long-term growth. Participants not only received expert training but also benefited from free business registration facilitated through the Corporate Affairs Commission, helping them formalize their operations and improve credibility in the market. A representative from the…

Renowned Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, actress Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, have been appointed as brand ambassadors for KON Group Qatar, a global consulting firm headquartered in Doha. The couple, known for their dynamic presence in the Nigerian film industry, will represent KON Group across Nigeria and the African continent. Their new roles involve promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through a range of the firm’s services including project management, business development, communication strategy, public-private partnerships, digital life coaching, and cultural consultancy. Expressing his enthusiasm about the appointment, Lateef stated that he and his wife were excited to contribute to the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched a nationwide mystery shopping initiative targeting Bureau De Change (BDC) outlets, intensifying efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial activities. In a circular dated April 17, 2025, signed by Amonia Opusunju, Director of the Compliance Department, the CBN announced the deployment of undercover compliance officers to assess the adherence of BDCs to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regulations. “This initiative forms part of the bank’s enhanced strategy to strengthen compliance within the financial sector,” the circular stated, emphasizing the need for vigilance against terrorism financing and…

Moniepoint Inc., a major player in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, has unveiled a new remittance platform—MonieWorld—marking its first expansion beyond Africa. The launch is aimed at serving the fast-growing Nigerian diaspora in the UK and unlocking a share of Nigeria’s $21 billion annual remittance inflow. Operated through its London-based subsidiary, Moniepoint GB, the MonieWorld app allows users to send money to Nigeria instantly, with no transaction fees and highly competitive exchange rates updated daily. The app supports various payment methods, including bank transfers, debit and credit cards, and mobile payments such as Apple Pay. It is now available on both the…

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, has been recognized with the esteemed Aviation Industry Investor’s Award at the 14th edition of the Nigeria Aviation (NIGAV) Awards and Ministerial Dinner, a ceremony widely regarded as the pinnacle of recognition in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Alongside Dr. Afolabi’s individual honour, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc—a key subsidiary of SIFAX Group—was awarded the Aircraft Handling Service Achievement Award, further highlighting the group’s contributions to aviation excellence in Nigeria. The NIGAV Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across the air transport sector, promoting industry harmony, safety, innovation, and sustainable service delivery. Founder and Convener of…

The Pertinence Group recently held its much-anticipated Sales Pro Conference in Lagos, equipping entrepreneurs, marketers, realtors, and business leaders with cutting-edge strategies to thrive in today’s competitive sales landscape. Themed “Ignite Your Sales,” the hybrid conference brought together top industry minds and eager participants both online and in person, all united by a shared goal—to master the art of selling in Nigeria’s dynamic market. The group’s Co-founders, Dr. Sunday Olorunsheyi and Wisdom Ezekiel, delivered powerful keynote sessions packed with practical insights and proven sales techniques. Timeless Sales Secrets Unveiled Kicking off the conference, Wisdom Ezekiel presented on the topic “10…

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has emphasized the pivotal role of technology in enhancing insurance coverage, particularly in Nigeria’s rural areas. This call was made by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, during his address at the 2025 Business Day Insurance Conference held in Lagos on April 16. In his speech, which was delivered by Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, NAICOM’s Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, Omosehin outlined three key strategies aimed at boosting insurance penetration in underserved regions: Innovate for Inclusion Enhance Regulatory Systems Promote an Insurance Culture He stressed the importance of collaboration between insurers, regulators, and…

Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator for Ondo South Senatorial District and the chairman/chief executive officer of Global Fleet Group, has been announced as one of the keynote speakers for the Cambridge Africa Business Conference (CABC), set to take place on May 17, 2025 at the prestigious Cambridge Jude Business School. Since its inception in 2012, CABC has become a renowned platform for Africa’s most innovative thinkers, industry leaders, and global influencers. This year’s conference promises to be no different, bringing together a powerful lineup of visionaries who are shaping the future of the African business landscape. The conference organizers highlighted the…

In a bold move to address the growing digital divide, Nigerian tech entrepreneur Wale Atekoja has launched BorderlessTek’s Kids Coding Partnership, a transformative initiative designed to provide coding and software development skills to underprivileged schoolchildren in Lagos. This is more than just another corporate social responsibility project. It’s a deeply human-centered response to the digital exclusion that continues to marginalize low-income children in Nigeria, preventing them from accessing the opportunities of the global technology revolution. “We’ve been teaching Black kids in Europe how to code, but what about those back home?” says Wale Atekoja, known on social media as @AtexXeta.…

Adewumi-Zer Adeolu, a renowned Afro-optimist and global strategist, has spent over 25 years championing African excellence. As the founder of ZER Consulting Africa and the internationally best-selling author of Afro-Optimism Unleashed, Adeolu is dedicated to empowering African leaders and businesses to achieve sustainable growth and meaningful impact. Having successfully led strategic growth initiatives across Africa and globally, Adeolu’s insights have earned her numerous accolades. In an exclusive interview with Kenneth Athekame, she shares her views on Nigeria’s economy, the importance of financial inclusion, and the role of the informal sector in driving growth. On the Current State of Nigeria’s Economy:…

In any thriving economy, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the unsung heroes. In Nigeria, they’re not just the backbone of the economy — they are its lifeblood. These small businesses and entrepreneurs drive job creation, fuel innovation, and keep the wheels of Nigeria’s economy in constant motion. Yet, despite their immense contributions, MSMEs face an overwhelming barrier: access to funding. MSMEs account for a staggering 96% of Nigeria’s businesses, employing over 80% of the workforce. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), they also contribute nearly…

In a significant move toward reshaping Nigeria’s financial future, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, engaged in a high-profile discussion with world-renowned economist and Nobel laureate, Dr. James Robinson, at a strategic policy forum aimed at defining Nigeria’s monetary path and global financial integration. The event, which attracted top policymakers, financial experts, and global stakeholders, was highlighted in a statement shared via the CBN’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday. A New Era of Monetary Discipline Cardoso, speaking with clarity and conviction, outlined the CBN’s renewed commitment to transparency, stability, and orthodox monetary policies, signaling…

Fuel importers in Nigeria may be facing their final days, as local refining takes center stage and reshapes the country’s petroleum landscape. This bold prediction comes from the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), who say that importers resisting the shift toward homegrown refining are risking extinction. The warning comes amid renewed government support for the naira-for-crude oil deal, a policy that allows Nigerian refineries like Dangote’s to purchase crude oil using the local currency. The deal had been temporarily suspended following backlash from fuel importers, but has now been reinstated by presidential order. Importers Sound the Alarm—but…

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has been honoured with the prestigious title of “Major Oil Company of the Year 2023” by Energy Times, a leading Nigerian energy publication. The award recognises SNEPCo’s pioneering efforts and sustained excellence in Nigeria’s deep-water oil and gas development. The event, which gathered key players and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, also celebrated Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, the company’s former Managing Director, with the title of “Amazon of Nigeria’s Oil Sector 2024.” Mrs. Aiboni is currently on an international assignment in Brunei. A Celebration of Excellence and Leadership The awards were received…

In a strategic shift that bodes well for Nigeria’s oil export ambitions, Turkey’s largest refinery, Tüpraş, has placed fresh orders for Nigerian crude, with deliveries scheduled for March and April. This move positions Tüpraş—a key player in the global refining industry—as a new and significant buyer of Nigerian oil, reinforcing Nigeria’s efforts to ramp up exports and meet its 2025 budget goals. A Strategic Win for Nigeria’s Economy With crude oil contributing approximately 90% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and expected to fund 56% of the federal budget this year, the new order from Tüpraş could provide crucial support to…

Nigeria boasts a vibrant tea culture, one that blends tradition with modern-day influences. While tea is enjoyed throughout the day, it remains deeply embedded in the social fabric of the country, often shared among friends and family in a relaxed, informal manner. Though not as ritualistic as some tea cultures, the Nigerian tea-drinking tradition thrives in casual gatherings, making it a staple in everyday life. However, Nigeria’s tea scene is now being transformed by TeaStoria, a groundbreaking brand that is redefining how tea is consumed in the country. Founded by a dynamic family of entrepreneurs — Raliat Akinlolu, Saula Akinlolu,…